Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

omarman

ab348 said:

I dunno, Shifty... if you are not scared by having a car that has some ongoing, uh, needs, what about a Jag XK? Early 2000s models are probably in the range you are looking at.

I was reading an online history of Jaguar this morning which is why that is on my mind. There are some horror stories about what Ford found after they spent over $2 billion to buy it. This is my favorite:

"Shortly after he had arrived at Jaguar, Nick Scheele went to the water booth at the test track, where cars were tested for water leaks and found new cars scoring in the 90s. That seemed good according to USA practice, where results were scored on a scale of 100, but the Test Engineer pointed out that at Jaguar, the score meant a vehicle had 90 leaks!"

When you're chewing on life's gristle,
Don't grumble, give a whistle,
And this'll help things turn out for the best, hey,
Always look on the bright side of life,
Always look on the light side of life,

(Python, Monty)

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

I have absolutely no need for this and my wife would kill me, but I want it: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-330i-zhp-9/

I'm really pleased to see that price.

In comparison, my car is a coupe, 3 years newer, but 35K more miles. My car has a leather steering wheel, instead of alcantara, though. Otherwise, identical. My black kidneys are OEM gloss black, not the cheap matte ones on this car. My car also has an OEM short shift kit (with a different stick/knob).

His description and pictures of the interior/exterior show almost the same wear as mine, as well.
Looks nice, though I'm not a fan of tinted windows. I seriously doubt they used OEM parts to re-do the cooling system, but I guess anything is possible.

Not a giant fan of buying a car that the owner has only had for one year.

Hope he gets over $10K!!

He will, I'm sure. For some reason I thought your car had much higher mileage. I consider the leather steering wheel compared to alcantra a plus since the alcantra just wears horribly.

If all of the cooling system work and other wearables have been done, higher mileage wouldn't scare me.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

I have absolutely no need for this and my wife would kill me, but I want it: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-330i-zhp-9/

I'm really pleased to see that price.

In comparison, my car is a coupe, 3 years newer, but 35K more miles. My car has a leather steering wheel, instead of alcantara, though. Otherwise, identical. My black kidneys are OEM gloss black, not the cheap matte ones on this car. My car also has an OEM short shift kit (with a different stick/knob).

His description and pictures of the interior/exterior show almost the same wear as mine, as well.
Looks nice, though I'm not a fan of tinted windows. I seriously doubt they used OEM parts to re-do the cooling system, but I guess anything is possible.

Not a giant fan of buying a car that the owner has only had for one year.

Hope he gets over $10K!!

He will, I'm sure. For some reason I thought your car had much higher mileage. I consider the leather steering wheel compared to alcantra a plus since the alcantra just wears horribly.

If all of the cooling system work and other wearables have been done, higher mileage wouldn't scare me.

Yeah, I'm at 118K. 40K when I bought it in April, 2010

qbrozen

Digging this one.

I'm kind of surprised the crazy pricing of other '90s Japanese hot rods hasn't driven up the value of these more.

nyccarguy

All is well. I did some vehicular shuffling. My wife drove my Infiniti for the day & I took the Prelude out in some less than ideal conditions (cold and raining), but service visit #2 (14,8XX miles) for the Pilot was a success. Synthetic Oil & Filter Change, Tire Rotation, & a rear differential fluid drain & fill for $130.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

Digging this one.

I'm kind of surprised the crazy pricing of other '90s Japanese hot rods hasn't driven up the value of these more.

Bad reputation, not much aftermarket support---there's a lot not to like here.

stickguy

Not a fan of the barge Mitsubishi. But I would like a nice starion!

Bradd, my Elantra got serviced today too. Oil filter and rotation, multi point inspection, for $40. No rear diff of course! An advantage to FWD. less to maintain or go wrong.

Drivingfool

Saw an Elantra Sport at a light yesterday. A dark color so at first didn't notice the sunroof. Did notice the "turbo" icon on the front grill though. Nice looking vehicle. Also saw a new 2019 Elantra and like the new rear fascia a lot better than the current one, gives it more of a Sonata look out back. But still liking the Kona the more I see them on the roads. That and the Nissan Kicks both have my interest right now. As much as I love the Mini Cooper, just think it's a bit too small for my needs as I'll be making some extra trips to Orlando during the next year or so. The Golf runs nicely on the highway and the drive is just under 2hours, 20 minutes give or take. The cruise works very well and keeps the speed it's set on and it's under a half a tank to get there.

The Sandman/Driving Fool

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Not a fan of the barge Mitsubishi. But I would like a nice starion!

Bradd, my Elantra got serviced today too. Oil filter and rotation, multi point inspection, for $40. No rear diff of course! An advantage to FWD. less to maintain or go wrong.

My wife took my 3 kids plus their hockey bags along with a friend of my 9 year old's and his hockey bag to the rink for "public skate" this afternoon.

Pilot 1
Elantra 0

Drivingfool

Stopped into the social security office today and man, was it crowded. Decided to make an appointment to come back but the lady said it would only be about an hour. So I waited. Since I'm a civil service retiree, I get screwed with my s s thanks to that jerk Regan and the passage of the "Windfall Elimination Provision" of 1983 or so. Basically what it means is that I'll be getting "[non-permissible content removed]" each month due to my government pension. Honestly, doesn't seem fair but since when is anything the "right" does seem fair. But, not gonna get into politics here. Just think it really stinks!!

The Sandman/Driving Fool :@

stickguy

I’ll bet you are way better off than if you had no pension and max SS.

And don’t forget, all those civil service years, you were not getting 6% plus sucked out of your paycheck for SS Either

28firefighter

@kyfdx - Bidding went up to $10,300, but reserve was not met.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

@kyfdx - Bidding went up to $10,300, but reserve was not met.

My guess is $11K is about where those top out, these days. Unless you get one that's in the wrapper.

I'd guess mine around $8K-$9K ($9500 for @breld ).

But, for that much, I'll just keep driving it.

28firefighter

Seems to be the consensus. For most sellers the value to them is much higher than the actual street value, so unless you need to sell, you're better off just keeping it and driving it. Most commenting put it at 12-13k tops, if they were local to the seller. Apparently it had been listed elsewhere for $17k and never sold.

cdnpinhead

My defined benefit pension (which I get because I'm older than God) is significantly less than my SS cheque. If I'd retired a few years ago I'd have gotten a significantly larger Hon retirement benefit, but that was then and this is now (sorry for the cliche). Private companies are trying their best to quit paying people like me. Government pensions (NOT SS benefits) never go down. I'm waiting to see how this turns out for CA and other deep blue states.

henryn

A lot of politicians got in over their heads promising always bigger pensions. The city of Houston dang near went bankrupt just a few years back over pensions. It's always easier to promise something for the far off future as compared to coming up with money to pay a higher salary right now.

One thing you learn with age: the pigeons ALWAYS come home to roost. You will have to pay the piper.

How about that for some cliches?

tjc78

omarman said:

ab348 said:

I dunno, Shifty... if you are not scared by having a car that has some ongoing, uh, needs, what about a Jag XK? Early 2000s models are probably in the range you are looking at.

I was reading an online history of Jaguar this morning which is why that is on my mind. There are some horror stories about what Ford found after they spent over $2 billion to buy it. This is my favorite:

"Shortly after he had arrived at Jaguar, Nick Scheele went to the water booth at the test track, where cars were tested for water leaks and found new cars scoring in the 90s. That seemed good according to USA practice, where results were scored on a scale of 100, but the Test Engineer pointed out that at Jaguar, the score meant a vehicle had 90 leaks!"

When you're chewing on life's gristle,
Don't grumble, give a whistle,
And this'll help things turn out for the best, hey,
Always look on the bright side of life,
Always look on the light side of life,

(Python, Monty)

Our local classic rock station (102.9) plays that song everyday at the end of the morning show.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_DeBella

I’m sure @stickguy has heard it, but @qbrozen maybe too far north for Philly stations.

tbirdmarco

 Like the song you posted above 50. Do you work car guy, I am stick guy played your cars but can’t some service today. 

stickguy

I recall that TJC. But have not listened to deBella in probably decades.

Went to Burns today to get my car back. Service people were quite pleasant. Oil, filter and rotation, otd including tax and fees, $39.98. Semi-synth oil. No complaints about that.

tjc78

I’ll be there next week just noticed I’m due for a change too.  

Two years old tomorrow just turned 13k. Question is what replaces it next year! 

stickguy

speaking of "what's next", I scoped out a couple options while at the Hyundai/Buick dealer (separate buildings, same lot). Checked out a Genesis G70 advance. AWD. This is the base model, so good starting point to see how it works. 2.0T engine. MSRP about $39,800. checked out the features, then took a quick drive.

Overall, it is nice. well equipped with electronic goodies, but no moonroof (Boo!). the 4 cyl pulled strong, but certainly not quite the V6 turbo. but plenty quick for me. road well, nice steering and handling. Did not really get to exercise it fully, but I don't doubt the test drives that praised the handling.

the one disappointment was actually the driver's seat (a primary justification for this exercise!). Comfy shape, but bottom cushion was a touch short, and only way to get enough rake was to drop the seat lower than I wanted. Not a great idea by Hyundai. Possible that higher line models have fancier seats though I guess. And the console encroached more than would prefer. Again, would need to spend a bit more time playing with it and adjusting to see if it was acceptable.

But, a really nice car if it fits you!

stickguy

stopped into Buick showroom and just sat in a regal. I think it was a lower line model, so not fancy. Cloth seats, but really comfy. Shaped well, roomy but still some bolstering, and adjusted great. Very nice. But that s a big car. Really don't need that much length. The G70 was a much tidier size for me. But if you want or need bigger, seriously worth a look. That had a GS out front, that looked sharp and had really styling seats.

so other than the TLX, which somehow feels smaller than it is, I think I will be looking in the mid size to tweener sedan range. Or compact CUV types, which tend to be shorter.

qbrozen

tjc78 said:

I dunno, Shifty... if you are not scared by having a car that has some ongoing, uh, needs, what about a Jag XK? Early 2000s models are probably in the range you are looking at. I was reading an online history of Jaguar this morning which is why that is on my mind. There are some horror stories about what Ford found after they spent over $2 billion to buy it. This is my favorite: "Shortly after he had arrived at Jaguar, Nick Scheele went to the water booth at the test track, where cars were tested for water leaks and found new cars scoring in the 90s. That seemed good according to USA practice, where results were scored on a scale of 100, but the Test Engineer pointed out that at Jaguar, the score meant a vehicle had 90 leaks!"

When you're chewing on life's gristle, Don't grumble, give a whistle, And this'll help things turn out for the best, hey, Always look on the bright side of life, Always look on the light side of life, (Python, Monty)

Our local classic rock station (102.9) plays that song everyday at the end of the morning show. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_DeBella I’m sure @stickguy has heard it, but @qbrozen maybe too far north for Philly stations.

I'm actually closer to Philly than NYC.
But I pretty much never listen to FM radio.

breld

28firefighter said:

Seems to be the consensus. For most sellers the value to them is much higher than the actual street value, so unless you need to sell, you're better off just keeping it and driving it. Most commenting put it at 12-13k tops, if they were local to the seller. Apparently it had been listed elsewhere for $17k and never sold.

That was my comment (or at least one of them) that pegged it at $12-13k tops.

I was keeping my eye on that one too - I'm still lusting after an E39, but wouldn't push a nice ZHP out of bed.

breld

@qbrozen - I like that 3000GT too, but not the color so much, or the chrome wheels (though those could easily be replaced).

Back in college, one of my accounting professors had a shiny new blue 3000GT VR4 - we thought (rightfully so) that he was the coolest.

28firefighter

breld said:

Seems to be the consensus. For most sellers the value to them is much higher than the actual street value, so unless you need to sell, you're better off just keeping it and driving it. Most commenting put it at 12-13k tops, if they were local to the seller. Apparently it had been listed elsewhere for $17k and never sold.

That was my comment (or at least one of them) that pegged it at $12-13k tops. I was keeping my eye on that one too - I'm still lusting after an E39, but wouldn't push a nice ZHP out of bed.

Shows how closely I pay attention to the handles. 

corvette

Apparently I have had a "free trial" of XM on the G37 which began when I bought it. The radio never activated and I wasn't able to use it. I never knew this until I got a notice in the mail asking me to renew my free subscription. I sent a refresh signal and now have XM, which I already had in the Tahoe. I like it, but the DJs can get really annoying at times, and the compression bitrate is noticeably bad on some songs. Someone should start a new high definition audio satellite radio competitor with no DJs.

nyccarguy

Shifty - fits your criteria.  2 Doors, RWD, 6-Speed Manual...

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/d/1994-corvette-low-miles-6/6736231762.html

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

Shifty - fits your criteria.  2 Doors, RWD, 6-Speed Manual...

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/d/1994-corvette-low-miles-6/6736231762.html

They got overspray in some really odd areas on that thing

ab348

breld said:

@qbrozen - I like that 3000GT too, but not the color so much, or the chrome wheels (though those could easily be replaced).

Back in college, one of my accounting professors had a shiny new blue 3000GT VR4 - we thought (rightfully so) that he was the coolest.

Wheeler Dealers did up one of those last year. Just about every one of the gee-whiz things on it (active exhaust, active aero, 4-wheel steering) was broken and needed fixing. Apparently the OEM chrome wheels are much sought-after now so they sourced a set and replaced the later aftermarket ones that it was wearing.

I never really understood "big" Japanese sporty cars like this and the Supra.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

Shifty - fits your criteria.  2 Doors, RWD, 6-Speed Manual...

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/d/1994-corvette-low-miles-6/6736231762.html

Yikes! No thanks..

tbirdmarco

 Nice cars mentioned above all, orbit were you able to renew the subscription on the G 37 for the satellite radio? Or you just gonna go without it? Have a good day off. 

tbirdmarco

 Thanks cars you so when he went to the brooms dealer ship yesterday steak die. 

qbrozen

ab348 said:

@qbrozen - I like that 3000GT too, but not the color so much, or the chrome wheels (though those could easily be replaced). Back in college, one of my accounting professors had a shiny new blue 3000GT VR4 - we thought (rightfully so) that he was the coolest.

Wheeler Dealers did up one of those last year. Just about every one of the gee-whiz things on it (active exhaust, active aero, 4-wheel steering) was broken and needed fixing. Apparently the OEM chrome wheels are much sought-after now so they sourced a set and replaced the later aftermarket ones that it was wearing. I never really understood "big" Japanese sporty cars like this and the Supra.

They were just ahead of their time. Comparable to today's LCF/Q60, I think.

stickguy

I saw a later (hoop wing) Supra driving around this week. In the rain. Rare sighting.

qbrozen

@stickguy - $7k incentive on 2018 S60 T5 inscriptions this month.

stickguy

Lease? Certainly not reflected on honker. Those prices are through the roof now.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

@stickguy - $7k incentive on 2018 S60 T5 inscriptions this month.

Really low residuals to go with that, though

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

Shifty - fits your criteria.  2 Doors, RWD, 6-Speed Manual...

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/d/1994-corvette-low-miles-6/6736231762.html

They got overspray in some really odd areas on that thing

First thing I noticed.....under the hood. What did they do, paint it in their driveway?

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

@stickguy - $7k incentive on 2018 S60 T5 inscriptions this month.

Really low residuals to go with that, though

I've seen worse. 48% for 36/10. Folks have reported bigger discounts, but let's say a modest 10% off a $40k car plus the $7k incentive gets you to $29k with a $19,200 residual. That's $272/mo depreciation. And they are at about 0.5% interest (.00022 MF), so that is about $10.60/mo. Puts us right about $300/mo in NJ including tax and with just fees paid up front.

qbrozen

So here is an interesting option for people who drive a lot. Volvo has changed their CPO program to unlimited miles. 5 years is standard but can be extended to 8 yrs. Just an example, this nice blue well-equipped one is under $20k and you could have 4 yrs and 9 mos of unlimited mileage coverage (in service was July 2015).
https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/s60/s60-t5-fwd-premier-p6cq8rk

qbrozen

This one is only $16k. Just gotta take a little drive.
https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/s60/s60-t5-fwd-premier-mgcqy4j

stickguy

Nice looking. The one in Lawrenceville is a lower option car.

jpp75

Those are the same colors as the S60 I had. Still one of my all time favorite cars.

stickguy

Our s40 was that combo too. Always liked it.

stickguy

So, what should I buy? If wanting to keep purchase price at about 25k or less.

Talking cars here, not airliners.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

Shifty - fits your criteria.  2 Doors, RWD, 6-Speed Manual...

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/d/1994-corvette-low-miles-6/6736231762.html

They got overspray in some really odd areas on that thing

The Corvette's traditional bio-degradable interior warrants a better set of photos, but it is a '94, which is a good year for the C4. And, I suppose I could find some gold chains in a pawn shop and buy a toupee on Amazon.

Actually the only way I would own a C4 is to get rid of its ugly nose and put something custom on there. Price seems a little dear, too, unless it were exceptionally clean.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

So here is an interesting option for people who drive a lot. Volvo has changed their CPO program to unlimited miles. 5 years is standard but can be extended to 8 yrs. Just an example, this nice blue well-equipped one is under $20k and you could have 4 yrs and 9 mos of unlimited mileage coverage (in service was July 2015).
https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/s60/s60-t5-fwd-premier-p6cq8rk

You HAD to get him started on Volvos again?

kyfdx

Winter tires went on this morning. That should guarantee warm temperatures and no snow for another month.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

So, what should I buy? If wanting to keep purchase price at about 25k or less.

Talking cars here, not airliners.

I just showed you! ;b