Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

woodyww

You know the old joke: "That guy's as rich as Croesus". Punch line: "Yeah, but is he as rich as Mrs. Croesus"? Fortunately for Croesus, he lived what, 25 centuries before the horrible stock market was invented.....

gouldn

Stickguy:

I'll be watching your thread carefully. I've been trying to figure out what to replace my aging Forester with, and have been looking at 5-series. I made an offer on a 545 sedan which was rejected, but upon further thought a wagon would be better. The 5-series wagons out here are all in the mid-$30's unless I go back to the E-39's. I actually much prefer the look of the 2003's and earlier.

woodyww

I'm totally biased of course, but I agree with roadburner: The six cylinder E39 5ers are wonderful cars. Buying one with 80K miles, & then mile-ing it up, I'd just have a repair/maintenence budget, like with any 80K mile car. If it's an automatic, that's another potential issue to research.....

A used Volvo also sounds like a potentially very good idea. For stickguy, where are you going to have either choice serviced? Any good indie bmw or volvo mechanics near you (if buying w/o warranty)? That can be crucial.

There are E39 forums on another website with guys who seem to know everything about them...... roadburner sounds like a good guy to ask too.....

stickguy

One thing I do have is a selection of repair places. There are a couple of good import shops, and at least one BMW specialist that I know of. There is also a swedish specialist shop ner by. haven't researched them, but I am not worried about that.

Assuming you get a well maintained and serviced unit, no reason that a Volvo or BMW can't be reliable up to +/- 150K. So getting one with 75-85K on it doesn't seem too risky. Just have to make sure it is a good one.

Money wise, probably better to spend 8K on a 2001 V70 or 11K on a 200 528. Even with repairs, it should cost less over 2 years than getting a much newer one and putting a bunch of miles on it.

tifighter

Okay, someone has to ask: Will the current economic unpleasantness cure anyone of their CCBS for awhile?

Myself, I leased (for the first time) a Pilot earlier this year when they were giving them away, so I am locked in for awhile. I guess the good news is that the gas to feed it may come down. Sounds like credit will be getting tight as well. Thoughts? Anyone have a change of heart in the past few weeks?

stickguy

Well, the cheapie gas in my neighborhood is now down to $2.79 for regular, and dropping daily.

Funny you should ask this question. It actually enters into the equation for what I am looking to do.

Basically, I am still looking but have lowered the price range. I effectively want to keep my outlay to roughly (within a few K) of what I can get out of my Accord (paid for already).

So no more looking at 25K+ BMWs. I reset my target price range to 15K. But, hard to find the nice stuff in that sweet spot, hence the desire to maybe go lower. Such as a 2001 Volvo instead of ~2004-2005. All depends on what I find, condition and history being more important than age, and miles (within reason).

I would rather get something a touch older, and having a few K in the pocket, then get something newer (probably still around the 2005 range, which is what my Accord is) and having to lay out close to 10K for the privilege.

Although if I find something cheap enough, I could just keep both cars, and swap commuting duties depending on the day... Some people have dump cars, I can have a car to transport my dog!

corvette

Yes/no/maybe... I still need to do something before the end of the year, since my lease is up then.

qbrozen

stickguy, shoot for an '02 Volvo, at least. '01 was a redesign and I've read grumblings of some common problems in those (trans being 1, I believe). Bugs were better worked out by '02.

Besides, with a $15k target, an '02 is still WELL within reach.

roadburner

There are E39 forums on another website with guys who seem to know everything about them...... roadburner sounds like a good guy to ask too.....

Would that be Don E.'s E39 Enthusiasts Group? That's the best one I know of.

stickguy

Yeah, I remember that 2001 was the MMC for the V70/S70. I do want to stay at least that new. Ideally I want something in the 2004+ range, but they seem harder to find.

Best deal seems to be a 2004 V70AWD 2.5T at Princeton. 44K on it, was on the web at 15,999, now they have it at 17,999. Don't really want/need the AWD though.

Something like a 2004/2005 FWD T wagon these days should be doable at the 15/16K range. Not like cars are flying out the door! Just don't seem to see that many.

I htink by '05ish they sold fewer normal wagons and more XCs, and more of the non-XCs were going AWD.

Not really in a rush, so I am patiently waiting for the right car to fall in my lap. Keeping an eye on the torchlight inventory.

Hey Q, if something interesting pops up in Parlin, you wanna take a run down and inspect it for me? You're a lot closer!

qbrozen

too many folks on swedespeed have told me to avoid torchlight.

you really should try that private dealer on there ... JRL. I always read good things (although his attitude leaves a bit to be desired).

Actually, he recently posted a gorgeous '01 XC. Unfortunately, it has 125k miles. But its a color I've never seen before. Like a metallic mocha over brown interior. Really sharp lookin. Asking $6900.

stickguy

thanks for the heads up. They just happen to have a large inventory!

Local deals have a few that I am interested in. Latest is a 2008 V50 with leather. Just have to decide if I want to go newer/more expensive. Another dealer has a 2005 V70 2.5T, 25K miles, silver over (I think) Taupe. CPO. That would actually be perfect, but I think they want a fortune for it Need to call and get an actual price though.

Need to find a car like that private sale maybe, or at a non-Volvo dealer, where they might be a bit more realistic on price!

oldfarmer50

Not, Joe isn't my name but I think I've developed the "bug".

My particular obsession is to find that perfect old (10-15+ years) super low milage car that grandma only drove to church. I find myself searching Craigslist daily hoping one will pop up with a reasonable price. Occasionally I'll see one like a 92' Buick Century with 42K miles for $1500. I almost ran out to buy that one.

What I need to know before I fall off the wagon and start buying is what should I be wary of when looking at this type of car. I know to look for the usual stuff like oil leaks and dried out seals but I'm afraid I might miss something major that was the reason grandma parked it in the garage for 10 years.

Any suggestions?

corvette

Oil leaks, dried out seals, rusted brake hardware, cracked weatherstripping, dry-rotted tires and CV joint boots, non-working A/C, etc... And the reason she never drove that Century is that it's too boring!

stickguy

drove the 528iT with the wife today. Pretty nice looking and driving for its age (2000, 75K). Had a couple of issues. Radio had no sound (sales guy claimed it worked a few days earlier!). all the functions worked, just no sound. Almost like it was on mute, but no one could figure out how/why.

3 of 4 of the cupholders (and I use that term loosely) were broken. Probably not a big deal, because I don't think they are capable of holding a drink anyway. Which unfortuneately cold be a deal breaker!

other issue was a vibration on the highway. Just had new tires, so hoefully just a balance issue, but who knows. Did run well.

So, overall, nice car, and probably a good deal. Isted at 13, but they seemed to want to talk. Just not sure it would be the best idea for my immediate needs (next 6 months of 90 miles round trip commute, winter weather, etc.). Probably would think different if I still worked 3 miles from home and did just local running around.

also I find the seats in the Volvos to be more comfy, and to fit me better. So I think I may continue the search for the right V car. Or just keep the Accord and give my left leg a workout (even the the Accord has a real nice light clutch). And leave the dog hoe when the van isn't available!

stickguy

I registered over at SS and shot a note to JRL. Interested to see what comes of it.

It might actually be a good way to go. Turns out he is listed as being from the next town over to where I work, so it would be real easy to get together with him!

oldfarmer50

"...And the reason she never drove that Century is that it's too boring..."

LOL. That it is. If you can find me a 92' vette with 42K miles for $1500 I'd consider that too.

woodyww

If it were me, I'd pass on that $13K 8 y.o. bmw with the radio not working, broken cupholders, vibration, etc. It'd be different maybe if you were buying a weekend or project car. And you'd think a reputable used car dealer would try to get that stuff fixed, maybe???

Also, you live in snow country, but are ruling out AWD Volvos? (I know, everyone wants what they want, etc, but.......). I still like the V70 idea tho, with the great seats, esp. if you can get one with lower miles, &/or some warranty.

I think you could make a case for almost any of the choices you've discussed here in the last few weeks. An old RWD bmw with a lot of miles in snow country with a long commute? I dunno--I'd probably just pay twice the $$ for a used X3 myself, but if you don't want AWD....

Just my 2 cents, good luck!

akangl

Hubby took my Pilot to work today, that means I don't get it back until Tuesday. Strange how I can be annoyed by that when there is a brand new 2009 Civic EX sitting in the garage.

The Civic is a week old today and has all of 220 miles on it, lol, hubby wouldn't let it out of the garage if the roads were bad. However, that ended last night when we had brand new snow tires put on it.

I want my Pilot back!!!!

stickguy

Yeah, I decided to pass on the BMW. Although I don't really consider this snow country anymore! I think they get more out in PA where I work, but not much. And we have only gotten maybe 1 storm, and not too big, a year for a while now.

I figured if it really snowed I would take the wifes Odyssey, take the train, or just stay home!

I am sticking with the Volvo plan for now. Just have to see what the cost will be. I plan to price out from about a 2005 with 30K down to a 2002 with ~60-70K on it, and see what makes sense. Don't want to go older than that though. Just getting a feel for the depreciation level!

I somehow expect the end result will be the Accord though, even with it's dismal in the wet tires.

guss

Is all you really need in southeastern Pa. The last snow over 5" was three years ago. The last 2 winters have been really mild. Still,I don't think I would go with a red BMW if I absolutely had to be at work with no excuses.

I forget have you looked at VW Rabbits and Jetta Wagons ? You should be able to keep them under $20k. Reliability will not be a problem as long as you get rid of it before 4 years., not a problem for a CCBA er.

grandtotal

I somehow expect the end result will be the Accord though, even with it's dismal in the wet tires.

Warning non-CCBA-Correct comment follows:

Buy some decent tires and keep the Accord.

stickguy

spoilsport.

But why put new tires on when you can just get a new car? They also only have 30K on them and plenty of tread, so I can live with them. At least until the first time I get stuck in snow of some kind!

Anyway, that expectation was really just being realistic about the odds of finding the right car to replace it, and getting rid of the Accord, for a financially palatable figure.

But, we shall see!

woodyww

Buy some decent tires and keep the Accord.

Obviously you know that's a heretical opinion here. :P But a new-ish, good mpg honda does seem like a great choice for a long commute.

Better all-weather tires might be what I'd do, & if you don't need snows. Get another year or 2 out of the accord, & you can still have fun car shopping & test-driving.....

tifighter

But a new-ish, good mpg honda does seem like a great choice for a long commute.

Yeah right, maybe they need a new tagline:
"Honda, evil nemesis and general kryptonite to CCBS since 1972..."

corvette

Yeah right, maybe they need a new tagline:
"Honda, evil nemesis and general kryptonite to CCBS since 1972..."

Except for qbrozen's Accord lease that he ended early...

But, as I once said, why have a spare tire when you can have a spare car?!? :P

stickguy

maybe that is the answer? Instead of a newer Volvo, find an early '90s turbo wagon for a couple of grnd? Man, that would steam the wife but good!

I might actually do it except we already have parking problems now that my son has a car, and I can't stand not parking my car in the garage.

So the only solution is, move!

No wait, get 1 car that serves mutiple pruposes.

Anyway, I talked to a wholesale/dealer today, and it seems that FWD 2.5T V70s are quite rare. Plenty of XC70s though if you want one of those!

Might move to an S60 instead, if I give up on the wagon idea.

corvette

I never realized how popular the XC70s were until I started looking at used Volvos... I don't really want or need the lower fuel economy and possible repair hassles of the AWD system, so it's a tough sell for me.

qbrozen

Anyway, I talked to a wholesale/dealer today, and it seems that FWD 2.5T V70s are quite rare.

Well, "quite rare" is still a shot.
You aren't in a rush, right?

BTW, I'm with you on the FWD vs AWD. Had my S70 T5 for 4.5 years and drove it in EVERYTHING. Even after blizzards and noreasters (or whatever the weather people called it). And I didn't even have snow tires. Just very good all seasons. I never had a single problem with traction.
Well... OK. Just once I can remember when my driveway iced over and I had a hard time getting up it. But I did make it eventually.

fezo

Except for qbrozen's Accord lease that he ended early...

But, as I once said, why have a spare tire when you can have a spare car?!?

q is like the patron saint of CCBA....

qbrozen

q is like the patron saint of CCBA....

I still pale in comparison to some of the folks here.

*cough* akangle *cough*

But, yeah, I really disliked that Accord. And it was horrible on my back beyond 1 hour at a time. I'm convinced that Honda is very very good at making you THINK their cars are more luxurious than the price indicates. But its all smoke and mirrors that fade after a few months of ownership.

Still loving my G35x, by the way, even after almost 5 whole months of ownership! The gas mileage is a killer and my only complaint, but I would need a far better reason than that to switch. Well... ok... I could come up with another complaint: it makes me want to drive so damned fast around every turn that I'm going through tires like tic tacs.

fezo

Yeah, but she had that long period between vehicles.....

Honda is funny that way. There ar a few things that seem to get sacrificed to make the price point. The seats would be a fair point. The stereos are another.

stickguy

I actually like the seats in the accord. Not as good as a Volvo (or our odyssey), but they don't bother me even after a couple of hours. I would like a little ore "fill" at the bottom (where the back and bottom meet it is too concave (that the right one? goes in too much!) I used to have a pillow shoved inthere, but haven seen that for a couple of years. I just got it adjusted right and used to it I guess.

Best thing is the long cushion. I hate short cusions with no thight support. That is why I love the BMW sport seats with the adjustable bottom.

And for AWD, we don't get much snow. Plus, the bulk of my commute is highway, so if there is ever a time that my FWD won't get through, AWD won't help, since the roads will be closed or totally jammed with cars anyway.

If anything, at most a fresh set of good all seasons (one of the brands that does well in snow) would do the job fine. I am just too cheap to replace the stock michelens since they have plenty of tread, especailly if there is a chance I sell it.

! V70 will eventually turn up. TOns of nice XC70s and S60s to pick from of course, but never what I am looking for! Best thing as, as it gets closer to winter, all the dealers are loading up on AWD models, so I might score a real good deal on a FWD unit.

With new tires (which it will likely have) and stability/traction control, etc., it would take a lot to stop even a FWD wagon, and I don't take the thing off road.

tifighter

Following up with the economy's effects on CCBS, here's an interesting article about the future of GMAC's credit decisions.

woodyww

Honda is funny that way. There ar a few things that seem to get sacrificed to make the price point. The seats would be a fair point. The stereos are another.

Yeah, & just "build quality"--the hondas I've driven or ridden in don't seem 1/2 as "Solid" as even older volvos, bmws, benzes, or audis. I know whether I'd rather be in a V70, or accord, in a crash.

Personally, I wouldn't be afraid to buy a nice XC70--I think they're pretty reliable(?). But a FWD version sounds like a great choice too.

FWIW, my "ex" had a '95 850 she bought used, ran it to way over 100K miles, & only a couple of things went wrong/had to be fixed.......(with the car)......

fezo

I certainly agree that if I were in a crash I'd prefer to be in a Volvo. I'd agree on the others and throw in Saab as well. They just feel more solid than anything.

If I had a mulligan on the Ody I think I'd buy a V70 and on the odd occasion that i need a van I'd just rent one. oh, well.

stickguy

those are easy to find. But, I would be giving up soem stuff:

Money, in that they are a couple K more expensive to start, and get noticably lower MPG, and at 600 miles/wee, that adds up

Handling, with the higher ride height and M&S tires isn't quite as sharp/car like (guessing, haven't driven one). Probably more toward an XC90 than a V70 AWD (which drives pretty much like a FWD). Also going to be slower, with extra weight to drag around, and of course, extra drag!

They look goofy with the cladding, especially when it is gray.

I don't really need AWD, and if I did, it would be for wet roads, as I don't expect to need the off road capability of a wanna be SUV.

Oh, did I mention money? yes, I am inherintly cheap!

zAnd I guess long term durabilty, with extra moving parts, etc.

kyfdx

In my experience, the XC70 drives more like the V70 than the XC90...

But, I'm with you... why pay for AWD, if you don't need or want it..

stickguy

I guess the big difference is the tires on it. Not sure how much different the extra ride height will make it, but I'm sure the handling isn't quite as crisp.

But, the other family car is a minivan, so probably will handle as nice as that!

so I guess it really is about the money...

guss

I stumbled across this on my daily check of craigslist for a pristine '85 RX-7 and thought of you.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/879604302.html

Just trying to help out a fellow member.

roadburner

... is a 1975 BMW 2002A I just bought on eBay. The roadburner fleet now has an average age of 15.5 years.

corvette

2002A? Does that stand for "automatic?" :P Regardless, we want pics...

I'm sitting here bored at work... Just 12 more days to go at this job!

roadburner

2002A? Does that stand for "automatic?"

Yes, unfortunately. However, it's a three-speed ZF and it works pretty well. The engine and AT were rebuilt @9000 miles ago. In any event, swapping in a four or five speed MT is a dead easy weekend project.

Regardless, we want pics...

Ask and you shall receive...

corvette

Nice. I love the dark green color.

stickguy

you da man! I love that car. Black is usually on my no list, but it looks sharp on this car, especially with the gray leather.

Yardley is a bit of a PITA for me to get to, but if it is still available on Saturday, might just have to take the checkbook and take a ride!

Time to head off to RWTIV.

guss

Yardley is a pita for everyone to get to. The only good reason for me to go over that way is to go to the airport. The BMW 3 series wagons are my favorite after Audi Quatros.

roadburner, is that the original paint on the 2002a ? The interior and exterior looks great. Is this going to be an autocross car or just weekend cruiser

gouldn

Nice. If I was ever to get a classic ... it would either be that or a Volvo P1800

roadburner

roadburner, is that the original paint on the 2002a ? The interior and exterior looks great. Is this going to be an autocross car or just weekend cruiser

I don't know about the paint; I'm probably going to use it as a cruiser and runabout.

soplush

Got an Accord coupe Saturday after keeping my previous vehicle, a Maxima, for 3 years (a record for me). Called myself trying to economize, save gas....Yeah I know famous last words.

I financed the Accord; if I just can't stand it and decide to go get another Nissan after all....what am I in for? Will I get totally soaked on resale value? I don't even have 200 mi. on it yet.

gouldn

I sold my Accord Coupe 3 1/2 years after I bought it new for 73% of what I paid for it. For new cars they hold value pretty well.