Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Sandman6472

Stick, have no idea why she won't drive it really. I do notice no turbo lag in her A3 so possibly they ms be tuned a bit differently. That lag doesn't happen all the time but it is noticeable more of the time than I'd like, that's why when I start to feel it stopped at a light, quickly shift into "S" mode, and it goes away. More torque when I finally hit the accelerator so thinking the car's already in 2nd gear by then. This one "lag issue" is my only real complaint with the vehicle over all. Still think some of the issues I've had should've been totally covered by VW and if not 100% covered, they should've met me at least halfway. But to be fair, I was duly warned by a few folks about reliability issues with German makes and most assumed I, we, had leased instead of bought. Guess if I had leased, it would've been long gone by now.
At least I'm lucky that I go into work and get to drive a whole lot of nice vehicles. Drove a recent Rav4 today and must admit, it did everything right. Was an "XLE" model, so right in the center of the line...the sweet spot I guess. Ergonomically, had everything at hand and acceleration was very brisk with the 2.5 engine which I don't think has a turbo. Only complaint was the audio system and think the JBL set-up would've solved that issue. Just wish it was a few inches shorter as I'd definitely consider it for my d d, I think it's that good.

Sandman6472

Going over to the Toyota store on Monday for an interview as I just want to know all the details. I've been really thinking about it since Tuesday and thought I had deleted the text with the contact number. Turns out I didn't, so I left a voicemail this morning around 11. I was the lead this morning at work and while filling up the van, I saw a guy who must be a shuttle driver at the nearby Subaru dealership talking to a co-worker also pumping gas. They were talking about a trip to Miami the guy was going to make and it made me think that maybe I had been a bit too hasty turning the job down before really finding out all the information. And I'd always be wondering what if about the job, decided just to go for it and see what happens. If it really isn't meant to be, they won't offer me the job in the first place because an interview doesn't always mean they'll offer the job.
Within fifteen minutes, I had gotten two return calls and a voicemail. Turns out they were happy I called back and asked me to come in for a face to face interview and then we could discuss possible days/hours. I felt like I might be passing up a good opportunity here so felt I should give them a shout out about what it really entails or I'd be forever wondering if I had made a mistake or not. I haven't mentioned my use of a cane when I walk and after thinking about it, decided it wasn't necessary since I've been offered squat so far. We'll know soon enough if the hiring guy sees a retiree looking to join the shuttle team or a retired guy who walks with a cane no matter if he can do the job or not.
I think I'd like to try it and see if it's worth taking, just want to see what it's all about. And if no job offer comes out of it, I really haven't lost anything. I just want some more info. I've tried so many times in the past to get one of these shuttle gigs that when one finally does come up, why not check it out. And right now, if I get offered a position with the schedule I want...great. And if nothing comes from it all...great also because I really didn't lose anything except going for the interview. So, not getting my hopes up here...end of story!

Michaell

Sandman6472 said:

Going over to the Toyota store on Monday for an interview as I just want to know all the details. I've been really thinking about it since Tuesday and thought I had deleted the text with the contact number. Turns out I didn't, so I left a voicemail this morning around 11. I was the lead this morning at work and while filling up the van, I saw a guy who must be a shuttle driver at the nearby Subaru dealership talking to a co-worker also pumping gas. They were talking about a trip to Miami the guy was going to make and it made me think that maybe I had been a bit too hasty turning the job down before really finding out all the information. And I'd always be wondering what if about the job, decided just to go for it and see what happens. If it really isn't meant to be, they won't offer me the job in the first place because an interview doesn't always mean they'll offer the job.
Within fifteen minutes, I had gotten two return calls and a voicemail. Turns out they were happy I called back and asked me to come in for a face to face interview and then we could discuss possible days/hours. I felt like I might be passing up a good opportunity here so felt I should give them a shout out about what it really entails or I'd be forever wondering if I had made a mistake or not. I haven't mentioned my use of a cane when I walk and after thinking about it, decided it wasn't necessary since I've been offered squat so far. We'll know soon enough if the hiring guy sees a retiree looking to join the shuttle team or a retired guy who walks with a cane no matter if he can do the job or not.
I think I'd like to try it and see if it's worth taking, just want to see what it's all about. And if no job offer comes out of it, I really haven't lost anything. I just want some more info. I've tried so many times in the past to get one of these shuttle gigs that when one finally does come up, why not check it out. And right now, if I get offered a position with the schedule I want...great. And if nothing comes from it all...great also because I really didn't lose anything except going for the interview. So, not getting my hopes up here...end of story!

Sandy, my wife has applied for many jobs over her career.

The way she approaches it is that she's interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing her. Is this a place she is comfortable working in? How do the other employees look - are they happy or sad? Does she agree with their philosophy about the work they are doing?

At the end of it, she doesn't have any power unless - and until - they make her a job offer. Then she holds the power.

Go to the interview, talk with them about the job responsibilities, the hours, the pay. If they offer you a job, ask them for a day or two to think it over.

And, don't burn your bridges with Enterprise - you may end up going back there, at some point.

roadburner

My son wanted to go car hunting while he was in town, so we visited my BMW dealer. Nothing interesting in his price range. I did look at the Portimeo M340i. The black interior is more attractive than I expected; the stitching is blue with a couple of M tricolor flourishes. For the price I could have a new Supra 3.0 or pay a few thousand more and get an M2C. They did have an M2 CS. Nice, but not $82k nice.

stickguy

he didn't buy that 3 series hybrid? I liked that car.

roadburner

It sold before he was able to come home and look at it.

tjc78

qbrozen said:

explorerx4 said:

@qbrozen,
You are getting lot boy and shuttle driver confused or combining them.
Shuttle drivers are usually older guys and that's all they do.

No, I get it. And a dealership would never ask you to do something you don't want to do, right?

The shuttle driver from the dealership I had the Enclave serviced said he used to do a lot of little tasks for the dealer. Parts runs, cleanup the coffee area, etc.

tjc78

28firefighter said:

I love the Pacifica generally - but no, not the Hybrid yet.

In any case, moot point. Wife gave it the quick "absolutely not."

My wife would file for divorce papers if I suggested Minivan.

tjc78

au1994 said:

graphicguy said:

28firefighter said:

In unrelated news, wife and I booked our first vacation sans child in nearly 3 years. We're off to Los Cabos in June to an all-inclusive for 5 nights.

And yes, that's two vacations in two months for her.

Funny you mention that, the GF was showing me all-inclusives last night in both Cabo and Jamaica….all around $1,600 for 2 including airfare. Wonder how long I can procrastinate or proclaim reasons for my inability to go.

She reminded me how she acted as a chauffeur while I was going half blind and how she let me use her vehicle when I was shopping for my new stead. To top it all off, she pulled the old “think of how good it would be for us to get away after the last 18 months?” Seems I’m losing this round.

You and me both. My wife keeps mentioning (tropical) vacation spots and I keep reminding her of the lake house and hour and a half away. Much side eye ensues...

So I suspect I will end up sipping umbrella drinks before the year is out.

I tried that with our place near the shore.. fail.

How often do you get to your lake house? We’ve been really lucky and have been able to get here every weekend since we opened.

It’s nice that it’s only 63 miles and one hour flat with no traffic. That will end once Memorial Day hits, but we may be able to head down Thursday nights and just work from here.

explorerx4

The young shuttle drivers were multi tasked but the old retired guys just drove the shuttle, nothing else.

fintail

Friend of mine now has a "spare" car due to WFH - this is the guy who actually bought a new MKZ when he was 40. He didn't want to mile it up too much (hellish Seattle commute), so he bought a late season blowout sale Fusion in 2018 - moderately equipped (wheels, ICE upgrade), I think he paid around 23K all in - including the 10% WA sales tax, owes 10K on it, has a little over 20K miles on it. I told him about the crazy car market, so he shopped it just a little. Carmax offered him over 16K for it - I think he could get it to 17K by checking other bids. Not many times when an ordinary domestic sedan would have such resale. As he and his spouse (who isn't into driving) are WFH indefinitely, he is thinking about it.

andres3

You guys are all tempting me to price out my Audi's on these sites, and contribute to the algorithms thinking they need to offer more because people keep getting quotes with no intention of selling.

Sandman6472

Not leaving Enterprise, as it's my main job and plan to stay for as long as I can. Just looking for something for a few more hours and have always wanted to be a shuttle driver. Would prefer just two days a week but seems they want almost three. But doesn't hurt to go talk about it and see if I can do both for a bit and maybe see if I can cut back a few hours at the Toyota place. And once again, once they actually see me, cane and all, will really play a deciding factor in even being offered a job.
The Enterprise job is really the best one for me, and it's been working out to 8 hours each of the three days we work. Luckily, the Toyota store is also about 3 miles from the house so both commutes are literally minutes both ways. And in a perfect world, 3 days at Enterprise and another 2 at Toyota would give me exactly the amount I want. But, best part about the shuttle gig is it's on my off days, with Sunday being from 7 to 4, actually not bad at all. Since I'd rather sleep in if I can, the other couple of days will be afternoons, starting at 12:30 which is perfect.
So, will go in with my options open and see what happens. This is why I wanted a face to face interview so they could see me as I am, cane and all. Obviously, using one hasn't effected my working since January of 2013, I always show up and do m job. So, I don't think it's going to be an issue here. And the best part is, that I don't really need this second job. Doing quite well with the Enterprise one but, have always wanted to be a shuttle driver as it looks like fun. Not stuck in an office and get out and meet people. So, come Monday by noon, we'll see where we land. A urine test is required but that shouldn't be an issue as I'm under a doctors care with the couple of meds I do take currently. And I'm always upfront on any job application with that fact. Has never been an issue and don't think it will here. No expectations here, hoping for the best and won't be disappointed if they go the other way and don't offer me the job. Right now, these days/hours are usually spent doing nothing so why not do something useful with them.

stickguy

today was errands day, so to celebrate getting everything done stopped at a local brewery we like for a beer and some dice games at an outside table (gorgeous weather for it!) Ended up discussing the next car. Wife said that this was a perfect time for another toy, and asked what was in my (totally arbitrary) $25K budget. Even asked what a new Miata cost. Lost interest in that when I pointed out the potential spectacle of us trying to get in and out of one!

so not sure what it will end up being, but she doesn't care when I get it. Still looking at the end of the year (gotta spend my pension that starts then on something!). Still think a smaller trucklet would be a fun thing to have. Just need them to come out. GTI will get a good look also. Will probably start doing some actual looking in the fall, when some of the new stuff is hopefully out (and really hope that some of the crazy inventory issues are resolved). And covid restrictions ease up, though right now, can look at cars just fine I think, but I hate to put them through the extra hoops for a casual look.

breld

Speaking of fun cars, I just dropped my 16 year old off at a friends house (he gets his license next month), and there’s a new Miata RF in their garage.

Turns out it’s my son’s friend’s new car!

I mean, wow! I had to stop and check it out - beautiful soul red example.

I refrained from making a remark like, “oh you’re the one with the automatic Miata.” 😀

henryn

New article in the Washington Post about the rental car shortage:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/05/01/rental-car-shortage-economy/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https://s2.washingtonpost.com/car-ln-tr/3221df1/608d77099d2fdae3023fe386/5dadf8199bbc0f783c734e99/37/72/608d77099d2fdae3023fe386

Major rental car operators last year sold off more than 770,000 cars as the pandemic crushed demand and kept Americans home, according to Jefferies Group, an investment bank. More than one of every three rental cars that were in service before the pandemic are no longer available.

More than one out of three? Jeez, no wonder Sandman and OF were talking about the lots being empty.

stickguy

similar issue to the chip shortage. Short sighted companies not thinking ahead. And getting burned.

Michaell

stickguy said:

similar issue to the chip shortage. Short sighted companies not thinking ahead. And getting burned.

Are they?

If they're getting $100's per day for each car they do rent, how much have their revenues really dropped?

fintail

That brings up a thought, are people paying it or changing their plans? And if this continues, will it change the travel scene in general? I think short-sighted is the corporate theme over the past 30-40 years, the cloned MBA set and many C-suiters aren't taught to think much beyond the next quarter.

One would think Turo and similar would pounce on this, but I think there's a lot of consumer hesitancy for private rentals, along with those service also sometimes having stupid rates, insurance and vehicle quality risk, etc.

fintail

I wonder if there's a way to kind of game the algorithms, keep on checking and getting increases, to the point where someone gets a 50K bid for their 2013 Rio.

andres3 said:

You guys are all tempting me to price out my Audi's on these sites, and contribute to the algorithms thinking they need to offer more because people keep getting quotes with no intention of selling.

explorerx4

I read that in Hawaii U Haul trucks were the most popular rentals. Reasonable rates.

stickguy

when I booked the cargo van (should be a Transit) from Hertz I think it was about 1/2 the price of the next cheapest option (a Rio or whatever their tiny car is). If I needed something just for a quick trip and didn't have cargo or more than 1 passenger, I would have gone with the van anyway.

henryn

stickguy said:

when I booked the cargo van (should be a Transit) from Hertz I think it was about 1/2 the price of the next cheapest option (a Rio or whatever their tiny car is). If I needed something just for a quick trip and didn't have cargo or more than 1 passenger, I would have gone with the van anyway.

I'm sure most would take that option, if they were aware of it. If the agent didn't tell them, the average consumer would have no idea. It would not have occurred to me.

kyfdx

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

similar issue to the chip shortage. Short sighted companies not thinking ahead. And getting burned.

Are they?

If they're getting $100's per day for each car they do rent, how much have their revenues really dropped?

I’m still renting in Florida for $40/day, including all taxes. 9 days/$360

Sandman6472

Personally, no way in h-ll would I use my personal vehicle for a short term rental! I've seen so many vehicles come back with so much garbage in them it ain't even funny. On Wednesday, one minivan had crumbs, potato chips and those golfish crackers in every nook and cranny, it was ridiculous! I've found chicken bones in side the center console and other stuff that made my skin crawl. No, so many renters are just pigs that it just blows my mind!
Now on Friday, there were just two of us in my group as our lead took the day off. We spent the whole day moving vehicles to and from the local community airport about 8 miles away in Boca Raton from the nearest location. They had that many reservations that it kept us busy from 8:30 to 4:15 with our 1/2 hour lunch break. Granted, this is a location that's quite busy and opened 7 days a week but we moved a lot of iron. We'd come back to the location and see co-workers dropping off vehicles to be cleaned so we could take them to the airport. I know I got 24.5 hours last week which has been the average hours I've seen since coming back from the furlough, most weeks being a little less. A big change from the couple months before we were sent home when we had unlimited hours and I was making some unbelievable hours. Sure, I was dog tired working those 6 days a week but the b-weekly checks were nice.
Not sure we'll ever go back to working those many hours again, but we'll just have to see. The new teams should start later this week and just hope I get put with my current crew in a minivan. Would rather deal with five people than nine to be honest. And I've never had any knee problems luckily but since coming back in June and having to only use transit or express vans, I'm having issues. Just climbing up and in to them is causing my knees to hurt and I'm not real happy. Getting in & and out of a minivan is much easier on my body honestly, so am hoping that's where I'll end up.

oldfarmer50

breld said:

Speaking of fun cars, I just dropped my 16 year old off at a friends house (he gets his license next month), and there’s a new Miata RF in their garage.

Turns out it’s my son’s friend’s new car!

I mean, wow! I had to stop and check it out - beautiful soul red example.

I refrained from making a remark like, “oh you’re the one with the automatic Miata.” 😀

So when are you going to buy your kid a better car so you can show up his friend? As I understand it, giving your child a hooptie or (gasp!) letting him work to buy his own is considered child abuse.

oldfarmer50

henryn said:

New article in the Washington Post about the rental car shortage:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/05/01/rental-car-shortage-economy/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https://s2.washingtonpost.com/car-ln-tr/3221df1/608d77099d2fdae3023fe386/5dadf8199bbc0f783c734e99/37/72/608d77099d2fdae3023fe386

Major rental car operators last year sold off more than 770,000 cars as the pandemic crushed demand and kept Americans home, according to Jefferies Group, an investment bank. More than one of every three rental cars that were in service before the pandemic are no longer available.

More than one out of three? Jeez, no wonder Sandman and OF were talking about the lots being empty.

That story is basically factual although the renter trade associations wouldn’t comment to WAPO. One thing they got wrong was when they said Hertz sold 198,000 units to the “used car market”. That’s the number that Enterprise bought from them.

The story about long waits in a parking garage is true. When we bring cars into the airport garage there’s a line of customers standing around desperate to jump in them. We must be doing a better job than the other guys because there aren’t any crumbs in the cup holders. We might have to gather cars up from 150 miles away but we drop them off to be cleaned and then switch to a cleaned car for airport delivery.

As to price, I went to the employee discount site for Enterprise and for a 9 day rental for my in-laws I got quoted $350 for a sub, sub compact like a Mirage and almost $700 for a Tahoe. That’s about 30% discount vs. 50% for me.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

similar issue to the chip shortage. Short sighted companies not thinking ahead. And getting burned.

Are they?

If they're getting $100's per day for each car they do rent, how much have their revenues really dropped?

My company made money last year if my profit-sharing is any indication.

As to being short sighted, I don’t know. If you saw demand for your product evaporate overnight with no end in sight would you keep millions in inventory just sitting around depreciating or would you sell it off. Remember, the rental companies thought they could just replace their fleets with new ones. They didn’t anticipate a chip shortage.

fintail

My friend just received a 16.9K offer for his 3 year old mid-spec Fusion - he's thinking about it. And relevant to this thread, he's now on the "maybe I'd buy something else" train, he mentioned to me he's always liked the Buick Tour X (he had the Holden variant as a rental in Oz, and liked it), and that he noticed another MKZ for sale locally in a rare color combo. I reminded him that selling a car and buying anew today can be like selling a house right now - you're thrown back into a psychotic market. Although he has a thing for unloved models, which may help him.

fintail

Amazes me that kids get fancy new cars in HS, maybe as I grew up in an area where having a car at all was a luxury, and a newer car was for the rich. I am sure these kids will also be the self-made bootstrappers who get full rides in school, a new school car, and a 20% downpayment from the hoverparents, while being "self-made".

If I had devilspawn, enjoy the 2002 Camry or 1985 MB diesel that you'll help pay for!

oldfarmer50 said:

So when are you going to buy your kid a better car so you can show up his friend? As I understand it, giving your child a hooptie or (gasp!) letting him work to buy his own is considered child abuse.

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

My friend just received a 16.9K offer for his 3 year old mid-spec Fusion - he's thinking about it. And relevant to this thread, he's now on the "maybe I'd buy something else" train, he mentioned to me he's always liked the Buick Tour X (he had the Holden variant as a rental in Oz, and liked it), and that he noticed another MKZ for sale locally in a rare color combo. I reminded him that selling a car and buying anew today can be like selling a house right now - you're thrown back into a psychotic market. Although he has a thing for unloved models, which may help him.

Talk about psychotic, in my regular perusal of CL I found this gem.

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/ctd/d/kingston-2012-ford-focus-financing/7302178755.html

Aside from it not having exceptionally low mileage for the price it was the first year for the disastrous DCG transmission which typically failed by 70k miles. So for a car doomed to major recurrent repairs they want $10k.

I think Ford would buy these back for $2500 as part of the settlement which was probably more than they were worth.

Who would buy one of these things?

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

Amazes me that kids get fancy new cars in HS, maybe as I grew up in an area where having a car at all was a luxury, and a newer car was for the rich. I am sure these kids will also be the self-made bootstrappers who get full rides in school, a new school car, and a 20% downpayment from the hoverparents, while being "self-made".

If I had devilspawn, enjoy the 2002 Camry or 1985 MB diesel that you'll help pay for!

oldfarmer50 said:

So when are you going to buy your kid a better car so you can show up his friend? As I understand it, giving your child a hooptie or (gasp!) letting him work to buy his own is considered child abuse.

My first car was a joint venture between myself and my father. A $1500 Plymouth. I had to pony up $750 and dad chipped in the rest as a forgivable loan if I agreed not to smoke cigarettes until I was 21.

stickguy

$1500? You must have been one of the rich kids. My first was a '67 Camaro that I think cost $300. And I paid 100% of that, no family kicking in! Though I think the folks covered the insurance. I paid gas, repairs, etc. the 2nd car (still in high school) was my duster. that was a whopping $750 I think.

nothing but the best for me!

fintail

Wheels aren't bad I guess? Yeah, 10 grand for a 9 year old Focus from a series with a known Achilles heel seems tough even with recent inflation. I'd rather spend 15K on a 15 year old Toyota pickup with 150K on it. Maybe there's a BHPH component to the price.

oldfarmer50 said:

Talk about psychotic, in my regular perusal of CL I found this gem.

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/ctd/d/kingston-2012-ford-focus-financing/7302178755.html

Aside from it not having exceptionally low mileage for the price it was the first year for the disastrous DCG transmission which typically failed by 70k miles. So for a car doomed to major recurrent repairs they want $10k.

I think Ford would buy these back for $2500 as part of the settlement which was probably more than they were worth.

Who would buy one of these things?

fintail

In 1992 when I was still 15, my dad bought a 66 Galaxie for $1000, at my urging, as I wanted it to be my driver, and I helped with the purchase and some maintenance. Old cars could be bargains on the west coast then, it was a decent car, although very cold blooded. I recall looking at a 63 Impala SS with a 327/4 speed for something like $4500, dad thought it was "overpriced", I also remember a friend's dad selling a very clean 62 Impala SS for something like 5-6K then.

oldfarmer50 said:

My first car was a joint venture between myself and my father. A $1500 Plymouth. I had to pony up $750 and dad chipped in the rest as a forgivable loan if I agreed not to smoke cigarettes until I was 21.

mlevine

My son in 2017 needed a car for school that was the most medium in size due to parking issues. He found a MB C250 2014 off lease at MB dealership. He felt that a MB at his age was an issue. I told him for safety issues this was a good investment. Other cars he test drove were too tinny for him and did not handle as well.

sda

In 1977 my first car I bought from a friend whose grandmother just gave him a pristine but very basic black 70 Ford Maverick 2dr. I think the only option on that car was auto. It had the smallest 6, 170 or 200 I don’t recall. The benefit to me is I bought his well used 62 Galaxie Town Coupe for $100. 292 V8, three on tree trans, no ps or pb no seatbelts, back up lights or door mirror. Safety at its best. The car was beat with an ugly stick but I loved her.

henryn

My first car was a 1949 Chevrolet. This would have been around 1965 or so. One of my father’s friends gave him the car in payment for a $35 debt, as there was a problem with low oil pressure. My father helped me to drop the pan and shim up the bearings with aluminum foil, and I drove that car for 2 years. A previous owner had converted the car from a 6 volt system to 12 volt, but didn’t change out the starter. It was hard to find a 12 volt starter that would bolt up to that old Chevy 6 cylinder. The junk yard would sell me an old 6 volt starter for $5, and that would work for a few months. When the starter gave out, I would park it on a hill or get my friends to help me push start it.

In those days, $5 for a new (used) starter was hard to come by.

breld

oldfarmer50 said:

breld said:

Speaking of fun cars, I just dropped my 16 year old off at a friends house (he gets his license next month), and there’s a new Miata RF in their garage.

Turns out it’s my son’s friend’s new car!

I mean, wow! I had to stop and check it out - beautiful soul red example.

I refrained from making a remark like, “oh you’re the one with the automatic Miata.” 😀

So when are you going to buy your kid a better car so you can show up his friend? As I understand it, giving your child a hooptie or (gasp!) letting him work to buy his own is considered child abuse.

For my kid? No way - that just made me want another Miata for myself! 😀

My 16 year old will be more than fine with the 135k mile MDX that his brother drove for the past couple years. Pre-worn and pre-wrecked.

I didn’t feel bad about getting the new Tiguan for my older son after he received a scholarship to college.

28firefighter

Running errands with the ZHP today, had a 6spd 08 TL Type S next to me. Very cool.

stickguy

definitely would not get something like that Miata for a new driver, especially at 16 with years of HS parking left. That place was a zoo. The Volvo S40 with plenty of miles and dings was perfect for my daughter to take there (and our son had a well used Contour at first, until we inherited a well used Acura TL from my sister). All well "broken in" so a ding or scratch meant nothing.

only flipped the Volvo when the princess went to school 450 miles away, and I wanted something I trusted more for her to make the 7 hour each way solo drive, so that is when leasing for 3 years (taking her 2 months past graduation) the first Jetta made a lot of sense. Because no way did I want the call that she was on the side of I95 in Richmond with a dead Volvo!

stickguy

that interesting 6 speed 3 series near me sold for pretty strong money. But probably a decent enough deal.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3LP57nY3/2011-bmw-328i-xdrive-sedan

and this unicorn popped up. makes little sense, but I like it. Would actually grab something like this if cheap. Sadly, even oddballs no longer seem to be cheap. Really have no clue what this will go for, but probably more than I would pay.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3gePa6OR/1999-toyota-camry-solara-v6-coupe

au1994

Honestly, with the 5 speed that might be kinda fun...

au1994

stickguy said:

definitely would not get something like that Miata for a new driver, especially at 16 with years of HS parking left. That place was a zoo. The Volvo S40 with plenty of miles and dings was perfect for my daughter to take there (and our son had a well used Contour at first, until we inherited a well used Acura TL from my sister). All well "broken in" so a ding or scratch meant nothing.

only flipped the Volvo when the princess went to school 450 miles away, and I wanted something I trusted more for her to make the 7 hour each way solo drive, so that is when leasing for 3 years (taking her 2 months past graduation) the first Jetta made a lot of sense. Because no way did I want the call that she was on the side of I95 in Richmond with a dead Volvo!

Exactly why we are strongly leaning toward buying my BiL’s 2011 E90 for our son. 115k miles and well maintained but not exactly perfect either. Plus ,he’d sell it to us for 5k.

breld

28firefighter said:

Running errands with the ZHP today, had a 6spd 08 TL Type S next to me. Very cool.

So...how’d you know it was a 6 speed?

28firefighter

Looked in the window! I meant parked next to me.

Re: the Solara V6 5spd - buy it and drive it forever. Will probably outlive you. I really like that one.

stickguy

au1994 said:

stickguy said:

definitely would not get something like that Miata for a new driver, especially at 16 with years of HS parking left. That place was a zoo. The Volvo S40 with plenty of miles and dings was perfect for my daughter to take there (and our son had a well used Contour at first, until we inherited a well used Acura TL from my sister). All well "broken in" so a ding or scratch meant nothing.

only flipped the Volvo when the princess went to school 450 miles away, and I wanted something I trusted more for her to make the 7 hour each way solo drive, so that is when leasing for 3 years (taking her 2 months past graduation) the first Jetta made a lot of sense. Because no way did I want the call that she was on the side of I95 in Richmond with a dead Volvo!

Exactly why we are strongly leaning toward buying my BiL’s 2011 E90 for our son. 115k miles and well maintained but not exactly perfect either. Plus ,he’d sell it to us for 5k.

if it has a stick shift, I'll buy it!

corvette

I really liked the styling of the second/final generation Solara coupe--2004-2008.

tjc78

I loved my 2000 Solara (XLE V6 auto)

xwesx

I swapped out the winter tires from the Q7 this morning... and actually remembered to take some pics of the front brakes!

The pads are at about 50% (after ~45,000 miles). Hopefully I was able to get a good shot of the wear lip on the rotor: