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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I say get somethign other than another Intrepid. Life is short, so experience as many cars as you can.

    The Caprice sounds nice but a bit steep in price for a 91 unless it's in mint shape. Let us know how it goes!

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    Yeah, I'm probably going to be all over the map for awhile, until I figure out what I really want. But, while I'm looking, I did find this. It's another 2009 G8, but just the V-6 model. But it's also about $5500 cheaper than the GT I found, slighly less miles (not like 8K versus 10k makes much difference)...but the big plus...it has a sunroof!
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    I say get somethign other than another Intrepid. Life is short, so experience as many cars as you can.

    Yeah, I have thought about that. Over the years, I have had a lot of repeats, it seems. When my '69 Dart got totaled back in 1992, I found a '68 Dart for sale the very next day! Plus, I've had an '80 Malibu, '82 Cutlass Supreme, and '86 Monte Carlo...all the same basic car. I've also had three 1979 Mopars: a Newport, NYer 5th Ave, and NYer base model. And there's really not a huge difference between a '67 Catalina and a '69 Bonneville. Although the Catalina, being a convertible, is a lot more fun than the Bonneville was, as it was just a 4-door hardtop.

    With that Caprice, I was thinking about going in and offering $2500 and standing firm. Unless the thing looks showroom new.

    I guess one thing I have going for me is that I have time on my side. Usually, when someone gets a car totaled, they have to replace it right away. But I can fall back on my '85 Silverado and '79 5th Ave, although I really don't like driving the 5th Ave in bad weather. And if I really needed it, my uncle would let me borrow his '97 Silverado.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Wow. Someone needing to tell Andre to experience more cars....

    Sorry. It was an easy shot. I actually agree with your advice.

    Hey, given a choice on the G8 if I had to choose sun roof or V8 I'd probably go for the sun roof. I say that not having driven one. My impression is that for normal driving teh six is more than fine. I will admit to liking a car that can accelerate.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    Hey, given a choice on the G8 if I had to choose sun roof or V8 I'd probably go for the sun roof. I say that not having driven one. My impression is that for normal driving teh six is more than fine. I will admit to liking a car that can accelerate.

    That's what I'm thinking. Honestly, I value the sunroof more than I do the big V-8. While it would be nice to have both, I'm sure that even with the 3.6 and the 255 hp or whatever it has, it's probably still faster than any car I've ever owned. I found an Edmund's blurb quoting 7.6 seconds. For comparison, I think my Intrepid is around 9.5. Even my '67 Catalina is probably only around 9 seconds. I saw an old road test of a '57 DeSoto Firedome convertible, which would be slightly heavier than my hardtop, and it was 9.8 seconds. Now my old '69 Bonneville was fast...faster than my Catalina. But I'm sure it wasn't good for no 7.6 seconds.
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,791
    I'd guess the V6 is a nice drive. Cheaper to buy, insure, feed, etc. And with the V8 on everyone's mind, you might be able to work a pretty good deal on one.

    When did 256hp become inadequate, anyhow?

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    When did 256hp become inadequate, anyhow?

    Probably right around the time that torque and displacement went down, and the rpm you hit that peak hp at went way up. Plus, weight went up too.

    My '86 Monte Carlo only had 150 hp, but I'd guess it was about as quick from 0-60 as my 200 hp intrepid. It also got its 245 ft-lb of torque at around 2400 rpm, where the Intrepid had to scream to around 4850 rpm for its 190 ft-lb.

    If I'm reading it right and it's not a misprint, the 3.6 G8 hits 256 hp at a fairly squealy 6300 rpm, but hits its peak torque of 248 ft-lb pretty down-low, at 2100 rpm. Isn't that kind of a wide spread?
  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Does your insurance cover a rental for 30 days? That might be a good way to try out several different rides in your day to day routine on the insurance companys dime. You may have to kick in a few bucks for the G8, but well worth it.

    I drove the G8 in the V-6 and found it more than adequate. If it was made here I would have got it over the malibu.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,454
    Looks pretty sharp.

    I wonder what those can be had for using "orphan" as a bargaining ploy :shades:
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    Yeah, my insurance does cover a rental car, but I stupidly told them I didn't need it. I wonder if I can change my mind on that? I did drive a V-6 G8 at the GM show in Carlisle PA back in 2008. I liked it, but you really can't tell much from that short test route they had.
  • garrison16garrison16 Member Posts: 28
    As a fellow Intrepid owner I am also sorry for your loss. You should definitely look
    at The 2000 Intrepid ES
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    A 10 year old Chrysler for $5,000 and a 9 year old Chevy for $4,000.

    Roll these into a dealer and see what they offer on trade for either. I would think $500 to $1,000 max.

    You are looking at putting a lot of money on the table to own either one of these.

    I would think $1,500 would take either home.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Andre1969, you have a pole barn full of 'antique' cars.... it might be a good idea to have a new car in the stable just so that you have something reliable. The G6 sounds mighty tempting, especially, if you can get it at a good price since Pontiac is on the way out.

    Good luck,
    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,791
    And if you miss the Pontiac firesale, there may be a different one coming around the corner soon.

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0

  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    No way, this is CCBA! No buying the same car twice! :-P

    Go for the G8 andre! Think how one-of-a-kind it is. There will end up being so few of those, you will always be able to find your car right away at the mall. :-)

    It's nice to drive something somewhat unique (that isn't 30 years old!).

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    ....a newish car is always fun (especially a G8!), then again, it isn't my money. Andre is in the unenviable position of having to get rid of a reliable car he's owned since new and being given only $2k to replace it. Thus, he gets a mystery machine or is forced into car payments again. Ugh. That said, the idea of replacing a nine/ten year-old car with a $4000 eighteen/nineteen year-old car (the Caprice) doesn't sound like the best idea. Of course, Andre's more mechanically inclined/patient than I am. I'm still a big fan of any family having one newish/reliable car and however many beaters (or just older vehicles) they need. :)
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    I agree. Andre has so many older cars at home, there will always be one that will start and take him where he needs to go. If not to have a new/newish car, or something completely different from what he had before, why even replace the Intrepid?

    Now if I could only apply this logic to my OWN car purchasing habits, I could hand in my membership card and pronounce myself cured forever!

    Edit.....in the interests of full disclosure I should probably admit that despite having already bought one new car this year, I am sniffing around the local Honda dealership, what with the fairly amazing lease deals Honda has running right now.....

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,791
    How long have you had the Subie now? Just curious ;)

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,574
    ...until my lease is up... :)

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  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    C+D:

    Pontiac G8
    Tested - 8/08
    0-60 7.0 / Quarter 15.4

    http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q2/road_test_digest-feature

    - Ray
    TQ junkie - so did not drive the V6 .....
    2022 X3 M40i
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,316
    Time to do some serious looking! BTW, how much headache was it to get your wife's leased car registered in KY? Did they have any problem giving you a certificate of origin in order to get the car inspected?
  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    what with the fairly amazing lease deals Honda has running right now.....

    ......the CRZ is only 2 years away, but that could be 2 cars away too.

    Are you looking at the Fit or or Civic Si ?
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    It's 7 months old next week. The Honda leases are so cheap, the Subie will be staying either way.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Civic SI, although I am being distracted by the super-amazingly cheap leases on the EX. They also have Accord EX-Ls for under $300/mo, but those are auto-only of course, and that just won't do!

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    Considering how little I drive these days, I wonder if a lease would be a good way to go? $300/mo for an Accord EX-L sounds good to me! I'm guessing that's just a 4-cyl, but still sounds decent. Heck, my Intrepid's monthly payment was $347.66 per month, so it would be less than what I was paying for a cheaper car, 10 years ago!

    I wonder how much you'd have to put down for one of those $300/mo Accords? I guess going into a lease would also force me into upgrading cars every few years...which might not be a bad way to get me to keep up with the times!
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Andre, then you can keep your CCBA card in good standing! :P

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,316
    The base model (cloth) Accords and Camrys are in the low-$200s range per month... Very tempting. I wouldn't put anything down on a lease.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Well, the lease they were advertising on the hangtags in the Accords was $289/mo, $1499 delivers. That was a 4-cylinder EX-L, so those cars had the 190 hp version of the 2.4, and leather interiors of course. You get a moonroof and 17" alloys at that price too. 12K miles per year. Stickers on those cars were $27,5 MSRP.

    I would think you might negotiate the miles down and get the upfront money down to just license and reg fees ($400 or so in California).

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Of course $300/mo. x 36 mo. = $10,800. You could buy a pretty nice used car for that. But I like the idea of getting a new/newish Japanese car as a daily driver., however you do it.

    Here's one for you andre: 1st gen Plymouth Road Runner, 91K miles, 440, auto, looked mint. Sat in it today while I was getting my snow tires put on. Don't know the price, I assume people like us would have to win the lottery.

    Also "sat in" an '07 Porsche 911 Turbo, stick, $105K. Almost made me ill, from lust. They also had: an '07 Cayman, low miles, $40K, a few other nice looking used 911's, a couple of boxters, & some vintage of an audi S4. The Cayman looked sweet too, but the last thing I need is some expensive Porsche fetish .......
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    Of course $300/mo. x 36 mo. = $10,800. You could buy a pretty nice used car for that. But I like the idea of getting a new/newish Japanese car as a daily driver., however you do it.

    I've looked at a few used Civics online, and have been finding stuff like '08 LX models with around 45K miles on them for around $14-15K. Seems pricey to me, even if Hondas do hold their value. But then, looking around I've seen '08 Altima S models with around the same miles, for around the same price. Now an Altima S is kinda basic, but I don't think a Civic LX is exactly the epitome of luxury. Either one's just gonna have cloth seats, no sunroof, and I think plastic wheelcovers too. I have a friend who bought a 2009 Civic EX-L, brand-new, over the summer, and he said it was about $20K out the door, with tax, tags, everything. I think it had everything on it but Nav. So IMO, a year-older, more basic model with 45K or so miles on it seems a bit of a rip at $14-15K (plus tax, tags, etc)

    A '69 Roadrunner would definitely be a cool car! If it was a hardtop and not a convertible though, it might not be too hideously priced. A lot of 'em just had 383's though, so the 440 is definitely a selling point. Probably a bit of a bargain compared to an equivalent GTX, Coronet R/T, or Charger R/T though. Or a Daytona or SuperBird!
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    I was thinking about my grandmother's old '85 LeSabre, and how sometimes I wish I'd never gotten rid of it. Well, lo and behold, I stumbled across a similar car at a dealership. No pics, but it's a 1984 Limited coupe, 307 V-8, 176,000 miles. No way in hades I'm going to try depending on something like that as everyday transportation, but still kind of a neat flashback.

    Plus, it's at a dealership that kinda miffed me off about 10 years ago. Maybe they've changed; maybe they haven't, but I dunno if I wanna go there.
  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    .....that '85 LeSabre sedan (light green metallic--I'm pretty sure it's a Limited) is still sitting at the dealer by my house, I think. It would be slightly long drive for you to see it, though (700+miles). I have to run a few errands today, I'll go do a lil look-see.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    ...but I dunno if I wanna go there.

    You're darn right you don't want to go there. A grudge is not just for Christmas you know, a grudge is for life.

    All this talk of Civics - that's not what you want, you like big. I guess a new Accord just about qualifies on that score.
  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    yeah, I don't see andre in a Civic, especially not at that price. An Altima, perhaps, and an Accord might be a stretch.....but ya never know. I've had everything from a '71 Electra 225 to a '90 Protege, so....
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    You're darn right you don't want to go there. A grudge is not just for Christmas you know, a grudge is for life.

    You'd make a good Sicilian! :D

    You do have the right attitude, though. Reminds me of an old Woody Allen tale where he and his wife were deciding whether to deal with their problems by going on vacation or getting a divorce. - "For a while we pondered whether to take a vacation or get a divorce. We decided that a trip to Bermuda is over in two weeks, but a divorce is something you always have."
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    You're darn right you don't want to go there. A grudge is not just for Christmas you know, a grudge is for life.

    Yeah, but for all I know they could be under totally different management by now. And I guess it's possible to carry a grudge TOO long. Back in 1997, my uncle wanted a new truck but wouldn't buy from one of the local Pontiac/GMC dealers...because Grandmom and Granddad got burned by them back in the '50's! I think they bought a used '52 Buick from them that turned out to be troublesome. Although I think they had it for about 3 years, until they traded it for a used '55 Pontiac.

    All this talk of Civics - that's not what you want, you like big. I guess a new Accord just about qualifies on that score.

    Well yeah, I like big, but I'm starting to question whether I really NEED big anymore. I haven't spent much seat time in the current Civic, other than at auto shows, but it didn't seem too bad inside. Plus, I guess if I got into a Civic, and decided that I hated it, I wouldn't get slaughtered TOO badly at trade in time.
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,791
    Here's one for you Andre. Primo pricing for sure...there's lots more here in SF around $2k-2500. :shades:

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    I know it's laughable as a luxury car, and a bit of an insult to the nameplate, but I kinda like that little K-based NYer. Nice color. One of my cousins had a 1986 or so Dodge 600 sedan...basically that car without the thick C-pillar. This is a helluva thing to remember, but she let me drive it in my Granddad's funeral procession. I thought it was a decent little car. And even though it was just a stretched K-car and on a stubby wheelbase, I'd say it felt comparable to something like a Celebrity or the small LTD, maybe even a Taurus in terms of interior room.

    I kinda like that "Puke-ey" edition Mark V, but a bit on the impractical side for daily transportation. The Hurst Olds is cool too.

    Well, it's 4:00 and I can finally leave the office...I'm half tempted to swing by the one local dealer and check out that '91 Caprice.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Now THAT'S a lot of car! ;-)

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    OMG, the interior of that Chrysler is straight outta the 70s, except for that pretend-futuristic digital speedo!! That's a K-car masquerading as a New Yorker, right?

    Loved the quadrasonic 8-track tape listed in the Lincoln though. :-P

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    Naah, the handbrake lever in the Civic would drive you nuts after about five minutes. Are there any forlorn Lacrosse Supers in your neck of the woods?
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    What's wrong with the handbrake lever in the Civic? Looking at this pic, nothing really jumps out at me, although it seems a little far forward. Also, it's hard to tell from that angle, but maybe it would rub against my leg or something?

    As for the LaCrosse, it really doesn't do anything for me. I'm not all that fond of the W-body anyway, although I'd take one if the price was low enough. But the LaCrosse seemed to have held its value a bit better than, say, the Grand Prix or Impala, so they're often priced out of my range. Or, at least, more than what I want to pay!
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    I sat in a Civic Si at a car show about a year after the new body style came out. It was nice enough, but I took a look at that handbrake, let it down and WHAM straight into the side of my leg. That was that. :cry:
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    Damn, that kinda sucks. And I was sort of looking at the Civic as the Chosen One of small cars...the one that would prove it to me that I could live with one. Now what am I gonna do? :cry:

    Although now that I think about it, I kinda remember the Sentra as being fairly comfy. I think it's a bit uglier than the Civic though. And I used to think fuel economy was worse enough to make a difference, but I see that's not the case. Civic automatic is 25/36, while the Sentra CVT is 26/34. I'll also admit that I find the Corolla's recent restyle to be rather handsome. But I just find the car too cramped for my tastes.
  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    ....is rather expensive, IMO. We priced one (on line), not fully loaded (but close) and with a manual transmission: MSRP was about $21k, which I though was ridiculous for an 'economy' car, or a Corolla of any variety.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,032
    There's a guy at work who owned an S model for a few months. I think he said he got them down to about $20K...although I don't know if that was $20K out the door, or $20K plus tax and all the other crap. It was a nice car, and made my uncle's '03 CE model look almost Chevette-esque in comparison, but still just seemed kinda expensive for just the basic engine (dunno why I thought the S had a hotter 1.8) and no leather. It did have a sunroof though.

    He ended up trading it in on a new Tundra...I think the Corolla made him feel castrated, somehow. And of course, as soon as he got the Tundra, fuel prices shot up. Sooo...he dumped the Tundra for a stripper '08 Accord, just in time to see gas prices come back down to reality. And then after a few months he got fed up with that and bought an '09 EX-L with the V-6. He moved to another building about 10-11 months ago, and last I heard he ditched that and was driving a 2000 Jetta Diesel

    If I'd thought about it at the time, I would've made him an offer on that '08 stripper Accord. For a basic model, it was still pretty nice...more than adequate for me. Only downside, I guess, is that it might've been that, rather than my Intrepid, that got whacked in the parking lot. Of course, that degree of damage wouldn't have totaled a new Accord.

    Oh, one other note...I never did make it out to check out that 1991 Caprice. I might go first thing tomorrow morning before all the family crap starts, and see how presentable the thing looks.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I'm in a Civic right now. Have the van in for some work and they gave me the Civic as a loaner. It's a nice enough car but that double decker dash is a tad strange and, yeah, that's a funny place for the brake but not in the way.

    I'm comfortable in it but I'm close to a foot shorter than you so don't take my word for anything.

    Somehow I am finding that I am more an Accord fan than a Honda fan.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • garrison16garrison16 Member Posts: 28
    I had a 1988 and a 1993 Chrysler New Yorker. Both Beautiful Cars. A little smaller
    than my Concorde and Intrepid, but ride and handling were comparable. The 1988
    was extremely quiet with the Mitsubishi engine
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