Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

stickguy said:

nice color combo. first picture looked like it was black.

sounds like you did well on the deal. I figure that any time you can make it a wash, no harm no foul. Like you said, if it works out like you just got the fancier version in the first place, you can't even be accused of taking a loss on the transaction!

I support getting all the goodies if you can. Of course, that is usually in terms of living with it long term so needing to enjoy the experience.

Thanks! Yeah, the color is very much akin to BMW’s carbon black. Wife wasn’t too excited about the color at first, but the combination with the red top did it for her.

breld

qbrozen said:

Automatic JCW makes me sad. ;b

Yeah, I get that. Definitely a good 8-speed auto though.

I do think I’ll go back to a manual with my next fun car.

breld

Who knew it’d be so difficult to buy a Fiat!

roadburner

Nice! I could be tempted by a new JCW GP if they weren't so pricey. I even like the over-the-top flares and wing.

stickguy

the flares are kinda cool. But I have to draw the line at that wing.

Michaell

stickguy said:

the flares are kinda cool. But I have to draw the line at that wing.

It's a MINI Type R!

cdnpinhead

Simply amazing. Someone needs to keep the economy up and running, and it's certainly not going to be me. I still find it interesting that the people who collect and/or churn cars don't seem to drive them much, let alone on real road trips..

Go figure.

tjc78

Love it @breld !

Nice upgrade for sure.

au1994

Awesome job on the deal @breld. Car is great looking, had no idea you could get a JCW in automatic. That’s intriguing...

So how many Mini’s does this make?

explorerx4

@breld,
Congrats on your wife's swap. Had to check that a couple of times, didn't want to write wife swap by mistake(oops ).
You should have left the protective sill plastic on there for the next owner, probably won't be long. HA HA.

corvette

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

the flares are kinda cool. But I have to draw the line at that wing.

It's a MINI Type R!

I can totally see someone putting a Type R badge on the back of that.

carnaught

@breld, very sharp Mini - enjoy...

Michaell

au1994 said:

Awesome job on the deal @breld. Car is great looking, had no idea you could get a JCW in automatic. That’s intriguing...

So how many Mini’s does this make?

I think 4.

Two of which were the same color.

breld

Michaell said:

au1994 said:

Awesome job on the deal @breld. Car is great looking, had no idea you could get a JCW in automatic. That’s intriguing...

So how many Mini’s does this make?

I think 4.

Two of which were the same color.

Close - 5. I bet you’re forgetting the Clubman that was supposed to be the “do all” MINI. She had traded her first Ice Blue hardtop for that one, but then missed it so much that we found another one. So...two previous gen hardtops in Ice Blue (one base and one S, both manual), a current Clubman S All4 (auto) and now the two 2020 hardtops (one S one JCW, both auto).

breld

I get to drive the JCW this morning - getting the winter tires put on it that we had just bought for the recently departed MINI. The guy at discount tire was a little confused when we took her car in earlier this week to take the snows off!

Very nice that the JCW “only” came with 17” wheels, same as her S.

nyccarguy

breld said:

Michaell said:

au1994 said:

Awesome job on the deal @breld. Car is great looking, had no idea you could get a JCW in automatic. That’s intriguing...

So how many Mini’s does this make?

I think 4.

Two of which were the same color.

Close - 5. I bet you’re forgetting the Clubman that was supposed to be the “do all” MINI. She had traded her first Ice Blue hardtop for that one, but then missed it so much that we found another one. So...two previous gen hardtops in Ice Blue (one base and one S, both manual), a current Clubman S All4 (auto) and now the two 2020 hardtops (one S one JCW, both auto).

So have you had more Minis or GTIs? The R Counts as a GTI

Michaell

breld said:

Michaell said:

au1994 said:

Awesome job on the deal @breld. Car is great looking, had no idea you could get a JCW in automatic. That’s intriguing...

So how many Mini’s does this make?

I think 4.

Two of which were the same color.

Close - 5. I bet you’re forgetting the Clubman that was supposed to be the “do all” MINI. She had traded her first Ice Blue hardtop for that one, but then missed it so much that we found another one. So...two previous gen hardtops in Ice Blue (one base and one S, both manual), a current Clubman S All4 (auto) and now the two 2020 hardtops (one S one JCW, both auto).

Yep, totally forgot about the Clubman.

breld

nyccarguy said:

breld said:

Michaell said:

au1994 said:

Awesome job on the deal @breld. Car is great looking, had no idea you could get a JCW in automatic. That’s intriguing...

So how many Mini’s does this make?

I think 4.

Two of which were the same color.

Close - 5. I bet you’re forgetting the Clubman that was supposed to be the “do all” MINI. She had traded her first Ice Blue hardtop for that one, but then missed it so much that we found another one. So...two previous gen hardtops in Ice Blue (one base and one S, both manual), a current Clubman S All4 (auto) and now the two 2020 hardtops (one S one JCW, both auto).

So have you had more Minis or GTIs? The R Counts as a GTI

Counting the R it’s a tie. 1 mk6 and 4 mk7s (including the one R). Our first mk7 was an auto...rest were manuals.

fintail

Speaking of 90s Hondas, a friend of mine wants this - a J VIN 4th gen car is rare, I think. That he even found it means he's looking, and he's not immune from impulse buys (but I think this car is a little dear even with its state of preservation - I see a few things to fix).

kyfdx

breld said:

Who knew it’d be so difficult to buy a Fiat!

You'd think they would be giving them away...

tjc78

Great design on those. Nice example but wouldn’t be my first color choice.

Whenever I see a 92 Accord, I laugh and think of this.

NSFW

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nVTCJOy0vrk

fintail

LOL bad. I wonder what the car is there, a mid 80s Civic maybe.

4th gen was the peak IMO, very BMW-esque proportions with the tall greenhouse and recessed dash, smooth engines, high build quality. Getting uncommon in decent shape here now.

corvette

fintail said:

Speaking of 90s Hondas, a friend of mine wants this - a J VIN 4th gen car is rare, I think. That he even found it means he's looking, and he's not immune from impulse buys (but I think this car is a little dear even with its state of preservation - I see a few things to fix).

Also included at no extra charge are tires from three different manufacturers! Not a fan of the burgundy interior, or the aftermarket wood trim. Looks fairly clean, though.

28firefighter

Who preserves a car like that other than Honda? Normal people are supposed to drive them for 400,000 miles and never change the oil, right?

qbrozen

got a video on the 1957. Wife likes is. I made an offer. No reply yet. Sticking point will be their BS dealer add of "$799 for exterior and interior protection." I basically offered their asking price of $10k plus $662.50 tax plus $337.50 to distribute to DMV/dealer as they see fit. $11k OTD, and I have to arrange my own shipping. Seems more than fair to me for a convertible in Minnesota in November.

Guy with the 2013 in NJ has been writing back now. He supposedly had someone coming at 11am today. I told him if that buyer is not interested to get back to me with his address and I'll see if I can make it up there today. It is a little over an hr away.

fintail

I recall that burgundy interior was big then, that, darker grey, and kind of a light beige. My friend had a silver green on beige 92 LX, hand me down from his mom ~1997, it already had something like 130K on it then as she was a long distance commuter. He sold it in 2002 with 220K on it, and has always wanted another. He kept it pristine, too, looked like a 30K mile car even then.

qbrozen

First pencil from dealer:
$10,495 selling price
$799 accessories
$460 "fees"
$682 tax
$12,436 total

I replied:
The listed price on your website is $9999, and the fine print has nothing about accessories. It reads, “Plus tax, tag, $100 dealer administration fee, registration & title fees.” Here is the breakdown of my offer, again.

He then sent another one, apologizing for the error:
$9999 selling price
$799 accessories
$430 fees
$650 tax
$11,878 total

To which, I said:
I’m not interested in an $800 wax job. I know you say it is already on there, but that doesn’t mean I want it or am willing to pay for it. I’m going to stick with my $11k offer. It is a convertible in Minnesota in November. I think I’m being very fair.


Hell, if he comes back with the BS removed, we'd be at $11,079. I'm fine with that. Is it so wrong to just get what is advertised? Geesh!

stickguy

The NJ one would certainly be logistically easier. And cheaper. But best to get what the boss wants!

stickguy

I love that generation accord. But not 9k worth with a slush box (I wouldn’t touch it unless a stick). And can’t have the rat belts. Hate those.

tjc78

“ But best to get what the boss wants!”

This X a million.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

The NJ one would certainly be logistically easier. And cheaper. But best to get what the boss wants!

Yes, BUT, the MN car is 2 years younger. So the NJ one came out with a $6200 carvana offer. He is asking $1800 above that. So, theoretically, even with shipping, the MN one could be the better overall deal.

tifighter

Second car I ever bought (in 96 as a 21yo) was a 90 Accord LX 5 speed manual. First year of the fourth gen, J-vin in blue metallic with blue cloth interior. One owner trade in on an Explorer (it was 1996, right?). I was not wise in the ways of CCBA yet, and got worked by the dealer. Still, I thought it was nicest car I had ever driven and proceeded to keep it for 6 years and put something like 65K miles on it. So I do have a soft spot for these. One of my good friends at the time had to one-up me and got the wagon, but it was an automatic, so the joke was on him...

Michaell

tifighter said:

Second car I ever bought (in 96 as a 21yo) was a 90 Accord LX 5 speed manual. First year of the fourth gen, J-vin in blue metallic with blue cloth interior. One owner trade in on an Explorer (it was 1996, right?). I was not wise in the ways of CCBA yet, and got worked by the dealer. Still, I thought it was nicest car I had ever driven and proceeded to keep it for 6 years and put something like 65K miles on it. So I do have a soft spot for these. One of my good friends at the time had to one-up me and got the wagon, but it was an automatic, so the joke was on him...

I had two of the 4th gen Accords.

First was a '92 LX - (first) wife had totaled her '91 Protege and needed a replacement. She wanted dark blue and we found a "1 only at this price" at a Honda dealer about 45 minutes from us. We had some money left in our budget so we splurged and had the factory CD player installed.

After we split up and I moved to Colorado, I picked up a '93 burgundy DX with a stick shift. Kept it for 5+ years and around 55,000 miles. Great car.

isellhondas

ab348 said:

This is the generation of Prelude that appeals to me. I remember one locally in this color and I always liked it because it was a subtle shade of yellow.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-honda-prelude-9/

That is probably the ULTIMATE Prelude! If anyone can find a yellow 1991 Prelude SI in original condition either a stick or an automatic it will break the bank! Throw away your price guides! People will travel across the states to grab one of these. Impossible to find! They don't have to be yellow but THAT was the color!

nyccarguy

I don't think I ever finished the story about my friend and the CPO Prius he was trying to buy for his Deli business. Turns out the dealership had 2 Red Prius'. 1 was the local trade in that he was interested in (2016 40K miles, $14,999 plus tax, $799 doc fee, DMV). The other had been hit and there was damage to the frame that wasn't repaired properly. The head of service confused the 2 cars. They told him they'd take $250 off their "NON NEGOTIABLE PRICE." After searching used & CPO Priuses far and wide he told them: OK. I'll take it, but only if it has 4 matching tires. The dealer said they'd put the new tires, but then wouldn't honor the $250 discount. He said: Fine. I'll Take it. He hasn't heard back from them since.

He started searching around NY, NJ, CT, MA, PA to try and find a Prius L Eco in Black. His search lead him all the way to a dealer in Western, PA (Mars, PA). They had the car, the deal, & 0% Financing (only in Western PA) to boot. He sent them ALL his paperwork, confirmed they received it, & said for them to call him so he could coordinate driving out there (7 hours ish), take delivery, & come back. He hasn't heard back from them.

In speaking to a number of dealers, quite a few of them asked if he was looking at the lower price point to look at a Corolla Hybrid. So as he was waiting for the local dealer with the CPO Prius & the dealer in Mars, PA to call him back he moved on with his life. He had to pick up something for work in Milford, CT. As he was leaving he noticed a large Toyota dealer across the street. He started walking the lot, sales guy asked if he needed help. "Sure, I'm looking for either a Prius L Eco or a Corolla Hybrid." They didn't have any Prius L Ecos on the lot, but did have a few Corolla Hybrids.

They presented him with a very strong offer on a Corolla Hybrid that even with their $999 doc fee was cheaper than any other dealer he had called. (Every dealer he asked about the Prius L Eco & who mentioned the Corolla Hybrid). They asked when he could take delivery. "Today. Call me when the car is ready."

They said all their cars are prepped and ready to go. Once he got approved, they called him back. He was in and out of the F&I office in 15 minutes. An excellent dealership experience.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Automatic JCW makes me sad. ;b

As it should, Q; as it should!

xwesx

fintail said:

I recall that burgundy interior was big then, that, darker grey, and kind of a light beige. My friend had a silver green on beige 92 LX, hand me down from his mom ~1997, it already had something like 130K on it then as she was a long distance commuter. He sold it in 2002 with 220K on it, and has always wanted another. He kept it pristine, too, looked like a 30K mile car even then.

I like the colors on that Accord. I think this design was one of the best.

xwesx

tifighter said:

Second car I ever bought (in 96 as a 21yo) was a 90 Accord LX 5 speed manual. First year of the fourth gen, J-vin in blue metallic with blue cloth interior. One owner trade in on an Explorer (it was 1996, right?). I was not wise in the ways of CCBA yet, and got worked by the dealer. Still, I thought it was nicest car I had ever driven and proceeded to keep it for 6 years and put something like 65K miles on it. So I do have a soft spot for these. One of my good friends at the time had to one-up me and got the wagon, but it was an automatic, so the joke was on him...

And, the wagon in these was just tacky. Accord and Camry were never serious about their wagons.

xwesx

isellhondas said:

That is probably the ULTIMATE Prelude! If anyone can find a yellow 1991 Prelude SI in original condition either a stick or an automatic it will break the bank! Throw away your price guides! People will travel across the states to grab one of these. Impossible to find! They don't have to be yellow but THAT was the color!

I agree, 100%!

fintail

I think the decapitation belts (as I call them) were 90-91 only. Standard airbag for 92. Why this stuff sticks in my head when I can't remember what I did yesterday.

stickguy said:

I love that generation accord. But not 9k worth with a slush box (I wouldn’t touch it unless a stick). And can’t have the rat belts. Hate those.

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

They said all their cars are prepped and ready to go. Once he got approved, they called him back. He was in and out of the F&I office in 15 minutes. An excellent dealership experience.

Incredible! What a great ending to the story. An experience like that would make me not really mind paying a premium for top-notch service.

sda

Its hard to believe all of these 'sellers' and 'dealers' leave their prospective, commited buyers hanging! Easy lost sales and a poor experience the buyer won't forget.

tjc78

sda said:

Its hard to believe all of these 'sellers' and 'dealers' leave their prospective, commited buyers hanging! Easy lost sales and a poor experience the buyer won't forget.

This.
I’m still stunned at how the Buick dealer treated me. They gave me an absolutely dreadful quote on a new Enclave (marked up MF, hiding the rebate, etc) then proceeded to tell me it was a good deal.

I’ve bought five cars from them (3 Buick, 2 Hyundai). When the sales manager called me I said I was offended and that it was no way to treat a repeat customer. I asked him if he would pay $847 for an Enclave and didn’t get an answer.

To date I haven’t heard back and I’ve made arraignments to drop off the Enclave at a dealer closer to home.

sda

I feel very fortunate that the purchase experience with the Q5 in July 2019 and the Passat last October, both at different VW dealers were a good experience. Did they try to upsell in the finance room, yes, but they were not a hard sell. Overall a simple transaction with no unwanted surprises.

kyfdx

fintail said:

I think the decapitation belts (as I call them) were 90-91 only. Standard airbag for 92. Why this stuff sticks in my head when I can't remember what I did yesterday.

stickguy said:

I love that generation accord. But not 9k worth with a slush box (I wouldn’t touch it unless a stick). And can’t have the rat belts. Hate those.

My wife had '90 240 SX fastback, when we met. Hated those belts!

ab348

kyfdx said:

My wife had '90 240 SX fastback, when we met. Hated those belts!

Was that the model with those odd-looking seats where the upholstery looked to be molded over the padding?

au1994

tjc78 said:

sda said:

Its hard to believe all of these 'sellers' and 'dealers' leave their prospective, commited buyers hanging! Easy lost sales and a poor experience the buyer won't forget.

This.
I’m still stunned at how the Buick dealer treated me. They gave me an absolutely dreadful quote on a new Enclave (marked up MF, hiding the rebate, etc) then proceeded to tell me it was a good deal.

I’ve bought five cars from them (3 Buick, 2 Hyundai). When the sales manager called me I said I was offended and that it was no way to treat a repeat customer. I asked him if he would pay $847 for an Enclave and didn’t get an answer.

To date I haven’t heard back and I’ve made arraignments to drop off the Enclave at a dealer closer to home.

It’s amazing to me that in this day and age of e-commerce, the breadth and depth of knowledge on the internet and COVID, dealers still play these asinine games.

I’ve been sort of shopping for an X1 replacement. Hard to get info out of some dealers. Rather than answering the question, I get “Good news!! Your Widgetmobile GX is still available!! When can you come in for a test drive?”

Or like you did on the Enclave, some ridiculous numbers...$700 on an XC60 Momentum. Seriously.

Constantly trying to get my number too as I have been email only so far. “Would you like to communicate via text?”. Ummm no as you will be calling me daily from here on out.

kyfdx

ab348 said:

kyfdx said:

My wife had '90 240 SX fastback, when we met. Hated those belts!

Was that the model with those odd-looking seats where the upholstery looked to be molded over the padding?

Don't remember that. Seemed like pretty standard Japanese cloth interior. Of course, now that car is extremely popular with drifters, being RWD.

qbrozen

Never heard back from the salesman after I offered EXACTLY what they advertised it for. The SM called me. He evidently wasn't even talking to the salesman. I told him we'd been going back and forth. He asked if there was anything he could do to solidify the deal. I informed him that I offered exactly what they advertised. He said "oh great. well that should make things easy." I said "yes, it should." And left it at that. He said I should call him with any issues. Maybe I'll write to him tomorrow morn.

NJ seller didn't let me know if he sold it or not. Odd. I can only assume he did. But my calendar has gotten crowded for the weekend, so I'll let it sit for now. Since he is private, I can let that wait till Sunday, if it is still there.

breld

Hopefully what “you” think they advertised as the selling price is consistent with what the manager thinks they advertised. Shouldn’t be this hard.

To that point, I do have to say this MINI was the second purchase/trade I’ve done with Carvana and both experiences have been very positive. I thought it was weird we received very little correspondence from them after placing the order, but in retrospect, I think we were just really on top of providing all the documentation through their portal...probably better than most of their clientele. I was getting a bit nervous yesterday when we hadn’t heard anything by the scheduled delivery time. But they did finally call and said they’d be a little late. Once they arrived, it was very simple and somewhat fun (the driver was a car enthusiast and appreciated the JCW he was delivering and the Supra in the garage).

All in all, we placed the order last Wednesday (the 11th) and the car was delivered (and our trade taken away) 8 days later. And their trade offer was much better than the local dealership’s.