Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

I was able to specify with Hagerty that I wanted to do occasional daily driving up to 2500 miles per year and they were OK with that as long as I have a dedicated daily driver. They gave me a little trouble insuring the ZHP until I explained that it was different from a run of the mill 330.

My renewal is coming up in February so I’ll check out American Collectors.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

I changed from Hagerty to American Collectors for my classics. When I did so, Hagerty asked why. I wrote that I wanted to actually drive my cars and AC allows that. A rep called me a little while later to say “we do offer a different policy that allows some driving.” I just said I never heard that before, even when I specifically asked that question when signing up. Oh well. I’m fine with AC’s $300/yr and allowing me 5k miles (IIRC).

I’ll have to check out American Collectors as well. I think I can also get Historical Plates from the state of CT as well as state emissions exemption & cheaper personal property tax from the City of Stamford.

@explorerx4 - I have to specifically request those plates from the DMV?

28firefighter

Regarding the Tacoma, I’m viewing it as a stopgap. I can transfer it, won’t be a huge cash outlay, and I’ll get to drive one.

Probably won’t do it, but just noodling it.

corvette

kyfdx said:

corvette said:

Are you married?

Not that I can remember!

Tried to resecure the shark fin on the Tundra with 3M auto body adhesive tape. It appears it has a thin lip at the edge and is hollow towards the middle, so the tape didn't help. Ran the truck through the car wash, and the headliner is as dry as a bone. I'm going to call it good unless it starts leaking.

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

What’s the deal with Haggerty? My Prelude is a 2001 & is technically 20 years old. Is it less expensive than conventional insurance? My car is far from perfect. I might get it ready to go and pass it on to my son who turns 16 in 2 years?

I have the Club Sport insured with Hagerty; 250/500/100 with a $15,000 agreed value. For the first year the premium was $595.83; this year it dropped to $431.68.

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
Look like historical plates are mail order.
https://portal.ct.gov/DMV/Special-and-Vanity/Special-and-Vanity/Classic-Vehicle-Plate

28firefighter

Also, State Farm wanted 900 a year to insure the ZHP. Hagerty is 475 with guaranteed value at $10k, 250/500 limits, and 2500 miles/year.

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

kyfdx said:

corvette said:

Are you married?

Not that I can remember!

Tried to resecure the shark fin on the Tundra with 3M auto body adhesive tape. It appears it has a thin lip at the edge and is hollow towards the middle, so the tape didn't help. Ran the truck through the car wash, and the headliner is as dry as a bone. I'm going to call it good unless it starts leaking.

There’s a product called Shoe Goo that is an adhesive/sealant which I have used for a lot of automotive needs. Waterproof and forms a somewhat flexible seal. I’ve glued a number of car parts with it.

roadburner

My Hagerty policy allows occasional daily driving and 2,500 miles per year. I may add the Wrangler(a Hagerty online article mentioned the TJ as a future classic).

corvette

Do you get to pick the mileage, or are all their policies 2,500 miles per year or less?

Michaell

corvette said:

Do you get to pick the mileage, or are all their policies 2,500 miles per year or less?

I'll guess more mileage is available, with a higher premium.

The one thing that is non-negotiable is that the vehicle has to be garaged. When my dad was alive and had his 1970 Chevy C-10, we looked into a collectible policy. That mandate nixed it for us, as the truck wouldn't fit in the garage.

28firefighter

corvette said:

Do you get to pick the mileage, or are all their policies 2,500 miles per year or less?

I picked it based on my driving habits. But yes, garage was a mandate.

pensfan83

I should probably look into AC or Hagerty as well

pensfan83

Though I'm interested in what's defined as "occasional daily driving". There were times this past summer the truck sat for days while I drove the BMW or Honda.

28firefighter

I don’t know the exact calculation. I told them probably 2-3 days a week of driving during the summer and they seemed OK with it.

pensfan83

Hmmmm. Even in a post pandemic world that would be sufficient.

My agent represents Hagerty as well so I'll probably inquire in March.

explorerx4

You should ask about parking it at the office. I think some insurers don't allow you to do that.

pensfan83

I don't drive to the office normally but if I did I would take the Tacoma or RDX.

28firefighter

I test drove a CPO X3 35i today with 26k miles. Didn’t do anything for me. Decidedly meh - felt shockingly lethargic for 300hp. Not that I need a race car, but I expected more oomph.

roadburner

28firefighter said:

I test drove a CPO X3 35i today with 26k miles. Didn’t do anything for me. Decidedly meh - felt shockingly lethargic for 300hp. Not that I need a race car, but I expected more oomph.

M40i or nothing, IMNSHO.

sda

28firefighter said:

I test drove a CPO X3 35i today with 26k miles. Didn’t do anything for me. Decidedly meh - felt shockingly lethargic for 300hp. Not that I need a race car, but I expected more oomph.

The overall feel of your 330 has spoiled you.

28firefighter

Maybe. But my wife’s Outback 3.6 feels more engaging...

And yes, I’m sure an M40 would hit the spot. Not where I’d like to stay budget wise, unfortunately.

carnaught

@corvette, I’ll say, 38/5.

Happy New Year to all!

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

Maybe. But my wife’s Outback 3.6 feels more engaging...

And yes, I’m sure an M40 would hit the spot. Not where I’d like to stay budget wise, unfortunately.

Don’t worry. @breld will be looking to replace his by mid March;)

nyccarguy

I always guess low & get burned. I say 40 for the board & 3 for Bruce Almighty & his wife. I do think we need some sort of guidelines to keep the count true. A punch by a member (or spouse obviously) is a punch. I think if a member helps out with the punch financially (pay some upfront costs for a lease or down payment), then the punch should be recorded. If the punched vehicle resides at the member’s primary residence, then the punch counts... just my $.02.

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

I always guess low & get burned. I say 40 for the board & 3 for Bruce Almighty & his wife. I do think we need some sort of guidelines to keep the count true. A punch by a member (or spouse obviously) is a punch. I think if a member helps out with the punch financially (pay some upfront costs for a lease or down payment), then the punch should be recorded. If the punched vehicle resides at the member’s primary residence, then the punch counts... just my $.02.

+1.

corvette

Noted. I had been including punches from non-members where a member helped with negotiations, etc., and/or otherwise got the rest of us emotionally invested in the transaction, but it would certainly simplify things if I stopped counting those.

Also, given that the leaderboard is kept in a Google Docs word processor document, the separate breld count is kind of throwing me for a loop, but I think I've got it worked out.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

nyccarguy said:

I always guess low & get burned. I say 40 for the board & 3 for Bruce Almighty & his wife. I do think we need some sort of guidelines to keep the count true. A punch by a member (or spouse obviously) is a punch. I think if a member helps out with the punch financially (pay some upfront costs for a lease or down payment), then the punch should be recorded. If the punched vehicle resides at the member’s primary residence, then the punch counts... just my $.02.

+1.

I'm good with that. Not sure my sisters two punches last year (her son's 4Runner and the BIL Q50 lease) should count on this. Immediate family, financial assistance and residency, as noted above.

That said, I'll go with 38/4 for 2021.

For the record, I don't think I'll have a punch this year. The wife is interviewing for a F/T job where she would have to commute to the site, but we may still be able to share the Outback.

And, I still have mom's Sonata available to me in CA if need be - just have to go out and get it.

corvette

Michaell said:

And, I still have mom's Sonata available to me in CA if need be - just have to go out and get it.

But, would that count as a punch?

Michaell

corvette said:

Michaell said:

And, I still have mom's Sonata available to me in CA if need be - just have to go out and get it.

But, would that count as a punch?

I’m not buying it - just the costs for me to get it to Colorado.

I’ll defer to the group...

nyccarguy

corvette said:

Michaell said:

And, I still have mom's Sonata available to me in CA if need be - just have to go out and get it.

But, would that count as a punch?

Yes. It is an acquisition. It counts! Plus. He’s a host;). He gets special privileges;)

3 cheers for @corvette who keeps our count going year after year! Many thanks my friend!

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

corvette said:

Michaell said:

And, I still have mom's Sonata available to me in CA if need be - just have to go out and get it.

But, would that count as a punch?

Yes. It is an acquisition. It counts! Plus. He’s a host;). He gets special privileges;)

3 cheers for @corvette who keeps our count going year after year! Many thanks my friend!

Almost 4.5 years since the last one - the Jetta lease.

Still managing just fine sharing the Outback.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

corvette said:

Michaell said:

And, I still have mom's Sonata available to me in CA if need be - just have to go out and get it.

But, would that count as a punch?

Yes. It is an acquisition. It counts! Plus. He’s a host;). He gets special privileges;)

3 cheers for @corvette who keeps our count going year after year! Many thanks my friend!

Almost 4.5 years since the last one - the Jetta lease.

Still managing just fine sharing the Outback.

For a free car I’d drive to California from NY. You’re 3/4 the way there already.

28firefighter

Was offered the GLI I wanted for $1k over MSRP. My response? “So you must have a long waiting list of people for this car right? Given that all others are discounted $3-$4k.”

No response.

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

corvette said:

Michaell said:

And, I still have mom's Sonata available to me in CA if need be - just have to go out and get it.

But, would that count as a punch?

Yes. It is an acquisition. It counts! Plus. He’s a host;). He gets special privileges;)

3 cheers for @corvette who keeps our count going year after year! Many thanks my friend!

Almost 4.5 years since the last one - the Jetta lease.

Still managing just fine sharing the Outback.

For a free car I’d drive to California from NY. You’re 3/4 the way there already.

2/3. 1100 mile drive, give or take. It’s had about $1500 worth of work done on it recently. Could stand to have a good interior detailing, and a new CarPlay compatible head unit and a rear camera.

corvette

Michaell said:

2/3. 1100 mile drive, give or take. It’s had about $1500 worth of work done on it recently. Could stand to have a good interior detailing, and a new CarPlay compatible head unit and a rear camera.

Agree with you on wanting a camera. I love CarPlay, but I think I could live without it on an older car, so long as it had an aux-in (as did the Tahoe), or a USB input (as did the G37).

roadburner

My last punch was November 2018...

Michaell

corvette said:

Michaell said:

2/3. 1100 mile drive, give or take. It’s had about $1500 worth of work done on it recently. Could stand to have a good interior detailing, and a new CarPlay compatible head unit and a rear camera.

Agree with you on wanting a camera. I love CarPlay, but I think I could live without it on an older car, so long as it had an aux-in (as did the Tahoe), or a USB input (as did the G37).

The Sonata is a 2003, so it has both a CD player and a cassette! Double DIN, so a fairly easy replacement.

stickguy

I think that if I do end up with an older car of some sort, I would definitely budget for (and make sure it could handle it) to get a camera and at least BT, if not carplay. Aux in would be a plus, but probably would not use if I had the other wireless features (or lightening cord).

breld

Did a little browsing this morning...mostly cause I felt like getting the Supra out.

This reignited my interest in Audis as I’ve been back on a BMW kick for awhile now...

https://www.schomphonda.com/inventory/used-2016-audi-s5-premium-plus-awd-2dr-car-wauc4afr3ga024145

That first gen A5/S5 is such a nice clean design IMO.

There have also been a few TTs and TTSs showing up locally - wouldn’t mind the lower power of the TT for the benefit of the drop top.

In any case, I’m thinking $30k-ish as a budget for the next fun car. I got spoiled with the wife encouraging me to go for the Supra - but when I sit back and think about it, I went from the 2014 228i that I paid $17k for and LOVED, to more than doubling that (actually closer to tripling it) for the Supra as my fun car. And then I start looking at cars that are “equal” like an M2...when I should probably dial it back again.

I’m thinking I’ll get back into a manual again...a used Audi/BMW could fit the bill, but may feel better about getting back into a Miata. We shall see.

28firefighter

I love love love that S5.

breld

28firefighter said:

I love love love that S5.

It was striking in person. If it were a manual, I’d me mighty tempted. Then again, if it were a manual, it probably would’ve been sold already.

I’ve also done searches on a current gen A5 with the manual (2017-2018) - with the right equipment (like sport seats), that could be pretty compelling.

stickguy

but white over black? not a fan.

breld

I’m more about the contrast - so white over black is fine with me. I’ve had many of that combination - not to say I don’t appreciate something different like the white over brown of my 228i, but I’m okay with the black guts.

Michaell

Hypothetical question - you have $25K in cash, not earmarked for any other purpose. Do you pay cash for a car up to that price point, or do you finance it and bank the cash?

Asking for a friend...

28firefighter

Depends on what your money is doing for you. My opinion is you bank it and put it in the market to grow given market performance right now. Especially given how low rates are generally speaking.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Depends on what your money is doing for you. My opinion is you bank it and put it in the market to grow given market performance right now. Especially given how low rates are generally speaking.

The money isn't doing anything for me now - it's not in my possession. Hence the word hypothetical.

28firefighter

Right. But I guess my answer is “it depends.”

If the market was doing terribly and interest rates were 5-6%, I’d say pay cash for the car.

Right now you can find credit unions offering 1.9% for 60 months on new (assuming you don’t take promotional financing) and used cars and the market is doing well. I’d say finance in that case and let the money earn for you.

Just my $.02. I know there are many who feel strongly that you don’t even buy a car until you can pay cash.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Right. But I guess my answer is “it depends.”

If the market was doing terribly and interest rates were 5-6%, I’d say pay cash for the car.

Right now you can find credit unions offering 1.9% for 60 months on new (assuming you don’t take promotional financing) and used cars and the market is doing well. I’d say finance in that case and let the money earn for you.

Just my $.02. I know there are many who feel strongly that you don’t even buy a car until you can pay cash.

Yeah, I suspect I'll get a huge variety of advice.

"It depends" will likely be the most common answer. But, given current market conditions, I'm leaning towards finance. I was thinking of paying cash when the time comes, but not sure dropping that kind of coin on a depreciating asset makes sense.

This would likely be a used car - luxury brand, possible CPO or something with low-ish miles. Buy and hold for 10+ years, given how little I drive.

28firefighter

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-bmw-535xi-sport-package-6-speed-manual-2/

Didn’t @breld have one of these? In fact, given its origins, is this it?