Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

au1994 said:

I know the Impala is gone, is the Malibu still around?

My former law partner had a Malibu as a rental in Florida a couple weeks back--and he kept incorrectly referring to it as an Impala.

corvette

Weird that Mazda is planning a turbo 6 for the North American market, after ditching six cylinder models for several years.

au1994

We have some Impala’s in the company fleet and I’ve road tripped in them. Honestly, not a bad place to spend 4-5 hours on the interstate.

Sandman6472

Finally got the Application For Disabled Person Parking Permit from my pain doctor so guess I'll be going down there again either later today or possibly next Thursday. It's not due till end of 11/21 but might as well get it done sooner than later. Was up super early today doing some work outside and in the garage. Figured I'd do it first thing since I'm n/s today so might as well get sweaty doing the work and then shower & start my day. Found that the wife had washed another tissue in the wash so there were multiple pieces of shredded tissue in the wash, lint tray & outside up in the dryer vent to the outside. Got that all cleaned out and then swept/washed the garage and then re-arranged the stuff in the old milk cartons I store stuff in, the old plastic ones the milk companies used to use. Have had them for years and they hold lots of little stuff that stays in the garage. Our middle child will be here this weekend so will get her to help me re-arrange my office and get rid of my sons bookcase and books. Will re-locate them to another spot in the house & reconfigure my office. Just need some extra hands to help me move the stuff.
We're going to Orlando Saturday morning to celebrate our oldest child's wedding from 10/9/20 since no one went due to the covid. Only going overnight and will be taking her Hyundai Accent since it's go so few miles on it. Luckily, she finally got cruise control on her 2020 Accent so it'll be much easier for me to drive up since I'm guessing I'm doing the driving. Luckily, the party is at a Sheraton hotel and we're all staying there that night, no having to drive afterwards. Then they're throwing a breakfast for us at their new home Sunday early afternoon. Should be a fun couple of days and just getting away will be nice. Been working straight through since after my furlough ended in June of 2020 so due for some time off, no matter how short. Taking a couple days off from Toyota but I had let them know right when I was being interviewed. Like to be upfront about plans already made so there's no surprises and they were cool about it all. And if not, was ready to quit if necessary as I won't miss this party.
We went out to Okeechobee City yesterday to pick up a couple of vehicles and lucked out in getting a Toyota 4-Runner. Tomorrows drive should be just over a couple of hours so not that bad really. I know I could go right through but have already been asked about where are we going to take a rest stop on the way up! No big deal really as check-in isn't till 3 pm and festivities don't start till 6, so plenty of time to take a rest and then shower/dress then go downstairs. Should be fun!!

qbrozen

Just a PSA … I suggest avoiding GiveMeTheVin (GMTV) when selling your car. Dude got really offended when I rejected his offer. Accused me of being a dealer, typed his responses in ALL CAPS, so I assume yelling at me, and keeps harassing me even after I rejected him 2.5 mos ago. Crazy.

au1994

qbrozen said:

Just a PSA … I suggest avoiding GiveMeTheVin (GMTV) when selling your car. Dude got really offended when I rejected his offer. Accused me of being a dealer, typed his responses in ALL CAPS, so I assume yelling at me, and keeps harassing me even after I rejected him 2.5 mos ago. Crazy.

What a wank. Guess business is slow and he doesn’t have much to do…

stickguy

Found another Maverick review where hey actually drove and commented on the 2.0t FWD version. Following a pattern, they also recommended to hybrid if you don’t need AWD.

They said this about the eco boost version: It had front-wheel drive and the Maverick's optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo inline-four with 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Mash the accelerator pedal to the floor, and it takes a beat or two to get to the powerband, but when it does, the front 17-inch painted steel rims shod with 225/65 tires start chirping, the traction control light flickers,

sda

stickguy said:

Found another Maverick review where hey actually drove and commented on the 2.0t FWD version. Following a pattern, they also recommended to hybrid if you don’t need AWD.

They said this about the eco boost version: It had front-wheel drive and the Maverick's optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo inline-four with 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Mash the accelerator pedal to the floor, and it takes a beat or two to get to the powerband, but when it does, the front 17-inch painted steel rims shod with 225/65 tires start chirping, the traction control light flickers,

How often will you mash the pedal to the floor from a standing stop? I doubt often. It is probably fine the majority of the time and it is nice to have that extra power once underway.

benjaminh

If you think you'll keep the Maverick for several years, then clearly the savings from having the hybrid would slowly add up. It does seem like the hybrid has enough power. And if you can wait until maybe May or June to get one the savings you're gathering from not having a car would obviously add up. As sda says, the situation of flooring it from a stop is something reviewers often do, but the need for that doesn't happen much in real life. The added power and torque of the 2.0T might be fun and maybe even useful in some situations, but if the hybrid is what you really want then the challenge, as you know, is that Ford can't make enough of them for the next several months. People who ordered a hybrid Maverick back in the middle of the Summer still don't have theirs, such as this reviewer.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saoWoGuceF4

kyfdx

I'm pretty sure that I want a car that can chirp the tires, if I mash the throttle.

au1994

kyfdx said:

I'm pretty sure that I want a car that can chirp the tires, if I mash the throttle.

Put me in something with a lot of power and I immediately revert back to a teenager. Especially if its RWD.

corvette

kyfdx said:

I'm pretty sure that I want a car that can chirp the tires, if I mash the throttle.

Should we put you down for a FWD 2.0T Maverick, then?

explorerx4

@stickguy,
Not sure if you have been following the 'change the badge on the Maverick' YT's, but I am laughing at the stuff the guy is going through. Very educational, though.

qbrozen

Can I be in my own pool? I'm going with 4/22 for the Sprinter to arrive.

stickguy

Mr. boom 5.0? I watched some of his stuff. Got faint when he started tearing the brand new truck apart!

explorerx4

@stickguy,
Yes, that's the guy!

qbrozen

what in the world ...
Was flipping through the channels and saw a live Mecum auction. OK, haven't watched one of those in a while. I'll tell ya, some real collectibles there. Just watched a 2010 CLS550, 2004 XJ8, and 1995 Nissan 4-cyl auto pickup. So now they are just a used car dealer or what?

tjc78

At least one of them isn’t a money pit !

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

au1994 said:

I know the Impala is gone, is the Malibu still around?

My former law partner had a Malibu as a rental in Florida a couple weeks back--and he kept incorrectly referring to it as an Impala.

They were so similar in size and interior I often mistook them from a distance.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Just a PSA … I suggest avoiding GiveMeTheVin (GMTV) when selling your car. Dude got really offended when I rejected his offer. Accused me of being a dealer, typed his responses in ALL CAPS, so I assume yelling at me, and keeps harassing me even after I rejected him 2.5 mos ago. Crazy.

Ah, the wonders of the internet. Was this loon associated with the website or is this just some casual buyer who got his feelings hurt?

oldfarmer50

sda said:

stickguy said:

Found another Maverick review where hey actually drove and commented on the 2.0t FWD version. Following a pattern, they also recommended to hybrid if you don’t need AWD.

They said this about the eco boost version: It had front-wheel drive and the Maverick's optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo inline-four with 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Mash the accelerator pedal to the floor, and it takes a beat or two to get to the powerband, but when it does, the front 17-inch painted steel rims shod with 225/65 tires start chirping, the traction control light flickers,

How often will you mash the pedal to the floor from a standing stop? I doubt often. It is probably fine the majority of the time and it is nice to have that extra power once underway.

Better to have it and not need it. Than need it and not have it. 250 hp on a small truck like that is pretty good.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

what in the world ...
Was flipping through the channels and saw a live Mecum auction. OK, haven't watched one of those in a while. I'll tell ya, some real collectibles there. Just watched a 2010 CLS550, 2004 XJ8, and 1995 Nissan 4-cyl auto pickup. So now they are just a used car dealer or what?

No stranger than some of the vehicles you see on Cars & Bids. I’ve seen some pretty mundane stuff on both.

stickguy

Here's one for Mrs. QB. Nice low miles, but only RWD. Not that anybody would drive this in the snow.

I can see the attraction for taking a brood on a long highway trip, but using this for any kind of normal around town duties, seems like it would get real old, real fast.

probably cheaper to rent a passenger van the couple of times a year you need one!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9Q21X6BM/2012-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2500

qbrozen

@stickguy said:
Here's one for Mrs. QB. Nice low miles, but only RWD. Not that anybody would drive this in the snow.

I can see the attraction for taking a brood on a long highway trip, but using this for any kind of normal around town duties, seems like it would get real old, real fast.

probably cheaper to rent a passenger van the couple of times a year you need one!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9Q21X6BM/2012-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2500

That’s gonna get STUPID money

qbrozen

@oldfarmer50 said:
Ah, the wonders of the internet. Was this loon associated with the website or is this just some casual buyer who got his feelings hurt?

A GMTV employee.

Crazier still: very shortly after I posted my experience, I got a text telling me to check my email where they upped their offer thousands to my original request. I did not respond. I figure its like a crazy ex girlfriend and it is best to just cut the cord completely.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Here's one for Mrs. QB. Nice low miles, but only RWD. Not that anybody would drive this in the snow.

I can see the attraction for taking a brood on a long highway trip, but using this for any kind of normal around town duties, seems like it would get real old, real fast.

probably cheaper to rent a passenger van the couple of times a year you need one!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9Q21X6BM/2012-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2500

Is it me, or is there an issue with the leather on the front seats?

[Deleted User]

Yeah, looks kinda like spalling concrete?

ronsteve

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

Here's one for Mrs. QB. Nice low miles, but only RWD. Not that anybody would drive this in the snow.

I can see the attraction for taking a brood on a long highway trip, but using this for any kind of normal around town duties, seems like it would get real old, real fast.

probably cheaper to rent a passenger van the couple of times a year you need one!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9Q21X6BM/2012-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2500

Is it me, or is there an issue with the leather on the front seats?

Doesn't look like they have aged well at all!

ronsteve

Ooh an 18 year old Bimmer... what could possibly go wrong? Not a bad looking copy tho... https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-525i-touring-20/

At least this has less money pit potential... and fewer miles! https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9AMqaAeo/2005-subaru-outback-25xt-limited

They're both close to the higher end of possible "book" values, how far into the teens do they end up?

Sandman6472

Have been watching Mecum for a few years now and they seem to let anything in, a lot at "No Reserve", and some of those bring back lots of memories for me. Earlier this evening, saw a few Cadillac Eldorado's go through and have liked them since we had a blue over blue 1968 model the folks got while I was away at summer camp. Usually, my mom would get a new vehicle every two years and I'd always be there for that day. Very exciting for a kid who loved anything automotive. As I got a bit older, I get to go to drop the old one off & pick up the new one and I was in heaven...it was magical! But there was something about that '68 Eldorado, the first vehicle we had that had a stereo radio. It was also so big, I mean those doors were so big & heavy plus it had headrests on the two front seats. Being a family of six with grandparents around at times, we had always had a four door for the family vehicle. Sure, my dad always had a two door as it was mainly just him & just him & my mom on the weekend nights. But getting a two door as our family vehicle was a new first, and only happened a few more times.
Watching the auction tonight did bring back some happier moments in a unhappy childhood!

ronsteve

Sandman6472 said:

Have been watching Mecum for a few years now and they seem to let anything in, a lot at "No Reserve", and some of those bring back lots of memories for me. Earlier this evening, saw a few Cadillac Eldorado's go through and have liked them since we had a blue over blue 1968 model the folks got while I was away at summer camp. Usually, my mom would get a new vehicle every two years and I'd always be there for that day. Very exciting for a kid who loved anything automotive. As I got a bit older, I get to go to drop the old one off & pick up the new one and I was in heaven...it was magical! But there was something about that '68 Eldorado, the first vehicle we had that had a stereo radio. It was also so big, I mean those doors were so big & heavy plus it had headrests on the two front seats. Being a family of six with grandparents around at times, we had always had a four door for the family vehicle. Sure, my dad always had a two door as it was mainly just him & just him & my mom on the weekend nights. But getting a two door as our family vehicle was a new first, and only happened a few more times.
Watching the auction tonight did bring back some happier moments in a unhappy childhood!

I remember my dad car shopping when I was 7 years old (in 1978). He was replacing our 1973 LTD wagon (no woodgrain, but you wanna talk big?!) and one of his absolute requirements was that the new car be a 2-door. His reasoning was with me at 7 and my brother at 4, he didn't want to worry that one of us would pull a door handle. I'm not sure if childproof locks were a thing yet in 1978.

We ended up with a '78 Malibu with big, heavy doors, the 305 V8 and not enough transmission. I think Dad had the tranny replaced twice before it ended up as "my first" when I eventually started driving.

ab348

ronsteve said:

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

Here's one for Mrs. QB. Nice low miles, but only RWD. Not that anybody would drive this in the snow.

I can see the attraction for taking a brood on a long highway trip, but using this for any kind of normal around town duties, seems like it would get real old, real fast.

probably cheaper to rent a passenger van the couple of times a year you need one!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9Q21X6BM/2012-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2500

Is it me, or is there an issue with the leather on the front seats?

Doesn't look like they have aged well at all!

Well, at least it seems that M-B have addressed the exterior body rust spots that broke out like a bad case of teenage acre on the first few years worth of production.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

Ah, the wonders of the internet. Was this loon associated with the website or is this just some casual buyer who got his feelings hurt?

A GMTV employee.

Crazier still: very shortly after I posted my experience, I got a text telling me to check my email where they upped their offer thousands to my original request. I did not respond. I figure its like a crazy ex girlfriend and it is best to just cut the cord completely.

After I posted I looked up Give Me The Vin and it looks to be a Carvana-like operation. Strange that they would respond at all to a request for a quote since I’ve gotten quotes from Carvana several times just for kicks and they never pursued it beyond a follow up email inviting me to get a new quote. To get angry because you didn’t accept an offer seems bizarre.

oldfarmer50

ronsteve said:

Ooh an 18 year old Bimmer... what could possibly go wrong? Not a bad looking copy tho... https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-525i-touring-20/

At least this has less money pit potential... and fewer miles! https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9AMqaAeo/2005-subaru-outback-25xt-limited

They're both close to the higher end of possible "book" values, how far into the teens do they end up?

I think I’d rather have something like this:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-mercury-cougar-gte-4-speed/

A little over my budget though. The listing says 340hp but weren’t those Cobra jet motors intentionally underrated for insurance purposes?

As a kid I lusted after these more so than a Mustang.

oldfarmer50

ronsteve said:

Sandman6472 said:

Have been watching Mecum for a few years now and they seem to let anything in, a lot at "No Reserve", and some of those bring back lots of memories for me. Earlier this evening, saw a few Cadillac Eldorado's go through and have liked them since we had a blue over blue 1968 model the folks got while I was away at summer camp. Usually, my mom would get a new vehicle every two years and I'd always be there for that day. Very exciting for a kid who loved anything automotive. As I got a bit older, I get to go to drop the old one off & pick up the new one and I was in heaven...it was magical! But there was something about that '68 Eldorado, the first vehicle we had that had a stereo radio. It was also so big, I mean those doors were so big & heavy plus it had headrests on the two front seats. Being a family of six with grandparents around at times, we had always had a four door for the family vehicle. Sure, my dad always had a two door as it was mainly just him & just him & my mom on the weekend nights. But getting a two door as our family vehicle was a new first, and only happened a few more times.
Watching the auction tonight did bring back some happier moments in a unhappy childhood!

I remember my dad car shopping when I was 7 years old (in 1978). He was replacing our 1973 LTD wagon (no woodgrain, but you wanna talk big?!) and one of his absolute requirements was that the new car be a 2-door. His reasoning was with me at 7 and my brother at 4, he didn't want to worry that one of us would pull a door handle. I'm not sure if childproof locks were a thing yet in 1978.

We ended up with a '78 Malibu with big, heavy doors, the 305 V8 and not enough transmission. I think Dad had the tranny replaced twice before it ended up as "my first" when I eventually started driving.

I drove an 82’ Oldsmobile 88 hand-me-down from my father that had that 305 engine. Disappointingly underpowered and with build quality that made the repair shop happy.

With Mecum, while I do enjoy the auctions I don’t think they give enough information on the mileage or other condition information. When I see a car go for unusually high or low price I’m left wondering why.

stickguy

Love the style of the Cougar. And the tranny. But not a fan of the huge big block motor.

stickguy

Both those wagons are lovely. The bmw must be incredibly rare. I could live with that one.

Those turbo stick Subaru’s also have a cult following, so that one is likely not cheap.

corvette

I've probably posted this here before, but here goes. One of my former IT consulting clients had a first generation Sprinter that they used in their business for relatively light duty, low mileage use. It seemed like every time I would go in to do work there (every 2-4 months), I would notice a new repair invoice for the Sprinter on the manager's desk, usually for some sort of drivability issue, and always right at $1,000. I think they replaced it with the full size Nissan van.

tjc78

@corvette said:
I've probably posted this here before, but here goes. One of my former IT consulting clients had a first generation Sprinter that they used in their business for relatively light duty, low mileage use. It seemed like every time I would go in to do work there (every 2-4 months), I would notice a new repair invoice for the Sprinter on the manager's desk, usually for some sort of drivability issue, and always right at $1,000. I think they replaced it with the full size Nissan van.

Strange we had three of them at my old job and I don’t remember them having any issues. One was really high miles too.

Of course we had the one reliable mid-90s Town and Country too. I swear that van was like Christine. We abused that poor thing and it just kept chugging along well past 150K miles. One day it would be loaded to the gills hauling freight the next we would have all the seats back in hauling 6 customers or team members around to locations. That thing had awesome AC too.

sda

In the late 80’s dad’s boss had a Mercedes 230. His boss always remarked to dad,” If I can get the car back from the service department for less than $500 that will be a first.” Though the 85 Grand Marquis LS dad was driving at the time wasn’t his favorite car, he did appreciate its low ownership cost.

explorerx4

They used to rate the engines at say 340HP @4500 RPM's, but they made more power at higher RPM's.

qbrozen

Dealer ran our deposit and order this morn. We are 4th in line for a 4x4 chassis at that dealership. 2nd passenger 4x4. Hopefully that means we'll get ours by spring.

au1994

Man, thats a long time to wait but such is the market today. Is it AWD or true 4wd with a low range?

qbrozen

au1994 said:

Man, thats a long time to wait but such is the market today. Is it AWD or true 4wd with a low range?

the latter.

xwesx

stickguy said:

Here's one for Mrs. QB. Nice low miles, but only RWD. Not that anybody would drive this in the snow.

I can see the attraction for taking a brood on a long highway trip, but using this for any kind of normal around town duties, seems like it would get real old, real fast.

probably cheaper to rent a passenger van the couple of times a year you need one!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9Q21X6BM/2012-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2500

My god. 32,000 miles and the front seats look like THAT?! What the heck did they do to that thing? Either that, or the "leather" is really paper mache.

28firefighter

The offer on the Outback is now up to $35,400. This is getting downright silly.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Dealer ran our deposit and order this morn. We are 4th in line for a 4x4 chassis at that dealership. 2nd passenger 4x4. Hopefully that means we'll get ours by spring.

That's good news! I'm going to go with 3/18 on it.

xwesx

28firefighter said:

The offer on the Outback is now up to $35,400. This is getting downright silly.

The good news is that even if it goes down before you get the replacement in hand, at least it will still be a big win.

qbrozen

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

Dealer ran our deposit and order this morn. We are 4th in line for a 4x4 chassis at that dealership. 2nd passenger 4x4. Hopefully that means we'll get ours by spring.

That's good news! I'm going to go with 3/18 on it.

I hope you are right. That would be a pleasant surprise.

28firefighter

I don't even have line of sight to a replacement...