Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

this one could be interesting. Depending of course on price. Sadly no moonroof.

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Mazda/2015-Mazda-Mazda6-cherry-hill-nj-979d242f0a0e0adf0f6c0770784681b8.htm?searchDepth=12:36

stickguy

now this is interesting. Not sure how brave you would have to be. But, a 1 owner car always dealer serviced. Love the colors, and nicely loaded. Many HPs. I personally am not quite this brave, but if someone offered to trade me even up for my car, might have to think about it!

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2011-audi-s5_cabriolet-certified_s5_3_0t_quattro_prestige_camera_navigation-used-17736545.html

qbrozen

Not digging the color combo inside. Makes it look like a cheap import tuner car.

stickguy

not what I would have expected from Audi. But interesting. I know they do the red but I thought it was usually solid.

I do know my wife would hate it! Plus would never want the top down. Other than that, perfect!

benjaminh

2014 C300 4matic 12k miles $25.5k....Original msrp $48k

"CARFAX One-Owner. Mars Red 2014 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC®® 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-Speed Automatic 3.5L V6 Flex Fuel DOHC 24V 18 AMG® 7-Spoke Alloy Package, 18 AMG®® 7-Spoke Alloy Wheels, 4-Way Power Driver Lumbar Support, Burl Walnut Wood Trim, COMAND®® System w/Hard-Drive Navigation, Driver's Seat Memory & Power Steering Column, harman/kardon" etc., etc.

http://www.tafelmotors.com/inventory/certified-used-2014-mercedes-benz-c-class-c-300-4matic®-sport-sedan-awd-4matic-4dr-car-wddgf8ab0ea967162

corvette

I'm digging that S5. But would want a hardtop. Also, I think it would be a maintenance nightmare, compared to the Mustang.

stickguy

dumping the TLX already? Not many miles on a 2014. Too bright for my taste, but I think that is the color Driver has on his 250.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

dumping the TLX already? Not many miles on a 2014. Too bright for my taste, but I think that is the color Driver has on his 250.

Love the TLX so far.

Just wasting time posting random cars. Although this seems like a lot of car for the money.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

I don't exactly trust this one to not be troublesome (headgaskets an issue at this point?), but I always loved this generation. The style, size, interior. Just a nice car that fit me well. I almost bought one back then, in this nice color combo. Stick of course. Ended up with the 2005 Accord instead. https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Subaru/2006-Subaru-Legacy+Sedan-cherry-hill-nj-5f0c8dfb0a0e0adf0f6c07700593ce7f.htm?searchDepth=30:36

I’d like it better if it were a GT

stickguy

no pictures yet, but if you want a MB at a big discount from original sticker, this one sounds nice. Miles not too bad. Would not mind seeing this one. I just don't recall (paging Fintail!) what year they refreshed this model.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2013-mercedes~benz-e~class-e_350_4dr_sedan_e350_sport_4matic_asterisk_ltd_avail_asterisk_-used-17823083.html

roadburner

None of the non-AMG Mercedes do anything for me; one of my friends had a 2007 Mercedes-AMG E63 with the Weistec M156 Power Package 1, and that car was a riot. RWD and 394lb-ft of torque made for some impressive burnouts.

benjaminh

@Mr_Shiftright : Given your mixed experience with your Mini have you considered getting something different?

Or have you considered a new Mini? They're better now, I think? Mini of San Francisco has some good deals....

https://www.minisf.com/

graphicguy

henryn said:

kyfdx said:

Prospective car buyer needs advice:
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/51756/general/x/looking-for-a-car-what-should-i-get/p1?new=1

He's looking for a unicorn. Good luck with that search!

Yeah....I didn’t even post. $5K might net him a high mileage Civic or Corolla. He could probably get a lower mileage Chrysler 200, maybe a miles up Chevy Cruze. But, none of those will hit the rest of his requirements.

graphicguy

RB...have stated this many times before. The only way I buy cars is with my “one offer, all in” approach. I figure my offer, including taxes and license (no do fee included) and I make....99% of the time....a single offer. We either agree, or we don’t.

No Bump and Grind. No “If we, will you?” No emailing a dozen dealers. None of those games. I’ve bought (and sold) enough cars that I feel all of that is more a waste of my time if I employ those tactics with little or no benefit.

benjaminh

graphicguy said:

RB...have stated this many times before. The only way I buy cars is with my “one offer, all in” approach. I figure my offer, including taxes and license (no do fee included) and I make....99% of the time....a single offer. We either agree, or we don’t.

No Bump and. Grind. No “If we, will you?” No emailing a dozen dealers. None of those games. I’ve bought (and sold) enough cars that I feel all of that is more a waste of my time if I employ those tactics with little or no benefit.

If I may ask, what price did you get on your loaded A-Spec TLX SH-AWD? And what was the msrp? And any chance you'd be willing to post a pic? I don't think I've seen your TLX.

graphicguy

@stickguy ...felt the same as you about the brief encounter I had with the RDX. It’s a very nice vehicle, even though I’m no longer an SUV/CUV customer, I could live with the new RDX and be quite happy. Acura did a great job.

That said, still in love with my TLX (1+ years of ownership). It’s been a long time since I could say that about anything I’ve driven in a while.

My son still loves his 2+ year old GTI. So, looks like we both made good choices.

@nyccarguy ...Man, you have the patience of Job. I have driven in NYC, Mexico City, San Paulo, and London. While I have learned my lesson and don’t do those sorts of things anymore, NYC was as bad as any of those other places (although I’ll give the edge of craziness to driving in the Zona Rosa in Mexico City as my stupidest idea, ever).

graphicguy

benjaminh said:

graphicguy said:

RB...have stated this many times before. The only way I buy cars is with my “one offer, all in” approach. I figure my offer, including taxes and license (no do fee included) and I make....99% of the time....a single offer. We either agree, or we don’t.

No Bump and. Grind. No “If we, will you?” No emailing a dozen dealers. None of those games. I’ve bought (and sold) enough cars that I feel all of that is more a waste of my time if I employ those tactics with little or no benefit.

If I may ask, what price did you get on your loaded A-Spec TLX SH-AWD? And what was the msrp? And any chance you'd be willing to post a pic? I don't think I've seen your TLX.

@benjaminh ...I’d have to dig out my paperwork, but I think it was somewhere around $42K including tax and tags.

Let me see if I can find some pics. I had posted them here last year.

graphicguy

@benjaminh ....sorry. Looks like my picture hosting sight now requires me to pay to allow me to post my pics anywhere else. My TLX is an ASPEC. 3.5, SH-AWD, that’s red over red. I suppose you could use your imagination, but best way to describe it......it’s really red!

benjaminh

graphicguy said:

@benjaminh ....sorry. Looks like my picture hosting sight now requires me to pay to allow me to post my pics anywhere else. My TLX is an ASPEC. 3.5, SH-AWD, that’s red over red. I suppose you could use your imagination, but best way to describe it......it’s really red!

I'll try to look one up at my local Acura dealer site or Cars.com.

Got one. If it's like this one that's a good color. I like it.

benjaminh

Well, while some of us are chronically buying cars, there's a feature at thetruthaboutcars that looks at the other end of the spectrum—the junkyard. Their story today is about a 1993 Volvo 240 wagon that went an impressive 300,000 miles before ending up in a Colorado junkyard....

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/07/junkyard-find-1993-volvo-240-wagon/#more-1631656

fintail

Murilee Martin's junkyard finds are the only reason I visit that site.

pensfan83

graphicguy said:

@benjaminh ....sorry. Looks like my picture hosting sight now requires me to pay to allow me to post my pics anywhere else. My TLX is an ASPEC. 3.5, SH-AWD, that’s red over red. I suppose you could use your imagination, but best way to describe it......it’s really red!

When I bought mine they had a red/red P-AWS A-Spec on the showroom floor. It definitely stands out in a crowd.

My first choice was Still Blue Night but the only one in the area was at a dealer that didn't want to deal, which was fine because every dealer had white, which was my 2nd color choice.

benjaminh

pensfan83 said:

graphicguy said:

@benjaminh ....sorry. Looks like my picture hosting sight now requires me to pay to allow me to post my pics anywhere else. My TLX is an ASPEC. 3.5, SH-AWD, that’s red over red. I suppose you could use your imagination, but best way to describe it......it’s really red!

When I bought mine they had a red/red P-AWS A-Spec on the showroom floor. It definitely stands out in a crowd.

My first choice was Still Blue Night but the only one in the area was at a dealer that didn't want to deal, which was fine because every dealer had white, which was my 2nd color choice.

Hey @pensfan83 -- I'd be interested to see pix of your TLX if that's easy to do.

breld

I can help out with pics of a red/red TLX.  One of my good friends bought a twin of @graphicguy’s car (but FWD).  

breld

Wait a minute - that IS @graphicguy's car!

I texted those pictures to my friend before he bought his.

benjaminh

That red interior is sharp. Looks comfortable too.

stickguy

My dealer had a white over red a spec. That was bright enough!

graphicguy

Thanks @breld!

Yep...that one is mine.

@benjaminh ...Very comfortable seats. I think I mentioned in here before, if I could find a way to have one of those seats in my office, I'd use it as my everyday office chair.

Those pics were taken over a year ago when my car was brand new. The seats have shown zero wear in that period of time. Very high quality.

Michaell

All this TLX talk is making me jealous. Am really hoping I can get one of my own in about a year.

The TLX is becoming almost as popular as the GTI, as the go-to choice for the enthusiast.

benjaminh

@graphicguy : I know it's a big V-6, SH-AWD, etc, but what kind of mpg are you getting city and highway? Also, I like the design of the push-button transmission controls, but most reviews have been mixed at best. What's your experience with the push button transmission?

pensfan83

Here are some pics from when I picked it up.

breld

I had a little experience with those transmission controls as I test drove a couple MDX's recently. For the most part, it seems like most manufacturers, especially luxury makes, are putting their own "spin" on the transmission selection.

I imagine after a short while, you get used to whatever system and it becomes second nature. I had the dial on both my Land Rover and Durango and came to somewhat enjoy it. Although here's the scary part - on the Land Rover, the Sport mode was one more clockwise dial, which means you're one more setting from reverse. So...once in awhile, if I was in Sport mode, and then shifted to reverse, I'd find myself in the regular Drive instead of reverse. Nothing ever bad happened, but you can imagine how scary it is when you find yourself moving a little forward instead of backward.

xwesx

pensfan83 said:

Here are some pics from when I picked it up.

First thing Monday morning, and already I feel like my week is going sideways!

xwesx

@graphicguy

You can post photos directly to this site rather than using a hosting site and then hot-linking it. Just click on the photo icon, browse, and go from there.

pensfan83

Odd, I uploaded them directly and they don't look like that on my laptop.

stickguy

I wonder if this site can singlehandedly keep the Acura sedan lineup afloat?

One reason I like the TLX is that one of my all time favorite cars was the original (2006ish) version of the TSX. Great style, love the seats, just the perfect size, and drove so nice. And built well. Could even get it with a manual trans! Should have got one back when I was looking in late 2005. Was down to a Jetta 2.0T, TSX (both 2006 models) and the leftover 2005 Accord EXL. All manuals of course.

The Accord won because it was vastly cheaper with a huge leftover MY discount. Could not justify close to $10K more for the Acura. I think the VW was somewhere in the middle. Those 2 of course were a bit more fun, but the Accord was a great car too.

pensfan83

Since I started casting a wider net in my car search I've come across few manual TSX's for sale and most owners want a kings ransom for them, same with 3rd gen and even some 4th gen TL's.

breld

Yeah, I got my TSX when they first came out for 2004. I was deciding between that and the then-new Mazda6, available with a V6 and manual. If I remember correctly, the Maxima was part of the equation too, again with the V6 and manual offering. But the high-revving 4 cylinder from Acura won out.

stickguy

oh, I searched for manual TSXs last year. And found the same thing. Some out there, just double the price of a nice AT version!

stickguy

and with that, what do I find on the first page of the local CL? An actual nice looking one. Price is probably not too bad if it checks out, just pretty steep on miles.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-acura-tsx-4-door-sedan/6644805131.html

breld

Well you can't beat this one. It has the super rare V4.

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/2007-acura-tsx-v4/6643549053.html

stickguy

that one seems to have a bad foot too (heal damage).

benjaminh

stickguy said:

and with that, what do I find on the first page of the local CL? An actual nice looking one. Price is probably not too bad if it checks out, just pretty steep on miles.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-acura-tsx-4-door-sedan/6644805131.html

Nice car for that price imho. A well cared for one-owner TSX might have a lot of life left in it? But my guess is that even an Acura is going to start to need major repairs as it gets toward 200,000 miles and beyond. Even though the TLX is bigger than the discontinued TSX, the TLX gets better mpg in the 2.4 version, and also has a faster 0-60 time. As we all know, however, a manual is no longer offered in an Acura sedan.

kyfdx

@cdnpinhead has a stick-shift TSX, I think.

pensfan83

breld said:

Yeah, I got my TSX when they first came out for 2004. I was deciding between that and the then-new Mazda6, available with a V6 and manual. If I remember correctly, the Maxima was part of the equation too, again with the V6 and manual offering. But the high-revving 4 cylinder from Acura won out.

At the time the TSX was simply outside my price range so I went with an '05 orange Mazda 6s V6 5 speed. Kept that car for 6 years enjoying it immensely.

au1994

My TSX was a 2010 and it was probably 90% the handler of the 2011 328i that replaced it and wast 10k cheaper at least. Also returned outstanding MPG despite my heavy foot.

Mr_Shiftright

benjaminh said:

@Mr_Shiftright : Given your mixed experience with your Mini have you considered getting something different?

Or have you considered a new Mini? They're better now, I think? Mini of San Francisco has some good deals....

https://www.minisf.com/

I think I'm done with Mini, yeah. I do think the new ones are better (how could they be worse?) so I wouldn't discourage anyone from buying a new one, or new-ish one still under warranty.

My "problem" is finding a car equally as fun to drive (for me) that isn't going to require me writing a check for $25,000, like for a nice used Cayman S.

Right now, I'm trying to track down a Saab convertible with manual transmission that isn't black or isn't beat to death. This is actually rather difficult. I'd be willing to put some money into one. I might consider an older BMW M car of some sort, also manual trans of course.

I still miss my Porsche 928--that car had some real character. A big man's GT.

28firefighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

benjaminh said:

@Mr_Shiftright : Given your mixed experience with your Mini have you considered getting something different?

Or have you considered a new Mini? They're better now, I think? Mini of San Francisco has some good deals....

https://www.minisf.com/

I think I'm done with Mini, yeah. I do think the new ones are better (how could they be worse?) so I wouldn't discourage anyone from buying a new one, or new-ish one still under warranty.

My "problem" is finding a car equally as fun to drive (for me) that isn't going to require me writing a check for $25,000, like for a nice used Cayman S.

Right now, I'm trying to track down a Saab convertible with manual transmission that isn't black or isn't beat to death. This is actually rather difficult. I'd be willing to put some money into one. I might consider an older BMW M car of some sort, also manual trans of course.

I still miss my Porsche 928--that car had some real character. A big man's GT.

http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/class/ci.php3?ph=photos/15687/1

Edit: That's just to the pictures. It's a Red 2001 Viggen convertible in Beaverton OR - http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/class/9-3convertibles.html

28firefighter

A little more expensive, still requires a drive to pick it up in Bend, OR: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/2002-saab-viggen-convertable/6643263822.html

stickguy

Too bad doesn’t like black. The black one listed just before he red one looks nice. Only $1k more, and 50,000 fewer miles.