Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

sda

I've had good luck with NuFinish. It holds up better than most, isn't that expensive and goes a long way. It does have a strong petroleum smell to it. When applying don't get it on the black or matt trim or you will fuss.

ab348

suydam said:

The new RAV 4 does look very nice.

Now there's something I am pretty sure has never been seen on the internet ever before.

carnaught

sda said:

I've had good luck with NuFinish. It holds up better than most, isn't that expensive and goes a long way. It does have a strong petroleum smell to it. When applying don't get it on the black or matt trim or you will fuss.

Do you mean NuVinyl or NuFinish, two different products? The former, for interiors, doesn’t have much odor.

au1994

Don’t look now...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-325i-touring-5-speed/

kyfdx

au1994 said:

Don’t look now...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-325i-touring-5-speed/

Has everything but xenons and cold weather pkg.. Nice!

stickguy

that is gorgeous. Absolutely love the color combo. I would be very happy to have that. I am fine with the normal lights (will put in fancy bulbs) and can live without bun warmers. I suspect the price is going to get up there since can't be many around in this condition and miles.

andres3

kyfdx said:

au1994 said:

Don’t look now...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-325i-touring-5-speed/

Has everything but xenons and cold weather pkg.. Nice!

Okay, it looks like Doug at Cars & Bids stole BAT's web designer for sure, at a minimum.

ronsteve

Scary thought is this actually might make sense... especially if you know my love for Volvo wagons...

https://jeffwylernissanoflouisville.com/used/Volvo/2013-Volvo-XC70-099ae28a0a0e0adf65b8851d760ed282.htm

I think he might have been at $15,6 on it before (teasers in my FB feed), though I'd have to work a little harder to justify $16,9.

roadburner

The local Kia dealer just received a Ceramic Silver GT2 in RWD; MSRP is $52,535- but it has a $3,900 rebate. If they gave me graphicguy's deal($17,000 off MSRP) I'd pick it up in a nanosecond- even if it does have four doors and a hole in the roof.

28firefighter

Call and offer. You never know.

28firefighter

I kind of love this.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/d/lake-stevens-1998-bmw-318ti-sport-manual/7156561296.html

stickguy

I love that too. I would buy it. You should grab it since it is on your side of the country. Sounds like they did a lot of expensive work. The remaining stuff is pretty simple, and not real important.

those at least are simple cars still, so easy to do stuff on.

roadburner

28firefighter said:

I kind of love this.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/d/lake-stevens-1998-bmw-318ti-sport-manual/7156561296.html

Nice, although I'm still on the original clutch, shocks, and injectors on mine- and it was also my HPDE car from 1996 to 2012. Probably a decent car regardless.

roadburner

On BAT today I'm tempted by the Calypso 850 as well as the Salmon E30 325iX.

stickguy

roadburner said:

28firefighter said:

I kind of love this.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/d/lake-stevens-1998-bmw-318ti-sport-manual/7156561296.html

Nice, although I'm still on the original clutch, shocks, and injectors on mine- and it was also my HPDE car from 1996 to 2012. Probably a decent car regardless.

never know how a previous owner drove it (especially a clutch). But, if I am buying an unknown older car, I would rather get one that had it all replaced, instead of one that was going to need it a few months down the line.

ab348

This discussion topic name needs changing to “BMW Fetishers”.

stickguy

this could cure that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc0o6Cs96Kc

28firefighter

I fully admit I am broken and know this obsession will eventually burn me. And yet, here I am...

stickguy

as long as you understand what you are doing, and stick to an inline engine, you should go for it. Just don't touch a Vee engine.

and of course, don't buy the cheapest one in the country that has high miles and been totally neglected.

oldfarmer50

au1994 said:

Don’t look now...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-325i-touring-5-speed/

That’s pretty nice, nice interior too. Mileage is low, so is the price but with 7 days left I bet that price isn’t going to stay low.

Speaking of cars I’m watching Hitchcock’s The Birds. Tippy Hedren is driving a 54’ Aston Martin DB 2/4 drop head coupe. Nice.

corvette

Day one of the first road trip in the Tundra. Will hit Sleeping Bear Dunes tomorrow. The Tundra did well. Fuel mileage is around 14 MPG at 80-85 MPH with a few blasts higher than that to overtake people who were camping in the left lane. The hood flutters above 90 or so, which is honestly something I'd expect on a lot of mainstream cars that aren't engineered for the Autobahn.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

this could cure that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc0o6Cs96Kc

“They’d be bouncing and I’d get a lot more views” LOL

stickguy

I do appreciate Hoovies snarky sense of humor. We would get along.

breld

ronsteve said:

Scary thought is this actually might make sense... especially if you know my love for Volvo wagons...

https://jeffwylernissanoflouisville.com/used/Volvo/2013-Volvo-XC70-099ae28a0a0e0adf65b8851d760ed282.htm

I think he might have been at $15,6 on it before (teasers in my FB feed), though I'd have to work a little harder to justify $16,9.

That’s a handsome looking wagon.

Sandman6472

Was at the Jeep dealer today picking up a bunch of rental returns and saw quite a few Compasses. I especially like it in the red color for some bizarre reason. According to Siri, it's length is 173", width is 73.8 without mirrors, it's gas tank holds 13.5 gallons and it's mileage figures are 22 city/30 highway/25 combined. Seems to just hit the 174" length requirement but again, if I did a test drive, wold shoot by the house and put it in the garage just to actually see how it would fit. Did that with a Ford Escape back in 2013 and it was pretty tight to be honest. Decided then and there it was no longer a viable candidate and took it off the short list.
On another note, had to drive the 15 pack today after lunch until quitting time. I was the Chevy model this time but usually, it's a Ford. Either way, I hate driving such a large vehicle! Luckily with the mirrors set correctly, outside vision is pretty decent. And since we can only have one person/row due to social distancing and safety, it's not too loaded up but still, it's just to f'ing big! I'm still a bit confused as to why the lead driver doesn't always drive the chase vehicle? I really only want to drive the rentals we pick up cause sometimes, I get to drive something I've never driven before which I really enjoy. But, looks like I have no choice here.
Lastly, still dealing with unemployment for those first three weeks they screwed up and never paid me for. I've filled out the appropriate form a month ago and spoken to a few folks who tell me it'll take a few months which really sounds ridiculous! They told another co-worker of mine once it gets typed into the system, it should take only a few days for the payment to hit his checking account. Unfortunately, Florida had a awful system to begin with and couldn't handle all the applications they got back in March. It was the perfect storm for utter failure and that's exactly what happened. Shame on the current governor and the last one for implementing such a horrible program in the first place!! Shouldn't take weeks and month to get our payments due us!!

ronsteve

So I think the car will probably sell too quickly to become a saga, but I am seriously thinking of trading out of the RDX if I can get that XC70 I posted. The RDX is a plenty capable vehicle, but ever since I got it not quite two years ago, it's still a SUV and I'm not sure I can say I have really loved it. The siren song of wagons has continued to call out to me, and seeing such a nice copy of a Volvo wagon, with the right age and mileage to be a DD, at the right price point... I'm thinking it's worth a look!

I'm not sure I can make the numbers work to justify it, or be able to sell such a move to the Mrs.

I do think I'll make some calls on Monday and take a look on Tuesday, if the Volvo is still around.

stickguy

putting aside expected costs to keep it running, given a choice, I would much rather drive the Volvo. So if that is your thing, and the $ works, go for it. Not sure that is such a hot item it will disappear quickly but these days, who knows about anything? Good news, the RDX should be holding value.

I did get an interesting Email from Carvana yesterday (I still have the old RDX in the account with an expired purchase offer, and every so often they reach out about it.) Indicating that they are open and selling, but now buying again, and that the market has perked up considerably so they are upping their offers now so poking you to go back for a fresh quote. I should run it again just to see.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I fully admit I am broken and know this obsession will eventually burn me. And yet, here I am...

That car would be perfect with an S50 M3 motor swapped in..

stickguy

is that the BMWphile equivalent of "put in a crate hemi?"

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

Day one of the first road trip in the Tundra. Will hit Sleeping Bear Dunes tomorrow. The Tundra did well. Fuel mileage is around 14 MPG at 80-85 MPH with a few blasts higher than that to overtake people who were camping in the left lane. The hood flutters above 90 or so, which is honestly something I'd expect on a lot of mainstream cars that aren't engineered for the Autobahn.

Yeah, but there won’t be any carbon on the valves.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

is that the BMWphile equivalent of "put in a crate hemi?"

Not really... The E36 M3 is basically the same basic vehicle, just in coupe or sedan form. A used S50 engine from one of those bumps you up to 240 HP (from 144?).

I'm not suggesting he could do it in his garage, but it's a typical swap.

A lot easier than dropping in an LS crate motor.. lol

Sandman6472

OF, are you still on furlough? Business has started to pick up and now working either nine or ten hour days. No weekends as of yet except for a chosen few I've come to find out! Did let my boss know that if they needed an extra body on those days or if any special details arise, to please keep me in mind. I personally miss working Sundays to be honest. But I do know that there are those few folks who always get called on to do the "extra stuff", I'm just not in that group yet. But still letting him know from time to time that I'm usually available for some extra work.
A new shuttle driver position for a local auto mall just popped up the other day on a website I frequent. Just for the hell of it, sent my resume and application just in case. Could be a very good position so figure apply and if they want to interview me, go in and find out the particulars. Just curious at this point and have always wanted to do this and have applied numerous times at local dealers over the years always to be denied employment. Is it because I walk with a cane? Can't prove it but I'd bet on it to be the only reason and don't want to be dishonest and show up for an interview without it. Use it mostly for balance issues due to that accident in 2005 and just don't walk without it at all.
Very happy where I'm at right now but figure give it a shot and see where it leads anywhere, if at all. So far in three days, nothing!

graphicguy

roadburner said:

The local Kia dealer just received a Ceramic Silver GT2 in RWD; MSRP is $52,535- but it has a $3,900 rebate. If they gave me graphicguy's deal($17,000 off MSRP) I'd pick it up in a nanosecond- even if it does have four doors and a hole in the roof.

You can always tell them you would wait for the 2021 (not sure the minor updates really make much difference except on the 4 cyl) and see if they kick in a bigger discount. Not sure what kind of trunk money they have on them these days, though.

New 2021 Stinger....

https://thekoreancarblog.com/2020/07/10/kia-stinger-facelift-upgrades-to-2-5-t-gdi-but-keeps-3-3tt/

tommister2

I've been looking at off rental Mustangs over the past few days. The pricing is attractive - $15-18k off original sticker price for a 1 year old car with 20-30k miles. I continue to be surprised at how beat up they are. Dings, chips, scratches, even some gashes. I looked at four yesterday, at two different dealers. I guess that is just to be expected? I figured they would have done some touch ups and repairs before putting them on the lot.

The last time I was looking at used Mustangs was 2017 - I remember the last one we looked at was at a Honda dealer where we decided to buy a Civic. Wonder what I will buy this time?

nyccarguy

@Sandman6472

Dude - you don’t want a compass

Sandman6472

Have driven a few at work, the new ones, and drove nicely. But yes, doubt I'd ever get one. Stopped at the Mini Cooper dealer yesterday and saw a few Countryman models that would fit the bill. On any Mini, length would not be an issue. Did test one a few years back, but the sales lady was totally uninterested in even letting me drive one I liked but was in the back of a line of two other vehicles. Asked her to see if I could drive that unit but she basically blew me off and had me drive another model. Wasn't the best experience to be honest. New ones can get a bit pricey but found a couple used ones at the Chevy store across the street, both 2019's and ex-rental units. Miles in the low teens as I recall and ex-rentals don't scare me as I know how careful we were at Hertz with their maintenance. Have seen a few at Enterprise and again, we also seem to do a great job of maintaining them, so doubt I'd be to concerned.
Just need to get out there and start test driving at this point. But again, just not that motivated as long as the Golf behaves itself. Have been looking back at some receipts and with the new gig being so close plus staying home most of those 86 days furloughed, have only put on maybe 1K miles. So unless something super fantastic comes along, plan on bidding my time here. Seems like that leak has been dealt with as no more drops on the garage floor and nothing from the axle boots leaking either. Will be keeping a close eye on things just in case.

Sandman6472

Picked up a few vehicles at the BMW store in West Palm the other day and drove a newish Nissan Altima and Versa. This new generation of both models is a vast improvement over the last in every way. They drive better, look better on both the exterior and interior and get out of their way nicely, especially the Altima. Enjoy driving the Kicks better than the Versa and now that the new 2020 Sentra has hit the showrooms, am eager to get behind the wheel of one. Owned one from 2003 to 2006 though it had some major problems with the coil packs those last few months of ownership. Luckily I was still in the 3 year/36K warranty period while it all happened. Let's just say the Enterprise folks who operated the kiosk at the Nissan store got to know me pretty well there. Once they fixed it and the lights in the dash finally went out, traded it before the warranty wore out as I had had enough already! Got into that 2006 Honda Civic I had for many years.

tjc78

nyccarguy said:

@Sandman6472

Dude - you don’t want a compass

+1

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

@Sandman6472

Dude - you don’t want a compass

X2!

28firefighter

I have a friend from school that bought a compass. Is majorly flipped in it and dreams of setting it on fire regularly.

stickguy

Sandy, I don't see the shuttle job fitting you, based on what you post. No variety of cars to try out, no road trips, and you have to be dealing with people all the time. Plus you will be piloting some sort of barge (Minivan or large SUV). Doesn't sound like nearly as much fun!

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

OF, are you still on furlough? Business has started to pick up and now working either nine or ten hour days. No weekends as of yet except for a chosen few I've come to find out! Did let my boss know that if they needed an extra body on those days or if any special details arise, to please keep me in mind. I personally miss working Sundays to be honest. But I do know that there are those few folks who always get called on to do the "extra stuff", I'm just not in that group yet. But still letting him know from time to time that I'm usually available for some extra work.
A new shuttle driver position for a local auto mall just popped up the other day on a website I frequent. Just for the hell of it, sent my resume and application just in case. Could be a very good position so figure apply and if they want to interview me, go in and find out the particulars. Just curious at this point and have always wanted to do this and have applied numerous times at local dealers over the years always to be denied employment. Is it because I walk with a cane? Can't prove it but I'd bet on it to be the only reason and don't want to be dishonest and show up for an interview without it. Use it mostly for balance issues due to that accident in 2005 and just don't walk without it at all.
Very happy where I'm at right now but figure give it a shot and see where it leads anywhere, if at all. So far in three days, nothing!

Yeah, I’m still out in the cold. Talked to HR about three weeks ago and they hadn’t called back any more drivers. I don’t want to be a pest but maybe I should give them another buzz.

oldfarmer50

tommister2 said:

I've been looking at off rental Mustangs over the past few days. The pricing is attractive - $15-18k off original sticker price for a 1 year old car with 20-30k miles. I continue to be surprised at how beat up they are. Dings, chips, scratches, even some gashes. I looked at four yesterday, at two different dealers. I guess that is just to be expected? I figured they would have done some touch ups and repairs before putting them on the lot.

The last time I was looking at used Mustangs was 2017 - I remember the last one we looked at was at a Honda dealer where we decided to buy a Civic. Wonder what I will buy this time?

While ex rentals can be a good deal ask yourself one question. If you were driving a stranger’s sporty car with no consequences, how would you treat it?

mjfloyd1

28firefighter said:

I have a friend from school that bought a compass. Is majorly flipped in it and dreams of setting it on fire regularly.

I do not think that a Chrysler product is your best bet for a trouble free vehicle. I suspect that you would get to know the service advisor well though.

kyfdx

mjfloyd1 said:

28firefighter said:

I have a friend from school that bought a compass. Is majorly flipped in it and dreams of setting it on fire regularly.

I do not think that a Chrysler product is your best bet for a trouble free vehicle. I suspect that you would get to know the service advisor well though.

Is it still based on the Dodge Caliber? One of the crappiest cars ever.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

You can always tell them you would wait for the 2021 (not sure the minor updates really make much difference except on the 4 cyl) and see if they kick in a bigger discount. Not sure what kind of trunk money they have on them these days, though.

New 2021 Stinger....

https://thekoreancarblog.com/2020/07/10/kia-stinger-facelift-upgrades-to-2-5-t-gdi-but-keeps-3-3tt/

They will likely be obstinate, although I intend to give them one shot. I keep hearing that Kia will pull the plug on the Stinger in 2023 or 2024. It hasn’t sold in the numbers the suits wanted, and taking a page from Ford’s Merkur debacle they have spent no money on marketing since the car’s introduction in 2018.

explorerx4

I have some 2x10's Idrive up on and used to use 2x8's for the rear wheels(what I have).
Usually the 2x8's got shot out the back down the driveway so I don't use them any more.

stickguy

I try not to pay too much attention. One of the small Jeeps is just a Fiat 500XL I think. Maybe the renegade?

roadburner

So I found an interesting G20. Obviously not ordered by a poseur/wearer, as it is RWD(as it should be) and it has the Track Handling Package- which gets you M Sport Brakes, an M Sport Differential, and the Adaptive M Suspension. The only downside is that it is slow- it's barely a 13 second car. I'm looking into whether Dinan has a tune in the pipeline, as another 50-75 hp would probably add enough grunt to make it entertaining.

Jason Cammisa at Road & Track reckons the G20 is not a complete return to form, but does note,

"The 330i is, at least when equipped with all the M-Performance bits is, a substantial dynamic step forward from the Novocain-steering and Buick-suspension F30, catapulting the 3-series back into the thick of competition. Same goes for its interior, which has been elevated from drabby-shabby to perfectly nice."

On top of that, Car and Driver picked it over the S60, G70, and Giulia. The Brit magazines all give it 4-5 stars as well. I did like the G20 M Sport loaner I had recently, despite it being AWD- so I may go check this one out.

28firefighter

That is one loaded boat.