Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

this should be our official coat of arms here.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I’m going to say it. The ZHP is the best car I’ve ever owned. Not the most reliable, not the fastest, and far from the newest. But the best.

I approve of this post

corvette

stickguy said:

100percent Jake just had an update on his ZHP bomber (something else broke that needed to be fixed) and at the end he was driving it, and talking about the same thing. It was a long term keeper, and they just don't make cars like that any more.

Granted, I only saw the damage in the video, but the repairs he did when he got sideswiped by the monster truck seemed pretty questionable. It looked like something that some paint correction and PDR might have almost completely fixed. Worst case, take it to the Wichita Maaco and tell them you're a Youtuber, and apparently they will do a near-concours-quality job for cheap. Instead, he sourced entire junkyard doors (which I don't think were a perfect paint match or alignment) and transferred all of the inside bits to them.

stickguy

hey, content is content. Who's going to watch some scruffy dude buff out a scratch?

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

some of you people must find a lot more reason to drive these days. I can barely keep 1 car in the family exercised enough. If I do add a 2nd I would probably need to put it on a trickle charger.

I have two that are on trickle chargers all winter. Before the world ended I drove 15k miles a year spread out over 4 vehicles.

I’m sure you can manage one so that you can drive around in summer with a smile on your face.

28firefighter

The ZHP sits from roughly late October until February on a trickle charger.

stickguy

the RDX was just tickling 5K at its one year anniversary (in March). And that is with having the TLX for 1/2 that time, but that one probably didn't do more than 1,000-1,500 in those 6 months.

stickguy

today's random thoughts from my son. He informed me that he checked, and a Tacoma Sport would fit in his garage if he moved some boxes (it's actually a really deep garage). And he saw a Bronco Sport and MachE last weekend. Really liked the E, and thought if he decided to go EV it would probably be one of those. He isn't ready to go EV only now though. The Bronco, would actually fill his needs.

Can't get him hooked on the Jetta. But a friend of his is potentially coming back to the US after a couple years working overseas, and is thinking about getting a cheaper car to tide him over for a while (until the next Tesla 3 comes out?). So that could work out nicely. That is retail, so I can pad the sales price above Carvana!

I probably won't need it by the end of this year. And most likely, if I do start needing another car at some point, I'll want something different anyway. Hopefully the used car places are still paying top dollar in a month when we need to make a decision!

ronsteve

xwesx said:

stickguy said:

some of you people must find a lot more reason to drive these days. I can barely keep 1 car in the family exercised enough. If I do add a 2nd I would probably need to put it on a trickle charger.

Our driving barely changed. I suppose my wife probably drove less due to being at home for schooling again, but, with her in Ohio? Oy. I feel like I drive MORE than I did before the pandemic.

I have driven a little bit less, but my better half has driven a lot less. We had been averaging about 16k a year on the RDX and maybe 10k on the Jetta, but since the pandemic started we have done about 14k on the RDX and barely 3k on the Jetta, most of which is me driving it to work on all my night shifts, instead of just the weekend ones.

corvette

I'm betting the Bronco Sport is a complete dog with the base 1.5T three-banger. Looks like you have to step up to the top trim to get the 2.0T.

stickguy

I only saw a test of the 2.0 (in car and driver) and I think that was about 5.9 0-60, so actually pretty quick (especially in that class). I would assume the 1.5 might be more in the 7.5-8.0 range? Certainly still enough for normal use, but I wouldn't want to try and tow with it!

qbrozen

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

BUT... see, this is where it gets confusing for me .... I have the Camaro. While not nearly as useful nor eye-catching as the Daytona, I can’t deny it is a helluva lot more fun. So would it be the worst thing to keep it? At least until I don’t want it anymore. Lol.

Not that we didn't see this coming when you were hatching the Camaro scheme, but don't forget that the Camaro is just a rental. What happens after the lease is up (at the latest) and you're itching for that older car again?

It is not like there is any shortage out there. Odds are pretty darned good I would not keep the Camaro for 39 mos. And odds are pretty darned good I would not keep the Charger that long, either. I mean, at some point, I’d want an upgrade.

au1994

28firefighter said:

I’m going to say it. The ZHP is the best car I’ve ever owned. Not the most reliable, not the fastest, and far from the newest. But the best.

Truth

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

I'm betting the Bronco Sport is a complete dog with the base 1.5T three-banger. Looks like you have to step up to the top trim to get the 2.0T.

1.5L=181. 2.0L=237. Weight=3400-3700lbs. Approximately the same as the Ford Fusion.

I’d go for the 2.0L but I bet you have to pay for an upscale trim for that. My son’s Fusion has 240 hp and it’s reasonably quick.

ab348

I don't know if the Bronco Sport trim levels here in Canada are different than in the US (I suspect not) but the 2.0T engine is available only in the top-line "Badlands" trim which comes in at $45K Cdn. The "Outer Banks" trim seems nicer to me and is a few thou less expensive but only can be had with the 1.5T engine.

stickguy

Outer banks and badlands in the US have the 2.0 motor. And are pretty loaded. I’d want one of those versions anyway. About the same price, the badlands is just more off road equipped.

roadburner

qbrozen said:

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

BUT... see, this is where it gets confusing for me .... I have the Camaro. While not nearly as useful nor eye-catching as the Daytona, I can’t deny it is a helluva lot more fun. So would it be the worst thing to keep it? At least until I don’t want it anymore. Lol.

Not that we didn't see this coming when you were hatching the Camaro scheme, but don't forget that the Camaro is just a rental. What happens after the lease is up (at the latest) and you're itching for that older car again?

It is not like there is any shortage out there. Odds are pretty darned good I would not keep the Camaro for 39 mos. And odds are pretty darned good I would not keep the Charger that long, either. I mean, at some point, I’d want an upgrade.

I'd be more inclined to keep the Charger if it was a Scat Pack or SRT with the 8HP autobox.
But that's just me.

explorerx4

2.0 is not available on Outer Banks trim level, only Badlands, at this point.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

2.0 is not available on Outer Banks trim level, only Badlands, at this point.

Who makes up those stupid names? What’s wrong with 1,2,3 or good, better, best?

stickguy

explorerx4 said:

2.0 is not available on Outer Banks trim level, only Badlands, at this point.

You are right. Blame the Ford website. I looked at the compare trims page, and they have the details columns shifted over one place, so the equipment listed under outer banks is actually for badlands.

corvette

Yeah, the Launch Edition also has it - I wasn’t really counting that as a trim level, since I think there are a limited number available.

stickguy

I thought they were all sold already anyway. I wouldn’t pay the extra either.

If I was serious, I’d need to drive both engines back to back. I suspect the 1.5 will be perfectly fine, unless I wanted to be able to tow. What I probably don’t need is all the off road stuff (like the tires) on the badlands. I think outer banks is more on road/luxury oriented.

qbrozen

roadburner said:

qbrozen said:

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

BUT... see, this is where it gets confusing for me .... I have the Camaro. While not nearly as useful nor eye-catching as the Daytona, I can’t deny it is a helluva lot more fun. So would it be the worst thing to keep it? At least until I don’t want it anymore. Lol.

Not that we didn't see this coming when you were hatching the Camaro scheme, but don't forget that the Camaro is just a rental. What happens after the lease is up (at the latest) and you're itching for that older car again?

It is not like there is any shortage out there. Odds are pretty darned good I would not keep the Camaro for 39 mos. And odds are pretty darned good I would not keep the Charger that long, either. I mean, at some point, I’d want an upgrade.

I'd be more inclined to keep the Charger if it was a Scat Pack or SRT with the 8HP autobox.
But that's just me.

Of course. And that’s what my upgrade would likely be down the line anyway.

stickguy

Just throw a blower on the one you got. Fun weekend project

cdnpinhead

oldfarmer50 said:

Who makes up those stupid names?

You're overlooking the "you are what you drive" factor. The people who want to drive a "Badlands" or "Outer Banks" likely couldn't find South Dakota or North Carolina on a map, let alone drive there and go off-road. But they can swell with whatever as they putter around the suburbs.

28firefighter

Is my browser broken or did the forum design change...

stickguy

This must be the promised format tweaks. Going to take some getting used to!

ab348

It's like 50 shades of gray, none of them dark enough.

Kirstie_H

Yes, the changes are live. We'll be doing some tweaks (mainly with profile options), but otherwise, this is the new look. I agree with the "shades of gray" comment and cannot wait until gray text goes out of style!

explorerx4

People complain about the alphabet soup designations, too.
You can't please everyone.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

It is not like there is any shortage out there. Odds are pretty darned good I would not keep the Camaro for 39 mos. And odds are pretty darned good I would not keep the Charger that long, either. I mean, at some point, I’d want an upgrade.

True! I have not forgotten who asked the original question.

cdnpinhead

Just like Microsoft "improvements:" Everything's different and nothing is better.

stickguy

Here’s one for RB. Probably still underpowered and borderline unsafe acceleration, but might be close.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rxn62pRV/2016-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Here’s one for RB. Probably still underpowered and borderline unsafe acceleration, but might be close.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rxn62pRV/2016-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat

"The seller intends to install 2 new rear tires before the next owner takes delivery."

Here are 2 that are more your speed @stickguy
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3yLpjjao/1993-honda-accord-sedan
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3vpO4k0N/1990-honda-prelude-si

corvette

The timing belt kit on that Accord, with water pump, was only $43... that’s not something I’d trust cheap aftermarket parts on.

nyccarguy

I have a very difficult time spending money on things for myself. For my wife and my kids I don't even think twice. My birthday is tomorrow. You all know how much I've been wanting to get my Prelude back out on the road. I really do love the car. I bought about $600 worth of parts to have the timing belt service performed on my Prelude which will be 20 years old as of 4/27.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

This must be the promised format tweaks. Going to take some getting used to!

I’m having a hard time switching between boards. There’s no place any more where I can check my latest comments. Oh well, I was never good with change. I long for the old days where all forums were in one big list.

Kirstie_H

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

This must be the promised format tweaks. Going to take some getting used to!

I’m having a hard time switching between boards. There’s no place any more where I can check my latest comments. Oh well, I was never good with change. I long for the old days where all forums were in one big list.

Do you mean by going to your profile, and clicking on your recent comments?

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Here’s one for RB. Probably still underpowered and borderline unsafe acceleration, but might be close.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rxn62pRV/2016-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat

Buying someone’s unknown mods? What could go wrong?

The factory Hellcat has what, 707hp? So what kind of tune would you have to do to add 300hp to an already stressed motor? I’m not an expert and suppose it could be done but I’d be scared of it blowing up on day one.

I’m thinking this:
https://youtu.be/UsWWbI6qmfQ

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

This must be the promised format tweaks. Going to take some getting used to!

I’m having a hard time switching between boards. There’s no place any more where I can check my latest comments. Oh well, I was never good with change. I long for the old days where all forums were in one big list.

The easiest way to me is just bookmarking the boards you follow. Then just click on “my bookmarks” over in the quick links menu, and you see the list, and it tells you how many new comments in each one.

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

I have a very difficult time spending money on things for myself. For my wife and my kids I don't even think twice. My birthday is tomorrow. You all know how much I've been wanting to get my Prelude back out on the road. I really do love the car. I bought about $600 worth of parts to have the timing belt service performed on my Prelude which will be 20 years old as of 4/27.

That's the way it should be. Your heart and wallet are both in the right place.

xwesx

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

This must be the promised format tweaks. Going to take some getting used to!

I’m having a hard time switching between boards. There’s no place any more where I can check my latest comments. Oh well, I was never good with change. I long for the old days where all forums were in one big list.

OF... there is a "star" to the right of the subject line header (top of the screen on each page of discussion). If you select this, which fills in the star with a gold/yellow color, then it adds it to your "My Bookmarks" list. Now, you can click on "My Bookmarks" on the top right menu bar, and there's your list of subjects! It orders them by last comment, and subjects with new comments are in bold (somewhat difficult to see with the new Fifty Shades of Grey theme).

No need to try hunting down your prior comments unless you're looking for something very specific.

stickguy

There is also a box with the number of new comments there.

stickguy

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

Here’s one for RB. Probably still underpowered and borderline unsafe acceleration, but might be close.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rxn62pRV/2016-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat

"The seller intends to install 2 new rear tires before the next owner takes delivery."

Here are 2 that are more your speed @stickguy
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3yLpjjao/1993-honda-accord-sedan
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3vpO4k0N/1990-honda-prelude-si

I like both those model Honda’s, but would never consider one with a slush box. Sadly both of those are ruined by one.

Kirstie_H

xwesx said:

No need to try hunting down your prior comments unless you're looking for something very specific.

The link to access one's own prior comments is coming back. There are several features related to profiles (e.g., profile photo upload, previous comments, notification preferences) that are still in the process of transitioning from our test environment to this live environment.

corvette

Thanks for keeping it usable as a mobile website instead of going the “app” route for full functionality.

corvette

April Fool’s or no?

https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-04-01/carmax-to-acquire-remaining-stake-in-edmunds

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Here’s one for RB. Probably still underpowered and borderline unsafe acceleration, but might be close.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rxn62pRV/2016-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat

That's just dumb. You know what could have made it go faster, not cost a fortune, and not further stressed the engine? An automatic trans!

kyfdx

@oldfarmer50 Your comments are still there... you just have to scroll down past all of the badges. I couldn't find mine, either.

xwesx

corvette said:

April Fool’s or no?

https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-04-01/carmax-to-acquire-remaining-stake-in-edmunds

Looks like no. I must say, I've never been impressed with CarMax.