Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

So I came across this super clean looking 2004 Cayenne Turbo with 100k miles. It is all the way in CA, but under $10k. Private party seller who claims it is a 1-family car since new. So I message him asking about the coolant pipes. He has no idea. Was not aware of the issue and no clue if ever replaced. Huh? So you have had since new but don’t know the service history? Hard pass.

I bet he has the title all signed in another person’s name too.

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

RWD makes it even cheaper to maintain. I’d want a manual trans though.

Almost all Rangers for sale are automatics. The standard transmissions are rare and not very desirable.

https://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/d/new-egypt-1997-ford-ranger/7129158160.html

andres3

28firefighter said:

Carvana is coming in at $17,7. Vroom at $16,3. So, I’m guessing auction value is closer to $15-$16.

Either Carvana is strong, or Vroom is frugal and cheap, or a bit of both. But that delta is the kind you'd expect with Carmax with tons of brick and mortar overhead, not Vroom.

andres3

benjaminh said:

Unique platform for this car, and it sounds like it's pretty well built. The current car it already quite solid.

And so it's basically brake by wire?

From the Acura press release....

"The 2021 TLX is a sport sedan at its core, built on a new dedicated Acura sedan platform designed for Type S-levels of performance. The new chassis heralds the return of double-wishbone front suspension to Acura's top-selling sedan, offering more precise handling and cornering grip, as well as greater mechanical compliance for improved ride quality. In addition, the TLX chassis incorporates multiple new performance-focused engineering upgrades, including a variable-ratio steering system, electro-servo brake-by-wire technology applied from the NSX and an available driver selectable Adaptive Damper System.

The TLX's all-new chassis is anchored to an advanced new body structure — NSX aside, the most rigid ever offered on an Acura vehicle— delivering a 50 percent increase in global torsional stiffness and up to a 100 percent improvement in localized rigidity where the suspension is mounted to the body. The new structure uses 56 percent (by weight) advanced, lightweight materials, including aluminum and press-hardened steel, more than any previous Acura sedan.

An ultra-rigid new center tunnel serves as the backbone of the TLX's higher structural rigidity, complimented by triangulated front shock tower bars, front and rear underfloor braces, a one-piece rear bulkhead stiffener and new cast-aluminum front shock tower mounts. Front-to-rear weight balance is also improved by an extensive use of aluminum, including the front bumper, hood, front fenders and front damper mounts, in addition to locating the 12-volt battery in the trunk.

NSX Electro-Servo Brakes
First developed for the second-generation NSX, the new TLX utilizes a highly sophisticated electric-servo brake system. This system allowed Acura engineers to finely tune the brake pedal force and electronically control the brake pressure to optimize the vehicle's performance driving characteristics.

For the TLX Type S, multiple hardware upgrades will improve braking performance, including larger discs and four-piston Brembo® front calipers complemented by performance-focused tuning of the entire braking system."

Sounds like Acura is interested in competing and making relevant product again. I know I know, some of you really like their very nice Honda routine, but in the luxury segment, you have to step it up seriously to compete with the big boys.

I could be interested in a Type S A Spec. Key figures to hit would be 360 HP/360 LB-FT and under 3,800 pounds.

28firefighter

Vroom came back with an extra $500 today. So now they're at 16,8.

andres3

28firefighter said:

Vroom came back with an extra $500 today. So now they're at 16,8.

How many days into their supposed 7 day offer?

benjaminh

andres3 said:

I could be interested in a Type S A Spec. Key figures to hit would be 360 HP/360 LB-FT and under 3,800 pounds.

I think it'll probably hit those targets.

28firefighter

Their offer window was 2 days or 250 miles. Came back 4 days after I submitted and didn't action it.

28firefighter

Current contender is an off-lease 2017 Audi SQ5 Prestige with 15k miles. Dealer is asking 38, certified. I'm thinking that has to be close to a good value factoring the CPO.

corvette

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:

RWD makes it even cheaper to maintain. I’d want a manual trans though.

Almost all Rangers for sale are automatics. The standard transmissions are rare and not very desirable.

https://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/d/new-egypt-1997-ford-ranger/7129158160.html

My former neighbor had a 2001-ish regular cab 2WD Ranger with a manual, didn't keep it long. I think she sold her daily driver and needed something serviceable right away. I think she soon found a G35 coupe and sold the Ranger.

stickguy

Regular cab is just too tight.

corvette

"We will bring back Infiniti as Nissan-plus, in terms of product and technology..." "Under the new plan, Nissan is expected to fling the Altima or Maxima platform at Infiniti and say “have at it,” leading to the development of new front- and all-wheel-drive models. Under hood (and car) will be a beefed-up version of the e-Power hybrid setup Nissan debuted in Japan a few years ago."

Ouch, sounds like Infiniti may not make it. New technology is trickling down to mainstream vehicles very quickly. I think a luxury brand needs to offer luxury touches and distinctive styling. I hope they don't just rebadge a Maxima and call it the I37.

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/06/course-change-for-infiniti-as-nissan-throws-out-old-playbook/

fintail

Funny, that exact thing happened in the late 90s, Infiniti i30 was a Maxima with fancier trim.

breld

28firefighter said:

Current contender is an off-lease 2017 Audi SQ5 Prestige with 15k miles. Dealer is asking 38, certified. I'm thinking that has to be close to a good value factoring the CPO.

I feel like I missed something - you're trading something into Vroom and thinking about this SQ5?

28firefighter

Not me. My parents. They’re done with their 2016 V60 after this piston ring issue. So they’re looking at trading it for a CPO SQ5 Prestige.

tifighter

From a Volvo to an Audi in the name of reliability. 2020 continues to baffle.

28firefighter

I don't make the news. I just report it.

In fairness, I think at this point they just needed to make a brand change, if it happens - my Dad has been a VW then Audi/Porsche guy my whole life.

breld

That's right - now I recall reading your posts about that.

I'm sure there's a decent price jump, but the next model year SQ5 gets you into the current model. Nothing against that previous gen SQ5 (I had one), but it's somewhat dated at this point.

breld

By the way, Mrs. Breld is practically pushing me out the door to go do a deal on a Supra.

She's a lovely woman.

28firefighter

The price jump is ~$10-$12k to move into a 2018. Not insignificant.

Also the MMI being the older version is actually a plus in this case - it is the same as what is in my Dad's S5 and she is very familiar with it.

Sandman6472

Golf is back home and fixed. Seems like VW changed the oil drain plug from metal to plastic, or the other way around, and mine was the old kind. They had to get one through VW and also got a 2nd one and labeled it and put it in my glove compartment for next time. Total was just under $15, something I can live with. Up till now, been doing every other change at the dealer so last one was at T P, thus the issue. Think I'll do the next one at T P again, since I've already got the correct drain plug. They also checked the brakes and gave it a solid bill of health.
Totally happy here as I still like the Golf an since I put on new sneakers last September, might as well get as much use out of it as I can. Now, going forward, if anything big comes up, we'll seriously consider an alternative plan. But for now, we're good. So obviously, it's just not the right time to swap into a new vehicle at this juncture. The fates have spoken!

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

Not me. My parents. They’re done with their 2016 V60 after this piston ring issue. So they’re looking at trading it for a CPO SQ5 Prestige.

I’m curious, would that piston repair make it’s way into the record anywhere? Do they stand to get dinged on a trade like they would with accident history?

28firefighter

It could end up as a service record on CarFax, but I don't think beyond that it would do anything.

breld

28firefighter said:

It could end up as a service record on CarFax, but I don't think beyond that it would do anything.

Things like a clutch replacement end up on a Carfax. Ask me how I know.

But...you solve that by trading it to a dealership straight away.

explorerx4

Depends how the Carfax entry is worded. It can be made vague.

carnaught

breld said:

By the way, Mrs. Breld is practically pushing me out the door to go do a deal on a Supra.

She's a lovely woman.

So, which car goes - the 228i? Inquiring minds...

breld

Yup, it would replace the 228i. But I’m still much more inclined to give it some time for used ones to appear unless the discounts get silly.

andres3

tifighter said:

From a Volvo to an Audi in the name of reliability. 2020 continues to baffle.

For the last 15 years or so Audi has ranked near the very top in reliability ranking while Volvo has done poorly.

Source: CR

andres3

Sandman6472 said:

Golf is back home and fixed. Seems like VW changed the oil drain plug from metal to plastic, or the other way around, and mine was the old kind. They had to get one through VW and also got a 2nd one and labeled it and put it in my glove compartment for next time. Total was just under $15, something I can live with. Up till now, been doing every other change at the dealer so last one was at T P, thus the issue. Think I'll do the next one at T P again, since I've already got the correct drain plug. They also checked the brakes and gave it a solid bill of health.
Totally happy here as I still like the Golf an since I put on new sneakers last September, might as well get as much use out of it as I can. Now, going forward, if anything big comes up, we'll seriously consider an alternative plan. But for now, we're good. So obviously, it's just not the right time to swap into a new vehicle at this juncture. The fates have spoken!

I've often said the key to ownership of a German vehicle to have reliability and trouble-free ownership experience is pretty easy and straightforward, it just requires a couple things:

1. An honest mechanic/auto shop.
2. A COMPETENT mechanic/auto shop.

Your oil change place failed #2.

roadburner

breld said:

Yup, it would replace the 228i. But I’m still much more inclined to give it some time for used ones to appear unless the discounts get silly.

The wingnuts at Oxmoor(ons) Toyota in Louisville won't allow a test drive of a Supra without a signed buyer's order.

explorerx4

I just saw a Toyota commercial offering zero percent financing on the Supra.

stickguy

explorerx4 said:

I just saw a Toyota commercial offering zero percent financing on the Supra.

not really a useful deal when you only keep the car for 3 months.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

breld said:

Yup, it would replace the 228i. But I’m still much more inclined to give it some time for used ones to appear unless the discounts get silly.

The wingnuts at Oxmoor(ons) Toyota in Louisville won't allow a test drive of a Supra without a signed buyer's order.

I’ve heard of dealers doing that but what does that mean legally? If you don’t like the car after the test drive do they think they can force you to buy it? Do you have to agree to a price on this buyer’s order?

The whole thing seems nuts.

corvette

28firefighter said:

It could end up as a service record on CarFax, but I don't think beyond that it would do anything.

Could just be "engine repairs reported."

breld

roadburner said:

breld said:

Yup, it would replace the 228i. But I’m still much more inclined to give it some time for used ones to appear unless the discounts get silly.

The wingnuts at Oxmoor(ons) Toyota in Louisville won't allow a test drive of a Supra without a signed buyer's order.

That’s why I haven’t approached the Toyota dealership about a test drive until I’m more serious. Don’t want to deal with the silliness.

There is one used example at a nearby dealership (non-Toyota). It’s overpriced but I imagine they wouldn’t have any opposition to a test drive.

breld

stickguy said:

explorerx4 said:

I just saw a Toyota commercial offering zero percent financing on the Supra.

not really a useful deal when you only keep the car for 3 months.

Surely that’s not directed at anyone here!

Program through today is $3,500 incentive or 0% financing. Overall advertised discounts of $6-9k are common. I’m curious if they simply extend the same program tomorrow or sweeten it.

ronsteve

Looks like Volvo has started building some of their XC60s in China, as well as the S90.
The S60 is built in South Carolina.
The rest are built in Sweden or Belgium.

ronsteve

corvette said:

28firefighter said:

It could end up as a service record on CarFax, but I don't think beyond that it would do anything.

Could just be "engine repairs reported."

Would think it's just another service event on the Carfax, rather than an actual ding.

mjfloyd1

Would your parents be offered any additional power train warranty after the Volvo motor repair? If they like the vehicle otherwise, that might sway the decision

28firefighter

That was our first question - had they paid for the repair out of pocket, the work would have been warrantied for the life of their ownership. However, since it was a warranty repair, it is only covered until the B2B warranty expires in 7-8k miles.

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

That was our first question - had they paid for the repair out of pocket, the work would have been warrantied for the life of their ownership. However, since it was a warranty repair, it is only covered until the B2B warranty expires in 7-8k miles.

Wow. That’s some BS right there.

stickguy

I think all brands do that for warranty stuff. You didn't pay for it, so it doesn't count! Though not many give a lifetime guarantee on any repair you do pay for I don't think.

breld

I assume most of you have seen the official reveal of the 4.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a32729913/2021-bmw-4-series-coupe-photos-info/

That grill is indeed shocking, but I suspect as you see more on the road it will become more normalized. You know, “new normal” and all that. 😀

28firefighter

A face only a mother could love.

explorerx4

I still think the Lexus spindle grilles are ugly. How long have they been around?

breld

I can appreciate the throwback to the vertical kidneys of old.

What’s funny is that oftentimes buyers prefer to avoid a front license plate (if it’s state required) - I think on this design you almost need a front license plate to break it up.

stickguy

might bring back the full front end bra look too. Maybe use a paint tarp.

corvette

stickguy said:

Maybe use a paint tarp.

Not gonna waste my fancy paint tarp on that, but I do have a roll of that cheap painter’s plastic and some blue tape.

28firefighter

BaT find:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-audi-allroad-11/

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

BaT find:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-audi-allroad-11/

were you really looking for it? LOL.
Better find a bag of money to go with it.