Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

jmonroe1

sb55 said:

Here's a drone video that a friend took. https://youtu.be/b-NQCIRMmQQ

WOW, that is some kinda spread you got there. It must take you all day just to cut the grass and the chemicals needed to treat a pool that size gotta cost a fortune. When this mess settles down you should invite your poster buddies over for a cookout. I'll take the biggest cottage.

jmonroe

pensfan83

Beautiful @sb55

sb55

jmonroe1 said:

sb55 said:

Here's a drone video that a friend took. https://youtu.be/b-NQCIRMmQQ

WOW, that is some kinda spread you got there. It must take you all day just to cut the grass and the chemicals needed to treat a pool that size gotta cost a fortune. When this mess settles down you should invite your poster buddies over for a cookout. I'll take the biggest cottage.

jmonroe

I was thinking that. If we get too many cancellations, then let friends come up for a social distance BBQ and then maybe a driving tour of Northern VT. A trip from the Lake, then up over Smuggler's Notch and down through Stowe is always a favorite.

sb55

jmonroe1 said:

sb55 said:

Here's a drone video that a friend took. https://youtu.be/b-NQCIRMmQQ

WOW, that is some kinda spread you got there. It must take you all day just to cut the grass and the chemicals needed to treat a pool that size gotta cost a fortune. When this mess settles down you should invite your poster buddies over for a cookout. I'll take the biggest cottage.

jmonroe

Cutting the grass is my “alone time”. I get on the mower and put on my headphones. I don’t have to talk to anyone:).
But, I don’t love weed whacking.

stickguy

Gorgeous. If corona cooperates we hope to take a couple day trip to Burlington in June. I’m not making any reservations yet though!

roadburner

Here's our remodeled deck; Trex Select- replete with my dog's muddy paw prints.

ab348

Those edgy new Hyundai and Genesis body designs may be no more, as the design chief has left the company for "personal reasons".

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/04/hyundai-genesis-design-boss-hits-the-road/

Usually that means he could not see eye to eye with his corporate masters.

qbrozen

tifighter said:

I mean, yeah, it's $3800. How much can one really complain? My last mountain bike was way more...

?? Did it come with an ATM attached to it?

corvette

Any time you see “left for personal reasons,” “spending more time with their family,” “pursuing other opportunities,” or “career change” in a press release, it generally means they were fired or asked to leave.

laurasdada

Back in the day, I had a friend whose father bought her a red Fiero (I'm too old to remember which year). I was visiting her, she said let's go for a ride in my new Fiero! I hopped in the passenger side, closed the door and the window immediately fell into the door, where it remained until repaired.
IIRC, the car did not remain in her posession for an extended period. And, her family went back to cars from Japan, Inc, the Fiero being a father caving in to her daughter's pleas, "It's so cute!"

roadburner

corvette said:

Any time you see “left for personal reasons,” “spending more time with their family,” “pursuing other opportunities,” or “career change” in a press release, it generally means they were fired or asked to leave.

Yes, he was told he could leave head first or feet first.

One of my father's political opponent's sons went to law school about the same time I did; he left after one semester telling everyone that law school just wasn't for him. Of course everyone knew that was code for "Flunked out."

roadburner

I remember when the Fiero was first released Hot Rod magazine tested one. The story related how they were out driving the Fiero and stopped at a light next to a new E30 3 Series. The driver's wife/girlfriend was smitten with the Fiero and was upset when she learned her man could have bought a Fiero for less than what he paid for the 3er. I'm sure that countless E30 owners have been inconsolable with regret since then- having failed to go with the Pontiac.

roadburner

sb55 said:

jmonroe1 said:

sb55 said:

Here's a drone video that a friend took. https://youtu.be/b-NQCIRMmQQ

WOW, that is some kinda spread you got there. It must take you all day just to cut the grass and the chemicals needed to treat a pool that size gotta cost a fortune. When this mess settles down you should invite your poster buddies over for a cookout. I'll take the biggest cottage.

jmonroe

Cutting the grass is my “alone time”. I get on the mower and put on my headphones. I don’t have to talk to anyone:).
But, I don’t love weed whacking.

How long does it take to cut the grass? It takes me about 90 minutes on my ZTR, which I find to be about 89 minutes too long.

carnaught

Pardon my interruption. I thought I was lost. Aren’t we posting “Cars and Conversations” topics on the CCBA board? (Not that I mind - just saying...

laurasdada

It's the wild west these days.

tifighter

Today's random Craigslist posting is all about the color combo. Love to see something besides silver, white and black.

breld

@sb55 - wow, that's beautiful.

stickguy

Love that color combo.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

@nyccarguy beautiful. How many sq feet is that?

15’ off the back of the house x 25’ long

ab348

Not crazy about the brown paint but the interior is lovely.

tifighter

I like peanut butter cups, and I like this car.

graphicguy

I thought Karim Habib, formerly with BMW was head of Hyundai's/Kia's design?

graphicguy

carnaught said:

Pardon my interruption. I thought I was lost. Aren’t we posting “Cars and Conversations” topics on the CCBA board? (Not that I mind - just saying...

Well, I think all of us qualify as Chronic Car Buyers, don't we?

fintail

With the fintail's turn signals being kaput, I guess I could get used to driving an Audi. Nice seeing one that isn't a CUV.

abacomike

abacomike said:

This is a copy of my post on "Members and Conversations" thread:

Well, I went ahead and did it!

2020 Mercedes Benz E450 4MATIC
Selenite Gray with beige leather interior and brown ash wood
Driver's Assistance Pkg (Distronic)
Parking Assistance Pkg.
Exterior Lighting Pkg.
Night Pkg: High-Gloss Black Elements (front splitter & grille)
AMG Line Exterior Pkg.
Premium Pkg. w/12.3 digital instrument cluster
Rear Spoiler
LED Logo Projectors
19" AMG 5-spoke wheels with black accents
All Season Tires
Heated and Ventilated front seats
Panorama Sunroof
Heated Steering Wheel
Burmeister Surround Sound System

Total MSRP $74,950 Selling Price $64,000

72 month financing at 2.99% with $15,000 down

The 2018 S450 will be a lease return with no payments due because they have a 5 month pull ahead program going on now, which worked out great!

I decided to buy the car because I figured this might be my last car. The financing rate (2.9%) is actually a better interest rate than they have on their E class leases. This way, I own the car.

The car is being brought in from Gainsville and will arrive by Thursday. So I guess I will take delivery on Friday. As long as they show the car

Well, a brief setback on the purchase of my new E450. The dealer was not able to dealer trade for the gray car from Tampa - it was sold the night before. But all hope is not gone!

The GM at the dealership was able to locate an Iridium Silver with Macchiato Beige Leather with grained black wood which was located at the Prep Center in Brunswick, GA, and scheduled to be trucked to a dealer in Mississippi. So after picking up my new glasses yesterday, I went over to the dealership and sat down with him. He contacted the GM of the dealership in Mississippi and was able to "tag" the silver E450 while still at the port. The Mississippi dealer wanted an SUV that was to be shipped to Southeast Florida (where the dealership is) from the port. So an "in-port" trade was consumated. The price of the silver E450 is almost identical to the gray car I wanted. It is expected to be shipped down here sometime in the next 7-10 days. But there is the "catch".

He priced the silver car for me at 10.5% below MSRP ($74,500 less 10.5%). Then, he subtracted the USAA coupon $2500 and the customer incentive of $1000 plus an additional $500 off since MBFS will pick up the cost of the first month's payment (max $500). So the numbers are exactly where I wanted to be. But this is all based on the April Programs. Car won't be delivered until May 10th or so, the the May programs will dictate final pricing.

My GM expects the May program to be the same as the end of April program, and perhaps a little better. But I have to wait until Friday to find out what the USAA incentive will be and the preferred customer incentive and the first month's payment incentive in addition to the Financing rates (0% for 36 months and 2.99% for 72 months).

Cross your fingers for me, guys!

oldfarmer50

carnaught said:

Pardon my interruption. I thought I was lost. Aren’t we posting “Cars and Conversations” topics on the CCBA board? (Not that I mind - just saying...

Dishwashers are up next.

fintail

Good luck, I'd expect the May programs to maybe be a little better, given the crisis. I think you're going to like that engine in the smaller lighter car, too.

oldfarmer50

tifighter said:

Today's random Craigslist posting is all about the color combo. Love to see something besides silver, white and black.

I like those seats.

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

With the fintail's turn signals being kaput, I guess I could get used to driving an Audi. Nice seeing one that isn't a CUV.

Any idea what happened to the signals? I imagine on a car that old tracing down the problem is as hard as finding parts.

fintail

I am 98% certain it is the assembly at the base of the stalk. I've tested the relay/regulator and the wiring near it, all appears OK. Unfortunately, getting to the stalk assembly is tricky, and I am afraid I'll break something - so it will wait until the car goes in for its yearly checkup and service in July. Fortunately, if it needs parts, mechanical parts aren't too hard to find - the little trim parts can be tough,

oldfarmer50 said:

Any idea what happened to the signals? I imagine on a car that old tracing down the problem is as hard as finding parts.

carnaught

oldfarmer50 said:

carnaught said:

Pardon my interruption. I thought I was lost. Aren’t we posting “Cars and Conversations” topics on the CCBA board? (Not that I mind - just saying...

Dishwashers are up next.

How about fertilizers?

kyfdx

carnaught said:

oldfarmer50 said:

carnaught said:

Pardon my interruption. I thought I was lost. Aren’t we posting “Cars and Conversations” topics on the CCBA board? (Not that I mind - just saying...

Dishwashers are up next.

How about fertilizers?

I see a lot of "fertilizer" in the C&C conversations.

imidazol97

kyfdx said:

We have a pear tree that was probably 3 years old, when planted. That makes it about 25 yrs old now, and it is huge. But, the ground sucks here, and the last few years, the roots are starting to push up out of the ground. Pear trees don't have a large central trunk. At about 8 feet, they start spreading. I'm waiting for a big storm or wind to break mine down, at some point. It is nearing the end of normal life for that type of tree.

Ours never made it that long before splitting started. Windstorm. And even wet spring/fall snow on leaves that were out broke down branches. I'd guess 15 years or less when that finished them off.

kyfdx

imidazol97 said:

kyfdx said:

We have a pear tree that was probably 3 years old, when planted. That makes it about 25 yrs old now, and it is huge. But, the ground sucks here, and the last few years, the roots are starting to push up out of the ground. Pear trees don't have a large central trunk. At about 8 feet, they start spreading. I'm waiting for a big storm or wind to break mine down, at some point. It is nearing the end of normal life for that type of tree.

Ours never made it that long before splitting started. Windstorm. And even wet spring/fall snow on leaves that were out broke down branches. I'd guess 15 years or less when that finished them off.

My uncle lives on a street in Lexington that was developed in the '70s. They moved there in '85. The sidewalks are set about five feet in from the street, and every house had two Bradford pears planted next to the street. In early April, it was like driving through a tunnel of blossoms. Beautiful.

But, in the '90s, the trees started to blow down or split. Some homeowners replaced them with the same, but eventually, most gave up on it. I'd say it's only 25% now.

@xwesx These are non-native ornamental trees. You don't get edible fruit.

tifighter

I like this on BaT too. A neighbor had one of these when I was a kid and I've always liked this generation. Great looking car.

roadburner

tifighter said:

I like this on BaT too. A neighbor had one of these when I was a kid and I've always liked this generation. Great looking car.

I've come close to buying a couple of E23 735is. With three pedals!

qbrozen

yikes.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-land-rover-one-ten-23/

fintail

87, final run. Anyone remember "Nothing But Trouble"? Also George McFly's car in BTTF (1985B).

I remember when I was a little kid, someone would visit across the street and had an E23, it seemed pretty exotic in the small town where I lived. Likely a 733i. If that BaT car sold for $8500 (shows no time left, no reserve), looks like a decent deal as a W126 with similar miles will cost a bit more.

tjc78

Wow, that’s pretty cool.

qbrozen

fintail said:

87, final run. Anyone remember "Nothing But Trouble"? Also George McFly's car in BTTF (1985B).

I remember when I was a little kid, someone would visit across the street and had an E23, it seemed pretty exotic in the small town where I lived. Likely a 733i. If that BaT car sold for $8500 (shows no time left, no reserve), looks like a decent deal as a W126 with similar miles will cost a bit more.

The BTTF truck on BaT is going for STUPID money

pensfan83

Anyone else catch this on Car and Driver?

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a15141394/bmw-750il-vs-mercedes-benz-560sel-lexus-ls400-bentley-turbo-r-archived-comparison-test/

explorerx4

If you leave the stump after it splits, it will grow back.
Ask me how I know.

fintail

Oh yeah, the BTTF truck:

I suppose those shoes might be worth a lot today?

I guess if you want Marty McFly's truck and don't want to do the footwork yourself, it's worth it. Detail looks good, love the plates and plate frames. It's crazy money, but if I won a powerball, I'd probably have one in my hoard.

You can get most of the experience for a bit less

Nice late run lower line fintail getting fair bids

Undervalued?

Quick BaT scan had this setting me off more than anything - I love old dual round headlight sportbikes and the aesthetics of this model, but it would end up being a display piece. I need that winning lottery ticket.

fintail

Fun read. I'd have picked the MB (of course). Funny to think the platform was over 10 years old then and still competent. From MB's zenith.

pensfan83 said:

Anyone else catch this on Car and Driver?

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a15141394/bmw-750il-vs-mercedes-benz-560sel-lexus-ls400-bentley-turbo-r-archived-comparison-test/

stickguy

I’m liking that MR-2

tjc78

I’d have a BTTF truck and a Delorean if I had unlimited funds and a place for the hoard!

roadburner

tjc78 said:

I’d have a BTTF truck and a Delorean if I had unlimited funds and a place for the hoard!

Somebody restored the “flying” 6 Series from BTTF 2; I’d love to have to take to CCA events.

ab348

stickguy said:

I’m liking that MR-2

I had one like that new, an ‘85, also in silver with the factory pop-out sunroof. Car was like a street-legal go-cart, such fun. Not the most practical thing but I drove it from Nova Scotia to Toronto on vacation and then down to Cooperstown and the Baseball HOF. They are bad rusters in this climate though. The little 1.6L DOHC engine just loved to rev to its 7500rpm redline and the shifter was slick.

oldfarmer50

tifighter said:

I like this on BaT too. A neighbor had one of these when I was a kid and I've always liked this generation. Great looking car.

I wonder how far back that CarFax goes. I had an ‘84 coupe and it only went back to 1996. A lot could happen in 9 years that doesn’t show up. Does CarFax have a report for classic cars?

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

yikes.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-land-rover-one-ten-23/

Think of what you could have done on a different car with $136k.