Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

I think it’s all in the maintenance history. My sense is $4000 is CP but $3000 should be reasonable.

It’s also not clear if this is the 2.slow or 1.8. If the 1.8T you can tune it...

fintail

You should seek a W8 Passat wagon. I think they exist with a manual.

Michaell

fintail said:

You should seek a W8 Passat wagon. I think they exist with a manual.

There's, what, 12 of those in running condition in the entire country?

You're better off getting one of those W100 600's we were discussing elsewhere.

28firefighter

fintail said:

You should seek a W8 Passat wagon. I think they exist with a manual.

I seem to recall every major service on the W8 was engine out. Sounds like something I’m escalating towards...

EDIT: check out the comments.
https://jalopnik.com/have-you-ever-owned-a-w8-passat-the-most-infamously-un-1822850988

corvette

28firefighter said:

Continuing my theme of European cars that will probably break my heart, I really like this as a knock around car.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-silver-jetta-wagon-2002/7160728233.html

The ad says 5 cylinder, which we didn’t get in the US on the MK4 Jetta. If it’s the 2.0, it will be dog slow, even with a manual. If the 1.8T, I think they eat coil packs.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

these were a "dream car" when they came out (and I was in college). A bit tatty, but sounds like s solid driver with minor needs. Cheapish, though does have a salvage title. Though at 20 years old, probably did not take too much damage so if it passed an inspection, would not bother me (price reflective of course), All in all, a fun toy that you can actually use and enjoy!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3vpXdLJO/1984-volkswagen-rabbit-gti

So beat up now translates to “driver’s car”? That’s a lot of money for such a compromised car. I‘Ve driven worse but not for that price. They certainly were in high demand in the 80s? I tried to buy a diesel Rabbit in 1980 and the salesman acted like I was looking for an appointment with the queen of England.

Paint along the roof line? Does that indicate a t-bone accident?

kyfdx

corvette said:

28firefighter said:

Continuing my theme of European cars that will probably break my heart, I really like this as a knock around car.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-silver-jetta-wagon-2002/7160728233.html

The ad says 5 cylinder, which we didn’t get in the US on the MK4 Jetta. If it’s the 2.0, it will be dog slow, even with a manual. If the 1.8T, I think they eat coil packs.

In any event, you definitely want the 1.8T

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

these were a "dream car" when they came out (and I was in college). A bit tatty, but sounds like s solid driver with minor needs. Cheapish, though does have a salvage title. Though at 20 years old, probably did not take too much damage so if it passed an inspection, would not bother me (price reflective of course), All in all, a fun toy that you can actually use and enjoy!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3vpXdLJO/1984-volkswagen-rabbit-gti

Geesh. $4250 with 5 days left. I’m out!

I watch these auctions for entertainment. I don't expect there will ever be a car I really want that I would be prepared to pay the winning bid on.

It all comes down to the last minute. That emotion makes an auction better than a CL ad where the emotion drives the price down.

benjaminh

corvette said:

This Accord 2.0T "reader review," which I take to mean "voluntary / unpaid reader review," is better than any recent TTAC review written by a paid writer that I've read recently. Car and Driver also had a lot of praise for the 1.5T engine--apparently the extra horses against the competition's base engines really helped, and they liked the chassis dynamics a lot. I'd consider a used one to replace the G37 when the time comes if the resale values weren't so ridiculously high.

That's a good review. As you say, prices on recent used Accords in top shape are so high that I think it's actually better to just buy new. Currently there's a $1000 loyalty/conquest rebate on the car that can be combined with 0.9 financing for 60 months. Even with a bit of tire skid the 2.0T on the Accord would be a lot of fun to drive. At my local dealer they have new red one for $29,700. Throw in the rebate and a 5k downpayment, and even after TTL the monthly on a 5-year purchase would be around $400, which is good for a car that fast.

https://www.louisvillehondaworld.com/new-Jefferson+County-2020-Honda-Accord-Sport+20T-1HGCV2F39LA021277



But for a couple of thousand more I might also go for the hybrid EXL with the ivory leather interior....

https://jeffwylerhondaautomall.com/new/Honda/2020-Honda-Accord+Hybrid-ceedb87a0a0e0adf666e9d8a55802f7b.htm




But even the standard 1.5T with the CVT goes 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, and as @jipster has told us that combo gets 40 mpg on the highway.

stickguy

I like Sadie. Not at that CP price though. I thought it odd that it mentioned the 5 banger. Probs picked wrong choice on the drop down. But, great concept.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

these were a "dream car" when they came out (and I was in college). A bit tatty, but sounds like s solid driver with minor needs. Cheapish, though does have a salvage title. Though at 20 years old, probably did not take too much damage so if it passed an inspection, would not bother me (price reflective of course), All in all, a fun toy that you can actually use and enjoy!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3vpXdLJO/1984-volkswagen-rabbit-gti

So beat up now translates to “driver’s car”? That’s a lot of money for such a compromised car. I‘Ve driven worse but not for that price. They certainly were in high demand in the 80s? I tried to buy a diesel Rabbit in 1980 and the salesman acted like I was looking for an appointment with the queen of England.

Paint along the roof line? Does that indicate a t-bone accident?

This GTIs are collectible now. You would be shocked what a really clean one goes for.

corvette

benjaminh said:

But even the standard 1.5T with the CVT goes 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, and as @jipster has told us that combo gets 40 mpg on the highway.

192 HP. Sounds like it might be slightly under-rated to pull those numbers... Either that, or Honda delivers press cars with a tank full of premium.

stickguy

The accord is even bigger than my TLX. Not needing that. But I think by the time I’m due (2022 MY!) there could be a new civic out. That or the compact Acura (integra?) are more the size sedan I would want.

roadburner

I will say that my MS3 was a hoot to drive, even if it was a bit unhinged. With nearly 300 hp going to the front wheels it had to be driven in a totally different fashion than most any other car I have owned or driven. What made the car coalesce into a seriously quick point to point weapon was the addition of Koni FSD shocks, Michelin PSS rubber, and a JBR rear anti-roll bar that increased rear roll stiffness by 50%. I could lift off the throttle mid-corner which allowed the car to rotate towards the corner exit- at which point you could just point and shoot down the straight.

benjaminh

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a33336428/honda-accord-manual-transmission-discontinued/

"Honda Accord Loses Manual Transmission
The even sadder news is that stick-shift production ended way back in December 2019, and we're just finding out now.
BY JOEY CAPPARELLA
JUL 17, 2020
....Honda says the manual made up only around 1 to 2 percent of Accord sales, explaining why the company gave up on trying to #SavetheManuals in the mid-size sedan segment. Extrapolating from the Accord's 267,567 units sold in 2019, only around 2500–5000 of those were sold with stick-shifts—apparently not enough for Honda to justify the business case."

28firefighter

Hardly surprising.

ronsteve

They'll cite the low take rate on manual transmissions, but never mention that the MT is only available on stripper cars in the last 10-20 years. Once they figured out how to put 6+ gears in an auto tranny without turning it into a boat anchor, highway MPG on automatics started to exceed that of a manual, so there was no reason for manufacturers to WANT to sell a manual. It's a damn shame.

28firefighter

ronsteve said:

They'll cite the low take rate on manual transmissions, but never mention that the MT is only available on stripper cars in the last 10-20 years. Once they figured out how to put 6+ gears in an auto tranny without turning it into a boat anchor, highway MPG on automatics started to exceed that of a manual, so there was no reason for manufacturers to WANT to sell a manual. It's a damn shame.

What made the most recent generation of Accord manual so special is that they didn't only offer it on the base engine - it was available on the upgraded 2.0T engine with mid-line trim options. They were about as easy to find as hens' teeth, though, even when production was normal and sold very quickly.

benjaminh

Until 6 months ago you could still get the 6MT in the 2.0T Accord Sport, which is a nicely equipped car with premium stereo, moonroof, etc.

I used to drive a manual, and swore by them, until just 4 years ago. It used to be that a manual cost less than the auto, got better mpg, and accelerated faster. But today all of those reasons are gone. It's still potentially more fun to drive a manual, but I admit that at 55 I'm somewhat lazy, and I'm ok with having the computer and the dual clutch shift for me 98% of the time. Sometimes I do miss it, and my paddle shifters aren't really the same thing obviously—but still better than nothing.

nyccarguy

ronsteve said:

They'll cite the low take rate on manual transmissions, but never mention that the MT is only available on stripper cars in the last 10-20 years. Once they figured out how to put 6+ gears in an auto tranny without turning it into a boat anchor, highway MPG on automatics started to exceed that of a manual, so there was no reason for manufacturers to WANT to sell a manual. It's a damn shame.

Unfortunately, that's the way of the automotive world today here in the US. Think about it. When's the last time YOU purchased or leased a NEW manual transmission car? For me, it has been 18 years since I've bought one and 11 years since I test drove an MT model (an '09 MINI Cooper S). BTW, I hated the clutch/shifter feel of that MINI.

fintail

All the complexity and maintenance nightmare of an A8 (or Bentley) with the prestige of a VW. How can you say no?

28firefighter said:

I seem to recall every major service on the W8 was engine out. Sounds like something I’m escalating towards...

EDIT: check out the comments.
https://jalopnik.com/have-you-ever-owned-a-w8-passat-the-most-infamously-un-1822850988

fintail

Other than suspension quirks, the MB is probably more reliable.

Michaell said:

You're better off getting one of those W100 600's we were discussing elsewhere.

stickguy

Hopefully they keep the stick in the civic. But easy to see it gone entirely from regular models, and just left in sporty cars like the Si and GTI. But, better than nothing.

I actually want a stick in my next car. Might have to be older though. And a toy.

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

ronsteve said:

They'll cite the low take rate on manual transmissions, but never mention that the MT is only available on stripper cars in the last 10-20 years. Once they figured out how to put 6+ gears in an auto tranny without turning it into a boat anchor, highway MPG on automatics started to exceed that of a manual, so there was no reason for manufacturers to WANT to sell a manual. It's a damn shame.

Unfortunately, that's the way of the automotive world today here in the US. Think about it. When's the last time YOU purchased or leased a NEW manual transmission car? For me, it has been 18 years since I've bought one and 11 years since I test drove an MT model (an '09 MINI Cooper S). BTW, I hated the clutch/shifter feel of that MINI.

From ~2002 through 2011 all my cars were manual with a 3 year break with the Fusion before I picked up the A4 in 2014. I would have considered another but 1) manual equipped A4's were even more rare in 2017 and my dealer didn't have any in stock and 2) my wife didn't want to be limited to 1 vehicle.

kyfdx

Another car maintenance issue:

Tire pressure light came on in the GTI. Now, I know that it doesn't say which tire, or give the actual pressures like my wife's X3.

$1.50 to use the air machine at UDF. You set your pressure, and it dings when you get up to it. Pretty slick, and no pressure gauge needed.

That is all.

stickguy

Starting in HS with my 2nd car, everything new or used for decades was a manual. Including when I got married, and I taught my wife to drive one (almost a really short marriage) and sold her Horizon to get a 323 5 speed. She drive stick too for about 10 years until the first minivan replaced the legacy wagon 5 speed. I stayed manual only about 15 more years (she rarely drove my car but could if needed), until our daughter was driving. She just didn’t get the hang of the clutch.

So I sold my accord and bought a used Volvo AT. 8 years later never managed to go back (partly because at times I shared with her and it was easier). Now that she’s on her own, and my wife has the nice/primary/travel car, it’s finally time where there is no reason not to go back. Other than the hassle of finding one!

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

ronsteve said:

They'll cite the low take rate on manual transmissions, but never mention that the MT is only available on stripper cars in the last 10-20 years. Once they figured out how to put 6+ gears in an auto tranny without turning it into a boat anchor, highway MPG on automatics started to exceed that of a manual, so there was no reason for manufacturers to WANT to sell a manual. It's a damn shame.

Unfortunately, that's the way of the automotive world today here in the US. Think about it. When's the last time YOU purchased or leased a NEW manual transmission car? For me, it has been 18 years since I've bought one and 11 years since I test drove an MT model (an '09 MINI Cooper S). BTW, I hated the clutch/shifter feel of that MINI.

I’m lazy about shifting too but the last car I would have potentially bought with a MT had a numb feeling short throw shifter that felt more like a gaming toggle. Maybe I was ruined by driving trucks for years but the modern units didn’t have any “feel” to them.

stickguy

I’m really thinking my next move is a real toy to replace the TLX. Not expensive though. Miata, Z3, wrangler (well, that will be expensive!), civic Si. All kinds of options.

Then I have the perfect excuse to get a cheap PU lease maybe for when the weather is not suitable and the baby has to hibernate in the garage.

Bradd has the dream set up actually. Without the garage to hibernate in.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

Another car maintenance issue:

Tire pressure light came on in the GTI. Now, I know that it doesn't say which tire, or give the actual pressures like my wife's X3.

$1.50 to use the air machine at UDF. You set your pressure, and it dings when you get up to it. Pretty slick, and no pressure gauge needed.

That is all.

How about spending $1.50 on a tire pressure gauge so you know which tire is low? That’s what I did because I was sick of playing guess the tire. Even though I have an air station it was frustrating to use on cars which just showed a light but not which tire was low.

On my two vehicles which don’t have TPMs I carry that cheap gauge but more often just use the foot kick method.

roadburner

I'd definitely want a manual in an M2 Competition- it's one of the last cars that is fastest with a MT. The Club Sport's MT is classic BMW; the throws are a bit long but very direct. On the other hand, the Jeep's MT brings back fond memories of driving the dump trucks and water trucks back in the late '70's when I worked for the highway department in the summer.

corvette

kyfdx said:

Another car maintenance issue:
$1.50 to use the air machine at UDF. You set your pressure, and it dings when you get up to it. Pretty slick, and no pressure gauge needed.

My Black & Decker cordless air compressor stops when it hits your desired pressure. Does the GTI have wheel sensors, or does it use the ABS system like my GLI did?

kyfdx

corvette said:

kyfdx said:

Another car maintenance issue:
$1.50 to use the air machine at UDF. You set your pressure, and it dings when you get up to it. Pretty slick, and no pressure gauge needed.

My Black & Decker cordless air compressor stops when it hits your desired pressure. Does the GTI have wheel sensors, or does it use the ABS system like my GLI did?

I think all new cars are required to use sensors, now.

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

Another car maintenance issue:

Tire pressure light came on in the GTI. Now, I know that it doesn't say which tire, or give the actual pressures like my wife's X3.

$1.50 to use the air machine at UDF. You set your pressure, and it dings when you get up to it. Pretty slick, and no pressure gauge needed.

That is all.

How about spending $1.50 on a tire pressure gauge so you know which tire is low? That’s what I did because I was sick of playing guess the tire. Even though I have an air station it was frustrating to use on cars which just showed a light but not which tire was low.

On my two vehicles which don’t have TPMs I carry that cheap gauge but more often just use the foot kick method.

I have a tire guage, but not in that car.

The foot kick method doesn't work very well with 225/40-18. They all look flat, even when properly inflated.

And, I still have to pay $1.50 for air.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

I’m really thinking my next move is a real toy to replace the TLX. Not expensive though. Miata, Z3, wrangler (well, that will be expensive!), civic Si. All kinds of options.

Then I have the perfect excuse to get a cheap PU lease maybe for when the weather is not suitable and the baby has to hibernate in the garage.

Bradd has the dream set up actually. Without the garage to hibernate in.

Since you already have an SUV do you need a pick-up too?

I'm probably going to keep my TLX, but for the heck of it I'll probably test drive the all-new TLX, as well as the all-new 2022 Civic.

qbrozen

I think $7k for that Protege was reasonable. I mean, where else will you get something that reliable and that fun for $7k? I'm very surprised the runner up bidders didn't jump on it.

explorerx4

@stickguy,
Next year there may be a lot of used Wranglers available if Ford doesn't screw up the Bronco launch.

28firefighter

Another fun one for our Denver crew.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/arvada-e-i-wagon-rare/7149321903.html

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Another fun one for our Denver crew.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/arvada-e-i-wagon-rare/7149321903.html

I got to "engine swap" and decided it was CP.

xwesx

Quite butchered, that car.

roadburner

explorerx4 said:

@stickguy,
Next year there may be a lot of used Wranglers available if Ford doesn't screw up the Bronco launch.

Mine won't be one of them.

stickguy

Michaell said:

28firefighter said:

Another fun one for our Denver crew.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/arvada-e-i-wagon-rare/7149321903.html

I got to "engine swap" and decided it was CP.

I much prefer the better engine and RWD. but would prefer it came that way. and if not, I would want to know who did the work, and how they did it. Awful lot of parts to remove and computer tuning to update.

28firefighter

It really isn't as big a deal as you would think - the ZHP motor is an M54B30 with different cams; the standard 325 is the M54B25. They drop right in just about. Trick is finding a good donor touring in decent shape to handle it. If done well, they command serious $$.

stickguy

oh, the engine upgrade is no biggie. it's deconverting from AWD to RWD that I would be concerned about.

andres3

qbrozen said:

I think $7k for that Protege was reasonable. I mean, where else will you get something that reliable and that fun for $7k? I'm very surprised the runner up bidders didn't jump on it.

My bid is 4.7K, discount for being much older time wise than when the first auction ran. So you better bid 4.8 to win it.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

Another car maintenance issue:

Tire pressure light came on in the GTI. Now, I know that it doesn't say which tire, or give the actual pressures like my wife's X3.

$1.50 to use the air machine at UDF. You set your pressure, and it dings when you get up to it. Pretty slick, and no pressure gauge needed.

That is all.

How about spending $1.50 on a tire pressure gauge so you know which tire is low? That’s what I did because I was sick of playing guess the tire. Even though I have an air station it was frustrating to use on cars which just showed a light but not which tire was low.

On my two vehicles which don’t have TPMs I carry that cheap gauge but more often just use the foot kick method.

I have a tire guage, but not in that car.

The foot kick method doesn't work very well with 225/40-18. They all look flat, even when properly inflated.

And, I still have to pay $1.50 for air.

Kick em’ anyway. It’ll make you feel better.😄

Michaell

I think it was in this thread that I mentioned seeing an Aston Martin Rapide parked on the next block over from mine.

I have a neighbor down the street who owns a Jaguar F-Type coupe. I think it's the SVR trim, as the exhaust noise is pretty raspy. I was in the garage breaking down some cardboard for recycle day today and heard the car start up. I poked my head out to watch it, and discovered that he had decided to trade up.

To a McLaren Cabrio. Wow. I don't know what he does, but he must be darned successful, for sure.

Sharp looking ride.

explorerx4

@roadburner,
Considering the Wrangler didn't come into existence until about a decade later, I'm not surprised.

corvette

The V10 in WatchJRGo's M6 blew a whole 66 miles after he installed the new rod bearings. It sounds like the other engine components got a fatal dose of copper as the old bearings were wearing out. I'd say that was an expensive 66 miles, but it sounds like the salvage yard that sponsors him agreed to buy it for whatever he had in it.

roadburner

explorerx4 said:

@roadburner,
Considering the Wrangler didn't come into existence until about a decade later, I'm not surprised.

As I've said before, I inherited my dad's 1973 Bronco V8. I hated it. Conversely, I love my TJ. So I'm sticking with Jeep- I can see a JL 392 in my future...

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

Another fun one for our Denver crew.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/arvada-e-i-wagon-rare/7149321903.html

That seller is adept at photography. Frames the car against sunsets and mountains very well. Funny though how he hides the 130k mileage deep in the text. Also, he waxes how reliable the engine is but mentions it was replaced at 114k.