Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

explorerx4

Pretty sure our Escapes going back to the 2004 would start out putting power to all 4 wheels then revert to fwd once up to a certain speed.

au1994

pensfan83 said:

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

corvette said:

nyccarguy said:

I also discovered that I really like driving the Pilot in “Sand” mode. It dials the traction control waaaay down (maybe even off). I think it sends torque to all four wheels instead of just waiting for the front wheels to slip. It jumps off the line too.

Didn't realize the newer Pilots had different terrain modes. Sounds like it may remap the throttle, kind of like the tow mode on my truck.

qbrozen said:

Still haven’t test driven the ML. I know it runs. Lol. But need MB coolant. Amazon sent it west instead of east, so it didn’t arrive until late tonight, about 30 hrs layer than it was supposed to. I have also discovered the battery is toast. It will charge but discharges pretty quick. After fully charging on Monday afternoon, it was down to 8v this afternoon. Wound up ordering an AGM-type battery from Rockauto for the same price as Autozone’s mid-grade lead acid.

Could there be a battery drain issue? I know that's been an problem with a lot of newer vehicles and electronic modules not always going into low-power mode as designed. I have an electronic battery tester I got from Harbor Freight that supposedly can measure the CCA of a battery, as a proxy for its health--I try to do that every 1,000 miles when I check the tires.

Intelligent Traction Management. Normal. Snow which starts the vehicle off in 2nd gear and sends some power to the rear wheels to aid in take off. There is a Mud mode and a Sand mode.

They change throttle mapping, traction control threshold, sending different amounts of power to the rear wheels.s

Big fan of the Pilot. Just wish they leased better.

And if you don't need a 3rd row the Passport is essentially the same thing, replacing that 3rd row with a huge cargo area.

Yeah, we don’t need the 3rd row, although have used it twice in the LC. I’d have to look at the Passport again. Something about the styling at the rear just didn’t seem right to me and then by the time you optioned one up, might as well pay a little more and go ahead and get the Pilot. Assuming the size didn’t put you off of course.

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

corvette said:

nyccarguy said:

I also discovered that I really like driving the Pilot in “Sand” mode. It dials the traction control waaaay down (maybe even off). I think it sends torque to all four wheels instead of just waiting for the front wheels to slip. It jumps off the line too.

Didn't realize the newer Pilots had different terrain modes. Sounds like it may remap the throttle, kind of like the tow mode on my truck.

qbrozen said:

Still haven’t test driven the ML. I know it runs. Lol. But need MB coolant. Amazon sent it west instead of east, so it didn’t arrive until late tonight, about 30 hrs layer than it was supposed to. I have also discovered the battery is toast. It will charge but discharges pretty quick. After fully charging on Monday afternoon, it was down to 8v this afternoon. Wound up ordering an AGM-type battery from Rockauto for the same price as Autozone’s mid-grade lead acid.

Could there be a battery drain issue? I know that's been an problem with a lot of newer vehicles and electronic modules not always going into low-power mode as designed. I have an electronic battery tester I got from Harbor Freight that supposedly can measure the CCA of a battery, as a proxy for its health--I try to do that every 1,000 miles when I check the tires.

Intelligent Traction Management. Normal. Snow which starts the vehicle off in 2nd gear and sends some power to the rear wheels to aid in take off. There is a Mud mode and a Sand mode.

They change throttle mapping, traction control threshold, sending different amounts of power to the rear wheels.s

That’s a nice feature; I usually despise the so-called “AWD” systems that are in reality FWD that only sends power to the rear as a last resort.
Some of those FWD based systems have rear half shafts that are about the same diameter as a #2 pencil- if that.

laurasdada

I really think you'd enjoy the '15-`16 S5 much more than the A7. Of course, that's going back a little older, a bit harder to find with low miles, but it has a far superior transmission and in the S models, the 3.0 is souped-up over the A models. If you don't need the latest tech and doodads, you'll be fine.

Thanks, Andres. A consideration, although I don't think i want to go back that far. I'll try an '18+ S5 maybe this weekend. Another 4-8" of white gold is predicted for Thursday/friday here; maybe all the snow will lead to some good deals... I'd like at least a few months of warranty on what I get, although if the price is low enough, I"d consider that self-warranty.

I'm creeping more towards seeing if i can play Let's Make a Deal on the A7, though.

xwesx

stickguy said:

My local place has a nice looking 2018. Seems pretty loaded. Not a fan of the color combo though. And of course, no clue if the price is good, bad or indifferent.

https://www.royalmotorsnj.com/details-2018-audi-s4-3_0_tfsi_premium_plus_quattro_awd-used-waub4af41ja003513.html

ooh! It has my favorite transmission shifter....

breld

@laurasdada -

I get the sense while you have some issues with the A7, your gut just wants it. And that's usually the right answer.

Where's @mjfloyd1 these days? He had an RS7 and could opine on the interior and other features.

andres3

laurasdada said:

I really think you'd enjoy the '15-`16 S5 much more than the A7. Of course, that's going back a little older, a bit harder to find with low miles, but it has a far superior transmission and in the S models, the 3.0 is souped-up over the A models. If you don't need the latest tech and doodads, you'll be fine.

Thanks, Andres. A consideration, although I don't think i want to go back that far. I'll try an '18+ S5 maybe this weekend. Another 4-8" of white gold is predicted for Thursday/friday here; maybe all the snow will lead to some good deals... I'd like at least a few months of warranty on what I get, although if the price is low enough, I"d consider that self-warranty.

I'm creeping more towards seeing if i can play Let's Make a Deal on the A7, though.

I think I just learned that some A7's have the sport suspension and some do not. That would make a noticeable difference.

laurasdada

The A7 does have the S-line pkg, which includes sport suspension. But, it doesn't have the 20" wheels, which i've read is a good thing.
It also doesn't have the evil shifter that corvette so enjoys, rather a standard stalk. So, it's got that going for it.
It's a nice ride, as I've noted, perhaps just not the ride/handling balance of my XF, but a beautiful interior, better mpg (yeah, I consider that), a nice ride and handles likely as well as I"ll need (again, I'm more of a GT type than true sports car). As well as the hatch utility.

I don't feel pressure yet (until something show-stopper happens to the Jag!), so I'll maybe test drive a Macan S, an S5. But, I think the A7 would offer more value than a Macan, to me. And, a nicer interior than the S5.

breld

Seriously cool...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/lafayette-2002-bmw-e46-s54-m3-swapped/7276869144.html

explorerx4

At first I thought the picture of that blue wagon was taken in Hoovie's garage.
On second glance it looks like it was taken in a hanger, which is also now Hoovie's garage.

28firefighter

breld said:

Seriously cool...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/lafayette-2002-bmw-e46-s54-m3-swapped/7276869144.html

Something would need to be done about the stance - that car would bottom out everywhere in Seattle.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

breld said:

Seriously cool...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/lafayette-2002-bmw-e46-s54-m3-swapped/7276869144.html

Something would need to be done about the stance - that car would bottom out everywhere in Seattle.

Adjustable suspension at least!

I live this car. Vastly out of my price range. The original car would be more than good enough for me! And easy to upgrade underneath

28firefighter

Reminds me, I need to adjust the front suspension on the ZHP - it is sitting wayyy too low in the front.

au1994

breld said:

Seriously cool...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/lafayette-2002-bmw-e46-s54-m3-swapped/7276869144.html

Yeah, that’s purdy...

Michaell

breld said:

Seriously cool...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/lafayette-2002-bmw-e46-s54-m3-swapped/7276869144.html

Love the car.

Don’t love the asking price.

corvette

Yeah, you can buy a lot of other interesting things at that price, if you're not set on an engine-swapped E46.

kyfdx

breld said:

Seriously cool...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/lafayette-2002-bmw-e46-s54-m3-swapped/7276869144.html

I like it.. no way that I want a car with coilovers, unless it is track only.

qbrozen

ugh. ML still not running right. It starts, and revs good, but can't idle. Codes are telling me Bank 2 exhaust cam position sensor is no good. Folks say it is a common failure. Seems rather convenient to happen now, but maybe I shook it up and angered it. Ordered both exhaust sensors for delivery Friday. $80, so not the end of the world, and they are super easy to swap. I already had it out and cleaned it with about 10 mins work. I had a helluva time seating the connector on that particular sensor the last 2 times I had it out, so maybe that is a hint.

au1994

You, sir, have the patience of a saint. I’d have thrown in the towel long ago and offered plenty of mea culpa’s to the wife.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

ugh. ML still not running right. It starts, and revs good, but can't idle. Codes are telling me Bank 2 exhaust cam position sensor is no good. Folks say it is a common failure. Seems rather convenient to happen now, but maybe I shook it up and angered it. Ordered both exhaust sensors for delivery Friday. $80, so not the end of the world, and they are super easy to swap. I already had it out and cleaned it with about 10 mins work. I had a helluva time seating the connector on that particular sensor the last 2 times I had it out, so maybe that is a hint.

It is, if the new one isn't as much of a pain. Otherwise, who knows?

I'm a little disappointed that you don't need to at least pull the valve covers again for these . What fun is easy?

xwesx

Your saga with the ML sounds a lot like what my wife is experiencing with our house in Ohio. Haha... this place is going to be a real treat.

oldfarmer50

breld said:

Seriously cool...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/lafayette-2002-bmw-e46-s54-m3-swapped/7276869144.html

So how do you know if that’s a top end swap as opposed to cobbled together also ran?

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

ugh. ML still not running right. It starts, and revs good, but can't idle. Codes are telling me Bank 2 exhaust cam position sensor is no good. Folks say it is a common failure. Seems rather convenient to happen now, but maybe I shook it up and angered it. Ordered both exhaust sensors for delivery Friday. $80, so not the end of the world, and they are super easy to swap. I already had it out and cleaned it with about 10 mins work. I had a helluva time seating the connector on that particular sensor the last 2 times I had it out, so maybe that is a hint.

Doesn’t it make you appreciate the simplicity of your Coronet?

This would make a great YouTube series.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

breld said:

Seriously cool...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/lafayette-2002-bmw-e46-s54-m3-swapped/7276869144.html

So how do you know if that’s a top end swap as opposed to cobbled together also ran?

It says so, right in the ad!

I would tend to believe this one based on the pictures. Mostly I guess, you have to trust the reputation of the place selling it.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

ugh. ML still not running right. It starts, and revs good, but can't idle. Codes are telling me Bank 2 exhaust cam position sensor is no good. Folks say it is a common failure. Seems rather convenient to happen now, but maybe I shook it up and angered it. Ordered both exhaust sensors for delivery Friday. $80, so not the end of the world, and they are super easy to swap. I already had it out and cleaned it with about 10 mins work. I had a helluva time seating the connector on that particular sensor the last 2 times I had it out, so maybe that is a hint.

Doesn’t it make you appreciate the simplicity of your Coronet?

This would make a great YouTube series.

well, that one doesn't run either...

roadburner

Some Wrangler TJs have been pulling some serious numbers over at BaT; I'd still take my well worn 1999 over a meticulously restored Bronco.

corvette

I like this for some reason:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-sterling-825sl/

And this:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-lexus-sc400-5/

roadburner

corvette said:

I like this for some reason:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-sterling-825sl/

And this:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-lexus-sc400-5/

I thought the Sterling was an interesting concept. I’d imagine finding non Honda sourced parts would be a problem.

tjc78

Love the SC. It’s a shame it’s a low option car. No heated seats or Nakamichi audio.

corvette

tjc78 said:

Love the SC. It’s a shame it’s a low option car. No heated seats or Nakamichi audio.

It will bring crazy money due to the miles.

xwesx

corvette said:

tjc78 said:

Love the SC. It’s a shame it’s a low option car. No heated seats or Nakamichi audio.

It will bring crazy money due to the miles.

Ugh. The bumpers were obviously refinished recently, and they look awful on the car next to the original (and now somewhat dingy-looking) paint. Unless the condition was truly poor, I think the seller would have done better just leaving them be.

stickguy

I like the style and colors on the Sterling. Seats and V6 are nice too. Beyond that, I want no part of it.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

I like the style and colors on the Sterling. Seats and V6 are nice too. Beyond that, I want no part of it.

“I got a red sterling and the seats recline”

stickguy

it would look great parked out in my garage. I can go sit in it and relax if I need a time out. A small little man cave!

explorerx4

I guess you should list your Challenger on BAT instead of C&B's.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2018-dodge-challenger-demon-51/

stickguy

22 miles? That's 44 passes, counting the drive back up.

qbrozen

corvette said:

I like this for some reason:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-sterling-825sl/

And this:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-lexus-sc400-5/

Did you google “cars that put you to sleep”?

breld

Something is off on this pricing, or something is off with the car. Or maybe it’s just a great deal?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/838363020/overview/

au1994

If that Polestar checks out, it will be gone as soon as Houston thaws out.

graphicguy

Not me, but a neighbor just leased a Tacoma, ext cab (short bed) 4x4 for $160/mo, 10K miles/year, $2,500 down. Admittedly, I don’t know all that much about leases, but that sounded pretty danged good to me.

Michaell

graphicguy said:

Not me, but a neighbor just leased a Tacoma, ext cab (short bed) 4x4 for $160/mo, 10K miles/year, $2,500 down. Admittedly, I don’t know all that much about leases, but that sounded pretty danged good to me.

That’s a good deal. The SR trim has crazy high residuals.

au1994

graphicguy said:

Not me, but a neighbor just leased a Tacoma, ext cab (short bed) 4x4 for $160/mo, 10K miles/year, $2,500 down. Admittedly, I don’t know all that much about leases, but that sounded pretty danged good to me.

That’s very good. I wouldn’t have gone with quite that much down but a smokin’ deal nonetheless.

stickguy

assuming 36 month lease, that is about $235/month, zero down payment (not specified if that $2,500 was full DAS or if he paid TTL and fees on top of that, which makes it less spectacular of a deal).

I would jump all over one of those at $235 sign and drive!

qbrozen

And they used to be even better. Got my BIL $210/mo all in for a quad cab SR5.

pensfan83

I'm at ~$235/month but it took a one-pay to get that on a 24 month lease.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

assuming 36 month lease, that is about $235/month, zero down payment (not specified if that $2,500 was full DAS or if he paid TTL and fees on top of that, which makes it less spectacular of a deal).

I would jump all over one of those at $235 sign and drive!

Not sure of the other details, except it was a 36 mo lease. Don’t know if that included TTL, either.

carnaught

tjc78 said:

Love the SC. It’s a shame it’s a low option car. No heated seats or Nakamichi audio.

Actually I bought one new and the standard audio, a Pioneer system, was quite good.

qbrozen

qbrozen said:

And they used to be even better. Got my BIL $210/mo all in for a quad cab SR5.

Oh wait. I lied. He just informed me $240 all in for the SR5. I mist have been thinking of the number before he upgraded trim. His is 24/10.

tifighter

Well, my buddy picked up his Model Y on Tuesday night. He ordered a grey dual motor with the tow hitch, on the standard 19" wheels. It is replacing a 19 Leaf they had on lease, and will live with a diesel Colorado. Anyhow, they love it. He's in that stage where he's looking for the perfect all weather mats, other accessories etc i.e. the honeymoon stage.

Just makes me think that's always a fun time in the car buying experience. Happy for him.

Sandman6472

Just got my first Pfizer vaccine today. Go back for the second one on March 11. Very efficient process, in and out within 25 minutes.
Guy came to replace the GFCI outlet earlier and now the guest bath is back online. The back half of the house has no power and a specialist is coming out before 5 pm. But since our home policy only has "light" electrical and plumbing, think we're going to be engaging an electrician to come in and find where the bad wire is and fix it. It's annoying to be honest but our dining room, half the master bedroom, the master closets and master bath all have no electric current right now. Think it's going to be on the costly side unfortunately but the house is almost 34 so sh-t is gonna happen.
Hoping this latest incident will help my wife see that moving up our relocation date might be the right thing to do. Think it's time to sell this place and get something much newer upstate and be done with it.