Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78

Yes there is certainly less inventory out there, that's for sure. The realtor that we will most likely end up working with said the exact same thing about people moving from the city.

I just hope it all works to our advantage. Higher price for our current home, coupled with really low interest rates hopefully offsets the higher price of the new home.

stickguy

I'm ready to sell tomorrow and move to Vermont. I better do it quick before it becomes winter and I remember I hate being cold! My wife would be in heaven though.

suydam

My experience with Vermonters is that they LOVE the cold winters and outdoors activities. Unless you do too, you might not be happy there.

xwesx

He comes across as trying a little to hard to make a poor impression of Red Green. I know I shouldn't judge by only bits of one video, but I'm not sure I would want to watch more after seeing this one; his technique was poor and his approach careless.

stickguy

I like beer. they like that too.

I do like outdoor activities. Just not cold or snow. But snow is less of an issue when no need to leave to house to go to work.

my wife wants to go back north. I told her to expect to become a snowbird and that we would find a way to spend at least 3 months or so down south someplace.

pensfan83

I think my parents secretly hope my brother gets a job in a Southern state when he finishes grad school in May so they have an excuse to visit in the winter. Or move there.

nyccarguy

Appraisals here on the east coast are tricky. Lots of older homes. Lots of people still living in the same house without renovating for many years. Take my house. It is a 3 bedroom, 1,432 square foot ranch in Stamford, CT. The last time I had it appraised was when I refinanced 5 years ago. The appraiser pulled “comps” of what had recently sold. My house was worlds nicer than the comps which needed a lot of work and in different areas of Stamford, CT. I’ve had a lot of work done here since we moved in 10 years ago. I also have a full, finished basement with a bathroom that runs the length of the house.

laurasdada

stickguy said:

I'm ready to sell tomorrow and move to Vermont. I better do it quick before it becomes winter and I remember I hate being cold! My wife would be in heaven though.

I've been visiting Vermont all my life, skiing in the winter (Stowe, Sugrabush, Mad River, Killington, Okemo, Stratton, Bromely, Snow, Jay, Bolton Valley, Magic, Pico, Smugglers...I think I've left more $ at the ski areas than I currently have in my 401K. But, totally worth it!), theater in the summer (check out the Weston Playhouse). Lived in Burlington for a bit after college, lovely. I love it, gorgeous. The natives aren't fond of us flatlanders, but they do appreciate our $$$. And, in my years in Vermont, the way some visitors treat the land, I can understand some of the disdain.

Before you move, check out the taxes... Perhaps coming from Jersey, not a deal breaker. But, can be onerous. Also, mud season (spring). If you haven't already, next visit, just take a ride up Rt. 100. I'll use the word, "gorgeous," again.

nyccarguy

@Michaell - The real estate market here in The NYC suburbs is on fire right now. People are moving out of “the city” in droves. My best friends wife is a real estate agent and has been doing very well. Another friend of ours recently had an accepted offer on a house. They had a binder, but the people accepted another offer on the house that was $100,000 higher.

stickguy

Dada, depends on which taxes (and before we move, I need to research taxes in different states, especially on retirement income), we have sales and income taxes which are not low, so I doubt those are higher. And the areas I looked at, property taxes (similar sized house, a little cheaper but not a huge difference) are less than half. So I would be saving $6-7,000/yr just on that.

laurasdada

It's been a while since I reviewed VT taxes, and I may be thinking of second home owner/out of state owner's taxes above and beyond regular taxes. But, I still love VT.

If you're not a winter outdoors type, it may be a long winter for you! When mother nature forgot snow, it was a long winter for me...

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Dada, depends on which taxes (and before we move, I need to research taxes in different states, especially on retirement income), we have sales and income taxes which are not low, so I doubt those are higher. And the areas I looked at, property taxes (similar sized house, a little cheaper but not a huge difference) are less than half. So I would be saving $6-7,000/yr just on that.

There must be something cheaper with taxes, registration fees, insurance in VT. I see a lot of people around here that have a 2nd home in VT register their cars there.

nyccarguy

Saw this “thing” across the street from my store today. At least it had a V8, but good greif.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Saw this “thing” across the street from my store today. At least it had a V8, but good greif.

There is a guy in my neighborhood who has done something similar, only with shades of purple, silver and green, on a Tesla Model S.

corvette

@nyccarguy That Mustang looks almost to me like the wrap job Hoovie did on his Volvo wagon!

fintail

That's a big bathroom!

Speaking of housing, going nuts here too, as it has been for several years. A friend of mine found a house he fell in love with (3 car garage), wifey was more hesitant as it is 65 years old and needs a lot of cosmetic renovation, but he warmed her up to it. He showed the listing to me, I laughed and told him it was underpriced a little to attract a bidding war. Sold for about 85K above ask.

nyccarguy said:

Appraisals here on the east coast are tricky. Lots of older homes. Lots of people still living in the same house without renovating for many years. Take my house. It is a 3 bedroom, 1,432 square foot ranch in Stamford, CT. The last time I had it appraised was when I refinanced 5 years ago. The appraiser pulled “comps” of what had recently sold. My house was worlds nicer than the comps which needed a lot of work and in different areas of Stamford, CT. I’ve had a lot of work done here since we moved in 10 years ago. I also have a full, finished basement with a bathroom that runs the length of the house.

kyfdx

My son just bought a house in our area. With 20% down, the bank waived the appraisal. Saved them about $400 in closing costs. Appraisal wasn't an issue on value, anyway, even with them paying full asking price.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Today's family discussion (kids are troublemakers too!) lead to looking at listings back up in Vermont (we really enjoyed our visit last week). Actually found a house I really liked in Bennington. Tempting to call the realtor and tell them to bring over the suckers that fell short in the other neighborhood bidding war (our house is nicer than the other ones) and if someone wants to make an offer we can't refuse, take the money, order up a couple of pods, and run!

Make sure to have a meal at Your Belly Deli. Afterwards if your pants are too tight from all the food you can take them off and have a stroll as it’s legal to walk around naked on the streets of Bennington.

oldfarmer50

laurasdada said:

stickguy said:

I'm ready to sell tomorrow and move to Vermont. I better do it quick before it becomes winter and I remember I hate being cold! My wife would be in heaven though.

I've been visiting Vermont all my life, skiing in the winter (Stowe, Sugrabush, Mad River, Killington, Okemo, Stratton, Bromely, Snow, Jay, Bolton Valley, Magic, Pico, Smugglers...I think I've left more $ at the ski areas than I currently have in my 401K. But, totally worth it!), theater in the summer (check out the Weston Playhouse). Lived in Burlington for a bit after college, lovely. I love it, gorgeous. The natives aren't fond of us flatlanders, but they do appreciate our $$$. And, in my years in Vermont, the way some visitors treat the land, I can understand some of the disdain.

Before you move, check out the taxes... Perhaps coming from Jersey, not a deal breaker. But, can be onerous. Also, mud season (spring). If you haven't already, next visit, just take a ride up Rt. 100. I'll use the word, "gorgeous," again.

Rt. 100 is beautiful in the fall. Too bad he didn’t decide to move sooner. Two years ago VT was offering $10k to anyone who would move there. The ski areas must be what gets Bernie upset about income disparity. The residents are either very wealthy or living in shacks. Very little middle class housing.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

Saw this “thing” across the street from my store today. At least it had a V8, but good greif.

Camo test car?

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

@nyccarguy That Mustang looks almost to me like the wrap job Hoovie did on his Volvo wagon!

Hoovie denies any involvement.

ab348

stickguy said:

I'm ready to sell tomorrow and move to Vermont. I better do it quick before it becomes winter and I remember I hate being cold! My wife would be in heaven though.

Don't forget that we have a poster, @sb55 , who lives in Vermont, so he might be a good person to ask questions of. He posts mostly over in Cars and Conversations.

stickguy

I have not gotten it off my phone yet, but last week when I was in Burlington I took a picture of what I think is (roughly) where his place is located. But from the other side of the water so it kinda just looks like a bunch of trees.

kyfdx

I can trade the GTI to Carvana for this car, for $6700, including all taxes and fees..

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/1504193

stickguy

it's purchase pending (like 80% of all their cars) now. Is it you?

which would you rather have, remembering it means a lot more seat time in the Fit.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

it's purchase pending (like 80% of all their cars) now. Is it you?

which would you rather have, remembering it means a lot more seat time in the Fit.

Yes, that's me..

Yeah... At least the Cayman is a 75% seat time car. 7 months full-time from April through October, then any day above 40 F, from November through March. It isn't like buying a '67 Camaro.

At my current pace of 7K mi/yr, that's about 2K/yr on the Fit..

kyfdx

Member needs advice:
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/62785/general/x/civic-ex-vs-camry-le-vs-mazda3-preferred-sedans#latest

stickguy

Congrats! Make sure to stash some more $ into your rainy day repair fund. You are going to need it.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Congrats! Make sure to stash some more $ into your rainy day repair fund. You are going to need it.

Haven't bought it.. lol

breld

Good luck with the decision @kyfdx! From the Carvana listing, looks like you have about 30 minutes to make your decision?

That’d sure be an easy transaction, delivery of the Cayman and pick up of the GTI all at your door!

stickguy

You get more time. You can start the process but it takes a while to get through paperwork and approvals, and you can pull the plug at any time.

corvette

kyfdx said:

My son just bought a house in our area. With 20% down, the bank waived the appraisal. Saved them about $400 in closing costs. Appraisal wasn't an issue on value, anyway, even with them paying full asking price.

Credit union used an automated valuation model for my 100% LTV HELOC a couple of years back. I think my most recent statement indicated the interest rate is now 3%. Probably a good time to replace the deck, which I've been putting off.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I have not gotten it off my phone yet, but last week when I was in Burlington I took a picture of what I think is (roughly) where his place is located. But from the other side of the water so it kinda just looks like a bunch of trees.

Head north out of Burlington for the ferry. You’ll pass pretty close to him on Hero island.

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

it's purchase pending (like 80% of all their cars) now. Is it you?

which would you rather have, remembering it means a lot more seat time in the Fit.

Yes, that's me..

Yeah... At least the Cayman is a 75% seat time car. 7 months full-time from April through October, then any day above 40 F, from November through March. It isn't like buying a '67 Camaro.

At my current pace of 7K mi/yr, that's about 2K/yr on the Fit..

I thought you sold the Fit ... ?

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

I have not gotten it off my phone yet, but last week when I was in Burlington I took a picture of what I think is (roughly) where his place is located. But from the other side of the water so it kinda just looks like a bunch of trees.

Head north out of Burlington for the ferry. You’ll pass pretty close to him on Hero island.

We rode the bike path all the way north, onto the causeway. But stopped before the bike ferry that takes you out onto the island. I took the picture from the causeway.

28firefighter

@kyfdx - any reason you don't want to try and find a Cayman S from that era? Is the price dramatically higher?

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

it's purchase pending (like 80% of all their cars) now. Is it you?

which would you rather have, remembering it means a lot more seat time in the Fit.

Yes, that's me..

Yeah... At least the Cayman is a 75% seat time car. 7 months full-time from April through October, then any day above 40 F, from November through March. It isn't like buying a '67 Camaro.

At my current pace of 7K mi/yr, that's about 2K/yr on the Fit..

I thought you sold the Fit ... ?

For Sale... but, not sold

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

@kyfdx - any reason you don't want to try and find a Cayman S from that era? Is the price dramatically higher?

Yeah, it's a lot higher, unless you drop back to the first year (2006). An '06 S with 80K miles is about the same price as that '09 with 50K miles.

In my experience, while I enjoy more power, it is rarely worth the extra dollars, to me. I like going around corners fast..

28firefighter

Makes sense - and getting an 09 means 100% no IMS issues.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

Makes sense - and getting an 09 means 100% no IMS issues.

Either way.. not likely to happen.. All of this talk of Carvana and Vroom made me check my trade-in.

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

@kyfdx - any reason you don't want to try and find a Cayman S from that era? Is the price dramatically higher?

Yeah, it's a lot higher, unless you drop back to the first year (2006). An '06 S with 80K miles is about the same price as that '09 with 50K miles.

In my experience, while I enjoy more power, it is rarely worth the extra dollars, to me. I like going around corners fast..

For what it is worth, the car rags found the then-new '09 base Cayman to be comparable to the older S model. Personally, I'd opt for a PDK-equipped '09 base model, given the choice.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

@kyfdx - any reason you don't want to try and find a Cayman S from that era? Is the price dramatically higher?

Yeah, it's a lot higher, unless you drop back to the first year (2006). An '06 S with 80K miles is about the same price as that '09 with 50K miles.

In my experience, while I enjoy more power, it is rarely worth the extra dollars, to me. I like going around corners fast..

For what it is worth, the car rags found the then-new '09 base Cayman to be comparable to the older S model. Personally, I'd opt for a PDK-equipped '09 base model, given the choice.

Good to know. Stick only for me

stickguy

I’d find a base cayman more than fast enough too. I don’t track, or street race. And the base car is plenty quick enough to have fun on a back road occasionally. Pretty much, all the money spent on additional HP (likely most of it at the top end of the tach where I rarely go) Would be a waste.

breld

I just wish I could fit in a Cayman or Boxster.

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

Appraisals here on the east coast are tricky. Lots of older homes. Lots of people still living in the same house without renovating for many years. Take my house. It is a 3 bedroom, 1,432 square foot ranch in Stamford, CT. The last time I had it appraised was when I refinanced 5 years ago. The appraiser pulled “comps” of what had recently sold. My house was worlds nicer than the comps which needed a lot of work and in different areas of Stamford, CT. I’ve had a lot of work done here since we moved in 10 years ago. I also have a full, finished basement with a bathroom that runs the length of the house.

A bathroom that runs the length of the house?! What do you all DO in there?!

ab348

xwesx said:

nyccarguy said:

I also have a full, finished basement with a bathroom that runs the length of the house.

A bathroom that runs the length of the house?! What do you all DO in there?!

Well, he is in the plumbing supply business, so...

laurasdada

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:

stickguy said:

I'm ready to sell tomorrow and move to Vermont. I better do it quick before it becomes winter and I remember I hate being cold! My wife would be in heaven though.

I've been visiting Vermont all my life, skiing in the winter (Stowe, Sugrabush, Mad River, Killington, Okemo, Stratton, Bromely, Snow, Jay, Bolton Valley, Magic, Pico, Smugglers...I think I've left more $ at the ski areas than I currently have in my 401K. But, totally worth it!), theater in the summer (check out the Weston Playhouse). Lived in Burlington for a bit after college, lovely. I love it, gorgeous. The natives aren't fond of us flatlanders, but they do appreciate our $$$. And, in my years in Vermont, the way some visitors treat the land, I can understand some of the disdain.

Before you move, check out the taxes... Perhaps coming from Jersey, not a deal breaker. But, can be onerous. Also, mud season (spring). If you haven't already, next visit, just take a ride up Rt. 100. I'll use the word, "gorgeous," again.

Rt. 100 is beautiful in the fall. Too bad he didn’t decide to move sooner. Two years ago VT was offering $10k to anyone who would move there. The ski areas must be what gets Bernie upset about income disparity. The residents are either very wealthy or living in shacks. Very little middle class housing.

As I am likely working from home for the rest of my career, at least with my employer of the last 22+ years, if VT (or NH) was offering the $10k incentive, I might just take them up on it! (And props to my employer, they've done a wonderful job of communicating and taking care of both customers and employees lo these past six months).
In a prior life, I called on IBM in Essex Junction and IP in TIconderoga; I enjoyed the ferry ride across Champlain every time I planned that route. My parents visited Burlington, upon my recommendation, many years ago; my mother fell in love and wanted to move there. Until I reminded her of more winter than not, a plus to me, not so much for her! They kept the place in Boca... But did summer in the Brattleboro/Mt Snow area.
My VT plan, in an earlier life, was to buy a place on one of the small lakes in the Ludlow region, a good central location to get to several fab ski areas. Alas, life had other choices for me to make. As I'm sure is true for many.
Sorry, this isn't true CCBA material, so let me note I"ve been keeping an eye on an '18 Porsche Panamera E hybrid, asking price has dropped 5% in the last few weeks. If we do move to Plymouth, we'll be about 2 miles from the central clubhouse/pool/tennis area, so I'm trying to convince the GF on the merits of cruising up and down the hill on electricity vs. gas (thinking during the winter). But, that is a rather large car, so Porsche-wise I'm more likely to buy a Macan, although I really don't want an SUV... Face it, if I do decide it's time to move on from the XF, I'll probably end up in an XE. I know it's not the best in class, but it rides and handles great, looks good, is smaller and has a 5 year warranty/maintenance plan. The XK and XF have been very good to me, I enjoy driving Jags!

Done rambling, for now...

breld

@laurasdada - since you like Jags so much, and you're thinking of going electric, have you looked at the I-Pace at all?

stickguy

Hoovie's brick is up for sale by the guy that bought it previously. I would love a manual Volvo turbo wagon. I would leave the wrap on, just to annoy my wife.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9nXJ0B5J/1987-volvo-760-turbo-wagon

qbrozen

breld said:

I just wish I could fit in a Cayman or Boxster.

Which part of you doesn't fit? 6'5" and 235lb here and I fit in the old Boxsters. Haven't tried a recent generation. I'd be surprised if I didn't fit in a Cayman. I don't recall ever sitting in one, though.