Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

roadburner said:

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.

Are Z4s not in sub-$10k territory by now? 

roadburner

corvette said:

roadburner said:

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.

Are Z4s not in sub-$10k territory by now? 

Not too often...

stickguy

interesting choice. cheap at least to get into it!

28firefighter

I’ve been toying with a Miata to play with and get the Porsche later. If nothing else it should be cheaper and more reliable..

stickguy

I think at this point I am too old to deal with getting in and out of something that low. Plus my wife may get stuck in there!

nyccarguy

roadburner said:

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.

Or you could put $5K worth of mods on your 2er and ...

28firefighter

Speaking of wagons...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/rare-and-beautiful-2003-bmw/6554614071.html

Michaell

sandman_6472 said:

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

We've been in our house for about 2 1/2 years. As much as we like it, there were some things about it that we couldn't fix at any cost.

The new house solves those problems, and has the added benefit of being closer to my wife and daughter's work.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

Speaking of wagons...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/rare-and-beautiful-2003-bmw/6554614071.html

525i + 174,000 Miles = NEXT

andres3

I may be banned from driving any cars in less than 30 days. Got a DMV notice that the Courts are telling the DMV to "collect" my driver's license under suspension.

So my first letter was ignored. My second letter certified with signed return receipt was ignored too.

Time to laywer up. Contacted 3 or 4.

$525, $750, and getting a third bid tomorrow, then dedicding to move forward. Was told the higher cost is partly due to "3 appearances" since I now have a Failure to Appear charge added.

Cost really isn't the driving factor though. I just want someone that won't just treat my case like a cookie cutter traffic case, because my case is very strong!

stickguy

I want the 5 series wagon. I don't put a lot of miles on it, and will roll the dice! Assuming it is as good a runner as described. Perfect dog transport runner.

qbrozen

I'd much rather have the e500, manual trans be damned

stickguy

The BMW might nickle and dime you a bit, but I fear that the MB could just drain your bank account like a shop vac. Way more complex and expensive to maintain (and run, swilling gas like a muscle car!)

qbrozen

But 100k fewer miles. The bimmer will likely be dead and buried before you even hit 6 digits with the benz.

stickguy

possibly. But at least, I don't put many miles on. And pretty sure I would not enjoy driving a big, heavy ponderous car like that E class. Though maybe it wouldn't be that bad. I have never driven one. if nothing else, must be pretty fast and sound good!

qbrozen

V8 $10k under 100k, no FWD, and 4 doors. That is the criteria I decided to search for to pass my time on the train today.

I could be interested at this price:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/203613459

Nobody said looking rich is easy:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/203613447

I always thought these were FWD:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/164843802

Always in the mix:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/199541219

I wonder if this or the Jag would win the race to put you in the poor house:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/197281125

Don't believe I have ever seen one this cheap with such low mileage:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/205127349

Can I interest you in a furnace to keep your money in?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/203939155

There are many others, but I'll stop for now.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

possibly. But at least, I don't put many miles on. And pretty sure I would not enjoy driving a big, heavy ponderous car like that E class. Though maybe it wouldn't be that bad. I have never driven one. if nothing else, must be pretty fast and sound good!

Pretty sure a 525 wagon ain't exactly spritely. ;b

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

Speaking of wagons...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/rare-and-beautiful-2003-bmw/6554614071.html

525i + 174,000 Miles = NEXT

The 525i is the only wagon you can get with a stick..

Nothing wrong with that mileage.. For $3500, it might be a good deal, but that heated seat issue might be a problem.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

I'd much rather have the e500, manual trans be damned

Ditto..

stickguy

The Lexus looks safe.

ab348

stickguy said:

The Lexus looks safe.

I thought it mostly looked old.

stickguy

So does the Jag and Chrysler and most of the bmws.

fintail

Those cars are to the point where "looking rich" is only going to fool those who don't follow cars.

Old highline wagons seem to have an old money air to them, and pull it off better. A pristine 1980s 300TD, to me anyway, speaks of wealth more than a 10 year old 7er.

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

Speaking of wagons...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/rare-and-beautiful-2003-bmw/6554614071.html

525i + 174,000 Miles = NEXT

The 525i is the only wagon you can get with a stick.. Nothing wrong with that mileage.. For $3500, it might be a good deal, but that heated seat issue might be a problem.

Heated seat thing would be an issue given that I’d be sleeping in it for a while. My friend suggested I drive it until the engine dies and find an M5 donor engine. 

fintail

Bailing out because something is very wrong, perhaps.

Another car from not exactly the pinnacle of MB quality, I would be leery.

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

roadburner

stickguy said:

I think at this point I am too old to deal with getting in and out of something that low. Plus my wife may get stuck in there!

I'm 61 and will be almost 62 by the time I get a Miata or Z3...

28firefighter

andres3 said:

I may be banned from driving any cars in less than 30 days. Got a DMV notice that the Courts are telling the DMV to "collect" my driver's license under suspension. So my first letter was ignored. My second letter certified with signed return receipt was ignored too. Time to laywer up. Contacted 3 or 4. $525, $750, and getting a third bid tomorrow, then dedicding to move forward. Was told the higher cost is partly due to "3 appearances" since I now have a Failure to Appear charge added. Cost really isn't the driving factor though. I just want someone that won't just treat my case like a cookie cutter traffic case, because my case is very strong!

And to clarify, you didn’t appear after sending those letters because?

roadburner

The thing I like about the Z3 is that it's very similar to my 318ti; if you can work on one you can work on the other. The M44 four is bulletproof and the M52 six isn't far behind.

corvette

28firefighter said:

Speaking of wagons...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/rare-and-beautiful-2003-bmw/6554614071.html

My 540i was Slate Green. Beautiful color. That wagon doesn’t have the sport package. I would think the 2.5 liter engine would feel underpowered. $4,000 a year sounds about right for maintenance and repair on one of those. 

corvette

andres3 said:

I may be banned from driving any cars in less than 30 days. Got a DMV notice that the Courts are telling the DMV to "collect" my driver's license under suspension. So my first letter was ignored. My second letter certified with signed return receipt was ignored too. Time to laywer up. Contacted 3 or 4. $525, $750, and getting a third bid tomorrow, then dedicding to move forward. Was told the higher cost is partly due to "3 appearances" since I now have a Failure to Appear charge added. Cost really isn't the driving factor though. I just want someone that won't just treat my case like a cookie cutter traffic case, because my case is very strong!

How did you get in this predicament, again? 

28firefighter

corvette said:

My 540i was Slate Green. Beautiful color. That wagon doesn’t have the sport package. I would think the 2.5 liter engine would feel underpowered. $4,000 a year sounds about right for maintenance and repair on one of those. 

Hahaha - I was thinking that given the mileage they are being a bit optimistic.

nyccarguy

andres3 said:

I may be banned from driving any cars in less than 30 days. Got a DMV notice that the Courts are telling the DMV to "collect" my driver's license under suspension.

So my first letter was ignored. My second letter certified with signed return receipt was ignored too.

Time to laywer up. Contacted 3 or 4.

$525, $750, and getting a third bid tomorrow, then dedicding to move forward. Was told the higher cost is partly due to "3 appearances" since I now have a Failure to Appear charge added.

Cost really isn't the driving factor though. I just want someone that won't just treat my case like a cookie cutter traffic case, because my case is very strong!

Look at the bright side, you'll keep the miles off of your TTS & Leased Kia

stickguy

I almost bought a 2001 525i 4 door stick new. And found it to have more than enough power. Can't imagine the wagon is much different.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I almost bought a 2001 525i 4 door stick new. And found it to have more than enough power. Can't imagine the wagon is much different.

184 HP. In a 3-series w/Auto, it was plenty quick (my wife’s first BMW). I think the 5-Series was only 150# heavier? It would be entertaining. Fast enough in 2003.

Wagons are very popular in the enthusiast community. The stick just adds to it. An automatic sedan would be worth $2000-$2500, most likely. I bet it’s sold, already.

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

I almost bought a 2001 525i 4 door stick new. And found it to have more than enough power. Can't imagine the wagon is much different.

184 HP. In a 3-series w/Auto, it was plenty quick (my wife’s first BMW). I think the 5-Series was only 150# heavier? It would be entertaining. Fast enough in 2003.

Wagons are very popular in the enthusiast community. The stick just adds to it. An automatic sedan would be worth $2000-$2500, most likely. I bet it’s sold, already.

Well now I almost want to send an email...

kyfdx

Giving away my age here, but... no CD slot?

suydam

You’d want one?

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

Giving away my age here, but... no CD slot?

look for the 8-track player in the glovebox

stickguy

on that era BMW the CD ("business CD" for some odd reason) was IIRC optional. Plus it is under a cover. They did also offer the changer option.

Mr_Shiftright

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. 

Very clunky shifter unfortunately--it feels more like rowing an oar in a barrel than shifting.

kyfdx

Not my experience with the M54 engine, manual shift combo.

Mr_Shiftright

Just wait until it wears a bit, or better yet, drive a Honda Civic!

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

Just wait until it wears a bit, or better yet, drive a Honda Civic!

I've owned it for 8 years and put 75K miles on it (out of the 115K on the odometer).
How long should I wait?

Drove Honda sticks for over 15 years, as daily drivers... so, I've got something to compare it to..

Mr_Shiftright

It's all relative to other cars isn't it? And, of course, what you the individual driver want/tolerate in a manual transmission. I've driven up to 2017 models, and it's clunky, by my definition. YRMV. It's notchy and slow.

True, not compared to a 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pickup, but compared to say my friends Honda S2000 (which is like "buddah"), it's not the best.

I'm not singling out Mini on this--lots of cars with that type of shifting mechanism act that way, and for 95% of everyone, it's just fine as is.

stickguy

he is talking about the 2003 5 series. Not the mini cooper you commented on. I think.

28firefighter

I've been posting a lot of winners the last 24 hours...easy to lose track of.

cdnpinhead

I've been driving an Acura (Honda) TSX for over ten years now, and the manual transmission (still on the original clutch at 144K miles) has been pure pleasure. Not nearly so tight as my '65 MGB, but better than my 240-Z and the Lincoln LS. Point being, Honda manual transmissions, based on my sample of one, are pretty damn good.

stickguy

I have owned a whole lot of sticks in my life (my name was earned, not granted!). And driven a ton more with test drives, etc. And overall, Hondas were about the best combo of clutch/shift feel. Though I did like my FWD Mazdas too. Subaru IMO was at the bottom. And to this day, VWs still seem to have the same overly high clutch engagement point.

The Miata was certainly unique. That was like a toggle switch compared to most FWD models.

Sandman6472

They wanted me to drive a six speed today but had to beg off, my right leg has sciatica very badly so pushing down on a clutch just ain't happening. I learned on a siblings 1976 Datsun 210 hatchback, the family's first foreign vehicle. I remember paralyzed with fear as I got off I-95 in Miami, Ives Dairy Rd., and the exit ramp went up a hill. Remember sweating a bit but just punched it and the roll back was minimal and off I went.
But now, no way Jose. Still walking with a cane a week shy of the 13th anniversary of my truck accident. Come to think of it, I was using a cane part time before the accident but not all the time like now. It's a part of me now to be honest, like my reading glasses.

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Getting nowhere with wifey on my plan to move within the next couple of years. Neighbors house did sell, sign is gone, and think we could sell very quickly but at a lower price point. We have no pool and original kitchen and still need to complete the other half of the master bath plus painting. Basically a great house for a handy family, a 4/2 under air at about 2000 square feet. Homes like ours are snatched up pretty quickly if priced right as the $250K to $385K are few and far between in our city. Our schools are top notch, even with Stoneman Douglas not too far away. Folks want the Coral Springs lifestyle and schools but our price range ain't got much right now. And think my plan to find a smaller 3/2 or 4/2 at about $250K a great idea as we could bank a good $100K for retirement.
But think once the oldest moves in September and the middle child following her a year later will be the impetus to get her to agree to my plan. It's nice that the girls can stop by whenever they want and go home that night even though they know they are always welcome to stay over. But hell, am so ready to go and let a family with young kids get our place to enjoy like we have!

The Sandman