Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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One shocking event... the color I ordered has changed and the salesman didn't know about it. But, thank goodness it's OK with me. It's like going into the dealership and expecting to get your brand spanking new Ford Crown Victoria in Powder Blue but getting it in Butternut Creme!
There were several updates on the 2008 from 2007 which were nice..... like the new 70 gallon grey water tank (was 56 gal. on the 2007).
The original color was burgundy w/beige and gold swirls. The new one is dark brown with an ecru base with swirling graphics that fade from brown to rust to gold.... very nice looking with a crisp contemporary look.
I can't believe my salesman didn't realize the color change for the new model. I probably could work a discount in there somewhere but I'm afraid it will backfire on me.
I have the CR-V so full of stuff you couldn't add a drop of water!!!
Mark156
hmmmm... i know the CRV got bigger, but you gonna fit a motorhome in it?? :0
;b
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I already have 2,200 miles and still about 500-600 to go before I reach my destination. Once I attach the CR-V to the motorhome, no more mileage while being towed (although the tires, brakes and suspension will be used. I will figure that into the maintenance when the time comes.
Also.... I like the green CR-V's too!
I can't believe my gas mileage so far... getting 28-29 with hwy driving. My Land Rover LR3 is getting 18-19 at best on the Hwy... 11 mpg in the city.
It's nice to fill up the Honda for $35-$39 and drive 300 plus miles! California gas prices are crazy... it's nice to buy regular as all of my other cars use premium. Regular 87 octane gas is running between $3.19 to $3.35 per gallon. :sick:
Since the motorhome will use diesel, I've noticed that it seems to be cheaper than regular unleaded.
Happy Motoring! Mark156
Once you get the motor home make sure they give you the full rundown on how to operate everything. The coldest night of my life was in a motor home on a Penn State football weekend. The people that rented it did not pay attention to when the owner explained how to light the heater. Let's just say it is not a pretty sight to see 3 grown men sleeping next to each other to get warm.
Yes, I agree! The factory has set aside two days for me to have access to 2 tech guys if I have any questions or if something is not just right. My salesman will meet me at the factory for delivery. Monaco has the 'white glove' PDI that is supposed to catch anything that is not perfect.
Also, I have heat pumps for heat so I'm not lighting anything! I even had the propane tank removed as it only worked the counter top stove... I had an electric cook-top put in.
The hot water is called "Aqua Hot" and runs off diesel fuel or electric. If using diesel, it uses a half a gallon per hour. They say that you have endless hot water if you want it. The Aqua hot system also heats the tile floor to keep the coach's temp more even in cold weather camping.
I have two heat systems and three roof air systems, so, keeping it "just like home" shouldn't be a problem.
People are also telling me to get a front cover for the Honda while towing. I certainly have thought about it as I don't want any rock chips, broken headlights or a broken windshield. So, I made a point to start noticing all of the campers towing vehicles and I found that maybe one out of ten might have a shield to protect the front of the toad (dingy). I will certainly check into getting something.
Mark156
Camping.... Camping??? I thought camping involved pitching a tent in the dark on rocky ground and trying to build a campfire in a downpour! :P
I want to know where you are finding diesel cheaper than gas?? LOL Here in Alaska we are paying 30-40 cents per gallon more for diesel than regular unleaded.
It was nice the other day to fill up the Durango and only spend $40, a similar fill up for the Ram was $60-$80 depending on where the fuel guage was. Not to mention I don't have to hunt for a diesel pump anymore.
Nice mileage on the CRV btw, wow! Might put those on my short list when it comes time to replace the Durango. :P
Is Easter taken yet ?
I got to confess to getting an itch. It's been over a year with Escape and with gas prices inching up I think I can make juicy rationalization to get something a little better on gas.
Pontiac Vibe's were my runner up before the last purchase. Maybe it's time to give them another look.
The other day I saw a Burgandy RDX driving past. Wow--for the brief time I saw it, I thought it looked really nice. And looked "expensive" too, which is good, because it is expensive compared to the CR-V. But for all the features it has, the nice interior, the Acura name, & given that reportedly dealers are selling them for less than invoice, it has me interested.....
Heck NO, you are not beyond help, lol. Come back when you trade the 07 Jeep GC in 6 months for an 08 Saturn Vue!
Reg. 3.35
Mid. 3.45
Prem. 3.55
Diesel. 3.09
That's the highest that I've seen it... several other stations had diesel for 2.99 with the same above prices for the other grades.
The new coach has a 150 gallon tank and will be full on delivery (they tell me). So, that should set them back about $450.
You should check out the CR-V. It has a two layered cargo thingy that is great for packing (luggage on the bottom and other items on top).
Every time I stop for fuel, it's about $35.00 for a fill-up and I've gone about 300 miles. Can't beat that! :shades:
Mark156
Why would you care about fuel efficiency when you are shelling well above 400 grand in owning/storing your new motor home. Sorry.. am just thinking out loud here. :confuse:
Now now, you know if I do that it will be a bad idea!! Nah, I'm pretty content with the Durango, most I've spent on a fill up was $50 and that's about 300 miles, can't complain too much. It seems to average around 15 mpg in mixed driving and 19 mpg on the highway, 'bout the same as the diesel was doing and gas is 30 cents cheaper.
I told hubby that since I had to sacrifice my new truck in order to put us in a better position to expand our business that the next new car I get is gonna be EXPENSIVE!!! We are talking Lexus or Acura here, lol. He just chuckles.
I don't think my son will let me part with the Durango, he wants it as his first car........that's not that far away really, about 3 years and he has a license, 1 year until his permit. :sick:
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Nah, too soon. I've been going longer than that between trades. Went 2 years with the Titan AND Zippy. The Ram lasted 8 months. Have had the Sebring technically almost a year although its up for sale.
I want to pay a car off for a change.......that's my goal! Anybody think I can do it?? No, wait, don't answer that, lol. :P
I'll take my chances..
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Growwise... the motorhomes gets excellent mileage when parked! LOL!
You know, I still don't like to waste money even though the motorhome will get about 6.5 mpg's. Moving my 'hotel suite' from location to location will just cost what it costs. The longer I stay in a location the more efficient it becomes!
Yesterday I saw a new Monaco Executive ($550,00) tooling down the interstate and they had a new Range Rover as a tow vehicle. The cost on converting a Range Rover for four wheel down towing is quite expensive.. that looked excessive to me.
If I put lots of miles on the CR-V, I'll still be able to bring decent money in five years. Towing a Range Rover has to kill the value.
It's funny, people that have the means to buy certain things still have quirky things like taking shampoo bottles from the hotel rooms because the 'paid' for them.
I save soft drink cans and give them to my housekeeper. I like to be efficient although others might disagree when driving a huge Motorhome down the road. But remember, mine is the new 'clean air diesel' that removes 90% of the particulants from the exhaust. :surprise:
Mark
Temptation is everywhere.
-mike
Sure looks nice from the pics. It has the square--not round--tail-lights--I guess that was the deal in 1976. I need to dig out my Roundels & post questions on the E10 boards & get way up to speed on checking out 2002's if I got serious about this. Fortunately, one of the best indie bmw repair shops in Mass. is practically down the street from me & could check it out. I know buying a 30 y.o. bmw is not for the faint of heart, but if it's as cherry as it looks.......
In the meantime, any reactions/advice from people here? TIA!
The guy hasn't e-mailed me back, so it's probably either: A. sold, B. Too good to be true, C. Would drive me nuts & broke with all the work needed, or D. He came to his senses & decided to keep it.
Still, hope springs eternal. Reading the Roundel has convinced me that I need either a 2002, or an E30 in one of the variations I lusted after when they were current, & almost bought (don't ever read the Roundel!).....
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
The Sandman
They are pretty basic cars, how expensive could it be to maintain ?
PS. I have never owned a BMW of any vintage.
Aside from air,oil filters, spark plugs parts are very pricy.....
Dealer service..........YEOW $$$$$$$$$$$$$
My sister and BIL have/had several !
I have a C240 (pics on my car space page). But it's nowhere close as cheap to run as [non-permissible content removed] cars.
I love it though.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
If anyone has any patience left with my eternal car shopping, this 4Runner looks sweet:
2005 Toyota 4Runner Sport, Silver, V8, 4.7 liter, 21,321 miles, absolute showroom condition, original owner, truck has been babied, never off road. Garaged, spotless condition. Many extras. Alpine 5.1 DVD and Surround Sound with three LCD display monitors. Back up camera. Viper alarm with remote start. TRD Exhaust and Wheels. $25,500 obo.
It also has a S/R, apparently, & a cool looking light bar thing. The wheels look awesome. Anyone have an idea of a good offering price?
(I called the guy with the 2002, it's 2 hours away, & the vintage car thing is tough, esp. when the most you can possibly drive it is 6 mo. a year. Can't get it out of my mind tho).
Did anyone else get a good chuckle out of that one?
The new Scion XB sort of piques my interest...
Did anyone else get a good chuckle out of that one?
In a "putting food out for the birds" way, yeah.
But, with that much power in a car that size, I would probably get the auto (not SMG) version. Nice shifter, but the clutch is a little stiff, and it just didn't seem as smooth to drive as a smaller car with a stick 9such as my Accord). Plus, it sure has enough power to overcome the TC!
And I am one of the clutch til I die guys too! Of course, I would have a toy to go along with it with a stick.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
One nice upgrade, that is fairly common, is a 5-spd tranny from a 320 or later BMW. For an interesting look at an incredible 2002 restoration check this out:
http://www.my2002tii.com/
Note that this guy put euro bumpers on a later (square tail-light) 2002.
james
A year later I got another $400 ticket in R.I., from a state cop who was REALLY ticked off & kept his hand on his gun while yelling at me.
A couple of years ago I got a $200 ticket in ME for going maybe, 85 in a 65 I think? In my e39 528i. I mean, you could get plenty of tickets in a relatively base model bmw, let alone a new 550i......btw I agree with getting an auto in a car like that.
How often will your BIL let you drive it? :shades:
I would personally prefer a 325i 6 speed. Still plenty quick, but more manageable.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Mark156
If I wanted a fun summer car that was a 4-dr, sunroof, leather, ect, what should I look for? If I was going to buy something it would be older, cheap (less than $4k). I've found a couple Nissan Maximas on Craigslist......no I haven't looked, just glanced at the ads. No more junkyard projects I don't think, too much work.
On the bright side, I more than doubled my money on the Sebring, so it wasn't all bad.
:P
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
Didn't that only count if I traded in the Durango? Or is it if I buy anything else? There was that Protege at the junkyard.......
Craigslist seems to be the only place anymore to look for the under $5k car. My local newspaper does not have many fsbo ads anymore. I guess the ad prices are so high only dealers can afford it.
At least with Craigslist you at least get a picture, which can eliminate 95% of the cars before I read farther.
I know I know, but sometimes they get some nice ones in there. That's basically where our 97 F-250 came from and its a great truck.
Mark
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In the F&I office, they offered an extended 7yr, 70,000 mile warranty for $8,797. After looking at the brochure closely, it didn't seem to cover anything! The engine, transmission and drive-train are covered for 5yrs and 100,000 miles.
I passed on the warranty for now. I was parked next to a guy who bought an extended warranty with Good Sams (specializing in motorhomes) for one fourth of the price. I'll check into that!
I committed the number one cardinal motorhome sin today. I hit my head on the bedroom slide-out. It is known that you always wear a baseball cap when working around the motorhome. Tonight, I connected to the water and electricity, filled the water tank and turned to walk back to the Honda to turn off the engine (warming it up to run through the gears per Honda rules)... and banged my head on the corner of the slide-out. It just about knocked me out and I fell to the ground skinning my knees... so, here I sit with a bandage on my head and band-aid patches on my knees... a real good look as I have a black-tie event in 17 days.. I hope that I heal enough to look presentable! :sick:
Mark156