Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

roadburner

Well, the 2018 Mustang Build and Price page has gone live. I optioned out a Mustang the way I'd want one- GT Premium, manual, 401A Equipment Group, Recaros, Performance Package, Performance Exhaust, and MagneRide Dampers- all for $51,270.
If I'm dropping that much money on a car I'd rather have an M2 for $53,900.

Mr_Shiftright

Chevy Bolt getting good reviews

238 mile range, 200 HP, 90 miles of charge in 30 minutes, Android & Apple Play standard, 1/2 the price of a Tesla.

Downside? No adaptive cruise, no NAV

laurasdada

Saw a shiny, new black Mercedes GLC300 in parking lot (Five Guys) this weekend. In soap on the windows:
"7-20-17: Happy Birthday to Me!"

Went to the local Ferrari Maserati dealer, they have an '15 BMW i8 for sale. Decided I had to sit in it, see how much of a contortionist one has to be to enter/exit. No easy/graceful way to do either, likely wouldn't last as a daily driver. No fun getting in/out in the pouring rain, I imagine! But, scissor doors do open/close easily enough, not really a "super" car interior, but nice, recognizable BMW. Not much interior storage, little luggage space. Why do I want it???

Oh, yeah. Midlife crisis #2 appears to be upon me...

andres3

Michaell said:

tifighter said:

On the Mustang forums, a lot of people prefer the automatic, surprisingly. I've driven a GT auto and it seemed fine to me. Don't expect paddle shifters though.

I would think that with 400+ HP, the transmission choice isn't as important.

How about buying one and then modding it with the Outbacks CVT transmission

graphicguy

LD....I'm seeing some i8s for sale used around here, too. That's something you notice around here as there aren't that many around (as in the only ones I've ever seen are in a showroom).

Interesting cars. I remember Clarkson when on Top Gear falling head over heels for one he test drove.

qbrozen

graphicguy said:

Q...I'm going to shop my Cobra a little. What's the number?

'98 Mustang Cobra Convertible-2 owner
-32K miles
-5-speed manual trans
-A/C, Cruise, Power Top, Leather, CD (Ford Mach Stereo), Cassette, AM/FM, dual airbags, PW/PL, power trunk
-Air blows cold, windows and top go up and down, no seat tears, top doesn't leak
-All original and all stock
-no runs, no rips, no errors
-Paint is shiny, a few chips but nothing that would even remotely require a respray

It's all there, and it all works!

Anybody's guess. I'll say $10k.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

LD....I'm seeing some i8s for sale used around here, too. That's something you notice around here as there aren't that many around (as in the only ones I've ever seen are in a showroom).

Interesting cars. I remember Clarkson when on Top Gear falling head over heels for one he test drove.

We've sold two this year. Saturday we sold a Protonic Red Edition that stickered for over $150k; the buyer came back yesterday and bought the $70k 440i xDrive GC we thought might hang around forever...

corvette

roadburner said:

LD....I'm seeing some i8s for sale used around here, too. That's something you notice around here as there aren't that many around (as in the only ones I've ever seen are in a showroom). Interesting cars. I remember Clarkson when on Top Gear falling head over heels for one he test drove.

We've sold two this year. Saturday we sold a Protonic Red Edition that stickered for over $150k; the buyer came back yesterday and bought the $70k 440i xDrive GC we thought might hang around forever...

Was the 440i the blue one I saw last weekend? Gorgeous color combo. 

Michaell

andres3 said:

Michaell said:

tifighter said:

On the Mustang forums, a lot of people prefer the automatic, surprisingly. I've driven a GT auto and it seemed fine to me. Don't expect paddle shifters though.

I would think that with 400+ HP, the transmission choice isn't as important.

How about buying one and then modding it with the Outbacks CVT transmission

Well sure, if you want to head off to fantasyland.

I was referring to the two current available transmissions for the Mustang.

I test drove a 5.0 with the stick shift. Loads of fun, but not sure I could live with it daily.

And, given what we've learned about fragility, I'd be perfectly happy with an automatic.

laurasdada

So, no buy one get one free at RoadBurner BMW, huh?

The i8 at this dealer seems like a "reasonable"deal, given the very few used for sale within a few hundred miles of here. But, I don't have easy facility for a second car where I live, so not sure I could use it as a DD. Nowhere to plugin at my place, either. But, free charging stations at work. Not to mention the price, a lot of choices up to the ask, both new and used. First tuition payment for the boy is in the mail, to bring me back down to reality!

Funny, the i8 was returning from a test drive, no salesman in the car. I spoke to both guys who got out, the driver, a larger man, it took him a bit of effort to egress. They asked if I worked there as I seemed to know more about the car than the salesdude that flipped 'em the keys! And, the passenger complimented me on my watch, so good day for the ego.

And, yes, still love my XF!

roadburner

corvette said:

Was the 440i the blue one I saw last weekend? Gorgeous color combo. 

That's the one- an absolutely beautiful(and fast) car; I would have nabbed it if I had the $$$.

andres3

roadburner said:

Well, the 2018 Mustang Build and Price page has gone live. I optioned out a Mustang the way I'd want one- GT Premium, manual, 401A Equipment Group, Recaros, Performance Package, Performance Exhaust, and MagneRide Dampers- all for $51,270.
If I'm dropping that much money on a car I'd rather have an M2 for $53,900.

I'm with you on the M2! Great car from what I've seen and read and heard. I also like that I can fit in it (just barely) due to the low roof, but not too low thanks to the moonroof delete option all M2's have.

However, with ADM and super limited supply, is $53,900 realistic? Also, how would you "option" your M2, and what would that cost?

pensfan83

roadburner said:

Well, the 2018 Mustang Build and Price page has gone live. I optioned out a Mustang the way I'd want one- GT Premium, manual, 401A Equipment Group, Recaros, Performance Package, Performance Exhaust, and MagneRide Dampers- all for $51,270.
If I'm dropping that much money on a car I'd rather have an M2 for $53,900.

Over $50,000 for a Mustang? Yikes....

andres3

qbrozen said:

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@qbrozen nice vet you posted above! how are things going with the Corenette? have you had any time to work on it an bit mor!

I have done a good bit with it. Got the stereo mostly installed and finally took it yesterday to get the AC charged. After everything I have done to get the cooling squared away, she seemed to hold pretty steading at about 180-185 on my drive. But when I went through the starbucks drivethrough, she starting climbing as I sat there. Arrived to my dad's and discovered a connection on the electric fan had come apart, so that would explain the rising temp while sitting still.

Charged the AC, did some other odds and ends, then headed home. This time, it did not stay cool. Even when I turned the AC off and ran the electric fan, it pushed as high as 210 at one point. I'm kind of running out of things to do here. I'm starting to wonder if the first overheating episode after throwing the fan belt did some damage that is now producing excess heat.

I know turbo motors are designed to run hotter, but in the VW Alltrack 1.8T and TTS 2.0T I see 220 degree oil temps as normal from what I've seen.

28firefighter

pensfan83 said:

roadburner said:

Well, the 2018 Mustang Build and Price page has gone live. I optioned out a Mustang the way I'd want one- GT Premium, manual, 401A Equipment Group, Recaros, Performance Package, Performance Exhaust, and MagneRide Dampers- all for $51,270.
If I'm dropping that much money on a car I'd rather have an M2 for $53,900.

Over $50,000 for a Mustang? Yikes....

Pick it up 1 year used for 40% off....

Michaell

A little help, please, for a teenager looking for his first car....

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/46532/mitsubishi/lancer/my-first-car-need-help-comparing#latest

ab348

pensfan83 said:

roadburner said:

Well, the 2018 Mustang Build and Price page has gone live. I optioned out a Mustang the way I'd want one- GT Premium, manual, 401A Equipment Group, Recaros, Performance Package, Performance Exhaust, and MagneRide Dampers- all for $51,270.
If I'm dropping that much money on a car I'd rather have an M2 for $53,900.

Over $50,000 for a Mustang? Yikes....

That is for one with most options; the Performance Package is quite pricey. I noticed that to get the premium (non-Recaro) seats in 2018 you need to pay over $2K as opposed to a few hundred in 2017, as it includes a lot more stuff including nav, which it did not previously. I see they have changed a few colors - Kona Blue returns, there is an orange and a dark red, while White Platinum (never saw one in that paint), yellow and Grabber Blue depart. Was hoping they would bring Guard back but no such luck. You can get Midnight Blue leather now inside along with apparently a different shade of red along with ceramic and about a dozen different black variations.

Michaell

One for @fintail

http://www.westword.com/news/denvers-worst-drivers-driving-slow-in-the-fast-lane-9182143

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen wow that is sum dealer

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen when you are driving down the road does it over heat or only when stoppt? and when you do tirn on the fans no over heating?

andres3

Michaell said:

One for @fintail

http://www.westword.com/news/denvers-worst-drivers-driving-slow-in-the-fast-lane-9182143

VERY WELL WRITTEN article.

Loved it. Still need a vehicle equipped with sidewinder missiles for left lane campers. Would be cool if they equipped vehicles with a "locked target" warning like fighter jets. Perhaps those warnings would get some people out of the left lane.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1uqENT5ZA2c

qbrozen

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@qbrozen when you are driving down the road does it over heat or only when stoppt? and when you do tirn on the fans no over heating?

Definitely heats up more when it has a load on it. Takes a while, though. Maybe if I let it idle for 20-30 mins it would happen. I don't really want to let it sit there that long running, though.

tbirdmarco

@Michaell gave my to sence to the 17 year old Tean!

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

graphicguy said:

Q...I'm going to shop my Cobra a little. What's the number?

'98 Mustang Cobra Convertible-2 owner
-32K miles
-5-speed manual trans
-A/C, Cruise, Power Top, Leather, CD (Ford Mach Stereo), Cassette, AM/FM, dual airbags, PW/PL, power trunk
-Air blows cold, windows and top go up and down, no seat tears, top doesn't leak
-All original and all stock
-no runs, no rips, no errors
-Paint is shiny, a few chips but nothing that would even remotely require a respray

It's all there, and it all works!

Anybody's guess. I'll say $10k.

Went to the original dealer who offered me $12.5K. I guess that offer came from the owner's son. Owner was there and said he'd go $11,000. I walked.

Talked to the GM at the Acura store. Given the amount of business I've done there, he said he wouldn't insult me with an offer. But, he did offer to let me park it on his used lot and just pay the first sales guy who sells it a "Bird Dog" fee. He said I should ask $13.5 and take $12.5K Cash. He said I should take it to a couple of car shows and it might bring another grand.

I might take him up on his offer. Nice of him.

28firefighter

This seems like a ripe opportunity for @corvette. 

Man, if I was closer, I'd probably buy it...

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen man so when there is an load on the engian heats up man o man and if you keep the fans on does it help out a lot? would look at the head gaskets and try what dad had suggested you try with removing the thrmastat and driving it!

tbirdmarco

@graphicguy would take the guy up on his offer nice of him at the dealer! or like he did sugest can also bring it to an few car shows! you never no!

fintail

That guy should visit western WA, it would blow his mind. Too bad the Inconsiderate Drivers thread was secretly disappeared. It's just getting worse here - more crowded, less skilled drivers.

I was on a road trip over the weekend - on Thursday, it was especially bad, LLCs galore, no apparent enforcement other than the usual sit back and wait for speeders style that we all know and love.

One highlight was Sunday - a Camry was LLCing, with an Audi behind. The Audi zoomed by on the right, and promptly slowed down when in front of the Camry. No doubt, Camry driver was offended.

Michaell said:

One for @fintail

http://www.westword.com/news/denvers-worst-drivers-driving-slow-in-the-fast-lane-9182143

graphicguy

Marco.....the market for relatively specialty cars like a 20 year old Mustang Cobra isn't defined by books like Black Book or NADA (neither have a value estimate for the car). They don't hit the blocks every day, either. As the Dealership GM said, "it depends on the time of year, the geographic area, typical customer the dealership caters to, etc".

In the Acura store's case, they have a lot of used Acuras. They have some BMWs, and Audis on their used lot, too.

Old muscle cars aren't really in their "wheel house". That said, the dealership is smack dab in the middle of a very busy road, at a red light, which gets tons of eyeballs every day. If someone saw the Cobra sitting there, they might be interested in it.

But, if he were to buy it from me, the dealership group offers a warranty on everything they sell. As nice as my car is, he said he couldn't offer that warranty because of its age.

I've never had any dealership offer to let me put a car I OWNED on THEIR lot, though. Nice of them.

iluvmysephia1

Unusual offer of that dealer, graphicguy. Nothing short of flattering!

ab348

Further to the discussion yesterday on pricier 2018 Mustangs:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/07/2018-ford-mustang-gt-base-price-rises/

Maybe TTAC lurks in here...

roadburner

ab348 said:

Further to the discussion yesterday on pricier 2018 Mustangs:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/07/2018-ford-mustang-gt-base-price-rises/

Maybe TTAC lurks in here...

There's an almost fully loaded 2017 GT Premium at my local dealer; all the performance options, all of the Helen Keller driving aids(including active cruise control), navigation, "Premier" leather, and "Triple Yellow Tri -Coat Paint($495). Bottom line? $45,960(although I could get it for $39,913). So, based on the 2018 GT I built($51,270) you are paying over $5,000 to get a few more hp, the decent suspension, and the performance exhaust. I just can't see paying over $50,000 for a non-Shelby Mustang.

Mr_Shiftright

graphicguy said:

Marco.....the market for relatively specialty cars like a 20 year old Mustang Cobra isn't defined by books like Black Book or NADA (neither have a value estimate for the car). They don't hit the blocks every day, either. As the Dealership GM said, "it depends on the time of year, the geographic area, typical customer the dealership caters to, etc".

In the Acura store's case, they have a lot of used Acuras. They have some BMWs, and Audis on their used lot, too.

Old muscle cars aren't really in their "wheel house". That said, the dealership is smack dab in the middle of a very busy road, at a red light, which gets tons of eyeballs every day. If someone saw the Cobra sitting there, they might be interested in it.

But, if he were to buy it from me, the dealership group offers a warranty on everything they sell. As nice as my car is, he said he couldn't offer that warranty because of its age.

I've never had any dealership offer to let me put a car I OWNED on THEIR lot, though. Nice of them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I check the classic car auctions and they were selling 2016-2017 between $8,800 and $13,000. (includes auction premiuims). The price guides show a median value of $9,700. Interestingly, the coupe is valued slightly higher.

roadburner

andres3 said:

roadburner said:

Well, the 2018 Mustang Build and Price page has gone live. I optioned out a Mustang the way I'd want one- GT Premium, manual, 401A Equipment Group, Recaros, Performance Package, Performance Exhaust, and MagneRide Dampers- all for $51,270.
If I'm dropping that much money on a car I'd rather have an M2 for $53,900.

I'm with you on the M2! Great car from what I've seen and read and heard. I also like that I can fit in it (just barely) due to the low roof, but not too low thanks to the moonroof delete option all M2's have.

However, with ADM and super limited supply, is $53,900 realistic? Also, how would you "option" your M2, and what would that cost?

"My" M2 would get Long Beach Blue Metallic paint($700) and the Executive Package($1,400) in order to get the heated wheel and parking sensors(along with some other items I don't care about). MSRP would be $55,595. As an employee I might get @$2,000 off so I'd be talking a tick under $54,000.

28firefighter

@graphicguy It feels to me like you're simply not going to get the value out of the Cobra that it holds for you, specifically. Does it make sense to hold it and just drive it when the roads are quiet?

graphicguy

Thanks, Mr Shiftright. That tells me I'm in the ballpark. Doesn't sound like I'm going to lose any money on it. Not going to make much (if any), either. I'm OK with that.

28FF....thought about just keeping it around and driving in in light traffic conditions, only. Still might go that route. We'll see!

andres3

Story time:

I think German makes get away with a few reliability issues because they've built good brand equity over the years. For Alfa, Fiat, and Big 2, I don't think that is the case.

For example, Audi sold me two Audi’s that were very reliable, an ’06 A3 new that I kept for nearly 8 years and 106,000 miles (was reliable but not perfect), and a S4 that was pretty much flawless for 48,000 miles. I got rid of the S4 because a Lexus driver ruined it and body shops suck in CA.

My third Audi suffered a major league part failure early in it’s life (13,000) miles, and it took them a month+ to get the right part to complete the fix. Due to my earlier experiences, I was willing to put up with this big problem and failure; assuming it doesn’t have another problem prior to the warranty running out.

With my Dodge, it was my first and last. There is no built-up goodwill from good cars to forgive anything. I don’t buy American again because the very first problem with the new one would be 1 problem too many. The lifetime problem limit was reached for Chrysler with that one product. Audi earned some patience prior to requiring it, and they took good care of me, honored the warranty, and didn’t provide any warranty resistance that I’ve heard other manufacturers routinely seem to do.

pensfan83

My parents are like that with their Fords, they have built up enough faith in the brand it would take quite a bit to push them to a different make altogether. When they did try something different it was an early 2000's Jeep Grand Cherokee that suffered from a transfer case failure, HVAC breakdowns (the infamous blend door issue), electrical issues, valvetrain issues with the 4.7L. They kept it less than 4 years and went back to an all Ford fleet.

cdnpinhead

I agree that goodwill can be built up over years of troublefree service from a vehicle brand. I'll cut Nissan a lot more slack than I will Chrysler.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l0HWyLl67c8

tbirdmarco

@graphicguy so trew no book will have the value for that nice car that you have! and yes they don't hit the blocks everyday! was like said in pryer nice of that gm at the dealer to let put it on his used lot to see! but best to put the car on Ebay or best thing I think to do is go to sum car shows! would not waste any time with Craigs List Or evan Hemmings.com to!

qbrozen

I haven't kept one make long enough to build up any brand equity. Volvo is still my front runner in terms of number of miles driven/owned at I think 175k between 4 of them.

tbirdmarco

@andres3 every brand has its problems. probly Toyota is the best when it comes to very little problems! that being said would cut Nissan and ford slack since I am an big fan of them! my family over the years has had nissans mor than any other brand also hundai we have had an few! want my mom to try sum thing defferent now and when my dad neads an new car want him to try sumthing different to as whell! slitley used or an leese! first jeep my sister has now have had it for 6 munths so far so good nock on wood!

tbirdmarco

https://www.cars.com/articles/these-are-the-11-best-used-car-bargains-study-1420696109119/?aff=marketaw&emc=marketaw

andres3

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@andres3 every brand has its problems. probly Toyota is the best when it comes to very little problems! that being said would cut Nissan and ford slack since I am an big fan of them! my family over the years has had nissans mor than any other brand also hundai we have had an few! want my mom to try sum thing defferent now and when my dad neads an new car want him to try sumthing different to as whell! slitley used or an leese! first jeep my sister has now have had it for 6 munths so far so good nock on wood!

I realize every brand has its problems, but I'm particularly perplexed with Chrysler cause I owned one that was a complete lemon after the 18,000 mile grace period (lemon law in CA). Even worse after the 36K mile warranty was up. Off the charts bad. I'm talking it would be cheaper to maintain a Rolls Royce with 300K miles on it bad.

Worse, Chrysler in particular has been bailed out by tax payers twice now! I am vehemently naturally anti-bailouts, but in the case of Chrysler it is personal too. I feel as if the first bailout hadn't of been passed or allowed to happen, Chrysler would have never been given an opportunity to cheat me as a customer (nor many others) with lemons. In other words, I would have been spared the Chrysler experience if my elders had been wiser. And of course, History repeats itself so the 2nd bailout was inevitable.

However, I am all for MORE competition in the auto making market, so I am aware there are positives to still having these companies around making vehicles.

roadburner

pensfan83 said:

My parents are like that with their Fords, they have built up enough faith in the brand it would take quite a bit to push them to a different make altogether. When they did try something different it was an early 2000's Jeep Grand Cherokee that suffered from a transfer case failure, HVAC breakdowns (the infamous blend door issue), electrical issues, valvetrain issues with the 4.7L. They kept it less than 4 years and went back to an all Ford fleet.

We will probably stick with BMW, Jeep(Wranglers), Mazda, and MINI(if the Clubman remains on good behavior). Our 1993 Nissan Pathfinder served us well and I'd consider a Nissan if they ever decide to build another car I find entertaining.

tbirdmarco

@andres3 sorry to hear about your Crisler fiasco what car was it from them? and what year?

graphicguy

I stray from time-to-time, but obviously, I like Acuras. Trucks are a different matter as I like Chevrolet. I would get another BMW, if something struck my fancy. I've toyed with Mercedes, mainly given what Driver has mentioned regarding his ownership experiences. My sister likes her C Class, but yearns for another Jag. I'd look at Jag based on that and based on @laurasdada experience.

We all have brands that fit us....that we like. We like the cars, but I think the dealership experiences have as much to do with that as the cars themselves. Then, there are the experiences from the manufacturers' themselves.

If manufacturers' and their dealers don't care enough to see that their customer base is happy, all the ads, all the incentives, all the follow-up surveys, all the customer satisfaction surveys....all if it means nothing.

stickguy

Pointed out a few cars this week on vacation (jersey shore) to the wife. She didn't get excited by whatever it was. Except for a mini. She really still likes the 4 door mini we drove. Never would have guessed it.