Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

andres3

Speed and red light cams do a lot to deter driving. I just checked what these new Eco bike rentals on the sidewalk along the street cost here in San Diego. If you go for the "longer" rental, it's 2 hours at $12. Seems very steep to me. I suppose for most short trips you could pedal fast and use it only 1/2 hour, but still seems pretty pricey to me (and 1/2 hour is billed $5, which is more then half of the 1 hour charge of $7.

cdnpinhead

Mr_Shiftright said:

Forget transportation. Denver is going to have a water crisis sooner than later. Average rainfall in Denver is 13 inches. Average rainfall in Phoenix is 7 inches. Do the math. Not a lot of slack there.

Denver has been very proactive (from before the word was invented) in seeking water from the other side of the Continental Divide. The Denver Water Board has roads all over the area around Winter Park to service the canals they constructed to collect the water before it's sent through a tunnel adjacent to the Moffat tunnel over to Denver. Then there's the even bigger system that sends water to Denver (Estes Park, actually) through a longer and deeper tunnel that starts at Grand Lake on the western side.

Mr_Shiftright

As long as there's normal weather patterns and no drought, then they've got it covered...but a few drought years + the incredible rate of growth isn't really sustainable I don't think. They are #6 in fastest growing U.S. cities, up from #13 just a few years ago. Boomtown.

qbrozen

Nope. Here are the 429 numbers and then the 351 numbers. I'm not saying they are right, I'm just sharing.

stickguy

I can't believe anyone is paying close to 50K for one of those with a small block and basic interior. Good luck with that.

tbirdmarco

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

breld

Taking the day off since my sons are on spring break - the 8th grader is on his DC/NYC school trip, so I'm hanging with my younger son all day.

But yes, as if there was any doubt, I did indeed complete the Durango swap yesterday afternoon. And I am loving it. I already liked the one I had, but this one is a significant upgrade. Should say something that I stuck with the same model after owning one for a few months - that's certainly long enough for me to consider switching things up.

The overall drivetrain is smoother; obviously the additional power is a welcome addition. I happen to like all the safety tech nannies, particularly on a vehicle this size. The sport suspension and sport steering on the R/T are noticeable and, along with the optional "performance" Pirelli tires that came on it, the rig is pretty darn tight. From an aesthetic perspective, I like the brighter silver color than the dark gray I had, and the contrast with the "blackout" package is cool.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, I'm not buying that either. Someone mentioned that I might have said Hagerty was "too low". If I did post that, I retract it---if anything, they tend to be rather optimistic.

As one wise man told me: "Price guides, if they are really good, put you in the correct decade" (meaning a $10K spread)

tbirdmarco

@ab348 nice car not what I am in to but nice.

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy nice shot of all of the cars in your driveway looks like to me.

sda

breld said:

Taking the day off since my sons are on spring break - the 8th grader is on his DC/NYC school trip, so I'm hanging with my younger son all day.

But yes, as if there was any doubt, I did indeed complete the Durango swap yesterday afternoon. And I am loving it. I already liked the one I had, but this one is a significant upgrade. Should say something that I stuck with the same model after owning one for a few months - that's certainly long enough for me to consider switching things up.

The overall drivetrain is smoother; obviously the additional power is a welcome addition. I happen to like all the safety tech nannies, particularly on a vehicle this size. The sport suspension and sport steering on the R/T are noticeable and, along with the optional "performance" Pirelli tires that came on it, the rig is pretty darn tight. From an aesthetic perspective, I like the brighter silver color than the dark gray I had, and the contrast with the "blackout" package is cool.

Post pictures when you can!

Michaell

@breld - Congrats on the swap, er, upgrade!

Is Mrs. @breld happy?

tbirdmarco

@jpp5862 man o man very sad. tuff. choice.

Michaell

Michaell said:

@breld - Congrats on the swap, er, upgrade!

Is Mrs. @breld happy?

Am I correct to assume that you and the Mrs. are plotting to decide if the MINI or the 4-series is next to be shown the door, so as to stay within budget?

xwesx

@breld - The master strikes again!

tbirdmarco

@breld nice glad the swop is compleat new you would get it done very quickly lol lol good luck with and injoy it post us all sum picks when you can.

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

Yeah, I'm not buying that either. Someone mentioned that I might have said Hagerty was "too low". If I did post that, I retract it---if anything, they tend to be rather optimistic. As one wise man told me: "Price guides, if they are really good, put you in the correct decade" (meaning a $10K spread)

I don't recall exactly which car drove you to that statement, but I think it may have been the duster 340 where Hagerty states a #3 is $11k, but I'll be damned if I can find one anywhere near that. 


Edit: ah, found it. It was that GS350 clone on BAT that went for $18k where Hagerty states a #2 car is $13k. You replied:

Yes but one sale one time. I think the buyer is a b it ahead of the market, but not by too much. I would have thought $16K--$16.5K is about right. So add 10% for "auction fever" and there you go.

I think Hagerty is too low. Sometimes their prices are way off base. I use them more for their "trends" and timelines.

rayainsw

breld -
Congratulations !
- Ray
Enjoy that Hemi.... !

carnaught

xwesx said:

@breld - The master strikes again!

That why he is the CCBA Grand Poobah.

xwesx

carnaught said:

That why he is the CCBA Grand Poobah.

Undisputed, for sure. Twenty eight transactions in the last five years. I seem to recall him saying that he was "slowing down" this year, and that last year was an anomaly, even for him, but his average is over five punches per year. LOL

nyccarguy

@breld!  Way to go my man!  Congrats!  Can't go wrong with the HEMI!  

breld

Michaell said:

@breld - Congrats on the swap, er, upgrade! Is Mrs. @breld happy?

Am I correct to assume that you and the Mrs. are plotting to decide if the MINI or the 4-series is next to be shown the door, so as to stay within budget?

That is correct, though we agreed there's no rush.  She's gonna start driving the 4-series to see which she likes better for her daily, and then we'll trade the other for a less expensive fun car. 

breld

Thanks everyone for the kind words on the Durango! 

The 15 mpg average on the trip computer when I bought it gave me pause, but I was very happy to see 19 mpg for my 140 miles or so I've driven yesterday and today.  I can live with that.  

tjc78

Yes! Another punch! Congrats.  

stickguy

Bradd now is all in on the horsepower junkie parade I see. That did not take long!

breld

Some pics while I'm at my sons baseball practice. 

carnaught

breld said:

Michaell said:

Michaell said:

@breld - Congrats on the swap, er, upgrade!

Is Mrs. @breld happy?

Am I correct to assume that you and the Mrs. are plotting to decide if the MINI or the 4-series is next to be shown the door, so as to stay within budget?

".............. then we'll trade the other for a less expensive fun car."

That's what I like to hear, after just getting a new car, talk from our leader about his next car, LOL.

Michaell

breld said:

Michaell said:

Michaell said:

@breld - Congrats on the swap, er, upgrade!

Is Mrs. @breld happy?

Am I correct to assume that you and the Mrs. are plotting to decide if the MINI or the 4-series is next to be shown the door, so as to stay within budget?

That is correct, though we agreed there's no rush.  She's gonna start driving the 4-series to see which she likes better for her daily, and then we'll trade the other for a less expensive fun car. 

If you hadn't had one already, I'd say a Mazda 3.

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

ab348 said:

qbrozen said:

Huh. That is shockingly and suspiciously cheap. I know shifty says Hagerty can be low, and they say $20k is a #4 of one of these. If this is a #2 like he seems to claim, it should be a $45k car according to them.

https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1971-Ford-Torino-Cobra

I'd go for it but it is the smaller engine, so I'd need to soup it up, and I'm really not a fan of that stripe on the side.

I thought it seemed cheap for what was claimed to be done to it.

I find those cars odd. I like the exterior styling, and even like the laser stripe, but the interior design/instrument panel and materials let them down IMO. Look at the door panels, so plain. On that one, the console is black, which seems wrong to me. Also the rear taillight panel should not be totally black I suspect. And why leave the front drums on? The undercarriage might be OK but the pics are somewhat vague to my eye.

So not only are the cars themselves odd, but that ad is even more odd.

Price is about market correct for a 351 engine. Hagerty's prices are no doubt for the 429 CJ.

The Cobra's standard 429 was replaced by the 351C in 1971 due to insurance surcharging. My dad had a 1970 GT in Bright Yellow with the 4V 351C and a shaker hood. Laser stripe as well. A dog off the line, but pretty quick from a 40 mph roll.

corvette

Congrats! Just to clarify, breld is still our fearless leader, as he has six punches in the trailing 12-month period.

stickguy

I feel like such a slacker. I missed 2016 entirely, and there is a decent chance I go negative in 2017 (dropping the lease that is ending without replacing it).

I may be about to lose my membership here! I better get on the stick. maybe flip my wife's car too. Start some real wheeling and dealing!

sda

stickguy said:

I feel like such a slacker. I missed 2016 entirely, and there is a decent chance I go negative in 2017 (dropping the lease that is ending without replacing it).

I may be about to lose my membership here! I better get on the stick. maybe flip my wife's car too. Start some real wheeling and dealing!

I'm with you Stick but it doesn't curb my enthusiasm!

stickguy

I know that if I don't sneak one in at the end of this year, I will have 2 in 2018 (one for me, and one for my daughter after she graduates).

carnaught

corvette said:

Congrats! Just to clarify, breld is still our fearless leader, as he has six punches in the trailing 12-month period.

graphicguy

Breld....that is too cool! Congrats!

qbrozen

I think Breld is in this one for the long haul. I'm going to be optimistic and give it 9 months before he decides he needs to trade for something more fuel efficient.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

I think Breld is in this one for the long haul. I'm going to be optimistic and give it 9 months before he decides he needs to trade for something more fuel efficient.

I don't think mileage is in the top 10 issues for him - remember, he's had both an S4 and an SQ5. Just the cost of doing business for the @breld clan.

stickguy

this could be a fun one for QB. Wonder what this will bid up to?

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-dodge-charger/

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Bradd now is all in on the horsepower junkie parade I see. That did not take long!

The Q's power is very easy to get used to.  Slide the shifter into manual mode & it rev matches downshifts.

stickguy

well, sounds interesting. I might do it once to try it out, then never do it again!

here is an interesting unit. I saw this pop up, and was wondering how it ended up there with that few miles on it. Now, the question is answered. I bet someone paid taxes on a lot bigger price than that. Definitely cheap for a brand new car, even though it is falling behind on model years.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2016-ford-fiesta-4dr_sedan_s-new-16081403.html

xwesx

How does one not drive a car and accumulate 61 miles on it? Something's fishy here.

xwesx

So, I had left the site and remembered that I pulled one of @breld 's photos of the Durango up on a separate window. As I was looking it over and considering the baseball practice comment, it got me to thinking about being that kid at baseball practice (an embarrassingly long time ago now, TBH).

When my parents brought home a new car, it was a rare and exciting event! I would honestly spend the next several days just going outside (or in the garage) to take it in, as if I was trying to come to terms with the reality of it. Between the ages of three and eighteen, my parents bought a grand total of six cars (and two motor homes).

I wonder, @breld, how do your kids react to new cars in the driveway?

Michaell

xwesx said:

So, I had left the site and remembered that I pulled one of @breld 's photos of the Durango up on a separate window. As I was looking it over and considering the baseball practice comment, it got me to thinking about being that kid at baseball practice (an embarrassingly long time ago now, TBH).

When my parents brought home a new car, it was a rare and exciting event! I would honestly spend the next several days just going outside (or in the garage) to take it in, as if I was trying to come to terms with the reality of it. Between the ages of three and eighteen, my parents bought a grand total of six cars (and two motor homes).

I wonder, @breld, how do your kids react to new cars in the driveway?

zzzzzzzzzz, is my guess.

Let me think - between 3 and 18, my folks bought the following:

'67 VW Squareback (bought new)
'70 Chevy pickup (bought new)
'73 Toyota Corona (bought new after the engine gave up the ghost on the VW)
'72 MB 220D (bought after I totaled the Corona driving to school in '81)
'84 Toyota Celica (my mom pushed for this, as she hated the Benz; I may have been 19 or 20 when that one got bought)

tbirdmarco

@breld you are welcome. you are the car bying king lol lol keep up the grate work lol lol.

tbirdmarco

good morning all happy Friday injoy the day and have an good upcumming weekend to all.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

I think Breld is in this one for the long haul. I'm going to be optimistic and give it 9 months before he decides he needs to trade for something more fuel efficient.

I don't think mileage is in the top 10 issues for him - remember, he's had both an S4 and an SQ5. Just the cost of doing business for the @breld clan.

It doesn't have to be an issue. It can be the excuse, though.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

this could be a fun one for QB. Wonder what this will bid up to? http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-dodge-charger/

Oh I saw that. As soon as I see "bubbling paint" I stop reading and slowly back away.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

well, sounds interesting. I might do it once to try it out, then never do it again!

here is an interesting unit. I saw this pop up, and was wondering how it ended up there with that few miles on it. Now, the question is answered. I bet someone paid taxes on a lot bigger price than that. Definitely cheap for a brand new car, even though it is falling behind on model years.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2016-ford-fiesta-4dr_sedan_s-new-16081403.html

Before his GTI, my son had a Fiesta of that vintage. Reliable and frugal, but the transmission (purportedly a dual clutch) was a dog. It shifted rough, couldn't make up its mind which gear it should be in, etc.

Not just his car....but ALL of them of that generation. Well known issue in the Fiesta and Focus of that era.

When he test drove it, sales guy told him it was a "learning transmission" and that it would smooth out once he drove it a 100 miles or so. I wasn't with him. He believed the sales guy. Never did smooth out. He'd take it to the dealer. Dealer would re-flash the firmware, return it to my son and it would drive a little better. But would go back to being a dog in short order.

He had it for 3 years, never did get it fixed right. Again, it was ALL Fiestas with that same transmission.

ab348

qbrozen said:

I think Breld is in this one for the long haul. I'm going to be optimistic and give it 9 months before he decides he needs to trade for something more fuel efficient.

For @breld , "in it for the long haul" means he keeps it for more than 6 or 8 weeks.

nyccarguy

I remember new car day being a very exciting time in my house growing up.  Up until I was 18, Mom & Dad had the following cars in the stable:

Dad:  

1981 Chevy Citation
1987 Ford Bronco II (5-speed stick)
1991 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer
1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
1997 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

Mom:  

1985 Volvo 740 Turbo (Black w/ Red Cloth & white pin stripe interior)
1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E
1995 Dodge Stealth R/T