Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

I sat in the maxima a few times, and found it very comfy. Was considering that if I decided to go with a big car, on a lease. Obviously I did neither.

GG, I am about as cheap as they come, but I have less and less desire to deal with people to get rid of stuff, unless I am getting some serious money. For smaller items, I just drop at goodwill. We do occasionally participate in the neighborhood garage sale, but my wife yells at me for being a pushover (pretty much take any offer). Of course, she does not realize that the primary goal is parting with some of her "hoard", not getting top dollar!

I never sold on Ebay, and only bought a few small items. I have sold a fair amount of stuff off CL, mostly furniture items, and overall that has worked out well. But, less risk of your situation when selling a desk or bed frame!

corvette

fintail said:

That reminds me of a BMW X5 I rented in 2013 (Sixt, Florida). The keyless worked for the doors (I think), but to start it, you put the fob in a slot, then pushed a button. Seemed kind of funny to me. As this was a rental car in a US fleet, it was not loaded. Dorky about the key slot, too. I don't think my MB will let me do it, at least it doesn't let one do it via the touch sensors on the handles.

My 2012 Volvo S60 doesn't have it. It has the fob (no key) that goes into the slot in the dash, but it was an option to have the full "keyless start" where you just need the key fob on you. Oddly enough, the Volvo allows you to keep the key in the ignition slot and lock the door. Ask me how I know

Yes, the “eject box” for the key. My E90 325i had that. Annoying. It would be easier to use a standard key because you can put the key in and start the engine without relocating your hand. 

imidazol97 said:

I had 1/4 tank left in the Tahoe yesterday and it only cost about $40 to fill up with regular. The price differential on E85 wasn’t large enough to offset the lower mileage. It is nice to have the ability to game the system and buy ethanol on occasions when it’s more than 30% or so cheaper than regular. I’ve also seen E15 at a very steep discount to regular gas, which is odd, since regular gas typically has 10% ethanol to begin with. The price difference was way more than you’d expect for a 5% change in the blend. 

I thought the difference is 75% or more in the ethyl alcohol content. If the normal fuel is up to 10% and E85 is 85% ethanol...

Right. Regular pump gas is E10 (10% ethanol), most stations that sell ethanol sell E85 (85% ethanol). A few have blender pumps that offer 15% ethanol or other concentrations. 

suydam

graphicguy said:

So....chalk this up for lesson learned.

About 6 months ago I was cleaning out my tech closet. In there were monitors, keyboards, mice, CPUs, motherboards, graphics cards, etc.

I put them separately on ebay to see if I could get a little walking around money for them. Sold most of everything, and gave the rest to a shelter.

Anyway, mentioned there was a graphics card. It was still in the box and shrink wrap, never used. But, it was 3 years old. Tech years are like dog years. In its day, it was top notch. Today, it was a middling performer, at best. I put it up with “no reserve”. Top bid, buys it.

I think it sold for $150, which isn’t bad for a 3 year old graphics card. Seller pays shipping. No returns, no warranty, sale was listed as final. I described it with its specs from 3 years ago. Made mention it worked with older Intel and AMD processors, and probably would work with newer ones with a driver update, which they could get from the CPU companies. But, that was not a guarantee.

The person who bought it contacted me right after the auction, stating he was a medical student, had a wife and new baby at home, was really in debt with college tuition. I could tell where this was going. He wanted to know if I would take less than HIS WINNING BID. Uhhhhhh...that’s a big N......O......! Then, he wanted to know if I would pay for shipping to MI, where he lived. I was irritated but really didn’t feel like putting it up for bid again. I think shipping was like $15 via USPS, so I agreed to ship it to him on my dime.

Fast forward to yesterday. This guy emails me via eBay stating the graphics card was used, it locked up his system, that it was counterfeit (it came directly from the manufacturer, so that was untrue). I calmly informed him it was new, as the box and shrink wrap should indicate. And, it WAS NOT COUNTERFEIT.

Then, he said it overheated and wouldn’t work. I tried to do a bit of tech support and help him figure out what was going on. But, it became clear he didn’t want help. He wanted me to give him his money back on something he couldn’t use any more.

eBay contacted me stating he told them what I sold was counterfeit. Luckily, I had the S/N and model number of the product on hand, which showed it wasn’t counterfeit. EBay closed the case in my favor.

I gues he tried to claim eBay’s money back guarantee program. But, you need to file your claim within 30 days of the auction close.

Given this guy now has my email address, he’s now emailing me with all sorts of derogatory messages, which I’ve sent to my email provider.

All this aggravation for $150 less shipping!

All the protections on EBay are for the buyer and there is very little for the seller. This is why most people I know no longer sell items there. We de-accessioned 75% of our possessions in 2016 to move across the country from a very large house to a very small one. I used a combo of Goodwill, local ads, garage sales, charities, and “FREE” signs at the bottom of my driveway. Not much fun but I feel very liberated!

Mr_Shiftright

graphicguy said:

So....chalk this up for lesson learned.

About 6 months ago I was cleaning out my tech closet. In there were monitors, keyboards, mice, CPUs, motherboards, graphics cards, etc.

I put them separately on ebay to see if I could get a little walking around money for them. Sold most of everything, and gave the rest to a shelter.

GG--everybody in life gets his own "eBay maniac".

It's like a guardian angel, but from the Dark Side. Sooner or later we will all meet him and he will come into our lives. I had mine about 5 years ago.

They eventually get exhausted and go away.

au1994

Michaell said:

@au1994 - your write up on the Maxima echoes my thoughts when I test drove one last year with @breld. It's comfortable, quick, well screwed together and, in darker colors, not that bad looking. Glad you enjoyed your rental. I've got another A4 lined up at Silvercar in a few weeks when I head back to CA to visit family.

I probably should pop over to the RWTIV board just to get the cure for this fever. A local dealer has some leftover 2017s with major incentives listed and sub 300 leases even for a Platinum model.  Somebody help! Or provide future living arrangements

28firefighter

I can't stand ebay as a buyer or a seller. Just not worth the hassle anymore.

stickguy

sub $300? Hmm. Maybe I should be popping over to the dealer. Hopefully in 4 months or so when I might need a car, some model that I like will be pushing killer lease deals that will be too good to pass up. I am thinking that Volvo and Nissan are good bets. Possibly VW if there is something I like.

Oh, the other option? Acura is torturing us sending out teaser Emails about the new RDX. Man that thing looks nice. and all the stuff included, I want. My wife is also quite interested in it. So, we shall see.

maybe I should have a house (garage?) clearing. Sell the kid the Elantra. Trade in the old RDX on a new one. Then make due with 1 car, or just get a spare hooptie for around town duty (heck, one of those cheap used EVs would work for that!).

cdnpinhead

graphicguy said:

All this aggravation for $150 less shipping!

No good deed goes unpunished.

Ask me why I sell nothing or buy anything privately on line. Wait, don't bother.

au1994

stickguy said:

sub $300? Hmm. Maybe I should be popping over to the dealer. Hopefully in 4 months or so when I might need a car, some model that I like will be pushing killer lease deals that will be too good to pass up. I am thinking that Volvo and Nissan are good bets. Possibly VW if there is something I like. Oh, the other option? Acura is torturing us sending out teaser Emails about the new RDX. Man that thing looks nice. and all the stuff included, I want. My wife is also quite interested in it. So, we shall see. maybe I should have a house (garage?) clearing. Sell the kid the Elantra. Trade in the old RDX on a new one. Then make due with 1 car, or just get a spare hooptie for around town duty (heck, one of those cheap used EVs would work for that!).

You would be in a much better position than I am. I’ve only had the X1 for 6 months so I’m reasonably confident I’m buried in negative equity.

stickguy

Finally paid the RDX off. So all positive equity! Though if I had something like that X1, I would be done looking for a long time.

Nice having no loan, but I want the spiffy new car too! At least a chance of getting the wife on board, since it would be her car (but also one we take when together, today that’s my car).

au1994

stickguy said:

Finally paid the RDX off. So all positive equity! Though if I had something like that X1, I would be done looking for a long time. Nice having no loan, but I want the spiffy new car too! At least a chance of getting the wife on board, since it would be her car (but also one we take when together, today that’s my car).

I know. This is just a passing fancy. The X1 is great. It was nice to be in something as comfortable as the Maxima was for a few days.  And having 300 hp on tap again was really nice.

stickguy

Cheap SVX. Apparently converting to manual trans is a popular, and very effective, swap.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/1995-subaru-svx-awd-automatic/6502410276.html

nyccarguy

Honda of New Rochelle is offering $199/month leases on a Civic Si Sedan ($0 Cap Cost, 1st mo, Acq Fee due at signing) for 36 months/10K per year.

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

Honda of New Rochelle is offering $199/month leases on a Civic Si Sedan ($0 Cap Cost, 1st mo, Acq Fee due at signing) for 36 months/10K per year.

That's a great deal...

Michaell

Under $300 for a Maxima lease?

There are days where I'm glad I'm 18 months out from my current lease end ....

.... then there are days where I'm not.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Cheap SVX. Apparently converting to manual trans is a popular, and very effective, swap. https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/1995-subaru-svx-awd-automatic/6502410276.html

$300? A scrapyard would give that. If I was employed, I'd grab it and change out the trans fluid and see if that helps. If not, drive it till the trans drops and scrap it or sell off the engine and then scrap it. 

stickguy

Buy it anyway. You have time to tinker. And could be a profit center! I’m tempted to go look. It’s about 5-10 minutes from here. Hit the ATM, and park it in the garage until spring.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

Buy it anyway. You have time to tinker. And could be a profit center! I’m tempted to go look. It’s about 5-10 minutes from here. Hit the ATM, and park it in the garage until spring.

My wife would park me in the garage if I brought that home...

stickguy

Im safe, as long as it bumps my car into the driveway, not hers.

fintail

Yeah $300 is a steal on that SVX for unobtanium parts alone. I have to believe it will be saved from the junkyard, an enthusiast will find it.

stickguy

I forgot that my plan to get a cheap spare car is flawed. CL is terrible now, and odds of finding one are dismal. Would have to appear at one of a couple local outfits, and grab it quick. Still costs more, but the private sale market, I can’t deal with that now.

stickguy

nyccarguy said:

Honda of New Rochelle is offering $199/month leases on a Civic Si Sedan ($0 Cap Cost, 1st mo, Acq Fee due at signing) for 36 months/10K per year.

Hmmm. If they still have those in 4 months, let me know! I came close there. So what my wife disliked the seats?

My dream is something I really like has a killer lease offer over July 4th weekend. Right when the Jetta goes back.

stickguy

Odds are that maxima will still be cheap.

I’m getting tingly just thinking about this.

I may have a problem...

tjc78

I’d take a Max on a killer lease... not a huge fan of the looks, but I could get over that.

stickguy

I got a great deal on the Jetta on 7/3. Maybe history will repeat.

Now on my to do list, stop at Nissan for a test drive. One dealer I can still go to now locally! Who knows, after that I may not even like it.

ab348

When ebay first emerged I bought all kinds of stuff on there. Over time the site changed from being primarily individuals and small businsses selling stuff to what it is today and I liked/used it far less. I find Amazon far more useful now.

As I de-clutter I find myself just giving a lot of stuff away. Even that can be a hassle but less of a hassle than selling things privately. Last year I had an air conditioner here taking up space. I shrewdly decided to list it on Kijiji (Canadian version of Craigslist) on the first really warm day of the summer. Within minutes I had at least a half-dozen people who said they wanted it. I responded to all the same way, first to arrive takes it. None actually showed, some wanted it delivered, some wanted me to take less money, some wanted me to hold it for days until they could get it. A royal PITA. Finally a young guy and his buddy showed up, no quibble on price, and the two of them took it away. Cash money, never heard back from them again, must have been good.

qbrozen

My wife tends to find everything these days through facebook ads. Kitchen dining set, bowflex, and inclined workout bench in just the past year. I think one of the boys' beds, too.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

Cheap SVX. Apparently converting to manual trans is a popular, and very effective, swap.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/1995-subaru-svx-awd-automatic/6502410276.html

$300? A scrapyard would give that. If I was employed, I'd grab it and change out the trans fluid and see if that helps. If not, drive it till the trans drops and scrap it or sell off the engine and then scrap it. 

I would buy it, except my Subaru guy has banished SVXs from his shop. He did not specify.

I did convert a Saab 900 Turbo from automatic to manual, and that wasn't all that difficult--no drilling, no welding. I have no idea what's involved in an SVX, but I can tell you from my own experience that if a car didn't come both ways originally, it's going to be harder than it sounds.

tjc78

Mr_Shiftright said:

stickguy said:

Cheap SVX. Apparently converting to manual trans is a popular, and very effective, swap. https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/1995-subaru-svx-awd-automatic/6502410276.html

$300? A scrapyard would give that. If I was employed, I'd grab it and change out the trans fluid and see if that helps. If not, drive it till the trans drops and scrap it or sell off the engine and then scrap it. 

I would buy it, except my Subaru guy has banished SVXs from his shop. He did not specify. I did convert a Saab 900 Turbo from automatic to manual, and that wasn't all that difficult--no drilling, no welding. I have no idea what's involved in an SVX, but I can tell you from my own experience that if a car didn't come both ways originally, it's going to be harder than it sounds.

I actually know of a few guys that converted box body Crown Vic’s to manuals.  They used Fox body pedals, etc 

tbirdmarco

 In 1994 could you enjoyed your rental yes it’s a nice car my mom has one call back soon lease is almost up 

tbirdmarco

Nice rite up on the auto. Show  you when  to

pensfan83

Taking advantage of the bank holiday I visited the Pittsburgh Auto Show today with the wife and both our Dads. Impressions to come.

stickguy

this one is gorgeous. And yes, another evening down the BaT rabbit hole!

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2007-bmw-m-coupe/

sadly, this is more my budget (and maybe speed!)

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-volvo-240-3/

I always loved these though. Even better if it was a hatch.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-toyota-celica-4/

corvette

qbrozen said:

My wife tends to find everything these days through facebook ads. Kitchen dining set, bowflex, and inclined workout bench in just the past year. I think one of the boys' beds, too.

I'm about to give away my old set of dishes on FB. They're in great shape, but the plates are square, and the large ones won't spin on my microwave turntable (I have an above-range MW that isn't very deep). This has driven me nuts for the past couple years. :@

fintail

Of course the Volvo came from Seattle. When I was a kid, a relative had a late 70s Volvo wagon in that same color. 130 mph speedo is also amusing.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

this one is gorgeous. And yes, another evening down the BaT rabbit hole! https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2007-bmw-m-coupe/ sadly, this is more my budget (and maybe speed!) https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-volvo-240-3/ I always loved these though. Even better if it was a hatch. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-toyota-celica-4/

I want that Volvo in a bad way. 

Actually I’d really like a 940 Turbo wagon. Just for nostalgia. 

stickguy

I want a mid 70s 242 GT, retrofitted with the engine out of a 940 turbo. And a lot of suspension pieces out of the IPD catalog.

qbrozen

The rust on that 242 deters me significantly

stickguy

Oh, for a 140 series, that is nothing. They get much, much worse!

qbrozen

Doesn't mean I have to buy one that way. ;b

tjc78

corvette said:

qbrozen said:

My wife tends to find everything these days through facebook ads. Kitchen dining set, bowflex, and inclined workout bench in just the past year. I think one of the boys' beds, too.

I'm about to give away my old set of dishes on FB. They're in great shape, but the plates are square, and the large ones won't spin on my microwave turntable (I have an above-range MW that isn't very deep). This has driven me nuts for the past couple years. :@

Smart move.... ours are the same way and we ruined the gear that spins the turntable. It only works now with something really light. We always forgot to turn it off.

kyfdx

Potential owner needs advice on repair/maintenance costs for a 2004 Volvo.

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/50339/volvo/xc70/volvo-maintenance-cost-vs-japanese-cars#latest

pensfan83

Yesterday was the last day of the Pittsburgh Auto Show. Originally the entire family was going to go however it was a snow makeup day and my mom helped get the kids off to school so my wife, dad, and FIL could get to the show right when it opened.

There was good representation from pretty much every auto maker but it felt like walking a big indoor dealer lot. Sort of sterile and it wasn't really crowded at all. Many of the displays were run by local dealers though there were a few manufacturer folks there for Ford, BMW, Nissan, Honda. Keeping with the buying habits of America there were many SUV's, CUV's, and trucks on display. That was to our benefit because we'll probably be in the market for an SUV/CUV by the end of the year. A few individual thoughts:

Accord: This was my first time seeing the car in person and while I wasn't turned off, I'm not enthralled either. However if you can get past the styling there's a lot to like. It's comfortable, I like the interior, and fit and finish are second to none. If this were on my list I'd probably go with a 2.0 Sport 6 speed.

Camry: I was less of a fan of the Camry's exterior than the Accord. The rest of the car was meh.

Ford Ranger: This is the one my dad really wanted to see and he wasn't disappointed, he spent probably 10-15 minutes hogging the Ford rep from everyone else asking a number of questions. The truck was roped off so you couldn't get into it, which doesn't make sense to me when you're trying to drive enthusiasm for a vehicle that's been absent for 7-8 years. It looked like a smaller F-150 to me and with my dad wanting to keep a truck but downsize from his F-150, it looks to fit the bill.

BMW: We mainly focused on the X1, which I really like and my wife does too, but they had a 3, 5, and 7 series there as well as well as an X3 and X5. The new X3 looks like it will be a hit. The 3 series looks tired to me.

Lincoln: Quite a crowd around the new Navigator and I have to say it's pretty nice but I think the example they had stickered for over $90,000, yikes. They had the Nautilus too, which replaces the MKX I think. Looks like a mini Navigator from the front.

Nissan: Nothing interesting save for the Maxima which looks very sleek in black.

Acura: They had their full lineup, including the NSX. No new RDX though, which I would have loved to see in person.

Red Leather: This seems to be widespread across all makes now, from the Camry to Lexus, to Acura. A number of the cars on display had red leather or in the case of Lexus it was more of a cabernet.

Volvo: Looked at the XC60 and XC90, both are really nice. It goes without saying comfort is top notch but the rest of the package is also very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to put a CPO XC60 on the shopping list.

stickguy

Left opinion on the Volvo

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Left opinion on the Volvo

Thanks!

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

Of course the Volvo came from Seattle. When I was a kid, a relative had a late 70s Volvo wagon in that same color. 130 mph speedo is also amusing.

Nasty bits of rust on that Volvo. Usually what we see is the tip of the iceberg. But if the bid stays cheap enough, no harm done. It's going to leak into the trunk though unless you seal up that hole. Florida car, looks like.

ab348

When I was in university, Dad bought a new '73 144 in a slightly darker green than that, with a mid-brown interior. 1973 was the first year for that dashboard design and I think that was the big selling point for them over his '68 which he loved otherwise. Ours not only had the tach in the center of the instrument cluster but also little oil pressure and voltage gauges that were mounted on top of the instrument cowling with double-sided tape, a factory accessory item. The dashboard was the best thing about that car, which was lousy otherwise.

kyfdx

Received a flyer in the mail from Infiniti about the new 2019 QX50. Looks like an SUV version of the Q50, which isn't bad. But, looks like it only comes with a turbo 4.

imidazol97

graphicguy said:

So....chalk this up for lesson learned.
The person who bought it contacted me right after the auction, stating he was a medical student, had a wife and new baby at home, was really in debt with college tuition. I could tell where this was going. He wanted to know if I would take less than HIS WINNING BID. Uhhhhhh...that’s a big N......O......! Then, he wanted to know if I would pay for shipping to MI, where he lived. I was irritated but really didn’t feel like putting it up for bid again. I think shipping was like $15 via USPS, so I agreed to ship it to him on my dime.
Fast forward to yesterday. This guy emails me via eBay stating the graphics card was used, it locked up his system, that it was counterfeit (it came directly from the manufacturer, so that was untrue). I calmly informed him it was new, as the box and shrink wrap should indicate. And, it WAS NOT COUNTERFEIT.
Then, he said it overheated and wouldn’t work. I tried to do a bit of tech support and help him figure out what was going on. But, it became clear he didn’t want help. He wanted me to give him his money back on something he couldn’t use any more.
eBay contacted me stating he told them what I sold was counterfeit. Luckily, I had the S/N and model number of the product on hand, which showed it wasn’t counterfeit. EBay closed the case in my favor.
I gues he tried to claim eBay’s money back guarantee program. But, you need to file your claim within 30 days of the auction close.
Given this guy now has my email address, he’s now emailing me with all sorts of derogatory messages, which I’ve sent to my email provider.
All this aggravation for $150 less shipping!

I've had a graphic card HD 7950 Radeon by Gigabyte. Was used in son's computer for last couple years at OSU. He bought a nice gamer high power PowerSpec computer by Microcenter so I got his college computer back. Thought about pulling the card, a $450 card 4 years back and was well rated at the time.

You've just made up my mind because what happened to you is exactly what I figured would happen when someone got a used card.

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

I think Bradd is nuts buying a car that can barely break 20 MPG, on premium, when he puts 18K/year on the thing. He might have to sell a kid to run a G Wagon!

Speaking of my car which can barely break 20 mpg on premium, yesterday I got home from work, ate lunch, then had to take my 11 year old to a hockey game about 1/2 hour away (on back roads).  I had 40 miles to empty and a 20 mile drive.  Not wanting to risk it & knowing I was traveling to a town where I'm unfamiliar, I decided to gas up at this station right off the Merritt Parkway.  In addition to being right off the highway, it is the only place to fill up before you go into "North Stamford," which is the ritzy part of town.  I paid $3.85 per gallon to fill up.  It cost me $60 and some change.  

I thought you were going to say you took the Prelude.