Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

au1994

pensfan83 said:

Want

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-bmw-540i-m-sport-2/

Lordy that’s pretty.

Gobbles the miles on the highway but still a blast in the twisties.

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

Here is the car, BTW. Pretty sure stickguy isn't interested, so have at it.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?atCarId=1cbd2b50

Not a Volvo fan, but I actually like the looks of that one.

stickguy

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

Trying something new. Posting from my phone. Not as bad as I expected.  

We really need an APP that includes the forums.

Agreed. I checked the app since I have it, but just for pricing stuff. But that works well. Got a great deal on my sonata that way, from the parking lot of a different Hyundai dealer!

qbrozen

flash green is my least favorite color, but not often you can find a manual R with under 100k these days. Princeton Volvo is still sitting on their low mileage example that they keep insisting is worth 5 digits.

rayainsw

I find this price strategy from BMW interesting:
'Another large change BMW made to Access by BMW is the addition of the base Icon tier. That gives users access to the 330i, 330e iPerformance, X2, X3, M 240i Convertible, and i3. The most affordable Icon tier is priced at $1,099 per month.'
[ from CarsDirect ]

kyfdx

Thought: For those of us in personal property tax states, this might get you out of paying it. If it's a short-term rental (meaning you can drop out any time you want), then the car is never registered in your name, and no property tax?

28firefighter

If you can generally lease a 3 series, X2, and i3 sub-$400 with some effort, does insurance, registration, and property tax really justify $700/month extra?

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

If you can generally lease a 3 series, X2, and i3 sub-$400 with some effort, does insurance, registration, and property tax really justify $700/month extra?

Generally, you can't just pop into a dealership and lease those vehicles for anywhere near $400/mo. Your typical shopper is going to see $600/mo.+ for a $45K MSRP 3-Series.

They aren't looking for you, with this service.

28firefighter

Fair enough, @kyfdx. Though lately I've been seeing a lot of SoCal dealers advertising deals like that straight up. But SoCal is a bizarre market in it's own right.

But even still - are you spending $400/month in property tax, registration, and insurance?

roadburner

pensfan83 said:

Want

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-bmw-540i-m-sport-2/

Those 540i "M Sports" were offered in limited numbers(200 IIRC) as an "Exclusive Edition" in late 1995- just like my Club Sport. It's essentially an M5 with the M60 V8 replacing the S38 inline six. Fields BMW in Chicago had one awaiting delivery when I picked up my Club Sport.

stickguy

Nice interior. Not much original left elsewhere though. No cats would worry me in NJ getting it registered.

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

I leased an Impreza for 24 months. I hated it, but not because I just chased a deal. It was things about the car itself, that weren't readily discernible upon test driving.

So, it can happen either way.

Find a car you want, that has a great deal. You can get both.

Weird that @michaell says spend more for a car, when we spend our whole day helping people NOT do just that.

Sometimes a man has to rise above his principles.

Mr_Shiftright

au1994 said:

pensfan83 said:

Want

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-bmw-540i-m-sport-2/

Lordy that’s pretty.

Gobbles the miles on the highway but still a blast in the twisties.

That's a lotta miles for a BMW. I'd have that car gone over carefully. SRS light is on, too, glove box broken.

So yeah, no doubt there are things to attend to with this car. The bid is approaching optimal value.

au1994

Mr_Shiftright said:

au1994 said:

pensfan83 said:

Want

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-bmw-540i-m-sport-2/

Lordy that’s pretty.

Gobbles the miles on the highway but still a blast in the twisties.

That's a lotta miles for a BMW. I'd have that car gone over carefully. SRS light is on, too, glove box broken.

So yeah, no doubt there are things to attend to with this car. The bid is approaching optimal value.

Yes, its approaching about what I would pay. 125k is no small amount of miles but unless ALL of the maintenance has been deferred, you could probably sink a little into it and enjoy until the next major hiccup. If you can turn your own wrench that would help defray the costs a bit. At least the 5 series, unlike the 7, at this point wasn’t completely out of the reach of the home mechanic. A 1995 7 series with over 100k on the clock? Run away, don’t walk!!

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

au1994 said:

pensfan83 said:

Want

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-bmw-540i-m-sport-2/

Lordy that’s pretty.

Gobbles the miles on the highway but still a blast in the twisties.

That's a lotta miles for a BMW. I'd have that car gone over carefully. SRS light is on, too, glove box broken.

So yeah, no doubt there are things to attend to with this car. The bid is approaching optimal value.

The SRS light is on because he switched to a European market wheel.

stickguy

so scrapped the active suspension bits for aftermarket coil overs, etc. Took out the airbags. Removed the Cats. Surprised this can get registered anywhere!

Plus the engine oil pan is leaking. I'm sure that is a quick minor fix, anyone can do.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

so scrapped the active suspension bits for aftermarket coil overs, etc. Took out the airbags. Removed the Cats. Surprised this can get registered anywhere! Plus the engine oil pan is leaking. I'm sure that is a quick minor fix, anyone can do.

Registration is easy. Its the inspection that'll get ya.

seriously, though, it is more than 20 yrs old, so there are many places it could be exempt from inspection, including NJ.

nyccarguy

Even though I haven't lived in New York City since December 2003, I am still (and always will be) a car guy. Thanks to Kirstie, I'm still nyccarguy. It has been 1 year and almost 5 months since my last punch. I'm still a Chronic Car Buyer.

stickguy

20 years gets you off the hook in NJ, even with a normal registration? I was not aware of that.

so, checked DMV> Turns out, yup, MY 1995 and prior are exempt (along with collector plated cars).

and found this little LOLBMW tidbit:

Note: BMW Series 7 owners must provide accessibility to the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) computer by removing the cover plate prior to inspection. BMW dealers can complete this task. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

au1994

Yes, thanks to Kristie for helping me with the new sign in process and keeping my handle.

It’s been almost 1 year for me since I acquired the X1. We’ve actively shopping an X6 replacement now. Surprisingly the leader at the moment is the Subaru Ascent.

tommister2

qbrozen said:

Here is the car, BTW. Pretty sure stickguy isn't interested, so have at it.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?atCarId=1cbd2b50

I know a lot of you like the light interiors but that is just not for me. Do they really call it amber?

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

au1994 said:

pensfan83 said:

Want

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-bmw-540i-m-sport-2/

Lordy that’s pretty.

Gobbles the miles on the highway but still a blast in the twisties.

That's a lotta miles for a BMW. I'd have that car gone over carefully. SRS light is on, too, glove box broken.

So yeah, no doubt there are things to attend to with this car. The bid is approaching optimal value.

The SRS light is on because he switched to a European market wheel.

Right. No air bag. Not sure if there's a passenger bag, but in any case the system is now inoperative.

qbrozen

tommister2 said:

qbrozen said:

Here is the car, BTW. Pretty sure stickguy isn't interested, so have at it.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?atCarId=1cbd2b50

I know a lot of you like the light interiors but that is just not for me. Do they really call it amber?

Was wondering the same thing. They list "blonde" and "amber" as options. If that car is amber, I wonder what the heck blonde looks like.

qbrozen

"Flash deal" in my saved items. This is 24/12k:

kyfdx

Downloaded the Honcker app. Just haven’t finished the sign up process.

Debating on if I need more temptations.

nyccarguy

You do know that 2BA stands for Too Bad No Options

28firefighter

I thought it stood for 2 bathrooms, in which case I’m in. 

stickguy

so, that Jeep is basically 2 years, sign and drive, $310/month. Decent. But who wants to drive a car with zero options? No leather, heated seats, moonroof, etc. sounds like no fun to me.

pensfan83

I'm holding off on Honcker. For now.

28firefighter

My eye is on a Giulia Sport. 

stickguy

Honcker is fun. quick and easy on the phone when a few minutes to kill. Helps that I have yet to click on one that seemed at all like a deal I wanted. Either pricey, lousy colors, or missing too many options.

IOW lots of dealers putting the dogs they can't sell out there.

nyccarguy

I saw my 1st Passat GT V6 last night on the way home. It was black and looked sharp. Definitely like a very large, 4 door, GTI.

Someone made a comment about they can’t wait for the black wheel trend to end. I happen to like the way certain cars look from the factory with Black wheels. It’s the cars that didn’t come with black wheels where it just doesn’t look right.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

You do know that 2BA stands for Too Bad No Options

Bluetooth, cruise control, and AC are all I require.

that one is also carplay ready, whatever that means, and has steering wheel controls and paddle shifters. The lap of luxury, IMHO. ;b

qbrozen

stickguy said:

so, that Jeep is basically 2 years, sign and drive, $310/month. Decent. But who wants to drive a car with zero options? No leather, heated seats, moonroof, etc. sounds like no fun to me.

The Limited I have tagged is $90 more. 

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

You do know that 2BA stands for Too Bad No Options

Bluetooth, cruise control, and AC are all I require.

that one is also carplay ready, whatever that means, and has steering wheel controls and paddle shifters. The lap of luxury, IMHO. ;b

I agree with you, but heated seats are a must for me.  Even my Legacy which had NO POWER, had heated seats.

Ive driven the Prelude a few times this week without BlueTooth.  It does have cruise control & VERY cold AC though.

qbrozen

Alright, stick, I found an S60 for ya. Same place in PA, though.

i think this is how the lease would break down on it, including max 10 MSDs.
leasehackr.com/calculator?make=Volvo&msrp=38670&sales_price=34670&months=36&mf=.00108&dp=0&doc_fee=295&acq_fee=695&taxed_inc=0&untaxed_inc=7250&rebate=0&resP=49&reg_fee=285&sales_tax=7&memo=&totalLeaseTax_radio=true&miles=12000&msd=10

And here is the car:
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?atCarId=1be38c1d

nyccarguy

The Infiniti dealer where I bought/service my car has been advertising a $0 down, $0 due at signing, $0 security deposit event this weekend.  I should stay away. Far away;)

stickguy

nice looking. Not sure I would do the MSD deal though. I guess you get it back, but seems hard to wrap my head around coming up with $4,900 at inception! Though it does lower the payment by $23 per month, so nice ROR. so worth it. Still, with just those inceptions, $305/month is not bad. Only missing the BLIS package from what I really want, but not critical I guess.

that was not a huge discount anyway. Pretty sure my local guy would do that. Hope I have time in the AM to swing by, but thinking probably not.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

The Infiniti dealer where I bought/service my car has been advertising a $0 down, $0 due at signing, $0 security deposit event this weekend.  I should stay away. Far away;)

Well, heck, anyone can do that...for the right payment.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

The Infiniti dealer where I bought/service my car has been advertising a $0 down, $0 due at signing, $0 security deposit event this weekend.  I should stay away. Far away;)

Well, heck, anyone can do that...for the right payment.

True.

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

You do know that 2BA stands for Too Bad No Options

Bluetooth, cruise control, and AC are all I require.

that one is also carplay ready, whatever that means, and has steering wheel controls and paddle shifters. The lap of luxury, IMHO. ;b

I agree with you, but heated seats are a must for me.  Even my Legacy which had NO POWER, had heated seats.

Ive driven the Prelude a few times this week without BlueTooth.  It does have cruise control & VERY cold AC though.

My Club Sport doesn't even have cruise control.

breld

qbrozen said:

tommister2 said:

qbrozen said:

Here is the car, BTW. Pretty sure stickguy isn't interested, so have at it.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?atCarId=1cbd2b50

I know a lot of you like the light interiors but that is just not for me. Do they really call it amber?

Was wondering the same thing. They list "blonde" and "amber" as options. If that car is amber, I wonder what the heck blonde looks like.

Volvo’s amber is sort of a “pumpkin” color and very attractive in person.  The blonde is what you’d expect - very light.  

I appreciate that Volvo offers distinctive color choices.  In addition to the two above they offer black (of course), and a maroon brown which is a very rich dark brown hue with a hint of bergundy.  That’s the one I was ready to get when I was hot on the xc90.

tifighter

stickguy said:

nice looking. Not sure I would do the MSD deal though. I guess you get it back, but seems hard to wrap my head around coming up with $4,900 at inception! Though it does lower the payment by $23 per month, so nice ROR. so worth it. Still, with just those inceptions, $305/month is not bad. Only missing the BLIS package from what I really want, but not critical I guess.

that was not a huge discount anyway. Pretty sure my local guy would do that. Hope I have time in the AM to swing by, but thinking probably not.

FWIW, the BLIS on that generation of Volvo is camera based. It doesn’t work as well as the later radar-based system. I have the same camera system and wouldn’t miss it much if it wasn’t there tomorrow morning.

Sandman6472

"Carplay" I think stands for "Apple Carplay", but could be wrong. Seeing more and more vehicles getting the Apple Car Play and the Android Auto and think that within a year or two, the majority will have this as seems like smartphone ownership is probably 50/50 here in the U S. Had android since 2013 when I got my 1st smartphone but switched over to Apple iPhone in 2016 as I got a killer deal on a brand new phone on eBay plus my tablet and laptop were already from Apple, seemed best to have all three devices with the same operating system. Funny, when I went into Radio Shack back in February 2013, asked the clerk what the easier operating system was and he said android. So, I took his advice but, was never really happy with it or the next android device I got. Switched over to the iPhone and couldn't be happier! Have been switching phones every two years and was just outbid on a iPhone 8 Plus on eBay tonight. Not sure if I'll bid again as might be prudent to wait until the new iPhones debut in September and see where prices go on the older units. Besides the faster speed and the wireless charging on the 8 Plus, not sure what the big deal is? But spoke with someone I know in the cell phone business and he said to buy on the even years and that the 8 Plus upgrade is definitely worth it, but hey, what else is he gonna say?

The Sandman

qbrozen

It is apple carplay but what I don't get is the "ready" part. in past situations, I have seen that nomenclature used to say that it could be upgraded with the addition of other components. But I fail to understand how that would work for carplay.

tommister2

qbrozen said:

It is apple carplay but what I don't get is the "ready" part. in past situations, I have seen that nomenclature used to say that it could be upgraded with the addition of other components. But I fail to understand how that would work for carplay.

This is the Jeep right? I saw that too. I think it has CarPlay. It’s just poor wording on their part. 

kyfdx

tifighter said:

stickguy said:

nice looking. Not sure I would do the MSD deal though. I guess you get it back, but seems hard to wrap my head around coming up with $4,900 at inception! Though it does lower the payment by $23 per month, so nice ROR. so worth it. Still, with just those inceptions, $305/month is not bad. Only missing the BLIS package from what I really want, but not critical I guess.

that was not a huge discount anyway. Pretty sure my local guy would do that. Hope I have time in the AM to swing by, but thinking probably not.

FWIW, the BLIS on that generation of Volvo is camera based. It doesn’t work as well as the later radar-based system. I have the same camera system and wouldn’t miss it much if it wasn’t there tomorrow morning.

I think our X3 blind-spot detection is camera-based, and works perfectly for me. Almost makes me wish I didn't drive an '06 model, myself.

tjc78

qbrozen said:

It is apple carplay but what I don't get is the "ready" part. in past situations, I have seen that nomenclature used to say that it could be upgraded with the addition of other components. But I fail to understand how that would work for carplay.

Software update? 

stickguy

that style of blind spot is still better than nothing. For the right car, I would live without it. But would rather have it. The rear cross path is especially handy to have.

Carplay ready, maybe just means you need an iPhone? Though my Sonata was technically just ready. The radio would support it, but IIRC the software just was not there. In 2016, it became standard, and I was given the option of downloading a software update to my 2015 to activate it. Since I had Navi already, I never bothered.

The Volvo darker red/brown is called Beechwood. That would be the color I want. Parchment is beige, and black is black. Amber and Blond must be additional colors for the expensive models, or just a different word for the same color.

au1994

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

so, that Jeep is basically 2 years, sign and drive, $310/month. Decent. But who wants to drive a car with zero options? No leather, heated seats, moonroof, etc. sounds like no fun to me.

The Limited I have tagged is $90 more. 

I like the Grand Cherokee and a Limited is probably the trim I’d go for. Sure would think you could get one for between 350 and 400 though.