Premium pckg? CPO? Xenons? (Just asking, not saying what you should want).
Premium- I don't care. CPO- No, just the 4/50 new car warranty. Xenons- Standard on the 335i, but I won't buy a new/nearly new car without them(I've even fitted Hella E-codes to my Wrangler)
And what about the large # of fuel-pump failures with the N54?
Yeah, that bothers me a bit, but Swope is so good with service/repairs and loaners that any problems would be relatively painless. In all honesty, my main concern is how well it would hold up on the track. At least my service advisor and a couple of the salesmen also track their cars, so I wouldn't get any warranty hassles.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Glad to hear that you are liking your Pilot. I DO like the 2009's
Honestly I haven't paid much attention to the new styles out there. I'm perfectly happy with my 07 Pilot and haven't felt the need to keep up on the latest and greatest, lol.
My Pilot turned 25k yesterday, normally by this time I'd be out of the base warranty, lol.
Woody, will you buy the house already!!! How long have we been hearing about this or am I missing something?
Touche, mark--I needed some comic relief at my own weird house-hunting saga- LOL!. Here 'tis, altho It's far from a done-deal--just in the first week of getting mortgage, appraisal, inspection, etc. etc. (all of which is driving me nuts on certain days). I have to warn you--there's an awful yellow color in the Dining room & kitchen that I'll paint. & kitchen could use "some" updates. But it has central air, BIG clean basement, new windows, new $7200 roof, etc., & across from a city park. Very cool waterfront town.......
I am just going to have to get it through my thick skull
If you figure out how to do that, would you share some tips with me? :surprise: But If you did order a new Civic, & could wait a few months, what is the pricing like?
Of course, buying low-mileage recent model used hondas was never any bargain vs. buying new, so.........
It looks like a great place , the only downside is a one car garage. But, that could be a positive in no having the need to fill up anything bigger. It does look like it has a nice yard to keep you busy too.
Yeah, buying used Hondas less than five years old never makes any sense to me. They are so high-priced, it's a much better deal to go the extra thousand or two and just buy new. Problem is, now even the FIVE year olds seem to have asking prices within $2-3K of the new MSRP. :sick:
My local dealer has a Civic EX-NAV 4-door, '06, 20K miles, asking price is DOWN TO $20K. It's been there for weeks and weeks. I think that must be about 98% of its BRAND NEW price two years ago. :lemon:
I think without NAV I might have been able to get it for $15K, which I would almost consider acceptable, and I might have been somewhat interested. For me, NAV isn't worth one extra penny, in fact I rather dislike the way NAV messes up the stereo controls. The new Civic's dash is hard enough to get used to as it is!
As for new, I would be looking for a stick shift Civic EX, or an SI, I can't decide which.
I haven't been able to get anyone below $18,5 on the EX, which stickers at $19,3. I haven't priced an SI recently, but six months ago I was getting quotes at $19,995 for cars stickering at $22K. I would imagine quotes today wouldn't be as good, what with it being summer and the gas prices.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
What happened to the place in Rockport? I would have gobbled that one right up!
It looked really nice (from the pics, I didn't go in person)--& was $80K more, more "rural" (not in-town), & had a septic system which I see as just a huge expensive problem sooner or later. Also--I spent so much time house-hunting in parts of Maine, Portsmouth NH, Brattleboro VT, & Newburyport (just to name a few), & really learning those areas well, that I finally just didn't have the willpower to start looking in different coastal areas like Rockport, Gloucester, Marblehead (MA), & not just look at properties, but really learn all the diff. neighborhoods, etc. I think others looking to re-locate for "retirement" may go thru some of this.
just in the first week of getting mortgage, appraisal, inspection, etc. etc. (all of which is driving me nuts on certain days).
Today, it's just the same. Every single thing is like pulling teeth, & the deadlines for all that are in a week or so--& I'm supposed to sign the P&S & put down $20K before I may find out if I have a mortgage committment (?), the way it's going.
I wish I could go back to doing something sensible, like obsessing over whether to buy a new Mini, or a new 3-Series (wagon?). But thanks to all for the words of encouragement......!
Love the old world charm of houses in New England. Down here in Lauderdale, all the subdivisions look very similar to one another. While living in New York, we used to summer in Connecticut, which also has those nice older homes with character. Great choice.
I always thought buying a new SI at a decent price would be almost a no-brainer (or other civic of your choice). And it could get worse of course (gas prices going even higher, 4 cyl. cars getting more in-demand & expensive)........?
(former owner or co-owner of 2 early '80's civics)
Thanks man! I know Ft Lauderdale well too, & many parts are beautiful, but I know what you're saying. (of course during an endless New England winter, one's perspective can start to change just a little bit.....).
Oh, but I know just what you're talking about. In an ideal world I'd find a place that looked like Maine and had Florida's climate.
I hear you on learning all new places. Haven't been to Rockport or Marblehead in along time but they are utterly beautiful places. In four years tops I'll be doing the same thing you are - though I'll still have kids in school so will have to check that along with everything else in a neighborhood.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Good luck with the house hunting (and buying). I closed on mine in August of 2007 and have repainted, but still haven't hung any pictures! There's too much vegetation to trim and stuff to keep clean (and car stuff to obsess over), so I can't fit it in...
I just got back from Montreal, Canada. Beautiful city! Reminded me a lot of NYC, although there wasn't as much foot or vehicle traffic in Montreal. Lots of museums and good restaurants. It was interesting to see some of the cars there. There were a lot of Mercedes, Audi, and BMWs--many of them AWD models. I saw a couple of Mercedes B-classes, and several Smarts. Nearly all of the taxicabs were Nissan Altimas, Toyota Camrys, or Buick Centurys or Allures. Crown Vics were few and far between.
In an ideal world I'd find a place that looked like Maine and had Florida's climate.
Oh, yeah. There are folks who have dwellings in both of course (or some variation of New England/+warmer abode), but I can't afford that. Interesting that you know Rockport & Marblehead--if I could start my search over that started 10 years (!) ago I'd have had them on my list. One thing I've noticed about Newburyport--besides the parks, the ocean, all the gorgeous 100-200-300 y.o. homes/buildings, is there seems to be some kind of "sense of community" (whatever that means). And people seem kind of "friendly", I think?
Like, a couple of weeks ago after I saw this house I'm trying to buy, I went into this local bar in a 200 y.o. bldg. & had a beer whilst looking at the listing sheets for the houses I'd seen. (New experience, I'd never been into a bar before, of course, right). This older woman seated next to me noticed the RE listings & started talking to me & encourging me about the house pics for the one I'm trying to buy & saying how she takes her grandkids to the park which is about a block from the house. Totally dismissed the other 2 houses I'd seen, & the areas. Next day, I put in the offer.
Which means: I'm listening to old ladies in bars, & a bunch of crazed car addicts, to help guide my $400K house buying decisions........(it's the best idea I've come up with yet?) :shades:
Wolfsburg package has the 2.0T engine from the GTI/GLI/Passat... 200 HP. Pkg also includes: Moonroof 17" alloys In-dash 6-CD w/Sirius Heated seats Perforated leatherette (vinyl)
Pretty nice package.. MSRP with the DSG transmission (auto/quasi-manual) is $22,950..
I think I can buy it for invoice ($21681)... plus tax... comes to about $23K..
a few years back, I almost got a 2.0T instead of my Accord. That car drove nice, and a sweet sweet engine. I would have gotten a stick at that point, but if I got one now, it would be a DSG,
Only thing I would want that the wolf doesn't have is power seats. I would have to try the manual ones to see how well they adjust.
Yeah.. I'm going to have to go drive it.. I did find one with a stick (for $1075 less).. but the wife wouldn't be able to drive it..
I really hate the spoiler that seems to be installed on every Wolfsburg model.. plus it is a $350 option that I'd rather not pay for.. but, at least it's fairly sedate by spoiler standards..
I could probably lease it for around $315-$325 for 3yr/45K, but that's not a great deal for a $23K car.. just average.. 0% financing is probably the way to go..
I didn't know you could get a 2.0T Jetta for under $25K. The 2.0T feels a little sluggish in my A4 (with AWD and an automatic), but it felt really quick in an A3 I drove with FWD and a manual. Good power in the lower RPMs, but I don't think it's as smooth as one of Honda's four-bangers.
When's the lease on the 330cic finished?
BTW, I stopped at Trader Joe's in Cinci on the way back from Montreal. I am really jealous that you have one within reasonable driving distance!
The Trader Joes on Montgomery Rd? Yeah, that's on the way to work.... The $3.99 frozen spinach pizza is my favorite!
The BMW lease ends in November... If I drive the Jetta, my wife will drive my '02 CR-V through the winter, at least.. then trade it on something... If she likes the Jetta enough, then I'll drive my CR-V until....??
She really wants an X3, or something similar.. .but, price and fuel costs are making us re-assess things.. Stopped by the MINI dealer today, also... Those are pretty cool, and great mileage... but, not terribly practical and at least as much or more than the Jetta Wolfsburg..
Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to get specs on the Wolfsburg from the VW website.. I'm not sure what you give up from the Jetta GLI (which is the only other Jetta with the 2.0T).. But, the one dealer had that Wolfsburg with a stick that MSRPs for just under $22K... They also had a GLI with stick, cloth interior and NO moonroof, and it MSRPed for just over $26K!!! I'd really like to know what you get for the $5K difference (accounting for the lack of moonroof). Actually, I'm not sure it matters for $5K... Suspension, blackout trim, nicer seats?
I was also looking at 4-door GTIs, but they are only about $1K less than the GLI... Couldn't see getting one of those instead of the Wolfsburg, either, for the difference in price..
What really got me looking was there is a pull-ahead program on our BMW.. we could get out 3 months early, if we buy or lease another BMW.. Of course, none of that applies if we get a VW, but the timing doesn't have to be perfect.... Any mileage we start putting on a new one will be that much less that we put on the CR-V.. Plus, I'd rather get a great deal on an '08 now, than an average deal on an '09 in three or four months..
Hmmm.. I think the winter tires from the BMW will fit the Jetta...
Lucked into my familiarity with Marblehead and Rockport. Not detailed familiarity - just been to both and found them utterly gorgeous.
Was out in high school years with a buddy who was into studying the old graveyards up in Massachusetts and there's one up on a hill in Marblehead that's like the Holy Grail. We poked around there a while. I had relatives out in Framingham which made staying around there convenient. Have stopped in several times in trips up that way.
Stayed in Rockport one night of our honeymoon many years ago. Was on our way up to Bar Harbor to take the ferry over to Nova Scotia. Loads more examples of really pretty places with really ugly climates.
Hey, guys. If you want someone to talk you out of Volkswagens you've come to the right place.... Of course if you're only going to own it through warranty go right ahead.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
$22k for a turbo Jetta is a solid value, but I am not seeing any leases or incentives on new vehicles that seem like screaming bargains, either. Perhaps the landscape will change in August and September as the manufacturers start to clear out 2008 model year vehicles, and in November and December as they're trying to make 2008 year-end sales targets.
The deals seem to be in the used market... A 2003 4WD Expedition Eddie Bauer for $9,000, or a 2002 Cadillac Seville for under $10,000... Although those are 5+ year old vehicles--I think the current economic climate is making me reassess things, as well.
I didn't have a cooler with me, so I didn't get to indulge in the frozen or chilled delights at Trader Joe's, but I got some organic dry goods, some gourmet charcoal, and some $3.49 Charles Shaw wine (which I have heard about for years but never gotten to try). They are getting a Trader Joe's in Nashville, which is "only" a two-hour drive from my home base, so maybe I'll get to sample the full catalog when it opens.
I don't think anything small, like a Jetta, has to be a screaming value anymore. Last year Civics were invoice plus $300, just talking to one salesman and he said they are getting sticker and can not get enough of them.
I have a Trader Joes about 15 minutes from my work but have never tried it, but people that do rave about them. I guess I am afraid I will like them too much and have to go there instead of my monthly run to BJ's once a month.
Our local Co-op is a forerunner (4Runner? PreRunner?) to Whole Foods. No Two Buck Chuck, but it has everything else Joe's has plus another 60,000 items (As of '06, Joe's stock was limited to 3,000 items). A big super will carry 50,000 items. Our Co-op is the best store in Boise and was a big factor in convincing my wife to move south for the sun. A Whole Foods is coming next year supposedly.
The nice thing about the Jetta? It's not all that small.. decent room, very good acceleration with the 2.0T engine... German road feel and handling.. legendary VW reliability.. uhh... wait a minute.. :surprise:
Anyway... did you guys know that there is a whole website dedicated to new cars, and that it's related to these forums?! :P I found answers to most of what you get with the GLI, that you don't get with the Wolfsburg..
1) Sport suspension (a pretty big deal, IMO)
2) Sport seats (another big upgrade)
3) Nifty black-out grill/trim (looks nice-no big deal)
4) Standard cloth vs. leatherette in the Wolfie (toss-up, but I like cloth)
The Wolfsburg gives you the heated seats and moonroof standard, and I think those are optional on the GLI.. (+$1200 in favor of the Wolf).
If you get the Wolfsburg, other options are unavailable (with leather being the biggest one)...
After seeing the Wolfsburg, no way I could pony up the cash for the GTI or GLI...
.. .certainly wouldn't replace CostCo, Sam's, BJs, etc... but, they have some nice convenience items that are a little more eclectic than what you find in your normal grocery... and, typically, way lower prices than the fancy places like Fresh Market or Whole Foods..
Wouldn't mind Trader Joe's moving into the area. Heck, everyone else is.
When I moved down here 28 years ago we had nothing at all. Heck, you could buy gas at the pump in front of the Dodge dealer and there was enough space that there was a driving range downtown. Not anymore. We have become box store headquarters.
Went from a 30 mile drive to Costco to 3. Two weeks before the Costco opened BJ's did. Best Buy opened last Thursday and Target opens this Wednesday and there's another 8 stores on the drawing board in addition to the Petsmart and Dick's Sporting Goods opening next week.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
IMO, the "sport" suspension on a VW/Audi is about as soft as the regular suspension on a BMW. I think my A4 (with the sport suspension) rides a lot like my old Jetta (without the sport suspension). You're right to skip the 2.5 liter--it makes noises like it belongs in a farm implement.
I agree--it's unlikely there will be any "screaming deals" on $20k-ish small cars anytime soon, but the luxury and near-luxury market is going to suffer, and may start offering incentives.
Trader Joe's......there's one about 10 min. from my (current) house. If I make this crazy, or sensible (???) move, the nearest one will be about 20 miles away. For some reason, there always seems to be some fairly pulchritudinous females there shopping (is that wrong to say?), & it's summer now, so......their coffee is very good too....
Whole Foods! Another great food shopping experience, & can be equally entertaining.....
I'm not really sure what pulchritudinous means.. without looking it up.. but, I'm pretty sure that it means that Trader Joes is the place to be!! :surprise:
She really wants an X3, or something similar.. .but, price and fuel costs are making us re-assess things. Stopped by the MINI dealer today, also... Those are pretty cool, and great mileage...
I passed a new X3 on the highway today, kind of a light grey, it sure looked nice. And AWD, in a NE or mid-west winter--hey??? Mini--I keep trying to find an excuse to buy a Mini, & I don't even need a car. But I think they gave me some kind of brain serum or something when I bought my first bmw, so I'm totally biased. VW?......I'm trying not to be a sourpuss tonight, so I won't use the bright yellow symbol at the end of the pictoral symbols at the bottom here.....
Oh, yeah.......I'm still trying to recover from my last visit. It was during a hot spell, & it took all my willpower to focus on the frozen vegetables (have you tried the Thai spicy green beans)?
The Whole Foods stores in cambridge MA........you don't even want to know......darn! I'm out of pumpkin seeds--might have to go "food shopping" again tomorrow.....
Yes, there is a Whole Foods in Louisville (only a 75-mile drive!)... Trader Joe's focuses more on the reasonably-priced unusual foods, while Whole Foods and Fresh Market cater to more expensive tastes.
I saw mostly older couples at the store in Cinci. Perhaps I came at the wrong time, or maybe I need to think about moving to MA? It is one of the hubs for patent law (not my current specialty but one I'm more or less qualified for).
maybe I need to think about moving to MA? It is one of the hubs for patent law (not my current specialty but one I'm more or less qualified for).
My buddy--who talked me down tonight from bailing on buying the house I've been talking about--(it's on a sort of busy street, not in quite as good a neighborhood as mine now, but the house is 1,000 times better than my current "disaster house" as he called it)--
is a patent atty. Who lives in a mansion (to most of us) in one of the nicest suburbs of boston. MA has harsh endless winters, super expensive RE, but once you get settled here it's very hard to leave......as much as I [non-permissible content removed] about it here I'd encourage your idea.....
I stopped by a Hyundai dealer just to see if my three kids will fit in the back seat(2 boosters and one out) of a Sonata. I was impressed by how far they have come, Take the badges off and I would have guessed it was an Accord. They had a loaded Limited with the V-6 red tagged for $24k. Alot of car for the money. The kids all fit btw.
I am going to hold off buying anything until the new Mazda6 comes out in August, but the Sonata may have jumped over the Malibu and Civic on my list based on value alone.
Stopped by the dealer on the way home... only had about 30 minutes.. Salesperson grabbed the keys... showed me the basics.. put a plate on it..
"Are you coming with me?"
"Nope, I've got an appointment coming in, in a few minutes.. Do you know the neighborhood?"
"Yup."
"See you when you get back."
I only took a ten minute spin... When I got back, his appointment was there, so he gave me a card.. On to the car...
Not too sporty... or thrilling.... I kept thinking, "This would be a great car for my wife.."
Plenty of pep from the 2.0T, but... The 6-speed DSG transmission upshifts very quickly under moderate acceleration, always leaving you low in the powerband.. It'll scream right up to red-line if you floor it, but otherwise it's geared for economy.. The lack of paddle-shifters means I'd probably never use the manual-shift function (and prob wouldn't anyway, even with paddles).
Interior is nice.. the stock seats from the base Jetta with perforated leatherette... not as nice as the sport seats in the GLI, but still good.. power recline, with manual fore/aft and height adjustment. Also, heated.. Lots of goodies.. power moonroof, 6 disc CD in-dash, Sirius radio, Power windows/locks/remote access.
Outside.. I like the look.. a little too much chome... huge trunk...17" alloys.. real spare tire, though on a steel wheel.. Unfortunately, every Wolfsburg in our region comes with the $350 spoiler..ugh..
I was just bored... If you are looking for an alternative to a 4-cylinder Accord, or a step up from a Civic, this is a lot of car for $23K MSRP...
But... it's not for me...
I might have to go look for a 4-door GTI with a stick..
Nips, how is your Prelude/Celica search coming along? I drove this 2001 prelude last week. They hadn't bothered to wash, vacuum or or even clean all the trash out of it. It seemed pretty decent mechanically, but not quite as solid in structure as a remembered it. Alternatively, the handling was a good as I remembered it. This particular one had badly faded bumpers and some major rock chips on the hood. I think I can find a lot more car for $9K. I haven't yet, but I still think I can.
I'm so jealous of the prices in your area! I see you are in Alabama - Alabama prices and California prices are too far apart! :-(
That car would be advertised at least $14K around here. I agree with you though that even at $10K it's more than I want to pay for any car with 120K miles.
Which is the story with all the Preludes, from what my intermittent research is showing me. I see either (1) survivors from the 80s ("runs great!"), (2) cars with 250K miles ("will hit 500K EASY, it's a HONDA!"), or (3) cars from the last couple of model years of the Prelude, overpriced by a TON ("rare car, hard to find!"). I have all but given up. :sick:
Celicas, of course, are easier to find, but I have only found a couple worth driving so far, and neither of those said "buy me" when I drove them.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Is this basically the same 2.0T that's been in Audi's & VW's for years?
Anyway, I drove a (then) new A4 2.0T with sport package, stick, about 5 yrs. ago. What a fun, nicely finished car, I was fairly smitten. I think small 4 cyl. audis & VW's really need a stick (duh).
I know this is crazy, but used A4 (of whatever generation, I haven't driven the current yet)?
Which is the story with all the Preludes, from what my intermittent research is showing me. I see either (1) survivors from the 80s ("runs great!"), (2) cars with 250K miles ("will hit 500K EASY, it's a HONDA!"), or (3) cars from the last couple of model years of the Prelude, overpriced by a TON
You left out what seems to be the largest class around here: the ricer-racer: "full body kit, after-market rear wing, under body neon", multi-thousand dollar stereo, carbon-fiber hood, go-fast stickers, just needs minor body work to complete, and on, and on, and on...
So many good cars, totally trashed by adolescent dreams of what is "kewl". :sick:
Yes, thank you, you are absolutely right that I left out this large group of cars. Indeed, the ricer racer phenomenon ruins a lot of really great old Hondas, including Civics and especially Integras and CRXs. :-(
A few people tried that with the last-gen Celica too, perhaps a huge compliment to it as no-one ever bothered to do that to a Celica prior to 2000.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Have you checked the prices of RSXs? Around here asking prices for a 2002 base RSX are about the same as for a 2002 TL Type S. There is something wrong with that value equation.
As for choices of cars to rice, I remember Car & Driver's conclusion on the mid '90s 240SX was that it was a nice secretary's car. Ouch. I guess RWD and aftermarket parts made it cool with the children.
I hadn't thought of that but you're right. I've never seen a riced pre-2000 Celica.
Would that they had kept making the convertibles in the last generation Celica. I wonder how big a deal that would have been? The previous generation got coupes shipped from Japan sent over to ASC who did the conversion into a convertible. They did the same with the first generation of Solaras. The current (about to end) generation of Solara convertibles are built from scratch as Convertibles. Nice enough car but the money for a nice, recent used one is silly.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Where "aftermarket parts" include an engine swap to double your horsepower. The 240SX was a light, great-handling car hampered by a thoroughly pedestrian truck engine.
Remembering from back in the day, compared to any Integra (and particularly a GS-R), the 240SX felt heavy and clumsy. I bought a new Integra SE for my wife in 1996 even though I could have purchased a 240SX for something like $6-7K less.
I suppose you could work on the handling and do an engine swap, but then you'll have spent more than the cost of a nice TT 300ZX and you'll have an inferior car.
Probably. Raving about how nice coastal New England is, esp. MA, sort of presumes one can afford the high real estate prices, property taxes, etc. Right about now, with the stock market plummeting again, my property taxes going up more, (to $6000/yr), moving back to something affordable in the mid-west could sound good. Or NC? Great BBQ!........
Comments
Premium- I don't care.
CPO- No, just the 4/50 new car warranty.
Xenons- Standard on the 335i, but I won't buy a new/nearly new car without them(I've even fitted Hella E-codes to my Wrangler)
And what about the large # of fuel-pump failures with the N54?
Yeah, that bothers me a bit, but Swope is so good with service/repairs and loaners that any problems would be relatively painless. In all honesty, my main concern is how well it would hold up on the track. At least my service advisor and a couple of the salesmen also track their cars, so I wouldn't get any warranty hassles.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Honestly I haven't paid much attention to the new styles out there. I'm perfectly happy with my 07 Pilot and haven't felt the need to keep up on the latest and greatest, lol.
My Pilot turned 25k yesterday, normally by this time I'd be out of the base warranty, lol.
Touche, mark--I needed some comic relief at my own weird house-hunting saga- LOL!. Here 'tis, altho It's far from a done-deal--just in the first week of getting mortgage, appraisal, inspection, etc. etc. (all of which is driving me nuts on certain days). I have to warn you--there's an awful yellow color in the Dining room & kitchen that I'll paint. & kitchen could use "some" updates. But it has central air, BIG clean basement, new windows, new $7200 roof, etc., & across from a city park. Very cool waterfront town.......
http://www.realtor.com/realestate/newburyport-ma-01950-1099184808/
Heh, that looks an awful lot like the kitchen in our house did when we moved in. Except ours had bumblebee decals on the walls and cabinets.
Nothing that a little paint can't fix - looks nice!
I have to a link to a pic; forgot about the daisies on the cabinets. Whole walls have been moved since this was taken.
If you figure out how to do that, would you share some tips with me? :surprise: But If you did order a new Civic, & could wait a few months, what is the pricing like?
Of course, buying low-mileage recent model used hondas was never any bargain vs. buying new, so.........
Seriously though, I know it's a big decision but this house looks really nice.
Mark
It looks like a great place , the only downside is a one car garage. But, that could be a positive in no having the need to fill up anything bigger. It does look like it has a nice yard to keep you busy too.
My local dealer has a Civic EX-NAV 4-door, '06, 20K miles, asking price is DOWN TO $20K. It's been there for weeks and weeks. I think that must be about 98% of its BRAND NEW price two years ago. :lemon:
I think without NAV I might have been able to get it for $15K, which I would almost consider acceptable, and I might have been somewhat interested. For me, NAV isn't worth one extra penny, in fact I rather dislike the way NAV messes up the stereo controls. The new Civic's dash is hard enough to get used to as it is!
As for new, I would be looking for a stick shift Civic EX, or an SI, I can't decide which.
I haven't been able to get anyone below $18,5 on the EX, which stickers at $19,3. I haven't priced an SI recently, but six months ago I was getting quotes at $19,995 for cars stickering at $22K. I would imagine quotes today wouldn't be as good, what with it being summer and the gas prices.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
It looked really nice (from the pics, I didn't go in person)--& was $80K more, more "rural" (not in-town), & had a septic system which I see as just a huge expensive problem sooner or later. Also--I spent so much time house-hunting in parts of Maine, Portsmouth NH, Brattleboro VT, & Newburyport (just to name a few), & really learning those areas well, that I finally just didn't have the willpower to start looking in different coastal areas like Rockport, Gloucester, Marblehead (MA), & not just look at properties, but really learn all the diff. neighborhoods, etc. I think others looking to re-locate for "retirement" may go thru some of this.
just in the first week of getting mortgage, appraisal, inspection, etc. etc. (all of which is driving me nuts on certain days).
Today, it's just the same. Every single thing is like pulling teeth, & the deadlines for all that are in a week or so--& I'm supposed to sign the P&S & put down $20K before I may find out if I have a mortgage committment (?), the way it's going.
I wish I could go back to doing something sensible, like obsessing over whether to buy a new Mini, or a new 3-Series (wagon?). But thanks to all for the words of encouragement......!
Great choice.
The Sandman
(former owner or co-owner of 2 early '80's civics)
cheers, woody
I hear you on learning all new places. Haven't been to Rockport or Marblehead in along time but they are utterly beautiful places. In four years tops I'll be doing the same thing you are - though I'll still have kids in school so will have to check that along with everything else in a neighborhood.
I just got back from Montreal, Canada. Beautiful city! Reminded me a lot of NYC, although there wasn't as much foot or vehicle traffic in Montreal. Lots of museums and good restaurants. It was interesting to see some of the cars there. There were a lot of Mercedes, Audi, and BMWs--many of them AWD models. I saw a couple of Mercedes B-classes, and several Smarts. Nearly all of the taxicabs were Nissan Altimas, Toyota Camrys, or Buick Centurys or Allures. Crown Vics were few and far between.
Oh, yeah. There are folks who have dwellings in both of course (or some variation of New England/+warmer abode), but I can't afford that. Interesting that you know Rockport & Marblehead--if I could start my search over that started 10 years (!) ago I'd have had them on my list. One thing I've noticed about Newburyport--besides the parks, the ocean, all the gorgeous 100-200-300 y.o. homes/buildings, is there seems to be some kind of "sense of community" (whatever that means). And people seem kind of "friendly", I think?
Like, a couple of weeks ago after I saw this house I'm trying to buy, I went into this local bar in a 200 y.o. bldg. & had a beer whilst looking at the listing sheets for the houses I'd seen. (New experience, I'd never been into a bar before, of course, right). This older woman seated next to me noticed the RE listings & started talking to me & encourging me about the house pics for the one I'm trying to buy & saying how she takes her grandkids to the park which is about a block from the house. Totally dismissed the other 2 houses I'd seen, & the areas. Next day, I put in the offer.
Which means: I'm listening to old ladies in bars, & a bunch of crazed car addicts, to help guide my $400K house buying decisions........(it's the best idea I've come up with yet?) :shades:
Wolfsburg package has the 2.0T engine from the GTI/GLI/Passat... 200 HP. Pkg also includes:
Moonroof
17" alloys
In-dash 6-CD w/Sirius
Heated seats
Perforated leatherette (vinyl)
Pretty nice package.. MSRP with the DSG transmission (auto/quasi-manual) is $22,950..
I think I can buy it for invoice ($21681)... plus tax... comes to about $23K..
Plus 0% financing for 36..or maybe 48 months..
Not bad... hmmm..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
a few years back, I almost got a 2.0T instead of my Accord. That car drove nice, and a sweet sweet engine. I would have gotten a stick at that point, but if I got one now, it would be a DSG,
Only thing I would want that the wolf doesn't have is power seats. I would have to try the manual ones to see how well they adjust.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I really hate the spoiler that seems to be installed on every Wolfsburg model.. plus it is a $350 option that I'd rather not pay for.. but, at least it's fairly sedate by spoiler standards..
I could probably lease it for around $315-$325 for 3yr/45K, but that's not a great deal for a $23K car.. just average.. 0% financing is probably the way to go..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
When's the lease on the 330cic finished?
BTW, I stopped at Trader Joe's in Cinci on the way back from Montreal. I am really jealous that you have one within reasonable driving distance!
The BMW lease ends in November... If I drive the Jetta, my wife will drive my '02 CR-V through the winter, at least.. then trade it on something... If she likes the Jetta enough, then I'll drive my CR-V until....??
She really wants an X3, or something similar.. .but, price and fuel costs are making us re-assess things.. Stopped by the MINI dealer today, also... Those are pretty cool, and great mileage... but, not terribly practical and at least as much or more than the Jetta Wolfsburg..
Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to get specs on the Wolfsburg from the VW website.. I'm not sure what you give up from the Jetta GLI (which is the only other Jetta with the 2.0T).. But, the one dealer had that Wolfsburg with a stick that MSRPs for just under $22K... They also had a GLI with stick, cloth interior and NO moonroof, and it MSRPed for just over $26K!!! I'd really like to know what you get for the $5K difference (accounting for the lack of moonroof). Actually, I'm not sure it matters for $5K... Suspension, blackout trim, nicer seats?
I was also looking at 4-door GTIs, but they are only about $1K less than the GLI... Couldn't see getting one of those instead of the Wolfsburg, either, for the difference in price..
What really got me looking was there is a pull-ahead program on our BMW.. we could get out 3 months early, if we buy or lease another BMW.. Of course, none of that applies if we get a VW, but the timing doesn't have to be perfect.... Any mileage we start putting on a new one will be that much less that we put on the CR-V.. Plus, I'd rather get a great deal on an '08 now, than an average deal on an '09 in three or four months..
Hmmm.. I think the winter tires from the BMW will fit the Jetta...
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Was out in high school years with a buddy who was into studying the old graveyards up in Massachusetts and there's one up on a hill in Marblehead that's like the Holy Grail. We poked around there a while. I had relatives out in Framingham which made staying around there convenient. Have stopped in several times in trips up that way.
Stayed in Rockport one night of our honeymoon many years ago. Was on our way up to Bar Harbor to take the ferry over to Nova Scotia. Loads more examples of really pretty places with really ugly climates.
Hey, guys. If you want someone to talk you out of Volkswagens you've come to the right place.... Of course if you're only going to own it through warranty go right ahead.
The deals seem to be in the used market... A 2003 4WD Expedition Eddie Bauer for $9,000, or a 2002 Cadillac Seville for under $10,000... Although those are 5+ year old vehicles--I think the current economic climate is making me reassess things, as well.
I didn't have a cooler with me, so I didn't get to indulge in the frozen or chilled delights at Trader Joe's, but I got some organic dry goods, some gourmet charcoal, and some $3.49 Charles Shaw wine (which I have heard about for years but never gotten to try). They are getting a Trader Joe's in Nashville, which is "only" a two-hour drive from my home base, so maybe I'll get to sample the full catalog when it opens.
I have a Trader Joes about 15 minutes from my work but have never tried it, but people that do rave about them. I guess I am afraid I will like them too much and have to go there instead of my monthly run to BJ's once a month.
Akangl is not cured, she is in remission.
Our local Co-op is a forerunner (4Runner? PreRunner?) to Whole Foods. No Two Buck Chuck, but it has everything else Joe's has plus another 60,000 items (As of '06, Joe's stock was limited to 3,000 items). A big super will carry 50,000 items. Our Co-op is the best store in Boise and was a big factor in convincing my wife to move south for the sun. A Whole Foods is coming next year supposedly.
Anyway... did you guys know that there is a whole website dedicated to new cars, and that it's related to these forums?! :P I found answers to most of what you get with the GLI, that you don't get with the Wolfsburg..
1) Sport suspension (a pretty big deal, IMO)
2) Sport seats (another big upgrade)
3) Nifty black-out grill/trim (looks nice-no big deal)
4) Standard cloth vs. leatherette in the Wolfie (toss-up, but I like cloth)
The Wolfsburg gives you the heated seats and moonroof standard, and I think those are optional on the GLI.. (+$1200 in favor of the Wolf).
If you get the Wolfsburg, other options are unavailable (with leather being the biggest one)...
After seeing the Wolfsburg, no way I could pony up the cash for the GTI or GLI...
Hmmm..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
When I moved down here 28 years ago we had nothing at all. Heck, you could buy gas at the pump in front of the Dodge dealer and there was enough space that there was a driving range downtown. Not anymore. We have become box store headquarters.
Went from a 30 mile drive to Costco to 3. Two weeks before the Costco opened BJ's did. Best Buy opened last Thursday and Target opens this Wednesday and there's another 8 stores on the drawing board in addition to the Petsmart and Dick's Sporting Goods opening next week.
I agree--it's unlikely there will be any "screaming deals" on $20k-ish small cars anytime soon, but the luxury and near-luxury market is going to suffer, and may start offering incentives.
Whole Foods! Another great food shopping experience, & can be equally entertaining.....
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
I passed a new X3 on the highway today, kind of a light grey, it sure looked nice. And AWD, in a NE or mid-west winter--hey??? Mini--I keep trying to find an excuse to buy a Mini, & I don't even need a car. But I think they gave me some kind of brain serum or something when I bought my first bmw, so I'm totally biased. VW?......I'm trying not to be a sourpuss tonight, so I won't use the bright yellow symbol at the end of the pictoral symbols at the bottom here.....
But good luck either way, seriously.....
The Whole Foods stores in cambridge MA........you don't even want to know......darn! I'm out of pumpkin seeds--might have to go "food shopping" again tomorrow.....
I saw mostly older couples at the store in Cinci. Perhaps I came at the wrong time, or maybe I need to think about moving to MA? It is one of the hubs for patent law (not my current specialty but one I'm more or less qualified for).
My buddy--who talked me down tonight from bailing on buying the house I've been talking about--(it's on a sort of busy street, not in quite as good a neighborhood as mine now, but the house is 1,000 times better than my current "disaster house" as he called it)--
is a patent atty. Who lives in a mansion (to most of us) in one of the nicest suburbs of boston. MA has harsh endless winters, super expensive RE, but once you get settled here it's very hard to leave......as much as I [non-permissible content removed] about it here I'd encourage your idea.....
Wow, does he work 90 hours a week? One advantage to my current job is that I'm not really working any overtime.
LOL, nah, can't se myself buying anything else, I'm really happy with my Pilot.
Oh and I haven't bought a horse in over a year and a half, lol.
I stopped by a Hyundai dealer just to see if my three kids will fit in the back seat(2 boosters and one out) of a Sonata. I was impressed by how far they have come, Take the badges off and I would have guessed it was an Accord. They had a loaded Limited with the V-6 red tagged for $24k. Alot of car for the money. The kids all fit btw.
I am going to hold off buying anything until the new Mazda6 comes out in August, but the Sonata may have jumped over the Malibu and Civic on my list based on value alone.
"Are you coming with me?"
"Nope, I've got an appointment coming in, in a few minutes.. Do you know the neighborhood?"
"Yup."
"See you when you get back."
I only took a ten minute spin... When I got back, his appointment was there, so he gave me a card.. On to the car...
Not too sporty... or thrilling.... I kept thinking, "This would be a great car for my wife.."
Plenty of pep from the 2.0T, but... The 6-speed DSG transmission upshifts very quickly under moderate acceleration, always leaving you low in the powerband.. It'll scream right up to red-line if you floor it, but otherwise it's geared for economy.. The lack of paddle-shifters means I'd probably never use the manual-shift function (and prob wouldn't anyway, even with paddles).
Interior is nice.. the stock seats from the base Jetta with perforated leatherette... not as nice as the sport seats in the GLI, but still good.. power recline, with manual fore/aft and height adjustment. Also, heated.. Lots of goodies.. power moonroof, 6 disc CD in-dash, Sirius radio, Power windows/locks/remote access.
Outside.. I like the look.. a little too much chome... huge trunk...17" alloys.. real spare tire, though on a steel wheel.. Unfortunately, every Wolfsburg in our region comes with the $350 spoiler..ugh..
I was just bored... If you are looking for an alternative to a 4-cylinder Accord, or a step up from a Civic, this is a lot of car for $23K MSRP...
But... it's not for me...
I might have to go look for a 4-door GTI with a stick..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
That car would be advertised at least $14K around here. I agree with you though that even at $10K it's more than I want to pay for any car with 120K miles.
Which is the story with all the Preludes, from what my intermittent research is showing me. I see either (1) survivors from the 80s ("runs great!"), (2) cars with 250K miles ("will hit 500K EASY, it's a HONDA!"), or (3) cars from the last couple of model years of the Prelude, overpriced by a TON ("rare car, hard to find!"). I have all but given up. :sick:
Celicas, of course, are easier to find, but I have only found a couple worth driving so far, and neither of those said "buy me" when I drove them.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Anyway, I drove a (then) new A4 2.0T with sport package, stick, about 5 yrs. ago. What a fun, nicely finished car, I was fairly smitten. I think small 4 cyl. audis & VW's really need a stick (duh).
I know this is crazy, but used A4 (of whatever generation, I haven't driven the current yet)?
You left out what seems to be the largest class around here: the ricer-racer: "full body kit, after-market rear wing, under body neon", multi-thousand dollar stereo, carbon-fiber hood, go-fast stickers, just needs minor body work to complete, and on, and on, and on...
So many good cars, totally trashed by adolescent dreams of what is "kewl". :sick:
A few people tried that with the last-gen Celica too, perhaps a huge compliment to it as no-one ever bothered to do that to a Celica prior to 2000.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As for choices of cars to rice, I remember Car & Driver's conclusion on the mid '90s 240SX was that it was a nice secretary's car. Ouch. I guess RWD and aftermarket parts made it cool with the children.
Would that they had kept making the convertibles in the last generation Celica. I wonder how big a deal that would have been? The previous generation got coupes shipped from Japan sent over to ASC who did the conversion into a convertible. They did the same with the first generation of Solaras. The current (about to end) generation of Solara convertibles are built from scratch as Convertibles. Nice enough car but the money for a nice, recent used one is silly.
I suppose you could work on the handling and do an engine swap, but then you'll have spent more than the cost of a nice TT 300ZX and you'll have an inferior car.
Probably. Raving about how nice coastal New England is, esp. MA, sort of presumes one can afford the high real estate prices, property taxes, etc. Right about now, with the stock market plummeting again, my property taxes going up more, (to $6000/yr), moving back to something affordable in the mid-west could sound good. Or NC? Great BBQ!........