Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

cdnpinhead

When I bought my first new car back in'72 in Edmonton, it was a Volvo 145. They were brought into Nova Scotia and certain additional assembly or preparation activities were performed -- Canadian content and all that. It turned out to be an okay vehicle, but not a world-beater. I traded it and my '65 MGB in for my '73 240Z and a Datsun 1600 (which was really a 510 before they started calling them that -- a direct copy of the BMW 1600).

Good times -- 46 years ago

ab348

I posted a link here last week to a news story about the Volvo assembly plant in Halifax. They received painted, finished unibodies shipped from Sweden along with all the components needed to complete the cars and assembled them here until the late 1990s.

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1650951&binId=1.1145463&playlistPageNum=1

sda

I always that Volvo cars were solely built in Sweden until recently.

nyccarguy

stickguy

people will drive anything in the city it seems!

I saw a 1st generation RX-7 last week. Easy to get a good look at it since it was on a rollback tow truck.

ab348

Also while I was out today I looked at a few dealer lots. Was surprised to see at the "other" GM dealer here (not the one where I got my last 3 cars) 3 new Volts and 4 Bolts sitting in inventory. Surprised because the only Volts I ever saw around here were special ordered for customers, and I have never seen a Bolt here, ever. There are zero incentives from govt here for electric cars so the dealers never thought they could sell them. The Volt remains a good-looking car while the Bolt is small, but cute, with an amazing amount of passenger room inside for such a small vehicle. I actually quite liked it, and the interior was nicely designed, but the price sticker said it was a breathtaking $45K Cdn. Can't see them selling too many at that price.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

note the gray hair

mjfloyd1

That was my exact comment 

corvette

One of the salesmen I've dealt with at Carmax, many moons ago, was an RX enthusiast. I think he owned both a 2nd and 3rd gen at the time I took a test drive of a used BMW there.

ronsteve

sda said:

I always that Volvo cars were solely built in Sweden until recently.

My 2006 V70 was apparently built in Ghent, Belgium.

28firefighter

Driving a 2019 Edge SEL FWD with the 2.0 Ecoboost. I like it a lot more than I expected, and man does it swallow a lot of stuff without even flinching. For reference, we have an oversized bag that we packed the three of us in for the week that the airlines consider oversized checked luggage. We can stand that up in the back of the Edge with still room to see out the back.

It rides really nicely and is built very solid - a lot of plastic, but no rattles at all at 7200 miles of harsh family rental duty here on Maui. 

Its a no options SEL, so pretty no-frills in terms of tech - no nav, no BSM, etc. The seats are horribly uncomfortable in this trim, but I know the ST comes with better bolstered seats. The engine, while more than adequate, is not exactly exhilarating. It is the same engine that was in my wife’s Escape. That is also fixed with the ST, which has the 2.7 V6 Ecoboost. 

Its perfect for the week we’re here.

Also, Maui is absolutely amazing - we are staying just north of Lahaina right on the beach and it is just what we needed.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Driving a 2019 Edge SEL FWD with the 2.0 Ecoboost. I like it a lot more than I expected, and man does it swallow a lot of stuff without even flinching. For reference, we have an oversized bag that we packed the three of us in for the week that the airlines consider oversized checked luggage. We can stand that up in the back of the Edge with still room to see out the back.

It rides really nicely and is built very solid - a lot of plastic, but no rattles at all at 7200 miles of harsh family rental duty here on Maui. 

Its a no options SEL, so pretty no-frills in terms of tech - no nav, no BSM, etc. The seats are horribly uncomfortable in this trim, but I know the ST comes with better bolstered seats. The engine, while more than adequate, is not exactly exhilarating. It is the same engine that was in my wife’s Escape. That is also fixed with the ST, which has the 2.7 V6 Ecoboost. 

Its perfect for the week we’re here.

Also, Maui is absolutely amazing - we are staying just north of Lahaina right on the beach and it is just what we needed.

Enjoy the week!

marcogallo1986

 28 firefighter very nice, glad you like your ride for the week, and you’ll enjoy your vacation. 

marcogallo1986

  On 348, interesting of the above that you saw at the port this past weekend with our cars, and the article above about the Volvo factory. In the car as you saw on the dealer lots. 

pensfan83

Yesterday afternoon we had some time to kill before my younger brother's lacrosse game and on the way to the university there are a number of car dealerships so we decided to browse a few lots.

MDX/RDX - The more I see the MDX the more I like them, it's especially fetching in A-Spec trim.  They also lease better than the RDX.  Wife thinks it's too big though.  She liked the RDX though and mentioned turning my car in and leasing one of those in 16 months.  Could work out well because I'll be way under mileage and can use the overage to net a term with lower mileage/higher RV but still have more than enough miles.

Honda Passport - We actually both really liked these.  One of the ones we looked at stickered for $45K though so on the higher end of our budget.  The Touring is probably the better buy and has everything we would want, they had one of those in a green/gray combo and was roughly $4K less.

GLC - The MB store was right next to the Honda store so we checked these out.  They look handsome but like the X3 the price balloons quickly when optioned up and most of their stock was over $50K.  I doubt we would get one of these unless it was a loaner with a really good discount, lease cash, and MSD's.

Nissan - We were only here about 10 minutes.  There is nothing in their current offerings that interest either of us, either on the SUV or sedan side.  Even though the Altima has been rock solid for coming up on 5 years and over 60K my wife doesn't want another one.

We wanted to stop at the Subaru store but didn't have enough time and we passed a VW dealer that had at least 1 GLI on the lot judging by the tell tale grille.  When I got home I looked at their inventory and they have 2 35th anniversary trims, both automatic.

stickguy

I feel the same way about the Acura CUVs. Love the RDX, and find the MDX too big and bulkier. The RDX is also a much more engaging drive (on the sporty "fun" side, while the MDX is just a big truck.)

pensfan83

When I told him we did some lot browsing my father, ever the cheap thrifty one with money, said we should sell the Altima to my younger brother next spring once his Fusion lease is up and he can go payment free for awhile to save money for a newer car. Sometimes I can only shake my head...

au1994

pensfan83 said:

Yesterday afternoon we had some time to kill before my younger brother's lacrosse game and on the way to the university there are a number of car dealerships so we decided to browse a few lots.

MDX/RDX - The more I see the MDX the more I like them, it's especially fetching in A-Spec trim.  They also lease better than the RDX.  Wife thinks it's too big though.  She liked the RDX though and mentioned turning my car in and leasing one of those in 16 months.  Could work out well because I'll be way under mileage and can use the overage to net a term with lower mileage/higher RV but still have more than enough miles.

Honda Passport - We actually both really liked these.  One of the ones we looked at stickered for $45K though so on the higher end of our budget.  The Touring is probably the better buy and has everything we would want, they had one of those in a green/gray combo and was roughly $4K less.

GLC - The MB store was right next to the Honda store so we checked these out.  They look handsome but like the X3 the price balloons quickly when optioned up and most of their stock was over $50K.  I doubt we would get one of these unless it was a loaner with a really good discount, lease cash, and MSD's.

Nissan - We were only here about 10 minutes.  There is nothing in their current offerings that interest either of us, either on the SUV or sedan side.  Even though the Altima has been rock solid for coming up on 5 years and over 60K my wife doesn't want another one.

We wanted to stop at the Subaru store but didn't have enough time and we passed a VW dealer that had at least 1 GLI on the lot judging by the tell tale grille.  When I got home I looked at their inventory and they have 2 35th anniversary trims, both automatic.

Great reviews!

- Agree on the MDX. It’s nice enough looking and the fact that it leases well is what turned my head in the past. As noted, its big!

- Love the size of the Passport but as you saw, man are they proud of ‘em.

- I feel the same way on the X3. By the time we optioned one up the way we wanted, I think we were over 55k. 58k sticks in my head for some reason. It’s just not worth it to me. We found many (and in some cases more) of the same options on a 45k Ascent.

- I’d guess one could score a good deal on a Pathfinder or Murano. I was in the former as an Uber passenger recently. While I think the outside is nice, the inside is dated as anything.

marcogallo1986

Nice pens. Men 83 on the car brozing. Yesterday with the wife. How was your brothers. Game 

nyccarguy

The MDX is a nice vehicle.  They lease very well.  I know it’s been around for a while, but Acura has done a good job (in my eyes) in keeping it fresh.  

pensfan83

They won Marco, thanks for asking. This is his senior year of college so we're trying to make as many of his games as we can. Next Saturday is their senior recognition game so my sister, BIL,and my niece and nephew will be coming in from Cincinnati.

marcogallo1986

 You are welcome pens in E3, glad they won. Wow so is his senior year in college, that’s awesome. Yes good to go to the games and have some family time and make those memories. Enjoy your day, and rest of the week. 

marcogallo1986

 New York car guy, you know I don’t think I’ve ever sent him in an Acura MDX yet I know they’re big. The auto show is starting a week from this coming Friday, anyone want to go with us local? Do you have to see a date for us to all go. Are usually go with my cousin, which I’m still going to do. But the more the merrier if we can make it all work out. 

nyccarguy

Just got an email from my insurance company (all state). They paid $3,500 to fix that piece of junk Rogue Sport I hit at less than 5 mph. They are raising my insurance $200 because of it. If I knew I was going to get hi with an increase like that, I would have had them repaint my front bumper.

breld

So frustrating. 

au1994

nyccarguy said:

Just got an email from my insurance company (all state). They paid $3,500 to fix that piece of junk Rogue Sport I hit at less than 5 mph. They are raising my insurance $200 because of it. If I knew I was going to get hi with an increase like that, I would have had them repaint my front bumper.

That sounds ridiculous. Of course now with the accident on your record its not the right time to shop insurance.

So frustrating...

marcogallo1986

Man New York  car guy not call at all.

nyccarguy

Shifty - if I post my Pilot’s VIN, could you tell me if there’s a “mark” on the Carfax?

Mr_Shiftright

Sure, fire away. Or you can PM me if you wish.

nyccarguy

5FNYF6H91HB081336

Thank-you so much!

Mr_Shiftright

Clean Carfax as of 11/05/2018===date of last entry.

nyccarguy

Good news!  Thanks so much!

andres3

nyccarguy said:

Just got an email from my insurance company (all state). They paid $3,500 to fix that piece of junk Rogue Sport I hit at less than 5 mph. They are raising my insurance $200 because of it. If I knew I was going to get hi with an increase like that, I would have had them repaint my front bumper.

I understand your frustration! Getting blamed for a parking lot incident that was clearly the other ladies fault, but because of hard and fast rules, I was deemed at fault. It's not fair, but I realize these hard n' fast rules help insurance companies be efficient in their claims, and that helps make them have a higher profit margin.

The customer loses, but the companies win.

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

Just got an email from my insurance company (all state). They paid $3,500 to fix that piece of junk Rogue Sport I hit at less than 5 mph. They are raising my insurance $200 because of it. If I knew I was going to get hi with an increase like that, I would have had them repaint my front bumper.

😤 😡 😠

ab348

nyccarguy said:

Just got an email from my insurance company (all state). They paid $3,500 to fix that piece of junk Rogue Sport I hit at less than 5 mph. They are raising my insurance $200 because of it. If I knew I was going to get hi with an increase like that, I would have had them repaint my front bumper.

I thought that vehicle hit you?

nyccarguy

ab348 said:

nyccarguy said:

Just got an email from my insurance company (all state). They paid $3,500 to fix that piece of junk Rogue Sport I hit at less than 5 mph. They are raising my insurance $200 because of it. If I knew I was going to get hi with an increase like that, I would have had them repaint my front bumper.

I thought that vehicle hit you?

According to the traffic laws of the State of Connecticut, the accident was my fault. The Rogue Sport was stopped at a stop sign. Even though the lane is wide enough for 2 cars, I was at fault because I attempted to pass the Rogue Sport on the right. Since this happened, I have adjusted my driving style accordingly. There are a few intersections where it is wide enough to go to the right to make a right turn on red or a stop sign. I will now stop and wait. If I'm not the 1st car, I'm not going. The aggrevation, anxiety, and increased insurance premiums aren't worth it.

marcogallo1986

New York car guy sounds good to me on changing. Your driving  stile!

breld

It's been a week now since @Sandman6472 has posted here, after the terribly rude, nasty and bullying comments made from jeffb101.

Sandy - hope you can brush those off and know those sentiments are not shared by our community here.

ab348

breld said:

It's been a week now since @Sandman6472 has posted here, after the terribly rude, nasty and bullying comments made from jeffb101.

Sandy - hope you can brush those off and know those sentiments are not shared by our community here.

Indeed, I was just thinking the same thing earlier this morning. Give us a check-in, @Sandman6472 !

graphicguy

Can you tell it’s a slow day for me?

While detailing the car last night, I also noticed that for a car that’s nearly 2 years old and about 20K miles on it, there are very few signs of wear....

carnaught

@Sandman6472, yeah, come on back. We're here for you. I enjoy your honest posts.

xwesx

@graphicguy I still love that interior color. It looks so pleasant!

mjfloyd1

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

Mr_Shiftright

Hey, it's your car. If all it does is increase brightness, but not color, and doesn't require any alterations to the dash--then why not?

28firefighter

FWIW my dad replaced the lights behind gauges of his 968 and it had made it significantly more usable at night. Since it’s a driver and not a true collector, it was a very worthwhile upgrade. 

mjfloyd1

I'm conflicted. I'll never drive it in the dark because the headlights are "suboptimal" so kinda pointless. They do make warm white LED tho and they should last a long while. I'd hate to switch over bulbs and have one burn out...

mjfloyd1

@Sandman6472 - come back!!!

28firefighter

My Dad also upgraded the headlights to LED. Also worthwhile. 

nyccarguy

Shifty - can you reach out to Sandy offline to see if he’s OK?

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

Shifty - can you reach out to Sandy offline to see if he’s OK?

Seconded.