Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

you are breaking my hard. I was really considering that unit too.

I may have to report this to the KBB.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

Not that one.. it’s rough. You can’t jeopardize your man card.

As my son said, “Mr. Pxxxx’s Car is nice, but I wouldn’t drive a pink car”. It’s sort of a dusty rose, and yet..... pink.

suydam

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:

Not that one.. it’s rough. You can’t jeopardize your man card.

As my son said, “Mr. Pxxxx’s Car is nice, but I wouldn’t drive a pink car”. It’s sort of a dusty rose, and yet..... pink.

It’s all relative. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, pink was a man’s color.

Mr_Shiftright

Ok, then, it's a car for a man born in the 19th century.

Glad we got that settled.

stickguy

there are a couple of incentives included that would not qualify for, but some serious discounts if you want a Passat. Way bigger than a comparable Jetta.

https://www.hamiltonvw.net/new-Hamilton-2018-Volkswagen-Passat-20T+SE-1VWBA7A3XJC028523#vehicleDisclaimer

au1994

stickguy said:

there are a couple of incentives included that would not qualify for, but some serious discounts if you want a Passat. Way bigger than a comparable Jetta. https://www.hamiltonvw.net/new-Hamilton-2018-Volkswagen-Passat-20T+SE-1VWBA7A3XJC028523#vehicleDisclaimer

Wow, even if you don’t qualify for all of the incentives, there’s a good deal to be had there.

I sat in one when I test drove a GTI and found it an extremely nice looking and well equipped car.  Didn’t drive it as it was bigger than I was looking for. The only potential drawback I could think of is power. Is there enough from that engine when moving a bigger car? Super sharp looking though, particularly in that grey color.

ab348

I always liked this generation of Passat. Lots of room inside and nicely finished. They look good in that gray metallic and also in darker colors. They have a handsome dark red metallic, a good dark blue metallic, and even look better than an Altima in black.

stickguy

Lot of car now. Very roomy. Plenty of power for a family sedan. Long, but drives smaller to me. Great visibility. Really good MPG.

Michaell

I had a Passat once as a loaner car. I found it to be powerful enough. Even the wife commented on it.

stickguy

I liked the loaner I had. I don’t very think thecwife would complain if I got one of them cheap. Though she really doesn’t like VWs for some reason.

28firefighter

My wife doesn't like VW either, but really liked the GTI for the time I had it.

suydam

We were all set to buy a Passat way back in 2001. At the last minute the dealer wouldn’t honor the price we negotiated so we walked out. On the way home I saw a Nissan dealership and said, “Hey, let’s see what the Maxima is like!” We loved it, got a great price, and drove it home that day!

28firefighter

I have no interest in this, but it seems shockingly well maintained for an E34:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/1990-bmw-525i-e34-5-speed/6581954420.html

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I have no interest in this, but it seems shockingly well maintained for an E34:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/1990-bmw-525i-e34-5-speed/6581954420.html

I like the Pearl leather (vs. tan). We had that in the E30.

168 HP, IIRC.. not bad for the time. Would seem sprightly with the stick.

28firefighter

For my money, I'd rather go after a well kept 540i stick, if you can find such a thing. I prefer having my heart broken nickel by nickel, dime by dime.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

For my money, I'd rather go after a well kept 540i stick, if you can find such a thing. I prefer having my heart broken nickel by nickel, dime by dime.

540i? Quarters and silver dollars is more like it..

ab348

It does seem in mighty good condition considering the high mileage.

Wonder why the spare is covered with a white substance?

pensfan83

28firefighter said:

For my money, I'd rather go after a well kept 540i stick, if you can find such a thing. I prefer having my heart broken nickel by nickel, dime by dime.

That was the first BMW I ever drove and to 16 year old me it was a pretty big deal at the time. The only other manuals I had driven to that point were in a Wrangler and my father's Ranger so that was a real treat.

stickguy

I like that one. certainly has the receipts to back up the story about maintaining it right. Hard to argue at that price if it drives well. Still of the generation where they are relatively simple and easy to work on.

stickguy

actually, a guy in my neighborhood has one of those, Almost positive it is of the same generation. White with a stickshift. But does not seem to be in as nice condition.

28firefighter

This is my problem, @pensfan83. I'm at a point where all of these early-2000s BMW/Volvos/Saabs are at a "cheap" (it's never actually cheap) price, and they all hit me with nostalgia and I want them.

By contrast, there is a 2004 Civic EX Coupe 5spd with 160k miles with literally ever major maintenance done in the last 10k, 2 owners, and $3400 that would be a far more reasonable choice to practice with...and easier to sell.

stickguy

send that Civic my way. Too bad I am on the wrong cost, because that is something I might snap up with a good paper trail.

28firefighter

For you, @stickguy.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/2004-honda-civic-ex-coupe-5/6582083303.html

Would probably cost 30% of the value of the car to ship it...

ab348

28firefighter said:

For you, @stickguy.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/2004-honda-civic-ex-coupe-5/6582083303.html

Would probably cost 30% of the value of the car to ship it...

Or a cheap airline ticket to Seattle and an adventure driving it home!

28firefighter

@ab348 - It would probably would do just fine.

PS If you find cheap airline tickets PHL-SEA or vice versa, myself and my parents would love to know...

ab348

28firefighter said:

@ab348 - It would probably would do just fine.

PS If you find cheap airline tickets PHL-SEA or vice versa, myself and my parents would love to know...

Oh, I imagine so. I didn't mean adventure as in misadventure. More like an epic journey across the continent.

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

For my money, I'd rather go after a well kept 540i stick, if you can find such a thing. I prefer having my heart broken nickel by nickel, dime by dime.

540i? Quarters and silver dollars is more like it..

Wasn't the 540 the one with the defective lining metallurgy on the cylinder walls?

28firefighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

For my money, I'd rather go after a well kept 540i stick, if you can find such a thing. I prefer having my heart broken nickel by nickel, dime by dime.

540i? Quarters and silver dollars is more like it..

Wasn't the 540 the one with the defective lining metallurgy on the cylinder walls?

I thought that was the E34 540, but I could be wrong.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

For my money, I'd rather go after a well kept 540i stick, if you can find such a thing. I prefer having my heart broken nickel by nickel, dime by dime.

540i? Quarters and silver dollars is more like it..

Wasn't the 540 the one with the defective lining metallurgy on the cylinder walls?

I thought that was the E34 540, but I could be wrong.

Yeah... Nikasil. In the E34 530 and 540 (both V-8s)

There wouldn't be any of those engines left, that hadn't been repaired, I don't think.

Mr_Shiftright

All I remember is that the problem was with all M52 and M60 engines. So anything 1993-1998 that had either of those engines. Apparently, whether you face disaster or not depends on the type of fuel you use, or what is available to you. So you aren't necessarily doomed. I'd certainly have a cylinder leakdown test done on any car with these engines that you are thinking of buying.

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

All I remember is that the problem was with all M52 and M60 engines. So anything 1993-1998 that had either of those engines.

Not M52.

Mr_Shiftright

Many sites do list the M52 as well.

Of course, the problem is so far into the past, and the modern fuels much improved, that it's just an old story at this point for most buyers.

stickguy

nice looking Civic. Must have put as much into it recently as looking to get back out! With that work done, something else I would be fine driving for a while if it is a good runner. I do like that generation civic. Nice interior and seats.

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

Many sites do list the M52 as well.

Of course, the problem is so far into the past, and the modern fuels much improved, that it's just an old story at this point for most buyers.

The M52 is a straight-six that didn't come out until the 1996 model year (OBD II). Any reference to that in regards to the Nikasil issue is just bad information.

But, yeah.. no engines survived that issue without new cylinder liners.

nyccarguy

A customer came in to me today with his new "to him" 2016 Cadillac SRX 3.6 AWD with 35,000 miles on the clock. I checked it out and he tossed me the keys and told me to take it around the block. As I pulled away, I realized that this was the first Cadillac I've ever driven. The driver's seat had adjustable thigh support, the steering was heavier than my Infiniti's (definitely hydraulic rack), the suspension rode very firmly and solid (like an E46 3 series), but didn't crash over potholes and uneven surfaces. It seemed to be tight as brand new with no signs at all that it was a used car. I'm impressed! @ab348, your CTS must be a blast to drive!

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Many sites do list the M52 as well.

Of course, the problem is so far into the past, and the modern fuels much improved, that it's just an old story at this point for most buyers.

The M52 is a straight-six that didn't come out until the 1996 model year (OBD II). Any reference to that in regards to the Nikasil issue is just bad information.

But, yeah.. no engines survived that issue without new cylinder liners.

Buyers in the UK would not agree with you about the M52--this is where high sulphur fuel was most prevalent at the time. I sure wouldn't worry about it in the U.S. anymore.

ab348

I've got an ATS, but yeah, it is. The most fun car I've ever driven (and it would be a lot more fun that the SRX!).

They need to do something to get people behind the wheel to help break their preconceptions.

nyccarguy

ab348 said:

I've got an ATS, but yeah, it is. The most fun car I've ever driven (and it would be a lot more fun that the SRX!).

They need to do something to get people behind the wheel to help break their preconceptions.

Whoops! I meant ATS!

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

A customer came in to me today with his new "to him" 2016 Cadillac SRX 3.6 AWD with 35,000 miles on the clock. I checked it out and he tossed me the keys and told me to take it around the block. As I pulled away, I realized that this was the first Cadillac I've ever driven. The driver's seat had adjustable thigh support, the steering was heavier than my Infiniti's (definitely hydraulic rack), the suspension rode very firmly and solid (like an E46 3 series), but didn't crash over potholes and uneven surfaces. It seemed to be tight as brand new with no signs at all that it was a used car. I'm impressed! @ab348, your CTS must be a blast to drive!

I really liked the SRX I test drove. My only complaint was that adjustable thigh support. It just isn't integrated well into the seat and I could feel it digging into my legs.

roadburner

In Europe BMW used Nikasil liners on some I6 motors as well.

xwesx

ab348 said:

28firefighter said:

@ab348 - It would probably would do just fine.

PS If you find cheap airline tickets PHL-SEA or vice versa, myself and my parents would love to know...

Oh, I imagine so. I didn't mean adventure as in misadventure. More like an epic journey across the continent.

Child's play!

28firefighter

Something interesting that I have noticed is that there is an astounding lack of older Swedish cars (Saab/Volvo) for sale in the PNW. I'm thinking its not because they don't exist but because their owners just keep them forever and ever and ever.

stickguy

should be, weather there doesn't kill them and I always heard they were popular sellers out there.

ronsteve

stickguy said:

Disregard. Looked it up on swedespeed. 

I really like Volvos. and am willing to buy an older used one. But not if it has AWD.

So is it just a preference for avoiding AWD Volvos, or is there something about them that they should be avoided? And what of more recent models? 

That '15 V60 at my local store keeps going down in price... low options and black interior are strikes, but the 2.5 turbo, just 21K miles and a price closing in on $21k are tempting. 

stickguy

based on what 28FF has been posting, seattle CL has a lot better stuff on it than out my way in Jersey. Or maybe he is just better than finding the diamonds in the dung heap.

28firefighter

I'm a very good Craigslist hunter. It's mostly garbage.

stickguy

occasionally I see a nice car, well presented, at a fair price. Unfortunately, they are usually my listings.

28firefighter

I should add, it's mostly overpriced garbage. My favorite line "I KNOW WHAT I HAVE!" inevitably ends up in posts for rolling trashcans.

qbrozen

ronsteve said:

stickguy said:

Disregard. Looked it up on swedespeed. 

I really like Volvos. and am willing to buy an older used one. But not if it has AWD.

So is it just a preference for avoiding AWD Volvos, or is there something about them that they should be avoided? And what of more recent models? 

That '15 V60 at my local store keeps going down in price... low options and black interior are strikes, but the 2.5 turbo, just 21K miles and a price closing in on $21k are tempting. 

AWD Volvos have issues. Rear output shaft seal has a tendency to leak and, if not caught, will eventually run dry and eat the bevel gear. Something like $1400 to reseal it or $4k to replace, IIRC. There are a fair number running around out there where the owner simply removed the output shaft and operates in FWD.

stickguy

here is an interesting unit. Miles not back, and trucks tend to get silly money for some reason. And of course, a manual.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-nissan-frontier-4x4/6582595335.html

Cop tires, cop shocks. and a low, low 221,000 miles! But cheap for you panther fans.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/2010-ford-crown-victoria/6582485641.html

another truck. Looks pretty clean. short cab, but miles good. Probably a good deal.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-chevy-silverado-4x4/6579942720.html

nice looking boxster. Miles steep, but claims IMS done.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/porsche-boxster-silver-black/6582302481.html

I love this. body looks great. But I bet I know what the dash pad is hiding. Nose bleed miles! need to cut that price...

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/1982-toyota-celica-gts-22r-5/6559398008.html