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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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Wife and I basically had a free day yesterday so went car "looking." Started with her pining a bit for an inexpensive BMW product to replace the Clubman that she seldom uses now:
- 320i - looked at a used 320i xdrive that had navigation and sport package (had the M-sport steering wheel, which I thought was peculiar), which seems rare in the entry-level 3. But it also lacked power seats and a sunroof (Premium Package?). We value that sport package higher, but at the end of the day, I think resale would suffer without the sunroof. Still, these seem to be nice buys for the money (low to mid $20k's with reasonable miles).
- X1 - also found a Valencia Orange X1 (2014) xdrive 35i. With the sport package and navigation, seemed like a relatively rare find. Only 26k miles for about $25k. Someone was already looking at it, and during our test drive they had committed to it - which was fine; while we liked it quite a bit, we wouldn't have bought it right then and there anyway.
Between those two test drives, I visited a couple dealerships to take a closer look at the Civic Si. First dealership had a blue coupe out front (which prompted the whole visit). The salespeople were nice, but this dealership had forced add-ons (like overpriced tint and accessories), and didn't even allow a test drive prior to more or less finalizing numbers and committing (subject to the test drive of course). C'MON! I actually get it on the Type R, but the relatively pedestrian Si? The second dealership was happy and anxious to get me in the driver's seat, and had a one-price approach of MSRP at this point on the Si (no dealer handling and no forced add-ons). They're fixed price on a "regular" Civic is about $500 off, so I wasn't offended by the MSRP price on the Si, particularly since they're pretty cheap as is. So...few thoughts:- I like the coupe better than the sedan. The spoiler is more prominent, but it fits the shape of the car better than the one on the sedan. And the fake vent design in the rear bumper is actually much more subtle on the coupe than on the sedan. Overall, just like the look of the coupe better, and since I won't be using it much for passenger hauling, I'd probably go that way.
- Seats are very comfortable with good support. The overall seating position is nice. Auto climate control and the sunroof are welcome standard features at this price point.
- Not surprisingly, it doesn't feel quite as quick as the GTI, but as I got more used to the throttle response, clutch and shifting, I became more and more impressed with the drive. I'd guess it may fall a few tenths of a second short of the GTI's acceleration numbers, but the overall experience is very satisfying. For day-to-day driving, you can "wring it out" more without getting to illegal speeds so quickly. I liked my Mazda3 for that reason, but at times, I definitely could've used more punch. The Si falls between something like that and the GTI nicely, though closer to the GTI side of things.
- Styling of course has been polarizing, but there is something about it that I find appealing. Some of it is no doubt due to my nostalgia for my older Honda products, but somehow I can appreciate simultaneously the classic styling of the German products and the Fast & Furious Japanese styling.
I did call around inquiring about Type R inventory, but no luck (not surprising). Well, actually, there's a blue one 380 miles away that is available...for a $10k mark-up over MSRP.2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
After-all, it's been a few weeks LOL.
Most of that stuff relates to either my work or my hobbies.
I like it's surroundings. I am being considered for it now. Long move, we've been there before, though.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I like it for its more "truck-ish" character, even though it's no more truck-based than its competitors - I suppose I like the more masculine look. The Pilot and Highlander are very quick with their V6's, and you have to go with the Hemi in the Durango to keep up with those vehicles, but beyond that, the overall feel with the 8-cylinder is a unique offering.
Over the past month or two, I've taken it on a couple road trips, and that torque on the mountain passes feels great. And I'm getting 24-25 mpg on those trips - no significant penalty for the V8.
They have another mild facelift for 2018 that adds a new grill and hood for the R/T and GT models to mimic the look of the new SRT model. And they're replacing the dial trannie control for a more traditional lever. But having said that, I would recommend going for a slightly used one - as much as I like the Durango, they certainly don't hold their value.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Definitely planning to drive one. If nothing else, I want to try as many manual trans cars as I can, just for practice (in case I don't buy one). Plus really need some more stick time before deciding if I want to get one or not.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
One thing I've read in every single review of the Civic is that the front seat cushions are too short. Does the SI model remedy this?
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That's funny, there were a couple or three generations where it was only available as a hatch!
About the 1.8t engine, I find if I keep the tranny in "S" mode, it goes like a rocket, but...there's always a but! Fine the mpg's go down a bit as it gets a bit thirstier but, it's a tradeoff I am willing to take since 90% of my driving is expressway both ways. And I always seem to go during rush hour for some reason. That one slow area where I-75 and 595 meet the Sawgrass Expressway has been fixed with the additional lane going west out to Naples, now there's usually no issue. Two lanes go west to Naples and east on 595 into Ft. Lauderdale with three lanes going onto the Sawgrass which is the way home. They were a bit quiet about it and after being in the wrong lane two days in a row, the light bulb went off and now am always in the appropriate lane going due north. And having a fun ride makse the 30/35 minute commute something I have no issue with now, kinda gets me ready for the day in the a m and relaxes me in the p m. As long as the XM is on one of my favorite stations and there's no back-ups on the road, a very relaxing drive home actually.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Fix these few niggling issues for me and it would be on my short list along with the 320i/328i and the Golf GTI. Since they got rid of the SEL model, no longer interested in the plain Golf model. Just too plain Jane, the GTI is the next logical choice for me.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I want to check out the new Fit this fall, if it is out by then, and HRV if they were redoing that also.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I am really interested in seeing the redesigned Accord. It is supposed to be on the Civic platform, and smaller than the current model, so probably only about 6-9" longer than the Civic. If it is basically a little bit picker, but more comfy version (with same nice drivetrain and driving dynamics), including full sized seats, could be just the ticket.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
another SVT. I forget now if 2007 was the bad year? Miles not bad, price seems to be market.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/704768327/overview/
I drove right past this lot today. Not that I knew it was there. And of course, not open anyway. Really like the colors. Miles, well, I don't drive much. No clue how the price plays. Just darn, short 1 pedal!
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/699295630/overview/
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Talk about an oddball. Doubt I could live without the extended cab piece. But, if I had space to park a spare vehicle, and a nice fun car (see below!) for normal use, this could be handy to have around.
http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2004-dodge-dakota_regular_cab-dakota_4x4_regular_cab_5_speed_manual_trans-used-16550181.html
This is nice. Just needs a different color interior. seems nicely loaded and barely used. Probably quite quick with the 3.0 motor.
http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2017-bmw-4_series-certified_440i_xdrive_awd_gran_coupe_m_sport_tech_assist_nav-used-16534997.html
This one is also nice. Great colors. More budget friendly. I could live with this.
http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2015-bmw-3_series_gran_turismo-certified_328i_xdrive_gt_awd_gran_turismo_navigation-used-16403552.html
And, when I hit lotto. Love this one. did not even realize you could get it with a stick. Pretty.
http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2016-jaguar-f~type-certified_f~type_convertible_6_speed_navi-used-16537698.html
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That CX-9 (which came in first I believe) is still a very attractive car, but I just couldn't get comfortable in the driver's seat. I may try it again as they appear on the used market more.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
My wife saw a Beetle convertible today that she would like to check out.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Gingham seats? Will you ever drive it?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I'll take 'words I have not heard or read in over a decade, for $500', Alex...
That Jag is stunning. Like you, had no idea you could get those with a manual trans.
Mustangs, Mustangs, Mustangs.....every lot seems to have one (or many). '97 Cobra is similar to my '98. Aftermarket wheels. Didn't see pics of the interior and didn't see the mileage. The key to the Cobras is finding one that hasn't been totally wrung out, and/or modded (mostly poorly).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/07/2017-mazda-mx-5-miata-rf-review-how-much-extra-will-you-pay-for-less-convertible/#more-1577953
Edmunds Price Checker
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Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-BMW-3-Series-/192234582120?#description&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true
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Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
On the Miata, the RF seemed odd to me all along. If I am getting one, it is going to be a convertible. Mazda might have been better off just making a true coupe (maybe a hatch?) for people that really wanted a fixed roof. Put a big moonroof on it, and get same effect, less complexity, and fewer compromises.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Once again, I set out to get it back up and running to I could set the timing and vacuum. I think I relayed my fight with mounting the non-fitting radiator and making up brackets to mount it. Anyway, finished up the hoses, but the bottom hose neck was partially blocked by the oil filter, so I shifted the radiator over as far as I could and remounted. Just enough clearance to shove the hose on there.
Then discovered, as I thought might happen, that the electric fan would no longer fit between the radiator and fan pulley. So I pulled the grilled, removed the condensor and reinstalled it reversed so I could get it tighter to the radiator, and then squeezed the fan in between the upright nose support and the condensor. Reversed the polarity, of course, to make it a pusher fan. But then I had the bright idea that I could possibly get the stock fan to go back on. That is still a work in progress, but what I did was heat up the base of each blade and bend them slightly to make the whole fan a bit shallower. Whether or not it will work or even help is yet to be seen. I did buy some aluminum sheet metal and plan on making a shroud.
In any case, I figured I was OK to start her up. No go. Lots of cranking, but nothing happening. I could not smell fuel, so I pulled the lines and checked for fuel when cranking. Nothing. Ugh. So somehow while sitting still, my fuel pump gave up the ghost. Purchased a $45 electric pump from Autozone yesterday but have not had a chance to put it in yet.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Or...the place that sold me the GTI has a previous gen retractable hardtop for $18.5k. I like those too.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman