Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

ab348

I wonder how @akangl is making out with her new hotted-up Explorer?

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

A few interesting cars on Cars & Bids:

2002 330xi SP/MT: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3LDJ2PM0/2002-bmw-330xi-sedan

2005 Acura RSX Type S: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KDO2yl0G/2005-acura-rsx-type-s

I always liked the RSX but I heard you had to beat it like a rented mule to get it too really perform. Didn’t it have a 7000rpm red line?

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Hoovie’s Excursion is up now too.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rknb6klN/2001-ford-excursion-xlt

If you don’t mind miles, this is interesting.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rbZQq1jg/1997-bmw-m3-sedan

Looking at the miles made me break out in a cold sweat. Over $17k for Hoovies barge? I realize it’s a diesel but those miles. Is the Hoovie province’ worth that?

stickguy

No, that’s what those go for, even with those miles. Especially a clean, unmolested one like that. I don’t think hoovie is adding anything other than free advertising.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A few interesting cars on Cars & Bids:

2002 330xi SP/MT: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3LDJ2PM0/2002-bmw-330xi-sedan

2005 Acura RSX Type S: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KDO2yl0G/2005-acura-rsx-type-s

I always liked the RSX but I heard you had to beat it like a rented mule to get it too really perform. Didn’t it have a 7000rpm red line?

Just the type S. The normal model had basically an accord engine so pretty much just regular big 4 power delivery.

xwesx

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

Hoovie’s Excursion is up now too.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rknb6klN/2001-ford-excursion-xlt

If you don’t mind miles, this is interesting.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rbZQq1jg/1997-bmw-m3-sedan

Looking at the miles made me break out in a cold sweat. Over $17k for Hoovies barge? I realize it’s a diesel but those miles. Is the Hoovie province’ worth that?

Nope.

pensfan83

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A few interesting cars on Cars & Bids:

2002 330xi SP/MT: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3LDJ2PM0/2002-bmw-330xi-sedan

2005 Acura RSX Type S: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KDO2yl0G/2005-acura-rsx-type-s

I always liked the RSX but I heard you had to beat it like a rented mule to get it too really perform. Didn’t it have a 7000rpm red line?

To get the most out of those cars you need to keep the RPMs north of 4K. The VTEC kicks in for Prelude around 5300 RPM with a noticeable difference in response and engine note.

nyccarguy

That 330xi is up to $7,100

Sold for $9,200

Do these auctions need to be a week long? All of the bidding happens in the last 1/2 hour.

qbrozen

Well, I gotta admit: I'm befuddled. SO, new injector arrived. I plugged it in and ... nothing. Huh. Harness tested good. Hooked injector straight to battery and it tested good. I sat down for a few mins and pondered this. SOMETHING is preventing the pulse signal. I thought maybe I'd just disconnect the kill switch because maybe that was malfunctioning somehow. I pulled all the decorative covers and fuel tank to get a good look at the wiring. I kept coming back to this odd "growth" hooked to one of the harnesses and wondering "WTH is that?!" I finally decided, just for kicks, I'll remove that and see what happens. Sure enough, the injector pulse started working. Reinstalled and the bike started immediately. CEL is on, but, hell, I don't care at this point. I typed the part number into google and found nothing. Maybe I'll look into it more when I'm bored.

stickguy

nyccarguy said:

That 330xi is up to $7,100

Sold for $9,200

Do these auctions need to be a week long? All of the bidding happens in the last 1/2 hour.

Extra time is so people can find it to put on the watch list for last minute bidding.

stickguy

Call the manufacturer of the bike. They should know.

I’m just surprised that a little dirt bike like that even has a CEL.

breld

Nice deal on that MDX.

Right now, that may be my top pick to consolidate our utility vehicles next year. I’m sure I’ll want the new model, but this current gen is a great value.

There’s a CPO 2018 Sport Hybrid Advance model available locally here. They’ve been sitting on it for a couple months. I could be tempted if the price got aggressive enough.

28firefighter

For the $$, it is hard to beat. It was the first time this friend had negotiated on his own even though I was texting with him in the background. He said it was an adrenaline rush to do the work himself.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Call the manufacturer of the bike. They should know.

I’m just surprised that a little dirt bike like that even has a CEL.

Called the manufacturer and they said they don’t deal with the public so I should contact dealer. I did ask him to identify the mystery part and sent him a pic. I then emailed dealer with long rundown. Awaiting answers.

tjc78

corvette said:

qbrozen said:

The v12 sticker makes the build.
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3OA5vLjY/1986-pontiac-fiero?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ending

The careful wiring under the dash really does it for me. You can really tell they sweated the details on that car.

It takes work to make wiring this scary

corvette

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A few interesting cars on Cars & Bids:

2002 330xi SP/MT: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3LDJ2PM0/2002-bmw-330xi-sedan

2005 Acura RSX Type S: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KDO2yl0G/2005-acura-rsx-type-s

I always liked the RSX but I heard you had to beat it like a rented mule to get it too really perform. Didn’t it have a 7000rpm red line?

Can’t remember what the redline on the G37 is, but I know I’ve backed off before because I thought the rev limiter was broken!

roadburner

tjc78 said:

corvette said:

qbrozen said:

The v12 sticker makes the build.
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3OA5vLjY/1986-pontiac-fiero?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ending

The careful wiring under the dash really does it for me. You can really tell they sweated the details on that car.

It takes work to make wiring this scary

And I thought the half-*ss stereo wiring I pulled out of the 2002 was bad...

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A few interesting cars on Cars & Bids:

2002 330xi SP/MT: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3LDJ2PM0/2002-bmw-330xi-sedan

2005 Acura RSX Type S: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KDO2yl0G/2005-acura-rsx-type-s

I always liked the RSX but I heard you had to beat it like a rented mule to get it too really perform. Didn’t it have a 7000rpm red line?

Can’t remember what the redline on the G37 is, but I know I’ve backed off before because I thought the rev limiter was broken!

I bounced off the rev limiter on my old Eclipse and if my father’s 60s Galaxy had one I would have bounced off that as well. I think they called it floating valves back then. I don’t think you can hurt a modern car with over revs any more.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

corvette said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A few interesting cars on Cars & Bids:

2002 330xi SP/MT: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3LDJ2PM0/2002-bmw-330xi-sedan

2005 Acura RSX Type S: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KDO2yl0G/2005-acura-rsx-type-s

I always liked the RSX but I heard you had to beat it like a rented mule to get it too really perform. Didn’t it have a 7000rpm red line?

Can’t remember what the redline on the G37 is, but I know I’ve backed off before because I thought the rev limiter was broken!

I bounced off the rev limiter on my old Eclipse and if my father’s 60s Galaxy had one I would have bounced off that as well. I think they called it floating valves back then. I don’t think you can hurt a modern car with over revs any more.

You can if you make a "money shift" with a manual transmission.

corvette

tjc78 said:

It takes work to make wiring this scary

As Walter Sobchak might say, it really tied the car together.

roadburner

corvette said:

kyfdx said:

We have six metro Toyota dealers. 5-10 units at each one.

It's similar here. When I got the Tundra, I didn't bother to call around asking whether any of them were familiar with the US Bank lease offerings. The place where I bought told me that they're the highest volume truck dealer in the region. So, they're getting a ton of volume incentives, which explains how they blow them out at great prices.

What dealer was that?

nyccarguy

Low miles - High Price?

https://www.mjtraders.com/vdp/16504937/Used-2000-Acura-Integra-GS-Coupe-for-sale-in-Garfield-NJ-07026

stickguy

I didn't really fit in the one I had. That one looks a lot cleaner, but worthless with the slushbox.

and 110,000 fewer miles than mine had when I sold it!

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

corvette said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A few interesting cars on Cars & Bids:

2002 330xi SP/MT: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3LDJ2PM0/2002-bmw-330xi-sedan

2005 Acura RSX Type S: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KDO2yl0G/2005-acura-rsx-type-s

I always liked the RSX but I heard you had to beat it like a rented mule to get it too really perform. Didn’t it have a 7000rpm red line?

Can’t remember what the redline on the G37 is, but I know I’ve backed off before because I thought the rev limiter was broken!

I bounced off the rev limiter on my old Eclipse and if my father’s 60s Galaxy had one I would have bounced off that as well. I think they called it floating valves back then. I don’t think you can hurt a modern car with over revs any more.

You can if you make a "money shift" with a manual transmission.

Good point. LOL

corvette

roadburner said:

corvette said:

kyfdx said:

We have six metro Toyota dealers. 5-10 units at each one.

It's similar here. When I got the Tundra, I didn't bother to call around asking whether any of them were familiar with the US Bank lease offerings. The place where I bought told me that they're the highest volume truck dealer in the region. So, they're getting a ton of volume incentives, which explains how they blow them out at great prices.

What dealer was that?

Del Toyota in Thorndale, PA. It feels like none of the dealers in our area do a high volume of trucks, although I think an executive at my company went to Lexington to get a Sequoia.

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

Low miles - High Price?

https://www.mjtraders.com/vdp/16504937/Used-2000-Acura-Integra-GS-Coupe-for-sale-in-Garfield-NJ-07026

No GS-R, no thanks

corvette

On Hoovie's Excursion - I'm going to hazard a guess that buying a $55k, two year old F-250 from CarMax, with their five year warranty, and dumping it after five years, will have a lower cost of ownership over the same period than a 20 year old Excursion.

corvette

On YouTube - Big Al's "carports" on the older videos, made from PVC pipe and anchored in five gallon buckets filled with concrete, crack me up. Clearly, there was no HOA there.

corvette

pensfan83 said:

nyccarguy said:

Low miles - High Price?

https://www.mjtraders.com/vdp/16504937/Used-2000-Acura-Integra-GS-Coupe-for-sale-in-Garfield-NJ-07026

No GS-R, no thanks

Civic with a slightly larger engine and what appears to be a factory CD player showing an error code. Meh.

cdnpinhead

qbrozen said:

Awaiting answers.

Good luck, but don't hold your breath.

I'm currently living about 50 miles from where I bought my first motorcycle (Honda 150) back in '65. I rode the bus up from Whiteriver to Snowflake and rode the new bike back to where I lived near Whiteriver -- a truly memorable day.

Having a freight company deliver a piece that won't start is in a whole 'nother world -- one I don't wish to inbabit.

oldfarmer50

cdnpinhead said:

qbrozen said:

Awaiting answers.

Good luck, but don't hold your breath.

I'm currently living about 50 miles from where I bought my first motorcycle (Honda 150) back in '65. I rode the bus up from Whiteriver to Snowflake and rode the new bike back to where I lived near Whiteriver -- a truly memorable day.

Having a freight company deliver a piece that won't start is in a whole 'nother world -- one I don't wish to inbabit.

This is a brand new bike, right? And the company tells him “we don’t deal with customers”?

I’d be shipping the thing back the next day. I’d be worried about being abandoned when it needs repairs.

stickguy

farmer, it is just like a car. if you buy your new mustang, and the CEL comes on, you take it back to the dealer. You don't call up Ford in Detroit and ask to talk to the head of engineering. If you did, they would politely (maybe) tell you to call the dealer that you bought it from.

sounds more like the issue is that the dealer was in Texas, not local.

stickguy

So, I have decided that Carvana must be ghosting me. A week back I hit the "start the process" button and uploaded all my documents. And after 1 text and 1 Email (no clue why it worked like that) asking for additional info (to authorize getting the buyout from AFS) and to reload my DL (wasn't legible) - both of which I did Friday afternoon - they never asked for more. The account page just said it would take a few days to process, and they would ask if they needed anything else (never did).

next step is to get notified that everything is set, and they open up the payment method and delivery options link. Which never happened. Tried to chat online a few times, never open for live agent. Used the text option (which said at 10:30 AM estimated wait for a response was 1 hour) yesterday, and as of now, no response. They reported longer wait times if you called (which I probably should have, but never felt like dealing with)

during this, the 7 day window hit, and they just shut down my pending offer even though it was in flight. No communications at all. Just now says "expired, need to resubmit" (which out of curiosity I might do, expecting a lower amount). My wife (another skeptic!) thinks they decided it was too high so they did it on purpose. I think they might just be overwhelmed with people taking offers and can't keep up.

Good thing I was on the fence about it anyway, otherwise I would lose my marbles on them. But very unsatisfying experience.

stickguy

at this point, likely going to just keep it, and start dealing with it next summer (Probably June will start getting pull-ahead enticements). Costs more, but at least I have a car! Also curious if offers like early flipping applies to Honda in addition to Acura. could open up some new options. I know that counts for waiving the turn-in fee if I take it to a Honda dealer.

oh, the other weird thing. Went I went on the portal where you upload all the documents for Carvana, the new ones were all mixed in with the ones from the Elantra I sold them 2 years ago. Hopefully it was just on my end not theirs, because that could be quite confusing.

and finally, did discover that the supply of late model A specs at dealers, real thin.

nyccarguy

pensfan83 said:

nyccarguy said:

Low miles - High Price?

https://www.mjtraders.com/vdp/16504937/Used-2000-Acura-Integra-GS-Coupe-for-sale-in-Garfield-NJ-07026

No GS-R, no thanks

A GSR with less than 100K miles that’s not modded to death would have a $20K asking price, not $7,995;)

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

cdnpinhead said:

qbrozen said:

Awaiting answers.

Good luck, but don't hold your breath.

I'm currently living about 50 miles from where I bought my first motorcycle (Honda 150) back in '65. I rode the bus up from Whiteriver to Snowflake and rode the new bike back to where I lived near Whiteriver -- a truly memorable day.

Having a freight company deliver a piece that won't start is in a whole 'nother world -- one I don't wish to inbabit.

This is a brand new bike, right? And the company tells him “we don’t deal with customers”?

I’d be shipping the thing back the next day. I’d be worried about being abandoned when it needs repairs.

No way I’m paying to ship this back. If it was something serious, of course, but I know it is minor. I just need some guidance on finding what it is.

stickguy

isn't there an online community devoted to these? that is the easy way to do it (find a bunch of experts to ask!)

Plan B, Youtube. They have everything. I watched about 5 different people tear down a Subaru engine (I know know the crank bolt takes a 22mm socket, among other useless trivia) and there has to be at least 10 Tubers doing LS swaps into Gen 1 Camaros at the same time. Must be someone on there that has done something with these bikes! Or at least the engine which I assume is not unique to them.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

isn't there an online community devoted to these? that is the easy way to do it (find a bunch of experts to ask!)

Plan B, Youtube. They have everything. I watched about 5 different people tear down a Subaru engine (I know know the crank bolt takes a 22mm socket, among other useless trivia) and there has to be at least 10 Tubers doing LS swaps into Gen 1 Camaros at the same time. Must be someone on there that has done something with these bikes! Or at least the engine which I assume is not unique to them.

I LOVE LS Swaps! They are everywhere. RX8s, 944s, 911s...

stickguy

did chat with the wife about what to get next year when I truly need a replacement (we are assuming (hoping?) by then we will be able to go more places, and there is the possibility the wife may go back to the office at least part time). Plus I never intended to go to 1 car permanently.

Another Acura is a possibility. But only if the new compact comes out, and it pushes my buttons. Honda could be a better bet. New Civic coming out (maybe it is Si time!) or a remodeled HRV. Better size/price combo.

the updated N line Kona looks interesting, so could go back to Hyundai. Maybe a GTI finally. Ranger, if Ford comes out with an updated model. I really liked the Bronco Sport too.

and what looks like it could be a really good option for a larger sedan, the new Kia K5 (sounds like an old Blazer though!). Which I assume is the Kia version of the new Sonata. But that interior looks really good (the big screen) and the powertrain options are interesting. Plus it seems to be a pretty good value.

and it is faster than a 330i (quarter mile of 14.2 @ 103MPH seems adequate for a family sedan!)

stickguy

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

isn't there an online community devoted to these? that is the easy way to do it (find a bunch of experts to ask!)

Plan B, Youtube. They have everything. I watched about 5 different people tear down a Subaru engine (I know know the crank bolt takes a 22mm socket, among other useless trivia) and there has to be at least 10 Tubers doing LS swaps into Gen 1 Camaros at the same time. Must be someone on there that has done something with these bikes! Or at least the engine which I assume is not unique to them.

I LOVE LS Swaps! They are everywhere. RX8s, 944s, 911s...

after watching the videos on a few, I like them too. as long as they are engineered well and the car makes sense. Early F bodies really do seem like much better cars with an LS instead of an old lumpy 307 with a carb that will never run right. A Miata, that I would not do. An RX8? Haven't heard of that one.

I would not mind having a late 80s downsized El Camino with an LS in it.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

isn't there an online community devoted to these? that is the easy way to do it (find a bunch of experts to ask!)

Plan B, Youtube. They have everything. I watched about 5 different people tear down a Subaru engine (I know know the crank bolt takes a 22mm socket, among other useless trivia) and there has to be at least 10 Tubers doing LS swaps into Gen 1 Camaros at the same time. Must be someone on there that has done something with these bikes! Or at least the engine which I assume is not unique to them.

I LOVE LS Swaps! They are everywhere. RX8s, 944s, 911s...

BMW E36 M3 sedans...

ab348

Maybe @qbrozen could do a LS swap into his new bike. :laughing:

qbrozen

stickguy said:

isn't there an online community devoted to these? that is the easy way to do it (find a bunch of experts to ask!)

Plan B, Youtube. They have everything. I watched about 5 different people tear down a Subaru engine (I know know the crank bolt takes a 22mm socket, among other useless trivia) and there has to be at least 10 Tubers doing LS swaps into Gen 1 Camaros at the same time. Must be someone on there that has done something with these bikes! Or at least the engine which I assume is not unique to them.

I’ve done all that.
No response on the forum yet.
Had the thought this morn that I should pull the gas tank again. Maybe a wire is getting pinched.

roadburner

stickguy said:

farmer, it is just like a car. if you buy your new mustang, and the CEL comes on, you take it back to the dealer. You don't call up Ford in Detroit and ask to talk to the head of engineering. If you did, they would politely (maybe) tell you to call the dealer that you bought it from.

sounds more like the issue is that the dealer was in Texas, not local.

However, to me it's a bit like buying anything else online- yes, dealers are available, but the manufacturer should offer some support. A "Sorry, you are SOL." response would infuriate me.

kyfdx

Had a lot of fun at the BMW M track day at KY Speedway. I did NOT suck at autocross, which amazes me a little bit. 48 participants, and while I didn't finish in the top 3, I did have the 2nd fastest time in my group of 16.
The top three all looked like 30 yr old XBOX players, and the fastest guy was named Sergei, so I didn't feel too bad... Autocross was run in M2 Competition coupes with DCT transmission (405 HP) It's over pretty quick. My best time was 23.22 seconds. (four runs each, take your best time)

We took laps on the speedway in M8 Competition coupes and gran coupes (617 HP). Instructor in the front car, and four more cars following him. Bone stock cars on OEM tires. Top indicated speed of 141 mph at the end of the straights, before braking. I had 10 laps as a passenger with a partner, then 10 more laps driving. I was surprised we got to go that fast.

Third event was a 0-60-0 drag race. Probably 200 yards? Side by side. Winner is the first car to come to a complete stop in the box. This was fun. Four cars, all with the same 617 HP AWD powertrain. M5 competition, M6 convertible competition, X5M and X6M. Just plant your foot on the gas, then plant it on the brake. Any advantage you seem to gain on the drop is about 98% lost on the braking end of it.

All that and a free lunch!

qbrozen

Well, I figured it out today. Things just weren’t adding up and I kept coming back to the thought that there was something security-wise interfering. I decided to do something I should have done sooner, and that was to remove the kill button on the handlebar. Sure enough, it was stuck in the off position. Tightening it back on the handlebar makes it stick, but keeping the front screw about 4 turns loose allows the switch to operate properly. Looks crappy crooked but it is working. I’ll probably mess with it more to make it look better at some point.

stickguy

so how does it ride?

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

So, I have decided that Carvana must be ghosting me. A week back I hit the "start the process" button and uploaded all my documents. And after 1 text and 1 Email (no clue why it worked like that) asking for additional info (to authorize getting the buyout from AFS) and to reload my DL (wasn't legible) - both of which I did Friday afternoon - they never asked for more. The account page just said it would take a few days to process, and they would ask if they needed anything else (never did).

next step is to get notified that everything is set, and they open up the payment method and delivery options link. Which never happened. Tried to chat online a few times, never open for live agent. Used the text option (which said at 10:30 AM estimated wait for a response was 1 hour) yesterday, and as of now, no response. They reported longer wait times if you called (which I probably should have, but never felt like dealing with)

during this, the 7 day window hit, and they just shut down my pending offer even though it was in flight. No communications at all. Just now says "expired, need to resubmit" (which out of curiosity I might do, expecting a lower amount). My wife (another skeptic!) thinks they decided it was too high so they did it on purpose. I think they might just be overwhelmed with people taking offers and can't keep up.

Good thing I was on the fence about it anyway, otherwise I would lose my marbles on them. But very unsatisfying experience.

I think both you and your wife are right. The crazy offer ship may have sailed.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

isn't there an online community devoted to these? that is the easy way to do it (find a bunch of experts to ask!)

Plan B, Youtube. They have everything. I watched about 5 different people tear down a Subaru engine (I know know the crank bolt takes a 22mm socket, among other useless trivia) and there has to be at least 10 Tubers doing LS swaps into Gen 1 Camaros at the same time. Must be someone on there that has done something with these bikes! Or at least the engine which I assume is not unique to them.

I’ve done all that.
No response on the forum yet.
Had the thought this morn that I should pull the gas tank again. Maybe a wire is getting pinched.

Just be careful that your tinkering doesn’t void any warranty.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

isn't there an online community devoted to these? that is the easy way to do it (find a bunch of experts to ask!)

Plan B, Youtube. They have everything. I watched about 5 different people tear down a Subaru engine (I know know the crank bolt takes a 22mm socket, among other useless trivia) and there has to be at least 10 Tubers doing LS swaps into Gen 1 Camaros at the same time. Must be someone on there that has done something with these bikes! Or at least the engine which I assume is not unique to them.

I’ve done all that.
No response on the forum yet.
Had the thought this morn that I should pull the gas tank again. Maybe a wire is getting pinched.

Just be careful that your tinkering doesn’t void any warranty.

Warranty? Hahahaha.

I haven’t driven it yet. Wife has family coming and I have my honeydo list.