Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

that MPG will save you some money.

ronsteve

I came home in a Ford Fairlane. My younger brother came home in a LTD wagon. 

My wife and I brought home all 3 of our cats in a Volvo wagon. 

tjc78

carnaught said:

After 8 days with all city driving, and mostly with a/c on, the wife is pleased with the mpg's.

Love that digital dashboard. I still remember how cool that was as a kid in the 80s. Wish more cars had them today.

tbirdmarco

 Sand man if that’s the core that’s calling you when you treating the golf when you’re ready to go for it 

Michaell

Was out getting boxes for the impending move, and could have sworn I saw a previous generation Honda Civic with a Jaguar badge on the trunklid.

Whoops - my bad. It was actually an XE. Remarkable similarity to my eyes.

tbirdmarco

Lol lol lol lol 

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

Was out getting boxes for the impending move, and could have sworn I saw a previous generation Honda Civic with a Jaguar badge on the trunklid.

Whoops - my bad. It was actually an XE. Remarkable similarity to my eyes.

Nonetheless TATA turned Jaguar-LR into a profitable business, which Ford was never able to do. So maybe they are laughing all the way to the bank?

qbrozen

is it profitable? if so, good for them. i'm glad they'll be sticking around. It is a shame Saab could not have been afforded the same.

tifighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:

Was out getting boxes for the impending move, and could have sworn I saw a previous generation Honda Civic with a Jaguar badge on the trunklid.

Whoops - my bad. It was actually an XE. Remarkable similarity to my eyes.

Nonetheless TATA turned Jaguar-LR into a profitable business, which Ford was never able to do. So maybe they are laughing all the way to the bank?

I suspect the LR-side is where most of the profits come from. Good time to be a SUV brand, that's for sure.

fintail

Yeah, I'd love to see anything showing Jag is running in the black. LR might even be borderline.

I have similar doubts about Volvo, as the recent modernization definitely wasn't cheap.

Mr_Shiftright

They definitely had profit dips in the last few years due to, they say, a weaker Chinese economy, and so they are banking on the new Velar and F-Pace to boost sales again to previous levels.

But since buying Jaguar/LR, they've done a better job of it than Ford did.

qbrozen

fintail said:

Yeah, I'd love to see anything showing Jag is running in the black. LR might even be borderline.

I have similar doubts about Volvo, as the recent modernization definitely wasn't cheap.

I worry about Volvo, as well. Not sure how long they can afford the deep discounts they are currently providing.

stickguy

well, I think a lot of their models are way overpriced. so evens out!

qbrozen

certainly the XC90 and s90. Doesn't necessarily mean they have so much profit in them they can continue to afford 10-15% discounts PLUS thousands in rebates.

benjaminh

"Movin’ Out – Johan de Nysschen Leaves Cadillac Immediately"

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/04/movin-johan-de-nysschen-leaves-cadillac-immediately/

Since it seemed like he was driving Cadillac off a cliff in the US in terms of sales, this is probably a good change imho.

nyccarguy

For those of you who know me for the past couple of decades here on edmunds know that I like cars with a decent amount of power under the hood.  I tend to drive with the flow of traffic (even if that means fracturing the occasional speed limit).  I don't race.  If I see someone driving very aggressively I ALWAYS move over (when it is safe) and let them pass.  

This morning I was running late to work.  I was cruising in the left lane of I-95 in CT at 75 mph.  I see a Black Fiat ABARTH coming up behind me.  He gets closer than I'd like, so I moved over to the middle lane to let him pass.  He is now next to me, riding the car's bumper that was previously in front of me.  Realizing he can't pass that car either (I saw him put 2 wheels on the shoulder then move back into the lane), he downshifts and gets behind me again (closer than I'd like).  I moved into the right lane, then back into the middle (with the Abarth behind me), then dropped the hammer.  The Abarth was now WAY behind me.    

Mr_Shiftright

Abarths are quick but torqueless, noisy little things. I test drove one some months ago, thinking I might be interested, but it's a difficult car to take seriously. What a racket in the cockpit! It's a fun little toy, no doubt about it, but as an everyday driver---well, just shoot me now. I wouldn't tangle with one on low speed twisties, though.

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

Abarths are quick but torqueless, noisy little things. I test drove one some months ago, thinking I might be interested, but it's a difficult car to take seriously. What a racket in the cockpit! It's a fun little toy, no doubt about it, but as an everyday driver---well, just shoot me now. I wouldn't tangle with one on low speed twisties, though.

Now that you mention it, the thing was LOUD.

Mr_Shiftright

I thought the exhaust noise was unbearable. It's fun for about 1/2 hour and then really gets on my nerves.

fintail

Someone in my building has an Abarth, I can always tell when they are leaving. I hear very few cars, but that one is hard to miss.

Michaell

These last few posts have convinced me to scratch the Abarth off my shopping list. Wouldn't mind something small and fun, but I don't think I could do noisy.

28firefighter

What works in the Abarth's favor is that it seems to depreciate like a rock (unsurprisingly). Not an everyday car, but could be fun as a toy car - $/fun ratio is probably high.

Mr_Shiftright

It makes a MINI feel like a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

What works in the Abarth's favor is that it seems to depreciate like a rock (unsurprisingly). Not an everyday car, but could be fun as a toy car - $/fun ratio is probably high.

While I only drive 6-7K a year now, I don't think I could live with something that noisy.

I did find this.

Or, how about this?

@fintail, what say you?

28firefighter

I was going to say its probably more reliable than the Mini, but caught myself mid-sentence and started laughing.

As you can tell I'm in search of a budget friendly fun car...

Michaell

28firefighter said:

I was going to say its probably more reliable than the Mini, but caught myself mid-sentence and started laughing.

As you can tell I'm in search of a budget friendly fun car...

Actually, I've been pretty impressed with the reliability of the two MIINIs my daughter has owned.

Not a huge fan of the 1st or 2nd generation, but the loaners I've gotten in the past year or two have been fairly comfortable.

Mr_Shiftright

28firefighter said:

I was going to say its probably more reliable than the Mini, but caught myself mid-sentence and started laughing.

As you can tell I'm in search of a budget friendly fun car...

That would be a race to the bottom!

Mr_Shiftright

My overall impression of the Abarth, after driving it for the afternoon, was this:

"I could physically destroy this car with only my hands and feet. I could beat this car up".

Not that I was actually feeling any violence toward the car--but I had felt like I just got out of a rock concert.

28firefighter

Something interesting for the folks here - I haven't touched a manual transmission car in probably 10 years (my Dad's old Volvo S60 R was a 6 speed). I reached out to some driving schools in Seattle who advertised they were offering stick shift driving lessons, figuring that it would be better than simply buying a stick shift car and teaching myself on that. And by teach, I just mean get my sea legs again.

The one was booked out for months and the other while offering it, didn't seem too interested in actually scheduling it.

No friends locally that own a manual trans car, no driving schools - any thoughts from the experts?

Mr_Shiftright

It's like riding a bicycle---you never really forget how to do it. So if you used to drive a manual transmission regularly, that's still in your "body memory" and it should come back to you.

You really can't hurt a stickshift car even if you are a bit clumsy with it--short of mashing the gears together at high speed, or doing burnouts, a few "stalls" or "chug-chugs" are pretty harmless.

You can always practice at Walmart. Nobody gets hit there unless they are parked and not moving.

28firefighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's like riding a bicycle---you never really forget how to do it. So if you used to drive a manual transmission regularly, that's still in your "body memory" and it should come back to you.

You really can't hurt a stickshift car even if you are a bit clumsy with it--short of mashing the gears together at high speed, or doing burnouts, a few "stalls" or "chug-chugs" are pretty harmless.

You can always practice at Walmart. Nobody gets hit there unless they are parked and not moving.

I never drove regularly, that's the problem. Only when I was home from college and I had left my car in Pittsburgh.

I mostly want to be able to competently test drive a car I'm looking at without (1) Looking like an idiot (more than I usually do), or (2) missing some key mechanical issue because I was too busy re-learning.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

Something interesting for the folks here - I haven't touched a manual transmission car in probably 10 years (my Dad's old Volvo S60 R was a 6 speed). I reached out to some driving schools in Seattle who advertised they were offering stick shift driving lessons, figuring that it would be better than simply buying a stick shift car and teaching myself on that. And by teach, I just mean get my sea legs again.

The one was booked out for months and the other while offering it, didn't seem too interested in actually scheduling it.

No friends locally that own a manual trans car, no driving schools - any thoughts from the experts?

Got frequent flyer miles? I'm semi-retired..

Sandman6472

Mike, you guys moving again? Have been gone for a few days but guess I missed a whole lot. Didn't y'all just move last year? Confused about your moving again but guess y'all got an offer ya couldn't refuse!!!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Pulled in about 10 minutes ago and parked at my neighbors house was a black over black 328i. Naturally, after parking my car in the garage, I mosey on over to take a peek. Really really nice with 17" tires. Guy walks out and we start talking. It's a 2018 he just got and loves it. Said it has more power than the 320i he originally tried. Said he doesn't mind the heat from the black leather as it doesn't show the dirt. Just couldn't say enough about how great it was. He just came out of a 2003 MB C250 and said the BMW is so much nicer than even the new C Class. It was nice but I'd go with the light blue over beige or the brown over beige to be honest. Again, kicking myself for letting that brown over brown 2015 328i get away from me last year. Shoulda jumped looking back!
Still like the Mini Cooper Countryman and will give it another shot. Have decided to pursue the diminished value case and spoke to the lady at my kids law office. After hearing the details, they've decided to take it if I agree. At this point, think I will because no way is my Golf worth what it was on February 27th and just a matter of time before the accident shows up on CarFax. It already has the new water pump on there so don't take long for stuff to post. So, we'll see what happens.

The Sandman

qbrozen

Michaell said:

What works in the Abarth's favor is that it seems to depreciate like a rock (unsurprisingly). Not an everyday car, but could be fun as a toy car - $/fun ratio is probably high.

While I only drive 6-7K a year now, I don't think I could live with something that noisy. I did find this. Or, how about this? @fintail, what say you?

I believe the 2.6 v6 is a bit of a nightmare, and the e320 certainly does not move the "fun needle" in the least.

stickguy

I saw an interesting C class last weekend. Somewhere in that early 2000s vintage. 4 door, with the interesting part being, it was a stick. I test drove one of those back when new. Pretty sure the sticks were a rare bird even then.

xwesx

Ah, you beat me to it, @kyfdx ! I was going to say that if you are willing to fly up here and provide some slave labor, I'll let you reacquire those sea legs on a real manual transmission!

As far as those test drives, consider, though, that I taught my wife how to drive a manual transmission with my 1969 C20 back in 1999. After she had been driving it for about a year, she spun it out and hit a sign post, putting a small dent in the rear step (that still is there today). This freaked her out (she was afraid of damaging my truck! hahah - no, I'm not THAT bad; I even asked if she was okay before inquiring about the condition of the truck....), so she refused to drive it after that.

In August of 2000, we bought a 1996 Subaru Outback with an automatic, since I didn't think she would want to drive a MT. In early 2007, after losing that car, she decided she wanted a replacement Outback, and she wanted it with a manual transmission!

I was highly skeptical of this being a successful venture, so I INSISTED that she test drive this manual before we committed to buying anything. Well, Subie manuals are kinda odd (to me) - they don't have good pedal feel at all, and the low torque engine means you have to rev it a bit as you engage to prevent stalling. So, the sales lady brings the car around, my wife and I hop in. She didn't want to drive from the dealer, so I did that and then switched with her a few minutes later. I stalled the silly car twice as a I backed out of the space! But, my wife gets in and drives it like a fish to water.

Seriously! Now, it's been nine years since we didn't have a manual Subaru as her daily driver, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Moral? Sometimes, just jumping into the pool is the best way to learn. (The worst that could happen is drowning!)

fintail

A manual W203 would be a very rare car, I don't know if I have seen one in person, but I think some of the later run 2004+ cars could be one, and I have seen stick hatches. I have also seen stick W204, I think all no later than around 2010.

stickguy said:

I saw an interesting C class last weekend. Somewhere in that early 2000s vintage. 4 door, with the interesting part being, it was a stick. I test drove one of those back when new. Pretty sure the sticks were a rare bird even then.

stickguy

don't quote me on the year. I know it was when they first updated the C. and it was roundish. And it had a tiny little tach for some reason (much smaller than the speedo). so whatever year that was, but I would guess around 2000

suydam

28firefighter said:

Something interesting for the folks here - I haven't touched a manual transmission car in probably 10 years (my Dad's old Volvo S60 R was a 6 speed). I reached out to some driving schools in Seattle who advertised they were offering stick shift driving lessons, figuring that it would be better than simply buying a stick shift car and teaching myself on that. And by teach, I just mean get my sea legs again.

The one was booked out for months and the other while offering it, didn't seem too interested in actually scheduling it.

No friends locally that own a manual trans car, no driving schools - any thoughts from the experts?

We just bought a MT car and learned on it. I test drove the car, as I had learned to drive on a stick shift as a teenager, and could sorta pilot one around. What was really to test, though? It was pretty much the only car we could afford. Spouse practiced on dirt roads and parking lots — it all came together eventually.
When our oldest son learned to drive a car, he would get to the high school half an hour early because he was afraid of stalling if he was in a line. He figured it out too eventually and became a very competent MT driver.

28firefighter

@suydam May come to that. 

fintail

I like the E more, but I think it is priced with optimism. The wagon is interesting for miles and rarity (and still not cheap), but from what I know, 203s can sometimes be iffy. Wagons may fare better, there's even a taxi one in my area, but they make me a little leery. Both of these are not from the golden age of MB quality. I'd want a good PPI and an expense account just in case, for either. It won't be like running a Corolla.

Michaell said:

While I only drive 6-7K a year now, I don't think I could live with something that noisy.

I did find this.

Or, how about this?

@fintail, what say you?

28firefighter

This is an interesting beast for a learning car. 

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/2008-mini-cooper-6spd-manual/6565072870.html

Probably could flip it for minimal loss when I was done. 

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

This is an interesting beast for a learning car. 

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/2008-mini-cooper-6spd-manual/6565072870.html

Probably could flip it for minimal loss when I was done. 

Terrible manual transmission.  It’s what I wanted as my cash 4 clunkers vehicle.  High clutch take up & a very vague, rubbery shifter made me not like it at all.  I was of course used to my Prelude as a daily driver, but didn’t realized how good it actually was.

qbrozen

Ugh!
of all the times to not have 5 Gs laying around.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/203145982

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

This is an interesting beast for a learning car. 

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/2008-mini-cooper-6spd-manual/6565072870.html

Probably could flip it for minimal loss when I was done. 

Terrible manual transmission.  It’s what I wanted as my cash 4 clunkers vehicle.  High clutch take up & a very vague, rubbery shifter made me not like it at all.  I was of course used to my Prelude as a daily driver, but didn’t realized how good it actually was.

Good to know actually. I should know better when they’re in my budget. 

Michaell

qbrozen said:

Ugh!
of all the times to not have 5 Gs laying around.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/203145982

Oh, my.

My likey. Nice miles, wagon, AWD and a V8. Put a mild exhaust kit on it, upgrade the infotainment, and I'm set.

fintail

That wagon is almost suspiciously cheap.

roadburner

My wife suggested I buy a beater to drive to work if I win the election, so hopefully come October or so I'll start looking. Nothing boring and nothing over $10k, maximum. I'll probably go with a Miata or maybe a Z3.

qbrozen

fintail said:

That wagon is almost suspiciously cheap.

It is. But its possible. They could expect about $5k at auction minus fees and transport, so its possible they just want it gone before they have to resort to that.

EDIT: ah, this is interesting: they actually have it listed for sale to other dealers via Manheim's classified section. "Make an offer"