Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

I really like that 2002 Silver. But I would not throw the coupe out of bed for leaving crumbs.

stickguy

benjaminh said:

stickguy said:

....
so I think the simple plan, is the way to go. I will find something that will serve as our everyday (going place together) and travel car, swap my car for it, and let her drive it to work. The RDX can stay as my spare car, dog runner, etc.....

I'm mostly a believer in advances in automotive technology. I must admit it never crossed my mind that I wouldn't need a gas cap. But now that both our cars are capless, I wouldn't want to go back. I only got my first "smart" phone about six years ago, and so I was way behind the curve there. But until three years ago it seemed like an impossible idea that a phone would could integrated with an app that would make built-in navigation—which I loved—obsolete. But now I use AndroidAuto in whatever car I drive every day. This is a long-winded way to say what you already know better than I do—your Elantra Sport is pretty much up-to-date in terms of technology, while a 2013 RDX is already behind the times. It seems puzzling to me to get rid of a car that has CarPlay, blis, 9+ years of warranty, etc. while keeping a vehicle that lacks the newer tech and is almost out of warranty. Just my 2 cents. Please ignore.

My wife likes the RDX and has no interest in using my car to commute to work. And we don't want (need?) 2 new cars with payments. The new car would be hers, and what we take going out together, and travelling. Normally we did that in my car (the Sonata she liked). The Elantra is just less suited for it. So, that is the logic to flip the elantra for something comparable in tech but more comfortable, and better for her commuting (the safety assist stuff).

I work from home. The spare car gets little use. The RDX is fine for taking out when the roads are crappy, taking the hairball Lab out places, dragging bags of dirt home from Lowes, etc. Basically a spare car when I need one, and a really nice dump runner! Actually, a compact PU would be the perfect 2nd car for me right now, but we already have this one so I make it work.

the last 3 years or so, the RDX barely got to 5,000 miles/year. And about 2K of that were the 2 trips a year taking the daughter to or from college. So under these conditions, it has plenty of tech.

stickguy

this kinda interests me. Seems overpriced to me, but maybe this is a real value? Just rare to see a nicely loaded, FWD version.

https://www.volvocarsprinceton.com/certified/Volvo/2015-Volvo-XC60-7f6b09600a0e0ae877596e0fab590cb9.htm

benjaminh

Article from TTAC....

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/11/the-cost-of-ev-adoption-just-6-trillion/#more-1648764

"The Cost of EV Adoption? Just $6 Trillion
By Matt Posky on November 12, 2018

Alternative fuel advocates often suggest that if society could simply get the lead out on solving the infrastructure problem, electric vehicle adoption would reach an all-time high. They’re most likely correct, too. With so much of the world set to gradually ban internal combustion vehicles, EV sales are almost assured to rise. But holdouts abound due to electric vehicles’ laundry list of shortcomings.

Electric cars are often more expensive than their combustion counterparts, offer diminished range, take longer to “refuel,” and are subjected to a charging network that’s less robust than than those associated with petroleum. If the industry is to solve those problems, it’s going to need a lot of money. Around $6 trillion should do the trick.

The estimate, surmised by Goldman Sachs and published by Bloomberg last week, claims the world would need to spend about 7.5 percent of its gross domestic product (or $6 trillion USD) on electric infrastructure to put EVs on equal footing. That’s almost unfathomable and doesn’t include money going toward vehicle assembly and battery development.

If you’re wondering who’ll pick up the check, you’ve probably seen them in the mirror. A large portion of EV adoption has been helped via government programs and tax breaks. But Goldman Sachs says that’s not a sustainable business model. It’s also warning that the transition costs will have to be reduced through additional government subsidies and support. Withdrawing support from the market too early, as was the case with Tesla in Denmark and Hong Kong, obliterates sales almost immediately...."

more at the link

pensfan83

breld said:

@pensfan83 - the owner of the white Prelude here in Denver is starting to come down a bit. What had you offered him before? $7,000?

The red one you ended up with looks to be in better condition, I'd say. So well done.

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-honda-prelude-type-sh/6713459020.html

Yep, offered him $7K, he could have had this wrapped up in August if he wanted. Things worked out though, my preference was a base model and I don't have 2 white cars

fintail

Yay more subsidies on 100K boutique products for the lucky demographics, yeah, that'll end well. Cut off the breaks at 50K tops.

benjaminh said:

Article from TTAC....

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/11/the-cost-of-ev-adoption-just-6-trillion/#more-1648764

"The Cost of EV Adoption? Just $6 Trillion
By Matt Posky on November 12, 2018

Alternative fuel advocates often suggest that if society could simply get the lead out on solving the infrastructure problem, electric vehicle adoption would reach an all-time high. They’re most likely correct, too. With so much of the world set to gradually ban internal combustion vehicles, EV sales are almost assured to rise. But holdouts abound due to electric vehicles’ laundry list of shortcomings.

Electric cars are often more expensive than their combustion counterparts, offer diminished range, take longer to “refuel,” and are subjected to a charging network that’s less robust than than those associated with petroleum. If the industry is to solve those problems, it’s going to need a lot of money. Around $6 trillion should do the trick.

The estimate, surmised by Goldman Sachs and published by Bloomberg last week, claims the world would need to spend about 7.5 percent of its gross domestic product (or $6 trillion USD) on electric infrastructure to put EVs on equal footing. That’s almost unfathomable and doesn’t include money going toward vehicle assembly and battery development.

If you’re wondering who’ll pick up the check, you’ve probably seen them in the mirror. A large portion of EV adoption has been helped via government programs and tax breaks. But Goldman Sachs says that’s not a sustainable business model. It’s also warning that the transition costs will have to be reduced through additional government subsidies and support. Withdrawing support from the market too early, as was the case with Tesla in Denmark and Hong Kong, obliterates sales almost immediately...."

more at the link

Drivingfool

My car is dead in the garage!!!! Arrrgggggghhhhhh!!!!

stickguy

Time for a new one!

Or maybe you left a light on and it needs a jump.

ab348

Drivingfool said:

My car is dead in the garage!!!! Arrrgggggghhhhhh!!!!

[Removes hat, places it over heart, bows head]

I'm sorry for your loss.

qbrozen

I found a dead mouse in my garage. Kinda similar, no?

28firefighter

This was a nice one that sold for, IMO, a reasonable amount.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-porsche-911-carrera-51/

benjaminh

A guy with self described "golden locks" tells you if the Panamera is the goldilocks of cars....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkiWivzp6g

28firefighter

This was also a decent buy given the mileage, but the lack of service history and long list of issues that plague the '01 Boxster S probably killed it. Then again, a 2001 Boxster S with 142k miles sold earlier this year for 13k but had a full service history for it on BaT.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-porsche-boxster-s-24/

ronsteve

stickguy said:

this kinda interests me. Seems overpriced to me, but maybe this is a real value? Just rare to see a nicely loaded, FWD version. https://www.volvocarsprinceton.com/certified/Volvo/2015-Volvo-XC60-7f6b09600a0e0ae877596e0fab590cb9.htm

Not sure where that model should land but looks like a nice copy. Biggest concern for me would be the reliability of the first year of that E-drive powertrain.  

I opted against a T6 model back at the end of September... the dealer here was at 28,4 with a CPO warranty... black on black. I got them to move about 1500 without much effort but they were all in at that point and still seemed high.  MPG and bevel gears were both a little scary too. 

tbirdmarco

 Stick guy, I see where you’re coming from them, you only really need one new car, best to keep the are the acts which you’re saying, get rid of the Alandra and get something nice for the wife to take for commuting and when you guys come out, like that plan a lot. Benjamin what’s the picture you posted at the bottom of the prior page? And also Benjamin like the article you posted on the prior page to as well. Hope everyone had a good day,  Will be back in here liter. He was quiet but can’t complain all-around good. 

tbirdmarco

 Driving fool, sorry to hear about the dead battery on your car yesterday. Did you get to get to the bottom of why it went dead, just a dead battery or something left arm. It was there some power draw on the battery of something in the car but did not turn itself off, lucky module of some sort? 

qbrozen

As I was updating my profile just now, I came to the realization that I got my 45th vehicle just before my 45th bday.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

This was a nice one that sold for, IMO, a reasonable amount. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-porsche-911-carrera-51/

Considering some of the overpriced garbage out there, I really like this car.  

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

This was also a decent buy given the mileage, but the lack of service history and long list of issues that plague the '01 Boxster S probably killed it. Then again, a 2001 Boxster S with 142k miles sold earlier this year for 13k but had a full service history for it on BaT. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-porsche-boxster-s-24/

Boxster S looks like fun at the price point, but that IMS could grenade any minute according to Shifty.

stickguy

I liked that coupe too.

stickguy

ronsteve said:

stickguy said:

this kinda interests me. Seems overpriced to me, but maybe this is a real value? Just rare to see a nicely loaded, FWD version.

https://www.volvocarsprinceton.com/certified/Volvo/2015-Volvo-XC60-7f6b09600a0e0ae877596e0fab590cb9.htm

Not sure where that model should land but looks like a nice copy. Biggest concern for me would be the reliability of the first year of that E-drive powertrain.  

I opted against a T6 model back at the end of September... the dealer here was at 28,4 with a CPO warranty... black on black. I got them to move about 1500 without much effort but they were all in at that point and still seemed high.  MPG and bevel gears were both a little scary too. 

I feel ya on the big thirsty motor, and old style AWD. I do like this one though. Not CPO of course (about 4 months of regular BtoB left). And of course, cheaper.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2015-volvo-xc60-certified_xc60_t6_awd_suv_blind_spot_navigation-used-17759845.html

corvette

ronsteve said:

I opted against a T6 model back at the end of September... the dealer here was at 28,4 with a CPO warranty... black on black. I got them to move about 1500 without much effort but they were all in at that point and still seemed high.  MPG and bevel gears were both a little scary too. 

"...still seemed high." I think this touches on an important point, something I still have to remind myself on occasion. Something as simple as not feeling good about a particular deal, a particular car, or a particular dealership is sufficient reason by itself to kill a deal. In the end, it doesn't matter if you're right or wrong to feel that way. You can and will find another deal, another car, and/or another dealership.

When I was searching for a rental property, there was one in particular that my real estate agent really seemed to like. It didn't check all of the boxes I was looking for, but moreover, I also got a bad vibe from it. The bad vibe made me take it off my list. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if he was completely right and I was completely wrong about it, or vice versa. I looked at several other properties that I liked better, and ended up buying one of those.

stickguy

I spend enough time cruising the internet listings to know that there is no shortage of used cars out there. many of which seem to have quite "ambitious" asking prices. though of course, no reason you can't make an offer.

I have had cars I saw in person that really did just ring some warning bells. Even if only in my mind, they still count.

Drivingfool

Crazy part is I was going to go get a new battery and rotate the tires Wednesday morning before the movers came! Well, called Safeco roadside and a guy came with a hand held jumper within 45 minutes, so was on my way. Made it to my guy at Tires Plus but of course, he's off. His co-worker helped me, threw away my coupon and said, "don't worry, I'll give you the same family and friends discount as Rich would". Was on my way within an hour, they were too busy to do the rotation but I can go to any store of theirs, plus any Firestone, and get the free rotation since I bought them there. Saw one right near the kids new place in St. Cloud two weeks back, so will go either Friday or Monday as we don't come back home till Wednesday at this point. She goes back to work Monday so I'll see what happens. Just might come back early and go back to work but as of now, off till that Monday after turkey day.
There's a NASCAR event in Homestead this weekend and all week we've been getting minivans and brand new Impala's ready for them. They asked me to work today and also Sunday night at 8 pm but had to say no since I won't be in town. Hey, such is life.
Movers will be here at 10 this morning. Internet folks come tomorrow morning plus the refrigerator and washer/dryer. New furniture comes Thursday afternoon so it's gonna be busy up there.

tbirdmarco

 Corbett and stick guy, yes I have to go with your gut instinct enjoyed reading everything above glad everything‘s going well driving fool. Your car has a new battery is ready to go, 

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

This was also a decent buy given the mileage, but the lack of service history and long list of issues that plague the '01 Boxster S probably killed it. Then again, a 2001 Boxster S with 142k miles sold earlier this year for 13k but had a full service history for it on BaT.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-porsche-boxster-s-24/

Boxster S looks like fun at the price point, but that IMS could grenade any minute according to Shifty.

That’s what I don’t get. It had the clutch replaced recently, too.

I’ve been poking around some of these for the last several weeks. I was under the impression that Porche’s are very robust. But, when a clutch in a humble Honda Civic can last over a 100K miles, I would think Porsche could do that plus some.

I’ve also been under the impression that Porsche owners take better care of their cars than most. So, the list of things that 911 shows as replaced makes me wonder.

Then again, it could show my lack of knowledge regarding Porsches, too.

nyccarguy

A customer of mine pulled up with this F150 this AM.  I dig the look of the White Truck.  Sucker is big though.  Which cab style is this?

kyfdx

Looks like the extended CAB, with the clamshell rear doors.

Those still have a relatively normal back seat, though tighter.

nyccarguy

I don’t know if it was a bad load of gas or some extra traffic, but I averaged 15.66 mpg last week.  I don’t even think I got 300 miles to the tank.

ab348

Is there an online resource that explains the bewildering variety of F-150 grille designs?

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

Looks like the extended CAB, with the clamshell rear doors. Those still have a relatively normal back seat, though tighter.

The back seat looked kinda tight

stickguy

If I got a 1/2 ton, that would likely be the set up I would want.

pensfan83

ab348 said:

Is there an online resource that explains the bewildering variety of F-150 grille designs?

I remember reading an article many years ago that the number of different option combinations on the F-150 totaled in the millions.

pensfan83

The backseat in the SuperCab is a bit tight but in the SuperCrew the back seat downright cavernous. We used my dad's F-150 on vacation this past year and the boys LOVED it because they had so much room to spread out.

henryn

The F150 comes in crewcab (SuperCrew, affectionately known as the "S'Crew", or in extended cab. They both have the same wheelbase, as the extended cab has a 6.5' bed, and the S'Crew has a 5.5' bed. The MSRP on the extended cab will be as much as $2k less, but in the real world you can usually drive off with a S'Crew for the same or even less. Dealers will have 10 S'Crews for every extended cab model on the lot, and there will be bigger factory incentives on the S'Crew.

ON EDIT: and the resale value on the S'Crew will be quite a bit higher, naturally.

corvette

ab348 said:

Is there an online resource that explains the bewildering variety of F-150 grille designs?

I think Jalopnik or TTAC did a side by side comparison when the new model came out. At the time, I think there were four or five options, but that may have been before the Platinum trim was available. And that may not account for the Raptor or for any mid-cycle refreshes. 

kyfdx

pensfan83 said:

The backseat in the SuperCab is a bit tight but in the SuperCrew the back seat downright cavernous. We used my dad's F-150 on vacation this past year and the boys LOVED it because they had so much room to spread out.

That's right.. .it's called a Super Cab

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

This was also a decent buy given the mileage, but the lack of service history and long list of issues that plague the '01 Boxster S probably killed it. Then again, a 2001 Boxster S with 142k miles sold earlier this year for 13k but had a full service history for it on BaT.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-porsche-boxster-s-24/

Boxster S looks like fun at the price point, but that IMS could grenade any minute according to Shifty.

The higher the miles, the less likely--oddly enough. I'd take a wild guess and say that your odds are about 3 in 100 of disaster if you don't address the issue. Certainly better odds than say a Mazda RX-8, which is probably 3 out of 4 against you, but when the IMS goes, it goes big. You could buy 3 or 4 Mazda engines for one Porsche engine.

You need a big set of ...mufflers.... to buy a 996 or Boxster on the blind with no IMS correction history.

28firefighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

The higher the miles, the less likely--oddly enough. I'd take a wild guess and say that your odds are about 3 in 100 of disaster if you don't address the issue. Certainly better odds than say a Mazda RX-8, which is probably 3 out of 4 against you, but when the IMS goes, it goes big. You could buy 3 or 4 Mazda engines for one Porsche engine.

You need a big set of ...mufflers.... to buy a 996 or Boxster on the blind with no IMS correction history.

Or without a PPI and oil analysis. If those are clear, then immediately doing the IMS.

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

Looks like the extended CAB, with the clamshell rear doors.

Those still have a relatively normal back seat, though tighter.

The back seat looked kinda tight

Does NEW YORK change to winter blend fuel during the cold months? Might explain it if they did.

Mr_Shiftright

Hot on the trail of a Volvo C30 that popped up--dark green, stickshift, leather, roof, heated seats, 86K miles. Might drive up to Sacramento on Friday to take a look.

Pros? 1/3rd the price of a used Cayman with the same miles on it, way more reliable than an RX-8, nicer ride than a Mini and a tick faster than a GTI of the same year.

Cons? A bit of an odd duck, not really a "sports" car if you push it.

28firefighter

You forgot the seats. The seats in the C30 are absolutely incredible.

Mr_Shiftright

Yes, and that's important. The Mini, being old, really beats me up. One thing I didn't like about the RX-8 were the seats.

I've always had to fight this contradiction---big man likes small cars.

stickguy

If you really want sharper handling at the limits, you can upgrade the suspension easily enough.

Mr_Shiftright

That might not require too much. I noticed on the other C30 I drove that handling was pretty good, but there was more body roll than a Mini might put up. So perhaps a sway bar kit would correct that.

jpp75

Very nice @Mr_Shiftright I hope it works out. I drove one last week but I need to wait until spring to really do something and it wasn't the perfect car so I passed, but it did remind me how much I love driving those cars.

qbrozen

Here is your immediate parts list, shifty.
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4894/110419-anti-sway-bar-kit-p1-s40-v50-c30-c70-models
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/11057/124547-front-sway-bar-end-link-p1-c30-c70-s40-v50
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/16563/126094-wireless-remote-performance-tune-with-hardware-deposit

tjc78

Mr_Shiftright said:

Hot on the trail of a Volvo C30 that popped up--dark green, stickshift, leather, roof, heated seats, 86K miles. Might drive up to Sacramento on Friday to take a look. Pros? 1/3rd the price of a used Cayman with the same miles on it, way more reliable than an RX-8, nicer ride than a Mini and a tick faster than a GTI of the same year. Cons? A bit of an odd duck, not really a "sports" car if you push it.

Good luck.  Get a good taco on the trip 

kyfdx

I think that's an acceptable replacement for the MINI, without comparing it to those other options.

Waiting to hear about the tacos.

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

I think that's an acceptable replacement for the MINI, without comparing it to those other options.

Waiting to hear about the tacos.

Actually that would be 1.5 tacos, since the trip is 150 miles RT. Might not be able to get there until Monday though. Very jam-packed week.