Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

stickguy said:

last year I noticed a car in the Lowe's lot with a odd looking inspection sticker, so I took a closer look. It was obviously home made. My daughter was with me, and at the time was dating a local cop, who was actually familiar with it. I guess not serious enough to take the car away.

Sovereign Citizen?

corvette

stickguy said:

last year I noticed a car in the Lowe's lot with a odd looking inspection sticker, so I took a closer look. It was obviously home made. My daughter was with me, and at the time was dating a local cop, who was actually familiar with it. I guess not serious enough to take the car away.

One of my friends is a police officer. He made a social media post some time back about a guy with a fake, handwritten temporary plate. I immediately thought "sovereign citizen," and asked. He said he had the same thought as well, but in questioning the guy, it turned out he was just an idiot.

mjfloyd1

I kinda wish BMW would only put ///M on “real” M cars. That said, I’m not removing mine...

xwesx

The Crosstrek delivery went perfectly today. All is well in WesWorld (for today!).

roadburner

mjfloyd1 said:

I kinda wish BMW would only put ///M on “real” M cars. That said, I’m not removing mine...

The first M model based on a production car was the M535i; an E12 fitted with the M30 3.5 liter used in the E24 6er. M modifications consisted of a set of spoilers, upgraded suspension, vented discs all around, a 25% locking diff, aggressively bolstered seats, and a Motorsport steering wheel. No bespoke M motor or bodywork. Today that would be considered an M Sport or an M Performance model.
My Club Sport came with ///M emblems on the side molding and an M tricolor stripe on the shift knob. The BMW accessory rear spoiler that my wife and son gave me for Fathers Day in 1997 also came with an M emblem:

28firefighter

Your club sport is awesome. Timeless, really.

qbrozen

mjfloyd1 said:

@breld - I suspect the next owner of that X3m40i will really enjoy the blacked out trim pieces 🤣

Beat me to the punch.

So I’ll say, @breld , you should put the old pieces in the glovebox so, in a few weeks, the new owner has a choice.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

Your club sport is awesome. Timeless, really.

Plus 1

roadburner

28firefighter said:

Your club sport is awesome. Timeless, really.

Thanks.

Sandman6472

OF, that's happened to us a few times also. No plates, or an expired Florida one. We do carry a few extra ones though and I always have the screw drivers in my backpack to take off plates we deliver to dealers on the sold vehicles. I learned way back on my first driving gig to carry screw drivers since there always needed and not everyone thinks to have them. Got a neat small screw driver at Harbor Freight the other day. Comes with 2 attachments, each has a flat and a phillips head on each side. It's about 5" long, give or take, and has pretty decent torque to get off even the most difficult screws! Had to use it yesterday on a really tight screw with lots of rust, and after a few good turns, came right off. Best part, with the coupon, cost me under a buck!
One tries to be prepared so I throw lots of smaller things in my backpack.

Sandman6472

Got some new 2021 Nissan Sentra's in the other day but haven't driven one yet. My co-worker said they drive just like the new Altima so am assuming the CVT tranny has been improved. The few Altima's I've driven shift just like a regular automatic which is great. The new Versa I drove today suffered from a lugging CVT tranny and I just hated it, same with the Kicks I drove last week. My kid had that same CVT lugging in her 2009 Versa SL hatchback and it was a bit annoying to drive. That lugging of the engine never made for a satisfying shift point and not a vehicle I'd ever own. For some reason, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai/Kia & Subaru all have produced CVT trannies that mimic a regular automatic with a regular converter much better...I know I usually can't tell the difference. Makes for a smoother drive in every situation and not annoying. It's funny, after doing this for so many years now, about to start my 9th year of being a transporter for rental vehicles, I know which vehicles to avoid and which to want to drive. Makes for a better day to get something I've never driven before or something brand new to the market.
As long as my health holds out, can see myself doing this for a number of more years. Probably the easiest job I've ever had to be honest, and just wish I had found it a couple years earlier after I first left the post office.

graphicguy

breld said:

This placement looks better...

DAAAANNNNNNGGGG! Do I ever love your Supra!

qbrozen

graphicguy said:

breld said:

This placement looks better...

DAAAANNNNNNGGGG! Do I ever love your Supra!

Better make an offer quick

breld

The new Grand Cherokee is looking real nice IMO. At least here in CO, I expect some silly price gouging for the first few months.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a35121099/2021-jeep-grand-cherokee-l-revealed/

I liked the exterior design of the outgoing model just fine, but the interior was in serious need of an update, and perhaps a bit more elbow room. Not surprisingly, this new model addresses that.

qbrozen

I'm disappointed they didn't follow through with the Wagoneer name.

Oh, now I see they are saying the Wagoneer will be a different, larger ute.

breld

C&D is renewing this comparison test from the vaults:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a15133680/2004-acura-tl-vs-audi-a4-bmw-325i-infiniti-g35-jaguar-x-type-lexus-is300-saab-9-3-comparison-tests/

So...in 2004, $35k sport sedans with a manual. There were seven of them.

What would inflation put that price point at today? $45-50k?

Is there even one? Push it back 2-3 years and I guess you have the Audi A4, BMW 340i, Genesis G70 2.0t. But for 2020 models?

breld

qbrozen said:

I'm disappointed they didn't follow through with the Wagoneer name.

Oh, now I see they are saying the Wagoneer will be a different, larger ute.

Yeah, given that, it's a little funny that they're offering the 3 row option in the Grand Cherokee, but it seems like the Wagoneer is is gonna be even larger and much more expensive. Escalade territory.

sda

mjfloyd1 said:

@breld - I suspect the next owner of that X3m40i will really enjoy the blacked out trim pieces 🤣

What?? No temporary Tag? I'm in denial.

28firefighter

Well, it seems I may have been ghosted on the Golf R I was looking at. So that's fun. Better now than after I paid for it...

tjc78

28firefighter said:

Well, it seems I may have been ghosted on the Golf R I was looking at. So that's fun. Better now than after I paid for it...

Maybe they got a better offer?

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

last year I noticed a car in the Lowe's lot with a odd looking inspection sticker, so I took a closer look. It was obviously home made. My daughter was with me, and at the time was dating a local cop, who was actually familiar with it. I guess not serious enough to take the car away.

Sovereign Citizen?

Around here it’s usually broke guys with cars that won’t pass inspection.

Sandman6472

I happen to still like the Jeep Compass to be honest. A good size and it drives decently. Price is too crazy either. I think the dimensions fit my needs nicely. We have a bunch at work so I do get to drive one on a somewhat regular basis.

Sandman6472

Got our $1200 in the mail today. Much appreciated at this particular time.

stickguy

Sandy, maybe a new Bronco Sport. only 173" long!

Oh, you might like this PO story. Last week, I mailed a padded envelope (a Christmas gift we couldn't deliver in person) to Saratoga NY. I mailed it local (south Jersey, outside Philly). tracking it, went from local PO to SJ distribution center, to Philly distribution center. All of which made sense. Next stop, they sent it to Miami. a few days of vague "in the system" and today, finally got a location update. They sent it back to Philly. So 10 days in, and it's practically back where it started! Can't wait until I see where it goes next.

explorerx4

I'm thinking about this deal. Good or not?
https://www.gengrasford.com/new/Ford/2020-Ford-Edge-438aee720a0e0a6b1eec8d707cab315d.htm

corvette

explorerx4 said:

I'm thinking about this deal. Good or not?
https://www.gengrasford.com/new/Ford/2020-Ford-Edge-438aee720a0e0a6b1eec8d707cab315d.htm

If they have a second one at that price, I will buy it now and store it until I return the Tundra over a year from now.

explorerx4

@corvette,
You are gentleman. I thought might try and buy it from underneath me for say $10.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

I'm thinking about this deal. Good or not?
https://www.gengrasford.com/new/Ford/2020-Ford-Edge-438aee720a0e0a6b1eec8d707cab315d.htm

Better stay away so you don’t get trampled in the stampede.

stickguy

I'll take 2 please.

qbrozen

Heck, I’ll take 4, preferably different colors. I got a kid who will be driving in 2 yrs and another 4 yrs after that.

Sandman6472

I've always liked the Ford Edge. They drive great, pretty comfy and a logical dash layout. Sure, it's a bit big for me but it does everything right.

ab348

I like the $1 payment!

stickguy

but what is the finance rate?

kyfdx

Someone at the dealership has a sense of humor. Waiting for someone to come in and try to talk them down.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

Someone at the dealership has a sense of humor. Waiting for someone to come in and try to talk them down.

Didn’t one of our former salesman posters tell a story of a bargain hunter who swooped in to demand a advertisement typo price way below cost? When the dealership reluctantly agreed to the price they made it contingent on doing the deal that day. The greedy guy left to shop the price and lost out on the deal of the century.

28firefighter

Yes. I believe that was @isellhondas

sda

Typically in small print there is a disclaimer in the ad/post, that the price shown could be in error and therefore not honored, or something similar.

kyfdx

sda said:

Typically in small print there is a disclaimer in the ad/post, that the price shown could be in error and therefore not honored, or something similar.

Or, the webmaster is getting ready to quit, and thought he would screw with the sales manager.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

Someone at the dealership has a sense of humor. Waiting for someone to come in and try to talk them down.

Didn’t one of our former salesman posters tell a story of a bargain hunter who swooped in to demand a advertisement typo price way below cost? When the dealership reluctantly agreed to the price they made it contingent on doing the deal that day. The greedy guy left to shop the price and lost out on the deal of the century.

I still laugh about the story one of the salespeople told about the guy who negotiated with a green pea on a hot selling Mazdaspeed. The green pea inked a deal that was over $1000 less than the going market price for that model. The sales manager was going to honor the deal but prior to delivery the buyer calls up and tells the SM that he's talked with some "expert" friends and he's decided that the dealer is screwing him over; he wants an even better price or the deal is off. Needless to say, the SM gladly agreed to ashcan the sales contract. After shopping the price a bit the shrewd buyer returned expecting the SM to honor the original deal- and became very irate when the SM refused.
Poetic justice.

28firefighter

Going to drive this today, just to get it out of my system:
https://www.sandbergvolvocars.com/used/Jeep/2017-Jeep-Grand+Cherokee-lynnwood-wa-50dd8c520a0e0ae8632ffabe93236ab9.htm

Overpriced for sure, but the hemi has me intrigued.

mb_enthusiast

I recently took my GL63 AMG to an MB dealership in my area to get my winters put on and a tire pressure monitoring sensor replaced. I went to pick up the vehicle yesterday evening, when I got it to the intersection in front of the dealership, the system warned me of low pressure at the left front. I return to the dealership just after closing. I'm able to flag the service manager down who elects to keep the car. I get a call this morning saying that there is a "hairline crack" in that rim. I had been given an inspection report telling me that the wheels were checked for damage and had "passed." I also know that they drove it around the area. They are telling me that I need a new rim for $2k. What a coincidence? They gave me this car back and said it was fine. I haven't had to put ANY air in any of those tires since the summers were put on in May. Again, what a coincidence and how odd? How do I deal with them to come to an amicable resolution?

qbrozen

mb_enthusiast said:

I recently took my GL63 AMG to an MB dealership in my area to get my winters put on and a tire pressure monitoring sensor replaced. I went to pick up the vehicle yesterday evening, when I got it to the intersection in front of the dealership, the system warned me of low pressure at the left front. I return to the dealership just after closing. I'm able to flag the service manager down who elects to keep the car. I get a call this morning saying that there is a "hairline crack" in that rim. I had been given an inspection report telling me that the wheels were checked for damage and had "passed." I also know that they drove it around the area. They are telling me that I need a new rim for $2k. What a coincidence? They gave me this car back and said it was fine. I haven't had to put ANY air in any of those tires since the summers were put on in May. Again, what a coincidence and how odd? How do I deal with them to come to an amicable resolution?

You can certainly argue with them, but, worst case, get it repaired by a wheel repair shop (some are even mobile and will come to you). I paid $100/wheel on my bimmer to get both rears with large cracks welded.

breld

28firefighter said:

Going to drive this today, just to get it out of my system:
https://www.sandbergvolvocars.com/used/Jeep/2017-Jeep-Grand+Cherokee-lynnwood-wa-50dd8c520a0e0ae8632ffabe93236ab9.htm

Overpriced for sure, but the hemi has me intrigued.

Let us know what you think...I'll be curious. The Summit trim is nice for sure, though I'm partial toward the High Altitude.

qbrozen

The Subaru dealer I helped my aunt lease her Forester from in May 2018 is already hounding her. She emailed me kind of in a frenzy. I had to remind her we have 4 mos left so no reason to let them get you worked up. “Oh, yes, you are right! I’ll tell them to leave me alone.” I feel awful for seniors who get assaulted by these sharks and don’t have anyone to turn to for help.

Anyway, now on the lookout for a replacement SUV. She was thinking buying used but doesn’t want to break $230/mo. I suggested that is not realistic and we should probably stick to leasing. I haven’t seen anything yet this month other than the Encore or Renegade. I’ll suggest she take a look at those but I have a feeling she’ll say too small.

breld

Drove this over my lunch break. 2020 RF Grand Touring (manual of course). It’s about the only one left on the lots around here.



Loved the shifting, liked how I could actually floor it and “use” the power in normal driving, and I actually liked the leather and few comfort features on this grand touring compared to my previous club model.

If I was still in the 228i or GTI, easy decision. But not so much with the Supra.

28firefighter

Keep the Supra...

kyfdx

@breld

I really like that... How is the fit?

28firefighter

Had to cancel my Jeep test drive - work stuff. But Golf R guy is back in touch and I'm supposed to see it on Thursday.

mjfloyd1

What’s the fun in that?

breld

kyfdx said:

@breld

I really like that... How is the fit?

Tighter by a considerable amount than the Supra, but of course I knew that from previous experience. The telescoping steering wheel that they added in 2019 helps a bit with driving position so it's a welcome addition.

Definitely different driving experiences - I just looked at specs out of curiousity...the Supra has almost 1,000 pounds and 18" in length over the Miata. And of course the Supra has like twice the hp (and more than twice the torque).