Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

tjc78 said:

Was just poking around looking at some deals... Fusion Energi has over 9k in rebates. MSRPs In the high 30s netting out to 300ish/month. If I wasn’t buried in the Elantra I would have to check one out.

stickguy

$4,500 DAS is steep.

If I had seen it a few weeks earlier, I would probably be driving a Fusion hybrid instead of the TLX. Well, the wife would be driving it daily to work. Had a couple on Honcker. sticker was close to $29k. Pretty loaded, even had a moonroof. Was really low DAS (about $1,200) and monthly payment about $204-$212. 36 months, and even better, for 15,000 miles/year. That was a cheap car to roll up miles on, for not much gas. Would have been perfect to take the commuter miles too. Alas, as always, a day late (if not dollar short).

tjc78

That $4500 DAS is without any dealer discount, so it would go way down

Honcker deal looks even better... shame it’s not October yet!

stickguy

run it through carvana and Vroom. Might get surprised!

tjc78

I did Carvana....almost $3000 back of book.

stickguy

ouch. cheaper to turn it in early and make the payments instead.

tjc78

Yep that would only be $1600 or so! 

nyccarguy

My Infiniti is starting to show signs of weirdness.  Since the weather has gotten cold over the past few months, the power steering belt (I assume) makes a really loud whine at low speeds.  It is especially pronounced when I’m turning left.  Second, when I accelerate while merging, the BRAKE light on the dashboard illuminates (as if the parking brake is set, trust me it isn’t) and the stability control light stays on.  Not sure if I want to bring this to my mechanic or the dealer.  I just hit 42,000 miles and my next oil change isn’t due until 45K. 

stickguy

it gets warmer next week. So ignore it until them and see if it goes away!

or, check the brake fluid level. if that gets low (close to the min line) you can get intermittent brake light warning. That usually means you need pads of course, unless there is a leak. The PS issue is probably not the belt, but could be the pump. Really cold temps can cause stuff like this, but you will know soon enough.

My gut says to start with the mechanic (guy in the Bronx near work, right?) and get the baseline. And go from there. Where do you get the oil changes done? Might be worth just doing that early for convenience.

or of course, the obvious solution. Trade the sucker in!

corvette

I suspected a low brake fluid level, as well. The Yukon will randomly disable the rear parking sensors at low temperatures. The front suspension also creaks over bumps when it's cold out--there's a TSB on it, not really a huge problem, just an annoying noise coming from a bushing, and would probably be a few hundred bucks to fix.

stickguy

our RDX had the light flash occasionally when the fluid was low. And our TL had some weird combo of lights at one point, stuff like TCS, and it turned out to be a weak battery. So sometimes the light you see, is not the root cause problem.

If the Infiniti sits outside, will probably know in the AM if the battery is going. If it can crank when it is 2 degrees, it still has life.

qbrozen

As for the steering whine, check fluid level on that, too. 

stickguy

when it gets really cold it makes me whine, so why not a car?

xwesx

If it is really cold, then the whining is likely due to thickening of the fluid. At about -20F (ambient, not wind chill) or lower, there is a possibility of blowing a power steering hose. You can swap out with 5606A hydraulic fluid, but, for this short period of time, it probably is not worth the effort. It is very likely that the noise will continue until things warm up.

sda

nyccarguy said:

My Infiniti is starting to show signs of weirdness.  Since the weather has gotten cold over the past few months, the power steering belt (I assume) makes a really loud whine at low speeds.  It is especially pronounced when I’m turning left.  Second, when I accelerate while merging, the BRAKE light on the dashboard illuminates (as if the parking brake is set, trust me it isn’t) and the stability control light stays on.  Not sure if I want to bring this to my mechanic or the dealer.  I just hit 42,000 miles and my next oil change isn’t due until 45K. 

Isn't it still under warranty?

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

it gets warmer next week. So ignore it until them and see if it goes away!

or, check the brake fluid level. if that gets low (close to the min line) you can get intermittent brake light warning. That usually means you need pads of course, unless there is a leak. The PS issue is probably not the belt, but could be the pump. Really cold temps can cause stuff like this, but you will know soon enough.

My gut says to start with the mechanic (guy in the Bronx near work, right?) and get the baseline. And go from there. Where do you get the oil changes done? Might be worth just doing that early for convenience.

or of course, the obvious solution. Trade the sucker in!

Since it has been under warranty, I have brought it to the dealer. It might warrant a look see at my mechanic's here in The Bronx.

nyccarguy

corvette said:

I suspected a low brake fluid level, as well. The Yukon will randomly disable the rear parking sensors at low temperatures. The front suspension also creaks over bumps when it's cold out--there's a TSB on it, not really a huge problem, just an annoying noise coming from a bushing, and would probably be a few hundred bucks to fix.

I'll check the brake fluid. Good suggestion.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

As for the steering whine, check fluid level on that, too. 

Also a good idea. Makes sense. Thank-you!

nyccarguy

xwesx said:

If it is really cold, then the whining is likely due to thickening of the fluid. At about -20F (ambient, not wind chill) or lower, there is a possibility of blowing a power steering hose. You can swap out with 5606A hydraulic fluid, but, for this short period of time, it probably is not worth the effort. It is very likely that the noise will continue until things warm up.

It's not THAT cold here. Today was (+4F) in the AM. But this has been happening at 40 degrees & below.

nyccarguy

sda said:

nyccarguy said:

My Infiniti is starting to show signs of weirdness.  Since the weather has gotten cold over the past few months, the power steering belt (I assume) makes a really loud whine at low speeds.  It is especially pronounced when I’m turning left.  Second, when I accelerate while merging, the BRAKE light on the dashboard illuminates (as if the parking brake is set, trust me it isn’t) and the stability control light stays on.  Not sure if I want to bring this to my mechanic or the dealer.  I just hit 42,000 miles and my next oil change isn’t due until 45K. 

Isn't it still under warranty?

Powertrain yes, but not Bumper to Bumper. Since my car had less than 15,000 miles, the CPO warranty basically just extends the power train warranty to 75K. If the car had more than 15K miles, I'd have a BtoB extension for 6/100K from the original in service date.

au1994

Could be the cold weather causing some unusual squeaking and groans. But yes, 40 is not an abnormal temp and if it’s happened then, it might warrant a check and fluid top off.

Even the Subaru had a few creaks the past 2 days as we’ve had some teens and 20’s in the morning. MPG has also been kinda crap which I’m attributing to the cold and short trips. Went to the office once this week but other than that its been 2-5 mile trips to the gym and other errands. Not ideal since it never really hits a good operating temp.

au1994

Can’t remember if we discussed this one here...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-honda-prelude-2/

Mr_Shiftright

It hasn't bid to anywhere near what he paid for it 7 months ago. But...there are 3 hours left.

stickguy

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-chevrolet-camaro-12/

Great. You got me down the rabbit hole.

I love this one. Including the color. Just need to replace the steering wheel! I could do without the S/C but not throwing it out of bed for that.

stickguy

Oh, I think the white lude was mentioned. Flipper likely losing money on that one!

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

It's not THAT cold here. Today was (+4F) in the AM. But this has been happening at 40 degrees & below.

Well, from all the whine I see on the news and social media, I would think it is the apocalypse...!

-19.5C on the car's readout this morning, which equates to what, about -3F? It felt pleasant to me, even if chillier than the past few days.

henryn

deleted, wrong forum

xwesx

Interesting. Maybe they have their warehousing distributed so extensively now that they figure it is more efficient to not use the space on stocking the appliances. They do still stock them here in Alaska, but I imagine the reasoning behind that is fairly obvious! Even though they do not need to compete with the likes of Amazon since Amazon won't ship stuff like that to Alaska anyway.

Happily, my $400 lightly-used set of Samsung W/D are still humming along contentedly. Hopefully no issues with them for at least five years, preferably fifteen!


Edit: Whoops! Well, I'm not deleting mine since I think I know the thread on which you meant to post that, and I'm no longer participating in that one.

nyccarguy

What's your take on this https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-porsche-boxster-5/ @Mr_Shiftright?

kyfdx

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-bmw-m-coupe-11/

These bring stupid money, but I still want one

stickguy

I think the clown shoe cars are cool too. I’m always one of probably 3 people that likes these.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-jensen-healey-mark-2-roadster-2/

This is wicked cool too.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1966-austin-mini-cooper-s-3/

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

What's your take on this https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-porsche-boxster-5/ @Mr_Shiftright?

Just a run of the mill Boxster to my eyes---it's not an S, and it has various little defects. Just a used car. Keep in mind that they cranked out gazillions of these cars over the years.

Bid seems light at $7K so far but these cars are always for sale in plentiful numbers, so unless a person wants these exact colors/options and price, no reason to get all warm over it. I'd hit it at around $9,500 for average retail. Also don't be over 6 ft tall

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-bmw-m-coupe-11/

These bring stupid money, but I still want one

The Money Police should arrest that bidder and put his children in a foster home. That's just crazy.

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

I think the clown shoe cars are cool too. I’m always one of probably 3 people that likes these.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-jensen-healey-mark-2-roadster-2/

This is wicked cool too.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1966-austin-mini-cooper-s-3/

Jensen seems fair enough at $2,200 for a project car. I wouldn't bid too much more for it. They aren't worth a whole lot.

carnaught

I can’t get past the (majorly ugly) looks of that BMW coupe.

ab348

stickguy said:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-chevrolet-camaro-12/

Great. You got me down the rabbit hole.

I love this one. Including the color. Just need to replace the steering wheel! I could do without the S/C but not throwing it out of bed for that.

The steering wheel is about the only original thing on the car! But it does look out of place on that.

Nice enough for sure, but the exhaust will scrape driving over a gum wrapper and you better pray all the work was done properly.

pensfan83

au1994 said:

Can’t remember if we discussed this one here...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-honda-prelude-2/

I saw that one and am curious to see where it lands, I remember seeing the original auction back in April. My guess is some last minute bids will get it to between $7K-$7,500.

Mr_Shiftright

Seller hit a home run at $11,900. However, he put a chunk of change into it, so he probably broke even. Still, strong price regardless.

pensfan83

Well that certainly took off in the last 10 minutes. $11,500....seller did quite well for himself.

Mr_Shiftright

Sorta...he did some engine work. Still, the bid makes no sense to me. It's about double book and I don't see anything special about the car personally.

Maybe it's the old "Swedish Meatball Theory" in action? **

** That's when the Swedish meatballs at a reception sit untouched for hours in a chafing dish and then guys starting scooping them into a dish, and then everybody in the room suddenly wants some.

pensfan83

There is no rhyme/reason to pricing on Preludes, people are all over the board. Mine is 1 year older and has 100,000 more miles but I don't see how that constitutes a price that is about double what I paid. The overall condition and is arguably very similar and mine was maintained just as well with records to back that up.

qbrozen

anybody want to go fast around a corner in this?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/761268070/overview/?aff=acqem52&emc=acqem52

Must have been owned by an old Sidekick owner who missed the adrenaline rush of driving around so precariously

au1994

I love the Swedish Meatball analogy and will shamelessly steal that.

Heck of a number on the Prelude. Nice and clean but still

A nice Supra Turbo sold for 15k today as well. Many lamenting the fact it was an automatic.

fintail

Mk 3, which just doesn't get the bids.

corvette

I don’t want it, but there’s something kind of charming about that SX4 as a winter vehicle. The lift would keep it from dragging in a heavy pile of snow. 

marcogallo1986

 I like the cars hosted a dog about guns, from wearing a trailer.com. Have to go on that site more often I’m not around just cause I can, and I have more free time these days, keeping busy busy with the gym and applying for jobs. A doctors appointment today, lost 25 pounds from last year, so happy good news. I’m doing almost Friday and the couple of hours. 

marcogallo1986

 New York car guy, bring it to your mechanic but since on the warranty I see the appeal of the dealer. Ha ha ha this cold has effects on pores and things I wouldn’t worry too much everyone. Glad to hear from you soon man I had to hear everything‘s going well. This coming up weekend probably Saturday can you go with the fairly new neighbors, we moved here in August, they want to lease a second car, some on the car if they asked him which one  I know a lady here at the Hyundai dealer was a great sales woman who we dealt with a number of years ago when can I bring them to. And some other folks wagon they wanna. Told him look around at all your options you get what you like. His neighbors moved in towards the middle of August I become very friendly with them around my age to in their 30s, had wine with them last Saturday night again this coming up Saturday night too. Just hang out. 

xwesx

carnaught said:

I can’t get past the (majorly ugly) looks of that BMW coupe.

Definitely one of the fugliest vehicles built in the last twenty years. I saw one in person once. Definitely worse.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

anybody want to go fast around a corner in this?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/761268070/overview/?aff=acqem52&emc=acqem52

Must have been owned by an old Sidekick owner who missed the adrenaline rush of driving around so precariously

SX4 cracks me up. Good little cars for what they are. I used to see them around here regularly. But, this one? lots of miles, parked in the middle of a large city, and the description says, "all highway miles." Yeah. Uh-huh.

marcogallo1986

 Good morning everyone, happy Friday to all in here. I know love these descriptions that people put sometimes hilarious west, anyone doing any car looking this weekend?