Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

Anybody looking for a Boxster S for under $20K?  Here you go:

https://www.stamfordhyundai.com/bargain/Porsche/2005-Porsche-Boxster-Stamford+Connecticut-656ff6650a0e0aea0bfb2055be128be0.htm

breld

Is it just me or does the hood/front bumper cover look misaligned in those photos?

breld

Mr_Shiftright said:

Beats me!

Oooof! That gives me flashbacks and shivers. At least I didn't take photos to memorialize the event.

ab348

breld said:

Is it just me or does the hood/front bumper cover look misaligned in those photos?

The poor shutline along the front of the hood jumped out at me right away and I wasn't even particularly looking for that.

xwesx

sb55 said:

My son's truck. Nice and clean when it arrived. It's still mud season here in the north country, so it's gotten broken in!

Ah, wow! Beautiful for the years and miles! That's a really nice find!

xwesx

breld said:

Who would ever do that?

LOL Breld..... I instantly thought of your bicycle mishap of many years ago and thought I would ask.... which was worse (overall hassle, etc): Losing your wallet and phone or the bicycle?

I've also seen many people leave things on top. I make a concerted effort not to put things on top (tall vehicles helps with this), as it is so very easy to forget about them!

Michaell

Oh, dear:

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-m5-11/

Me want, but likely overpriced. What sayeth the experts.

stickguy

Interesting. And pricey. And that's just the starting point. Will be expensive to upkeep I am sure. Did they ever make a 540 wagon? Likely not with a stick if do. Probably cheaper to get an AT and do a manual box swap. Or save a fortune, and get a stick sedan!

tjc78

breld said:

Couple fun things - we're getting the windows tinted on all three vehicles today. Very excited about it - I know opinions differ on the matter, but I think the cars look a bit incomplete without tinted windows. I'm particularly anxious to see the GTI - love white cars with the dark windows.

Also, drove all around the metro Denver area this weekend with both boys' baseball games. On Saturday, one kid was playing north of the Denver area and the other was south - about 70 miles apart! Anyhow, the Durango's trip computer showed about 21 mpg for about 455 miles (some of that was before the weekend). I'm pleased and happy that I didn't let the MPG penalty sway me from going with the R/T. Not that it's great, but it's hardly worse than the V6.

That's better than my Enclave.  Last tank was 19.5 and that included 200 miles of straight highway (@75).  I swear that thing has a hole in the gas tank. City can be as low as 14.   We average about 16.5 with a 60 / 40 hwy, city split 

ab348

Michaell said:

Oh, dear:

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-m5-11/

Me want, but likely overpriced. What sayeth the experts.

I'm no expert, but just reading the writeup and the impressions posted by one commenter who actually visited the car, it sounds like an expensive perpetual project.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Interesting. And pricey. And that's just the starting point. Will be expensive to upkeep I am sure. Did they ever make a 540 wagon? Likely not with a stick if do. Probably cheaper to get an AT and do a manual box swap. Or save a fortune, and get a stick sedan!

All 540 wagons were automatics. I've seen a local wagon "converted" to an M5 wagon. I'm sure it was ridiculously expensive, but it's very cool.

breld

One of the guys at the local repair shop I used to go to had a manual 525i wagon - he was interested in selling it, but only at a premium. As well kept as it was, it would have been an interesting buy, and we strongly considered it, but that was when we came across the 530i sport manual that we ended up buying instead.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Oh, dear:

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-m5-11/

Me want, but likely overpriced. What sayeth the experts.

I'm no expert, but just reading the writeup and the impressions posted by one commenter who actually visited the car, it sounds like an expensive perpetual project.

Frankenbimmer I think. It all depends on how the engineering was done. Those engines can be fussy if not set up just right. Should be fast, though. BMW actually made a prototype touring E39 sez the Internet.

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

Anybody looking for a Boxster S for under $20K?  Here you go:

https://www.stamfordhyundai.com/bargain/Porsche/2005-Porsche-Boxster-Stamford+Connecticut-656ff6650a0e0aea0bfb2055be128be0.htm

A good year with more legroom, a glass rear window and nicer styling than earlier Boxsters---price isn't bad either. Of course, you still have the risk of the dreaded IMS bearing to contend with.

Feelin' lucky? (tip o the hat to Clint Eastwood). Figure odds are 10 to 1 in your favor, but the loser busts out completely.

Sandman6472

I am truly in love!!! Drove a almost new Range Rover Evoque today and it was outstanding!!! Very nicely done on the inside and handsome on the out. Was a white one and looked very nice in that color though I usually don't like white. On this R R, looked spectacular. Accelerates nicely with super smooth downshifts that I hardly felt. Was a cloth seating base model I think but cloth I could do easily. Was like the first time I drove a 328i, I was instantly in love with the vehicle. Well, lightning has struck twice here folks and am in love with the R R Evoque. A bit pricey for the base model but, it really has all I'll ever need to be honest. And on something like this, not sure I'd want to go cpo, would want to be the original owner.
Must admit, gonna be very hard the next time I am really in the market because I am going to want something that drove as nice as the R R did today and the 328i did last year. Might mean raisning the budget ceiling a bit to get something outstanding and a vehicle to keep for the long run! Just not sure R R's are that reliable and am betting the maintenance costs are pretty steep. But hell, it was an amazing hour today and I want one...I WANT ONE!!!

The Sandman

roadburner

This is the BaT Bimmer that tempts me: 1977 530i

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ImTsyQ6g_sE

tbirdmarco

@roadburner go for it tell your wife.

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

This is the BaT Bimmer that tempts me: 1977 530i

'77 was a good year for the 530i. They made a number of much-needed improvements. Current bid is fair but should go somewhat higher. I don't think any more than $10K is advisable though.

Sandman6472

My wife came up with Plan E for the October wedding. She and my middle girl will be driving the Audi up while the older girl and her fiance fly up with me. They drive out Tuesday early morning and we fly out mid Thursday. She thinks they'll arrive by Thursday night. We spend a few days seeing Chicago and do the wedding stuff. It's a small affair with maybe 40 coming to the ceremony and late afternoon lunch on Sunday. Now here's where the change comes in. Instead of me flying home with the other two, I drive back home with the wife/daughter. After mulling over the idea, starting to like it since I can send up a second suitcase with them and only take one on the plane. Not sure of the weather there in mid October but will need long pants and a light jacket I suspect. Maybe bring one pair of shorts. Have no heavy coat but can layer things with my Columbia fleece jacket if I need a jacket at all. Plan E allows us to bring extra clothes since they'll be room in it and think we'll have enough room coming back with my extra suitcase.
Since I'm taking the whole 14 days off, or maybe even 12, this plan is actually something I'm warming up to. She wants a vehicle up there so we can explore a few places and renting will add a lot to the bottom line. This way all we have to pay is our fuel and tolls where ever they have them. We have a Florida Sunpass and hopefully other states will accept it as a form of payment. We shall see.
So think Plan E might just be the ticket for us. Let's them not fly at all and gives us our own vehicle to drive the whole time there thus no rental. And absolutely thrilled that she wants to take the A3, since the Golf has almost 3K more miles on it. This way we can get both vehicles nearer in miles as we bought them within a very short time of each other and like to keep the mileage about equally split.

The Sandman

(According to Mapquest, trip should take about 20.5 hours each way. Not to bad to be honest.)

xwesx

roadburner said:

This is the BaT Bimmer that tempts me: 1977 530i

That's a pretty car (in spite of those hideous bumpers)!

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy congrads to your wife. tell her for me!

xwesx

sandman_6472 said:

My wife came up with Plan E for the October wedding.
The Sandman

(According to Mapquest, trip should take about 20.5 hours each way. Not to bad to be honest.)

Sounds like a fun trip to me! And, if your wife came up with it, you just nod your head and express your excitement!

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy congrads to your wife. tell her for me!

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 when you are set to get an nother new car go go go for it! sounds nice! and also sounds good on your wifes plan to go to the weding.

stickguy

I think the Evoque is the same underneath as the discovery sport I just rented. It did drive smooth. And the transmission shifted nicely. always in the right gear, and imperceptible shifts. The torque of the diesel probably helped there!

kyfdx

It's a lot lighter than the Discovery Sport, and quite a bit quicker.

Sandman6472

A bit on the pricey side though. But just need to find something similar that drives the same for a lot less $, say around $30K or so. Haven't looked at the specs yet but thinking it'll be around 175" or so, a bit longer than what I've got now but not a deal breaker. I do like to be able to walk around my vehicle in the garage if need be. That Ford Escape I almost got was just too long even though the sales guy thought it was fine. The Tucson fit pretty well but it's around 174" if I recall.
Fun to look and dream I guess. One of the best things about my Hertz gig is never knowing what I'm going to drive each day as well as never knowing our destination. Never mind going into work and that's why I think, getting paid to do something I love with them paying for the petrol. Now how cool is that! The traffic is the only bad part and since we are in the Miami area about 60% of the time, the only part I don't like. But hey, no job is perfect I guess.

The Sandman

sda

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

This is the BaT Bimmer that tempts me: 1977 530i

'77 was a good year for the 530i. They made a number of much-needed improvements. Current bid is fair but should go somewhat higher. I don't think any more than $10K is advisable though.

In the late 80's a friend had a 633 CSI ( It was the 2 dr coupe, I might have the model number wrong) that was that color with BBS wheels and the gold center, and tan leather interior that was so popular then. He hated the color and wanted to paint it black or the appropriate BMW red. What was interesting about that car is that the original owner who was a professional athlete had a turbo installed on the engine. It ran out very nicely. It was a 4 speed. I loved the curved back seat, similar to an older Thunderbird, and it had a vey supple ride.

kyfdx

sda said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

This is the BaT Bimmer that tempts me: 1977 530i

'77 was a good year for the 530i. They made a number of much-needed improvements. Current bid is fair but should go somewhat higher. I don't think any more than $10K is advisable though.

In the late 80's a friend had a 633 CSI ( It was the 2 dr coupe, I might have the model number wrong) that was that color with BBS wheels and the gold center, and tan leather interior that was so popular then. He hated the color and wanted to paint it black or the appropriate BMW red. What was interesting about that car is that the original owner who was a professional athlete had a turbo installed on the engine. It ran out very nicely. It was a 4 speed. I loved the curved back seat, similar to an older Thunderbird, and it had a vey supple ride.

If it had a turbo, it might have been a gray-market import. That was pretty popular in the early-mid '80s

Mr_Shiftright

No 635 turbos that I'm aware of from the factory. I think you could get a Dinan turbo for it though.

For some reason, the 635 coupes get zero love in the collector car market. They are still dirt cheap.

laurasdada

Sandy, the next time you're in the Evoque, make sure you review the visibility factor. High style leads to gun slit type windows.

Currently in a brand new loaner Disco. Very pleasant for my little Sunday road trip. A bit of wind/road noise, but peppy, easily cruised 70-90mph, handling not as ponderous as my (very brief) time with the Chevy Traverse. Next gen infotainment from my XF, not sure it's an improvement. Slow, don't like some of the audio logic. But, hate to say it, liking the slide in/out-ability of the elevated driver's seat. Knees a bit sore after Sunday's 5k, nice not to have to lower myself into the cockpit. Uh, oh. Will I look at an F-Pace?

Time to call the Jag dealer, check up on the XF...

fintail

I am not aware of a turbo E24 either, but there have been numerous turbo conversions, and I think even period tuners did it. There was a turbo E23 (745i), which might be an easy swap - never sold new in NA of course.

roadburner

In the '80s there were several turbo kits available for the M30 "big six." If it's a gray market turbo it's almost certainly an Alpina.

Mr_Shiftright

The M30 is a great engine.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V6jug46K3KE

sda

https://goo.gl/images/hDkMJr

It was a 1977 US model, this color, but with BBS gold centered wheels and a modest body colored front spoiler, and small rear spoiler.

roadburner

Okay, put me down for a punch- the X3 is going on the block and is being replaced by a 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman. We know the owners and the car was serviced at my BMW indie shop so Mrs. RB will finally get the Mini she's always wanted. This isn't our car but it's the same color and sports the same wheels:

stickguy

this the one with 109K miles on it?

roadburner

Yep.

laurasdada

Picked up the XF tonight. Right in front of the dealer is a bright, shiny, CPO, very red '14 XK. So red, so pretty, so V8... What do you call a second midlife crisis? A post midlife midlife crisis? Son entering college, we're paying, private University, breld, must save for four more years of tuition, breld, child support, 401k, breld...

cdnpinhead

roadburner said:

Yep.

Hope all goes well and that both of you enjoy having it in your stable. It'll be interesting to hear how it goes in the coming years.

roadburner

cdnpinhead said:

roadburner said:

Yep.

Hope all goes well and that both of you enjoy having it in your stable. It'll be interesting to hear how it goes in the coming years.

Thanks. I like the relative simplicity- it's naturally aspirated, wears conventional 15" tires, is easy to service, and even has a real oil dipstick! It's a bit of a gamble, but it should easily go another 40k-50k miles.

xwesx

roadburner said:

Thanks. I like the relative simplicity- it's naturally aspirated, wears conventional 15" tires, is easy to service, and even has a real oil dipstick! It's a bit of a gamble, but it should easily go another 40k-50k miles.

I imagine it was a pretty cheap buy, so no harm done!

Michaell

@roadburner - I like that Clubman. For some reason, the proportions on that just worked for me. 113 HP and a stick shift probably makes it nice and fun.

Here's hoping it doesn't drain the bank account with needs.

breld

laurasdada said:

Picked up the XF tonight. Right in front of the dealer is a bright, shiny, CPO, very red '14 XK. So red, so pretty, so V8... What do you call a second midlife crisis? A post midlife midlife crisis? Son entering college, we're paying, private University, breld, must save for four more years of tuition, breld, child support, 401k, breld...

Do it.

breld

roadburner said:

Okay, put me down for a punch- the X3 is going on the block and is being replaced by a 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman. We know the owners and the car was serviced at my BMW indie shop so Mrs. RB will finally get the Mini she's always wanted. This isn't our car but it's the same color and sports the same wheels:

Congrats! Even with the fancy new Clubman S All4 my wife drives, she still occasionally pines for the simple (and cheap) base model 6 speed she traded for it.

graphicguy

roadburner said:

Okay, put me down for a punch- the X3 is going on the block and is being replaced by a 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman. We know the owners and the car was serviced at my BMW indie shop so Mrs. RB will finally get the Mini she's always wanted. This isn't our car but it's the same color and sports the same wheels:

BadA$$.....'grats!

tbirdmarco

@roadburner congrads on the punch! good luck with uit to you and your wife!

nyccarguy

Congrats @roadburner!