I kinda liked that generation of New Yorker. After seeing the name downgraded over the years, it was nice to see it moved back upscale. I also have a soft spot for the Dodge Dynasty...even if I do call it the "Die-Nasty" :P
Did you ever have transmission troubles with either car? IIRC, they didn't come out with that troublesome 4-speed automatic until 1989, so I guess your '88 dodged that bullet? I had an '88 LeBaron turbo coupe when I was married, and its 3-speed automatic was about the only thing on the car that DIDN'T break, towards the end. That car was fairly good up through about 90,000 miles, but it went downhill fast, and was shot by around 118K.
I especially like those 5th Avenues and Imperials that used the 3.8 V-6. Too bad they didn't put that bigger V-6 in the smaller NYer and Dynasty...it probably would've been almost like a little musclecar!
When the 1993 had about 98000 miles it starting not shifting properly under certain conditions. Dealer told me that I needed a new transmission. It was an A604. I drove the car right up until the transmission was replaced. It never left me stranded.
I had a 1987 Lebaron Coupe 2.5 non turbo until 129000 miles which My Father bought new.. 1991 Lebaron Convertable 3.0. Went into Limp Mode once but never had another problem with transmission. Needed Valve Guide seals at 127000 miles
I've actually never owned anything other than GM and Mopar. At this point I have under my belt...
1980 Malibu coupe 1969 Bonneville 4-door hardtop 1982 Cutlass Supreme coupe 1967 Catalina convertible (still have) 1985 LeSabre sedan 1986 Monte Carlo 1985 Silverado (still have) 1976 Grand LeMans coupe (still have)
and on the Mopar front... 1969 Dart GT hardtop 1957 DeSoto Firedome hardtop coupe (still have) 1968 Dart 270 hardtop (sold it, but it's still sitting in my driveway) 1988 Lebaron Turbo coupe 1979 Newport 4-door 1989 Gran Fury ex-copcar 1967 Newport hardtop coupe 2000 Intrepid (still have, until the insurance company takes it at least) 1979 NY'er 5th Ave (still have) 1979 NY'er base model (still have)
So at this point, the tally is 8 GM, 10 Mopar. Maybe I need to get out more.
Partial to german cars.. but open-minded Partial to stick-shifts... but, would consider a DSG.. Prefer RWD, but open to sporty AWD or FWD..
Want to stay under $20K OTD for used, or $25K OTD for new... (way under, if possible...)
Current thoughts..
MINI... either regular or "S" coupe.. New only, most likely, as used ones aren't really good buys.. (base.. $22K, "S".. $25K)
VW GTI.. New or used.... 4-door preferred.. ('07-'08s asking $17K-$19.5K at dealers, new ones are $25K, at least)
VW R32.. '04s are in the $teens.. '08s are $23K-$27K... They are AWD and all 2-doors.. '08s are DSG only, no sticks.. Insurance rates might preclude one of these...
BMW E46 sedan or coupe... stick-shift, with Sport or Performance package.. 325i or 330i... '04-'06 model... high $teens..
It seems like I should have more choices.... Currently drive a Subaru Impreza stick-shift.. decent car, but I'm really bored with it.. Want something a little nicer, sportier..
Any other ideas? Especially in the mid-teen$ range?
And of course there's the MS3, which is supposedly a real hoot if you aren't turned off by that gaping smile the new one wears. And then again if you look for a Genesis coupe without the track pack, that one is RWD and sneaks quite comfortably under the $25K limit, doesn't it?
Of course, if you think the Impreza is a decent car, you could do worse than a 3 year old STi, although that will get under $25K but not $20K. Still it would be CPO at that price, and there seem to be a fair number to choose from, at least at dealers in my area.
Another car that has flooded demand used is the 350Z. Can pick up a quite recent one for $20K. I was always so claustrophobic in that tiny cabin it isn't for me, but they say it is a heck of a driver's car. ;-)
The used GTI is really the best deal for low money, but you may be able to count in hours the time until that CEL comes on. :-P
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The used GTI is really the best deal for low money, but you may be able to count in hours the time until that CEL comes on.
Hey, my MS3 is no slouch at throwing codes either, and it also comes with -at no extra charge- weak-kneed dampers and a poorly designed turbo/PCV system. To top it off, OEM front pads cost more than OEM BMW pads for an E46 M3..
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Gaithersburg isn't really all that far. In fact, I think that's where the '00 Intrepid ES and '98 Park Ave Ultra are at. I guess it's about 30-35 miles away.
I still haven't had the ambition to go out and look at that 1991 Caprice that's a couple miles away. Maybe that's either a sign that I really don't want it. Or, perhaps, it's me subconsciously trying to stay away because I'm afraid I'll buy it!
Andre, you have been WITHOUT a new car for some time now.... you DESERVE a brand new ride! Don't talk yourself out of it and help the economy and BUY a new car already! LOL! :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
Who was the first to mention cheap Civic leases? Now you've got me looking. Holy cow. $179/mo for 30 mos on a 2010 LX? $1499 due at signing, but that's for an automatic. Since I'd want a stick, I would think I could knock that down. Heck, bump it up to 15k miles per year, and it may still be $0 down and under $200/mo all in. Man, that's cheap. Looks like a VP is ~$10 less. But that doesn't seem to make sense when, for that extra $10, you get 16" wheels, cruise, and all power stuff.
Anybody know the trunk money on these leases? According to the Honda website, it looks like they are basing it on the dealer kicking in about $1k? (very quick, rough math here)
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Sometimes for crazy deals like that the dealers do have to contribute out of their gross so it's unlikely you'll receive any money off on top of that deal, especially on a Civic. I think the total gross on a Civic is about $1200 if that.
for a week and I can't seem to fall in love with it. It is pretty enough, plenty of power, roomy, and feels substantial. It's in above average shape for a 7 year old car and is fairly reasonable at $13,000. Am I just being fickle or is there something better out there? I'm tempted by a Civic Si sedan or a 09-2010 Altima. I still love the way new Accords look but can't go there again after the brake issues I had with my 09 EX-L 5-speed manual. I also find 06-07 Acura TL's to be a good value and good blend of features and performance. Am I stupid not to love the 02 Lexus GS430? Maybe I am just having problems committing when my driveway is an open book and I can go in som many different directions?
A friend of mine on another list is selling a nice 2002 M3 for $18K(he just bought a Cayman S. I hate him.). The car has 100,000 miles on it but the guy is notoriously obsessive-compulsive about maintenance. No heated seats, though which is essentially a deal-breaker.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
All the C30 that I've seen sticker for $28K-$30K... :surprise: (no free maintenance, either).
Not a big Volvo fan, but that's one that I hadn't thought of... They definitely catch your eye, when you see one (rare occurrence).
Along the same lines.... I like the A3, but I'd want Quattro, and that puts it out of reach... plus, at the car show, I had trouble getting in and out of it (but, not the GTI.. must be the higher roofline).
I've seen '07 Saab 9-3s going for $17K-$18K.. with stick-shifts... I could probably score a 9-3 SportKombi for under $20K, and I like them.. but, finding a stick could be tough.... Plus, wondering how long before boredom sets in...
Also, thinking that maybe by next summer, used 1-series coupes could be dropping in to the mid-$20s.. Don't love the look of them.. but, 230HP and RWD is nice..
I could also go older and cheaper... but, it has to be reliable (15K/yr), able to go in all weather....
The Subaru is okay... but, I think I'm out of the Asian econobox market.... too boring... even with extra horsepower, I don't want another one... (and, I've owned at least one Honda product continuously from 1982-2008).
before heading out to relatives', I stopped by that local dealership and checked out that 1991 Caprice. Here's a picture of it. Note the Oldsmobile hubcap up front. :P It has two others on the driver's side. They're actually a step up from the crappy plastic covers that originally came with the car. I imagine the last one on the car would break, eventually.
The car was unlocked, so I sat inside. I hate to say it, but this thing kinda sucked. For one thing, it was filthy. The interior was gray cloth, and looked like a construction worker had owned it. It had been vacuumed out, but still had the look of dirt worn into the seats, carpet, door panels...even the plastic. And speaking of plastic, I had forgotten how much these cars had in them! A definite step down from more square-rigged 1977-90 style. It also wasn't all that roomy, either. Now shoulder room was more than you'd ever need, but legroom was inferior to my '76 LeMans or my '79 New Yorkers. The floor area wasn't all that generous either, with the frame rails and transmission hump taking a lot of space. I think it was better than a Crown Vic/Grand Marquis in this regard, but managed to seem worse than the old '77-90 style
But, I would have found it comfortable enough...I was just expecting more, I guess. Also, there was a huge crack in the dash, running from the windshield back to the instrument cluster. The headliner was starting to come loose at the rear window, and my guess is that would deteriorate quickly. Outside, it was hard to tell what condition it was really in because well, everything looks better when it's wet. I did see what looked like cracked caulk or sealant on both sides, where the top of the C-pillars joined the roof.
I didn't bother to look under the hood, but maybe I should have, just to get a total assessment of the thing. Oh, and it looked like it had new tires, but I didn't bother to check the brand. Probably something cheap. Anyway, it has about 75,000 miles on it, and they're asking $3995. It's inspected. I'm tempted to go in and offer 'em $1500, give 'em my number, and tell 'em to gimme a call when they're tired of looking at it and want me to come take it off their hands. :P
They also had a 1994 Olds 88 Royale there, same $3995 price. It had 94,000 miles, and was dark green with a gray cloth interior. Had that same sort of ground-in-dirt hue to the interior, though. Otherwise though, nothing was falling apart inside, like it was with the Caprice. Outside, well the wetness probably hid a lot of flaws, but I could see a piece of plastic wheel well trim coming loose, and there were assorted scratches here and there.
Of the two, I think I liked the Olds a bit better. But I can't see either one ending up in my driveway anytime soon. So I guess I better not offer them $1500 for that Caprice, on the off chance that they take it!
Me too. The BIN price isn't that bad but I'm just going to watch things for a while. If I could nab it for @$16K or so it would be a real steal. Potential repair costs will scare a lot of people away, but running costs aren't all that bad if you are a decent DIY type and you know where to buy parts.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
is gorgeous... I would love that color on almost any car. A few weeks ago Gee and I found a private seller with a 2001 M5 for $11,900. Sounded good but when we did hte research it had been in a couple of accidents and he had issues with overheating.
Are the seats in that car dark blue, or is it just a trick of the light? That would be cool if they really are blue...a nice change from the typical gray, black, putty, etc.
Blue extended leather was an option, but this car has medium gray instead of blue. Personally I'd prefer the blue leather, but most US BMW owners aren't as adventurous with respect to colors and trim.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The blue M5 is pretty, and a nice competitor to my period E55. I wish MB would have been so diverse in color choices, 90% you see are black or silver, boring. Also fun to see BMW did the 2-tone interior idea just like MB...I don't know how much I like that though. I had it in my C43, and it seemed kind of loud.
Can't reply cause of the picture. When is edmunds ever going to move out of 1999 anyway?
All the C30 that I've seen sticker for $28K-$30K... (no free maintenance, either)
Volvo has a better maitenance program then BMW with their safe & sound package. Five years 60,000 miles warranty, regular services and wear and tear and roadside assistance.
They are pricey though no way around that since Volvo won't offer the base non-turbo motor.
The one I have in stock with climate, automatic no sunroof stickers for $27,100. You get standard bluetooth, auto climate, AUX and USB port for that with HD radio.
RB, you're torturing us, right? That M5 looks so sweet, & 78K miles is not that bad. IMO, e39 M5's look nondescript in black. If I wanted to go even a little bit nuts, I'd buy it, at least if it were closer to me......what did he want, for his BIN price?
Yeah for $3995 that car should have been a gramps driven mint condition car. Obviously they're asking too much, They probably got it for about $1000-$1500 on trade.
for a week and I can't seem to fall in love with it
How much do you want to be "turned on" (by the car)? The GS is a great car, for a great price. Or you could sell it, & buy the blue M5 that RB posted; I'd bet that car would give you a whole new outlook on life. Just always swapping one Honda/Acura/Lexus for another is bound to get boring, to some of us.....
I wish MB would have been so diverse in color choices, 90% you see are black or silver, boring.
It's actually kind of rare to find newer BMW's in anything other than black or silver- that's what modern buyers want, according to my BMW salesperson.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Most luxury and premium car buyers are pretty conservative so black, silver, gray and white are the predominant colors. Dark and medium blue are safe colors too but nothing too bright or too light.
Anything else tends to sit on the lot and with the current climate of new car sales you can't afford to tie up 30,000 plus dollars in a slow moving unit.
My first boss in the car business worked at a Mercedes dealer before he sold Land Rovers and all they ordered were black, silver, gray and white in that order.
If you wanted another color you special ordered it or they tried to get it from another dealer.
We did the same thing with rovers for the most part though we did order some of the more interesting greens as those were popular Land Rover colors.
The two previous owners are well known for their fastidious maintenance regimens, so I'm going to see how the bidding goes; I'm definitely interested. It will only cost @$225 to fly to NJ and pick it up, and it's only a 10-11 hour drive back.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I see a lot of European cars in black, white, and bright red--my guess is that a lot of the advertised leases don't include metallic paint, which is extra $$$ on most of the Euro cars. That, and I'm guessing that a few of the people looking to buy outright balk at the metallic paint surcharge.
You are correct in that the advertised or special leases don't include the charge for metallic paint. Every once in a while someone balks at paying it but not that often. It is like the guy who balks at paying the doc fee it is getting worked in there somehow no matter what.
Volvo used to run special factory leases on purely base cars only. You couldn't have any options at all not even metallic paint or you couldn't do the lease. That limited people to black or white, sometimes red if they wanted the special lease price. If they wanted any other color or another option the payment changed drastically.
I love that...spend 50K+ on a car and pay more for metallic paint.
Before I bought my black e39 wagon, I turned down an '01 e39 wagon in this beautiful blue color, I think it was Topaz Blue (?). Bmw has had some beautiful blue colors, & at least a couple of nice reds, like Sienna. My '98 Range Rover was Oxford Blue, I loved that color. The Avus Blue on the 2000 M5 might be seen as a bit "bright", maybe (?), but e39's aren't always the sexiest bmw's in looks, so I'd go with a strong color, like that.....
I have contacted a few dealers and have been getting quotes for around $2000 below invoice for a 2010 Altima or a lease payment with zero due at signing for $300 for 36 months/15k per year.
The Lexus is a nice ride but I really want to keep my next car for 10 years .. at that point the Lexus will be 17 years old whereas the Altima would only be 10 years old. I cant go back to Honda but a 06-07 TL is in the mix, just not a top contender.
Comments
Did you ever have transmission troubles with either car? IIRC, they didn't come out with that troublesome 4-speed automatic until 1989, so I guess your '88 dodged that bullet? I had an '88 LeBaron turbo coupe when I was married, and its 3-speed automatic was about the only thing on the car that DIDN'T break, towards the end. That car was fairly good up through about 90,000 miles, but it went downhill fast, and was shot by around 118K.
I especially like those 5th Avenues and Imperials that used the 3.8 V-6. Too bad they didn't put that bigger V-6 in the smaller NYer and Dynasty...it probably would've been almost like a little musclecar!
certain conditions. Dealer told me that I needed a new transmission. It was an A604. I drove the car right up until the transmission was replaced. It never left
me stranded.
I had a 1987 Lebaron Coupe 2.5 non turbo until 129000 miles which My Father bought new..
1991 Lebaron Convertable 3.0. Went into Limp Mode once but never had another
problem with transmission. Needed Valve Guide seals at 127000 miles
2 New Yorkers and now the Concorde and Intrepid
1980 Malibu coupe
1969 Bonneville 4-door hardtop
1982 Cutlass Supreme coupe
1967 Catalina convertible (still have)
1985 LeSabre sedan
1986 Monte Carlo
1985 Silverado (still have)
1976 Grand LeMans coupe (still have)
and on the Mopar front...
1969 Dart GT hardtop
1957 DeSoto Firedome hardtop coupe (still have)
1968 Dart 270 hardtop (sold it, but it's still sitting in my driveway)
1988 Lebaron Turbo coupe
1979 Newport 4-door
1989 Gran Fury ex-copcar
1967 Newport hardtop coupe
2000 Intrepid (still have, until the insurance company takes it at least)
1979 NY'er 5th Ave (still have)
1979 NY'er base model (still have)
So at this point, the tally is 8 GM, 10 Mopar. Maybe I need to get out more.
You need to fix that...
1965 Sunbeam Alpine (Used)
1970 Toyota Corolla (Used)
1972 Subaru FF1 (New)
1974 Plymouth Duster (New)
1977 MG Midget (New)
1979 Pontiac Grand Prix (New)
1980 Dodge Colt (New)
1987 Plymouth Colt(New)
1987 Lebaron Coupe (My Father Bought New)
1988 Chrysler New Yorker (Used)
1990 Dodge Ram 50 (New)
1991 Chrysler Lebaron Convertible (Used)
1993 Chrysler New Yorker( Used)
1992 Cadillac Coupe deVille (Used)
1998 Chrysler Concorde(Used Still Have)
2002 Dodge Intrepid(Used Still Have)
2003 Dodge Dakota(New Still Have) 178100 miles
Such a promising start to life.... then it all went to hell in the mid-'70s..
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The MG was just too small
The Grand Prix seemed like a gas eater at the time
Partial to german cars.. but open-minded
Partial to stick-shifts... but, would consider a DSG..
Prefer RWD, but open to sporty AWD or FWD..
Want to stay under $20K OTD for used, or $25K OTD for new... (way under, if possible...)
Current thoughts..
MINI... either regular or "S" coupe.. New only, most likely, as used ones aren't really good buys.. (base.. $22K, "S".. $25K)
VW GTI.. New or used.... 4-door preferred.. ('07-'08s asking $17K-$19.5K at dealers, new ones are $25K, at least)
VW R32.. '04s are in the $teens.. '08s are $23K-$27K... They are AWD and all 2-doors.. '08s are DSG only, no sticks.. Insurance rates might preclude one of these...
BMW E46 sedan or coupe... stick-shift, with Sport or Performance package.. 325i or 330i... '04-'06 model... high $teens..
It seems like I should have more choices.... Currently drive a Subaru Impreza stick-shift.. decent car, but I'm really bored with it.. Want something a little nicer, sportier..
Any other ideas? Especially in the mid-teen$ range?
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Of course, if you think the Impreza is a decent car, you could do worse than a 3 year old STi, although that will get under $25K but not $20K. Still it would be CPO at that price, and there seem to be a fair number to choose from, at least at dealers in my area.
Another car that has flooded demand used is the 350Z. Can pick up a quite recent one for $20K. I was always so claustrophobic in that tiny cabin it isn't for me, but they say it is a heck of a driver's car. ;-)
The used GTI is really the best deal for low money, but you may be able to count in hours the time until that CEL comes on. :-P
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Hey, my MS3 is no slouch at throwing codes either, and it also comes with -at no extra charge- weak-kneed dampers and a poorly designed turbo/PCV system. To top it off, OEM front pads cost more than OEM BMW pads for an E46 M3..
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
True enough, the A/C is adequate; too bad about the rest of the car...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I was poking around on Fitzmall and found an '06 Azera with 40k for a smidge over $15k. It's out in Gaithersburg, though.
I still haven't had the ambition to go out and look at that 1991 Caprice that's a couple miles away. Maybe that's either a sign that I really don't want it. Or, perhaps, it's me subconsciously trying to stay away because I'm afraid I'll buy it!
Mark
Who was the first to mention cheap Civic leases? Now you've got me looking. Holy cow. $179/mo for 30 mos on a 2010 LX? $1499 due at signing, but that's for an automatic. Since I'd want a stick, I would think I could knock that down. Heck, bump it up to 15k miles per year, and it may still be $0 down and under $200/mo all in. Man, that's cheap. Looks like a VP is ~$10 less. But that doesn't seem to make sense when, for that extra $10, you get 16" wheels, cruise, and all power stuff.
Anybody know the trunk money on these leases? According to the Honda website, it looks like they are basing it on the dealer kicking in about $1k? (very quick, rough math here)
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I spotted this in a local used car rag....I could also see you in this (and lemko moreso), but the color isn't the best.
All of this makes me think of what I would do if my modern car was totaled.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Not a big Volvo fan, but that's one that I hadn't thought of... They definitely catch your eye, when you see one (rare occurrence).
Along the same lines.... I like the A3, but I'd want Quattro, and that puts it out of reach... plus, at the car show, I had trouble getting in and out of it (but, not the GTI.. must be the higher roofline).
I've seen '07 Saab 9-3s going for $17K-$18K.. with stick-shifts... I could probably score a 9-3 SportKombi for under $20K, and I like them.. but, finding a stick could be tough.... Plus, wondering how long before boredom sets in...
Also, thinking that maybe by next summer, used 1-series coupes could be dropping in to the mid-$20s.. Don't love the look of them.. but, 230HP and RWD is nice..
I could also go older and cheaper... but, it has to be reliable (15K/yr), able to go in all weather....
The Subaru is okay... but, I think I'm out of the Asian econobox market.... too boring... even with extra horsepower, I don't want another one... (and, I've owned at least one Honda product continuously from 1982-2008).
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The car was unlocked, so I sat inside. I hate to say it, but this thing kinda sucked. For one thing, it was filthy. The interior was gray cloth, and looked like a construction worker had owned it. It had been vacuumed out, but still had the look of dirt worn into the seats, carpet, door panels...even the plastic. And speaking of plastic, I had forgotten how much these cars had in them! A definite step down from more square-rigged 1977-90 style. It also wasn't all that roomy, either. Now shoulder room was more than you'd ever need, but legroom was inferior to my '76 LeMans or my '79 New Yorkers. The floor area wasn't all that generous either, with the frame rails and transmission hump taking a lot of space. I think it was better than a Crown Vic/Grand Marquis in this regard, but managed to seem worse than the old '77-90 style
But, I would have found it comfortable enough...I was just expecting more, I guess. Also, there was a huge crack in the dash, running from the windshield back to the instrument cluster. The headliner was starting to come loose at the rear window, and my guess is that would deteriorate quickly. Outside, it was hard to tell what condition it was really in because well, everything looks better when it's wet. I did see what looked like cracked caulk or sealant on both sides, where the top of the C-pillars joined the roof.
I didn't bother to look under the hood, but maybe I should have, just to get a total assessment of the thing. Oh, and it looked like it had new tires, but I didn't bother to check the brand. Probably something cheap. Anyway, it has about 75,000 miles on it, and they're asking $3995. It's inspected. I'm tempted to go in and offer 'em $1500, give 'em my number, and tell 'em to gimme a call when they're tired of looking at it and want me to come take it off their hands. :P
They also had a 1994 Olds 88 Royale there, same $3995 price. It had 94,000 miles, and was dark green with a gray cloth interior. Had that same sort of ground-in-dirt hue to the interior, though. Otherwise though, nothing was falling apart inside, like it was with the Caprice. Outside, well the wetness probably hid a lot of flaws, but I could see a piece of plastic wheel well trim coming loose, and there were assorted scratches here and there.
Of the two, I think I liked the Olds a bit better. But I can't see either one ending up in my driveway anytime soon. So I guess I better not offer them $1500 for that Caprice, on the off chance that they take it!
Anyway, hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!
Yes. And it turns out another guy on the list has a very clean 2000 M5.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Me too. The BIN price isn't that bad but I'm just going to watch things for a while. If I could nab it for @$16K or so it would be a real steal. Potential repair costs will scare a lot of people away, but running costs aren't all that bad if you are a decent DIY type and you know where to buy parts.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
All the C30 that I've seen sticker for $28K-$30K... (no free maintenance, either)
Volvo has a better maitenance program then BMW with their safe & sound package. Five years 60,000 miles warranty, regular services and wear and tear and roadside assistance.
They are pricey though no way around that since Volvo won't offer the base non-turbo motor.
The one I have in stock with climate, automatic no sunroof stickers for $27,100. You get standard bluetooth, auto climate, AUX and USB port for that with HD radio.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
How much do you want to be "turned on" (by the car)? The GS is a great car, for a great price. Or you could sell it, & buy the blue M5 that RB posted; I'd bet that car would give you a whole new outlook on life. Just always swapping one Honda/Acura/Lexus for another is bound to get boring, to some of us.....
It's actually kind of rare to find newer BMW's in anything other than black or silver- that's what modern buyers want, according to my BMW salesperson.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Anything else tends to sit on the lot and with the current climate of new car sales you can't afford to tie up 30,000 plus dollars in a slow moving unit.
My first boss in the car business worked at a Mercedes dealer before he sold Land Rovers and all they ordered were black, silver, gray and white in that order.
If you wanted another color you special ordered it or they tried to get it from another dealer.
We did the same thing with rovers for the most part though we did order some of the more interesting greens as those were popular Land Rover colors.
It will only cost @$225 to fly to NJ and pick it up, and it's only a 10-11 hour drive back.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
And in Europe, metallic is an option even on S-class and 7er. Anything to boost the profit margin, I guess.
My E55 is grey, which is uncommon, easily less than 1 out of 10 cars. 7 out of 10 seem to be silver. I am sure it is the same for similar year M5s.
Volvo used to run special factory leases on purely base cars only. You couldn't have any options at all not even metallic paint or you couldn't do the lease. That limited people to black or white, sometimes red if they wanted the special lease price. If they wanted any other color or another option the payment changed drastically.
Did that cause you to lose a lot of sales? Or did people just accept it and pay a lot more?
Before I bought my black e39 wagon, I turned down an '01 e39 wagon in this beautiful blue color, I think it was Topaz Blue (?). Bmw has had some beautiful blue colors, & at least a couple of nice reds, like Sienna. My '98 Range Rover was Oxford Blue, I loved that color. The Avus Blue on the 2000 M5 might be seen as a bit "bright", maybe (?), but e39's aren't always the sexiest bmw's in looks, so I'd go with a strong color, like that.....
No heated seats, no leather, no sunroof and if AWD was optional no AWD.
So a base XC90 was no leather, no sunroof, no heated seats and no third row. No one in New England is buying that.
We sold maybe one or two a year of those base XC90s. On the S40s that was a base car with a manual trans so not many of those got sold either.
The Lexus is a nice ride but I really want to keep my next car for 10 years .. at that point the Lexus will be 17 years old whereas the Altima would only be 10 years old. I cant go back to Honda but a 06-07 TL is in the mix, just not a top contender.