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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,358
    finally sold the Contour after 3 cycles of Craigs. At least this weekend the weather was good, and the Eagles weren't in the playoffs (2 things that really cut down on the traffic!)

    What a freaking ordeal. Weird eamils (low ball offers without seeing it etc.). And a few calls from odd soudning people with non-local phone numbers.

    Did get 3 lookers. 1st guy, 1st week drove about 50 miles, after a few phone calls. Really seemed interested (and did the drive), then lowballed and seemed totally unconcerned about whether he ever got it.

    2 more yesterday. A local guy (10 minutes away), really liked it for his son, but fixated on the fact that it had a frim shift into 2nd (under certain conditions, always drove like that, and my mechanic checked it out and said it was fine). Keep in mind that I only had it listed at $2,200 and it was probably the cleanest, most ready to roll unit on the board for that kind of money (and only 90K on it).

    He left, and called later to say he had a call into his mechanic. OK there.

    Got another call, from a guy even farther away (80 miles or so). He decided to buy it over the phone, and spent most of the time arranging logistics to come up today and buy it (for his neice). And darned if he didn't show up with a bunch of 20s in his pocket. Other than a thump in the back (always had it, never did know what it was) that he fixated on, he couldn't find anything wrong with it, and like the others, complimented as to how clean it was.

    So, even though it wasn't quite as many 20s as I wanted, the old cash in hand rule applied (cash in hand trumps car in road not being used). He took the title and keys, and is supposed to come retrieve the car tomorrow.

    PITA dealing with the public this time. Kind of glad I didn't troll my Accord out there. It was bad enough dealing with low priced cash buyers, I have no idea what would happy trying to sell a car for 5 figures! And I do know why some people only trade in.

    So, took 2 months, but I effectively traded a 1998 contour + $100 for a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL. Just a tad of an upgrade there.

    Too bad it wasn't a Civic. Probably would have had people beating down the door, although they would still have been ridiculously picky for their 2K.

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

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Sounds a lot like Edmunds' current experience trying to sell the fleet xB:

    "What irritates me about this is that they haven't even seen the car yet. Naturally, once they come and inspect it they might offer me less than my asking price. But to ask, over the phone, for me to reduce my price, is really annoying. And it happened probably 10 times last week."

    "What's Your Best Price?" and Other Negotiation Traps
  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Three must be a charm. After I put my Miata on CL last year the third person to look at it bought it.

    He was from out of state (NJ to PA) on a Sunday and was armed with his laptop with a cell phone connection so that he could check the transfer laws because Notaries are not open on Sundays here. He brought his wife and a wad of 20's, so he was ready to buy.

    Anon, it looks like the previous owner of your BMW had a drinking problem.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,358
    Like the car. And it shows the impact of designing lousy cupholders!

    Although I would rather have clean oil and dirty carpets instead of the other way around.

    The G looks nice, but I have a thing about after market tint. If I bought a car with it (my contour had it in the back, a truly horrible job) the 1st thing I do is have it removed.

    I do agree about the clutch in stop and go (based on my various test drives). I spend a lot of time stuck in traffic now, and the clutch/shifter in the Accord is fine. Would not want to do it with a G35 though. Much better car with an AT (and it pains me to say that!)

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,358
    I must be old fashioned too. I was surprised at how many emails I got that asked nothing about the car (maybe my ad was perfect?), but just said "will you take $xxx for it?"

    The guy that bought it did have the wad of 20's, but he lived too far away to take it with him (my preference) without it being registered. Local and I would have driven it over for him. So, he took the title, will get DMV done today and drive back up to get it. Hopefully it is gone when I get home from work.

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

  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    "Sounds a lot like Edmunds' current experience trying to sell the fleet xB"

    ... and a lot like the last time I tried a 'Private Sale'.
    Though it is clearly possible to sell many cars for
    more than you'd receive in trade, my experience was
    that the time & hassles(s) made trading worth it.
    TO ME!

    YMMV.
    Cheers,
    - Ray
    Traded the last 10+ times I have bought...
    2022 X3 M40i
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    blasphemer!

    ;b

    i dunno. a silver automatic bimmer over a DG manual G? eh.

    seriously, though, the 330 is a nice car. it came down to a 3-way race for me between that, the G, and an S60R. The G won mostly for financial reasons. Substantially cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, and cheaper and less risky if I decide to start heavily modifying. If I threw all cost concern out the window, it would have been the R, hands down.

    '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

  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    Looks like we might have a buyer for the G. Put it on CL Saturday. Got an email from someone who lives out of state that is looking for this specific car. He is calling his credit union and DMV to work out logistics and is supposed to call me tomorrow to work out the details and discuss price. I am knocking on wood because it would be great to buy the BMW without feeling guilty because we are back up to 3 cars. After driving the G35, driving my Accord EX-L 5-speed felt like driving an automatic it was so easy.

    I am a bit hesitant to go from an Infiniti to a BMW from a reliability standpoint but from what I've researched the 3-series seems pretty reliable. I actually found more people complaining about G35 electronics that people complaining about the 06+ 3-series. That may hold no real-world value but I am trying to ease my worries.

    The BMW looks like a different car now. I am going to the dealer to see if there is anything they will do about that center console. It seems that the seatbelt rubs against the center part which caused the wear that you see in the pictures. It's worth a shot, all they can do is say no. I love the aux input for my MP3 player and the NAV will come in handy at some point I am sure. Tomorrow will be my first full day commuting in it because we parked it until we could clean it up. I was too embarrassed to even take it to a car wash until we cleaned up the inside.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,292
    Re: the center console, I think there is supposed to be a piece of felt on the seatbelt buckle to prevent the type of wear you're describing. If it fell off, they might warranty it.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,814
    If you recall, my neighbor was looking for an SUV or sporty sedan in the mid-teens...

    Ended up getting an '05 Grand Cherokee Limited.. V-8 (not the Hemi), with most options... decent looking with 36K miles.. for $12,900...

    Not my choice... but, not bad for the price, I think...

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  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    oh, they are going to LOVE it when gas skyrockets again.

    '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

  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    My boss has the same Grand Cherokee except it is an '06. The buyout on his lease in September is $18k, he said he was going to offer them $11k and I just laughed at him.

    It appears he may have been right on. I guess thats what makes him the boss. :P
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,814
    This is the explanation I always love...

    "My company pays me $0.50/mile, so the gas mileage doesn't matter.."

    What?! :surprise:

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  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,292
    I get that, because many people don't understand math.

    The G6 had its first dealer visit Monday--it has a vibration on the highway once it's warmed up. The dealer performed a repair according to a TSB which described the problem almost exactly, and also fixed a loose heat shield, but the problem persisted, so they're sending it to a transmission specialist in a couple of weeks (first available opening with the ice storms we've had recently).
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    I am a bit hesitant to go from an Infiniti to a BMW from a reliability standpoint but from what I've researched the 3-series seems pretty reliable

    Is it your first bmw? You'll probably love it. And *usually* they are pretty reliable, probably only a 7-series would totally scare me off.

    I'd love to have a high quality factory NAV. I tried a Garmin unit--many people love them--thought it almost useless, too difficult to use, etc., & sent it back........
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    finally sold the Contour after 3 cycles of Craigs

    I find "buyers" on CL to be an incredibly mixed bag. Sometimes you get a ton of e-mails from deadbeats, tire-kickers, nuts, & no-shows. And then list the same item a month, or year later, & someone will race over, pulling 20's & 100's out of their pockets, pay your asking price, & seem actually grateful ......All you need is 1 "Live One"........
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,358
    new owner picked up the car yesterday morning and took it home. Must have been OK, since he lives about 80 miles away, and I never heard from him again! But, he got a good deal IMO.

    Darned thing was, I had the ad run Sunday, and mon-tues I was flooded with calls and emails. At least 5 other people wanted to come see it, and I thin the other guy who test drove Sunday (had to "talk to his mechanic") called back too wnating to make an offer.

    Always a crapshoot, but I think I could have held out for more, since I had already cut my asking price pretty much down to my mental reserve.

    But, cash in hand in the driveway took precedence, and no guarantees on any of the others. And at least it is out of the road, and off the insurance.

    It was a good 1st car for a teenager, but I personally didn't like driving it, and won't miss it.

    Now, when the kid goes to college in August, I can sell my Accord to help pay for it, and take over the TL for myself!

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

  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Don't sell that Accord too fast.

    With the way the economy is, alot of kids in my neighborhood are staying home and going to either community college or the near by state school.

    The only problem is that most of our homes can only take 2 cars in the driveway, so the "visitors" parking is overflowing like I have never seen it before.
  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    We'll have 4 cars in the driveway this summer and I plan to park the Civic and the Mazda inside the garage. Lucky for us, but not so lucky for my neighbor, his house is up for sale, or in foreclosure perhaps, and the other neighbors in our cul-de-sac are using his driveway. Guess we'll be taking it over when all the cars are "home". I personally want my baby in the garage at night and so does wifey. And she's still talking about new cars even though the new sneakers I put on in November are showroom new. But this is the usual scenario, even with my folks, buy new tires and the car is gone within 4 to 6 months! Crazy if you ask me.
    Really want to keep the Mazda a bit longer since it's been virtually trouble free and it's got under 60k and still drives great except for the rattles and squeaks that come with age. Going to Orlando in the morning and can't wait to open her up on the turnpike a bit. Need to blow out the exhaust every so often and get 'er up to 75 to 80 mph. Hopefully my spine will be up to the task. The last two trips I've rented a back friendly car with power seats. Enterprise has this 50% off weekend special I usually use but they don't offer it this particular weekend due to President/Valentines Day weekend. I wasn't real happy to hear that :mad:. Was looking forward to trying yet another different car. So far I've had a '08 Malibu, '08 Accord LX-P, '08 Camry LE and a '08 G6. All had power seats and were extremely comfortable for the old spine. Luckily it's an under 3 hour drive so will make due with the Mazda.

    The Sandman :shades:
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    with the BMW. But I am really starting to want the sport package ..... Gee thinks I'm being too picky ....
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,814
    Uh oh.... this is how it starts..

    Next you'll be looking for that final year '06 E46 coupe with the performance package and 6-speed... CPO with the extended warranty until 2012..

    That's how all the Bimmerphiles end up... ;)

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  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    So far I have been loving the seats in my '08 Malibu. I wish the thigh support was an inch longer, but with a 36 inch inseam I have yet to find one long enough. And I don't thing I could ever go back to non-heated seats.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,292
    Next you'll be looking for that final year '06 E46 coupe with the performance package and 6-speed... CPO with the extended warranty until 2012..

    Or an M3 or M5...
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,786
    Next you'll be looking for that final year '06 E46 coupe with the performance package and 6-speed... CPO with the extended warranty until 2012.
    :P

    Yeah, could you imagine searching this discussion for the term 'ZHP'? There would be something every 3 weeks for years...

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

  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    I am really starting to want the sport package

    First couple of years with my current bmw, I went a little nutty because of the options it doesn't have: Xenons, sport package, premium stereo. When you look at all you get with the SPP, I think it's a bargain even on a new bmw. But Later I came to like the car so much, I enjoy it greatly as is.

    Of course you're adept at trading cars frequently, so it might be fun to look for one equipped just the way you want it..... :D
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    local BMW dealers want outrageous prices for their pre-owned inventory and the prices aren't much better at other dealers. Private owner BMW's seem base without the options I want. The ones with the options I want seem to all be black? Black is car suicide in Atlanta.

    I was willing to go up in price because BMW's 0.9 would offset about 3 or 4 grand in interest. BUT .... doesn't seem like it's meant to be. Should probably just love the one I'm with and stop spending hours on the internet trying that find that dream 3-series for that miraculous price.
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    It's almost always "cheaper to keep'er" and, I swear, nearly half of the BMWs sold in this country are black.

    (I refuse to own a black car!) :shades:
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    BMW dealers want outrageous prices for their pre-owned inventory and the prices aren't much better at other dealers. Private owner BMW's seem base without the options I want. The ones with the options I want seem to all be black?

    Yeah, welcome to reality. Sounds like you got a great deal on the one you bought! Do the Black cars also have black interiors? That's always fun in the South, if you like to fry eggs on the seats.

    Do you have a bmwcca membership? You get the Roundel mag, which may just make the sickness worse, but can also put some reality into it. And FS ads every month, another good place to look for used & sometimes more specialized bmws........but I also vote to keep & enjoy the one you just bought....
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    A reporter would like to speak to someone who has recently bought a certified pre-owned vehicle after an extensive amount of research. Please respond by Friday, February 20, 2009 to jfallon@edmunds.com with your daytime contact info and a few words about your choice.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,292
    Went today. It was pouring rain on the way in, and I left my good camera in the car. There were a ton of people there. There was nobody looking at Saturns or Saabs, and a big crowd around the ZR-1.

    Random commentary: Acura needs to lose the big ugly grille, and they need to fix their center stack controls to make them less complicated. I was disappointed not to see the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe there, but the sedan was there, and it was extremely impressive for what it costs. The V8 even gets 25 MPG on the highway. Ford and GM both had an example of every hybrid model they currently make. Dodge/Chrysler's lineup was just pitiful: Avenger (rental car), Sebring (rental car), Charger/300 (rental car), Durango (dead), Aspen (dead), PT Cruiser (dead), Caliber (rental car).

    Most impressive: Lexus LS460. I slammed the door shut and thought it didn't close. (Normally, you get a solid thunk with a Japanese car, a very solid thunk with a German car, or a cheap, tinny sound with an American car.) Turns out it did close--silently. I think they have some sort of auto-close system, but it wasn't noticeable. Lots of nice touches inside, too.

    Best in show: The interior in the Passat CC. Shame about the questionable reliability and the unquestionably bad dealer network.

    Not impressive, but should have been: Hyundai Elantra--it felt very cheap compared to both the Corolla and the Civic.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,814
    Went today...

    ZR-1.. lots of carbon fiber and 600+ HP.. What's not to like?

    CTS-V.. 556HP?! Holy cow!

    2010 Mustang has a lot of little aesthetic changes... looks better to my eye..

    Audi A5 is stunning... naturally, the R8 is, as well..

    I really, really like VWs.. The CC is cool... I wish I had a GTI..

    BMW didn't bring anything cool, except the new 7-series.. no M cars..

    New Camaro is okay.. The Challenger is just way too big, in person..

    G8 GTP.. $40K, and you can walk right past it without even noticing..

    Solstice coupe... funky looking... but doesn't make you care any more about it..

    Toyota Yaris.. 4-door hatchback.. Why did they wait two years to bring this? It's the only Yaris that makes sense.

    MINI Coopers have great (sport) seats.. but, every time I look at that giant speedo, I think of Flava Flav..

    Maseratis just aren't that cool... An Aston Martin (which wasn't there) makes them look sick..

    Mercedes GLK .. . this is one little SUV..

    Audi Q5.. a nice competitor for the X3, but smaller.... Probably $3K cheaper, comparably equipped, and better looking..

    Acura.. the TSX carries off the cheee-grater grill better than the TL..

    Saabs look good (especially the wagons), but only 17 mpg city from a 210hp turbo? That's not too good...

    WRX sedan with premium package was over $30K!

    I still lust over a Porsche Cayman..

    A Volvo V50 wagon with T5 pkg and AWD is $38K! That seems like a lot.

    Is it just me, or does it seem like overkill, once you hit over 350 HP? I just don't get the horsepower wars..

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  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,292
    They had a G8 GXP (stick shift)... If you have over 400 horsepower on tap, why be worried about the small efficiency loss with an automatic?

    Saw the 2010 Mustang. And the 2010 Fusion Hybrid (which beat the Camry Hybrid in C&D's comparison--they even called it "fun to drive," which, I think, is a first for a hybrid). They had the doors locked.

    No Audis, BMWs, Minis, Maseratis, Mercedes, Porsches, or Volvos at the Louisville show. :cry:

    The Cinci show sounds better, I need to make it to that one sometime. I did a brief consulting gig this morning in Louisville, so I got paid for making the trip there. :P Oh yeah, traffic was awful, and there were a ton of people there, what is this I hear on the news that people have stopped going anywhere or buying anything? :P
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,814
    Well.. I think the Cincinnati show sort of sucks... but, Louisville sounds worse! (The women are better looking in KY, though).

    Forgot one... Nissan 370Z... better looking than the previous model..

    Was hoping to see the GT-R... but, that was a no-show.

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  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,292
    (The women are better looking in KY, though).

    Among the audience, or the women working the show? If you're talking about the audience, there is a lot of spill-over from the custom auto show... I saw a lot of kids who had their own kids.
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    They had a G8 GXP (stick shift)... If you have over 400 horsepower on tap, why be worried about the small efficiency loss with an automatic?

    'cuz its more fun. Why do you want a car with over 400 hp and have it not be fun?
  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Flava Flav....thanks for putting in to words what I had on the tip of my brain for 6 years.

    I found the Mercedes GLK goofy looking.

    I agree on VW, if they ever get their reliability together they could be #1 in 10 years. A 30 something at work has a new GTI, II just want to kill him and take his car.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I haven't bought the 06 330 for 18k yet. After spending the day in it yesterday as a family I am more sold on this particular one though. WIth the cost savings I can put money in the bank for a rainy reliability day or I could buy the BMW extended warranty. It's hard to find one of these with NAV in a color we agree on with heated seats. And the ones with all of the above and decent miles are all in the $25-$29k range.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,292
    I think it'd be plenty fun with the automatic, and easier to live with as a daily driver. If I were planning on taking it to the track every weekend, then I'd probably go with the stick.
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    I think it'd be plenty fun with the automatic, and easier to live with as a daily driver. If I were planning on taking it to the track every weekend, then I'd probably go with the stick.

    Yup, and that's why there are options. I personally couldn't see dropping that much coin on something that didn't have a manual transmission in the name of fun. If you just want a rear-drive v-8 automatic, get a Police Interceptor Crown Vic. Its a lot cheaper and you can watch everyone slam on the brakes and move over when they see you in the rear-view mirror. ;)
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    hard to find one of these with NAV in a color we agree on with heated seats

    This is the one you cleaned already(?) Of course the more specific options you want on a used bmw, the harder it is to find. The NAV is like a free bonus. Heated seats are essential IMO. The BMW extended warranty, could be a good idea, unless you trade cars often maybe?......

    It sounds appealing for the $$, to me.......I could live with that puppy, no problem.....
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,814
    Speaking of used BMWs...

    Saw an ad:

    '04 ZHP Imola Red/Natural Brown leather..

    20K miles... garage queen.. only two hours from where I live...

    Still have 17 months on my lease... :(

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  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    price?

    '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

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Way to go, kyfdx. You've got q salivating again....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,814
    Private party...

    $20,900...

    Steep by a couple thou, at least... but, if you are getting the right car, and you know it's been taken care of.... don't want to lose it over a little bit of money.. I'm sure that's negotiable, unless someone lays down the cash before you..

    Really like that color combo.... leather, instead of the synthetic suede.... Super low miles.. original owner.. Didn't notice if it had heated seats, but would assume so, considering it's in the Midwest..

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  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Still have 17 months on my lease

    Could you buy the '04 ZHP anyway? Personally, I think you should go see it.....17 months is not a big deal, if you can afford the bmw.....
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,292
    I think it's a 24-month lease, so he's just getting started... But, hey, it doesn't hurt to look, right?

    My 2008 G6 is at the transmission shop for further diagnosis... My rental is (drumroll, please) a 2008 G6. :P
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,814
    Could I?

    Sure.. but sold my CR-V and leased the Subaru (24 mo. is correct), to free up some cash for a home improvement project.. and to lock in low cost/zero repair transportation for a couple of years... By then, project is about paid off (or close enough), and can then see where we are. Plus, the boy will be 16 1/2 when the lease is up...... and there might be transportation issues there, as well.. along with car insurance cost/issues..

    If it was a $5000 car.. and it was the exact one I wanted, jumping on it early might make a little sense.... But, $18K-$20K? That's eating a lot of depreciation and insurance costs for a car that I don't need... yet.. :(

    Thanks for giving me a push, though... always appreciated.. :)

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  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,737
    oh, no, no, no. not me.
    I was just curious because the description definitely led me to believe the seller would be asking for way more than its worth.

    '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

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    Saw an ad:

    '04 ZHP Imola Red/Natural Brown leather..

    20K miles... garage queen.. only two hours from where I live...


    I can't decide whether to jump on that 2003 540i 6 speed at Swope or wait for a nice ZHP. As I posted over in "Stories from the Sales Frontlines":

    Well, I'm still trying to decide if I should trade my perfectly good 2007 Mazdaspeed3 for a 2003 BMW 540i 6 speed. The dealer isn't making it easy; the advertised price has now dropped to $14,897- a $6053 drop since it was first advertised in mid-January. I think that the car has three strikes against it that have kept it on the lot:

    1. Color(Topaz Blue/Gray leather)- I love the color, but most local BMW buyers seem to want either black/black or silver/black. BORING...
    2. Manual Transmission
    3. No warranty(everybody knows an oil change on a BMW costs at least $750)

    Methinks I'm going to offer between $500-$1000+MS3 OTD. If they take it, fine. If not, I'll keep the Mazda... If I do buy it it will need summer wheels and tires, so that's at least another $2000. In addition, the V8s can be a bit more expensive to run.
    Geez, I'm about ready to flip a coin...

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

  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    04 ZHP Imola Red/Natural Brown leather..

    20K miles... garage queen.. only two hours from where I live...


    Why so low miles? Is it as easy to swap clusters on the e46 as the e36?

    Did the ZHP have trouble with the cams and some kind of engine racket? Did all the bad castings get worked out of circulation?
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