Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

mjfloyd1

suydam said:

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

benjaminh said:

Here's a nice looking GTI at my local dealer offered for c. $27.3k.

https://www.bachmanvolkswagen.com/inventory/new-2020-volkswagen-golf-gti-s-fwd-hatchback-3vw5t7au4lm001982








"A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to C/D that the new policy, first reported by Automotive News, drops the six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty to four years and 50,000 miles for its 2020 models. As compensation, VW is now including two years of factory-covered maintenance for regularly scheduled services."

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28567261/2020-volkswagen-warranty-changes/#:~:text=A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to,maintenance for regularly scheduled services.

What’s with those seats? Farm country?

You are out of the loop; plaid seats have been a GTI hallmark since the beginning.

Would be a dealbreaker for me.

Diehard VW Golf GTI fans appreciate the plaid more than those of us that are not diehard VW Golf GTI fans 😂

28firefighter

mjfloyd1 said:

suydam said:

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

benjaminh said:

Here's a nice looking GTI at my local dealer offered for c. $27.3k.

https://www.bachmanvolkswagen.com/inventory/new-2020-volkswagen-golf-gti-s-fwd-hatchback-3vw5t7au4lm001982








"A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to C/D that the new policy, first reported by Automotive News, drops the six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty to four years and 50,000 miles for its 2020 models. As compensation, VW is now including two years of factory-covered maintenance for regularly scheduled services."

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28567261/2020-volkswagen-warranty-changes/#:~:text=A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to,maintenance for regularly scheduled services.

What’s with those seats? Farm country?

You are out of the loop; plaid seats have been a GTI hallmark since the beginning.

Would be a dealbreaker for me.

Diehard VW Golf GTI fans appreciate the plaid more than those of us that are not diehard VW Golf GTI fans 😂

True story. Plaid or bust.

corvette

I need to burn some vacation time before the end of September and am not comfortable getting on a plane and breathing the excretions of 100+ other people for hours at a time, so I'm planning another road trip to the Upper Peninsula next month. It seems like a lot of other people are, too, as the hotels seem to be rather pricey.

mjfloyd1

28firefighter said:

mjfloyd1 said:

suydam said:

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

benjaminh said:

Here's a nice looking GTI at my local dealer offered for c. $27.3k.

https://www.bachmanvolkswagen.com/inventory/new-2020-volkswagen-golf-gti-s-fwd-hatchback-3vw5t7au4lm001982








"A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to C/D that the new policy, first reported by Automotive News, drops the six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty to four years and 50,000 miles for its 2020 models. As compensation, VW is now including two years of factory-covered maintenance for regularly scheduled services."

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28567261/2020-volkswagen-warranty-changes/#:~:text=A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to,maintenance for regularly scheduled services.

What’s with those seats? Farm country?

You are out of the loop; plaid seats have been a GTI hallmark since the beginning.

Would be a dealbreaker for me.

Diehard VW Golf GTI fans appreciate the plaid more than those of us that are not diehard VW Golf GTI fans 😂

True story. Plaid or bust.

I’ll take the bust. Do I get to pick the bust?

ab348

mjfloyd1 said:

I’ll take the bust. Do I get to pick the bust?

What VW really needs to come up with is plaid leather.

sda

I love the plaid interior, however, currently, a sunroof or premium audio isn’t available unless a different trim level is selected.

corvette

sda said:

I love the plaid interior, however, currently, a sunroof or premium audio isn’t available unless a different trim level is selected.

I think at the time I bought the GLI, you couldn't get xenons without upgrading to the Autobahn package, which included leather.

stickguy

sandy, at least put a piece of cardboard under the engine, to keep the oil off the garage floor!

leasing might not be the cheapest financial option, but at least you (normally) get to avoid issues and drama. and if there ever are any, won't be on your dime.

explorerx4

Plaid leather. Isn't that what Pleather is?

qbrozen

pretty sure it is something like the leather jackets from the 70s.
Think "Partridge family"

fintail

Be careful with your bids

28firefighter

fintail said:

Be careful with your bids

Whoops.

qbrozen

hey, its BaT. doesn't shock me.

fintail

yeah, there's a greater than 0% chance it could be a legit bid, given the venue.

roadburner

I think the 2019 Rabbit Edition would suit me- plaid, LED lighting and that’s about it. Not even automatic climate control.

stickguy

sadly, with BaT, I need to ask if the reserve has been met!

gorgeous car though. though I suspect the "dial it in" little stuff is going to add some serious $ to the purchase.

stickguy

I had to look up the Rabbit edition. I agree, if you don't want a moonroof, that is the ideal set-up.

corvette

stickguy said:

gorgeous car though. though I suspect the "dial it in" little stuff is going to add some serious $ to the purchase.

That's seriously low mileage, even for an M5.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Bigger than a half dollar. Come December, I'll have had it 6 years, both will be six. But the only issue with the Audi has been it's need for some extra oil to be added every few months. It happened again Tuesday and the advisor said it's not unusual for A3's.

That’s a pretty significant leak. And you never noticed it before? Strange.

28firefighter

BaT retracted the bid. No surprise. Lots of funny comments, though.

stickguy

made a sorta punch yesterday. 4 wheels and an engine almost counts!

went out to mow the lawn, made a couple of passes in the back, and the mower just died (no noise, just cut out). tried pulling the rope a few times, nothing. Including much resistance (which I assume indicates compression). after letting it sit, tried some more, and it made an assortment of weird bangs then loud backfires. Did not start of course. Occasionally recently when I started it cold I would get a big cloud of white oil smoke too. So putting all that together, I decided it most likely blew the engine. I took the cover off and could not see any obvious problems (like a hole in the block) so I cleaned it out and put back together. no change.

an hour later after a trip to Lowes, was back in business with a new Craftsman (which seemed awfully similar to the old troy built). I learned the last time that most likely it isn't fixable, and even if it was, the parts and labor for "the guy" were likely more than the cost of a new one. Plus the lawn was real long and I couldn't wait the week or so!

so I have a nice shiny new red Craftsman 21" Stickguy propelled 3 in 1 (bag or mulch) 140cc mower, with a whopping 5.5 HP! Does work very well. Better than the old one (though that might just be a brand new blade, or purely psychological).

easy to assemble, since it is the exact same model I put together for my son a few days ago.

stickguy

also spent the morning cleaning the RDX. it was disgusting after the trip. tree stuff (pine, maple and pollen), bird poop, and probably 20 pounds of bugs plastered all over it. so off to the spray it yourself place for a presoak and high pressure soap treatment, then home to dryer sheet the front end bugs, then normal hand wash. came out looking good. even detailed the inside since that had not been done yet. Now I need to keep it in the garage to prevent it from getting dirty again!

qbrozen

I’ll probably look into this ML next, but really not a fan of it in this color. Looks like a Chevy. Maybe if I black out all the shiny bits it could help.
http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/205d6804

stickguy

I like the color combo. but doesn't mean anyone else will!

Michaell

qbrozen said:

I’ll probably look into this ML next, but really not a fan of it in this color. Looks like a Chevy. Maybe if I black out all the shiny bits it could help.
http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/205d6804

You know the Colorado contingent would be more than happy to check that out on your behalf.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

I’ll probably look into this ML next, but really not a fan of it in this color. Looks like a Chevy. Maybe if I black out all the shiny bits it could help.
http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/205d6804

Yes, some matte black paint on those wheels and you’d be stylin’.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

I’ll probably look into this ML next, but really not a fan of it in this color. Looks like a Chevy. Maybe if I black out all the shiny bits it could help.
http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/205d6804

You know the Colorado contingent would be more than happy to check that out on your behalf.

never even crossed my mind. Who is closest, and how close?

stickguy

you won't want it after they finish thrashing on it!

Michaell

qbrozen said:

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

I’ll probably look into this ML next, but really not a fan of it in this color. Looks like a Chevy. Maybe if I black out all the shiny bits it could help.
http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/205d6804

You know the Colorado contingent would be more than happy to check that out on your behalf.

never even crossed my mind. Who is closest, and how close?

@breld and I are 30-40 minutes away.

imidazol97

stickguy said:

an hour later after a trip to Lowes, was back in business with a new Craftsman (which seemed awfully similar to the old troy built).

Hasn't one builder been buying up the names of some of the old quality standards? Many years ago Lowes had 3 different mowers on the display rack, and IIRC they were all built by the same company.

stickguy

most likely that is the company that built it, though the engines are all sourced from B&S so that part will look the same.

sda

My Craftsman was built by Husqvarna. I’ve had excellent service from B&S engines.

qbrozen

damn, @stickguy, you cursed me! My son was out using the pusher for the little fenced in area. Came back in after a while and said "what kind of oil does the mower use?" Huh? What? What are you talking about? "I'm mowing. It is smoking. We pulled the dipstick and there's no oil." Uhhhh... did it quit on you? "Yeah. We tried restarting and it won't. We opened the oil cap and steam is coming out." Oh my.

explorerx4

I would let the mower cool off and put some more oil in it.
It will probably be ok.
I have a mower I've run out of oil several times because it uses it.

benjaminh

Apparently the next generation GTI is due at some point. The controls have gone almost all electronic touch as seen in this video after 4 minutes. The reviewers say they are worried that they'll hate the controls. For those wanting a GTI, if you don't want those touch controls, maybe the last generation might actually be better?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x3zrrbEx7M

stickguy

Sorry! I know mine had oil. that I checked.

I already drained the gas out (or course it died right as I started, so tank was full). Bulk garbage pickup is this week which is convenient (only get that once a month) so tomorrow the old one goes out on the curb. Most likely the pickers will get it before bedtime. I even hosed it down just in case that would help. It didn't.

imidazol97

qbrozen said:

damn, @stickguy, you cursed me! My son was out using the pusher for the little fenced in area. Came back in after a while and said "what kind of oil does the mower use?" Huh? What? What are you talking about? "I'm mowing. It is smoking. We pulled the dipstick and there's no oil." Uhhhh... did it quit on you? "Yeah. We tried restarting and it won't. We opened the oil cap and steam is coming out." Oh my.

Put more oil in it. Then take out the spark plug and quirt in either the regular oil or a penetrating household type oil to bath the rings. A friend in Michigan did that years ago to a recently new mower. And he was amazed I got it running by doing that.

I used the blame to wiggle the piston back and forth to get oil on the walls and the rings--WITH THE SPARK PLUG OUT.

xwesx

Yeah, funny thing about internal combustion engines of any size is that they tend to need oil.... Not good to overlook that little detail!

imidazol97

My Toro store 25 years ago said to use 30 weight oil in it. He said not to use the 10W-30 multi type oils.

xwesx

imidazol97 said:

stickguy said:

an hour later after a trip to Lowes, was back in business with a new Craftsman (which seemed awfully similar to the old troy built).

Hasn't one builder been buying up the names of some of the old quality standards? Many years ago Lowes had 3 different mowers on the display rack, and IIRC they were all built by the same company.

According to an employee at my local store, Lowe's bought the rights to Craftsman. I have no idea who makes the stuff now (as it wasn't independently made in recent years even when Sears still owned it), but they carry pretty much every conceivable tool with that brand name. The only other place I saw the brand recently is NAPA Auto Parts. Surprised me to see it there... perhaps NAPA and Lowe's have a corporate relationship?

explorerx4

I see Craftsman is available at Ace Hardware.

qbrozen

In my little home depot ride-on mower (brand name Murray) never had its oil changed nor ever added any in its 10 yrs with me. Only ever changed the belt, blades, and battery. My friend has it now. He tuned it up first thing. Been using it a couple of seasons now. Best $600 mower ever. (After coupons and rebates. Lol.)

corvette

stickguy said:

went out to mow the lawn, made a couple of passes in the back, and the mower just died (no noise, just cut out). tried pulling the rope a few times, nothing. Including much resistance (which I assume indicates compression).

I went through this last year - the Bolens I had bought four years before had been blowing blue smoke on startup for a while and taking more pulls to start. Finally it failed to start at all, and the pull cord had a ton of resistance. I bought another $200 Bolens from Lowe's. It's now on its second year, and has gone from always starting on the first pull to consistently needing two pulls to start. I expect a similar lifespan from this one. Always used fuel stabilizer on both of them. I'm going to try some carb cleaner on mine to see whether it makes it easier to start.

I read a rumor that you can use the EPA certification label as a proxy for how long the engine is likely to last - the cheap consumer mowers like mine have a 125 hour compliance period, but a commercial push mower would say 1,000 hours.

I will consider a lithium ion electric next time, but the cost of replacement batteries if you need them is quite high. I might also bite the bullet and get a Honda.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

stickguy said:

an hour later after a trip to Lowes, was back in business with a new Craftsman (which seemed awfully similar to the old troy built).

Hasn't one builder been buying up the names of some of the old quality standards? Many years ago Lowes had 3 different mowers on the display rack, and IIRC they were all built by the same company.

MTD in Michigan bought up Troy-Bilt and a few others years ago. Not John Deere I found out. Mainly mowers and small lawn tractors. Some rototillers.

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

stickguy said:

an hour later after a trip to Lowes, was back in business with a new Craftsman (which seemed awfully similar to the old troy built).

Hasn't one builder been buying up the names of some of the old quality standards? Many years ago Lowes had 3 different mowers on the display rack, and IIRC they were all built by the same company.

MTD in Michigan bought up Troy-Bilt and a few others years ago. Not John Deere I found out. Mainly mowers and small lawn tractors. Some rototillers.

I've got a small yard with my current house, so I bought an electric corded mower to handle it. 21", and it does the job pretty well.

I try to avoid wet grass, as it tends to clog up.

Sandman6472

Yes, finally found a piece of cardboard to catch up the oil drippings. Going to take it out in about an hour to go for pizza and then will take it in around 7:45 or so tomorrow. Hoping it's an easy fix and we can go on from there. No other leaks up till now, as I always look after an oil change. Guess I've been lucky, but we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Do like the next generation GTI and especially like the new interior except for one thing, I like radio knobs! Think every audio system needs old fashioned knobs to be able to get the sound just right. And just like cell phones, the screens get dirty from too many finger prints. But, at least I'm finally over VW not bringing the lower models over to the states anymore. A GTI could be fun but again, a bit pricey to be honest. And again, there's going to be that drama that I hate so much.
I know this is crazy talk as I think all this back and forth is getting to me, but part of me just thinks I should go over to the Hyundai store and just pick up that blue over dark gray Accent Limited I saw! Has the moon/sun roof, alloy wheels & Sirius/XM audio I want and call it a day! I think it might even have 6 speakers which I probably could live with. And bet I could get it OTD for maybe around $19K. Maybe I'm just tired of it all now and just want to get into something cheap to keep with a long warranty. Fits on my side of the garage and have gotten used to driving one since I do dry my kids 2020 whenever she comes up and it just works. No excitement to speak of but I just want a trouble free cheap vehicle for the next few years to be honest...and the 5/60 bumper to bumper warranty is a nice option to have. And the mpg's are pretty decent also.

ab348

MTD makes a lot of brands - according to Wiki they make Yard-Man, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Bolens, Murray, and low-end Toros. The Craftsman brand was acquired by Stanley Black & Decker, which bought MTD a year or two ago, so they will make those too.

corvette

Went to take the G37 for a drive this morning, and the airbag light was flashing. Plugged in the scan tool and it appeared to be a passenger airbag code caused by me turning the car on when the on/off light in the center console was disconnected during my witch hunt for rattles. Cleared the code, and all seems to be well. There was some minor vibration on the highway--I suspect from the tires flat-spotting a little--but it seems like it went away after driving a few dozen miles.

mjfloyd1

Sandman6472 said:

Yes, finally found a piece of cardboard to catch up the oil drippings. Going to take it out in about an hour to go for pizza and then will take it in around 7:45 or so tomorrow. Hoping it's an easy fix and we can go on from there. No other leaks up till now, as I always look after an oil change. Guess I've been lucky, but we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Do like the next generation GTI and especially like the new interior except for one thing, I like radio knobs! Think every audio system needs old fashioned knobs to be able to get the sound just right. And just like cell phones, the screens get dirty from too many finger prints. But, at least I'm finally over VW not bringing the lower models over to the states anymore. A GTI could be fun but again, a bit pricey to be honest. And again, there's going to be that drama that I hate so much.
I know this is crazy talk as I think all this back and forth is getting to me, but part of me just thinks I should go over to the Hyundai store and just pick up that blue over dark gray Accent Limited I saw! Has the moon/sun roof, alloy wheels & Sirius/XM audio I want and call it a day! I think it might even have 6 speakers which I probably could live with. And bet I could get it OTD for maybe around $19K. Maybe I'm just tired of it all now and just want to get into something cheap to keep with a long warranty. Fits on my side of the garage and have gotten used to driving one since I do dry my kids 2020 whenever she comes up and it just works. No excitement to speak of but I just want a trouble free cheap vehicle for the next few years to be honest...and the 5/60 bumper to bumper warranty is a nice option to have. And the mpg's are pretty decent also.

Are you going to be happy with 120 hp?

28firefighter

Can anyone be truly happy with 120 hp?