Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Why did the buyer purchase it in August just to turn around and sell it? Obviously could be trying to flip it, but I can't imagine he got some great deal on it a couple months ago, unless it was from a family member.

When I see things like this, I often imagine the buyer did find it and buy it from someone who doesn't know any better. They think "oh, it is just an old economy car" or, even if they know it is somewhat desirable, maybe not the extent they have been. I mean, if someone was not on the lookout for it, you'd probably never know that low-mileage '80s and '90s Japanese metal sell for more than they did when new.

So you're saying this may have been in my own backyard available for sale at some ridiculously low price a few months ago?

Dang, I need to do a better job with my searches.

28firefighter

This was for sale up here on CL a while ago. Ah well - this will bring silly money even though it doesn't have the sport package.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2011-bmw-328xi-6-speed-wagon/

oldfarmer50

breld said:

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Why did the buyer purchase it in August just to turn around and sell it? Obviously could be trying to flip it, but I can't imagine he got some great deal on it a couple months ago, unless it was from a family member.

When I see things like this, I often imagine the buyer did find it and buy it from someone who doesn't know any better. They think "oh, it is just an old economy car" or, even if they know it is somewhat desirable, maybe not the extent they have been. I mean, if someone was not on the lookout for it, you'd probably never know that low-mileage '80s and '90s Japanese metal sell for more than they did when new.

So you're saying this may have been in my own backyard available for sale at some ridiculously low price a few months ago?

Dang, I need to do a better job with my searches.

You should scour Craigslist as I do. Our definition of gem may be different but there are gems to be found.

stickguy

CL is such a snake put now. I used to look, but don’t even bother now. Not quite sure though where I will get a cheap spare car from if I end up deciding to do that!

stickguy

Don’t judge me, but I love this too.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3zlxL2QA/2003-toyota-mr2-spyder

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Don’t judge me, but I love this too.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3zlxL2QA/2003-toyota-mr2-spyder

have that on my watch list.

tifighter

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

and so he does not feel left out, one for Michael. I happen to love this one. Cheap enough, if it was near me, I would be tempted!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rMqYkPBa/1991-nissan-sentra-se-r

Be still my heart!

This one even has AC and a CD player!

That SE-R is exactly what I wanted 29 years ago, but the budget wouldn't stretch the extra $1000 it would have taken to get one.

Ended up with an SE instead, in that exact color combination.

Not that I have a budget for something like this (or the garage space), but I suspect it will get bid to 5 figures before all is said and done.

Let's say this thing brings $10K. Is that too much? It is nearing 30 years old, low miles, try to find another one, etc. We all wanted one back in the day (and I get it, I graduated HS in 93). Given how much every one is swooning over it, $10K seems sorta reasonable. And given how broad the audience is, you could easily put 5-10K miles on it as a toy, and still have a mini-icon with under 50K miles to sell later for at least what you bought it for. IMHO.

stickguy

This is cool too. Even in black over black.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rkG0NlQN/2008-subaru-impreza-wrx-hatchback

qbrozen

breld said:

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Why did the buyer purchase it in August just to turn around and sell it? Obviously could be trying to flip it, but I can't imagine he got some great deal on it a couple months ago, unless it was from a family member.

When I see things like this, I often imagine the buyer did find it and buy it from someone who doesn't know any better. They think "oh, it is just an old economy car" or, even if they know it is somewhat desirable, maybe not the extent they have been. I mean, if someone was not on the lookout for it, you'd probably never know that low-mileage '80s and '90s Japanese metal sell for more than they did when new.

So you're saying this may have been in my own backyard available for sale at some ridiculously low price a few months ago?

Dang, I need to do a better job with my searches.

Possibly even from people who don't have interwebs. lol. What I need is more friends who say things like "hey, I know of this '80s Nissan sitting in a widow's garage..."

28firefighter

tifighter said:

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

and so he does not feel left out, one for Michael. I happen to love this one. Cheap enough, if it was near me, I would be tempted!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rMqYkPBa/1991-nissan-sentra-se-r

Be still my heart!

This one even has AC and a CD player!

That SE-R is exactly what I wanted 29 years ago, but the budget wouldn't stretch the extra $1000 it would have taken to get one.

Ended up with an SE instead, in that exact color combination.

Not that I have a budget for something like this (or the garage space), but I suspect it will get bid to 5 figures before all is said and done.

Let's say this thing brings $10K. Is that too much? It is nearing 30 years old, low miles, try to find another one, etc. We all wanted one back in the day (and I get it, I graduated HS in 93). Given how much every one is swooning over it, $10K seems sorta reasonable. And given how broad the audience is, you could easily put 5-10K miles on it as a toy, and still have a mini-icon with under 50K miles to sell later for at least what you bought it for. IMHO.

I agree with this. It doesn't appeal to me (I was in first grade in 1993...), but it does tug at the heart strings for a good number of buyers.

stickguy

Yeah, even if $10k is high based on some conceptual book value, if you really want one, and this is possibly the best one out there, it’s a good buy, for you. Really not that high a price, so can’t be overpaying too much, and not likely to lose on it down the road.

breld

tifighter said:

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

and so he does not feel left out, one for Michael. I happen to love this one. Cheap enough, if it was near me, I would be tempted!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rMqYkPBa/1991-nissan-sentra-se-r

Be still my heart!

This one even has AC and a CD player!

That SE-R is exactly what I wanted 29 years ago, but the budget wouldn't stretch the extra $1000 it would have taken to get one.

Ended up with an SE instead, in that exact color combination.

Not that I have a budget for something like this (or the garage space), but I suspect it will get bid to 5 figures before all is said and done.

Let's say this thing brings $10K. Is that too much? It is nearing 30 years old, low miles, try to find another one, etc. We all wanted one back in the day (and I get it, I graduated HS in 93). Given how much every one is swooning over it, $10K seems sorta reasonable. And given how broad the audience is, you could easily put 5-10K miles on it as a toy, and still have a mini-icon with under 50K miles to sell later for at least what you bought it for. IMHO.

I don't disagree. My $7,500 ceiling is definitely a personal one (and just an off-the-top-of-my-head one at that). I do think it will go north of $10k, particularly given its crazy low miles. Didn't one of these go through an auction site fairly recently?

breld

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-nissan-sentra-se-r-9/

Wow...$12k for one with 80k miles.

andres3

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rNJq4vj5/2018-kia-stinger-gt2-awd

8,400 miles and Doug's had enough of the Stinger. No reserve. San Diego. Anyone interested?

breld

@andres3 - do you have your new S4 yet? Pictures?

28firefighter

No way I pay what will be almost assuredly an absurd premium to have Doug DeMuro's Kia Stinger vs. any other. I think it would be great if enough bidders exercised restraint that it sold for like $10k.

stickguy

breld said:

tifighter said:

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

and so he does not feel left out, one for Michael. I happen to love this one. Cheap enough, if it was near me, I would be tempted!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rMqYkPBa/1991-nissan-sentra-se-r

Be still my heart!

This one even has AC and a CD player!

That SE-R is exactly what I wanted 29 years ago, but the budget wouldn't stretch the extra $1000 it would have taken to get one.

Ended up with an SE instead, in that exact color combination.

Not that I have a budget for something like this (or the garage space), but I suspect it will get bid to 5 figures before all is said and done.

Let's say this thing brings $10K. Is that too much? It is nearing 30 years old, low miles, try to find another one, etc. We all wanted one back in the day (and I get it, I graduated HS in 93). Given how much every one is swooning over it, $10K seems sorta reasonable. And given how broad the audience is, you could easily put 5-10K miles on it as a toy, and still have a mini-icon with under 50K miles to sell later for at least what you bought it for. IMHO.

I don't disagree. My $7,500 ceiling is definitely a personal one (and just an off-the-top-of-my-head one at that). I do think it will go north of $10k, particularly given its crazy low miles. Didn't one of these go through an auction site fairly recently?

You should have a lower ceiling, since it’s not a dream car, and you aren’t likely to keep it long. Different story for someone that wants to make it a family heirloom.

pensfan83

I'm a 90's/00's Honda and Acura fanboy as well and while I wouldn't say no to a Sentra SE-R, I was a bigger fan of the 240SX.

andres3

breld said:

@andres3 - do you have your new S4 yet? Pictures?

Not yet; just realized I failed to specify shipping in 2020 LOL. I suppose the punch will be official when I get it, or is the wiring of money to AZ a punch?

stickguy

Normally wiring $ count. But for you, I think we should make an exception and wait until it’s in your garage.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Don’t judge me, but I love this too.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3zlxL2QA/2003-toyota-mr2-spyder

One of those in white hardtop passed me yesterday. I wasn’t sure what it was until I saw the badging.

breld

Nice 340i...

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/827023105/overview/

Adaptive M Suspension and all the other tech & safety goodies. The brown interior sets it apart from the many Estoril Blue's on the road. A manual would complete it...I think that but I'm starting to appreciate more and more the ease and comfort, and performance, of the ZF 8-speed in my Supra.

28firefighter

Great color combo.

breld

The private seller included a pic of the window sticker on his M2...

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/827101616/overview/

Wow! He opted for ALL the options on that one. Though he didn't check the box for an auto trannie, so give him credit for that.

explorerx4

My old truck is still for sale on Vroom.
https://www.vroom.com/inventory/ford-f-150-2017-1FTEW1EG5HFC43408?brand=vroom

breld

They keep dropping the price on this, and I suspect it's not getting many looks this time of year in CO.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/818262134/overview/

Hypothetically, if it continued to drop where I could swap keys with the dealership, I'd consider it. Kinda like dropping the top on my Supra and adding a better quality interior.

28firefighter

explorerx4 said:

My old truck is still for sale on Vroom.
https://www.vroom.com/inventory/ford-f-150-2017-1FTEW1EG5HFC43408?brand=vroom

Love that interior.

That said it seems that Vroom is buying high and selling low. Ah the tech startup VC model...

tjc78

Mark VI is pretty nice. Good colors, a two door and it doesn't have those awful fog lamps some of them had. I'd still rather have a Mark V.

I feel like Lincoln got it right every other Mark. The III, V and VII were all great IMO. The IV, VI, and VIII all had things I wasn't a fan of.

tifighter

Let's see if @roadburner likes this one-
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KmYgXzGm/1989-merkur-scorpio

stickguy

Love that 340. Nice colors. I also would rather have the Z4 than a Supra. If I’m getting an impractical 2 seat toy, I want the top to go down!

Cool M2. Man, that’s a serious depreciation for 2,5 years and 7k miles. Though if he paid sticker, using lease math, it was $650/month. So not all that bad! Plus taxes and fees of course.

explorerx4

@tifighter,
Scorpio is an automatic. Bidding up to $7900, so someone likes it!

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

Don’t judge me, but I love this too.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3zlxL2QA/2003-toyota-mr2-spyder

have that on my watch list.

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/newton-2000-mr2-spyder/7224160701.html

Would this one do?

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

My old truck is still for sale on Vroom.
https://www.vroom.com/inventory/ford-f-150-2017-1FTEW1EG5HFC43408?brand=vroom

It says no longer available. Is that your’s or is your’s one of the ones below?

stickguy

Looks nice. But black is a bad color on these IMO.

also wondering how cats removed worked, and if it messes up inspection.

stickguy

Maybe it just sold.

explorerx4

This is an awesome car selling video.
About 12 minutes long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQeWRRM29PI

xwesx

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Looks like a nice DIY project for the winter.

LOL. I got enough of those!

Yep. I have a couple lifetimes' worth.

xwesx

andres3 said:

Lust..... I had an odd car attraction at a young age.

I think mine was far more odd... my favorite modern-at-the-time eye-catchers in high school were Lincoln Town Cars and Geo Trackers. I have no idea what is wrong with me.

andres3

xwesx said:

andres3 said:

Lust..... I had an odd car attraction at a young age.

I think mine was far more odd... my favorite modern-at-the-time eye-catchers in high school were Lincoln Town Cars and Geo Trackers. I have no idea what is wrong with me.

You have some explaining to do on the Geo Tracker.

tjc78

xwesx said:

andres3 said:

Lust..... I had an odd car attraction at a young age.

I think mine was far more odd... my favorite modern-at-the-time eye-catchers in high school were Lincoln Town Cars and Geo Trackers. I have no idea what is wrong with me.

I had a Grand Marquis at 17, so I’m with you!

The Tracker? Not so sure about that one!

roadburner

tifighter said:

Let's see if @roadburner likes this one-
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KmYgXzGm/1989-merkur-scorpio

My Scorpio was maroon with a gray interior. It was a great car, but let down by Ford's ridiculous parts pricing and sales support.

nyccarguy

WARNING - long post

So here’s a story about my best friend, the chronic car buyer. I’ve mentioned him a few times here. His most recent acquisitions are a 2018 Raptor with 20K miles he bought for himself that he saw when he was buying a 2020 Prius Prime for his Deli Business. A little more than a year ago he bought a regular Prius L Eco for his Deli. All 3 of these vehicles were bought at the same Toyota dealer. The sales manager he dealt with has since moved on. This dealer is a “no negotiation, 1 Price dealer,” until of course they decide to drop the price. They also charge a very high $799 “conveyance fee.”

Last week he decided to sell his 2012 Nissan NV1500 Van with 35,000 miles for a tidy sum. Talk about resale value! Yikes! The van is just too big for his workers who seem to constantly have an oops. He’s happy with the 2 Priuses (Prii) so far (the Regular Prius has over 50K miles in 1 year). He decided to go look at another one. As they are searching for another Prius Prime (currently the cheapest after rebates & tax credits), he looks at a Certified 2016 Prius Four. 41,000 miles. Local bought & serviced. They are asking $14,999 (plus their $799 doc fee) & TTL.

He’s truly undecided on whether to go new or used at this point. The price delta is about $10K. The sales guy tells him he’s “crazy to buy new” to give it to his workers to beat on and assured him that 40K miles is “nothing” on a Prius. He decided to go used. They ask about a warranty - $2K which sounds expensive. He says he needs a day to think about it and he’ll let them know the next day. He goes home and starts looking for pricing on used Priuses. Searches high and low. Can’t find a 2016 for that price anywhere (even factoring in the doc fee). He goes back & on his way in to sign the papers notices the front tires are brand new, but they are a different brand than the fears which look worn.

He points it out to the salesman. Who at 1st said “no. Can’t be,” then said that the GM just dropped the price last week so they won’t put new tires on the rear. My friend told them he’s not taking the car unless they put new tires on it. Salesman says the GM has left for the day and will get back to him tomorrow. The next day my friend gets a text from the salesman saying the service manager doesn’t think the car will be reliable long term. He presses and the salesman says that the service manager says there is an issue with the frame. My friend says, ok, let me speak to the service manager. “Oh. He’s gone for the day, he’ll get back to you tomorrow.” Crickets today.

He found a Prius C on Carvana that he likes. He might go for that.

28firefighter

What on earth?

cdnpinhead

explorerx4 said:

This is an awesome car selling video.
About 12 minutes long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQeWRRM29PI

People with skills like this are why I own a timeshare that is a total pain in the [non-permissible content removed]. I'm pretty careful most of the time, but can be taken in. Not so much now that I'm a geezer.

cdnpinhead

Who knew that a donkey was non-permissible?

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

WARNING - long post

So here’s a story about my best friend, the chronic car buyer. I’ve mentioned him a few times here. His most recent acquisitions are a 2018 Raptor with 20K miles he bought for himself that he saw when he was buying a 2020 Prius Prime for his Deli Business. A little more than a year ago he bought a regular Prius L Eco for his Deli. All 3 of these vehicles were bought at the same Toyota dealer. The sales manager he dealt with has since moved on. This dealer is a “no negotiation, 1 Price dealer,” until of course they decide to drop the price. They also charge a very high $799 “conveyance fee.”

Last week he decided to sell his 2012 Nissan NV1500 Van with 35,000 miles for a tidy sum. Talk about resale value! Yikes! The van is just too big for his workers who seem to constantly have an oops. He’s happy with the 2 Priuses (Prii) so far (the Regular Prius has over 50K miles in 1 year). He decided to go look at another one. As they are searching for another Prius Prime (currently the cheapest after rebates & tax credits), he looks at a Certified 2016 Prius Four. 41,000 miles. Local bought & serviced. They are asking $14,999 (plus their $799 doc fee) & TTL.

He’s truly undecided on whether to go new or used at this point. The price delta is about $10K. The sales guy tells him he’s “crazy to buy new” to give it to his workers to beat on and assured him that 40K miles is “nothing” on a Prius. He decided to go used. They ask about a warranty - $2K which sounds expensive. He says he needs a day to think about it and he’ll let them know the next day. He goes home and starts looking for pricing on used Priuses. Searches high and low. Can’t find a 2016 for that price anywhere (even factoring in the doc fee). He goes back & on his way in to sign the papers notices the front tires are brand new, but they are a different brand than the fears which look worn.

He points it out to the salesman. Who at 1st said “no. Can’t be,” then said that the GM just dropped the price last week so they won’t put new tires on the rear. My friend told them he’s not taking the car unless they put new tires on it. Salesman says the GM has left for the day and will get back to him tomorrow. The next day my friend gets a text from the salesman saying the service manager doesn’t think the car will be reliable long term. He presses and the salesman says that the service manager says there is an issue with the frame. My friend says, ok, let me speak to the service manager. “Oh. He’s gone for the day, he’ll get back to you tomorrow.” Crickets today.

He found a Prius C on Carvana that he likes. He might go for that.

Busted frame? No wonder they offered a good price. Sounds like they were afraid of what he’d find if he replaced the rear tires.

xwesx

cdnpinhead said:

Who knew that a donkey was non-permissible?

I did. We are stubborn enough without introducing donkeys into the discussion!

stickguy

that Prius story sounds more like they either didn't want to deal with him, or more likely, sold it out from under him and made up the story as cover.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

that Prius story sounds more like they either didn't want to deal with him, or more likely, sold it out from under him and made up the story as cover.

Agreed, but he bought 3 other cars from them in the last 14 months.

corvette

nyccarguy said:

He presses and the salesman says that the service manager says there is an issue with the frame.

Regardless of loyalty, that would be the end of that dealership, for me. Blacklisted from me ever going there again, and very bad (but truthful) reviews posted on every site I could find.