Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tifighter

roadburner said:

@sda said:

Wow, that's a brave soul to nurse it to 185k! I had an 85 Alliance DL 1.7L convertible and it was having issues well before the warranty ran out. I sold it with around 45K on it.

When I met my wife she owned an R18i; it was fun to drive but always had an issue. The last straw was when the automatic began downshifting on its own when driving down the interstate. She still watches F1 just so she can root against the Alpines.

Hey, leave Fernando out of this.

Michaell

tifighter said:

roadburner said:

@sda said:

Wow, that's a brave soul to nurse it to 185k! I had an 85 Alliance DL 1.7L convertible and it was having issues well before the warranty ran out. I sold it with around 45K on it.

When I met my wife she owned an R18i; it was fun to drive but always had an issue. The last straw was when the automatic began downshifting on its own when driving down the interstate. She still watches F1 just so she can root against the Alpines.

Hey, leave Fernando out of this.

Or Esteban, for that matter.

fintail

I noticed a local CarHop (high rate BHPH type of business) was absolutely packed with inventory last time I drove by.

sda said:

While out yesterday I drove by the Cadillac dealer. The new car lot was essentially empty. The used car lot was thin as well. About two blocks away the CarMax looked like it had a full lot of vehicles, quite the change from a couple of weeks ago when it, too, appeared sparsely populated. I wonder how much they over paid for the vehicles they currently have in inventory?

oldfarmer50

benjaminh said:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-world-relies-on-one-chip-maker-in-taiwan-leaving-everyone-vulnerable-11624075400

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/09/briefing/taiwan-china-biden.html

Rumor has it that Intel will buy Global Foundries, a large chip maker in my area for $30 billion. It would be nice to see that much chip production come back into American hands, although you really can’t call these huge international companies by any one nationality.

oldfarmer50

tifighter said:

You'll never remember the last time you saw one of these-

1987 forever, dudes.

Looks like the LeBaron convertible of that era.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

Too big, heavy, and overpriced- but boy, it looks like fun; three pedals, H-K and no hole in the roof:
https://www.oxmoorchrysler.com/inventory/certified-used-2019-dodge-challenger-rt-scat-pack-rwd-2d-coupe-2c3cdzfjxkh676450/

I guess those could be fun but when I drive them it feels like I’m driving a bus. Mostly we have the V6 model which isn’t bad but not real exciting. Today there was a V8 in the return line that had such a sweet exhaust note that I really wanted to drive it. It might have been a rare 392 because the rental agent pulled it right out of line and gave it to another customer.

I had to settle for driving numerous Audis and BMWs.

boomchek

fintail said:

I noticed a local CarHop (high rate BHPH type of business) was absolutely packed with inventory last time I drove by.

sda said:

While out yesterday I drove by the Cadillac dealer. The new car lot was essentially empty. The used car lot was thin as well. About two blocks away the CarMax looked like it had a full lot of vehicles, quite the change from a couple of weeks ago when it, too, appeared sparsely populated. I wonder how much they over paid for the vehicles they currently have in inventory?

We have no issue with inventory...yet. Used lot is full and was throughout this and the past year, new 21 Civics are all sold out, 22 Civics are slowly trickling in and selling well. Ridgelines are sold out; Pilots, Passports, and CRVs plenty.

oldfarmer50

boomchek said:

fintail said:

I noticed a local CarHop (high rate BHPH type of business) was absolutely packed with inventory last time I drove by.

sda said:

While out yesterday I drove by the Cadillac dealer. The new car lot was essentially empty. The used car lot was thin as well. About two blocks away the CarMax looked like it had a full lot of vehicles, quite the change from a couple of weeks ago when it, too, appeared sparsely populated. I wonder how much they over paid for the vehicles they currently have in inventory?

We have no issue with inventory...yet. Used lot is full and was throughout this and the past year, new 21 Civics are all sold out, 22 Civics are slowly trickling in and selling well. Ridgelines are sold out; Pilots, Passports, and CRVs plenty.

Welcome back.

kyfdx

fintail said:

I noticed a local CarHop (high rate BHPH type of business) was absolutely packed with inventory last time I drove by.

sda said:

While out yesterday I drove by the Cadillac dealer. The new car lot was essentially empty. The used car lot was thin as well. About two blocks away the CarMax looked like it had a full lot of vehicles, quite the change from a couple of weeks ago when it, too, appeared sparsely populated. I wonder how much they over paid for the vehicles they currently have in inventory?

Money launderers

nyccarguy

@boomchek said:
We have no issue with inventory...yet. Used lot is full and was throughout this and the past year, new 21 Civics are all sold out, 22 Civics are slowly trickling in and selling well. Ridgelines are sold out; Pilots, Passports, and CRVs plenty.

Welcome back!

jmonroe1

sda said:

While out yesterday I drove by the Cadillac dealer. The new car lot was essentially empty. The used car lot was thin as well. About two blocks away the CarMax looked like it had a full lot of vehicles, quite the change from a couple of weeks ago when it, too, appeared sparsely populated. I wonder how much they over paid for the vehicles they currently have in inventory?

Not as much as their buyers will over pay.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

@jmonroe1 said:

jmonroe

That’s ok… I’ll make it up in fees.

Damn, I forgot about those.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

corvette said:

tjc78 said:

That’s ok… I’ll make it up in fees.

Be sure to tell us all what a mess he leaves the place!

Only enough to offset the DOC fee.

jmonroe

tjc78

Took the house buying story to the C&C thread. Figured not appropriate here.

nyccarguy

@tjc78 said:
Took the house buying story to the C&C thread. Figured not appropriate here.

Congrats! Can’t wait to hear the outcome.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

Took the house buying story to the C&C thread. Figured not appropriate here.

That’s it run away. Who do you think is gonna protect you over there? :@

jmonroe

ab348

Well, a wire transfer just arrived in my bank account so although the Cutlass is still in my garage awaiting shipping arrangements, it is sold. I was amazed at how the transaction went down, most of it done by text messages. It is going to a buyer in Germany. My only misgiving is that he has obviously not seen or driven it, so I hope there is no disappointment upon arrival. Now packing stuff up that goes and doesn't go with it.

Michaell

ab348 said:

Well, a wire transfer just arrived in my bank account so although the Cutlass is still in my garage awaiting shipping arrangements, it is sold. I was amazed at how the transaction went down, most of it done by text messages. It is going to a buyer in Germany. My only misgiving is that he has obviously not seen or driven it, so I hope there is no disappointment upon arrival. Now packing stuff up that goes and doesn't go with it.

Congrats? Sure seems like it is going to a good home.

Now, go enjoy the Cadillac with a long drive in the country.

roadburner

My son will definitely be joining this discussion soon; he texted me about the 7k mile X5 4.8is on BaT with the comment “ I won’t buy a second car yet but I do love it 🤣”
In 2001 I covered the introduction of the X5 4.6is and was able to drive one home and keep it for a couple of weeks. My son was distraught when I had to return it; offering to give up his allowance to help me buy it.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

Well, a wire transfer just arrived in my bank account so although the Cutlass is still in my garage awaiting shipping arrangements, it is sold. I was amazed at how the transaction went down, most of it done by text messages. It is going to a buyer in Germany. My only misgiving is that he has obviously not seen or driven it, so I hope there is no disappointment upon arrival. Now packing stuff up that goes and doesn't go with it.

Did I miss where you advertised it? 60s cars are big in Europe. I hope he can afford to run it on the expensive gas.

roadburner

@oldfarmer50 said:
Did I miss where you advertised it? 60s cars are big in Europe. I hope he can afford to run it on the expensive gas.

There are usually a few US cars featured in each issue of the British magazine _Thoroughbred and Classic Cars _that I subscribe to.

boomchek

Thanks guys. Nice to see same names whenever pop in. I'd like to spend more time in here but just busy with life, 2 kids, work, and chronically buying cars lol.

cdnpinhead

Good to hear from you again -- from another one-time Lower Mainlander.

explorerx4

Cheap North American currency means lots of cars going overseas.
'The People' everywhere love American lux/muscle cars. The government most likely, not so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRpOPCHUtXE

oldfarmer50

boomchek said:

Thanks guys. Nice to see same names whenever pop in. I'd like to spend more time in here but just busy with life, 2 kids, work, and chronically buying cars lol.

Pictures please. Or are these just for your store?

boomchek

cdnpinhead said:

Good to hear from you again -- from another one-time Lower Mainlander.

Thanks. I'm still in the Lower Mainland in Langley. Trying decide between upgrading to a house (we own a townhouse with decent equity), or let things be for now. Housing market spiked again here and any half decent house is now $1.2-$1.5 million here now and I don't feel like having $5k/ month mortgage payments.

I'm in my 40s and at the point of whether I should try to save save save just to buy a larger house or actually spend some money and buy some newer fun cars. I guess it's my mid life crisis lol.

If we don't buy a house I'm thinking of getting a second newer car to join our Audi A7 which I love. New Bronco is high on my list but they're sold out until next year.

Since I checked in last time in December 2018 I went through a few cars:

2014 Mercedes B250 was replaced by our 2016 Audi A7 which we still have.

My work commuters I went through in the last 2 years:
2007 Mazda 3
2004 Infinti G35 coupe
2007 BMW X5 for winter
2011 Mercedes C300 4Matic
2007 Lexus IS300
2009 Audi A4 Avant for winter
2008 Mercedes C300
2006 Honda Civic coupe that I have now.

Michaell

Any thoughts as to what this might sell for?

jmonroe1

boomchek said:

Thanks guys. Nice to see same names whenever pop in. I'd like to spend more time in here but just busy with life, 2 kids, work, and chronically buying cars lol.

So how is that any different than most of the guys in here? Where there’s a will there’s a way.

jmonroe

28firefighter

For those of you on the 4xE flip train, I'm seeing anecdotes across facebook, leasehackr, reddit, and others that CCAP has changed their 3rd party lease buyout policies and are now charging market rate.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

For those of you on the 4xE flip train, I'm seeing anecdotes across facebook, leasehackr, reddit, and others that CCAP has changed their 3rd party lease buyout policies and are now charging market rate.

Looks like many of the captive banks are doing this. Big article from Tom McParland on Jalopnik about the whole situation.

28firefighter

Yep. I expect once the market quiets down, they'll flip back again. But for now, I don't blame them - captives need to funnel used car inventory to their dealers and also want to capitalize returns for themselves.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Yep. I expect once the market quiets down, they'll flip back again. But for now, I don't blame them - captives need to funnel used car inventory to their dealers and also want to capitalize returns for themselves.

You think they'll revert back? Why?

au1994

28firefighter said:

For those of you on the 4xE flip train, I'm seeing anecdotes across facebook, leasehackr, reddit, and others that CCAP has changed their 3rd party lease buyout policies and are now charging market rate.

Not going to flip. Just want my Jeep.

boomchek

jmonroe1 said:

boomchek said:

Thanks guys. Nice to see same names whenever pop in. I'd like to spend more time in here but just busy with life, 2 kids, work, and chronically buying cars lol.

So how is that any different than most of the guys in here? Where there’s a will there’s a way.

jmonroe

I thought you are all retired and building massive car collections

28firefighter

@Michaell said:
You think they'll revert back? Why?

Because in most cases, cars were flipped in value and banks had to deal with that. They were happy to let them go and get it off their books. I suspect we will get back to that at some point.

Could be wrong.

henryn

All this talk of leasing just shoots right by me. Has absolutely no relevance to anyone living in Texas.

cdnpinhead

Much like most of what's happening in California. Count your blessings.

qbrozen

@Michaell said:
Any thoughts as to what this might sell for?

I’ll take a WAG at $7k-$8k.

qbrozen

@qbrozen said:
Something stupid. I'll guess $12k.

I think $7500-$8k is not unreasonable.

That coupe made me remember to go back and take a look at the diesel. I’m shocked it stayed close to my reasonable number.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3z2y7EzJ/1999-mercedesbenz-e300-turbodiesel

Michaell

henryn said:

All this talk of leasing just shoots right by me. Has absolutely no relevance to anyone living in Texas.

You’d be surprised at the number of lease requests we get from folks living in Texas.

While the tax burden is big, lots of folks still get business benefits from it.

And, in some cases, there are tax credits that takes the rate down to 1.25%.

corvette

qbrozen said:

That coupe made me remember to go back and take a look at the diesel. I’m shocked it stayed close to my reasonable number.

My family jetissoned two Volvos of about the same vintage due to repeat repair electrical issues. IMO, $7,300 for a car in the middle of its third decade of life is very generous, but I may end up doing something similar the next time I decide I need a project car.

stickguy

Michaell said:

28firefighter said:

Yep. I expect once the market quiets down, they'll flip back again. But for now, I don't blame them - captives need to funnel used car inventory to their dealers and also want to capitalize returns for themselves.

You think they'll revert back? Why?

Because normally residual is more than market. So they are better off.

benjaminh

For those possibly having concerns about Ford's upcoming Maverick, there appears to be a small issue for a few owners of the new Bronco.

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/07/ford-bronco-owners-noticing-issues-with-molded-roof/

"A few Ford customers are expressing concerns about the quality control of the new Bronco after noticing the molded hardtop seemed to be coming apart prematurely. The issue impacts an unknown number of early vehicles, with only a handful of owners suggesting they’ve noticed anything. However, those that are sounding alarm bells noted that the vehicle seemed put together when they purchased it, with the defects manifesting after a few weeks of regular use.

Problems include the headliner separating from the roof panels and some discoloration at the seams. But the signature defect appears to be scales appearing on the hardtop’s exterior. While smooth to the touch, members of the Bronco6G forum reported that their roofs had developed patterning that resembled snakeskin in some areas — attributing the phenomenon to the outer laminate layer being cast too thin."

stickguy

Well, these days, I would expect going in that a brand new Ford design would have some teething pains. At least the Maverick is largely an existing platform.

ab348

All auto manufacturers have some issues on new product launch, but man, does Ford ever seem to have more than their share. I don't know if they just get them more publicized or if there is some flaw in their new product development and sign-off process. I suspect the latter.

qbrozen

benjaminh said:

their roofs had developed patterning that resembled snakeskin in some areas

If they were a European brand, they'd charge extra for that.

roadburner

Apparently Ford of Australia has some unhappy Mach 1 customers; their cars were delivered without some equipment that Ford advertised as standard.
BMW originally advertised that the E36/5 had vented front rotors, but they were solid. Fortunately the solid rotors could cope with a 2,800 pound car with only 150 hp- especially one that only topped out at 130 mph.

Sandman6472

Busy couple of days at the airport. Most of the branches had enough vehicles but the airport was lacking it seemed, PBI. Brought a lot of vehicles there so they could be rented out.
Going back to the dentist in the morning and hoping this time, the cement will hold the temporary in place. Annoying right now. Also heard from the lawyer, case goes to trial on 9/3, so we'll see how it turns out. Dumb mistake on my part of course, so lets see how helpful this lawyer will be.

mjfloyd1

@Sandman6472 - what have I missed? I had no idea that you had a forthcoming trial

explorerx4

Black cars look pretty good. You have to keep them clean.