Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

fezo

I see you are enabling again. Problem is, I don't actually need a car.

Oh, sure. You shoo me away from it and now it's "oh, i really didn't need it."......

kyfdx - too nice a car for a 16 year old boy. I'll come right down and get it for my 21 year old girl. How does it drive in salt water?

mark - still at 85%? That's rough but as someone with a gazillion health issues the idea of being back at 100% is encouraging. The wait is a killer.

Q - I've always wondered about that guy. He's been in business forever. You'd think that would mean he was worth coming back to but obviously not. I used to have a preferred lot in the Rt 9 - 88 car dealer row - a place called Wheels on Rt 9. Had cars that were a little rough cosmetically but were really solid mechanically. Unfortunately he folded his tent.

I'm thinking more about recent Corollas....

grandtotal

I'm thinking more about recent Corollas....

You could do worse.

fezo

Yeah. I'm thinking all she has known is a Camry and she loved it right up until she drowned it. I mentioned a Corolla and said it's smaller but gets better mileage. At teh mention of better mileage here antennae went up.....

oregonboy

You might want to check first with your insurance agent. With State Farm, Corollas cost more to insure than Camrys, just as Civics are more than Accords. It has to do with the claims experience.

Personally, I would prefer a larger, more comfortable, safer, used model to a newer, smaller, more fugal one.... within reason, of course. I do like modestly proportioned vehicles.

stickguy

I got your answer.

If you don't mind something a little older, get an Amphicar! If you had that instead of the Camry, would not have been a problem.

ghulet

kyfdx - too nice a car for a 16 year old boy. I'll come right down and get it for my 21 year old girl. How does it drive in salt water?

Fezo, that was about the funniest comment ever, (the last part, obviously) though I know it's gonna cost you some bucks. Cheers for keeping a sense of humor about it, sometimes that's the best way to survive!

fezo

Thanks. What are you going to do?

stick - believe me, the thought of an Amphicar crossed my mind. Years ago I almost bought one.

The other thought that comes to mind is an old Volkswagen Beetle. Remember the old ad in the National Lampoon? "If Ted Kennedy had been driving a Volkswagen he'd pre President."

lilengineerboy

Yeah. I'm thinking all she has known is a Camry and she loved it right up until she drowned it. I mentioned a Corolla and said it's smaller but gets better mileage. At teh mention of better mileage here antennae went up.....

When my sister was car shopping for a post-college vehicle, she drove the Corolla. She said it was easily the nicest interior of the bunch (which I didn't agree with either, but not my car), but she said the car felt like it was going to tip over. Upon further investigation, its becuase you have to go up 2-3 trim levels to get get a rear sway bar. It also had the smallest, poorest OEM tires. She went with a Mazda3 and has loved it.

lilengineerboy

Speaking of bikes, only 2 more weeks until my wife and I bicycle down the coast from Monterey to Santa Barbara. Can't wait!

I grew up in that neck of the woods (grew up in SB, college in SLO). I have done that ride in reverse (we actually kept going north up to SF) with loaded panniers and camping. It was an amazing experience.
If your dietary rules allow, I recommend "Old West Cinnamon Rolls" and "Splash Cafe" in Pismo Beach. If you need dining recommendations for SB, let me know, I think I can cover just about any type of food.
Should you need Cycling assistance in SLO, I recommend Foothill Cyclery in SLO, or Cambria Bicycle Outfitters (SLO and Cambria).

qbrozen

So my wife sez to me, "ya know, I'd kind of like to trade up my bimmer for something a little bigger."

Hmmmm... so, any chance there is a somewhat larger (needs to fit in the garage) vert built during or before 1990 (classic insurance) with decent reliability that could be had for right around an even swap ($3k'ish).

stickguy

you can get classic tags on a 1990? that just seem silly.

anyway, what way bigger? I assume interior space, or does she want to move up to something like Andres bonne?

anyway, the obvious choice for next size up is a sebring. For a "classic", but not sure of size, is a Mustang.

More along your taste I would think is a SAAB. When did they come out as a vert?

kyfdx

Pretty sure the 900 vert started in the mid-80s... By '87 or '88, for sure..

Saab 900 turbo vert would be a pretty sweet car.. I bet nice ones are very rare, and very over-priced.... and, will take a small fortune to keep running..

In other words, I see no reason not to get one!

That poor Acura showed up yesterday around 11 AM... don't think the engine has had time to cool off, since.. Pretty sweet ride... but, it's amazing how cars have improved since '92 (especially, since this was the top of the heap at that time).

stickguy

they have gotten nicer, except in the interior. Some cars from that day just seemed to have much nicer materials and construction.

and seats. my '91 626 LX had fantastic seats. A few others had real nifty sport seats too. And they were really nice cloth.

No comparison of course about HP output. Although they have gotten way porkier, so many are not that much faster, and don't always get as good mileage. Certainly not enough improvement based on the technology improvements!

jayrider

Had a 90 camaro and the cloth seats were outstanding. If you look at interior photos of 90-92 models for sale online they still look great. The base cloth was bad but the upgraded cloth was premo.

stickguy

2.4t instead of a T5, but I think this one will take regular gas. Still pretty quick too.

OK looking in the pictures. But as always, actual condition, accident history, and maintenance required is paramount.

should be a nice comfortable well performing car though. And my dog would fit. And as a bonus, he is about the same color as the carpet (and Labs shed).

http://torchlightmotors.com/inventory_detail.html?vin=YV1SW58D412087879

qbrozen

Not actually classic tags, that would take 25 years per NJ law. But Hagerty will cover anything 20 years old.

Yes, more interior space. And she won't let me get her something REALLY old (like '60s or '70s).

Yeah, it seems the Stang and Saab were the 2 I came up with, too. Only found 1 of each for sale, and they are asking a fortune for the Stang and the Saab has 237k miles (although they are claiming 137k, but the history report says different). I don't know about the Saab's back seat, but the specs I can find indicate the rear legroom on the bimmer is 24" and on the Stang it is 30".

corvette

Cool car. I wouldn't have appreciated it (or considered it cool) when I was 16, though.

akangl

Finally got the Explorer home yesterday and except for a bit of a hiccup going up one hill it did great. We expected it to be a bit fussy, its only been driven 5 miles to work and back for the past 3 years, hasn't gone able 45 mph and my mom is not hard on it at all. Needless to say by the time it got home it was thinking 75 mph was pretty ok!

mark156

Akangl, not bad looking at all for $200. You did good!

Mark

akangl

Its a pretty good little suv surprisingly enough. It needs a tune up and the front hubs replaced, but hey, the parts came with it, lol. I'm guessing we'll drop $500 into it to fix the few issues it has, the one I'm not fixing is the a/c compressor, its siezed and just not worth fixing in my opinion.

I found out a little more about why it has a reconstruct title, it had nothing to do at all with it being rearended like originally thought. It was a one owner car out of Florida, brought to Alaska, driven for several years up here, then given to the owner's 16 year old daughter. It was in the rear end collision while she was driving it, minor damage really, but then after that she put it in the ditch. Guess it scared her, so she wouldn't drive it. The truck sat for a year and then her parents sold it to a junk yard and destroyed the title. Junk yard owner sold it to my mom for a bit of a profit, she got the reconstruct title on it and that was that. Kinda funny how things like that happen to perfectly good vehicles.

fezo

Daughter wants to check out this.

Have at it.

jayrider

If you are spending 10k on a used car, can't see how that wouldn't be a nice buy. The way I try to get a perspective on value is to see what 6k will buy then 8k-10k and 12k. Who knows ? that may the best 10k car in Jersey. If it is it's already sold.

fezo

The guy has a few things and all seem reasonable. Low mileage Japanese - the others at the moments are Sentras.

stickguy

looks OK. I am a lousy judge of pricing. I wouldn't be spending 10.5K on a 4 YO small car (not even an EX so no roof) that could probably be bought brand new for 17K. But, it is a HOnda..

Checked autolenders. They are thousands higher, well into the crack territory. 15.5K for a 2007 EX sedan? Don't think so.

Also checked my local Honda dealer. Just as crazy. maybe worse, to get the CPO.

Maybe that isn't such a bad price?

ghulet

I know I'm 12 posts way-late to the punch on this one, but the SAAB 900 convertible debuted in the U.S. for model year 1986. They were ALL (exactly 350 sold here) turbo automatics (WHY, oh why, cuz that era had [non-permissible content removed] three-speed autos), and I'm fairly certain most, or all, were gray with red leather. Sadly, I passed one up (I've owned several first-generation 900s, they're fun to drive but a complete pain in the [non-permissible content removed]) I saw on Craigslist, formerly owned by Darcy of Smashing Pumpkins (likely a coupla bags of heroin under at least on seat, I know I'm a [non-permissible content removed] for saying that). I've seen another one not so far away ('86 has non-flush, non-composite headlights, is the easiest way to discern from an '87-94).

ghulet

nice low miles, prices is quite reasonable (a similar '10 is about, what, $18-19k?), unless there's somethin' funky (Carfax or title junk), seems A-OK.

qbrozen

I was going to suggest a Sentra. Seems to be the best buy in the compact Japanese used market.

Perusing the autoshopper, I spotted a few things that I will know throw at you from left field.

Loaded up and low miles.

Ultra low miles.

Pretty cheap for an '09.

ghulet

I like the Aura in general, though it's a pretty big car; I guess, like fine for a family but for a college kid, probabaly a bit much. And in keeping with recent car fashion, its mass doesn't equate to interior space, nor reasonable sight lines. It's a cocoon.

The Ion is a complete and total barf-o-rama in general, and especially at that price for an '06 (that thing was no more than $15k new, so almost $11k at four years old is silly).

The Vibe is an excellent vehicle, and the under $14k for an '09 is a pretty good price, IMO.

fezo

Haven't heard from the adjuster yet. I did see a roughly equivalent Camry (a 98 but in much better shape than hers ever was) listed for $5K, giving me target for $$.

Q- there's a Vibe on my shopping list. If the Civic (her cousin drives a Civic and she really likes that) doesn't work out I'll check the Vibe at the local dealer. It's an 07 and black but otherwise the same sort as the one posted.

qbrozen

If I'm not mistaken, I believe one of the options is to give the kid one of the existing cars and get something better for fez. Hence the Aura.

Seems like the Aura is alot of car for the money.

The Ion is up there more for comparison. I mean, a loaded '07 Aura for not much more money than a stripper '06 Ion. Although I have no idea what either car is really worth.

I like the Vibe. It is not the one I first found, though. If it peaks yer interest, Fez, I did find a low miles GT automatic for $14,995.

I'm leary of that Civic. The guy's website is garbage and the details are kinda skethcy, IMHO. I would certainly tread carefully. Also, you may note that, of the 4 vehicles he currently has "in stock," the Civic is the ONLY one he doesn't provide the VIN and doesn't state "no accident history."

ghulet

...the Aura is a nice car, nice looking and strangely unloved, and now that Saturn is defunct, bargains will be had. I'm pretty sure it's the same car as the Malibu, correct? And the 'Bu has been a huge hit, and really it's not any better looking, to me, than the Aura....maybe people weren't prepared or comfortable with spending north of $20k for a Saturn? I dunno.

The Ion just never did anything for me. Not that the SL was such an awesome car, but the replacement was somehow, to me, much worse. Just as bland, but even more plasticky and, frankly, just hideous. No offense intended, just my opinion. I wlll concede that the majority of owners of (old) Saturns (I briefly had a '95 SL2 automatic with 165k, my grandparents have a '95 SL1 with AT LEAST 200k), a friend of mine had a '94 SC1 for well over ten years) have been pretty happy with them. In general, quite reliable, and cheap to fix versus any comparable import.

The Vibe is, well, y'know, a Matrix except cheaper. I did like the original version better, stylicically, but I'd certainly put it high on the list at its price and as a gamble as to durability/reliability.

michaellno

The Ion is a complete and total barf-o-rama in general, and especially at that price for an '06 (that thing was no more than $15k new, so almost $11k at four years old is silly).

As the owner of an '06 ION, all I can say is ouch!

Ours is driven by our college age daughter and has only been to the dealer once in 4 years for a non-maintenance visit. Now has 33K on the clock and while it's not the coolest ride around, the plastic panels do work well on a college campus. And, it gets high 20's for mileage - mostly highway.

In the few times I've driven it, I never felt it was a penalty box .. perfectly suitable as a commuter, though the center mounted gauges do take some getting used to.

ghulet

....I don't think it's a bad car, mechanically. I don't like its styling, but that's just me. The Saturns I've driven are fine to drive (my old $400 SL2 was actually kinda fun)....I just don't think $11k for an '06 Ion that cost $15k new is even close to a reasonable price.

Again, sorry. Not trying to be mean or grouchy, though right now I'm doing so.

michaellno

ghulet - sorry, should have included a icon with my post.

I understand that not everybody likes the look of the ION ... and, truth be told, it does look like an ugly stick was applied in certain styling details.

But, the wife likes (Iiked) the Saturn experience, so there wasn't a lot of shopping done when we bought the ION.

See, at the time, I was scoping out $25-30K rides for me and would have let the daughter drive the L300. Wife figured that $16K for a new car was better than $30K.

And, depending on the trim level, the ION went up to almost $20K new. The one in the ad is an ION 3 (the alloy wheels give it away), and, it was also available with the 2.4L 4-cyl. The Red Lines were actually in the low 20's, but it had the supercharged 2.0L in it.

IIRC, the sticker price on our ION 2 (with power accessories, automatic and sunroof) was somewhere around $16-17K

breld

With that Civic, I would be worried with the thought of "if it's too good to be true...."

The price does seem suspiciously low considering the relatively low miles. Whether you think it's worth it or not, the current-gen Civic is holding its value ridiculously well. They're not crazy prices like last summer with the gas price hikes, but they're still holding strong.

But if she does like the Civic, I imagine a clean LX of similar age and miles would be more like $12-13k. So still very affordable. Whether that modest discount over new is worth it or not is up to you.

fezo

The too good to be true and lack of any indication as to who and where and all of that has me a little doubtful.

I should put my brother (the dad of the cousin owning the Civic) on the case. He paid $9K for his son's current generation Civic. I'll have to find out where.

qbrozen

Fez, are you paying $10k cash? Or are you financing whatever the insurance doesn't cover? Reason I ask is because of available new car incentives right now. Maybe a 0% deal on a cheap new car, for instance, than financing a used car.

Have you thought about new cars? Right now, you could get a 4-door Accent or Versa sedan for somewhere just north of $13k. In the case of the Versa, maybe even less depending on required options.

Step up to a Mazda3 for a couple grand more and enjoy 0% for 5 years.

fezo

I'd be financing but I don't think new is the right idea here.

While it would be her paying a goodly portion of monthly payment if she screwed up I'm left holding the bag which I clearly don't want. More to the point she's rough on cars and there's no point in putting a new car through that.

The thought of an Accent has occurred to me.

fezo

Meanwhile the fact that there are a gazillion 08 Sonatas with under 35K on them listing for under $12K hasn't escaped my attention.

michaellno

fez:

Kinda depends on the kind of driving she will be doing.

When we went through this exercise with our daughter, we knew that she would be doing a lot of highway driving, since her college is 100 miles from our home - and 95% of that is on I-25.

The wife thought that something with some power behind it might be the right direction, and almost bought a new Sonata with the V6. Went so far as to get a hard quote on the trade in and a price for the new car, before the daughter decided to chime in with an opinion.

So, back to the drawing board we went. About the only thing she wanted was something small (no SUV) and that it was equipped with both an automatic as well as an AUX port for her iPod.

(FWIW, the wife refused to consider a used car -- she's not comfortable with an unknown history)

That's when the idea of the ION struck us. Pretty peppy - 140HP from the 2.2L engine, plus all the amenities - PW, PDL, remote fob, AUX port, sunroof, ABS and traction control (ABS/TC and the remote key fob were important to mom, for safety reasons).

So, you might have a frank discussion with her to see what she likes, since she'll be driving it a majority of the time.

And, I understand your desire not to get in over your head with price. But, you can probably get a decently equipped Mazda 3 for around $18-19K -- take out $4K for the trade and you're looking at around $15K to finance. As noted above, Mazda is offering 0% for 5 years, so the payment would be around $250/mo.

For comparison's sake, $11K financed for 48 months at 5.9% is $256/mo (for 60 months it would be $211/mo).

Also, who is covering insurance on this? You or the daughter? (I know it'll be on your policy, but is she paying or are the parents?)

So many things to consider ... best of luck.

Then again, she can inherit the Accord and you can look for something for yourself.

fezo

Well, forget the part about $4K on the trade. This is replacing the car that got totaled in the flood.

Still no word from the insurance.

Sandman6472

Just to chime in here, love my '06 Civic LX...drives nice and has ample power when needed. Like the Eveready bunny, this thing keeps going & and going...etc. Since I don't drive much due to my spinal issues(have 26.3k on the clock), it's just a great little car. We got our college aged girls an Accent & a Versa and am impressed with them...very nice drivers. Got very good deals on them and the girls love their rides.

All good choices.



The Sandman :sick: :shades:

tifighter

FWIW, I bought a new 10 Versa hatch AT w/pwr pack for a little over $13K a few months ago. Sedan should be cheaper. I had noticed used Sentras at the time, but the Versa seemed like a better deal, and its a hatchback. Did I mention the 1.9% rate

fezo

Boy, if the two nearest Nissan dealers weren't criminals.....

I still may give a look though I am thinking it would be difficult to sell the idea of a new car for my daughter to my wife who is driving the 00 Accord with 183K on it...

qbrozen

hmmmm... care to share? I mean, I know one... I think. But I don't know the other.

Hope its not Red Bank Nissan. I've dealt with them a couple of times and they were pretty good both times. Also had my 350Z serviced there.

EDIT: oh, wait. Just checked Nissan's site. Looks like there are a few closer to you than Red Bank, and I'm not familiar with any of them (well, except the aforementioned criminal establishment I am very familiar that has the initials P.B. ).

fezo

Familiar initials. That was one of the ones I was referring to. The other is the next one south. Think of a series of bridges going over to an island..... It's right here in town.

Of course I never mind a reason to go to Red Bank....

grandtotal

I can't see a problem. You hand the Accord over to your daughter. She was driving a 99 anyway, so it's an upgrade. You don't end up rewarding her for the big splash, and your wife gets to drive a new(er) car.

fezo

Somewhere in this whole thread we're discussing that very possibility. The Accord is a stick so she'll have to learn but that's fine.

The one thing that enters into that particular thing is my wife uses her car for work and puts on a lot of miles. As a result I have no desire to get into a new car for her but a lightly used would be fine.

breld

So I've mentioned it over on the Real World Trade-in forum, but I was successful in selling my 530xi this past weekend. Surprisingly painless transaction. So while I'm a bit sad over the departure of my beloved BMW, I am terribly excited for the upcoming search for the replacement.

I love this situation - car is sold, cash in hand, and no need to rush since I'm not replacing a daily driver. The local Auto Show is coming up in a couple of weeks - I, of course, go every year, but this is the first time in several years that I'm in true shopping mode (there's always some level of "shopping mode" I suppose). So it will be fun.

So I'm searching for a sporty car as the second "fun" car. I'd like to target the used market, and stick around $20k or lower. My current obsession is with Miatas, but there's a long list of cars I'd like to take closer looks at (Nissan Z's, maybe an RX-8, G35/37 coupes, etc.). I still like the 3-series coupes (E90's), but I don't think I want to spend $30k on the "fun" car.

Suggestions are welcome.

ghulet

you'd probably be pretty happy with a (first-generation) G35 coupe.....you can find a stick fairly easily, they're sporty, more than somewhat luxurious, and (if you can deal with one older than your '07 530xi), easily available for less than $20k. Plus, they're purdy and fun to drive.