Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

roadburner

I passed on a nice 2003 325xiT- with a manual tranny
It would have made the perfect commuter sled...

woodyww

used BMWs. I have a great local dealer, a great indie shop, and I've been driving and wrenching on them for over 25 years.

So the Mazdaspeed3 keeps breaking, you need to drive 400 miles R/T for repairs, but you could unload it for a nice used bmw where you'd have both a great local dealer and a great indie shop. That's a tough one..... But seriously, this trade for the 330i PP sounds like one of your best ideas so far (to me).

gouldn

I've put 1000 miles on my CPO 07 X3 so far in two and half weeks. I'm getting 22.5 mpg consistently in a 80% highway commute. Not terrible; a touch lower than I got in my Forester. So far I like it ... the handling is sharp, and the seats comfortable. I also drove a 05 3 series wagon, but it was in rough condition, so I went for the X3.

corvette

I ran an errand after lunch today and realized that the radio in the Audi didn't turn itself off when I took out the key and opened the door. Tried turning the car on/off a few times, but the radio stayed on... I finally resorted to manually turning the radio off (press and hold the power button). Once I got home, I disconnected the car battery for about ten minutes, then reconnected it, and everything was fine. (Hey, that's easier than making an appointment and taking it in to the dealer...)

boomchek

I think it stays on for a few seconds after you get out of the car, doesn't it?

corvette

I had to go out in the garage just now and check... No, on the Audi, it turns off immediately once you remove the ignition key. On the Pontiac, it turns off when you open the driver's door.

boomchek

Same as my Jeep, it shuts off when the door is opened or 30 seconds after the key is taken out if the door hasn't been opened.

mark156

Hey Guys and Akangl,

The new Bentley is awesome! The power is amazing and with AWD, you don't miss a beat! I haven't floored it yet as it only has 300 miles on it, but it will scoot along right quick!

Even though I drive fairly conservatively, I can see the gas gauge move! LOL! I just put in the first tank of fuel, glad to see the prices become normal!

I didn't realize how big 20 inch wheels are until it's time to clean them. At the end of each day, I wipe down the whole car and clean the wheels. It's amazing how much brake dust gets on the wheels but that happens with all the cars.

If you see a white Bentley convertible driving in the desert with the driver with a big smile on his face, it's me!

M156

boomchek

Nice to hear you're enjoying your new toy Mark!!

Do you get much attention from others or are these cars common in your area?

guss

20" wheels, that's alot of rubber. My first Toyota had 12" tires, I think riding lawn mowers now have that size.

congratulations, you earned it, enjoy it !

I guess wit a new yacht, a new dinghy and now the cruiser you should be done shopping for awhile.

mark156

Do you get much attention from others or are these cars common in your area?

I live in a resort community in Southern California so you see quite a few fancy cars. In my 20 home gated enclave, my next door neighbor has a Bentley Continental Flying Spur (Sapphire blue) and the neighbor down the street has a Continental GT hard top (electric blue).... so, I'm not the only one.

When I'm driving the Honda CR-V, I'm totally invisible :shades:, which is nice sometimes.

When I drive the '64 Rolls, I get a lot of thumbs up and waves

I was driving the Bentley the other day and went into a shopping center and a homeless guy stopped me and said that I looked like a movie star and he needed some gas money to get to a location. I don't like to give money to pan-handlers as I feel it feeds a drug habit, etc. I donate to organizations. Anyway, I told him that I don't carry cash.

I was driving with the top down and a two early-30-year-olds joggers waved at me driving by . So, the car does have it's plusses.

M156

mark156

guess wit a new yacht, a new dinghy and now the cruiser you should be done shopping for awhile.

Yes, I think I'm done! :sick: (my wallet is empty)

M156

boomchek

I'd think the old Rolls would stand out more as you don't see too many classics around like that. Plus that car has some road presence.

Whenever I'm in LA (we were on my wife's fully paid work trip in Beverly Hills this spring) and see new Bentleys or Rolls Royces, I always wonder which movie director or star the people driving these cars are married, or related to...

At the hotel (Beverly Hilton) where we stayed I checked car rental prices and overheard an agent talking on the phone to a customer. The conversation went something like this...

"I can get you the Bentley for your arrival. If you rent it daily it's $2k/day, but if you take it for a month, I can do it for $1500/day"

I was almost embarassed asking for the prices on renting a mid size after I heard that

mark156

Boom, the Rolls (1964 Silver Cloud III) gets a different kind of attention because it's not like "look, they are trying to look rich, etc.."... because anybody can afford an old Rolls ($15,000-$60,000 ). I would think mine with 90,000 miles (excellent condition) is worth somewhere between $30,000- $45,000. I think when most people see the old Rolls, they are thinking, "look at that cool old car that's in excellent condition".

I'm sure people seeing me in the new Bentley might think other things but in a resort community, it's a little more common to see top-of-the-line cars. Also, I don't snub people, I'll smile at them or wave if they are staring. I think that makes a difference.

I'm a car nut, anytime somebody wants to ask me about my cars I'll sure do a lot of chatting, you might want to sit for a while! LOL! :P

Mark

sandman46

Pick this up Saturday for one of my graduating girls. Test drove it today and was quite impressed at how nicely it drives. It's a GLS model with the alloys and power goodies in a nice dark charcoal color with metal flakes. Tried to make a deal on two of them, but her older sister didn't want the same car even though we could afford it for her. The Elantra that she wants is out of budget by a bit, so we told her she might have to settle for used to get what she wants. Trying to teach her a lesson in life here that one doesn't buy what one doesn't have the money for...we have the cash for two Accents and 6 months of insurance for each girl. After that, their jobs will have to pay their bills. Having three in college & grad school has stretched the family budget to the max...only an injured postal worker here so it's not like I bring home what many of our neighbors do...we have to budget money!
Nice little car for a 1st car...the daughter getting it is thrilled. Guess we're batting 500!

The Sandman

fintail

The unwashed probably think the SC is worth six figures. People tell me my fintail must be worth as much as a new E-class, and they are astonished when I tell them otherwise.

roadburner

People tell me my fintail must be worth as much as a new E-class, and they are astonished when I tell them otherwise.

Ditto for my '02...

guss

A few months ago when I was car shopping I stooped at Hyundai to check out the Sonatas. I was very impressed by everything thy had. From the Accent to the Genesis they were all incredible values. The 2 door Accent was really nice and had a sport look. If I was in my 20's just getting out of college it would be at the top of my list.

Hyundai must be doing well, the dealer nearest to me just moved into a brand new showroom just off the highway. I got the nickel tour and everything was state of the art, even the coffee\cappachino machine.

woodyww

Also, I don't snub people, I'll smile at them or wave if they are staring. I think that makes a difference.

That's good of you! I think almost anywhere in New England (not sure about Greenwich CT), a brand new Rolls or Bently would go over like a lead baloon. As would talking about how you can see your gas gauge dropping rapidly while you're driving......(unless you're complaining about it).

fezo

Maybe two years I I was in the Hyundai dealership around here and was really amazed at what they had. At the time I test drove an Entourage which was very impressive. I didn't buy which, considering its reliability record, was likely a good thing. The rest of Hyundai's lineup has a good reliability record. I don't know what it is with minivans but getting one that's average seems to be as good as it gets. I got my CPO 04 Ody at that point.

andre1969

People tell me my fintail must be worth as much as a new E-class, and they are astonished when I tell them otherwise.

I'll get that sometimes with my '79 New Yorkers, from people who aren't exactly auto-savvy. My roommate's cousin from North Carolina was up visiting about a month ago and he saw one of them and the first thing out of his mouth was "Oooooh, Good LORD look at that Cadillac!!" Well, this guy isn't just country, but he's like that episode of the Waltons where their relatives from the country came to visit sort of country...so I didn't bother to tell him that it was a Chrysler. Or that it cost me $500. Oh wait, this was the 5th Ave that caught his eye, so that was the $900 one! :P

fintail

Ha, that's an amusing picture you paint. I remember years ago when I was in school, I was at a party, and some guy comes up to me and says "hey, are you the guy who has that old blue Bentley?". I couldn't help but to laugh. I'd also get a lot of questions about how I could afford such a car or if some rich elderly relative gave it to me etc. Nobody would believe I paid $1500 for it.

fezo

Way back when I was in high school my dad picked up a 54 Mercedes for me to tool around in. He traded a $200 dishwasher for it.

roadburner

Back in 1979 the local chevy dealer had a Memorial day raffle to win the chance to buy several of their cars for $5 each. I won a 1967 Riviera. Drove it all over the place during that summer. Donated it to the local Buick club a couple of years later.

bumpy

So what poor chump won the Vega, and how did you afford the gas for the Riviera?

roadburner

So what poor chump won the Vega, and how did you afford the gas for the Riviera?

Gas was pretty cheap back in 1979. I spent @$200 on a starter, a lifter, and a couple of hoses. The front end needed about everyting replaced, so of course I left that alone ... :surprise: It really was a nice car. Engineered and built very well. I still wouldn't mind owning a '66 or '67 GS.

sandman46

I agree that Hyundai is making a much better product these days at an affordable price. It's a perfect car for a graduating college student and really, it's the least we can do for our kids. Heck, the car even comes with XM radio which neither one of us has! I'll be helping her break it in to make sure all is well before she leaves for her internship in Orlando the end of December. Also, need to teach her about taking care of a car...little things like checking the tires and knowing how to put more in if necessary and oil changes and such. Luckily we're only about 3 hours south of her and the wife has already let me know that there will be frequent trips up to see her baby!

The Sandman

fezo

Wow! You paid 40 times the price of a car for a starter? :P

fintail

That's the way to get an old MB...so if it dies you either have enough left to fix it, or don't feel bad if you walk away.

A $5 raffle heap has a similar exit strategy. Sometimes it's good to have that with certain cars.

roadburner

Wow! You paid 40 times the price of a car for a starter?

One of my friends worked the counter at his dad's auto parts store. Whenever I'd buy a part for the Riv I'd loudly complain that the part cost more than the car.

mark156

As would talking about how you can see your gas gauge dropping rapidly while you're driving......(unless you're complaining about it).

No, I'm not complaining as I saw very clearly on the window sticker that the W-12 gets 9 miles-a-gallon in the city. I'll probably only drive this car 2,500 miles a year at the most, so, gas is not an issue.

Filling up the motorhome this summer at almost $5.00 a gallon with a 150 gallon tank was an eye opener! I just put 88 gallons in it at $3.25 a gal two weeks ago to top off the tank for storage. So, it's gotten better with the prices.

Mark

kyfdx

W-12??!!

All that money for a Bentley, and it comes with a Volkswagen engine?! :surprise:

corvette

If memory serves, the Bentley keyfob is a switchblade job like VW/Audi, as well.

mark156

W-12??!!

All that money for a Bentley, and it comes with a Volkswagen engine?!

Kyfdx, now I know why it sounds like a '62 Beetle when you floor it! LOL!

Corvette, the Bentely fob has a little key that swings out (like you said)...but, with 'push-button-starting', the key never needs to leave your pocket.

M.

fezo

Got you next car......



The door's on the side, though. I hate a compromise like that...

roadburner

Back in 1979 I had a chance to pick up a nearly pristine Isetta. All it needed was a tiny bit of upholstery work. Just $1000. Now they are going for $15000 or more...
So yeah, I might buy a new one.

guss

For $15000 I would go out and just buy a Smart car. If they bring the new Isetta over , I wonder how much one would cost ? I would hope it would be less than $7-8k for something so small. But after all the safety items are put on and governments hoops are jumped thru , it to will be $15k.

kyfdx

For $21K, I can buy a MINI that gets 35 MPG.. and, works and drives like a normal car (or even better)..

If I can't afford $21K, then I'm probably looking at a Versa or Aveo for $10K, or a used car...

Smarts and Isettas are just toys...

guss

Oh, I agree. The last thing I would spend $15k on is a Smart car. But if I had to choose between a 50 year old Isetta or a brand new Smart to get my tiny car kicks, I'll take the Smart.

Now if you gave me $15k to spend on something that useless, it will have 2 seats, but go a whole lot faster. Hmmm....maybe a C5 'Vette, Porsche Boxter or a BMW Z3. Now, those are real toys.

stever

I saw a bright yellow smart sitting on a car lot two days ago. It was parked nose to nose to a MINI.

Filed under things that make you go hmmm.

sandman46

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

The Sandman

quantifire

Looks like I stay away in Winter...

January 05 Jetta Wagon
February
March
April 93 Accord 96 Prism
May 04 Passat
June 00 Civic 02 Tribute
July 07 Freestyle 85 Civic 87 Accord
August 02 Saturn 01 Dakota
September 03 Passat 02 Dakota 87 Sundance
October 94 Toyota P/U
November 03 Accord 99 Accord
December 01 Jetta Sedan 02 Dakota 07 Escape Hybrid

stickguy

I looked at a G35x today (drove a 2006). Nice car. Comfy and fast.

Since you have one, what kind of real world mileage can it get? Primarily highway, but speeds vary from 0 to 65, and often back in a mile or 2! And some local mixed in.

For reference, I get a consistant 32 in my 4 cyl 5 speed Accord.

I am getting frustrated finding a wagon (or larger hatch) I like, that exists in the market, so might consider a nice sedan.

But, since I am now doing about ~1500-2000 miles per month, even at the new low prices, gas can add up!

I drove a used XC70 (thought it might be a good alternatice to the V702.5T I want but can't find). Didn't like it though. Kind of sluggish feeling, and not much in the way of handling. Too "suvish" for my taste. And since the only suv/Xover I really would consider driving is an X3, not a compliment.

andre1969

Looks like I stay away in Winter...

Looking back on my patterns, I guess I tend to chill out in the colder months as well. That 1980 Malibu for January was my first car, given to me by my Mom when I got my license. The '85 LeSabre for Feb was given to me by my grandmother, when she gave up driving. And the '86 Monte for March was also given to me by my Mom, when she didn't want it any more. So these all just happened to be instances of family members wanting to get rid of cars, rather than me lusting after anything in particular.

As for the Intrepid and November, I bought it on November 6, so it was early in the year, before it got real cold. As for the Newport in December, I forget now when I first saw that car. I bought it from the junkyard. I remember going there one day, and it wasn't THAT cold yet. Saw the car sitting there; it had just come in. It called out to me, like a cute mutt at the dog pound, so I bought it...or at least put a deposit down on it. It also needed new wheels and tires before it could safely leave the junkyard. I know it sat there for several weeks, maybe a month, before I actually finished paying for it and brought it home. And I remember it was New Year's Eve, 1996 when I brought it home. If I'd waited another day, then December would still be a virgin month for me!

And then April looks to be a busy month for me. Maybe I just get spring fever?

kyfdx

It might be a little bit of a step down.. but, have you thought about a Saab 9-2X?

Subaru reliability.. very fast if you get the Aero (turbo). Low resale should translate into low purchase price. Might be hard to find, though.

woodyww

The problem is: 1. you don't need a car. 2. you've driven every car on the planet, but can't accept any of the trade-offs with any of them. 3. You have a 4 cyl 5 speed Accord w/32 mpg & you drive 500 miles a week (very desirable commuter car to many).

Believe me, I understand constantly shopping for something you don't "need", but at some point there are better things to do, other hobbies, etc. And--I can't remember when one of the cars you've driven has really turned you on?????

Just my 2 cents, maybe you'll find the perfect car tomorrow.......

stickguy

you buy a house yet?

j/k. But you can be the pot this week. I want to be the kettle!

No, I don't technically "need" a car, but probably about 5% of sales go to someone that can't keep their current ride.

So, I get to be picky. If I can't find just what I want, I don't have to buy.

But, there are some limitations to the Accord. At minimum, I need to get new tires (if not snows) before thw real winter hits. And it will never grow a cargo area, which means I ain't taking the dog very far (without having to find a time when the wifes van is idle). And the stick can be a drag when the road becomes gridlock (the occasional 2.5 hour 42 mile commute).

combine that with budget limitations, and the excessive miles (which are only guaranteed (or almost) until 3.30.08, when they could go back to almost zero 9contact expires).

Combine all that, and I don't want something to guzzle gas, but mpg isn't the ultimate decision maker.

And yeah, I do have good taste to go along with my chintzy pocketbook!

But, I really have trouble justifying another sedan, just to get an AT.

and I do know what I want. It just doesn't seem to exist 9at least none have been coming through Manheim lately).

I thought about the 9-2X when they were sold new. Not a bad option, but probably really rare. And I would have to try out the WRX motor with an automatic. I have only ever driven it with a stick.

Might be too small though.

long winded post to say that a V70 is the perfect combo for me. Right size, decent enough MPG, fantastic seats, and suitable for family travel duty. and ultimately it could replace the minivan.

qbrozen

WELL, I don't think you'll like the answer ...

I have a tough time breaking 21 mpg. Its the one true downside to the car. I love it, though, so I simply deal with it. Its fast, AWD, and a heavy luxo car. Not an economical equation.

I'm sure you remember I was in the same situation as you. Driving an Accord. I grew to really hate it. I had the V6 6-speed, so was getting 28 mpg. But at what price? I'll take the 21 mpg and love my car.

stickguy

is also (I think) dropping hints. She did make a passing comment not too far back about maybe she should get a new car (to replace the '05 Odyssey). Then she got practical (still works well, etc.). Then over the holiday she mentioned (in a family discussion about other peoples shopping) that she didn't want anothe minivan.

I doubt she will come out and try to pull rank, but it wouldn't bother me at all to replace the van. I still don't quite trust it...

So maybe I should snag a good deal on an XC90 for her, and just keep mine (or go cheap on a replacement!)

qbrozen

so hold out for a V70. It'll come.

I had the same issue before I bought my S70 T5. After finally deciding that was the car I wanted, I waited quite a while to find the right one. It was worth it.