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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,378
    If I read the post right, it was missing the DVD for the nav system. If so, that can be procured!

    Now, if he wanted NAV and the car didn't have it, that could be a problem!

    Those Ms are nice cars. I never drove one, but from sitting in them, and reading about them, it seems to be a winner.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I believe Nav DVDs are about $100-$300, at least I think that's what they were when I sold Infinitys a year ago.

    Ask them to order it for you (which could take forever), or make an offer you'll be happy with and buy the DVD yourself at an Infinity Dealer.

    The most popular color options on the M series were by far the black on black, but you could also get black on tan, white, gold, silver, and dark red I think.

    They are very tech loaded cars, with many cool gadgets and toys.

    If you can live with the color, and confirm the price of the DVD, then you should make them an offer.

    Otherwise you should hold out to the color of your choice.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,427
    Those Ms do seem like very loaded cars for the money - but be sure to find out if it had a private prior owner. I know the local Hertz airport lot as well as the one in Vegas had a number of M35s in its highline fleet (along with S80s and A6s). Might not be a big deal if one isn't insanely paranoid, but some do worry about that.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    oh. you may be right. i thought he meant the dvd reader itself.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    I think you did right by blowing off the 2005 BMW 325 w/"gunk in most crannies" (there are doctors that specialize in that sort of thing I think), that barely started, & with the "exploding salesmen". Not good, LOL.

    A 2007 Infiniti M35 for about the same $$ as a questionable '05 3-series sounds like a potentially very good idea. I don't know the prices of used M35's tho. I also avoid black interiors (the heat) like the Plague, but OTOH 2 of the cars I've loved the most had black interiors..... (?)
  • gouldngouldn Member Posts: 220
    Just to clarify ... it was missing the DVD itself, not the unit. Of course I had no way to ascertain if the nav system worked ... it just said "Please insert disk." I've nixed it on color though ... I had a black Audi, and it would only look clean for two days after I washed it.

    I hit the 'net, and have found some units that have more acceptable colors. There's a CPO '07 for $28 in Ivory, and a CPO 06 for $28 in a beautiful gray. I'd rather have a 07, but the 06 is also more loaded ... it has the 'advanced tech package' which includes adaptive cruise control, and a even better stereo. I couldn't care less about the adaptive cruise control ... there's never a big enough gap in traffic for this to work in the SF bay area, but the nicer stereo would be cool. I'll go check them out and report back.
  • daddysangeldaddysangel Member Posts: 14
    michaell, thanks for your review of the Vibe.

    The GT is one the cars I was considering for the future. However, black would not be my first color choice either.

    Last time I drove a stick shift; my hip and back went out. My hip never did return ;)

    Daddysangel
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    One other comment about the Vibe .. for a 4-cylinder stick, I thought the EPA estimates for MPG were a bit low - 21 city, 28 hwy.
  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    That was one of the things that turned me off on the Vibe. Toyota\Pontiac started putting the 2.4l engine in it and that really killed the mileage. The 1.8l is still being used but hard to find, especially if you want some options, like sunroof and alloy wheels.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    There's half a dozen '09 1.8l Vibes in my area but the Toyota dealer says they rarely get a Matrix in with one. The Vibes are still made in Freemont CA and I think the Matrix comes out of Canada now, so maybe that's part of the reason.

    The 1.8l gets 26/32 with the 5 speed manual.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,295
    Speaking of Pontiacs, I bought a new 2008 Pontiac G6 sedan today. Between the rebate and the GM Card money, a new one was a more attractive deal than used.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Congrats, although I didn't imagine you'd go from your regular European rides into a Pontiac.

    I always did like the looks of a G6, not a bad looking car.

    Did you buy or lease? I take it you got one heck of a deal now too.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,295
    I bought this time. I think this has been a slow sales month for most dealers.

    I did seriously consider buying the Audi at the end of its lease. It's been very good to me so far, and it's comfortable to drive. But, it's a long trip to the dealer, if and when it needs to go...
  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Trips to the dealer is why I went with the Malibu over the G6. well that and i thought the interior of the Malibu was a bit nicer. My nearest Pontiac dealer is 13 miles away while my Chevy dealer is one mile.

    Did you get the 4 cylinder or the 6 cylinder ? This time around I really wanted to get a 4 but could not find a G6 with the options I wanted. Even with the 6 cylinder I could have saved about $1500 back when they had the employee pricing.

    Good luck with it!

    Have you started the new job yet ?
  • gouldngouldn Member Posts: 220
    Decided that if I'm only to own one car it needs to haul the dog in the back .. i.e. wagon or SUV.

    Stopped at the BMW dealer (a different one) and test drove a X3. This one I LIKED. It's a CPO 2007 15.5K miles, lightly optioned: AT+Premium. It's now in my garage!
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    .... is starting the search for the vehicle that will replace her Honda Pilot when the lease is up next spring.

    Her requirements:

    * Seats 7
    * Luxury
    * Used (preferably CPO)
    * $30K-ish
    * Last for 10 years
    * Not a minivan (her husband refuses to drive one)

    Her background:

    * 3 boys - currently ages 11, 8 and 5
    * Husband drives a 330i (bought CPO last year)
    * Live in San Diego
    * She drives about 10K per year

    The two vehicles that she's considering at the moment are the Lexus GX470 and the BMW X5. She mentioned to me on the phone today that she didn't want something like a Suburban (too big), but when I told her that the GX is related to the 4Runner and is body-on-frame with a V8, she was surprised. I suspect the GX would get 14-15 MPG in town, and maybe 18 on the highway. The ones she's seen on the 'net have around 30-40K miles on them and the asking prices are in the $30-33K range.

    I told her that a CPO X5 would be more expensive to maintain and repair than the Lexus, even accounting for the extended warranty.

    Another one she likes is the Acura MDX (the new model, not the previous generation). I told her that the Acura was essentially a gussied up Pilot, and if you're going to spend $30K, why not get something new with a warranty rather than something 2-3 years old.

    She's also partial to the Volvo XC90, but I suspect that will be as expensive as the X5 to maintain.

    I told her she should just get an Odyssey and be done with it, but reminded me that the BIL loathes minivans (they had an Odyssey once, and the BIL insisted that it be traded in for a Tahoe with 20" wheels).

    I truly don't see the need for an SUV in Southern California ... to me, it's an image thing only, but it's her money and her decision.

    Thoughts?

    corvette and gouldn - congratulations on the new rides! The rest of us live vicariously through those that continue to renew their membership in CCBA.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,869
    Cool! Color?

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  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,869
    It seems your sister doesn't really want a Pilot..

    Volvo XC90.. My wife drove an '06 with 22K miles, just a couple months ago.. At an independent used dealer... two full years of factory warranty left.. Had every option but NAV.. Asking price was $24,900... If she had liked it, it would be in my driveway right now. That's a killer price, IMO.

    Acura MDX... Reports of new '08 base models going as low as $33K.. Would still have the full 4 year warranty.

    BMW X5.. '06 CPO models going in the low $30Ks.. Would be cheap for the first two years, until the maintenance runs out.. Though, you are getting the old body style.

    Any of those would be nice.. I think the Volvo has the most room..

    regards,
    kyfdx

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  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,295
    I got the 3.5 liter V6--the "sport package" is the only option on the car, the dealer had to order a set of floor mats for me. It's very quiet, and it could have fooled me for an overhead cam engine. I didn't test drive a four-cylinder, but I've heard that the new Malibu does a better job of isolating its noise than the G6.

    I start the new job next week. I am excited for the change of scenery! Just two more days after today.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,295
    I think you can get an XC90 V8 for the same price or less than an X5 3.0. The XC90 isn't as much of a "driver's car" as the X5, but still drives very well even when pushed.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Congrats on the X3!

    It seems like this board is more active when the economy tanks!!

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    Since I own one, I'm partial to the XC90. CPO is definitely a bargain in the near-luxo SUV category.

    Don't know about maintenance cost next to a bimmer, but I would guess that it is much lower. Although, keep in mind, BMW has 4 years free, and I believe Volvo is now offering 3 years. To keep prices comparable, she may get one with 1 year of free maintenance on the bimmer vs 2 years on the volvo. And, of course, going along with that would be far fewer miles on the volvo to begin with.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    if I'm only to own one car it needs to haul the dog in the back .. i.e. wagon or SUV.

    I'm biased in that way myself--dogs, bikes, the new flat screen at costco, nice if you can just fit them in the vehicle.

    The X3 sounds nice!--what does an '07 X3 go for?
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    A used GX with 30-40K miles for $30-33K.....what would an equiv. 4runner go for, $10K less maybe? I'd almost pay the extra $$, or go a little older, to get a used TLC or LX470 over a GX.

    Q's rec. for a XC90 sounds persuasive too. An X5 w/3 boys, I dunno, the Pilot has a huge interior space, does she want to go smaller? Personally, with a nice low-mileage CPO X5 or XC90, I probably wouldn't worry too much about maintainence costs......going to the Lexus dealer for service ain't cheap, even if they make reliable vehicles.
  • gouldngouldn Member Posts: 220
    Yeah, I ended up buying this one because it had alot of the qualities of the Subaru I loved (great visibility, nimble handling, acceptable mpg), but with a much nicer interior and more substantial feel.

    It's a 2007 "Space Gray" X3 with Premium, Steptronic, roof rails, and some other cosmetic stuff, with 15.5K They had it for $36K on the window, online for 32 or 33 (I can't remember), and I offered $30K. After much back and forth they took it. I'm comfortable with the price because of the CPO deal. It was put into service late 2007, so I'm covered under the b2b+free maintenance until Sep 2011, and then under the CPO until 2013. This is perfect for my plans. I plan to mile it up, and enjoy it. I'll wash it, etc, but I'm not going to totally baby it .. this is my sole car, and I will drive all the places I would driven with a cheaper car. When it gets to 100K, I'll move on. Don't archive this post, when I'm trading it in two years you can all laugh at me :)
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,869
    I'm guessing it's Silver-Gray..

    Sounds nice.. The premium package has all the goodies.... that's all you really need... Everything necessary is standard..

    $30K sounds like a good price for a low-mile CPO '07.. :)

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  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,786
    A used GX with 30-40K miles for $30-33K.....what would an equiv. 4runner go for, $10K less maybe? I'd almost pay the extra $$, or go a little older, to get a used TLC or LX470 over a GX.

    I agree...I bet the real world gas mileage between a TLC and a GX are really really close.

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd

  • gouldngouldn Member Posts: 220
    You're right ... silver gray. The only option I'm going to add is Sirius, but I refuse to pay the $800 + installation that BMW is asking. Off to the aftermarket I go
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,378
    working with my "broker" (thanks Q) to find the right volvo. still waiting on a nice V70 to hit the market. Too bad there are 20 XC70s for every FWD normal V70 2.5T. The base car is more available, and cheaper, but I expect won't have enough juice to keep me interested for long!

    Had an option to get a V70R, but that might have been overkill, especially now that I am doing 500 miles +/- a week commuting...

    Could also get an '07 S60 pretty cheap, if I give up on the wagon idea. Really the new dog driving that choice!

    For michael, your sis can get a real good deal on a XC90 2.5T. newer ones are pretty reliable too. At this point, she could also (in her price range) move up to a newer 3.2 6 cyl model (2007 I think they started?)

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    Was that the '04 V70R with I believe 15k miles? He's thinking high teens for that, which I think is a screaming bargain. Too bad I just couldn't wait this long for my ride. I'd be all over it.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,378
    12K on it, and all the options including nav. In Fla though. That is the one. Sounded like a nice car, but I would rather see it in person (or have him!) instead of buying and shipping up.

    An R is fun, and if I still worked local (instead of commuting ~ 90 miles a day) it would make more sense!

    Love that Atacama interior though. Best seats I have ever sat in.

    But, there are always more possing up, so I will be patient that the right car/deal falls into my lap.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    I actually want out of my 08 G6 lease. I want a Honda product back. I am going to post my car on Swapalease, and perhaps put a sign in my window saying "for sale, for lease". Nice car, it really is, my G6 is loaded with leather, roof, 4cyl, apparently a very attractive lease since GM is not leasing anymore. I just want a Honda product.

    For $595 I can get someone to take over, and I walk away from it.

    I am thinking, I want to get an Accord EX-L navi or even the Acura TSX.
    I have been looking it looks as though the TSX would be more attractive than the Accord when it is compared to leasing numbers.

    When I tell people I want out of my car, they look at me crazy, I know, I am , lol, but the G6 was not something I really wanted. Hopefully somebody wants it! I pay $319 total a month! That is great for what you get! Even the dealer stated, you cannot get that kind of deal now on that trim. Payment would be much higher.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,869
    Picked up the X3, last night.

    It's really nice... but, on the downside, I fried my garage door opener, trying to hook up the homelink.. :(

    So... off to Home Depot, tonight.. :surprise:

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  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Sounds really nice, I like the color, the miles, the CPO, etc. Heck, a (new) loaded Forester or Rav can cost $30K-ish (I think), but this baby is a bmw......
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Congrats on your X3. That's the second one in this forum in a week I think!

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    It's really nice... but, on the downside, I fried my garage door opener, trying to hook up the homelink

    I nearly did that to ours while trying to hook up the Pilot's homelink. Finally figured out I had to train it to the remote and the opener. So I trained the remote, then climbed out of the Pilot's sunroof, sat on the roof, pushed the button on the opener itself, had hubby press the homelink button, and poof, it was trained. What a pita though!

    I do know I was sure thankful for the sunroof, lol.

    The Civic doesn't have homelink, really wish it did, makes it nice to not that that remote clipped to the visor.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    Hey Corvette, how's that G6 working out for you? Now that it's been a few days, are you still liking it?

    I really liked the Saturn Aura when it first came out, and if I had gotten one, it probably would have been the 3.5. I know the 3.6 is a better engine, but I'm sure the 3.5 is more than adequate.

    Nowadays though, if I were to get one, I'd probably just go with the 4cyl/6-speed automatic, for the economy. Although IIRC, the 3.5/4-speed auto is pretty economical. I think it was EPA-rated 20/30, before the EPA changed their numbers. So that's slightly better than my Intrepid (20/29), for a car that's more powerful, probably heavier, and while a bit smaller, still big enough that I'd probably feel comfy in it.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,295
    Haven't driven it that much--any miles I put on the Audi are "free miles," since I'm way under the mileage limit. I am driving it every couple of days to keep the battery charged. I did put a coat of wax on it.

    The 3.5 is pretty quiet in everyday driving. I'm not sure that would be true of the four-cylinder. I'm still trying to find a place to mount my GPS. My vent mount won't fit the vents in the G6. I may get a bean bag mount to set on top of the dash.

    I'll be doing more driving for my new job, so gas mileage was a concern, but I still don't think I would go with the four-cylinder.
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    You lucky people: homelink, garage door openers, heck, I'd settle for a new (manual) garage door that wasn't 60 years old, wood, rotting, & barely works.......

    On the plus side, I do have indoor plumbing, & E-lec-tricity......
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,378
    if you sould get off the stick and buy a danged house already, you wouldn't have that problem!

    I think you have been looking at houses longer than I have been looking for my next car.

    Actually, hit a milestone today. Had to take one of the Hondas in for state inspection. And since in NJ you get 4 years on a new car, that means the Odyssey's 4 year anniversary with us is coming up (mid december).

    My Accord will turn 3 about the same time, although if the right Volvo wagon comes along, it might not make it!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Unless you are doing alot of highway merging then the 2.4l ecotec even with the 4 speed has plenty of power, In the Malibu it seems geared more for acceleration than fuel economy, but I am still getting 26 in mixed driving.

    If anyone needs a pic-up truck, a local Ford dealer is advertising '08 F-150's for $11,995. If someone needed one, that seems like a heck of a deal.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,338
    Sounds nice.. The premium package has all the goodies.... that's all you really need... Everything necessary is standard..

    Wrong! For an all-wether commuter you MUST have the heated seats/steering wheel. And the Xenons...
    My wife's '04 X3 2.5 is still running like a champ. The only non-scheduled repair has been the passenger seat SRS sensor. We'll probably turn it over to our son in @2-3 years.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I recognize at least one name in this WSJ article today:

    Small-Car Buyers' Big Regrets
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,869
    Yup... the go-to interviewee, when it involves cars in AK!!

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  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Still, Ms. Morris misses the truck.

    Anyone have Veterans Day ?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,869
    LOL!!

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  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    From Wasilla no less!

    The Sandman ;)
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    That's only a week away!

    I have New Years. ;-)

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    hey stickguy, did we talk about the V50? Is that too small for you?

    I see JRL just posted that 3 are coming up for auction next week. 2 AWD and 1 FWD. All T5s and all automatics.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    in a chronic car buyer's forum, but today marks my 9th anniversary with the Intrepid. I still remember November 6, 1999 like it was yesterday. It was a Saturday, and a warm, pleasant day. Amazing, how fast the time passes!
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