Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

fintail

That could only happen in Seattle, CO, or maybe AK or NH.

Several years ago my brother had an immaculate 93 Legacy Turbo, bone stock, one prior owner - a pretty rare car, and he knew it. It was stolen, and was later found crashed. He was devastated.

Michaell said:

Good thing our Outback lives in the garage, and that I don't belong to the local Subaru club:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/crime/colorado-subaru-club-member-our-cars-are-being-stolen-all-over-the-denver-metro-area

corvette

The wheels on those i3s look like they'd get curb rash if you look at them wrong. 

stickguy

fintail said:

That could only happen in Seattle, CO, or maybe AK or NH.

Several years ago my brother had an immaculate 93 Legacy Turbo, bone stock, one prior owner - a pretty rare car, and he knew it. It was stolen, and was later found crashed. He was devastated.

Michaell said:

Good thing our Outback lives in the garage, and that I don't belong to the local Subaru club:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/crime/colorado-subaru-club-member-our-cars-are-being-stolen-all-over-the-denver-metro-area

how come people aren't running around suburban Philadelphia stealing late model Sonatas? Seems like that should be a thing too....

stickguy

this week, will have just 3 payments left on both of our cars (the Sonata and RDX, not counting the kid's college car). And in 2 weeks, only 1 more tuition payment left. I am so close to cash flow stabilization, I can almost taste it!

Michaell

stickguy said:

this week, will have just 3 payments left on both of our cars (the Sonata and RDX, not counting the kid's college car). And in 2 weeks, only 1 more tuition payment left. I am so close to cash flow stabilization, I can almost taste it!

And, then you'll blow it.

(hey, it happens to the best of us, in this thread)

Michaell

Speaking of stolen vehicles, I've got a similar story.

Was talking with my mom today. Apparently, grandson #3 (my sister's middle boy, age 16), wanted to take the train from SD to my hometown with a few buddies, then borrow my mom's car for a trip to Universal Studios in Hollywood.

My mom nixed that idea for pretty much the same reason @nyccarguy is so scared about the Pilot. If her Sonata gets totaled, it would take a boatload of money to replace it (quick reminder - mom has an '03 Sonata GLS V6 with less than 40,000 miles on it. Not in perfect condition, and probably not worth a whole lot if it got totaled).

So, grandson #2 will be driving his Mazda 3 instead for a weekend at grammy's.

I'm sure if the indescribable awful were to happen, my mom would have the money for a decent used car, but that's an expense we would like to avoid.

stickguy

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

this week, will have just 3 payments left on both of our cars (the Sonata and RDX, not counting the kid's college car). And in 2 weeks, only 1 more tuition payment left. I am so close to cash flow stabilization, I can almost taste it!

And, then you'll blow it.

(hey, it happens to the best of us, in this thread)

probably not. Yet. Eventually I will get a splurge car, but still have on the to do list to try and move, hopefully by next spring, and likely won't get committed to anything LT or expensive until we do. Unless of course something catches my eye, and I just buy it, and worry about consequences later!

best option is probably to see if we can get by with one car (I doubt it!), and if not, just buy something used that is not too expensive, and easily resold when I want to move on. Something like that Explorer Craig recently bought.

breld

I submitted bids on a Civic Type R to two different dealerships that were selling theirs in that manner.

I offered MSRP plus a whopping $500. I haven't heard back from either - shocking.

Michaell

breld said:

I submitted bids on a Civic Type R to two different dealerships that were selling theirs in that manner.

I offered MSRP plus a whopping $500. I haven't heard back from either - shocking.

Yeah, you might have to bump that bid up a bit.

stickguy

or wait 6 months for the market to settle.

stickguy

Oh yeah, I just remembered. Every time I think about the moderately priced used car idea, I go out looking for them. And get depressed and move on to plan B!

andres3

breld said:

I submitted bids on a Civic Type R to two different dealerships that were selling theirs in that manner.

I offered MSRP plus a whopping $500. I haven't heard back from either - shocking.

Just remember your Insurance company is unlikely to cover "additional dealer markup" should something bad happen. There is a picture circulating of a crashed Civic Type R in the US already.

breld

stickguy said:

or wait 6 months for the market to settle.

Yup. I figure by Spring of next year, if not earlier, there will be Type R's available at MSRP, along with a few used ones from those who found it a bit too harsh as an only car.

But, didn't figure it'd hurt to throw a bid out - at MSRP, I think it'd be cheap fun (depreciation-wise).

If I'm honest with myself, a Civic Si suits my desires better if I want to get into a Honda. Or...looking forward to the 2018 Accord reveal coming this Friday (although @Michaell apparently can't see me in an Accord - even a 2.0T manual one).

stickguy

I was going to say, that an Si is probably close enough to be a much better overall option. Since you aren't planning to track it anyway, right? I will drive an Si, but no way is an R on my radar!

the Accord, I do want to see that. Honda has a teaser on the futures page on their website now, which looks like a drawing of a concept car (the nose of it at least). Hopefully we get real pictures out soon!

Michaell

stickguy said:

I was going to say, that an Si is probably close enough to be a much better overall option. Since you aren't planning to track it anyway, right? I will drive an Si, but no way is an R on my radar!

the Accord, I do want to see that. Honda has a teaser on the futures page on their website now, which looks like a drawing of a concept car (the nose of it at least). Hopefully we get real pictures out soon!

Unveiling of the 2018 Accord is scheduled for this Friday (14 July).

What's more important is - when will they hit the dealer lots? Some fantastic incentives for the '17 Accords at the moment.

carnaught

breld said:

stickguy said:

or wait 6 months for the market to settle.

Yup. I figure by Spring of next year, if not earlier, there will be Type R's available at MSRP, along with a few used ones from those who found it a bit too harsh as an only car.

But, didn't figure it'd hurt to throw a bid out - at MSRP, I think it'd be cheap fun (depreciation-wise).

If I'm honest with myself, a Civic Si suits my desires better if I want to get into a Honda. Or...looking forward to the 2018 Accord reveal coming this Friday (although @Michaell apparently can't see me in an Accord - even a 2.0T manual one).

@breld, you should update your profile with your recent punch. Um, second thought, better wait on that...

stickguy

If they are blowing out 17s still in October, I could be swayed I guess.

breld

Definitely no tracking intentions for me, so the capabilities of the Type R are mostly wasted in my hands. It's simply a desire to own one based on its iconic nature. As overstyled as the Si may be, it's downright stealth next to the Type R!

There's some sort of Youtube reveal this Friday on the Accord. Not sure what that will include, but I do think we'll get real pictures, and hopefully some idea of the model lineup. If the 2.0T/Manual combination essentially takes the place of the current gen's V6/manual, it's probably gonna be a $35k car - in which case the Si remains an attractive option for the price.

My hope, which may be too lofty, is that there continues to be a Sport model that is relatively well equipped, but differentiated with the 2.0T motor - at a price more in line with the current Sport.

stickguy

the problem I had with the Accord Sport is that it was just too stripped. Plus you had a choice of 2 colors and only black interior with the stick.

Michaell

stickguy said:

the problem I had with the Accord Sport is that it was just too stripped. Plus you had a choice of 2 colors and only black interior with the stick.

Yeah, I'm having that same hang up. Though the Sport SE addresses some of the equipment issues, and I've seen the Sport in colors other than white / black / grey / silver.

stickguy

must have been looking at AT models.

Did not realize they had a sport SE model. On the accord, the EX seemed to be the sweet spot of price and equipment.

tifighter

Regarding the i3, the first year 2014 models had some teething issues when they came out; the later the model year, the better.

Michaell

stickguy said:

must have been looking at AT models.

Did not realize they had a sport SE model. On the accord, the EX seemed to be the sweet spot of price and equipment.

That's what I've found, too.

And, the EX is (supposedly) available with a stick shift.

Probably 2 in the entire country; OK, I just looked.

There are 22 4-door Accord EX's with a stick shift available in the entire country.

160 more if you include the coupe.

tifighter

Speaking of EVs, a close friend of mine recently bought a Bolt. Red, with the premier package. He does real estate appraisal and drives a ton. He needed to replace a Golf TDI that was bought back. Anyhow, it is rated for 230 miles of range, but he tells me he is seeing more like 270 to 280 in reality. It's quick off the line. He is really happy with it.

xwesx

Forgiving the body shape, the colors make this i3 reasonably attractive...

Fewer than 3,000 miles; does that even count as sold?! I put more miles than that on my cars just driving them home!

suydam

I'll definitely look at it next time. But is it as comfy as the Buick Encore, is what I want to know.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NzIRHWyd8no

xwesx

suydam said:

I'll definitely look at it next time. But is it as comfy as the Buick Encore, is what I want to know.

Maybe not on ingress/egress, as I think the seating position is a little lower, but it does have a fairly upright position like the Encore.

stickguy

just looked at it. Adds $1,000 for heated leather seats. Not worth it to me. I actually prefer cloth, and don't require that to be heated! And you can get a couple other colors at least.

sda

I'm looking forward to see the new Accord as well. Finally drove a TLX V6 yesterday. It was a '16, base trim, less than 10k mi and they were asking too much for it, $28.9k. It drove nicely and felt very familiar, a la the Accord. Traffic was horrible so I didn't have a chance to really jump on it, yet I liked the tone and smoothness of the V6 and the car as a whole. I need to test a tech version, both 4/6 next.

tbirdmarco

@xwesx nice nice! your wifes Farester is looking good! My mom is now interested in those! so not shore going to leeese one or get an used one! have to see!

tbirdmarco

@breld you will have one very soon lol lol hope one of those beds works out and you take the new car home!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice almost done with the Payments! on to the next cars! lol lol hope you are able to move next year like said before plan for us to!

xwesx

Residuals on all (most?) Subaru models are really high right now. Might be a good candidate for a lease.

ab348

There are times when you just can't up with words to say what you're thinking... and this is one of those times.

ab348

corvette said:

The Tahoe is probably the only vehicle I will ever own that's had an article published about it specifically: 

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/07/the-end-of-the-affair/

Interesting. I found it odd that she couldn't find a comfortable driving position in it but could (apparently) in the Accord.

Have to admit that I'm not much of a fan of Jack Baruth as he comes across in his articles for that site. Presumably he is less pompous in real life.

Sandman6472

Passed a really beautiful new Acura ILX today near the local Acura store. Looked really nice in the white color though I really like the blue and maroon. They seem to be only about 172", something doable actually but at the end of the day, still come back to a 320i/328i as my next ride. Just something about BMW is pulling me in that direction but no silver, white or black and nothing with black guts. If am going BMW, want an interior with a wow factor.
Some new folks just moved in down the street and have 2 Mini's and 2 Golf GTI's. Saw the garage open and a woman inside so just had to stop. We both agreed how much we all like our Golf's but she said I have to go test drive the new Mini. Said it's supposed to be better than her last generation which she loves. Perfect size and if the ride isn't too harsh anymore, would be on the short list. And have decided to up my budget a bit to and make the top end $30K cash plus whatever the Golf will bring. Want to get myself a nice retirement gift when I do stop again for good.

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Hit 32,500 today and all's well. The gauge is showing 30.5 mpg's average and have hit a few 40+ tank fulls when all the stars align. Going in Wednesday to have that part installed under the right headlight and that should be it with any warranty work left. Will hit 36K before the 3 year mark in December and though there's been a few issues that were unexpected, overall I'm pretty happy with it as many of my posts have shown. Sure, I'd love to have the budget to be able to flip vehicles at will without thinking about it, heck, even to have a second toy just for me, but the home situation will not permit this. And today, we got the kid's wedding invitation in the mail, so we're focusing on this wonderful happy family event and putting our personal issues on the back burner. The kids have to always come first!

The Sandman

corvette

ab348 said:

corvette said:

The Tahoe is probably the only vehicle I will ever own that's had an article published about it specifically: 

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/07/the-end-of-the-affair/

Interesting. I found it odd that she couldn't find a comfortable driving position in it but could (apparently) in the Accord.

Have to admit that I'm not much of a fan of Jack Baruth as he comes across in his articles for that site. Presumably he is less pompous in real life.

The front edge of the power driver's seat is stuck at the bottommost position, so that might be part of it. It's not uncomfortable for me, just not where I'd set it. I'm going to take the seat out to either try to fix it or at least readjust it so that it's at the midpoint.

He was very easy to deal with on the transaction and is very personable in real life. I think he's an excellent writer, although the bragging about drinking copious amounts of alcohol and being promiscuous doesn't offend me, but is a little too frequent.

roadburner

breld said:

roadburner said:

andres3 said:

roadburner said:

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.

AWD?

Also, both the electric motor and the gas engine are located in the rear.

So @roadburner, what has been your experience thus far on the average range of the i3?

When we were out lot browsing this past weekend with the other Denver area contingents, wife and I were impressed with the value the used i3's seem to offer. But with our 30 mile each way commute, we may have some range anxiety.

We've found he average range on just the battery is between 60 and 70 miles- depending on the temperature and the driving conditions. Unlike an ICE powered car the i3 has a longer range in suburban driving conditions as opposed to interstate cruising. We rarely drive it more than 30-40 miles per day, so we can get away using the 110 volt "Occasional Use" charger that comes with the car. If I had to charge the battery from full depleted on a regular basis I'd definitely get a Level 2 charger- which cuts the charging time down dramatically.

corvette

roadburner said:

If I had to charge the battery from full depleted on a regular basis I'd definitely get a Level 2 charger- which cuts the charging time down dramatically.

Level 2 is supposed to be more efficient in terms of electricity consumption, although, since we live in an area of the country with really cheap electricity, that's not as large of a concern as it might be in New York, California, or some other areas.

Mr_Shiftright

tifighter said:

Speaking of EVs, a close friend of mine recently bought a Bolt. Red, with the premier package. He does real estate appraisal and drives a ton. He needed to replace a Golf TDI that was bought back. Anyhow, it is rated for 230 miles of range, but he tells me he is seeing more like 270 to 280 in reality. It's quick off the line. He is really happy with it.

Oh, nice. Keep us informed if he relays any more experiences.

You may remember that years ago I offered the 300/30/3 challenge to EV carmakers. 300 mile range in winter, under $30,000 out the door, and 3-hours to a full charge.

I don't think we're there yet, but getting closer. I wish I had had an extra million bucks at the time. I could have offered the prestigious "Shiftright Prize" to whomever reached that goal first.

suydam

I don't think charge time matters as much as greater availability of chargers.

corvette

Charge time matters if you're on a road trip. Tesla misses the mark with the requirement for a 300 mile range in winter, but exceeds Shifty's expectation on the charge time, if you can find a free Supercharger. And obviously misses the mark with the $30,000 price requirement.

Had dinner with one of my cousins the other night and he was hyping Tesla stock. I think Elon Musk has too many irons in the fire (the Power Wall, the car company, the solar roof company, SpaceX, the tunnel boring company, etc...). Also, the innovators typically aren't the ones who profit from new tech. The imitators jump in and make most of the money. Then the idiots come in once the trend is on the outs--they lose money.

Mr_Shiftright

Suppose instead of EVs, it was the Telsa Toilet Bowl company. Given their profit/loss statements over the past 5 years, would you invest in them?

Of course not. Tesla is a "story" stock. You are investing in the story because you believe it. You have no rational grounding--it's a leap of faith.

stickguy

I always assume the worst on a CL ad, but if this is legit as described, a pretty good deal.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/6213594159.html

tifighter

stickguy said:

I always assume the worst on a CL ad, but if this is legit as described, a pretty good deal.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/6213594159.html

That barely buys a mid-level bicycle.

tifighter

Here's a question for the CCBA congregation - have any of you ever bought an ex-rental?

Discuss…

tjc78

If tbat Max drives well, it will be gone by Friday.  

tbirdmarco

@xwesx good to no we have an few munths still to go! think she wants to try for September if you have 10 payments you can get out early! will let her no! lotes of used ones to hear at an subro dealer! lo lo miles to!