Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

@28firefighter - MAZEL-TOV! Congratulations! Enjoy every second! It goes by very quickly!

Doing my best Yenta Female Jewish Relative from Long Island Impression:

"So? It is neva too soon to start trying for numba two. Gotta go for the girl ya know." LOL!

For some strange reason, I had a mental image of Barbra Streisand when I read that in my head.

thebean

sandman_6472 said:

Guess I was lucky with my eBay purchase as it is in new shape. Turns on and see things perfectly. Real test will be tomorrow when I go back to the AT&T store and have them put a new nano sim card in and see how things go. But if it works anything like the swiftness with which the seller sent it to me, think I'll be just fine. Mailed Saturday morning at 10:22 a m and got to my door by Monday around 2:25 p m. Signature confirmation was used for my protection and it worked. Like when people are honest and are true to their word. I won the auction about 5:45 Friday afternoon and she had the payment through PayPal by 5:55. Linked my account with PayPal and they did the rest after a few punches on my keyboard...very easy peasy transaction! Like I was telling a co-worker today, the two greatest things in the 20th century were the automobile and the internet and the devices we use on it. It's just mind boggling what one can do with a smartphone, tablet or computer now, it's that immediate gratification that human beings just love and live for. We all work hard to provide for our lifestyles and families so it's nice when we can "reward" ourselves with things that bring us joy whether it be a new electronic toy, or a cruise, a new car...whatever brings joy to someone. Those "rewards" bring our lives such infinite joy most times and that's what life's all about, trying to get through all the "stuff" and being happy and healthy at the end of the day! Man, I sure feel motivated right now, motivated to do almost anything!!! The Sandman

The problem with "stuff" bringing you joy is when that becomes the only way you can get joy.  Since I retired, I get joy in so many ways that do not involve buying stuff.  Like discovering a great book at the library or just watching a sunset.  I am lucky that I have enough resources to still buy what I want, but "stuff" doesn't bring me joy anymore.  But, to each their own.

houdini1

andres3 said:

graphicguy said:

cdnpinhead said:

My father was a mail carrier in Grand Junction when I was a kid. I walked part of his route with him several times and watched him put up the mail the day before a few times too -- fond memories. In spite of the inefficiencies and all the rest, the USPS gets cut plenty of slack in our house. Stamps were 3 cents in those days, by the way.

About ebay....I don't sell a lot, but some....mostly audio equipment that I can't use anymore, or tech that I either don't, or can't use.

Used to be a better place. If you sold and shipped, were honest, and helpful, you'd get a good rating. Now, people can't even take the time to offer a rating (really the lifeblood to tell those buying from you, and selling to you, if you'r a good buyer/seller). I've probably bought/sold 350 times on ebay. Because most are too lazy to offer a rating, I have less than 50 ratings.

It used to be mortal sin to buy something on ebay and not pay for it. Happened to me twice in December alone. You would get a negative rating which would pull down your overall rating. You can't even do that, now. Sold some stuff around the Holidays, a Kitchen Aid mixer I don't use anymore and a high end digital camera.....several hundred dollars for each. Winner of each of those auctions didn't pay, didn't communicate why they didn't pay, didn't respond over repeated requests to pay.

Ebay's response? Wait a couple of days. If no payment comes, we'll tell the buyer not to do that anymore. I couldn't even leave negative comments.

.

I've had similar experiences with E-Bay. Used to use it quite a bit in the early 2000's, but as of lately, not even once a year. Had 2 non-paying bidders in a row last year that turned me off completely. I knew the problem of non-paying bidders had run rampant. All you could do was report it. Why waste time selling stuff to non-paying shills?

If you go thru pay pal, don't they guarantee payment ??

stickguy

sandy, if you have an ipad and mac computer, you should already have the apple IDs that everything works off of. The concept is that all your devices share an "account". The icloud is not actually required but is good to have for saving things off the devices.

the apple store people are good about explaining it all and turning the apps on. Apps, which require an apple itunes ID. It does get confusing until you get it all set up. and piece of advice, write down all the IDs/PWs and what they are used for!

28firefighter

Haha!  Thanks all!  We are over the moon for this little guy. 

@nyccarguy you sound like my MIL. 

tifighter

I know I know, wrong roof and wrong color. But I still sort of like this one.

Sport pack, lighting, no iDrive, and obviously the right number of pedals. Miles are okay too.

stickguy

I could live with that. Nice.

similar car on the east coast. Just 1/2 the miles, 5 years new, 2x the price and a bunch more HP. Like the interior color too.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-bmw-1_series-certified_135i_convertible_6_speed__navigation-used-15610983.html

henryn

houdini1 said:

andres3 said:

graphicguy said:

cdnpinhead said:

My father was a mail carrier in Grand Junction when I was a kid. I walked part of his route with him several times and watched him put up the mail the day before a few times too -- fond memories. In spite of the inefficiencies and all the rest, the USPS gets cut plenty of slack in our house. Stamps were 3 cents in those days, by the way.

About ebay....I don't sell a lot, but some....mostly audio equipment that I can't use anymore, or tech that I either don't, or can't use.

Used to be a better place. If you sold and shipped, were honest, and helpful, you'd get a good rating. Now, people can't even take the time to offer a rating (really the lifeblood to tell those buying from you, and selling to you, if you'r a good buyer/seller). I've probably bought/sold 350 times on ebay. Because most are too lazy to offer a rating, I have less than 50 ratings.

It used to be mortal sin to buy something on ebay and not pay for it. Happened to me twice in December alone. You would get a negative rating which would pull down your overall rating. You can't even do that, now. Sold some stuff around the Holidays, a Kitchen Aid mixer I don't use anymore and a high end digital camera.....several hundred dollars for each. Winner of each of those auctions didn't pay, didn't communicate why they didn't pay, didn't respond over repeated requests to pay.

Ebay's response? Wait a couple of days. If no payment comes, we'll tell the buyer not to do that anymore. I couldn't even leave negative comments.

.

I've had similar experiences with E-Bay. Used to use it quite a bit in the early 2000's, but as of lately, not even once a year. Had 2 non-paying bidders in a row last year that turned me off completely. I knew the problem of non-paying bidders had run rampant. All you could do was report it. Why waste time selling stuff to non-paying shills?

If you go thru pay pal, don't they guarantee payment ??

Paypal will guarantee that the money transfer is valid. If and only if the buyer initiates the payment. What we're talking about here is someone wins the auction, but never follows up to initiate the payment.

stickguy

I don't really understand that. why bother to bid if you have no desire to win and buy it?

Sandman6472

Like my white over chestnut 135i better, also has less miles, 25K as I recall. But the black one's price is so much better! Driving the white coupe back this summer, vehicle felt very heavy to me, just felt it would drive so much better with a turbo 4. As much as I like drop tops, and living in the right area to own one, would much prefer a hardtop with a hole in the roof. No cowl shake and a better rear window.

The Sandman

houdini1

henryn said:

houdini1 said:

andres3 said:

graphicguy said:

cdnpinhead said:

My father was a mail carrier in Grand Junction when I was a kid. I walked part of his route with him several times and watched him put up the mail the day before a few times too -- fond memories. In spite of the inefficiencies and all the rest, the USPS gets cut plenty of slack in our house. Stamps were 3 cents in those days, by the way.

About ebay....I don't sell a lot, but some....mostly audio equipment that I can't use anymore, or tech that I either don't, or can't use.

Used to be a better place. If you sold and shipped, were honest, and helpful, you'd get a good rating. Now, people can't even take the time to offer a rating (really the lifeblood to tell those buying from you, and selling to you, if you'r a good buyer/seller). I've probably bought/sold 350 times on ebay. Because most are too lazy to offer a rating, I have less than 50 ratings.

It used to be mortal sin to buy something on ebay and not pay for it. Happened to me twice in December alone. You would get a negative rating which would pull down your overall rating. You can't even do that, now. Sold some stuff around the Holidays, a Kitchen Aid mixer I don't use anymore and a high end digital camera.....several hundred dollars for each. Winner of each of those auctions didn't pay, didn't communicate why they didn't pay, didn't respond over repeated requests to pay.

Ebay's response? Wait a couple of days. If no payment comes, we'll tell the buyer not to do that anymore. I couldn't even leave negative comments.

.

I've had similar experiences with E-Bay. Used to use it quite a bit in the early 2000's, but as of lately, not even once a year. Had 2 non-paying bidders in a row last year that turned me off completely. I knew the problem of non-paying bidders had run rampant. All you could do was report it. Why waste time selling stuff to non-paying shills?

If you go thru pay pal, don't they guarantee payment ??

Paypal will guarantee that the money transfer is valid. If and only if the buyer initiates the payment. What we're talking about here is someone wins the auction, but never follows up to initiate the payment.

Got it.

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 yes totally agree with your postings on injoying life and not overthinking things and to just go for it. also yes the gratest inventions wher the car and internet. hope that everyone is having an good week tomero is Friday.

tbirdmarco

@28firefighter Congrads to you and your wife and family on the new babby boy.

tbirdmarco

@smallinjeck What what we do around hear. lol lol lol

tbirdmarco

@28firefighter You are welcome.

henryn

Let me add my congratulations and best wishes to @28firefighter and his better half. Truly a special moment, one that you will remember all of the days of your life.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

I could live with that. Nice.

similar car on the east coast. Just 1/2 the miles, 5 years new, 2x the price and a bunch more HP. Like the interior color too.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-bmw-1_series-certified_135i_convertible_6_speed__navigation-used-15610983.html

I like this one a whole lot more than the first one, but I like both.

iluvmysephia1

firefighter28 - enjoy every minute of the little guy's upbringing. The Mrs. and I had one boy. It is true, the comments about you guys' lives never being the same again. They will never be the same again. But I wouldn't have missed it for the world! The Creator gives to us in many different ways, eh?

kyfdx

@28firefighter My only child turns 23, tomorrow.

I wish you a lot of luck. It will change your life.

suydam

My youngest is 30. Where did the time go?
After our LA road trip last weekend, I took the Volt back to the dealership to learn some new aspects of its technology. These new cars now have so much it takes awhile to figure out which features you actually want to use. Of course most of them turn out to be ridiculously easy once someone shows you. For example, there's an arrow on the steering wheel that lets you change the dash display to show audio, Nav, or trip information, among others. And the adaptive cruise is a cinch. But some are a little tricky. We wanted to set the Volt on Hold mode until we got to LA, which conserves the electric charge until you're doing city driving. The instructions said to scroll to the mode you want and hold for 3 seconds. Nope. It turns out that you should scroll to the desired mode and LET GO. Okay. Now I know.

Also learned that mychevy.com app is basically a fancier version of Onstar. So you have to have Onstar to take advantage of its useful features, like learning when it's fully charged remotely. According to the dealer, you can choose a la carte Onstar features so I'm going to check out the cost.

I also really like the wifi in the car. Not sure if I'm going to keep that or not. Cuts down on using your data plan. On the other hand, Nav is independent of both Onstar and wifi so maybe I don't really NEED it, although I like it.

andres3

I haven't even set up the Homelink yet in the TTS, because, I have a garage remote door opener, and I'm too busy enjoying the other aspects of the vehicle when I'm in it. I haven't done the voice command "learning exercises" that will make it work better. That I should do, because it would be nice to use the car's navigation rather than my phones (faster to use phone since Siri understands me better).

roadburner

As I posted in ELLPS, we just got our first two G30s- a 540i xDrive M Sport and a 530i xDrive Sport Line(shown below). I've driven the 530i and I like it MUCH better than any F10 I have driven. The car feels a lot faster than I expected. It's still a bit too big for my tastes but it's really an impressive drive.

graphicguy

roadburner said:

As I posted in ELLPS, we just got our first two G30s- a 540i xDrive M Sport and a 530i xDrive Sport Line(shown below). I've driven the 530i and I like it MUCH better than any F10 I have driven. The car feels a lot faster than I expected. It's still a bit too big for my tastes but it's really an impressive drive.

Liking them!

xwesx

That's a very pretty car! Those wheels look like a nightmare to clean, though, but maybe those spokes aren't as narrow as they look.

I like the smoothness of the lines, yet the grille area is somewhat sharpened from earlier examples without being "beaky." It has a classic elegance that many modern cars lack.

sda

nyccarguy--and other Pilot owners--if you see drops of oil like spots in your driveway or garage it could be that the liquid filled compliance bushings on the front suspension are leaking. There is a TSB from Honda that covers the repair. Honda replaced both of ours about two months ago and did a 4 wheel alignment at no charge. The bushing is that silver cylinder next to the tire. I just happened to think about it as I parked with the wheels turned and the bushing was in clear view.

breld

@roadburner - thanks for posting the pics! It does look sharp - not that I had anything against the looks of the previous gen, but it's certainly encouraging to hear that you think the dynamics have improved.

Maybe in 2-3 years when the lease returns begin I can keep my streak going on 5 ownership, having owned an example of each of the last three generations!

xwesx

breld said:

Maybe in 2-3 years when the lease returns begin....

Keep telling yourself that! I know you can make it!

nyccarguy

Thanks @sda

Will keep an eye out!

au1994

The blue G30 is stunning. One of those could give me a serious "ask forgiveness rather than permission" moment.

breld

xwesx said:

breld said:

Maybe in 2-3 years when the lease returns begin....

Keep telling yourself that! I know you can make it!

Oh! I'm not saying there won't be OTHER cars between now and then!

stickguy

That blue one looks great. Nice design and love the color.

tifighter

stickguy said:

I could live with that. Nice.

similar car on the east coast. Just 1/2 the miles, 5 years new, 2x the price and a bunch more HP. Like the interior color too.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-bmw-1_series-certified_135i_convertible_6_speed__navigation-used-15610983.html

Nice car. I'd still take the older, cheaper one and use the difference for a nice trip to Bavaria. I'd probably have a pretzel once I got there. Mmm, pretzel.

carnaught

suydam said:

............According to the dealer, you can choose a la carte Onstar features so I'm going to check out the cost.

I also really like the wifi in the car. Not sure if I'm going to keep that or not. Cuts down on using your data plan. On the other hand, Nav is independent of both Onstar and wifi so maybe I don't really NEED it, although I like it.

My experience with WiFi in the car, with the Audi and the Encore, is that it is slower than WiFi in a stationary location, and for that matter, slower than my 4G. Even though it could save you data costs on your smartphone's plan, the savings is mitigated by the monthly cost you spend for your car's WiFi.

ab348

xwesx said:

That's a very pretty car! Those wheels look like a nightmare to clean, though, but maybe those spokes aren't as narrow as they look.

I like the smoothness of the lines, yet the grille area is somewhat sharpened from earlier examples without being "beaky." It has a classic elegance that many modern cars lack.

That's one way of putting it.

Some might say it looks dated already, unfortunate for a newly-introduced design.

xwesx

ab348 said:

Some might say it looks dated already, unfortunate for a newly-introduced design.

I dunno. "New" never lasts, and the edginess of many new models will feel dated quickly. Elegant cars are timeless in their appeal.

tbirdmarco

to all Happy Friday to all and an good upcumming weekand to all just interesting reading wanted to shair with all of you.


I am posting this in every group I'm in because I think it's important. If you don't use punctuation in these groups, most people are not going to listen to what you post. Yes, listen, because most of us use screen readers, we cannot look at your post with our eyes. We have to actually listen to gigantic sentences that run on and on and on. It is headache inducing. This post is not meant to be mean to anyone, think of it as a public service announcement. When you dictate into your iPhone, you have to say things like period when you're finished with the sentence. That's right, you have to dictate your sentence and then say, period. This really makes your posts easier to listen too. For those of you who may get defensive, I don't think I'm better than anyone.

mjfloyd1

xwesx said:

That's a very pretty car! Those wheels look like a nightmare to clean, though, but maybe those spokes aren't as narrow as they look.

I like the smoothness of the lines, yet the grille area is somewhat sharpened from earlier examples without being "beaky." It has a classic elegance that many modern cars lack.

The wheels were what caught my eyes too. I'm a wheel whore though... those do look like a nightmare to clean.

mjfloyd1

@28firefighter -congrats!

My oldest just got her learner's permit. Interesting times.

Mr_Shiftright

I think someone could make a fortune selling old Volvos dipped in 6" thick rubber to parents like you.

sda

mjfloyd1 said:

@28firefighter -congrats!

My oldest just got her learner's permit. Interesting times.

I'm close behind and relate. My daughter turned 15 last November and is asking when she can drive and what car am I going to buy for her. She is quite the lobbiest. We told her she isn't driving until we can enroll her into defensive driving lessons. Trying to hold off for another year or so.

stickguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

I think someone could make a fortune selling old Volvos dipped in 6" thick rubber to parents like you.

there is a reason when my daughter started driving, I bought a miled up S40 without the turbo. Slow and safe as a tank.

suydam

I went with a used Toyota Camry for the same reason. And a Buick LeSabre for one of my sons.

xwesx

I'm still planning on their first wheel time being in my 1969 Econoline. Manual brakes and steering, and it really gives you a feel for what the vehicle is actually doing. Once they get the hang of it, then we're off to the '69 C20 to learn all about the manual transmission. After that, they should be golden for anything they want to drive.

I'm not planning on either one of them having their own car, but if they get anything as their "own" car, it's going to be the '08 Forester (if I can manage to keep it that long).

suydam

An Econoline isn't very forgiving. One of the most common mistake new drivers make is overcorrecting. Sometimes with really tragic results.

nyccarguy

For those of you who are following my Subaru saga, the noise that's been driving me bonkers is due to a faulty bearing in the right rear. The car needs another night at the dealer and will be ready by 11:00 AM. This will be fully covered under the car's power train warranty. I've got an EYESIGHT equipped Outback as a loaner! Thank you @Mr_Shiftright for your help!

suydam

I wondered if it was a bearing. We had a similar problem with a Forester years ago.

nyccarguy

I'm starting to like BMWs again. This AM I saw a gorgeous Silver/Red 428xi Grand Coupe. Tonight on the way home it was a white with black trim, grill, & lip spoiler 340xi MSport.

roadburner

suydam said:

I went with a used Toyota Camry for the same reason. And a Buick LeSabre for one of my sons.

My son got a 1975 2002- but I did replace the seats with Recaros and the seat belts with rebuilt retractors and new belt webbing.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

For those of you who are following my Subaru saga, the noise that's been driving me bonkers is due to a faulty bearing in the right rear. The car needs another night at the dealer and will be ready by 11:00 AM. This will be fully covered under the car's power train warranty. I've got an EYESIGHT equipped Outback as a loaner! Thank you @Mr_Shiftright for your help!

You know what you have to do .... time to ditch the Legacy and find something more reliable.

tbirdmarco

@Mr_Shiftright THey shore could lol lol.