Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

I’m a bit curious on the Leaf myself.

Here in CO, xcel energy provides a $3,000 rebate and the state has a $5,000 tax credit. The Nissan dealers will credit the $8,000 toward the purchase (you assign the credit to them) in addition to whatever dealer discount they provide. Generally, dealers are advertising about $11k off, and then you get the $7,500 federal rebate at tax time.

Pretty good deal.

28firefighter

My TDI arbitrage car is for sale! Confirmed VIN. Was goofing around and found it.

https://www.grandjunctionvolkswagen.com/used/Audi/2013-Audi-A3-481c08ee0a0e0ae8475c3b8c63521aa9.htm

sda

That’s cool. It looks like a nice car. I know you bought it for the buy out. Did you drive it much? Like it? I noticed the local dealers selling TDIs now. Most come with a 2yr unlimited mileage warranty. I also observed that most have been serviced and list a new battery as part of the service. I guess sitting for over a year that’s a good idea. They do seem reasonably priced.

qbrozen

corvette said:

Paging @qbrozen or anyone else who might have one - can anyone recommend an OBD scanner device? I should probably have one anyway, but my OnStar is now showing a red light and isn't working.

Edit: Ordered a BlueDriver from Amazon. There is a popular scanner called FIXD that is less expensive, but doesn't include the repair database BlueDriver does (FIXD charges a subscription fee for the database).

Bluedriver would have been my suggestion.

28firefighter

sda said:

That’s cool. It looks like a nice car. I know you bought it for the buy out. Did you drive it much? Like it? I noticed the local dealers selling TDIs now. Most come with a 2yr unlimited mileage warranty. I also observed that most have been serviced and list a new battery as part of the service. I guess sitting for over a year that’s a good idea. They do seem reasonably priced.

Put about 1000 miles on it in 6 months. I loved it. Really fun car. I think this is probably over priced. You can get Jettas and such sub-$15k.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

My TDI arbitrage car is for sale! Confirmed VIN. Was goofing around and found it.

https://www.grandjunctionvolkswagen.com/used/Audi/2013-Audi-A3-481c08ee0a0e0ae8475c3b8c63521aa9.htm

Only a 4 hour drive for me.

stickguy

I would not mind having this for a toy, if it just wasn't ruined by having the wrong transmission, and 1 too few pedals. Even though it has zero space for anything, probably not even a weekend bag.

https://www.royaleasing.com/details-2009-pontiac-solstice-2dr_convertible-used-1g2mn35b09y108068.html

qbrozen

Wrong trans and wrong engine

corvette

I liked the coupe better, and I agree with @qbrozen, you'd want the GXP.

mjfloyd1

I just drove past the Subaru plant on my way to Chicago- new Outbacks sitting outside.

What a great idea- drive from south of Indy to Chicago and back home, then immediately drive to Atlanta to pick up Q7

stickguy

if I wanted a prior generation 3 series, this one is just about perfect. love the colors, and all the options you need.

https://www.eimports4less.com/details-2016-bmw-3_series-certified_328i_xdrive_sport_package_awd_led_nav_cam-used-wba8e3g51gnu01526.html

corvette

Love the colors on that 328.

pensfan83

fintail said:

11 months? Wow. MB has never started hounding me until maybe 7 months out.

I took the picture and tossed the flyer, there isn't a chance we do anything until June at the earliest. My understanding is that Acura has an unpublished 6 month pull ahead but only 3 payments are fully waived. The rest are rolled over or you need to write a check.

stickguy

if they aren't cancelling the rest of the payments, it is a 3 month pull ahead, not 6. You can trade it in any time you want on a new lease if you want to deal with the payments.

no way I am giving it back early if I have to pay for the old car and new car at the same time.

fintail

That's pretty strict. The MB 6 month pull ahead is well known, and is a clean slate - you just start over. They can bend the rules too, IIRC when I got the Bluetec, it was ~10 months out, they were really itching to get rid of it.

pensfan83 said:

I took the picture and tossed the flyer, there isn't a chance we do anything until June at the earliest. My understanding is that Acura has an unpublished 6 month pull ahead but only 3 payments are fully waived. The rest are rolled over or you need to write a check.

28firefighter

And with that, the Saab is gone. I'm so depressed.

stickguy

sad, but less stressful. eventually you will get another toy.

28firefighter

I told Sam and he cried. It was brutal. That was after he finished crying because the eagles lost.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I told Sam and he cried. It was brutal. That was after he finished crying because the eagles lost.

Lucky he isn't a Bengals fan. He would never stop crying.

mjfloyd1

28firefighter said:

I told Sam and he cried. It was brutal. That was after he finished crying because the eagles lost. </

Selling is always a mixed bag.

My buddy was right, every SAAB ends in a SAAB story...

corvette

Got the BlueDriver going - it's a neat tool, but unfortunately, it didn't show any codes stored which would point me to the issue with OnStar. I think OnStar, in theory, is a gimmick, and I take issue with some of the fear-mongering ads I've heard on the radio before, but at a discounted rate of $10/month, I think it's reasonable for the automatic crash notification, instant diagnostics if you get a check engine light, and emailing me once a month with my oil life and tire pressures. I could still just cancel my plan and do without. Going to try to do some more research on GM truck-specific forums.

Sandman6472

Pretty BMW though I'd prefer the blue over beige combo. A 328 is something I could really learn to love and the one I'd get if I went German again. But leaning more towards hybrid or electric next time I do purchase. Do believe I'd get another Golf if they still had the SEL version as I made a tremendous mistake by not getting one back in 2014. The few extras it contained are things I really did want and spending the extra $ would've been worth it.
Going forward with the next purchase, plan to really think things out and get exactly what I want, cost be damned. Just not convinced it'll be a 2020 model anymore to be honest. Just going to play it by ear and keep on looking. Think I'll know it when I see it/drive it no matter what "it" is. It'll have to put that silly smile on my face like the Golf had done all these years, one when I see it, I'll have that thrilling feeling inside that I own this piece of machinery. So just plan on enjoying the ride I've currently got while continuing o look for what comes next!

stickguy

was chatting with the wife earlier about how there are things you don't really "need", but once you have them, you really don't want to go back. Even if it costs a bit more to get what really makes you happy. If you can afford it, go for it so you don't regret it every day you drive it.

suydam

With both my Buick and Chevy I get diagnostics, monthly email report, and use of remote services with the app. That’s all free for 5 years. It’s the extra stuff that has a monthly charge, and isn’t worth it to me. I’ve got AAA for towing and such, and the chance of being knocked unconscious in a crash is pretty small. Assuming you or someone is conscious you could just hit the Onstar button and activate the plan.

28firefighter

In case anyone is curious, I was asking $7k for the Viggen and accepted $6500.

My closest “comp” was a lower mileage example (82k miles) that sold on BaT that was in much better cosmetic shape but did not have as much maintenance history available. That vehicle sold for $8k back in April. After figuring listing fees and such, that probably netted the seller $7000-$7500.

Given the cosmetic condition of mine and the higher miles I decided somewhere between $6k-$7k was fair and that if the number pushed to the lower end of that range I would simply hold it.

It went to another Saab enthusiast who had been a longtime 9-3 owner and lost it after someone ran a red. He saw the value in the mechanical condition and pedigree.

It was a fair deal and I feel good about where it went. Sam was upset for a bit and then remembered we still had “Sparky” (the i3) and “Subadoo.” All was right with the world after that.

nyccarguy

@28firefighter - mazel-tov on the sale of your Saab. Nice to know you found a good home for it.

sda

Hopefully the new owner will address the cosmetics and give it a little love. It sounds like they appreciate it for the unique and fine vehicle it is.

stickguy

Sparky. Good name for an electric car!

stickguy

Good job on the sale. Probably best all around for you and the car. Unless you wanted to make it a lifetime member of the family, you had some fun and moved on. Can always find another toy down the line.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

Sparky. Good name for an electric car!

I can't take credit for it. My Dad and I were talking about names with Sam on FaceTime after we got it, and as soon as my Dad said it, Sam latched on.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

Good job on the sale. Probably best all around for you and the car. Unless you wanted to make it a lifetime member of the family, you had some fun and moved on. Can always find another toy down the line.

This is exactly the thought process I went down. I either needed to fix it up to my standards and make it a lifetime holder or it was time for it to go. I loved the Viggen, but I never saw it as a forever car.

xwesx

mjfloyd1 said:

tjc78 said:

xwesx said:

jmonroe1 said:

xwesx said:

Q7. I have a front wheel bearing failing on mine. 88,000 miles! Ridiculous. I received the new bearing yesterday (HUGE!!), and my new amazing tool kit for replacing the bearing came in today. I'm stoked. Hard to stay at work instead of just running home to play with it.

But, $600 in, and shop wants $1,400. Plus, I would be out that for a one-time deal. Now, if I *ever* have another wheel bearing failure on any car, I'm set.... just the cost of the bearing and a fun hour or so of my life.

Just curious and I hope you don't take this as being too nebby, but how much did your new toy, the wheel bearing tool kit, cost you? Like they say, "if you don't have the right tools you can't do a professional job". Years ago I convinced Mrs. j that you can't do everything around the house just because you have a hammer, screw driver and a pair of vice grips.

Let us know how long it takes to do the job. I know it will be worth your time if only because of learning something and the self satisfaction you'll get.

jmonroe

$500. An excellent kit, though. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045H9UJQ/

That wasn’t available for rental at Autozone, etc?

I wondered the same. You pay a deposit that gets refunded when you return the tool set.

You guys are funny. You seem to forget where I am located!

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Ok, found this vid. Different tool kit but shows the process. Leave it to the Germans. This is why I much prefer the hub and bearing to be a single replaceable unit.

Fingers crossed the manual kit from Amazon can handle enough torque from your arm to do the job.

My kit did exactly the same thing, except that it cost less than this one (at least from the place I was able to find it, and it is full universal for other makes and models.

Job it done (nearly). I didn't get the brakes set right in terms of the clearing air from the fluid, so I'll need to sort that out to night. But, I now drive in blissful silence. Yay.

xwesx

ab348 said:

I hope his arm has enough torque to do the job. :laughing:

Yeah, forget that! My cordless impact driver did just fine, though. Did the whole job in one battery, too. It finally quit while I was installing the last lug nut.

xwesx

corvette said:

Paging @qbrozen or anyone else who might have one - can anyone recommend an OBD scanner device? I should probably have one anyway, but my OnStar is now showing a red light and isn't working.

Edit: Ordered a BlueDriver from Amazon. There is a popular scanner called FIXD that is less expensive, but doesn't include the repair database BlueDriver does (FIXD charges a subscription fee for the database).

For reading, I definitely like my BlueDriver. It doesn't do any sort of send protocols, though, so you cannot use it to reset maintenance reminders, etc.

ab348

xwesx said:

ab348 said:

I hope his arm has enough torque to do the job. :laughing:

Yeah, forget that! My cordless impact driver did just fine, though. Did the whole job in one battery, too. It finally quit while I was installing the last lug nut.

I remember the episode of Wheeler Dealers when Edd had to change the rear wheel bearing in a Renault Alpine. It was retained by a large outside-thread nut with slots for a special removal tool to to engage. He fabricated his own tool but the thing was on so tight that he had to use heat plus a couple of long pieces of pipe over the wrench handle to get enough leverage, then once that was finally off, a hydraulic press to remove the bearing itself. No fun.

xwesx

The original bearing was horridly difficult to remove, but it did finally come out. Thankfully, the reinstall was much smoother.

stickguy

Gonna get grit in your bearings working on the ground like that!

xwesx

stickguy said:

Gonna get grit in your bearings working on the ground like that!

Only in the ones I don't want. I'm used to working in these conditions; been doing it for decades. I'm actually very thankful that I had neither rain nor snow (well, no more than a dusting) during this weekend's activity. Temps were even tolerable at about -1-2C (28-30F) for the duration.

marcogallo1986

@ 20 fire fighter yes sad day but at least it went to a good home.

marcogallo1986

@zwest Nice which car was it that you did this work on this past weekend?

xwesx

Q7

laurasdada

The boy picks up the "new" 3 on Wednesday; I've given him much fatherly advice on maintenance and the requirement to now have $ in the bank for the necessary and inevitable's...
Business Manager made a mild effort to sell warranties, mostly tire/wheel. But, I explained "self-insure" to the boy and declined.

Jag went in Thursday to fix vacuum leak, all now appears well. Cost more than I had hoped, but less than I expected, so I'll call it a win. Since they hand washed (and vacuued) I applied the winter coat of polymer. Now that I've invested a decent amount of $ in it the last year or so, I'm likely going to keep it a bit longer. Not to mention it still looks new-ish and drives so darn well. But, I'll retain the option of New Year's Eve bargaining.

I think buying the Mazda 3 scratched the itch, for now. But, jealous the boy gets a "new" car and I'm driving a nearly 7 year old sled. I stink at this CCB thing.

28firefighter

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-2001-bmw-x5-30i-manual-trans/6999472830.html

This qualifies for unicorn status...

xwesx

28firefighter said:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-2001-bmw-x5-30i-manual-trans/6999472830.html

This qualifies for unicorn status...

They took pains to not mention or show the miles, so it is quite safe to assume MANY. That said, it does look good; definitely a great color combo for the year.

kyfdx

Speaking of unicorns.

kyfdx

kyfdx

28firefighter

Holy moly. I live in Subaru country and haven’t seen one of those in years!

28firefighter

Deets?