Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

stickguy said:

I am still annoyed I missed getting a ride on this gravy train.

You and me both.

qbrozen

I just wish it would hurry up and get here! I found a low mileage 92x Aero calling my name!

corvette

stickguy said:

I am still annoyed I missed getting a ride on this gravy train.

Ditto. There are still a handful out there, I think?

stickguy

probably. I just don't have the money or parking spot for one.

28firefighter

For what it's worth I don't have a spot either. It'll be on the street with the GTI.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

I just wish it would hurry up and get here! I found a low mileage 92x Aero calling my name!

Those are really hard to find. That's what @nyccarguy went to see in NJ, for me, a couple of years ago.

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

I just wish it would hurry up and get here! I found a low mileage 92x Aero calling my name!

Those are really hard to find. That's what @nyccarguy went to see in NJ, for me, a couple of years ago.

That was a while ago. 4 - 5 years ago? Had I known you were going to buy your son a 200K ///M3, I might have been more inclined to recommend that 92-X. Lol!

nyccarguy

My best friend & another friend of ours drove out to Plymouth, IN on Thursday. He bought a 1991 Z28 Camaro Coupe - Red over Grey, Automatic, T-Tops, 50K miles, one owner.

28firefighter

Was working south of Indianapolis this week and Hertz upgraded me to an Infiniti QX60. A nice drive but underpowered and quite a barge to try and park. I can see the appeal of it for those who need the space.

iluvmysephia1

Sorry for the loss of your yellow lab, stick. We have lost two Pomeranians and a beautiful cat. That cat had cancer and had to be put down one day short of age 16. She loved our son so much that she literally drug herself outside to the porch to follow him - just to be by him.

We have an Akita Chow and Pomeranian now, plus two rescue cats. The Chow and grey cat favor me, the Pom favors the Mrs. and the orange cat loves us both. Can't wait to get somewhere that the orange cat can go outside again - she won't let him out because our street is a 40mph one - and people (some of them) exceed that speed. She looked outside one day and saw him in the middle of the street, stuck, sitting down. Traumatized her - I've lobbied for letting him out but she "loves him too much ta do that." I see her point. More on this story later.

qbrozen

Well I hate to share it and risk someone buying it before me but I probably won't be able to, I'm sure:
http://www.fredbeanssubaru.com/used/Saab/2005-Saab-9-2X-Doylestown-89800e830a0e0ae74ba6f189c63bc850.htm?searchDepth=1:6

Sorry for the link but I am on my phone.

My wife would much prefer I buy this:
http://www.maximumautooutlet.com/used-2005-MERCEDES-BENZ-SLK-CLASS-SLK350-manassas-park-virginia-20111/vd/103329

stickguy

the Saabaru looks nice. If it had a moonroof I would be interested! but not right now.

I don't think it is going anywhere soon at that price, even being 1 owner (and looks maintained) with reasonable miles.

but, could make a nice all weather car for your 2 card monte plan.

the Mercedes, not quite sure what to make out of that. especially in those colors.

nyccarguy

Nicely priced, low mileage cars for sure @qbrozen!

qbrozen

I told her the Benz is definitely a chick car in those colors. But, heck, maybe I get it wrapped.

at least with the saab, I can pick up the kids without going home to swap cars.

benjaminh

qbrozen said:

Well I hate to share it and risk someone buying it before me but I probably won't be able to, I'm sure:
http://www.fredbeanssubaru.com/used/Saab/2005-Saab-9-2X-Doylestown-89800e830a0e0ae74ba6f189c63bc850.htm?searchDepth=1:6

Sorry for the link but I am on my phone.

My wife would much prefer I buy this:
http://www.maximumautooutlet.com/used-2005-MERCEDES-BENZ-SLK-CLASS-SLK350-manassas-park-virginia-20111/vd/103329

$10k for a 12-year old Saab? Seems a bit high. Am I missing something?

iluvmysephia1

$10k for a 12-year old Saab? Seems a bit high. Am I missing something?

Saabs are expensive ta buy and they may hold their value (is that deserved, though?) somewhat. The jury might tell someone that they're expensive to repair, too.

nyccarguy

benjaminh said:

qbrozen said:

Well I hate to share it and risk someone buying it before me but I probably won't be able to, I'm sure:
http://www.fredbeanssubaru.com/used/Saab/2005-Saab-9-2X-Doylestown-89800e830a0e0ae74ba6f189c63bc850.htm?searchDepth=1:6

Sorry for the link but I am on my phone.

My wife would much prefer I buy this:
http://www.maximumautooutlet.com/used-2005-MERCEDES-BENZ-SLK-CLASS-SLK350-manassas-park-virginia-20111/vd/103329

$10k for a 12-year old Saab? Seems a bit high. Am I missing something?

It is a Saab 92-X Aero - basically a 2005 Subaru WRX wrapped in Swedish Body Work. Try finding an unmolested, I modified 2005 WRX with 71K miles for under $10K. Ain't happening.

kyfdx

That's it... it's a Subaru WRX underneath. Nice low miles, same color as the one Bradd looked at.

Price seems a little high, though probably still cheaper than a comparable WRX. Real Saabs don't hold their value any more, but this is really a Subaru.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

I just wish it would hurry up and get here! I found a low mileage 92x Aero calling my name!

Those are really hard to find. That's what @nyccarguy went to see in NJ, for me, a couple of years ago.

That was a while ago. 4 - 5 years ago? Had I known you were going to buy your son a 200K ///M3, I might have been more inclined to recommend that 92-X. Lol!

It was Spring of 2013. We didn't end up buying that M3 until July 2014. Getting ready to sell it now, I think.

qbrozen

It is a little high but none with those miles have traveled through auction. My guess is they might have $6k in it. If I was able to make a move now, I'd plop $8500 cash in front of them (OTD).

Michaell

I saw this a few months ago while delivering. I'm assuming its a UK plate ...

andres3

28firefighter said:

@ab348 I think a few hundred dollars difference is not going to matter for most here. The folks who really ought to have their values reassessed are 2015 MY owners. NADA is giving a lot of those folks a 30% reduction in value for the first year, so even with the restitution, many of them will not be made whole. That seems unfair.

I agree the 2015 values seem low. Seems like they low-balled it deliberately to cover the restitution amount.

nyccarguy

Since it was good enough to clean this Lambo, I figured it would be OK to run our Pilot through.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Since it was good enough to clean this Lambo, I figured it would be OK to run our Pilot through.

If I spent that much money on a Lamborghini, I think I could afford to get it hand-washed.

kyfdx

Or, maybe you are out of money?

kyfdx

So.. my friend bought this today. We are driving to Terre Haute tomorrow to pick it up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Z3-2-8i-Convertible-2-Door-/122073658074?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c6c2832da:g:-zsAAOSw3xJXpT1S&item=122073658074

tjc78

A lambo through an automatic wash? OMG!!! At least it is white and the swirls won't show as bad.

tjc78

Edit... If you can afford the lambo you probably don't care and will just pay to have it buffed out if it looks shabby.

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

So.. my friend bought this today. We are driving to Terre Haute tomorrow to pick it up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Z3-2-8i-Convertible-2-Door-/122073658074?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c6c2832da:g:-zsAAOSw3xJXpT1S&item=122073658074

Oboy....get that air bag "sensor" checked out and be sure to check for broken body rivets just above the rear axle.

kyfdx

Yeah, it's bought.. At $5650, he can afford to fix problems. The owner is 75, and seemed like a straight shooter. Has sensation issues in his left leg, and can't drive a stick any more.

He'll have it into the local mechanic by the end of the week, assuming we get it home in one piece, tomorrow.

stickguy

nice looking car. and the kind of owner I always look for to buy from.

stickguy

so, was chatting with the wife about cars again earlier while floating in the pool (hey, it is only 15 months away, so gotta be prepared). Seriously considered just returning the lease, and seeing how long we can go with 1, to go cheap.

probably not long, but who knows? Would certainly cut our car expenses way down, because next summer the RDX will be paid off, so take that payment and the Sonata lease out, plus the insurance cost of the Sonata, and will be looking at close to $800/month cash flow freed up.

I timed this poorly, since a month after the lease ends, we have to make the last tuition payment for the Princess. so, there won't be any discretionary cash laying around for any kind of decent down payment. The following summer, should be a different story!

so, my thoughts right now (assuming no drastic change to driving habits, such as getting a job with a long commute), in agreement with the boss, that when the Hyundai goes back if it gets replaced right away, it will either be another lease for a not too big payment, or something used and not too expensive, as a temporary gip filler.

stever

Play your cards right and you'll be able to arbitrage yourself into an Audi "TDI" and profit.

stickguy

I am so annoyed this TDI nonsense did not pop up in fall 2017. I would have been all over it!

Michaell

stickguy said:

so, was chatting with the wife about cars again earlier while floating in the pool (hey, it is only 15 months away, so gotta be prepared). Seriously considered just returning the lease, and seeing how long we can go with 1, to go cheap.

probably not long, but who knows? Would certainly cut our car expenses way down, because next summer the RDX will be paid off, so take that payment and the Sonata lease out, plus the insurance cost of the Sonata, and will be looking at close to $800/month cash flow freed up.

I timed this poorly, since a month after the lease ends, we have to make the last tuition payment for the Princess. so, there won't be any discretionary cash laying around for any kind of decent down payment. The following summer, should be a different story!

so, my thoughts right now (assuming no drastic change to driving habits, such as getting a job with a long commute), in agreement with the boss, that when the Hyundai goes back if it gets replaced right away, it will either be another lease for a not too big payment, or something used and not too expensive, as a temporary gip filler.

Funny, after the wife and I talked about that very scenario, she's now walking back those thoughts. I'd like to give it a go for a month or two, to see if we could really do it. I am trying to drive the E-GT as little as possible. It's at 48,5xx miles at the moment.

If there are any left - and any at a decent price - I might be able to score a TDI and make a little money.

stickguy

the only way it would work for us is if I am still working FT from home, and have no reason to ever go into the office (or do any travel) like it is now for me. She works close (3 miles) to home, and can work from home any time she wants, so if there was a day that I needed the car, she would just have to stay home. So, not that hard really. The trick would be if I needed to go someplace away from home, and she wasn't coming (probably only likely if there were issues going on up in NY with my dad). So, then we have to start dealing with rentals, and that isn't going to be flying for long!

who am I kidding. Going to one car just means I have a reason to be out looking, and no constraints when I find what I want! Just really hard to go out and look, without a car...

suydam

We are doing the 1 car thing temporarily. It works because we've just moved and at the moment don't have separate lives. I see it lasting maybe another month at most.

kyfdx

My plan is to retire, and just flip TDIs bi-monthly for the next two years.

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

So.. my friend bought this today. We are driving to Terre Haute tomorrow to pick it up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Z3-2-8i-Convertible-2-Door-/122073658074?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c6c2832da:g:-zsAAOSw3xJXpT1S&item=122073658074

Pretty cool little car. Price seems right, too.

Was talking to an acquaintance yesterday about the Cobra. He asked if I would have bought another car if it wasn't available. I told him "maybe". I was pretty interested in that new Mustang GT. But, whenever I buy something, it's almost like I wake up in the morning knowing I'm going to buy a car.

Until that time, I'm just shopping around!

stickguy

So, I signed up for the BMW drive event. Doing my part to support USA Olympics! Picked the X1 2.8i to drive, since that is closest to what I might possibly buy someday. And I want to try out the 2.0t motor. Could have taken a 340i instead, but that might have just been torturing myself!

Plus whatever competitors they have on hand. I think they will have MB GLA, so can compare that. Really want to try the GLC but don't think they have that on. The small Lexus will bethere too.

Fun way to spend lunch hour!

qbrozen

i received an email about that, but I wound up ignoring it.

stickguy

I don't have much else to keep me busy right now. And don't get out of the house much. So I really have nothing better to do with that time!

au1994

Id say the Z3 was well bought at that price. Even if he has to shell out a few bucks for some maintenance items he will be fine and it should be a fun sunny day driver.

stickguy

I would have snagged it for that money.

Mr_Shiftright

It's a market correct price if you factor in the cosmetic and mechanical issues. I was shopping Z3s for a long time so got a feel for the market. Being a 2.8L helps the value. Miles are very good. Manual transmission is preferable as well. Air bag issue could be simple or very pricey. $400 should fix the seat. $350 should spiff up the bumper.

I gave up on the Z3 because I didn't like the driving position or the plastic window in the top. The Z4 seems to correct those two issues (while creating others, OF COURSE).

stever

My neighbors in Boise had a very similar white one that I was always offering to exercise. I got to drive it a couple of times when their garage had some roof issues - basically from their driveway to my garage to keep it out of the weather. The Z4 has grown on me but I still like the Z3 looks a bit better.

roadburner

kyfdx said:

So.. my friend bought this today. We are driving to Terre Haute tomorrow to pick it up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Z3-2-8i-Convertible-2-Door-/122073658074?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c6c2832da:g:-zsAAOSw3xJXpT1S&item=122073658074

If the SRS light stays on for around two minutes and then goes out I'd bet that the fault is one of the seat belt buckles.

Mr_Shiftright

Most likely the side impact sensor or as RB says something in the seat wiring or belt wiring. Common issue on the Z3---wiring gets crushed and needs repair. Not a major repair but can be tedious

kyfdx

roadburner said:

kyfdx said:

So.. my friend bought this today. We are driving to Terre Haute tomorrow to pick it up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Z3-2-8i-Convertible-2-Door-/122073658074?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c6c2832da:g:-zsAAOSw3xJXpT1S&item=122073658074

If the SRS light stays on for around two minutes and then goes out I'd bet that the fault is one of the seat belt buckles.

The guy said the problem started after the driver's side seat belt receptor had been replaced, so you may be on to something.

Just got back about an hour ago. I'd say the tires need balanced, and both seats "shift" under hard braking. I think there is some sort of bracket fix for that. Really nice shifter/clutch action. Good acceleration and strong brakes.

The bumper? If you saw it, you wouldn't bother fixing it.. it's nothing. Car has a boot to cover the top when it's down, and an aftermarket wind screen that fits over the roll hoops.

I drove it about half the way home (including rush hour traffic, ugh), and it seems really solid. Seemed like a great buy, to me. Plastic windows suck, agreed, but this one is still in good shape.

kyfdx

Eight hour day for this. I'm bushed.