Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Drivingfool

Trying to figure out why the price of petrol is going sky high lately? We're not into the cold weather yet and peak vacation driving time is over, so why the continued high prices? I've found a local Exxon station that's been at $2.65/gallon regular for weeks now while all around them, prices are higher. Being on my way to everywhere, I naturally stop there and fillup when I get between a half and a quarter. Hate to get to where the light goes on telling me I need petrol like now as I think it's not good for the fuel pump. Right or wrong, that's just me so I tend to stop in a couple times a week depending on my schedule.
Am seriously considering a hybrid next time around to be honest. At the Hyundai store yesterday, I saw their Elantra sized version hybrid and didn't look that bad. The rear split window is still something I hate but for the right mpg's, is something I could get used to. Or maybe just finding something that gets close to 40 in both city and highway could work.
But with just under 45K on the clock, hoping my Golf behaves so I can keep it until the end of 2019 when it should be at around 58K or so. Then I can get something newer as I will be retired again, hopefully!!

The Sandman/Driving Fool

stickguy

Nice eos. But I hate black, especially leather, on a convertible. And it’s missing a clutch!

tifighter

Oil is up today. Which gives companies an excuse to raise gas prices. No one knows how the situation in Iran will play out. Could go up more. Russia is probably quite happy for the extra revenue.

henryn

stickguy said:

Nice eos. But I hate black, especially leather, on a convertible. And it’s missing a clutch!

That wouldn't be leather. Leatherette is what I think they call it. Pretty nice material, overall, I have owned a couple of VWs with that type of seat cover. It's fairly comfortable, and holds up very well.

Thinking of seat covers, leather or otherwise, the worst as far as holding up is the leather that Ford uses in their trucks.

ab348

tjc78 said:

I could never do dark interior on a convertible.

There ought to be a law against black interiors on convertibles. If there was, Ford would be in real trouble with the Mustang, at least around here.

fintail

With the economy just booming along (so I'm told), we're all probably making so much more money lately, that any gas price increases are a drop in the bucket compared to overall increased prosperity. Right?

tifighter said:

Oil is up today. Which gives companies an excuse to raise gas prices. No one knows how the situation in Iran will play out. Could go up more. Russia is probably quite happy for the extra revenue.

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

My rule has always been to a) buy the best parts available, and b) to replace everything in there, because you don't want to have to go in twice!

A shop owner I know used to call that the "circle of labor." For example,if you have the transmission out for a clutch job on a BMW you might as well replace the rear main seal, slave cylinder, hydraulic hoses, guibo, and center bearing. The additional labor cost is negligible- especially compared to the cost if you have to go back in again to R&R something else.

corvette

roadburner said:

A shop owner I know used to call that the "circle of labor." For example,if you have the transmission out for a clutch job on a BMW you might as well replace the rear main seal, slave cylinder, hydraulic hoses, guibo, and center bearing. The additional labor cost is negligible- especially compared to the cost if you have to go back in again to R&R something else.

Yeah. When Dad took his TDI Beetle into Huffman for the 100k service / timing belt change, they didn’t mention replacing the tensioner or water pump. The tensioner locked up at around 115k and destroyed the  new timing belt and a pulley or two. They offered no concessions and we had it towed elsewhere for the repair. 

corvette

henryn said:
Thinking of seat covers, leather or otherwise, the worst as far as holding up is the leather that Ford uses in their trucks.

The leather on the G37 has some dark spots where the cracks look bad. I’ve tried cleaning it and I think it’s a wear issue instead of a cleanliness issue. I think I may get a leather repair kit. 

Drivingfool

We have black leather on the A3 and it's damn hot! Since I wear shorts 99% of the time, hate them. I've got the beige leatherette on the Golf, same color blue as that Eos, and they look nice together. Been surprised at how clean it's stayed, a few dirty spots but have cleaned them the best I could. Funny, when the car is detailed like it was 2 weeks ago, looks brand new and no hint that there ever was an accident or that one of the rear doors is a replacement.

The Sandman/Driving Fool

tbirdmarco

 New York car guy when you got your prelude back. 

tbirdmarco

 Send man, have to look at that kicks one of these days and a beer and sit in it and see what it’s all about or maybe at the upcoming New York auto show next April whatever it’s going to be. Nice cars posted about everyone. 

nyccarguy

tbirdmarco said:

 New York car guy when you got your prelude back. 

The mechanic is still working on it @tbirdmarco.  Hopefully he’ll be done by this weekend and I’ll pick it up early next week.

stickguy

nice looking car. I like the color (uncommon for sure). with the all important T5 engine. Too bad it isn't a stick. That really would be rare. And basically a slightly larger, more practical, 4 door C30. Odd car though with no bun warmers. And appears to also be missing the moonroof. A real unicorn.

https://www.holmaninfiniti.com/inventory/used-2011-volvo-v50-fwd-4d-wagon-yv1672mw9b2629533

pensfan83

Finally official. 1997 Honda Prelude.

stickguy

is this the one you were looking at a while back? high miles but work done on it? Details, man, details!

sharp looking though. still an attractive car. And I love the interior on those. great seats, and classic Honda ergonomics.

28firefighter

Looks great! Congratulations!

pensfan83

I'll type out more details when I'm on the tablet. Quite an ordeal.

Stick, no different one 

tjc78

Congrats! Looks really clean.

tifighter

Thumbs up here!

stickguy

sharp looking.

nyccarguy

You've got my approval! Congrats on buying a wonderful car! Enjoy it!

'97, so that is San Marino Red which is a shade darker than my Milano Red

graphicguy

pensfan83 said:

Finally official. 1997 Honda Prelude.

Very cool. Big Congrats!

breld

Congrats @pensfan! Good choice!

Michaell

@pensfan83 - outstanding! Good for you on holding out until the right one came along.

benjaminhf

pensfan83 said:

I'll type out more details when I'm on the tablet. Quite an ordeal.

Stick, no different one 

Congrats!

(Does it have 4-wheel steering?)

carnaught

Should be a fun car, @pensfan83. Enjoy!

kyfdx

@pensfan83 Nice!

stickguy

this one has some miles on it, but sounds clean, and lots of recent work. Might be a good deal. Probably not a to of stock GsRs around.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-acura-integra-gsr-coupe/6713334344.html

xwesx

stickguy said:

this one has some miles on it, but sounds clean, and lots of recent work. Might be a good deal. Probably not a to of stock GsRs around.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-acura-integra-gsr-coupe/6713334344.html

Does look in fairly good shape. The corrosion on that engine is intense, though!

pensfan83

Thanks everyone. I had the deal wrapped up for a few weeks but only took delivery today.The rain here put a bit of a damper on driving today since I couldn't really wind it out, which you have to to get the most out of it, but it will get plenty of use this weekend when it's nicer. So far though I'm really liking it though.

Warning, long post but @stickguy wanted details! After striking out on the local '91 Prelude I found a 1998 base Prelude, green over tan, near Charlotte that was reasonably priced. Even better a friend who lives in the area agreed to go look at it for me. Unfortunately there was a breakdown in communication between the dealer and myself (more on the dealer but I digress) and the card ended up being sold just as my friend pulled into the lot to look it over for me. This was around the same time I put in an offer on the white Prelude @breld drove but I never heard back and last I looked the price of that one curiously was back up to $8500.

After hearing nothing on the one in Denver and seeing all the ones on Bring Your Wallet BaT go for obnoxious amounts I found this 1997 Prelude Base on CarGurus; it was located in Schenectady, NY and was on its 3rd owner. I called the seller and we chatted for quite awhile about the car; dealer serviced it's entire life, timing belt service and clutch done within past 12K, other standard maintenance also done as evidenced by records provided. It's never seen a winter in its life, which is good considering it was in upstate NY. It also had a sand and respray done in the factory San Marino Red along with new clear coat and it makes a big difference in the appearance of the car. The hood was replaced at that time due to some hail dings. I would rate the exterior 8.5 out of 10 and interior 9 out of 10. The inside is just about flawless with supportive seats that show no signs of tears or stains while the outside has the normal wear/tear. Everything works as it should mechanically and the only modification is a Magnaflow exhaust. There's a few things it will need, notably the drivers side lower door speaker but the seller provided a factory replacement he never got around to installing and the ABS light comes on intermittently. Given that the car won't be driven at all over the winter I probably won't worry about both until next spring. I've already been looking at upgrading the grille to the factory honeycomb style that is on later 5th gens and some OEM floor mats. I may also forgo installing a new factory speaker and just upgrade all the speakers but after that I'll probably leave it alone.

@nyccarguy - I was actually avoiding red because of the infamous paint fade that can befall many 5th gens in San Marino or Milano Red. However that was addressed with the respray.

@benjaminh - No 4WS on the 5th gen. Type SH's have the active torque transfer system (ATTS) but I have the base model so I don't have that.

stickguy

I spent 4 years in Schenectady. And can confirm, being off the road in the winter, is a big plus.

How many miles on it?

pensfan83

182,000

Given the price point at which I was operating I couldn't be picky about miles so I tried to offset that by being a fanatic about only looking at ones with known service histories.

stickguy

wouldn't scare me on one of these, if it was going to get light toy duty miles. And like you said, was well documented. Having the recent work done on it of course is a big plus.

so, enjoy!

actually, a few years ago I bought a 2000 Intergra as a toy. That was original owner (college professor) and dealer maintained, so the 175,000 miles on it did not bother me at all. Certainly not for $2,700!

nyccarguy

@pensfan83 - you got Type SH Wheels though!  Nice!  That car looks like the exterior is in better shape than my car.  

Feel free to ask questions as always!

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 - you got Type SH Wheels though!  Nice!  That car looks like the exterior is in better shape than my car.  

Feel free to ask questions as always!

Thanks, good eye! The seller said that the old blade style wheels had clear coat peeling and were starting to get corroded so he replaced them with SH wheels off a junked car.

corvette

Nice Prelude!

corvette

I must say, after a few weeks, driving the 2012 Infiniti G37 reminds me a lot of the Mustang GT, in a very good way, in the way the engine has a nice sound and how it's very responsive. It's much more comfortable, though.

qbrozen

Good god, how do you think the wife would react if the Stelvio was nonchalantly replaced by this in the driveway?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/201738241

Per Michaell, this month has .00004 MF and 66% residual for 24/12 on this trim. Obviously, some of those rebates the dealer lists don't apply to me, but would still be nearly $10k off, unless it is simply BS. At $9500 off, that would come to about $350 sign and drive. Possibly less if I convinced them there is equity in my Alfa.

Biggest problem, and what holds me back, is the shortage of doors. I would need a Charger version of this.

tbirdmarco

 Very nice New York car guy so you should have it next week awesome. And also congratulations to pencil in 83 on the purchase of a prelude to as well we have two members in here but both have one awesome good luck with it, happy Friday everyone. 

tbirdmarco

 Oh nice stuff posted above all, QB I don’t know what she care all that much will give you a hard time if you were to replace it with that? 

stickguy

There are a lot of incentives include you probably won’t. Qualify for. But cool car. Way too big for my taste

nyccarguy

pensfan83 said:

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 - you got Type SH Wheels though!  Nice!  That car looks like the exterior is in better shape than my car.  

Feel free to ask questions as always!

Thanks, good eye! The seller said that the old blade style wheels had clear coat peeling and were starting to get corroded so he replaced them with SH wheels off a junked car.

One of the original reasons I wanted a Type SH Prelude was because I liked the wheels much more than the ones on the base model.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

Good god, how do you think the wife would react if the Stelvio was nonchalantly replaced by this in the driveway?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/201738241

Per Michaell, this month has .00004 MF and 66% residual for 24/12 on this trim. Obviously, some of those rebates the dealer lists don't apply to me, but would still be nearly $10k off, unless it is simply BS. At $9500 off, that would come to about $350 sign and drive. Possibly less if I convinced them there is equity in my Alfa.

Biggest problem, and what holds me back, is the shortage of doors. I would need a Charger version of this.

I predict you would BURN through AT least 2 sets of tires in 24 months plus you'd make the gas costs on my Infiniti look sensible

nyccarguy

corvette said:

I must say, after a few weeks, driving the 2012 Infiniti G37 reminds me a lot of the Mustang GT, in a very good way, in the way the engine has a nice sound and how it's very responsive. It's much more comfortable, though.

The car definitely puts a smile on my face each and every day. I LOVE the way the engine and exhaust sound! It is sort of like a 4 door Mustang for adults. This AM on 95, there were 2 tractor trailer in the right and center lane driving side by side at 60. In the left lane was a Black Ford Econoline going 55. I was able to sneak in front of the Econoline and just blast off as I watched traffic behind me stay behind the blockers.

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

Good god, how do you think the wife would react if the Stelvio was nonchalantly replaced by this in the driveway?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/201738241

Per Michaell, this month has .00004 MF and 66% residual for 24/12 on this trim. Obviously, some of those rebates the dealer lists don't apply to me, but would still be nearly $10k off, unless it is simply BS. At $9500 off, that would come to about $350 sign and drive. Possibly less if I convinced them there is equity in my Alfa.

Biggest problem, and what holds me back, is the shortage of doors. I would need a Charger version of this.

I dunno....I got me a soft spot for Mustangs and Challengers. That deal on the Challenger is mighty tempting.

jpp75

Congrats @pensfan83! That's a sharp looking car and it's good you waited for the right one!

qbrozen

graphicguy said:

I dunno....I got me a soft spot for Mustangs and Challengers. That deal on the Challenger is mighty tempting.

soooo tempting. I just CAN'T do it, though. I picture getting my son in and out of the backseat with his football equipment and I already know that will get old real quick.

The Chargers don't have the same incentives, sadly. Not to mention finding an SRT 392 seems pretty difficult. Only a few show up on cargurus within 500 miles. And one of those is a 2017. There are more Daytonas, but the leases on that trim are awful.

stickguy

Do you actually think you can get out of the Alfa that easily? Another swap lease?

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

graphicguy said:

I dunno....I got me a soft spot for Mustangs and Challengers. That deal on the Challenger is mighty tempting.

soooo tempting. I just CAN'T do it, though. I picture getting my son in and out of the backseat with his football equipment and I already know that will get old real quick.

The Chargers don't have the same incentives, sadly. Not to mention finding an SRT 392 seems pretty difficult. Only a few show up on cargurus within 500 miles. And one of those is a 2017. There are more Daytonas, but the leases on that trim are awful.

Well he could give up football and join the debating team. See? Problem solved.