Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

I was considering bidding on it, but I bought my Miata instead.

corvette

breld, seriously? What year and mileage was it again? 

stickguy

I predicted that one. or at least told you that was the move to make!

Enjoy it. Let me know in a couple of months when it is for sale. I might fit in that one.

breld

2017 Miata RF w/8k miles.

2017 Miata

I know it's crazy, but I've been lusting after these since they came out. This one came up at a place I like - the listed price was a great deal, and I got them to come down another $1k ($25k even), so I pulled the trigger. It's my first choice color, and the Brembo/BBS package is a big plus. I took it on a lengthy test drive and loved it (knew I would since I had one of the last gen models already). I'll provide more of a review later on.

It's an addition to the fleet.

tifighter

stickguy

I like it. bet it is a hoot to drive.

carnaught

Congrats @breld, Grand Poobah!

pensfan83

breld said:

@pensfan83 - have you seen that 47k mile Prelude on BaT ends in an hour and is at $8,000? I assume there is a flurry of bidding in the last minutes, but that's one I would think is worth the premium.

I was in on the action earlier on that one. I see it sold for $11,500 which is actually not bad IMO.

corvette

Someone posted this gem of a comment on the latest TTAC Tesla article:

”Elon’s about as close as you’re going to get to a modern-day Howard Hughes – brilliant but erratic.”

That really hit home for me! 

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

No reply from the Alfa dealer YET.

The night is still young

nyccarguy

@breld

Congrats on your Miata RF Punch.  I really can’t wait to hear your personal thoughts about it.  The car gets insanely good reviews.  The lightweight, RWD, high revving 4cyl engine, and the amount of pride they take in designing and engineering the car...

Mr_Shiftright

corvette said:

Someone posted this gem of a comment on the latest TTAC Tesla article:

”Elon’s about as close as you’re going to get to a modern-day Howard Hughes – brilliant but erratic.”

That really hit home for me! 

Let's hope he ends up better.

stickguy

here's a Breldmobile in my area. Looks like the same wheels, but I cam not sure how to tell if it has the Brembo package. Or if I would even notice not having it!

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/735754916/overview/

edit: Looked it up. package (at least in 2018) included a lot more stuff, not on this care. Expensive too, at $3,700

corvette

If you count breld's stepdaughter's recent purchase, he's running 10 cars in the trailing 12 months, including the 2016 Mercedes GLC he bought a year ago today (congrats!)...

stickguy

wow. there are small used car lots that might not churn through cars that fast.

andres3

breld said:

andres3 said:

Not a car purchase, but I decided to equip the Alltrack with 17"x7.5" Enkei Fujin bright silver wheels, a simple 7-spoke design (easy to clean) that Tirerack had a great deal on as a closeout item. 225/50R17 Michelin Pilot sport A/S 3+ will come with them pre-mounted. Gives me plenty of sidewall still, for those off-road excursions, but should help me keep up with GTI's on the twistiest roadways, as the wheels are very lightweight, and the tires highly rated. I guess no one buys 17" wheels anymore, they were cheaper than the tire on closeout!

Just curious - why the change? Just for something different? What was on your Alltrack before?

I’ve been scouring tire rack and Craigslist for wheels as a winter set for the Golf R. There’s a lot that would work (looking for 18s), but we still want it to look sharp.

A change, lighter weight, for better performance, a better look (not a huge fan of the OEM 17", although I liked the snowflake style of the 18" OEM's. Lighter wheels are one of the best and easiest performance mods you can do for a car. Unfortunately, the good lighter weight wheels are often very expensive.

Also, the stock wheel is probably 6.5 or 7" wide at most with 205/55R17 tires. Never liked the sizing and fit of those. These are wider 7.5" wheels with bigger wider 225/50/R17 tires. Basically getting the benefits of a +1 upsizing without losing the sidewall. The offset is such that it'll sit a bit wider track too.

breld

stickguy said:

here's a Breldmobile in my area. Looks like the same wheels, but I cam not sure how to tell if it has the Brembo package. Or if I would even notice not having it!

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/735754916/overview/

edit: Looked it up. package (at least in 2018) included a lot more stuff, not on this care. Expensive too, at $3,700

Yeah, that Brembo/BBS package is expensive on a new Miata - it was definitely a big appeal for this used one, as it certainly did not add that same amount dollar for dollar on the used market. I like that the upgraded wheels are still the same size as the base ones, at 17”.

breld

stickguy said:

I predicted that one. or at least told you that was the move to make!

Enjoy it. Let me know in a couple of months when it is for sale. I might fit in that one.

I’m sure you’d fit in it just fine - what model did you have previously?

At 6’ 3”, it’s surprisingly comfortable (for what it is of course) for me.

breld

Check out this 340i xdrive at the same place I’m getting the Miata from:

340i M sport Manual

tifighter

breld said:

Check out this 340i xdrive at the same place I’m getting the Miata from:

340i M sport Manual

If it were only white. Or blue. To match that yummy red interior.

nyccarguy

breld said:

Check out this 340i xdrive at the same place I’m getting the Miata from: 340i M sport Manual

And it is a 2016 which means you get maintenance paid for on BMW’s dime!

nyccarguy

I can just see the conversation between @breld & some Sales drone he doesn’t know:

Sales Dude:  so Mr @breld, what’d ya think?

@breld (rubbing his chin):  I don’t know.  The price seems good for a car that stickered for over $30K just last year.  It drives great.  But...

Sales dude:  But what?

@breld:  If it is such an awesome car, then what’s wrong with it?  I mean, who gets rid of a so called perfectly good car like this after less than a year?  There’s gotta be something wrong with it!

Sales dude:  Let me talk to my manager and see if we can get another $1,000 knocked off the price for you to try and sweeten the deal

nyccarguy

@breld - Current body style Miatas are rare "round these here parts" and Miata RFs are even more rare (before today, I've seen exactly 1 in the wild). I saw a grey one this AM. He was cookin' too. Simple styling and small size definitely make it one of the more unique looking vehicles on the road. The de facto "fun" convertible of choice is overwhelmingly the Wrangler by a WIDE margin.

nyccarguy

I saw a very clean, black, Civic Si sedan this AM. I dig it!

qbrozen

breld said:

Check out this 340i xdrive at the same place I’m getting the Miata from: 340i M sport Manual

They are trying to make up the profit for short-selling the Miata I see.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Check out this 340i xdrive at the same place I’m getting the Miata from:

340i M sport Manual

They are trying to make up the profit for short-selling the Miata I see.

What did they pay for it at auction? I see dealers usually try to throw to the wall to see what sticks with those "regular" twin turbo I6 powered 3/4 series.

stickguy

My Miata was, I think, a 2001. I fit poorly. My legs and feet did not have enough room.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Check out this 340i xdrive at the same place I’m getting the Miata from:

340i M sport Manual

They are trying to make up the profit for short-selling the Miata I see.

If that was RWD, I could go for it.

mjfloyd1

Speaking of trying to make a profit- here is my old 335 convertible priced crazy high

https://www.davedennis.com/used-inventory/index.htm

nyccarguy

mjfloyd1 said:

Speaking of trying to make a profit- here is my old 335 convertible priced crazy high

https://www.davedennis.com/used-inventory/index.htm

What did they "give" you for it?

mjfloyd1

10400

imidazol97

andres3 said:

My '03 Accord Coupe (first-year model definitely had some teething issues, as well as engineering lapses in judgment (the automatic transmission that grenades itself under high V6 power). Teething issues included minor issues with the power seat control on the driver's seat, and window/door trim that would unglued, would not adhere well, and wrinkle, fold, and generally just fall apart while still under warranty. Another demerit point for making me come in for a transmission recall to install an "oil jet kit" that obviously didn't work with failure at 42,000 miles (don't remember when the recall was done, but probably around 32,000 miles, I remember it wasn't that long until bad failure symptoms in the transmission started after the supposed repair). That Accord was built and assembled in Ohio. Was the transmission their fault? Probably not. But on one hand you have an Accord that was overall good and reliable, but far from perfect. Anecdotally, my personal experience with the Japan built Civic' s has been that they are flawless and perfect, or at least, trouble-free.

All cars have some problems. The news management on Honda (and Toyota) products has been amazing second only to ... well, I can't go there.

Russell's Point, Ohio, lists as a transmission plant. I believe there's an engine plant near Anna (without looking it up).

http://htm.honda.com/

fintail

To be fair, there seems to be far more horror stories about fighting warranty issues on Big 2.5 cars than Honyotas - which also helps the rep. News management indeed - some people treat it as an "enemy", some understand how to build brand equity by being positive and proactive.

A friend of mine bought one of those glass transmission Hondas new, an 03 V6 coupe in late 02. Transmission failed by ~70K, car was only 3 years old at the time, replaced no questions asked. The car was relatively trouble free from then until around 160K (he drives a lot), when it then started having numerous electrical and driveability issues, and he let it go. Overall, it might not be more durable than a competitor, but he had no problems with how he was treated.

He now has an MKZ, about one year in and already at 20K miles. It had a host of little teething issues that the nearest dealer wouldn't resolve, but the dealer he bought it from (more distant) has been excellent, and he is again pleased with the car. So there's one not going to the German or Japanese competition, as he was treated right, and likes the product.

imidazol97 said:

All cars have some problems. The news management on Honda (and Toyota) products has been amazing second only to ... well, I can't go there.

Russell's Point, Ohio, lists as a transmission plant. I believe there's an engine plant near Anna (without looking it up).

http://htm.honda.com/

stickguy

Son sent me a text. VW dealer in Maryland. Advertising a 2018 GTI S, stick. MSRP $26,835, listed at $19,477. Why he is shopping that I have no idea, but depending on incentives baked in, not a bad deal.

graphicguy

breld said:

Check out this 340i xdrive at the same place I’m getting the Miata from:

340i M sport Manual

Big congrats on the Miata. I like it....a lot.

I also like that 3. Not real fond of the boring silver, but the RED interior and hand shaker makes it even better. Still has factory warranty, too. Interesting!

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Son sent me a text. VW dealer in Maryland. Advertising a 2018 GTI S, stick. MSRP $26,835, listed at $19,477. Why he is shopping that I have no idea, but depending on incentives baked in, not a bad deal.

Dealers in that area like to leave out a lot of charges from their advertised price.. The actual price often ends up being a couple thousand higher. I found that out from shopping for a GTI.

But, that region also seems to get better incentives than most.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

breld said:

Check out this 340i xdrive at the same place I’m getting the Miata from: 340i M sport Manual

They are trying to make up the profit for short-selling the Miata I see.

What did they pay for it at auction? I see dealers usually try to throw to the wall to see what sticks with those "regular" twin turbo I6 powered 3/4 series.

Worth $32k at the block.

qbrozen

So I finally mentioned my Stelvio obsession yesterday to the wife. Surprisingly, she did not outwardly object. Her only negative comment was that they probably won't sell me one since I don't have a full-time job.

still nothing from that MD dealer. I did notice my most local dealer has a pretty basic red/red Ti sport. Anyway, I also submitted to truecar to get the $500 certificate they are offering on FCA. That meant submitting my number and email to 3 other Alfa dealers, though. So I have all those solicitations to look forward to.

pensfan83

That's odd you haven't been contacted, that's never been my experience when reaching out to dealers. Maybe reach out to the Internet Sales manager directly via email? They'll probably pawn you off to a sales associate but it at least gets your foot in the door.

breld

@pensfan83 - any movement on the white Prelude here in Denver?

breld

nyccarguy said:

I saw a very clean, black, Civic Si sedan this AM. I dig it!

That may be the best combination for an Si, if you want to be somewhat stealth. The sedan naturally looks more subtle and has a lower profile spoiler, and the black exterior allows the gimmicky fake vents and such to blend in.

Despite being overshadowed by the availability of the Type R, albeit at a much higher price, the Si is quite a car at its price.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

@breld - Current body style Miatas are rare "round these here parts" and Miata RFs are even more rare (before today, I've seen exactly 1 in the wild). I saw a grey one this AM. He was cookin' too. Simple styling and small size definitely make it one of the more unique looking vehicles on the road. The de facto "fun" convertible of choice is overwhelmingly the Wrangler by a WIDE margin.

I’m starting to get the fever for a Wrangler again. They really are just “fun”. Not overwhelming practical in 2dr soft top form but that’s what I’d get again.

28firefighter

Some Alfa dealers are getting overwhelmed with email because of leasehackr. Not by people who understand the numbers, either. 

I had one dealer up here accuse me of trying to “steal” a stelvio. 

Mr_Shiftright

Alfa's 2018 numbers are soundly beating 2017 sales, but they still have a pretty small market share. Giulia and Stelvio are about neck and neck on monthly sales. 4C, of course, barely sells any.

stickguy

I did not even realize the 4C still existed.

Mr_Shiftright

YTD, they sold 95 of them. I only have figures for the 4C up to May 2018. So maybe it's dead now, dunno.

pensfan83

breld said:

@pensfan83 - any movement on the white Prelude here in Denver?

No, not yet though I still have legitimate interest. I was waiting to see if the one in NC panned out but the owner of the lot where it is emailed to say they were closed until tomorrow and now the person who was going to look at it for me is out of town until Sunday so that pushes things back until Monday at the earliest. The one is NC is a year older, has more miles, and is a non-SH but appears comparable on paper.

It got me thinking though that if the one in NC did need anything I could very quickly find myself in the ballpark of the white Prelude pricewise, assuming the seller agreed to $7K. As you noted that one has had the major components replaced recently leaving just the hail damage as something I would repair. Even that is very hard to discern fro pictures so it may not get addressed immediately, if at all.

xwesx

corvette said:

If you count breld's stepdaughter's recent purchase, he's running 10 cars in the trailing 12 months, including the 2016 Mercedes GLC he bought a year ago today (congrats!)...

So, he slowed down a little in the last year! Good for him!

suydam

Now he’s just buying cars without even pretending they’re replacing anything!

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

YTD, they sold 95 of them. I only have figures for the 4C up to May 2018. So maybe it's dead now, dunno.

Pretty confounding, really, when you consider the strong resale value. New 2018 is $58k. Used 2017s are $53k-$54k retail.