Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

carnaught said:

Got caught up on posts after a couple of days. Congrats to our Grand Poobah, @breld, on the Porsche. I’m loving those Macans, and look forward to your impressions on it.

To @nyccarguy, the Infiniti looks like it’s back to like-new condition...congrats.

Thanks!

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

stickguy said:

well, might be optimistic price, but typical vintage dealer wanting a huge premium for amazing condition and documented history.

For that kind of money, buy an E46 M3. Better car in every way. It also has a lot of miles on it for an M3---80K is the sweet spot for needing some repairs. And the E36 needs some mods to correct some issues and improve performance. Nice enough car but not at that price.

Do you think E46 ///M3 prices have bottomed out?

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, I think those cars are just about fully depreciated by now. Remember, guys like me deal in "the market", not individual sales, which can vary wildly. I'm looking at the mean, not the widow who sells a car too cheap or the drunk who pays 200% over at Barrett-Jackson.

Mr_Shiftright

SPEAKING OF WHICH....I need your guys help with choosing a few options for a friend of mine.

He has a 2003 Boxster, which, at 100K miles, is aging in typical Boxster fashion--things are breaking, seats are sagging, top is ripping. It's time to bail. Also, he's getting uncomfortable in the car. The Boxster of that era has a cramped cockpit and the interior is rather cheap all in all.

But he likes convertibles. So I was thinking we could move him into either a more comfortable two-seater (no Miatas) or a good-handling 4-seat convertible.

He'd like to spend no more than $25K and he wants a car with no more than perhaps 60K on the clock, perhaps less.

I was thinking Nissan 370Z, or maybe a BMW 128i, 135i or 328i---but I'm not too familiar with the BMW line-up in that price range. I might consider Audi.

Anything else come to mind? How do we sort out the different BMWs into a preference?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm trying to avoid my own biases, as it is a friend who is involved.

kyfdx

I think, like the E36 M3, E46 M3 prices have "topped" out. They got cheap for a few years, then started going back up... They should start dropping now, I think.

While the E46 is cheap to work on, in general, the S54 running gear in the E46 M3 is more maintenance intensive and parts are pricey. It's a lot of car, though. A lot of them have been modded to death, though.

I really like the Z4 M coupe.. last year was 2008, and it uses the same engine. I think those have topped out, as well (low-mid $30s), and should be coming back down. Most of those are stock, which helps.

Mr_Shiftright

I think if you wanted a truly durable car that you didn't have to fuss over, you wouldn't pick an M3 in the first place. It's kind of a hobbyists car, for sure.

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

I think if you wanted a truly durable car that you didn't have to fuss over, you wouldn't pick an M3 in the first place. It's kind of a hobbyists car, for sure.

Plus, any car that age (last year was 2006) is going to have needs. And, you aren't likely to drive it in the snow/winter weather, like I do my ZHP.

stickguy

Shifty, that convertible, your friend looking stick or automatic?

reminded me that there was one near me. If this is representative of market pricing, should be able to get a nice, newish one for his price range. No clue how comfy they are, but should be roomier than a Boxster.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2017-nissan-370z-roadster_touring_sport_automatic-used-17724630.html

stickguy

and if he wants more luxury bais, the Infiniti G series convertible might do the trick.

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, the Infiniti---hadn't thought of that---I'll check it out.

Yes, he wants an automatic.

He seems to fancy hardtop convertibles as well as a possibility. The G37 is one I think and definitely do-able under $25K.

Doesn't BMW have/had a 328i hardtop convertible? I wonder what years those were made.

Any others come to mind in the $25K price range?

Did the G37 convertible ever come with a stick? Didn't they make a "sport" with a manual, or did I just make that up? No matter. He wants an automatic.

ab348

What about a Volvo convertible? Saw one locally the other day, caught my eye as a good-looking car.

tbirdmarco

Hmm. Have to think about this all good options. Posted above forrryour frend 

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

Oh, the Infiniti---hadn't thought of that---I'll check it out.

Yes, he wants an automatic.

He seems to fancy hardtop convertibles as well as a possibility. The G37 is one I think and definitely do-able under $25K.

Doesn't BMW have/had a 328i hardtop convertible? I wonder what years those were made.

Any others come to mind in the $25K price range?

Did the G37 convertible ever come with a stick? Didn't they make a "sport" with a manual, or did I just make that up? No matter. He wants an automatic.

The 328i vert has had a retractable hardtop since at least 2007 or 2008.

The Lexus IS came in convertible form, with retractable roof, as well. Not sure of the years

You could get a G37 with a stick, but not positive they offered it in the convertible. In the early years of the G, all Sport models were sticks, but that became a trim line, later... and most of the S models are automatics.

stickguy

the Volvo C70 at some point was a hardtop convertible.

The IS Lexus is pretty nice. A little smaller than the G37.

breld

Buick Cascada.  

Boom...mic drop.  

kyfdx

breld said:

Buick Cascada.  

Boom...mic drop.  

Not a folding hardtop, though, right?

stickguy

is that a definite requirement, or just a nice to have?

breld

Oh I don’t know - probably not.  

With the talk of BMWs and 370zs I was being facetious.  

kyfdx

stickguy said:

is that a definite requirement, or just a nice to have?

I just dropped in... thought that was a want..

breld

I’d say an E90 3 series.  Seems to be lots used used ones and they were made through the 2013 model year.  I’m sure there are plenty of cream puffs out there with low miles.  

qbrozen

I second (or third) the C70

stickguy

a quick search, and yes, easily doable. Though I had forgotten that the C70 was still sporting the S40 interior (dash and center stack) at that point.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/747434862/overview/

stickguy

I like the Infiniti better. Lot more tech stuff. This one certainly makes an impression with the red guts. Seems overpriced for the year, but low low miles.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/747434862/overview/

this one is nice too. seems like a better deal. Plus I like the color combo better.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/747241436/overview/

fintail

MB R230 or C207 cabrio could fit in that. Not as sporty as a Porsche, but they don't exactly handle like a 40s car either.

carnaught

VW Eos, the “beautician’s car” ?

carnaught

What happened to the G37 ‘vert’s steering wheel though?

tifighter

C70 was available with a stick. Rare as a breld keeper, though.

ronsteve

kyfdx said:

Question for the esteemed members here. I know speed impacts mileage- what about tires and weather? We drove the Outback to Santa Fe yesterday. We did the identical trip 16 months ago. The first time we got almost 28 MPG; yesterday we saw only 24. I put new tires on it about 6000 miles ago. I did most of the trip at 85 (I think I used 77-78 on the cruise control last year). And, there was quite a bit of cross wind yesterday. I'm stumped trying to understand a 15% drop. Thoughts?

I don't know - sounds to me like you should just get a new car. I'd say it mostly has to do with the average speed above 80 vs below 80 last year.

Ditto.. 85 vs. 77. Someone with a physics background could explain it... it's a huge difference.

Aerodynamic drag is proportional to the square of the speed, and if there were strong winds it's probably even a bigger difference than just 85 vs 77. I'm not surprised at the fuel consumption. 

So is it a 3.6R model?

Michaell

ronsteve said:

kyfdx said:

breld said:

Michaell said:

Question for the esteemed members here. I know speed impacts mileage- what about tires and weather?

We drove the Outback to Santa Fe yesterday. We did the identical trip 16 months ago. The first time we got almost 28 MPG; yesterday we saw only 24. I put new tires on it about 6000 miles ago. I did most of the trip at 85 (I think I used 77-78 on the cruise control last year). And, there was quite a bit of cross wind yesterday.

I'm stumped trying to understand a 15% drop.

Thoughts?

I don't know - sounds to me like you should just get a new car.

I'd say it mostly has to do with the average speed above 80 vs below 80 last year.

Ditto.. 85 vs. 77.

Someone with a physics background could explain it... it's a huge difference.

Aerodynamic drag is proportional to the square of the speed, and if there were strong winds it's probably even a bigger difference than just 85 vs 77. I'm not surprised at the fuel consumption. 

So is it a 3.6R model?

Yes, 3.6R. Wife likes her ponies under her right foot.

tbirdmarco

Hmm sum mor good choices 

ronsteve

Michaell said 

Question for the esteemed members here. I know speed impacts mileage- what about tires and weather? We drove the Outback to Santa Fe yesterday. We did the identical trip 16 months ago. The first time we got almost 28 MPG; yesterday we saw only 24. I put new tires on it about 6000 miles ago. I did most of the trip at 85 (I think I used 77-78 on the cruise control last year). And, there was quite a bit of cross wind yesterday. I'm stumped trying to understand a 15% drop. Thoughts?

Yes, 3.6R. Wife likes her ponies under her right foot.

Then not alarming at all. Would be more worried about that mpg from the 2.5. 

Trying to decide if the 3.6 is something to wait and/or drive up to Cincinnati or Dayton to get, which is what it currently takes to hit my price point. 

Outback or possibly RDX punch may be coming by the end of October. 

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I like the Infiniti better. Lot more tech stuff. This one certainly makes an impression with the red guts. Seems overpriced for the year, but low low miles. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/747434862/overview/ this one is nice too. seems like a better deal. Plus I like the color combo better. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/747241436/overview/

You linked the volvo twice

qbrozen

Here you go, shifty. Seems they favor the Inifiniti and Lexus.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.automobilemag.com/news/luxury-hardtop-convertible-comparison/amp/

stickguy

details. details.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/745247476/overview/

stickguy

so, where is the recap of the big Volvo for Porsche swap? Should be done by now!

tbirdmarco

 Keep us updated one stayed can’t wait for the punch at the end of October. 

xwesx

sda said:

I got fussed at for pointing out something similar on your truck, lol. I think we are all perfectionists to some degree, mean no harm, but share our observations, which are meant to be constructive not critical.

Hahaha, yes, but not from me! I just provided a reply similar to the one bradd offered.

xwesx

@tbirdmarco Things are well here! Trying to get stuff sorted out before winter sets in, and mostly failing due to incessant rain. So frustrating, but, hey, at least it is not snow yet. I still don't have the plow truck put together and ready for winter.... but, that's certainly nothing new!

Butchered rabbits this morning; that means one more thing checked off and fewer mouths to feed! I still need to redo some wrap on the house, cut down a few trees, and, did I mention getting the plow truck ready for winter?

Michaell

Out and about in Santa Fe this weekend. We are behind a small white SUV and the wife commented on how she likes it.

MB GLC.

I also showed her pix of both the V60 and V90 (CC versions). Thumbs down from her on both.

nyccarguy

ronsteve said:

Michaell said 

Question for the esteemed members here. I know speed impacts mileage- what about tires and weather? We drove the Outback to Santa Fe yesterday. We did the identical trip 16 months ago. The first time we got almost 28 MPG; yesterday we saw only 24. I put new tires on it about 6000 miles ago. I did most of the trip at 85 (I think I used 77-78 on the cruise control last year). And, there was quite a bit of cross wind yesterday. I'm stumped trying to understand a 15% drop. Thoughts?

Yes, 3.6R. Wife likes her ponies under her right foot.

Then not alarming at all. Would be more worried about that mpg from the 2.5. 

Trying to decide if the 3.6 is something to wait and/or drive up to Cincinnati or Dayton to get, which is what it currently takes to hit my price point. 

Outback or possibly RDX punch may be coming by the end of October. 

Not sure how long you’ve been with us, but before my current Infiniti Q40, I had a 2015 Subaru Legacy 

nyccarguy

2.5i Premium which I thought 

nyccarguy

Accelerated

nyccarguy

Way

nyccarguy

Too

nyccarguy

Slowly

breld

stickguy said:

so, where is the recap of the big Volvo for Porsche swap? Should be done by now!

Well nothing too exciting or unexpected.  We went in at noon today and completed all the paperwork and handed over the keys to the Volvo.  But my wife didn’t want to take delivery of the Macan until they repair the scratch on the hatch and tint the front windows.  

The ad’s still up.  

http://denver.clscars.com/mobile/inventorydetail.aspx?StockNumber=682142

stickguy

sharp looking. I like that interior. looks good with the white.

stickguy

and at least it looks like they sold the Si finally!

breld

It’s a nice shop they have there - nice large indoor showroom.  I can seriously see working there as a semi-retirement job.  

I’ll be curious to see how they do with the Polestar.  They price things pretty realistically - I’m guessing they list it at around $41 or 42k.  

stickguy

in a few years when I can hopefully be ditching the "corporate grind", that is the type of place I would not mind working at. Don't think I could take a normal dealership, but a small boutique place, sure!