Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

I picked up our Pilot from the dealer yesterday. My trusted independent mechanic found the front suspension rear lower control arm bushings were cracked and leaking. Going on some information I read from a fellow poster @sda who has a Pilot very similar to mine, I rummaged through my "Pilot Folder" of repairs and receipts. I found a letter from Honda that I got about 2 years ago that extends the warranty on these "compliance bushings" for 7 years/100,000 miles. The dealer completed the repair in 1 day. Honda paid for an alignment as well. I received 701.14 worth or work at no charge on a vehicle that is over 6 years old and has close to 95,000 miles on the odometer. The 3 year/36,000 mile BtoB warranty expired over 4 years ago. It is nice to see a manufacturer stand behind its product. The Pilot literally drives like a vehicle that has maybe 15,000 miles on it. Fluids, Brakes, & Tires. I'm looking forward to pushing it well past the 100K mile mark. As with my Prelude (158K miles), the AC in the Pilot still blows ICE COLD, the cooling system hasn't even hiccuped. It just goes.

Everything I have always read or heard about Honda/Acura dealers is spot on with your experience. They seem to really do right by the customer and take great pride in the quality products they produce. The styling and driving dynamics of some cars in their lineup might be up for debate but it seems overall reliability and customer experience are second to none.

pensfan83

Knock on wood we've had no issues with the CVT in the Altima and it just hit 33,000 miles over the July 4th holiday. We have no plans to get rid of that car at this point so hopefully we don't run into anything. I'd like to think most of the issues from Nissan's earlier CVT offerings were worked out prior to 2014...haven't read anything that contradicts that though some people still seem to have issues/complaints.

xwesx

stickguy said:

here is an OldFarmer special. Nice and cheap, and look at those low miles!

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Chrysler/1994-Chrysler-Lebaron-Cherry+Hill+NJ-edd103ed0a0e0a6b406901004246c47b.htm?searchDepth=4:52

I think that this listing vastly lowered my opinion of Cherry Hill Subaru..... That thing is a rat. I mean, they couldn't even be bothered to prep it (look at that driver footwell area, or the headlights!) before listing it.

xwesx

Well, I managed to get the Forester's engine all sorted out last night. Working gingerly, and through considerable pain, I carefully picked my way through the block heater installation.

I think I mentioned earlier that I couldn't find the 14mm hex socket I purchased for this task back in 2007. I was thrilled when I found that the $150 (still annoyed) block heater kit came with a 14mm hex shaft that is made to insert into a standard 14mm socket (six point, not twelve). So, I slapped it all together on my 1/2" breaker bar, and turned..... nothing.... nothing.... movement! More movement! Dang.

The hex shaft stripped. [insert colorful language here] I hobble out to the shed, grind down the stripped end so that it will fit into the socket, and try again with the other end in the freeze plug. With considerably less effort this time, I get the same result.

So, now I'm low on options, and fearful that the plug itself is stripped due to obvious deformation of the socket. I set out on a quest to find my 14mm hex tool, and I finally found it after spending a couple minutes meditating on it. Buried deep in my increasingly fuzzy memory, I deduced that it was in my wall locker (where I keep construction tools/supplies.... not automotive!). Sure enough, there it was: Front and center!

Third try at the plug, and no go. I finally found a 12" length of 3/4" iron pipe, so I slipped that over the breaker bar to get a little more leverage and it finally let go. After that, it was just ticking off the boxes: Install block heater, route and secure cords, mix and add coolant, reinstall exhaust headers and cat. Test. Nurse aching back....



Hex socket, worthless little hex shaft that came with the heater, and the plug (note the damage to the plug socket):


Close up of that silly hex shaft:

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

Speaking of warranty extensions, I got a letter from Subaru this week.

The warranty on the CVT has been extended to 10 years / 100,000 miles. From what I can gather, this is purely preventative.

They know something you don't I suspect.

graphicguy

xwesx said:

Well, I managed to get the Forester's engine all sorted out last night. Working gingerly, and through considerable pain, I carefully picked my way through the block heater installation.

I think I mentioned earlier that I couldn't find the 14mm hex socket I purchased for this task back in 2007. I was thrilled when I found that the $150 (still annoyed) block heater kit came with a 14mm hex shaft that is made to insert into a standard 14mm socket (six point, not twelve). So, I slapped it all together on my 1/2" breaker bar, and turned..... nothing.... nothing.... movement! More movement! Dang.

The hex shaft stripped. [insert colorful language here] I hobble out to the shed, grind down the stripped end so that it will fit into the socket, and try again with the other end in the freeze plug. With considerably less effort this time, I get the same result.

So, now I'm low on options, and fearful that the plug itself is stripped due to obvious deformation of the socket. I set out on a quest to find my 14mm hex tool, and I finally found it after spending a couple minutes meditating on it. Buried deep in my increasingly fuzzy memory, I deduced that it was in my wall locker (where I keep construction tools/supplies.... not automotive!). Sure enough, there it was: Front and center!

Third try at the plug, and no go. I finally found a 12" length of 3/4" iron pipe, so I slipped that over the breaker bar to get a little more leverage and it finally let go. After that, it was just ticking off the boxes: Install block heater, route and secure cords, mix and add coolant, reinstall exhaust headers and cat. Test. Nurse aching back....



Hex socket, worthless little hex shaft that came with the heater, and the plug (note the damage to the plug socket):


Close up of that silly hex shaft:

BRAVO...(can't see or hear, but I'm clapping my hands for you)!

Sandman6472

Kid's 2009 Versa SL auto CVT tranny is fine so far with about 90K on the clock. Found online a copy of the extended warranty Nissan gave to all owners, so I copied the www. address and shot it over to her for her records just in case. She still likes it and has no plans of selling it until it leaves her stranded. I like driving it also but something one must get used to!

The Sandman

stickguy

well, I do like this one. quite a bit. low miles, and manual trans. Price seems high to me though. By quite a bit. But what do I know?

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Volvo/2012-Volvo-C30-Cherry+Hill+NJ-11bf77bd0a0e0a171b325feb69a3dbe0.htm?searchDepth=49:50

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen sounds good will put fule pump on mine in simeler spot pretty much also whair stock is to! on mine!

tbirdmarco

@Michaell nice Subro did that. Nissan did that an number of years ago to simeler number of years and miles. maby 2012 what ever ended up happening with your frends Virsa.

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy glad all is whell with your Pilet. yes good when car company extends worntee on parts! that are folty!

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 worintee should be on yours 10 years or 120k miles think it is. alwas going to be conplantes and peapol with problems with any car brand no matter witch one you chose. maby sum mor than others! lol lol did you get to do any test drives since the ford?

28firefighter

I had a 2011 C30 (non R design) - still one of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven. Some days I regret selling it, but it was not practical for us being only two doors. 

tbirdmarco

@xwesx nice glad you got that done and also found your socket!

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 glad to no the CVT on your daughters virsa has the extended worintee to as whell. so was rong in the posting above extended it years ago lol lol.

stickguy

not the colors I would want, but this could be fun for reasonable money. I can live with the 305 HP.

http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/Ford/2011-Ford-Mustang-7e7f990e0a0e08f730f13708ef04853c.htm

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

not the colors I would want, but this could be fun for reasonable money. I can live with the 305 HP.

http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/Ford/2011-Ford-Mustang-7e7f990e0a0e08f730f13708ef04853c.htm

BLOWS the whistle!  10 yard penalty and loss of man card!

tbirdmarco

Happy Friday all! injoy the day!

ab348

Black on black convertible is a nonstarter for me.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

well, I do like this one. quite a bit. low miles, and manual trans. Price seems high to me though. By quite a bit. But what do I know?

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Volvo/2012-Volvo-C30-Cherry+Hill+NJ-11bf77bd0a0e0a171b325feb69a3dbe0.htm?searchDepth=49:50

I would rather have it with AWD. I think that would be a rare find (r design, manual, awd).

qbrozen

ab348 said:

Black on black convertible is a nonstarter for me.

Agreed. My Spider was triple black and you could not get in that thing if it sat out in the summer sun for 10 mins.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

well, I do like this one. quite a bit. low miles, and manual trans. Price seems high to me though. By quite a bit. But what do I know?



https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Volvo/2012-Volvo-C30-Cherry+Hill+NJ-11bf77bd0a0e0a171b325feb69a3dbe0.htm?searchDepth=49:50

I would rather have it with AWD. I think that would be a rare find (r design, manual, awd).

I don't think the C30 was available with AWD.

breld

stickguy said:

well, I do like this one. quite a bit. low miles, and manual trans. Price seems high to me though. By quite a bit. But what do I know?

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Volvo/2012-Volvo-C30-Cherry+Hill+NJ-11bf77bd0a0e0a171b325feb69a3dbe0.htm?searchDepth=49:50

I like that a lot.  

breld

Alright - so do I even report this punch?  

kyfdx

I really like the C30s.

Michaell

kyfdx said:

I really like the C30s.

I test drove one some years back. I really liked it, too.

Michaell

breld said:

Alright - so do I even report this punch?  

Congrats!

Is that new or used?

stickguy

Amazing. You 2 are in a league of your own.

I like the color combo on the bug. What color is the top?

stickguy

On the mustang, black over black would never happen for me. Or any black interior.

Bradd, you drive a 6 cyl. With a slush box. Don't be giving me grief! A manual with 305 HP is still manly!

And pretty sure that the C30 never game in AWD.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

I don't think the C30 was available with AWD.

Oh, how odd. I just assumed it would have carried the same powertrain options as the S40/V50 that share the same platform.

ab348

breld said:

Alright - so do I even report this punch?  

Just as long as YOU never drive it. Or at least never be seen driving it.

What is it replacing?

corvette

Wow, breld... congrats! What year and mileage? 

kyfdx

@breld So, the GTI is on the block?

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

On the mustang, black over black would never happen for me. Or any black interior.

Bradd, you drive a 6 cyl. With a slush box. Don't be giving me grief! A manual with 305 HP is still manly!

And pretty sure that the C30 never game in AWD.

When you are talking about a Camaro, Mustang, or Challenger, go with the V8 or go home.

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

breld said:

Alright - so do I even report this punch?  

Congrats!

Is that new or used?

Beetle Convertibles depreciate like falling rocks. I'm going to guess it is 2 MY old (2015) and that it will be gone by Labor Day.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

On the mustang, black over black would never happen for me. Or any black interior.

Bradd, you drive a 6 cyl. With a slush box. Don't be giving me grief! A manual with 305 HP is still manly!

And pretty sure that the C30 never game in AWD.

When you are talking about a Camaro, Mustang, or Challenger, go with the V8 or go home.

I'll have to agree with that statement.

Yes, 300+ HP V6's are nice, but nothing matches the exhaust burble of a V8.

The guy who manages my sprinklers has a V6 Mustang with a custom Flowmaster exhaust. I didn't have the heart to criticize him for his choice.

nyccarguy

Listen, you can't knock someone for a choice they've already made. You can always intervene BEFORE they make a bad decision.

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

When you are talking about a Camaro, Mustang, or Challenger, go with the V8 or go home.

Precisely. Unless you are a beautician or a secretary.

roadburner

Michaell said:

The guy who manages my sprinklers has a V6 Mustang with a custom Flowmaster exhaust. I didn't have the heart to criticize him for his choice.

I occasionally encounter a 2005(I think) V6 Mustang on the way to work. All blacked out, loud exhaust. He thinks he's fast but I hope to have the opportunity to reeducate him when the opportunity presents itself.

sb55

breld said:

Alright - so do I even report this punch?  

Did it replace one of the Minis?

nyccarguy

@breld

I like how you have the bikes hung on the wall. How'd you do that? My problem is that I'm almost out of wall space in the garage.

xwesx

roadburner said:

Michaell said:

The guy who manages my sprinklers has a V6 Mustang with a custom Flowmaster exhaust. I didn't have the heart to criticize him for his choice.

I occasionally encounter a 2005(I think) V6 Mustang on the way to work. All blacked out, loud exhaust. He thinks he's fast but I hope to have the opportunity to reeducate him when the opportunity presents itself.

In the I3, no less....

xwesx

I think that @breld reported previously that his wife was looking to let go of the Clubman.

I have to agree that the color combination on the convertible is a good one!

Mr_Shiftright

breld said:

stickguy said:

well, I do like this one. quite a bit. low miles, and manual trans. Price seems high to me though. By quite a bit. But what do I know?



https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Volvo/2012-Volvo-C30-Cherry+Hill+NJ-11bf77bd0a0e0a171b325feb69a3dbe0.htm?searchDepth=49:50

I like that a lot.  

I'd be tempted to sniff at that if it were in my neighborhood---a test drive at least. I've never driven one. What are they like?

tifighter

Congrats @breld . First ballot CCBA Hall of Fame for sure.

roadburner

xwesx said:

roadburner said:

Michaell said:

The guy who manages my sprinklers has a V6 Mustang with a custom Flowmaster exhaust. I didn't have the heart to criticize him for his choice.

I occasionally encounter a 2005(I think) V6 Mustang on the way to work. All blacked out, loud exhaust. He thinks he's fast but I hope to have the opportunity to reeducate him when the opportunity presents itself.

In the I3, no less....

I probably could; from 0-30 it's the fastest BMW in the current lineup.

tifighter

So I found a 16 Abarth manual hatch, no options and 2500 miles. Listed for $13k. Warranty until late 2020. Clean carfax. I mean, what am I missing here?

nyccarguy

tifighter said:

So I found a 16 Abarth manual hatch, no options and 2500 miles. Listed for $13k. Warranty until late 2020. Clean carfax. I mean, what am I missing here?

It is a Fiat

stickguy

A new 17 is in the teens?

breld

Thanks all!

Basically, once my wife "re-acquired" her powder blue MINI hardtop, we both knew the Clubman would go at some point. I just wanted to make sure she didn't have any second thoughts.

So, since the Clubman got relegated to occasional duty (convenient when she wanted/needed an automatic or some extra space), the wife was happy looking at other fun alternatives, and save some money in the process. We were out browsing on the 4th holiday, and she just took a liking to the Beetle - originally it was a Silk Blue one that caught her eye, but she ended up liking the white better. The interior was what really got her - you can see the saddle brown accents; the cloth is this "gingham" pattern that she loves.

So, the dealership that we usually buy from for VWs had the one she liked, and was easy to deal with (we were there getting service done on the Jetta yesterday morning and ended up buying the Beetle then too). They got to a few thousand off on the Beetle, and gave up full KBB for the Clubman.

So, in response to the questions above...

The Beetle was new . Which definitely gives me pause considering the kind of depreciation they take (as @nyccarguy mentioned). But she did want this new "Classic" trim, so we worked to what I consider a good deal on the new one (couple grand under invoice).

It has a black top.

As mentioned above, it replaced the Clubman.

@kyfdx - I suppose the GTI is still on the eventual chopping block; I would've given it up on trade for the Beetle if they had come up with a stupid trade that really minimized my loss, but that didn't happen. They're still selling new at big discounts, so the fact I got $4-5k off MSRP is still the norm. I do think I'll end up in a Honda product at some point - either the Civic Si or the upcoming Accord, but the GTI certainly makes a strong case for itself each time I drive it.