Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

xwesx

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

At this point, I'm not sure she would even bat an eye.

henryn

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.

@qbrozen, I realize that you are a fearless car buyer, afraid of nothing. I mean, seriously, who buys a Land Rover? (smile) But I really didn't see this Alpha Romeo venture ending well. If we were to rate car brands, based on what was the most scary to own, I do believe Alpha would fall even below Land Rover. Or am I wrong?

That is, if your problem really is about the Stelvio itself, and not just CCBA fever kicking in?

stickguy

I think he really just wants a big hemi manual trans challenger.

tjc78

henryn said:

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.

@qbrozen, I realize that you are a fearless car buyer, afraid of nothing. I mean, seriously, who buys a Land Rover? (smile) But I really didn't see this Alpha Romeo venture ending well. If we were to rate car brands, based on what was the most scary to own, I do believe Alpha would fall even below Land Rover. Or am I wrong?

That is, if your problem really is about the Stelvio itself, and not just CCBA fever kicking in?

The Rover is an older model and QB certainly knows his way around a garage.

His Alfa is a lease that's under warranty the whole time, so at least the problems don't cost any money. The only way I'd own an Alfa would be under those terms.

If I was ready for a car and Q's or 28's deal fell into my lap I'd drive one in a heartbeat.

nyccarguy

Mechanic called. Prelude is done! Between that and my Infiniti's body work, my bank account is going to get a whole lot lighter. On the bright side, my mechanic said: Your car is just phenomenal. It holds the road incredibly well. The engine pulls strong.

corvette

That’s awesome, nyccarguy! I’m surprised he didn’t offer to buy it from you. 

jpp75

I completed the buyback with Carmax today on the C30. They made me whole and while I hated to give up the car it wasn't one to keep.

Bradd, glad you have the Prelude back and better than ever!

stickguy

good news JPP. no harm, no foul, and you get to look again.

Mr_Shiftright

jpp5862 said:

I completed the buyback with Carmax today on the C30. They made me whole and while I hated to give up the car it wasn't one to keep.

Bradd, glad you have the Prelude back and better than ever!

This dealer has a manual C30, in silver. Check it out! I'm still looking locally.


Toyota of Olympia
6969 Tyee Drive SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
(360) 539-3939
joys@drivetoyotaofolympia.com

stickguy

I posted that one a week back, but they had no pictures or details at the time. Need to go back and check it out!

stickguy

that is a nice looking one. pretty new and lower miles. price might be a little high, but probably not too much out of line. But what do I know?

ab348

Well, they offer a $250 coupon for getting an internet price, or something. There was a popup I eliminated saying something like that.

Looks clean and in good condition. My only reservation about it is that I hate the colors, and it looks really spartan inside. Maybe they all do, I dunno. Could be because it is all black in there.

stickguy

I could not tell if it has power seats. On the C30, the primary options were moonroof (which it has) and power/memory seats. That I could not tell.

qbrozen

Per auction numbers, I'm above water on the alfa. Not that I necessarily want to give it up. But, stick hit the nail on the head. Who wouldn't want 485hp under their foot given the chance? However, if I had to guess, a test drive would probably cure me. I bet the Alfa feels a helluva lot better in everything that doesn't involve a quarter mile track.

stickguy

for me, probably the least important factor now is 0-60. Just not something I can ever do in normal driving.

Drivingfool

Car show in Miami started yesterday. Thinking since I'll be of early on Tuesday, could go down. 24 hour rule still in effect, did 9 hours 15 minutes yesterday. Today will be 3 so as of Monday, I'll have around 12.15, give or take. So if I work 9.30 on Monday, leaves me in a great position since I'm so close to Miami. And will be off Wednesday and Thursday so this just might work.
Or could even go next Saturday, as I drop my wife at the train at 9 am for her trip to Indianapolis and my kid has a wedding that late afternoon/night. Or even Wednesday or Thursday, ample chances to go.
Got pics of the house yesterday. Tiling done, stucco done, cabinets will be done by Monday. So the last week of October is looking to be the time. Will be fun!!

qbrozen

stickguy said:

for me, probably the least important factor now is 0-60. Just not something I can ever do in normal driving.

I still enjoy it. At least 0-40. It is also a very strong indication of power and power delivery, which is important in many situations. Certainly more important than if it has an actual spare tire or carplay. ;b

stickguy

enough power to get through traffic and out of it's own way of course is important. But as long as it has enough (as both my cars do), not really important to go well beyond that (shaving another couple tenths off the time) since I don't do drag race starts driving around town. So paying a lot of money (and getting lousy gas mileage) to get a sub 5 0-60 ability, instead of the mid-6's I have now, is a waste.

qbrozen

That's why they make so many different cars. 

breld

Sounds like you haven’t “experienced” the Stelvio enough yet to have it depart the fleet.  If you’re above water now, I imagine that won’t change much from here on out, and those challenger deals will likely always be there.  

Or...just go do it.  😀

nyccarguy

breld said:

Sounds like you haven’t “experienced” the Stelvio enough yet to have it depart the fleet.  If you’re above water now, I imagine that won’t change much from here on out, and those challenger deals will likely always be there.  

Or...just go do it.  😀

Oh, look who decided to chime in!  The voice of reason (sarcasm)!  Lol!

28firefighter

Sounds like @qbrozen got caught up in the deal. Happens to the best of us. 

Mr_Shiftright

Speaking of that, I really appreciate you guys not kicking me out of CCBA for the crime of "rationality".

qbrozen

I haven't gotten to drive the alfa much, that's true. No commuting anymore. 

I drove it this morn and my son and I had some fun on the way home. I really just love how this car conducts itself.

I learned today that the DNA switch changes the firmness of the shifts. I also learned that brake torquing to 3k rpms and letting it rip will snap your neck back violently. It also did not seem to mind doing that 4 times in a row while trying the different settings.

graphicguy

breld said:

Sounds like you haven’t “experienced” the Stelvio enough yet to have it depart the fleet.  If you’re above water now, I imagine that won’t change much from here on out, and those challenger deals will likely always be there.  

Or...just go do it.  😀

I love reading your posts......:)

qbrozen

Did someone recently mention an ILX? Came up as a deal of the day in Honcker

stickguy

I saw that. If it was a premium trim, I might have grabbed it. Those were running IIRC about $40/month more.

tbirdmarco

Nice  nice all  above 

tbirdmarco

Glad the bye back is done J  P P 

tifighter

stickguy said:

for me, probably the least important factor now is 0-60. Just not something I can ever do in normal driving.

Objectively you’re correct. But a quick fun pedal definitely has it’s moments

andres3

tifighter said:

stickguy said:

for me, probably the least important factor now is 0-60. Just not something I can ever do in normal driving.

Objectively you’re correct. But a quick fun pedal definitely has it’s moments

0-60 isn't as usefull as say 0-90. That's about what a Telsa was doing in the 1/8 mile, 90 MPH and 7.6's. I couldn't beat him as the TTS was consistently around 7.9-8.0 at 85-89 MPH

My first time ever drag racing, and it wasn't as lame as I thought. I'm a numbers guy, so getting all the "tales of the tape" after each run makes you want to tweak your driving or car to improve the numbers. My best run of the night was 7.850. My reaction times were poor. Need more experience with their light sequencing.

So, a 0-90 could come in handy at the local drag strip with a 1/8 mile track.

28firefighter

Paging @Mr_Shiftright

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-porsche-boxster-s-15/

Mr_Shiftright

That seems like an ok buy at the current bid. Having a new engine is a plus (gee, I wonder why? ). Last year for the plastic rear window, which is a bigger deal than you might expect. The S version is a fun car to drive, if you are of modest proportions. I'm a bit too tall for these cars, and my knees hit the steering wheel when I shift. The Cayman seems to have another 2" or so, and isn't quite as much of a problem.

jpp75

Mr_Shiftright said:

This dealer has a manual C30, in silver. Check it out! I'm still looking locally.


Toyota of Olympia
6969 Tyee Drive SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
(360) 539-3939
joys@drivetoyotaofolympia.com

That one does look good. Not my favorite wheels though, but everything else checks out. I'm not inclined to buy one far away with the shipping, inspection, etc. I'm really fortunate this happened with CarMax, had I bought from a general dealer I'd likely be sitting on a rusted out car with no recourse.

I think I'll just sit tight for a while and save the money, unless something amazing pops up locally of course!

28firefighter

jpp5862 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

This dealer has a manual C30, in silver. Check it out! I'm still looking locally.


Toyota of Olympia
6969 Tyee Drive SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
(360) 539-3939
joys@drivetoyotaofolympia.com

That one does look good. Not my favorite wheels though, but everything else checks out. I'm not inclined to buy one far away with the shipping, inspection, etc. I'm really fortunate this happened with CarMax, had I bought from a general dealer I'd likely be sitting on a rusted out car with no recourse.

I think I'll just sit tight for a while and save the money, unless something amazing pops up locally of course!

I could still potentially take a ride down and look at this for you, if you want, but will need to plan it out. Don't blame you about not wanting to buy a car like this distance.

28firefighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

That seems like an ok buy at the current bid. Having a new engine is a plus (gee, I wonder why? ). Last year for the plastic rear window, which is a bigger deal than you might expect. The S version is a fun car to drive, if you are of modest proportions. I'm a bit too tall for these cars, and my knees hit the steering wheel when I shift. The Cayman seems to have another 2" or so, and isn't quite as much of a problem.

What caught my eye is not only was the engine replaced but the replacement had the dual-row LN Engineering IMS done to it already. I am indeed of modest proportions (5'11 and very average build). Ironically my knees are close to the steering wheel in the Viggen when I shift because of the limitations of the seat height and steering wheel height. Doesn't bother me all that much though.

Wife told me to buy the Boxster if it was big enough to sleep in. Tempting.

Mr_Shiftright

You could definitely sleep in a Boxster----standing up!

stickguy

I like the boxster. Just not that color combo.

I liked this one too. Not much original though. And again, double black. Would want to upgrade the brakes though. Done drums before, not doing Again!

Mr_Shiftright

I don't think any German car looks good in black except maybe a Benz limo, or stretch sedan.

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't think any German car looks good in black except maybe a Benz limo, or stretch sedan.

I beg to differ. I see Black 911s, Caymans, Boxsters, Panameras, Cayennes, & Macans ALL the time and absolutely LOVE them!

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't think any German car looks good in black except maybe a Benz limo, or stretch sedan.

I beg to differ. I see Black 911s, Caymans, Boxsters, Panameras, Cayennes, & Macans ALL the time and absolutely LOVE them!

Okay, so I see the differing opinion. Where's the begging?!

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't think any German car looks good in black except maybe a Benz limo, or stretch sedan.

I beg to differ. I see Black 911s, Caymans, Boxsters, Panameras, Cayennes, & Macans ALL the time and absolutely LOVE them!

Doesn't work for me. It hides the car, flattens all the lines. But you know, to each his own.

henryn

I think black can be very pretty on cars and trucks. But it is a pain trying to keep clean, and an even bigger pain trying to avoid swirls and other marks and imperfections. Not to mention the fact that you leave a black car sitting in the direct sunlight in Texas in the middle of the day and you wind up with a direct representation of hell on earth.

tbirdmarco

 Love all above everybody, but where is the baking just like West [non-permissible content removed] just wondering? Ha ha ha I hear you GPP on being hesitant on getting something from far away, and paying for shipping and all that stuff. Yes you come across something they really like sooner than you think. Had off on Monday and out with the cousins all weekend did a little work on the thunder bird, still have it   Still have the thunder bird apart, can I do the alternator conversion and put the drive belt back on and then the power steering belt to that’s things that I never did so I had the car needed to be done anyway the belts were cracked and dry we got to drive the car Saturday night for an hour for we have it apart now was glad to have the help where are you around here thankful anyway hope that everyone had a good weekend, that is all for now everyone. Ha ha have a good rest of the week everybody. 

nyccarguy

Check out the fine print.  Specifically the part about the “dealer contribution.”

nyccarguy

The plumbing underneath this sleeper Forester XT was quite impressive.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

Check out the fine print.  Specifically the part about the “dealer contribution.”

That just means the dealer has to offer a specified discount to achieve that lease payment. Doesn't mean the dealer is actually "contributing" anything.

Standard lease ad verbiage.
$360/mo, with just first payment due at signing.
Not including tax and DMV, or dealer fees.

Nothing to get excited about.

I bet that CAP cost number is wrong. That looks like the residual

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

Check out the fine print.  Specifically the part about the “dealer contribution.”

That just means the dealer has to offer a specified discount to achieve that lease payment. Doesn't mean the dealer is actually "contributing" anything. Standard lease ad verbiage. $360/mo, with just first payment due at signing. Not including tax and DMV, or dealer fees. Nothing to get excited about. I bet that CAP cost number is wrong. That looks like the residual

That’s straight off the VW website, not some dealer screamer ad.  They are discontinuing the V6 Passat next year, so maybe they are just throwing cash at the dealers to get them off the lots.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

nyccarguy said:

Check out the fine print.  Specifically the part about the “dealer contribution.”

That just means the dealer has to offer a specified discount to achieve that lease payment. Doesn't mean the dealer is actually "contributing" anything.

Standard lease ad verbiage.
$360/mo, with just first payment due at signing.
Not including tax and DMV, or dealer fees.

Nothing to get excited about.

I bet that CAP cost number is wrong. That looks like the residual

That’s straight off the VW website, not some dealer screamer ad.  They are discontinuing the V6 Passat next year, so maybe they are just throwing cash at the dealers to get them off the lots.

The number is exactly 52% of the MSRP. It's the residual.

pensfan83

Had some extended seat time in the Prelude this past weekend, nothing too much because while I still have some time to get inspection stickers, I'm not willing to push my luck. It's such a fun car to drive and a welcome throwback to when cars didn't have as many electronic nannies. No cameras, no sensors....heck no Bluetooth. The kids LOVE it and are the only humans that can fit in the back seats (for now). My only issue is the aftermarket exhaust is a bit louder than I would like but I can probably live with it. Mechanically that's likely to be the only modification, save for upgraded pads/rotors, and some misc. suspension bits when those come due for replacement. Cosmetically I bought the honeycomb grille that came on 1999 or later models and a set of OEM floor mats. I also decided that I'm going to keep the factory headunit but upgrade to aftermarket speakers.