Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

So my wife told me to take our 3 kids to a local toy store to get some Hanukkah gift ideas. Her instructions were simple: Take pictures so we can go back during the week and pick up. Yes ma'am. Roger Roger. 10-4. Over & Out.

10 for execution. Well done, sir!

stickguy

houdini1 said:

stickguy said:

oh, his ordered car won't actually be in until February. He just got antsy, and they managed to find an identical (down to the accessories) unit at another dealer and traded for it. Same price, he just got it earlier. dealer will just end up with the ordered one as an inventory unit when it finally arrives.

Hey, you cal tell Mrs. Stickguy that you have to buy that one !!

well, she would take one look at the price and say No. Besides, there is no way I would buy the same car. Especially not in same colors. That would be a major faux pas.

tbirdmarco

@Michaell You are welcome hope that everyone had an grate weekand. I shore did TOday was my 30th birthday and my mom threw me an surprise birthday party. Grate day all around and weekand. Have an grate upcumming week to everyone. Keep those punches cumming lol lol

tbirdmarco

@stickguy Congrads to your son very nice car.

cdnpinhead

I shore did TOday was my 30th birthday and my mom threw me an surprise birthday party. Grate day all around. . .

Glad to hear you had a happy birthday. 30 is a good year, or at least it was for me.

28firefighter

Happy birthday, @Marcothecarguy1986!  Sounds like it was a great day!

Michaell

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@Michaell You are welcome hope that everyone had an grate weekand. I shore did TOday was my 30th birthday and my mom threw me an surprise birthday party. Grate day all around and weekand. Have an grate upcumming week to everyone. Keep those punches cumming lol lol

Happy belated birthday, Marco. 30 was a tough year for me, but it made me a better person because of it.

suydam

Happy birthday!

tbirdmarco

Thank You GUys yes was an all around grate day.

nyccarguy

@Marcothecarguy1986! Happy Birthday! Many more!

sda

breld said:

Maybe something like this, though I'd rather have a Sport or EX-L to get the leather steering wheel:

Accord Coupe

Seems like a cool car for $15k. Won't lose your pants on depreciation either - good for me!

You can also get an EX 4dr with a manual, though they are far and few between. It does surprise me and also weighed in on my decision when I bought my EX that it didn't have a leather steering wheel while the less exspensive Sport did. Yet the EX has a sunroof, slightly better stereo, push button start, lane watch, rear a/c vents that the Sport and LX don't have. I did buy a leather cover that I installed myself about a week after I bought the Accord. It has held up well and feels nice to the touch. Took a little over an hour to install and with it being my first one, a learning experience. Having learned from that experience I believe I can improve upon the install should there be a next time.

kyfdx

That is the Macan that my wife wants for Christmas. Might be the only way I ever get to own a Porsche, again.

stickguy

I would be happy if my wife got one. Sadly not in our current budget. But. Will have to show her one at the car show!

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

That is the Macan that my wife wants for Christmas. Might be the only way I ever get to own a Porsche, again.

there is a benefit to the better half driving a Porsche SUV. My Mom drives a 2016 V6 Cayenne. Both my parents LOVE it!

kyfdx

Yeah... not in our budget, either..

28firefighter

I was going to suggest a CPO Macan, but that does not seem to be much better than new...

qbrozen

I am holding onto hope that a Macan will fall into my budget in a couple of years. They are discounting new ones now, and I see a row on the Princeton dealer's lot, so it could happen.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

I am holding onto hope that a Macan will fall into my budget in a couple of years. They are discounting new ones now, and I see a row on the Princeton dealer's lot, so it could happen.

Those being discounted & piling up on dealers' lots are most likely Macan (4cyl Turbos, but still a Porsche Macan). Those will be leased out and start showing up about 2 1/2 years from now as CPO units. Probably right around the time you'll be ready to get rid of your EX,

suydam

Top safety picks 2017.
http://www.motortrend.com/news/38-vehicles-earn-top-safety-pick-award-amid-stricter-criteria/

graphicguy

stickguy said:

the VW thing is based on when you get your paperwork in, how quickly they process, and sunspots (just guessing on that last part).

True on the Audi. I have been getting updates as he plays with more stuff. Used the headlights finally, and said the standard HIDs are excellent, so does not miss the LEDs. That, and so far, he loves it, and is very happy he picked this one out of the options he was considering. Not having buyers remorse is good. Confusing here maybe, but good!

That's a very cool car. I like it....A LOT! Kind of makes me want to jump back into the Audi pool (almost)!

stever

Cheapest Macan within 500 miles of me is still $50,000. But it is white....

Mr_Shiftright

That does seem to be the bottom line right now, around $50K. I dunno, you can buy some pretty tasty new stuff for that money.

stever

I bought a nice house a few years back for less than that. Granted, it was in the UP, but only a couple of blocks from the beach.

Every time I see an exotic car around here - Lexus, Volvo, BMW, MB - I think about the hour drive for warranty work. Maybe even three.

Mr_Shiftright

And don't forget that you usually have to go back 2 or 3 times. (aka "could not replicate")

ab348

suydam said:

Top safety picks 2017.
http://www.motortrend.com/news/38-vehicles-earn-top-safety-pick-award-amid-stricter-criteria/

Hmmm. Not a single Ford product on the list, and darn few GM and Chryslers. They need to step up their game.

nyccarguy

Thoughts? Opinions? Auction value @qbrozen?

http://www.greenwichinfiniti.com/VehicleDetails/certified-2014-INFINITI-QX70-AWD_4dr-Greenwich-CT/2891127013

The new ones on the lot have $54K to $58K MSRPs.

qbrozen

stever said:

Cheapest Macan within 500 miles of me is still $50,000. But it is white....

truecar has the base model with zero options for $45,400 in my zip code.

The one I'd want is $58k. (Macan S with sport chrono, active vectoring, and air suspension w/PASM)

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

Thoughts? Opinions? Auction value @qbrozen?

http://www.greenwichinfiniti.com/VehicleDetails/certified-2014-INFINITI-QX70-AWD_4dr-Greenwich-CT/2891127013

The new ones on the lot have $54K to $58K MSRPs.

About $25k-$25.5k at auction.

Its CPO, so anything south of $30k would be OK, I think.

xwesx

Well, this explains why I often see VW-looking test mules up here during the winter every year!

stever

Got drones?

graphicguy

SDA....great job on the leather steering wheel. I think you have found a new career.

stickguy

Our odyssey had a grippy rubber wheel. Different at first, but quickly got used to it, and it functioned well. Easy to hold.

breld

@sda - I've done a couple of those nice leather steering wheel covers myself; one on my 1993 Prelude and another on our 2005 318ti. Definitely need to take your time on them, and use gloves when you're pulling the thread through to get it nice and tight.

It's a good option - only looks a bit aftermarket at the spokes, but they certainly feel nice, even "thickening" up the steering wheel a bit.

stickguy

here is an interesting one to keep an eye on. Cheap enough I guess. And for sure be the only one on the block, if not the county.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-1996-jaguar-xjs_convertible-used-15795954.html

stickguy

so, my latest hobby, cruising listings for lower price cars that could serve as an interesting ST option for spare wheels. Looking in the 5-6K range or so. Just arbitrarily.

this one looks real clean. and OldFarmer low miles. And fast. could be a nice buy.

http://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Nissan/2002-Nissan-Maxima-Cherry+Hill+NJ-3360f0000a0e0a6b0cf40ddba88c058b.htm?searchDepth=16:42

No price on this one, but I always liked these. the GT is the one with the hyperactive revving motor and 180 HP. Hey, it has a stick. and a hatch. to me, it is a sporty car! Miles a touch steep though, but could work to my favor.

http://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Pontiac/2003-Pontiac-Vibe-Cherry+Hill+NJ-904b327f0a0e0adf4ae7cb9128d40845.htm?searchDepth=18:42

qbrozen

didn't those GT manual transmissions have issues?

stickguy

I have decided that all cars have issues if you look hard enough. so either need to drive a 2006 Camry, or live on the edge.

but that does sound vaguely familiar.

roadburner

28firefighter said:

Happy birthday, @Marcothecarguy1986!  Sounds like it was a great day!

Ditto!!!

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I have decided that all cars have issues if you look hard enough. so either need to drive a 2006 Camry, or live on the edge. but that does sound vaguely familiar.

Sure, they all have issues, but I at least TRY to avoid those where the car would be totalled if it happens.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy I am with you all cars have problems no matter the brand. look on yootoob or just on any internet sirtch. Did look years back.

tbirdmarco

Thankyou to those others on the birthday wishes.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

I have decided that all cars have issues if you look hard enough. so either need to drive a 2006 Camry, or live on the edge.

but that does sound vaguely familiar.

Sure, they all have issues, but I at least TRY to avoid those where the car would be totalled if it happens.

Exactly---who wants to put an $18,000 motor into a $12,000 Boxster?

houdini1

stickguy said:

so, my latest hobby, cruising listings for lower price cars that could serve as an interesting ST option for spare wheels. Looking in the 5-6K range or so. Just arbitrarily.

this one looks real clean. and OldFarmer low miles. And fast. could be a nice buy.

http://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Nissan/2002-Nissan-Maxima-Cherry+Hill+NJ-3360f0000a0e0a6b0cf40ddba88c058b.htm?searchDepth=16:42

No price on this one, but I always liked these. the GT is the one with the hyperactive revving motor and 180 HP. Hey, it has a stick. and a hatch. to me, it is a sporty car! Miles a touch steep though, but could work to my favor.

http://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Pontiac/2003-Pontiac-Vibe-Cherry+Hill+NJ-904b327f0a0e0adf4ae7cb9128d40845.htm?searchDepth=18:42

I had 2 of those Maximas of that generation. They were both outstanding and absolutely bullet proof. Very good driving car. I bet you could drive that car for 10 more years. Looks like a great price too. I did notice that the pics did not show the areas that would normally show any rust. Lower body, wheel wells, etc. I would check those. I never had any rust problems with mine.

One of mine was a company car, and when I left that company, my FIL had stopped driving so he passed his SE on to me. I drove it for 3 or 4 years and then passed it on to son #2. He drove it for 3 or 4 years and it was still in good shape when he sold it. I think it was a 1995 and it was in our family for at least 10 years. Never a problem.

suydam

I had an '01 Maxima GLE. My favorite car up to this point.

breld

I had a lot of seat time in that vintage of Maxima too - nice car. Especially in a 6-speed stick!

iluvmysephia1

Oh yeah, you're all praising the Nissan's! Nice. Keeps the 2017 Nissan Versa S sedan dream completely alive, baby.
Today while totally absorbed in medical...business. Credential examination coming up - need to apply for the exam - get documents digitized for uploading, gather up and enter information, etc., along with this, our HR lady has put a Dec.15, 2016, deadline to get our 2017 Employee Benefits choices in. So I'm busy, even though it is a day off...I'm in and outta my e-mail all day long...what comes up in my Outlook e-mail ad column off to the right? Nissan Versa sedans selling for $7,999 after a whole slew of Nissan rebates.

What! Mrs. iluvmysephia1 was standing right by my desktop and computer desk when the ad popped in...I had to gander at it. Huh! $7,999 after all applicable rebates! Ya gotta be kiddin' me. More on this later. She wouldn't understand, but, I am researching this car and it is what it is. Most people wouldn't be interested but I am...it would get us in to a new car with a short new car Nissan Warranty...as well as turning our odometer to nearly '0', and, although extending our years ta pay on a note, it would no doubt lower our monthly payment...we still have 2 1/2 years ta pay on the 2011 Kia Soul base white 5-speed. I have no trepedation entering into a new 5-year note right now because I'm planning on working another 4 years and 8 months until I retire from full-time employment and no doubt enter in to a part-time cleaning job or something like that working with my wife to cover our health insurance costs until I turn 65. Going Nissan Rogue for a Nissan Versa S is something I'm down with attempting. Y'all might remember my attempt at buying a 2016 Scion iA in May of 2016. That would've been a great car - the dealer in DEN told me "no dice-your car sold 1/2-hr. ago." Yeah, right.

So there ya go! No big if there's a $210 payment a few months into retirement! Then they'll be over. At the small rate we put miles on our cars we'd have probably 80-85,000 miles on the Versa and the subcompact sedan would still have oodles of life left into my retirement. I like the sound of it - the ad looked like it was from the Nissan Co. itself - not from the dealers. I'll search for it - if it's for clearing out 2016's that's fine - the 2017's are pretty much exact matches of the 2016's.

If it's iluvmysephia1 there's always an asterisk surrounding it for purchasing a new rig - but, it is my decision, when push comes ta shove. I am willing ta sleep outside in the doghouse out in the back yard if the need should arise...for the better good of the iluv automotive household.

BTW - the 2011 Kia Soul 5-speed base in white is running very strong. We've put about 76,239 miles on the crossover "wagon" and it shows nary a sign of beginning ta slow down. I ought ta just drive it and enjoy it and take optimum care of it...and I will. I just love me a new rig every now and then. Stay tuned. The Nissan excitement might just be gone tomorrow.

But I doubt it.

stickguy

yeah, I thought that maxima looked like a clean unit and a pretty good deal. of course I am not in the market now, but that car could last forever as a spare car getting 3K miles per year.

jeffb0101

The Maxima is a great car. The 00-03 was one of my favorites, especially the 02 with the upgraded 3.5. 
My first car was a 97 Maxima GXE, so they will always hold a special place in my heart. 

stickguy

now I am bummed I am just browsing, not shopping. One of these might actually be a winner. At least it is fast.

suydam

The thing is, technology has improved so fast that my Honda Accord that replaced our Maxima had safety features not even possible in '01. Although I must say the sound system was awesome, and it had lots of airbags, traction control and so on.