Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

andres3

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

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

It was a 1995 Dodge Neon Sport 4-Door 3-Speed Auto slush-box purchased in 1994.

Had all the usual faults all of them did:

Lifespans of the following:

O2 Sensor and Fuel Pump - 1 day (honest to God we had to tow it back to the dealer after the first night in the Garage; you can't make this stuff up!)
Air Conditioner 36,001 miles, pretty much literally right after warranty expired; no offer of good will. Burned the belts when I tried to use it, by the time I figured out what was burning, and what was causing it, the belt was too burned up to keep. Speaking of belts, the serpentine belt died and early death and it wasn't because I kept the burned one.
Head Gaskets 40-45,000 miles, engine overheating due to leaked out coolant.
Auto Transmission 60,000 miles (first and second gear started to show signs of problems; needed rebuild).

It also had various other gasket and seal issues. Starter and wire cable corrosion and shorts that would eat batteries up quickly. Parking brake issues. Glue under the window trim oozing out issues. Wind noise issues. 1,001 rattles by 60,000 miles. I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting.

Edit:

Oh yeah, one of my favorites, just like the Edmunds Dodge Dart long term tester, my Neon's Windshield cracked in half from top to bottom down the middle. There was no rock chip or previous damage. Just a hot day where it got parked in the shade; it wasn't hit by anything from a falling tree; just structural integrity (or lack thereof).

qbrozen

Quite possibly the crappiest Chryco car ever. Tough call between that or the Colt that was a rebadged Mitsubishi.

andres3

roadburner said:

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.

You don't find the Godzilla entertaining (GT-R)?

pensfan83

My dad called me a space cadet for even putting a Chrysler product on my shopping list. He was even more flabbergasted when I told him it was the same model they owned many years ago and had the aforementioned issues with...and probably more I'm not even aware of.

roadburner

andres3 said:

roadburner said:

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.

You don't find the Godzilla entertaining (GT-R)?

It would be fun but for me the value isn't there.

nyccarguy

Hey everybody!  I'm back from Puerto Rico.  We had a wonderful trip.  Lots of sun & relaxation at the beach and the pool.  Beautiful island.  Picture perfect weather.  It only rained on our last day.  I rented a car one day to drive to El Yunque, National Forest.  For an extra $10, Enterprise upgraded me from a Hyundai Accent to a Wrangler Unlimited.  We drove with the freedom too off on the way there, but kept it on for the way back.  Smooth, solid ride on PR's glass smooth, pothole free roads.  I can see one of these as a boulevard/beach cruiser.  They just aren't at home on the open highway.  

  Lots of posts to scroll through.  I'm sorry you've got to give up your Cobra @graphicguy.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Hey everybody!  I'm back from Puerto Rico.  We had a wonderful trip.  Lots of sun & relaxation at the beach and the pool.  Beautiful island.  Picture perfect weather.  It only rained on our last day.  I rented a car one day to drive to El Yunque, National Forest.  For an extra $10, Enterprise upgraded me from a Hyundai Accent to a Wrangler Unlimited.  We drove with the freedom too off on the way there, but kept it on for the way back.  Smooth, solid ride on PR's glass smooth, pothole free roads.  I can see one of these as a boulevard/beach cruiser.  They just aren't at home on the open highway.  

  Lots of posts to scroll through.  I'm sorry you've got to give up your Cobra @graphicguy.

Glad you had a great time! Welcome back.

No, @breld hasn't bought anything.

Yet.

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

Hey everybody!  I'm back from Puerto Rico.  We had a wonderful trip.  Lots of sun & relaxation at the beach and the pool.  Beautiful island.  Picture perfect weather.  It only rained on our last day.  I rented a car one day to drive to El Yunque, National Forest.  For an extra $10, Enterprise upgraded me from a Hyundai Accent to a Wrangler Unlimited.  We drove with the freedom too off on the way there, but kept it on for the way back.  Smooth, solid ride on PR's glass smooth, pothole free roads.  I can see one of these as a boulevard/beach cruiser.  They just aren't at home on the open highway.  

  Lots of posts to scroll through.  I'm sorry you've got to give up your Cobra @graphicguy.

Thanks for the update! Glad you had a good time.

The Cobra being sold isn't the worst thing in the world. The prospect of losing my sight is quite another matter, though. I'll be fine.

sb55

@graphicguy
Sorry to hear about your vision loss. My wife's nephew lost almost all of his vision in his right eye at 17 due to a tumor (he's now 20). He is adapting well and is actually taking flying lessons and wants to be a pilot like his father. It took him a while to adapt, but he's doing OK and said that his other senses seem better?
His parents just bought him a new Civic Touring and the safety packages have helped him be more confident on the road. (compared to the old Saab he drove)

tbirdmarco

@andres3 wow wow that was the worst car they ever made! think!

tbirdmarco

@graphicguy all whell said above pretty much what I was trying to say above!

andres3

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@andres3 wow wow that was the worst car they ever made! think!

Maybe. although I've heard some Chrysler Pacifica horror stories from more modern times (previous generation).

tbirdmarco

@stickguy wow that is the car she does like! Have an good idea have her trade in her R D X and get one! and you when your leese is up get what you want wheather it being used! or an cheep car or nother leese! just trying to help out! lol lol Ps how ws your Vacation!

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 go for it if that is what you like! dad might end up liking it!

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy welcome back! glad to hear you and your family had sutch an good time! on your vacation!

tbirdmarco

@sb55 yes your other sences are a lot mor kean that is for shore. my selfe as you no cant see enuff to drive no whair near enuff! but love my cars!

tbirdmarco

@andres3 wow!

corvette

Mom and Dad sold the Volvo S80 this afternoon after going to look at and test drive the Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60. They preferred the Q5, but availability on the Q5 is extremely tight, and there are no leftover 2017 models.

There were a few issues with the XC60 (and the customer experience they received). The idle start/stop system lurched and they weren't clear on whether it could be permanently disabled. The interior had too many buttons. The dark blue exterior color offered is almost black. When they told the salesman they had several bad experiences with that dealer's service department in the past, he didn't have a good defense. When they got home later that night, someone from Volvo called with a satisfaction survey. Their response was priceless: If you want us to buy a Volvo, why did you call us during dinner?

They drove and loved a service loaner Q5. They were looking for a dark blue one, but the only one available within whatever radius the dealer does dealer trades in was sparsely equipped. There was a 2018 being prepped for service loaner use that was dark green with a brown interior. They looked at it and, by the time they got home, decided to call their salesman back and ask if it was available. Looks like that's what they will end up with, pending final details.

qbrozen

which engine?

corvette

2.0T QFSI is the only one offered in the Q5 for 2018. 0-60 is quoted at 5.9 seconds. The one they are making an offer on is a Premium Plus with nav and cold weather.

Mom is not an aggressive driver at all, and even she felt like the XC60 T5 was poky. I'm sure it's probably mapped for fuel economy and not performance.

Michaell

corvette said:

2.0T QFSI is the only one offered in the Q5 for 2018. 0-60 is quoted at 5.9 seconds. The one they are making an offer on is a Premium Plus with nav and cold weather.

Mom is not an aggressive driver at all, and even she felt like the XC60 T5 was poky. I'm sure it's probably mapped for fuel economy and not performance.

Does the XC60 weigh more than the Audi? The engines are pretty similar, I thought - 250HP for the Volvo and 252 (?) for the Audi.

corvette

The Audi is heavier, go figure! Must have to do with the way the engines and throttle mapping are tuned. We all know how an Acura with a similar engine to a Honda feels faster (but gets worse EPA ratings).

tbirdmarco

@corvette congrads to Mom and dad on moms new oudi q5 that she will be getting! nice color combo different!

qbrozen

didn't realize Audi dropped their optional engine. Volvo has a T6 model, however. (not to mention T8)

corvette

Thanks, Marco! 

qb, I think the T8 is only in the XC90?

28firefighter

The T8 will be available with the newly redesigned XC60. Not available with the current iteration. 

breld

One of my co-workers just bought a new Q5, after considering the X3 and GLC. Definitely a nice car - I was also surprised to hear they dropped the 3.0T option (only upgrade for now is all the way up to an SQ5).

With all the talk regarding Chrysler products, I will say I continue to be pleased with the Durango. Just got the 15k mile service done on it, and have no complaints. For a large SUV, I find it very enjoyable to drive - significantly more than the V6 model I traded in, and certainly more than the previous minivan family haulers.

breld

Well, @nyccarguy just gets back, and I'm off on my own vacation.

We're off to Seattle in the morning to begin our Alaskan cruise for 7 nights. Wife and I, our four kids, my in-laws, my wife's aunt, my brother-in-law, his wife and their 3 year old. 12 of us in 5 cabins.

28firefighter

breld said:

Well, @nyccarguy just gets back, and I'm off on my own vacation. We're off to Seattle in the morning to begin our Alaskan cruise for 7 nights. Wife and I, our four kids, my in-laws, my wife's aunt, my brother-in-law, his wife and their 3 year old. 12 of us in 5 cabins.

Which line are you going on?  Wife and I did Princess a couple years ago and loved it. It did help that the cruise terminal was 10 minutes from our house...

If you have time on either end, let the Seattle/Bellevue/Issaquah contingent know!

sb55

breld said:

Well, @nyccarguy just gets back, and I'm off on my own vacation.

We're off to Seattle in the morning to begin our Alaskan cruise for 7 nights. Wife and I, our four kids, my in-laws, my wife's aunt, my brother-in-law, his wife and their 3 year old. 12 of us in 5 cabins.

Have fun. What ship? The Emerald Princess has been in the news the last couple of days. I hope it's not that one!

tbirdmarco

@corvette you are welcome!

tbirdmarco

happy Friday! all!

tbirdmarco

@breld have to have mom maby look at an q5 now not shore if will be to big she likes the darango told her to big but if you like it go for it! or trying to have her look at the grandchericky to! she also likes the pilet told her to big but if you want to look will go with you and not say no lol lol maby will go and look an bit on Sunday! injoy your vacation! cant wate to hear all about it when you get back! how long is it and what ship and croze line? have never bin on one my selfe! yet! how is the type R hunting going contacted few mor dealers around hear they will call me when sum cume in and I will let you no!

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

The T8 will be available with the newly redesigned XC60. Not available with the current iteration. 

2018, which I believe is what they were looking at (?). The T8 might not have hit dealer lots yet.

qbrozen

breld said:

One of my co-workers just bought a new Q5, after considering the X3 and GLC. Definitely a nice car - I was also surprised to hear they dropped the 3.0T option (only upgrade for now is all the way up to an SQ5). With all the talk regarding Chrysler products, I will say I continue to be pleased with the Durango. Just got the 15k mile service done on it, and have no complaints. For a large SUV, I find it very enjoyable to drive - significantly more than the V6 model I traded in, and certainly more than the previous minivan family haulers.

Other than that headlight issue we had, the van has been good to us. Approaching 40k miles and just passed 3 yrs. I have no Chrysler complaints, personally. Althought the Coronet is a bit of a thorn in my side, but at 50 yrs old, I'm pretty sure I can't blame them for that one. Ha.

roadburner

breld said:

Well, @nyccarguy just gets back, and I'm off on my own vacation.

We're off to Seattle in the morning to begin our Alaskan cruise for 7 nights. Wife and I, our four kids, my in-laws, my wife's aunt, my brother-in-law, his wife and their 3 year old. 12 of us in 5 cabins.

breld said:

One of my co-workers just bought a new Q5, after considering the X3 and GLC. Definitely a nice car - I was also surprised to hear they dropped the 3.0T option (only upgrade for now is all the way up to an SQ5).

With all the talk regarding Chrysler products, I will say I continue to be pleased with the Durango. Just got the 15k mile service done on it, and have no complaints. For a large SUV, I find it very enjoyable to drive - significantly more than the V6 model I traded in, and certainly more than the previous minivan family haulers.

I really liked the SRT Challengers I looked at. Reliability didn't scare me away- it was their overall size as well as the running costs on both road and track.

pensfan83

Reliability history of FCA/DC hasn't scared me away from considering a Grand Cherokee (or the wife's preference, a Durango). I've done extensive research and browsed Jeep forums to identify any potential issues and at this point the only thing deterring me is the poor lease program.

@corvette - anxious to hear what you think of the Q5.

For anyone that is interested my list is slimmed down to the following, assuming I don't pick up my grandmother's '09 Sonata and go the @28firefighter route and buy something fun next year when the Altima is paid off.

A4
Q5
TLX A Spec
X1
Grand Cherokee

28firefighter

I think the one thing that has me hesitating on the Porsche plan is that it would mean the GTI needs to go. I'm not sure I'm ready to part ways with it.

tifighter

breld said:

Well, @nyccarguy just gets back, and I'm off on my own vacation.

We're off to Seattle in the morning to begin our Alaskan cruise for 7 nights. Wife and I, our four kids, my in-laws, my wife's aunt, my brother-in-law, his wife and their 3 year old. 12 of us in 5 cabins.

You picked a great week; the weather has been great. Have fun...

andres3

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@andres3 wow wow that was the worst car they ever made! think!

Maybe. although I've heard some Chrysler Pacifica horror stories from more modern times (previous generation).

Michaell said:

corvette said:

2.0T QFSI is the only one offered in the Q5 for 2018. 0-60 is quoted at 5.9 seconds. The one they are making an offer on is a Premium Plus with nav and cold weather.

Mom is not an aggressive driver at all, and even she felt like the XC60 T5 was poky. I'm sure it's probably mapped for fuel economy and not performance.

Does the XC60 weigh more than the Audi? The engines are pretty similar, I thought - 250HP for the Volvo and 252 (?) for the Audi.

This is the limitation with specification numbers on a sheet vs. real world performance and test drives.

Also, transmissions play a big factor in delivering the power to the wheels. I'm anxious to see if the new upcoming 250 HP Accord really accelerates like a 252 HP Audi A4.

andres3

qbrozen said:

didn't realize Audi dropped their optional engine. Volvo has a T6 model, however. (not to mention T8)

I think the optional engine option is the SQ5 option

Michaell

28firefighter said:

I think the one thing that has me hesitating on the Porsche plan is that it would mean the GTI needs to go. I'm not sure I'm ready to part ways with it.

Is there some sort of deadline on obtaining the Porsche?

If not - and I can't imagine there would be - drive the GTI until you're ready to get something new, then resume the search. Not like there won't be cars out there for us to dissect, argue over, and encourage you to avoid or buy.

andres3

The parents decided on a brand new Lexus ES300h. Turns out the ES wasn't too big for them after all, and they got the Hybrid tech and mileage they were seeking for mostly city driving; $43K + taxes & fees.

When a brand gives you absolutely trouble-free reliability and durability, it is hard to go elsewhere I think.

28firefighter

Michaell said:

28firefighter said:

I think the one thing that has me hesitating on the Porsche plan is that it would mean the GTI needs to go. I'm not sure I'm ready to part ways with it.

Is there some sort of deadline on obtaining the Porsche?

If not - and I can't imagine there would be - drive the GTI until you're ready to get something new, then resume the search. Not like there won't be cars out there for us to dissect, argue over, and encourage you to avoid or buy.

Other than the wife changing her mind? No.

Reality is, I need to get the hospital bills paid, pay the difference on the new roof we are having installed this week, and then we need to decide if we are seriously considering trying to find a house with more space.

My guess is we are probably a good 3-6 months out from me being able to do anything.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

Michaell said:

28firefighter said:

I think the one thing that has me hesitating on the Porsche plan is that it would mean the GTI needs to go. I'm not sure I'm ready to part ways with it.

Is there some sort of deadline on obtaining the Porsche?

If not - and I can't imagine there would be - drive the GTI until you're ready to get something new, then resume the search. Not like there won't be cars out there for us to dissect, argue over, and encourage you to avoid or buy.

Other than the wife changing her mind? No.

Reality is, I need to get the hospital bills paid, pay the difference on the new roof we are having installed this week, and then we need to decide if we are seriously considering trying to find a house with more space.

My guess is we are probably a good 3-6 months out from me being able to do anything.

From here, that sounds more like 20-30 years away from Porsche ownership.

I already had my Porsche when I got married.

28firefighter

Not all of us have the forethought that you did, @kyfdx. I was also just out of school when I got married but had not been educated in the school of marriage yet.

nyccarguy

Have fun @breld.  So do we shut the forum down until you return?

andres3

28firefighter said:

Not all of us have the forethought that you did, @kyfdx. I was also just out of school when I got married but had not been educated in the school of marriage yet.

HA! I did buy my Audi A3 just before getting married. Funny at the time I thought I was spending a lot buying a $30K out the door car.

laurasdada

Welcome back, NYC! Did you tour El Morro? Was in PR a long time ago, I found that the national sound of San Juan was the car alarm... But, a lovely place, did El Yunque, too.

The Ferrari dealer sold the i8, probably to the dude I was talking to after his test drive. Phew, that was close!

xwesx

breld said:

Well, @nyccarguy just gets back, and I'm off on my own vacation.

We're off to Seattle in the morning to begin our Alaskan cruise for 7 nights. Wife and I, our four kids, my in-laws, my wife's aunt, my brother-in-law, his wife and their 3 year old. 12 of us in 5 cabins.

Whew; dang! You folks taking any time to get off the boat for a bit, or is this mostly ocean-based with only quick ports of call?