Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

I spent a split day. Wife agreed to go car looking (to make me happy) so did that after lunch. then a stop at Lowes for another new tool gizmo, and back to the kid's place for a little more contracting.

today's project was installing a new ceiling fan in the sunroom. The prior owners had demo'ed everything for some reason out there (pull out paneling, leaving bare OSB, took down the light, leaving the wires hanging out of the box, and pulled up the stick down vinyl planks. between that and being filthy, it was not a happy place.

now, all the windows have been cleaned, door painted, concrete floor painted, OSB painted (you can actually do that. still looks like OSB, but now white!) New rug down. And as of an hour ago, a spanking new ceiling fan with light up on the ceiling. Didn't fall down, isn't wobbling, and no sparks, flames or smoke poured out of the ceiling, so I consider it a success.

I was hoping the switch in the kitchen that seemed to control nothing was for that ceiling fixture. Turns out there was a wall fixture on the side wall it worked. Just another burned out bulb. replaced that, and now it works.

the new gizmo was a continuity tester. for some reason, I don't seem to have collected one over the years. what a wonderful gadget. Figured out the box need the door to the outside (sutffed full of wires) is probably intended to be the switch that controls the fan. So need to get a switch to installed, and based on the more wires than expected to find, it might be a 2 way (which usually means there is another switch someplace so who the hell knows). That is for another day. at least the fan and light work on the pull chains. if I get the switch done and that works the fan, more the better.

just about done now. last project (which my daughter might end up doing) is putting on new doorknob and deadbolt on the door into the house after she finishes painting it. and tonight I need to install the last blackout shade in the bedroom, and I should be pretty much done. until she finds something else to put on the list.

28firefighter

Looks like the 35th Anniversary edition is not selling as well as VW would hope. That’s a significant discount. With my partner rebate these would be 21,960...

https://www.campbellvw.com/new-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&model[]=JETTA+GLI&page=1

sda

I think the biggest strike, at least for me, is they didn’t include the sunroof or fog lights like the did on the R type, mainly the sunroof.

28firefighter

sda said:

I think the biggest strike, at least for me, is they didn’t include the sunroof or fog lights like the did on the R type, mainly the sunroof.

Yeah. Have to step up to Autobahn for that.

qbrozen

oooo... I'm loving this. And it's around the corner from me.

28firefighter

My mom had one of those before her V60. It’s quick.

corvette

On the XC60 - halogen DRLs on luxury vehicles just look wrong to me anymore.

stickguy

a 2012 is practically an antique compared to the new designs. Got the same issue with my RDX.

love the colors on that Volvo though. should be quick and super comfy. A bit light on options. Can always tell by all the empty button spots on the center stack!

stickguy

Got my last project done after dinner. Installed the 6' wide blackout shade. That sucker was heavy. and of course, the opening was 1/2 inch narrower than the standard size blind (70") so 2 options. Pay 2x as much for a custom, or cut it to size yourself. With the tight budget the kids are on, they picked the cheaper option, and I dug the chop saw out and cut an inch off with that. Actually worked great, then pretty easy to install, just required 4 brackets because of the weight.

I spent way too much time working with my hands above my head today. Definitely too old for that.

stickguy

forgot the car updates. Stopped at Subaru. Saw a sales go in the parking lot. he said they had a few new OBs, but they were on a corporate stop sale (no clue why, maybe to clear out the 2019s, or let stock on the ground build up), and said they were in the back corner. so we went looking\. Might have been across the street in the extra lot. did see a base level Legacy. Looked just like the old one, but definitely different interior. Have to go back next weekend to actually check one out.''

then went next door to Volvo. sat in everything inside. Loved the seats in the S60! For the cuvs, they had a V60 CC. Nice, I liked it. She thought :it was a wagon. And that it sat too low (she thought she fell down into the seat. So that is out. Really liked an XC40 they had, but after some discussion, decided it was a bit too small, plus from reading it might not be luxurious/cushy enough for her. She did like the XC60 though, and we were parked next to one outside so saw it really was not longer. Not sure about wider. But one nice feature, power folding mirrors!

no drives today. Still need to swing by Hyundai, BMW and VW dealers to test sit. With possibly a side stop at the Audi dealer. I do want her to check out the tiguan. Even though she does not like VW, but she finally said what it was she did not like. The seats in the Jettas, were too tight for her. most likely, that won't be an issue in the Tiguan.

marcogallo1986

@stick guy nice on all of the car looking. Yesterday!

kyfdx

Who was looking at an '80s Monte Carlo SS?

Saw a local one for sale.

28firefighter

Depending on location, I’d be targeting an X1 here. I would think minimal drive offs and well equipped should be in the mid 300s.

28firefighter

Kicking myself over passing on that i3 deal. But, between the remaining payments on the X1 and the dance with the suicide doors for a rear facing car seat, we probably would have ended up unhappy.

The hunt continues.

ab348

kyfdx said:

Who was looking at an '80s Monte Carlo SS?

Saw a local one for sale.

Wasn’t that @pensfan83 ?

stickguy

yes.

qbrozen

Ok, considering one of these as a Hummer alternative.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/mySavedListings.action#listing=250027494

stickguy

I like those a lot more than a Hummer. I never really liked them at any level, but as always, different strokes for different folks.

28firefighter

Agreed.

suydam

28firefighter said:

Kicking myself over passing on that i3 deal. But, between the remaining payments on the X1 and the dance with the suicide doors for a rear facing car seat, we probably would have ended up unhappy.

The hunt continues.

Just remember the rear facing car seat is for a very limited time, so would become a non-issue in pretty short order.

28firefighter

suydam said:

28firefighter said:

Kicking myself over passing on that i3 deal. But, between the remaining payments on the X1 and the dance with the suicide doors for a rear facing car seat, we probably would have ended up unhappy.

The hunt continues.

Just remember the rear facing car seat is for a very limited time, so would become a non-issue in pretty short order.

The new recommendations are to be rear facing to the max of the seat. Most seats are 35-40lb max and 49” tall max.

Sam is pretty average and isn’t even 30 lbs yet. It’ll be another 12-18 months before he is forward facing. On a 24 month lease that’s not insignificant.

(I tried this argument in my head and it failed)

stickguy

now this, if you want a sedan, is a really nice car. I love the colors, and the equipment level is about perfect. Pretty much exactly what I would have specced out. Not sure how price compares, but does not seem out of line.

https://www.eimports4less.com/details-2017-bmw-3_series-certified_330i_sport_line_6_speed_manual_trans_nav_cam-used-wba8b9c5xhk676557.html

28firefighter

Like that a lot.

breld

Pretty well settled in the new house. We had movers on Friday, and my wife was unpacking boxes and putting things away about as fast as the movers could move them in.

My time was spent mounting and wiring 6 TVs (and I have one more to go once an extra bed is finished in the basement). And of course, the garage is my realm too, and I at least cleared enough room to get the 3 cars in. Started hanging some shelves and organizing today, but still have some work to do.

As I was organizing the garages today, I naturally had all the cars out and took this pic reflecting our apparent infatuation with VWAG.

28firefighter

That is quite a fleet. Love it.

Michaell

I'm surprised you didn't have all the cars in the driveway; I know it's long enough.

benjaminh

"Mazda 3's Poor Rear Visibility Makes It the Camaro of Compact Hatchbacks

We measured and found that the view outward plummets by as much as 50 percent, making it the worst in the compact-hatchback segment.

By DAVE VANDERWERP
AUG 30, 2019

C/D test data quantifies what's easily seen by the naked eye: a substantial drop in rear visibility in the latest Mazda 3 hatchback.

The nearest point on the road that the driver can see is 97 feet behind the 3's rear bumper, more than six and a half times the length of the car itself.

That's nearly 50 percent worse than the previous-generation 3 and the worst in the compact-hatchback segment...."

More at the link

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28857236/2019-mazda-3-hatchback-visibility-rear-window/

And the Mazda 3 has a torsion-beam rear suspension that has degraded handling according to C & D and some other publications. I used to be a fan of Mazdas, but not as much anymore. I think the sedan looks ok, but the hatchback just looks strange to me.

au1994

qbrozen said:

Ok, considering one of these as a Hummer alternative.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/mySavedListings.action#listing=250027494

I think you would like that. Tons of fun and a great second, fun car. The Jeep owners are great and of course the aftermarket is huge when the inevitable modification bug hits.

au1994

breld said:

Pretty well settled in the new house. We had movers on Friday, and my wife was unpacking boxes and putting things away about as fast as the movers could move them in.

My time was spent mounting and wiring 6 TVs (and I have one more to go once an extra bed is finished in the basement). And of course, the garage is my realm too, and I at least cleared enough room to get the 3 cars in. Started hanging some shelves and organizing today, but still have some work to do.

As I was organizing the garages today, I naturally had all the cars out and took this pic reflecting our apparent infatuation with VWAG.

All very pretty. I could make do with any of them!

Glad the move is done. I’ve done a couple from major relo’s to a new state to just across town and they can be equally stressful.

au1994

benjaminh said:

"Mazda 3's Poor Rear Visibility Makes It the Camaro of Compact Hatchbacks

We measured and found that the view outward plummets by as much as 50 percent, making it the worst in the compact-hatchback segment.

By DAVE VANDERWERP
AUG 30, 2019

C/D test data quantifies what's easily seen by the naked eye: a substantial drop in rear visibility in the latest Mazda 3 hatchback.

The nearest point on the road that the driver can see is 97 feet behind the 3's rear bumper, more than six and a half times the length of the car itself.

That's nearly 50 percent worse than the previous-generation 3 and the worst in the compact-hatchback segment...."

More at the link

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28857236/2019-mazda-3-hatchback-visibility-rear-window/

And the Mazda 3 has a torsion-beam rear suspension that has degraded handling according to C & D and some other publications. I used to be a fan of Mazdas, but not as much anymore. I think the sedan looks ok, but the hatchback just looks strange to me.

Funny, there was an ad on TV for these over the weekend and from the rear quarter view I said to myself it must be nearly impossible to see out.

qbrozen

au1994 said:

qbrozen said:

Ok, considering one of these as a Hummer alternative.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/mySavedListings.action#listing=250027494

I think you would like that. Tons of fun and a great second, fun car. The Jeep owners are great and of course the aftermarket is huge when the inevitable modification bug hits.

I always said I’d have another Jeep someday. Of course, I was thinking CJ7, but I suppose this would qualify. But now I’ve been thinking... “wait a sec. why am I OK with cloth and no amenities in a Wrangler, yet have been turning my nose up at any H3 with cloth?”

Yes, mods would be in store for any of these “trucks” I have been looking at. Was even reading up on what I could do with the XC60 (hint: not much).

kyfdx

Anyone notice that Honcker changed their name to Rodo?

tjc78

Yes I did... I was like what is this new app on my iPad? I googled it, then proceeded to delete it!

pensfan83

That was me lusting after the 80's Monte Carlo SS. The Prelude must have heard that I was looking to sever the relationship because the check engine light came on last night.

qbrozen

yes, noticed that name change. well, I didn't notice as much as they sent me an email to tell me they changed their name. My login still doesn't seem to work, so I can't check up on the new app to see if it is any different. Probably not.

I have a doc appt today and there happens to be 2 dealerships "on the way" that have several vehicles I'd like to test drive. Between them, I should be able to check out the Wrangler Unlimited, XC60, JGC hemi, and another Hummer. Oh, and a 2013 C300 4matic Sport with 58k miles for $14k. Seems like a good value. Although I'm sure it won't satisfy my sportscar slot, but worth a look.

nyccarguy

pensfan83 said:

That was me lusting after the 80's Monte Carlo SS. The Prelude must have heard that I was looking to sever the relationship because the check engine light came on last night.

The last time mine thew a CEL, the Idle Air Control Valve was the culprit. Mine was original and VERY dirty. Pretty inexpensive fix IIRC. The part is a generic Honda part and NOT Prelude specific. My mechanic was able to get one from his sources same day.

corvette

@pensfan83 are Buick Grand Nationals still crazy expensive?

stickguy

Love the neighborhood Breld. The house across the street is exactly the style I want.

nyccarguy

Love the fleet & the new 'hood! Best of luck to you! @breld

stickguy

Yeah honker changed the name. App is different too. But they did add a slider to adjust DAS and payment to anything you want, with 1st payment the minimum. I still browse just to see what must be highly incentivized at the moment.

They took away “deals of the day” but I think that might be coming back.

tjc78

corvette said:

@pensfan83 are Buick Grand Nationals still crazy expensive?

Depends.. some can be had for under 5 figures, others (like a mint 87 GNX) could be six figures.

I'd look for a clean Regal T-Type over a Monte, but that's just me.

pensfan83

corvette said:

@pensfan83 are Buick Grand Nationals still crazy expensive?

I would love one but I've generally shied away from considering a GN because of the premiums they command. I've seen them range anywhere from mid 30's to almost six figures. Clean, low mile GNX's can go over six figures.

Personally I don't see a real benefit to paying for a low mileage example unless you plan to keep it that way in the hopes of retaining or increasing its value. If I'm planning on driving it more than a few hundred miles a year I'm fine with one that has higher mileage as long as required maintenance and repairs are documented. I found that out when searching for the Prelude. I could pay a premium for low miles and face an internal debate whether I preserve it in the hopes of turning a profit come sale time or I buy one for half the price that has higher miles, same condition, and have zero concern about turning a profit. I chose the latter and almost one year in am glad I did.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Believe me, I thought about leasing for him but he’d need the damage waiver and more than 20k/yr, so the cost effectiveness goes out the window. He buys cars for $3k-$6k and wrings 2-3 years out of them.

Except when he doesn't!

xwesx

qbrozen said:

I always said I’d have another Jeep someday. Of course, I was thinking CJ7, but I suppose this would qualify. But now I’ve been thinking... “wait a sec. why am I OK with cloth and no amenities in a Wrangler, yet have been turning my nose up at any H3 with cloth?”

Yes, mods would be in store for any of these “trucks” I have been looking at. Was even reading up on what I could do with the XC60 (hint: not much).

When you get as old as the H3, it is probably best to look at the best car for the mechanical equipment you want, and you can worry about appointments like leather aftermarket. It is not overly expensive to reupholster in leather if you really want to go that route.

xwesx

Goal reached!

qbrozen

Alright. Got out to 1 dealership today. Drove a Charger, E550, JGC hemi, and a Hummer they had. Really really liked the Charger. The sound is just phenomenal. I didn't even mind the old 5-speed unit. And this particular one has really nice leather/suede seats that seem to be a very rare find. Was thinking I'd want a newer one, and I would prefer the '11+ style, but this one is super clean and cheap, so it is tempting me. Someone talk me out of it: https://www.bakerjeep.com/used/Dodge/2008-Dodge-Charger-Princeton-99a9c91c0a0e0a6b408c7ad5d4a47f23.htm

That was first. Then drove the E550 right after it. I gotta say, I much preferred the Charger. The E had an overly harsh ride. It was downright nauseating. The JGC was nice enough, but I didn't like how it drove. Very bouncy. Again, nauseating. The Hummer had mechanical issues, so I drove it maybe a half mile before returning it to the dealership.

stickguy

So the charger, is that the practical/utility car, or the sports car, of the two-fer?

stickguy

Too big for my taste, but looks like a nice one. Loaded. If you like it, go for it!

ab348

I dunno, Q., it looks like it is is great condition, but for a car that is almost 12 model years old with 100K miles that seems like a lot of money.

breld

Sounds to me like the powers above are steering you away from a Hummer.