Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tbirdmarco

@Michaell glad all worked out with the kitchen.

tifighter

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

seems like silly money for this. I kinda like them, but they were certainly unloved at the time. Are they really going for this much with large miles?

Pretty color though.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2005-subaru-baja-4dr_sport_automatic-used-16138653.html

Yeah, these have a cult following. Looks clean, but I agree that it seems way overpriced for 119K miles.

Now if it was the Turbo with a stick we were looking at, we'd have something.

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

Honda Civic Type R sticking with FWD only

300+ HP solely to the front wheels--that should be interesting....

My MS3 made similar power with the Mazdaspeed intake and Hypertech tune. With the LSD and torque management in the lower gears the torque steer was manageable- but "slow in fast out" was still the order of the day- even after I increased the rear roll stiffness by 50%.

corvette

qbrozen said:

I went to the trouble of making sure I got Navi in my EX and now I don't even use it because WAZE is so much more useful.

I didn't use navi in the Yukon and still don't in the Murano, since I have Waze. Only issue I have is that I like to play podcasts using the Pocket Casts app. If I'm doing that and using Waze, normally the Waze alerts just temporarily interrupt the podcast, but sometimes the podcast will stop playing entirely. It's bad over USB and much worse over Bluetooth.

Michaell said:

Dad continued to buy used cars from him, thinking he was getting the 'friends and family' deal. In retrospect, I doubt that was ever the case.

Oh, that's probably never the case!

On the Baja--I don't get it either. I also don't get the Honda Element, which my parents have and love.

stickguy

Element is huge with dog lovers.

navi, is a matter of taste. I really like having it in my car, since it is a very slick design, and a huge screen. Plus it is always there, even if I am not using it. Integrates nicely into the car systems.

I don't use my phone in the car normally. Just stays in my pocket. And I hate those vent mounts. And having to take it out, and fire it up. so I don't. Plus then you have the phone stuck someplace, and have to unhook whenever you stop. Might just be my personal taste. Now, if I had carplay, that might be different, but I would still have to plug it in when I wanted to use it.

I actually very rarely use the navi to do directions, but I like to glance at the map at times. And when I am using it, nice to have a screen the size of an ipad!

stickguy

so, is this one out of line? 1st year of the new model, but miles are low. Though I guess at this age, still need to bite the bullet on the cooling system? Or is that major overhaul not a thing by this year? Not sure about price, but can't be too far out of line, below $8.

one of the advantages of needing just a 2nd car that won't but on a ton of miles per year. Age and miles become less important, if it is a clean and well maintained unit. If I get something cheaper, will mostly stay local, and just need to make an occasional 100 mile or so each way trip. I'm sure something like this could do whatever I need for a few years, and probably not depreciate much if any. Just has to be reliable!

Man, I am all over the place. Still haven't convinced my wife on the merits of trading in her car for a nicer family truckster. I need to fire up another spreadsheet I think!

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2006-bmw-3_series-325i-used-16164251.html

28firefighter

Believe the cooling system is still a weak point on those. If well maintained and you act preventatively, should be fine. 

tjc78

I like integrated NAV as well, but there were a few times that apps like WAZE have been better.  With the last two cars to get the level of equipment I wanted NAV was part of the package anyway. Our Enclave is not fully decked out but has NAV.  

stickguy

I actually required the tech package for other options (pano roof I think). The fancy nav was just along for the ride.

If traveling with wife, if I am not sure where I'm going, we double dip. She has google maps on the phone for a second opinion!

kyfdx

2006 sedan is an E90. Shouldn't have the cooling system issues of the E46. That 215 HP motor was a one year only model in the 3-series. 30 more HP than the 2005.

I'm sure the E90 has a whole bunch of other issues, though. It's known for being more expensive to repair and maintain than the previous model, from both a parts and labor perspective.

If AWD, the system is a lot better than the previous model.

nyccarguy

I've got an appointment set up to test drive the Q40 on Saturday after work at 1:30 pm.

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

I've got an appointment set up to test drive the Q40 on Saturday after work at 1:30 pm.

Are we taking bets?

Michaell

28firefighter said:

nyccarguy said:

I've got an appointment set up to test drive the Q40 on Saturday after work at 1:30 pm.

Are we taking bets?

Only if the numbers work out, and, most importantly, if Mrs. @nyccarguy is on board with the whole thing.

28firefighter

@nyccarguy is suspiciously quiet. I think he is in the zone. I think he is focused on the mission at hand.

Regarding Mrs. @nyccarguy, I suspect she can be worn down like the rest of our significant others...

stickguy

kyfdx said:

2006 sedan is an E90. Shouldn't have the cooling system issues of the E46. That 215 HP motor was a one year only model in the 3-series. 30 more HP than the 2005.

I'm sure the E90 has a whole bunch of other issues, though. It's known for being more expensive to repair and maintain than the previous model, from both a parts and labor perspective.

If AWD, the system is a lot better than the previous model.

Thanks. This is actually RWD, a plus for me! I do have a really good Indy specialist near me too, for a PPI and service. Though just browsing now since way too early to be shopping.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

nyccarguy said:

I've got an appointment set up to test drive the Q40 on Saturday after work at 1:30 pm.

Are we taking bets?

I'm already on record with mine. He offers legacy +10k, and they accept. Then he gets a speeding ticket on the Merritt parkway on the way home.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

@nyccarguy is suspiciously quiet. I think he is in the zone. I think he is focused on the mission at hand.

Regarding Mrs. @nyccarguy, I suspect she can be worn down like the rest of our significant others...

I suspect she already signed off on the parameters of the scheme. Because if the test drive and negotiations work out, it's going home with him Saturday!

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Regarding Mrs. @nyccarguy, I suspect she can be worn down like the rest of our significant others...

That's how it went when I got the Jetta. Although, next time (assuming there is a next time), the spouse will come along to test the passenger seating arrangements. She doesn't like the Jetta all that much, in that regard.

Well, she doesn't much like it at all, since she has to scrunch down to get into it. She's way more comfortable with the Subaru and the MINI, as far as ingress/egress is concerned.

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Honda Civic Type R sticking with FWD only

300+ HP solely to the front wheels--that should be interesting....

My MS3 made similar power with the Mazdaspeed intake and Hypertech tune. With the LSD and torque management in the lower gears the torque steer was manageable- but "slow in fast out" was still the order of the day- even after I increased the rear roll stiffness by 50%.

It's one of those cars where you don't want to do anything sudden with the throttle unless the car is balanced.

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

I've got an appointment set up to test drive the Q40 on Saturday after work at 1:30 pm.

Don't forget to take pics before you pull out of the dealership's driveway.....LOL!

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

@nyccarguy is suspiciously quiet. I think he is in the zone. I think he is focused on the mission at hand.

Regarding Mrs. @nyccarguy, I suspect she can be worn down like the rest of our significant others...

I've been insanely busy here at work & on the homefront too. The 1 1/2" PVC line that pumps ground water from my house out into the creek in my back yard froze completely solid last weekend. Considering we just spent a lot of money (nothing from insurance) refinishing the basement, that is priority #1.

Sales guy was off yesterday. He emailed me back today confirming a 1:30 pm test drive appointment.

My amazing wife is on board with this. She'd rather me drive the Legacy until we cAn pass it on to our kids as a 1st car, but she understands.

stickguy

Our sump line froze a few years ago in a record cold snap. Not fun. I ended up breaking the end off to clear the clog.

Michael, my wife is not that fond of the Jetta. Calls it tinny. Likes my sonata a lot more. Much nicer interior. I like the handling and engine in the Jetta though.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Our sump line froze a few years ago in a record cold snap. Not fun. I ended up breaking the end off to clear the clog.

Michael, my wife is not that fond of the Jetta. Calls it tinny. Likes my sonata a lot more. Much nicer interior. I like the handling and engine in the Jetta though.

I kinda like the Spartan interior of the Jetta. Just what I need, nothing I don't.

The Subaru is way more luxurious, but there are features we haven't used yet (memory seats, app interface for the infotainment system, which includes Pandora). After 2 years of ownership, you'd think we would use this stuff.

stickguy

She thinks the doors are tinny too. And in general, doesn't care for VWs, or see why the rest of us were hooked on them.

ab348

Funny comment, "tinny". I have never been in a German car in recent times that I would describe that way. However, I have been in several Subarus that fit that descriptor well. The world has turned upside down...

suydam

I felt that way about the Jetta I rented last summer.

fintail

The Jetta on our roads might be German by badge only - you won't find one in Germany.

Michaell

fintail said:

The Jetta on our roads might be German by badge only - you won't find one in Germany.

That is correct - all US Jettas are assembled in Puebla, Mexico.

fintail

I think it is a very market specific car now, and the US version is decontented.

It is listed on VW UK and Poland sites, but not on Germany, Italy, France (I didn't check others).

Michaell said:

That is correct - all US Jettas are assembled in Puebla, Mexico.

Michaell

fintail said:

I think it is a very market specific car now, and the US version is decontented.

It is listed on VW UK and Poland sites, but not on Germany, Italy, France (I didn't check others).

Michaell said:

That is correct - all US Jettas are assembled in Puebla, Mexico.

Decontented as compared to what?

My SE (one trim up from the base S), has a rear view camera, push button start, Apple CarPlay, heated seats, manu-matic transmission and all the expected amenities - PW, PDL, PM (with defog capability).

Granted, it doesn't have all the safety gizmos - BSW, lane departure, rear cross traffic alert, etc. - but I'm OK with that.

fintail

Compared to prior generations, and probably versions in other markets. Leather has been dropped from the model, right? Not saying it is a bad car, but I think prior ones were sold as something fancier.

Michaell said:

Decontented as compared to what?

My SE (one trim up from the base S), has a rear view camera, push button start, Apple CarPlay, heated seats, manu-matic transmission and all the expected amenities - PW, PDL, PM (with defog capability).

Granted, it doesn't have all the safety gizmos - BSW, lane departure, rear cross traffic alert, etc. - but I'm OK with that.

28firefighter

fintail said:

Compared to prior generations, and probably versions in other markets. Leather has been dropped from the model, right? Not saying it is a bad car, but I think prior ones were sold as something fancier.

Michaell said:

Decontented as compared to what?

My SE (one trim up from the base S), has a rear view camera, push button start, Apple CarPlay, heated seats, manu-matic transmission and all the expected amenities - PW, PDL, PM (with defog capability).

Granted, it doesn't have all the safety gizmos - BSW, lane departure, rear cross traffic alert, etc. - but I'm OK with that.

They were, but their price point was also considerably higher due to the more expensive materials costs. This approach brought them more in line with it's competitors.

fintail

Which is now Corolla, Civic?

I guess I am stuck in the 80s/90s, remembering fancier Jetta 16V Wolfsburg or VR6 etc which definitely seemed to be a cut above. I suppose the newer ones are a lot more reliable anyway.

28firefighter said:

They were, but their price point was also considerably higher due to the more expensive materials costs. This approach brought them more in line with it's competitors.

breld

Among other nice features for the time, my wife's '07 Jetta had memory seats. A friend of ours had just purchased an A4 wagon for his wife at the time, and we noted that the Audi did not have memory seats.

So yes, the Jetta was intentionally de-contented when the current gen was introduced to compete better with its competition in our market, though they have added back some of those features and quality with each model year. Still offers a choice distinct from the Japanese and Korean alternatives, I'd say.

28firefighter

Civic, Corolla, Elantra - yeah.

And you were right - they were a cut above. Heavy doors, soft touch plastics, etc. I'd argue they still are a cut above in many ways, especially with regards to engines and transmissions, but they had to sacrifice some of the premium feel to get there (or so they say they had to).

My hope is that the Jetta and Passat move more towards the Golf/GTI look and feel, which I think is definitely a class above.

stickguy

had to go to the store today, so stopped at the local off-lease mega used car place. TJC knows it. Just to browse. as always, nicely detailed stuff, at very premium prices. I have no clue how they move so many units. Must be the shiny detailing, and low pressure atmosphere (1 price, and it is the nicest experience shopping I have really ever had). Problem is, sometimes they are more expensive than a CPO unit at the dealer!

best part though, you can drive anything they have. Just hand you the keys and send you off alone, as long as you feel like being out. could spend all day driving stuff if you want. Which later in the year, I probably will!

sadly, very little that I had any interest in. S80 Volvo was nice. A Q5 Audi was OK (crazy expensive though there). They did have a nice white 3 series. and dozens of GC Jeeps and CR-Vs.

one interesting unit was, of all things, a 2007 Hyundai Azera. Asking $12k, but darned thing only had 35,000 miles on it, and looked sharp. I always liked the styling on those!

stickguy

and yes, if I had seen a G37 or Q40 there I would have taken it out for a romp!

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy nice smell an punch cumming.

sda

breld said:

Among other nice features for the time, my wife's '07 Jetta had memory seats. A friend of ours had just purchased an A4 wagon for his wife at the time, and we noted that the Audi did not have memory seats.

So yes, the Jetta was intentionally de-contented when the current gen was introduced to compete better with its competition in our market, though they have added back some of those features and quality with each model year. Still offers a choice distinct from the Japanese and Korean alternatives, I'd say.

My 2000 Jetta GLX had the VR6, real wood trim including the manual shift knob, auto a/c, rear window shade, Monsoon audio, which was surprisingly good, memory seats, dimming rear view mirror, leather, etc. It was an impressively nice car..and yes the Jetta has moved down market.

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy glad your wife is so understanding alwas good

tbirdmarco

@stickguy love those first jenaration azaras so quiet inside when the dor is closed. current janaration not shore never sat in one yet has bin out for years.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VHOVKJQStiI

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mRzIW61U9L8

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=93u0ykJEHIE

corvette

stickguy said:

Element is huge with dog lovers.

My dog hates riding in my parents' Element. She has a hard time seeing out and it makes her scared.

stickguy said:

And I hate those vent mounts. And having to take it out, and fire it up. so I don't. Plus then you have the phone stuck someplace, and have to unhook whenever you stop.

Agreed, but Waze is good enough at avoiding bottlenecks that I put the phone on the vent mount and fire it up even when I know exactly where I'm going.

stickguy said:

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2006-bmw-3_series-325i-used-16164251.html

2006 was the first model year of the E90. Mine had electrical issues that took 3 different dealers to fix, and a rattle in the center console, driver's door, and rear seat (never fixed).

On the general subject of VW moving downmarket... The early 6th-gen Jettas had a crummy plastic dashboard and a simple gauge cluster on the base models (FWIW, the upgraded gauge cluster wasn't that much nicer). VW put the nicer soft-padded dash on the GLI and higher spec TDI models. In later model years, they put the higher spec dashboard on all models, and I think they also gave all of them the improved gauge cluster. There are hard plastic areas on the edges of the rear seatbacks, which weren't present on earlier generations. VW's basic problem is that they'd like to to sell a premium product that has some advanced technology like DSG, but the US market isn't willing to pay much more for that, and also expects Toyota-like reliability and maintenance costs. A $400 DSG fluid change at 40,000 miles, a $100 brake flush every 2-3 years, or a $79 synthetic oil change make the car a moneypit.

stickguy

NYC better cancel that Infiniti appointment. I found the car he should be getting, in his color combo and everything! Even has more HP and torque.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2012-porsche-panamera-4dr_hatchback_4s-used-16138058.html

fintail

I suppose as the competition becomes more beige, VW might have an opportunity to stake a claim to the "nicer" feeling car again. I have to imagine the MX labor saves enough money to compensate.

I remember when I was in school, my somewhat spoiled roomate had a then late-model Mk 3 Jetta. I remember it because I have memories of taking him to the shop to pick it up, it had constant issues. Nicely equipped car for the price point, but my fintail was ancient even then and it had less issues. A co-worker bought a new 2004 (and a half!) Jetta TDI - impressive Audi-like interior, nicely finished, electrical quirks. I suppose the more subtle new one isn't as problematic.

I remember back in like the early 90s, when a GLI 16V was considered to be a nice car indeed.

28firefighter said:

Civic, Corolla, Elantra - yeah.

And you were right - they were a cut above. Heavy doors, soft touch plastics, etc. I'd argue they still are a cut above in many ways, especially with regards to engines and transmissions, but they had to sacrifice some of the premium feel to get there (or so they say they had to).

My hope is that the Jetta and Passat move more towards the Golf/GTI look and feel, which I think is definitely a class above.

stickguy

well, dang. this looks like something I should have. Thought these were a little pricier, I guess the miles hurt. but only 1.5 YO, so plenty of warranty left. I think I could handle this! Though I can guarantee that my wife would hate it. So best bet would be, don't let her see it until it came home!

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2016-subaru-wrx-certified_wrx_premium_awd_sedan_-used-16152193.html

xwesx

Y'all are way too prolific at posting for me to keep up. If I missed anything "critical" in the last 350 posts, let me know.

nyccarguy

More rantings and ravings from a crazed chronic car buyer - let's say for whatever reason things don't work out at Infiniti tomorrow.  You never know.

For about the same price as it would cost to finance a CPO Q40 for 3 years, I could lease 2 brand new 2017 Subarus.  A 2017 Base WRX MT for me and a 2017 Outback 3.6R Limited for my wife.  We could keep the Pilot for long trip duty & when all 5 of us travel together.