Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

graphicguy

That M6 is identical to the one a former boss (actually, my bosses boss) had right down to the colors in and out. To this day, one of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen.

I do remember More than a few times him calling our office looking for someone to come pick him up as his M6 had stranded him. And, that’s when it was new. One that’s 30 years old? That’s a lot of money to pay for something that isn’t going to be anything but a concours piece.

fintail

I like how that M6 was sold new in Bellevue, and is now with an elite car dealer catering to royalty in the SF Bay area, appropriate.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

That M6 is identical to the one a former boss (actually, my bosses boss) had right down to the colors in and out. To this day, one of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen.

I do remember More than a few times him calling our office looking for someone to come pick him up as his M6 had stranded him. And, that’s when it was new. One that’s 30 years old? That’s a lot of money to pay for something that isn’t going to be anything but a concours piece.

Wow, it must have been a dog; my M6 never stranded me once, although once the radiator sprung a small leak so I drove it straight to my indie shop. Change the timing chain every 100k and keep the valves adjusted and it will run for 200k miles easy. I miss mine, but for about the same money as a nice M6 you can pick up an E28 M5 and a 1988-1989 635 CSi.

stickguy

I’m bored. And have a strong desire to buy a new car this weekend. That might not end well.

graphicguy

roadburner said:

graphicguy said:

That M6 is identical to the one a former boss (actually, my bosses boss) had right down to the colors in and out. To this day, one of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen.

I do remember More than a few times him calling our office looking for someone to come pick him up as his M6 had stranded him. And, that’s when it was new. One that’s 30 years old? That’s a lot of money to pay for something that isn’t going to be anything but a concours piece.

Wow, it must have been a dog; my M6 never stranded me once, although once the radiator sprung a small leak so I drove it straight to my indie shop. Change the timing chain every 100k and keep the valves adjusted and it will run for 200k miles easy. I miss mine, but for about the same money as a nice M6 you can pick up an E28 M5 and a 1988-1989 635 CSi.

Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to have that car.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

I’m bored. And have a strong desire to buy a new car this weekend. That might not end well.

I'm having an utterly INSANE week. Buying a car would be incredible therapy this weekend.

stickguy

I’m thinking it’s going to be my Xmas present to myself, over the weekend before New Years.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

That is true! I think there is just an instinct to bargain. If I can sell the Mini for $3500, then I'd have acquired a very interesting car for $3500 bucks. That's not bad.

Doing the same for $4000 is also not bad.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

roadburner said:

graphicguy said:

That M6 is identical to the one a former boss (actually, my bosses boss) had right down to the colors in and out. To this day, one of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen.

I do remember More than a few times him calling our office looking for someone to come pick him up as his M6 had stranded him. And, that’s when it was new. One that’s 30 years old? That’s a lot of money to pay for something that isn’t going to be anything but a concours piece.

Wow, it must have been a dog; my M6 never stranded me once, although once the radiator sprung a small leak so I drove it straight to my indie shop. Change the timing chain every 100k and keep the valves adjusted and it will run for 200k miles easy. I miss mine, but for about the same money as a nice M6 you can pick up an E28 M5 and a 1988-1989 635 CSi.

Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to have that car.

I understand; it's just that I used to be the East Coast Tech Advisor for the pre-internet M Register(E24 M6 and E28/E34 M5 owners) and I just didn't see a lot of issues that would leave the car stranded. That said, I recall that more than a few dealers who were happy to service those cars yet didn't have the correct tools needed to check and adjust valves- so dealer servicing issues can't be ruled out.

pensfan83

No car buying here but I received my OEM floor mats (used but in fantastic shape), honeycomb grille, and car cover today so I'll be tinkering with the Prelude tomorrow. I'm also going to price out new speakers....doubtful I'll do anything until the spring but if there's a deal to be had I may do those too.

stickguy

Need to add that buggy to your signature line

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

I like how that M6 was sold new in Bellevue, and is now with an elite car dealer catering to royalty in the SF Bay area, appropriate.

Oh yeah Bruce the owner of Fantasy Junction isn't really the "elite" type. His son just won the SCCA runoffs in GT2, running a Camaro. Bruce drives a pickup.

He does have some elite stuff, though--a wide range of cars for sale--lots of gearheads shop there, mostly real car people who collect or vintage race.

I can't image just driving that M6 around. I mean, I would drive it all the time. If people can race, and bang up $1 million dollar cars in vintage racing, I could sure risk an $85K on the freeway.

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

I’m bored. And have a strong desire to buy a new car this weekend. That might not end well.

I'm having an utterly INSANE week. Buying a car would be incredible therapy this weekend.

So....healing! LOL!

28firefighter

This week has been an absolute dumpster fire. Buying a car sounds fun. Wonder what's ending on BaT...?

tbirdmarco

 That is right corvette what you said about the car batteries above the heat kills them, then they call dad when he gets home. Happy Friday all, hope that everyone had a good week. Have a good weekend also. 

tbirdmarco

 20 fire fighter nice nice I’m tinkering with the balloon want recently this weekend cool cool. New York car guy I hope you have a good weekend and next week is , when it comes to work. Stick guy go for it you know we won’t stop you in here by whatever your heart desire‘s. 

tbirdmarco

 Sorry about that 20 fire fighter I meant the prelude you bought recently enjoy tinkering with it this weekend damn voice dictation really screwed that up. It makes me laugh every time I don’t know why. He lives too short. Long overdue for me to do some core think wing but unfortunately tomorrow’s going to rain over here possibly Sunday a little bit, I have to work on getting it registered big ordeal think I mentioned it in here last week. Have to keep at it I’m fighting and get it done. 

tbirdmarco

 Nice stick guy in the real world report of the mileage your daughters getting with her new 2019 generation Jetta. Floyd one what car is your friend looking to get replaced the 2018 Dodge ram? 

xwesx

It's important to remember that lead acid batteries aren't maintenance-free (even the ones that say they are). High temps will cause excess evaporation, so it is important to check them once in a while (annually is fine) and top off the fluid as necessary.

fintail

They have two cars in the entire inventory under 40K, and one is an Isetta. LOL . Nice people I'm sure, and if my dad had the bankroll, maybe I could be a driver too.

That M6 will be washed with a microfiber diaper and trotted out to club meetings once a year, maybe driven around the block once a month. Do more than that to it, and the value will plummet.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Oh yeah Bruce the owner of Fantasy Junction isn't really the "elite" type. His son just won the SCCA runoffs in GT2, running a Camaro. Bruce drives a pickup.

He does have some elite stuff, though--a wide range of cars for sale--lots of gearheads shop there, mostly real car people who collect or vintage race.

I can't image just driving that M6 around. I mean, I would drive it all the time. If people can race, and bang up $1 million dollar cars in vintage racing, I could sure risk an $85K on the freeway.

Mr_Shiftright

The value will only "plummet" in other people's world, not in mine, because I'll be driving it everyday and getting the best kind of "value" there is--real life experience.

Fantasy Junction doesn't usually have much under $50K, but sometimes his best customers will bring some newish car in for consignment, You know, lost-leaders in the $30K range--like the candy bars they put out at the checkout register? I've seen things like 500SLs and 25 year old M3s in there. I even remember a Fiat 850.

Funny thing, the showroom is in a funky part of Oakland, and surrounded by warehouses.

tifighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

Fantasy Junction doesn't usually have much under $50K, but sometimes his best customers will bring some newish car in for consignment, You know, lost-leaders in the $30K range--like the candy bars they put out at the checkout register? I've seen things like 500SLs and 25 year old M3s in there. I even remember a Fiat 850.

Funny thing, the showroom is in a funky part of Oakland, and surrounded by warehouses.

C'mon, that's Emeryville, not Oaktown.

These guys always had at least one Giulia Super to torment me with. At least I don't live a mile away anymore...

corvette

I think Andre’s RAM is a long bed. 

Pennsfan, my Mustang needed speakers. I bought some cheap JBLs from Crutchfield and they sounded great. They sent wiring harnesses to make the install easy. 

qbrozen

Here you go, stickguy. 10-way power heated leather seats, AWD, and lots of power.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen - you need to charge your phone. 

stickguy

not a bad deal. Better than the S60 they had today, at about $650/month off a sticker of $41,000 or so.

I just ran it. for some reason, coming up as NA on my app for price. though that one you posted looks like a "stripper". No roof or BLIS or navi or carplay. MSRP 35K. They do have a gray one, sticker 40K, with all the goodies. Can't wait to find out what that one will go for.

tbirdmarco

 So my dad came to have dinner with all of us for my sisters birthday which is on Sunday we went out to dinner tonight, he came here shut off his car for five minutes, we went back to go in and leave in the battery went dead happens with the first but the battery lasted six years which is good for a modern car in about the driving that he does so he’s on battery number three for 10-year-old car bad. And then it was funny. Will get the new battery in the tow truck came slowly

House which scared me because we didn’t call one, turns out it was for the neighbor  turns out it was for the neighbor across the street your brand new civic wrote down it’s a 2018 I know. 

nyccarguy

From this week’s complete insanity came something good.  I FOUND OUT THAT WAZE WORKS WITH MY PILOT’S APPLE CAR PLAY!  All is right in the world! I had to take my 2 younger kids (Henry 9 & Whitney almost 7) to the Boys & Girls club today before I left for work.  Since we were in a bit of a hurry and running late, we took the Pilot which has my daughter’s booster seat.

I know what you’re thinking.  Why are you dropping the kids off at the Boys & Girls Club on a Friday?  Why are you taking the Pilot?  Where is your wife for cryin’ out loud Bradd?  She works less than 3 miles from home and usually handles this kind of stuff.

So as I explained on Monday, I had to fly to Chicago for a buying group meeting.  It’s a once a year thing where I get together with guys who own plumbing supply businesses all over the country and we discuss all kinds of things plus meet with vendors who try to get us to buy more of their stuff. I flew back on Wednesday.  Got home, had dinner, went Trick or Treating, then dropped my wife off at the train station.  She’s in Baltimore from Wednesday until Saturday taking continuing Ed classes.  It’s a yearly requirement for her to keep her PT license here in CT.

Thursday I got up, got my 12 year old up, fed him breakfast & got him on the bus.  Went back to bed until the other 2 woke up.  There was no school scheduled from Thursday until Tuesday because they found high levels of MOLD all over their elementary school.  While the 2 younger kids and I were eating breakfast, the principal blast calls everyone with a message that the school will be closed for the rest of the year.  My Mom came up to watch them.  I get a call in the AM at work from the Nurse Practitioner that my oldest is getting sent home because he has pink eye.

Today I get him up and his throat hurts.  Get the others up when it’s time & bring them to the Boys & Girls Club.  

Tomorrow, my 12 year old (on anti biotic eye drops) goes away on an overnight with his Hebrew School Class.  I have to take Thing 2 & Thing 3 to work with me.

corvette

Wow, bradd, what a mess! Hope your 12 year old gets better soon. Are the younger two thrilled that school is cancelled the rest of the year?

corvette

Looks like it sold with a few minutes of listing. Paging breld to the red courtesy phone... Do you have a punch to report?

Michaell

corvette said:

Looks like it sold with a few minutes of listing. Paging breld to the red courtesy phone... Do you have a punch to report?

He has been suspiciously quiet.

tbirdmarco

 Well Brad sorry to hear about the crazy week you’ve all been having, I hope your son gets better soon, are the two younger ones thrilled with no school for the rest of the year? So that explains why I’ve been driving the pilot and the good thing came out a bit with that. Ha ha ha yes grills been awfully quiet what’s this I hear about a punch to report, what did he trade in by now. 

tjc78

@nyccarguy .... I’ve had weeks like that!
I love WAZE over car play, it’s about time!

qbrozen

stickguy said:

not a bad deal. Better than the S60 they had today, at about $650/month off a sticker of $41,000 or so. I just ran it. for some reason, coming up as NA on my app for price. though that one you posted looks like a "stripper". No roof or BLIS or navi or carplay. MSRP 35K. They do have a gray one, sticker 40K, with all the goodies. Can't wait to find out what that one will go for.

The gray one has a crazy number on it. $468 for the same term.

How about a barely used loaded one for $23k?
 https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/215646744

stickguy

Bradd, that reminds me that I don't actually miss having young kids! Now we have graduated to helping them move to new apartments, and buy themselves cars. It is more relaxing.

I should try Waze someday. Have not tried it in years. I always heard that it sucks down lots of data too? I have it on my phone and that I updated the OS so it should work in the Elantra. Which I hardly use these days.

stickguy

Interesting Fusion. Seems pretty well equipped. I doubt it has the BLIS package. I can't tell if that has any sort of integrated Navi capability. Does not seem to have it built in, and does not have caplay, so unless Sync runs it somehow it is another antique!

the wife would love the 10 way power passenger seat. But would hate the color. Plus the minor issue, it has a Ford badge on it!

tbirdmarco

Lol lol stick guy

qbrozen

Eh, my BLIS is the sideview mirrors. And carplay doesn't do much for me as long as siri works through the BT. 

tjc78

stickguy said:

Bradd, that reminds me that I don't actually miss having young kids! Now we have graduated to helping them move to new apartments, and buy themselves cars. It is more relaxing.

I should try Waze someday. Have not tried it in years. I always heard that it sucks down lots of data too? I have it on my phone and that I updated the OS so it should work in the Elantra. Which I hardly use these days.

It may be a data hogger... we have unlimited and I’m usually in the middle of data use between my wife and mom. This month since using WAZE (like it for the alerts and police sightings even if not navigating) I’m the highest by far.

stickguy

I have not had issues with apple maps through car play, but will now be using google maps. That s what I normally use anyway, so it's familiar. I only use it when I actually need directions someplace, so not very often.

I never use navi off the phone in the car. and don't even have a mount for it. I really prefer having something running through the head unit in the car. One reason I like built in Navi is the map is always just there if I want to glance at it.

BLIS is not a deal breaker, but having one car with and one without, it is a very nice thing to have. Unless it is something cheap, it would have to be a hell of a good deal otherwise to get me to spend real money on a car without it.

ab348

Fusion Sport has BLIS standard as part of a driver assist package which has the usual safety nannies. There is very little optional on a Sport, and in case you missed it, it is the AWD model with the 2.7 turbo V6 that has 325HP/350 torque. Sounds like a screaming deal.

stickguy

most of the ones I saw around here did not have the driver package. Or a moonroof. Typical it seems.

kyfdx

BLIS is nice. My wife's car has it. Like a lot of stuff, I can live without it, but I wouldn't turn it down.

tjc78

ab348 said:

Fusion Sport has BLIS standard as part of a driver assist package which has the usual safety nannies. There is very little optional on a Sport, and in case you missed it, it is the AWD model with the 2.7 turbo V6 that has 325HP/350 torque. Sounds like a screaming deal.

I hope a year from now there are deals like this.  I could live with that car for sure! 

tjc78

kyfdx said:

BLIS is nice. My wife's car has it. Like a lot of stuff, I can live without it, but I wouldn't turn it down.

I’ve had it for too long now on several cars that I’d hate to not have it now.  

kyfdx

The backup camera is another thing I really like. And, again.. my car doesn't have it.

ab348

stickguy said:

most of the ones I saw around here did not have the driver package. Or a moonroof. Typical it seems.

I just built a Fusion Sport. Unless Ford Canada equips them differently here, about the only options are accessory items. Are you sure you are thinking of the Sport model and not cooking-variety Fusions?

roadburner

Hang tough Bradd; your post reminds me why we only had one child- I don't know how you do it with three...

stickguy

Back Up camera, unless I am getting a toy, that is non-negotiable in a real car. Unless they want to put back in actual visibility out the back, and I don't see that happening.

ab, must be a country thing. The base sport (at least, the 2017s I was looking at) did not come with BLIS, moonroof, Navi, etc. standard. Those were options or packages.

graphicguy

Bradd....Yeah.... I remember those days. I only had one, and it was a litany of filling the day with seemingly small and large time blocks of school, sports, pick up, drop off to and from all sorts of places. I had one. You’re multiplying it by 3.

Hang tough, my man!