Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

Hoovie's fleet - the $29k Tesla intrigues me, although it may be a salvage title which can't be connected to their charging network, which would significantly hamper its utility for me.

The 224,000 mile Prius made it to Charleston with its check engine light ablaze. I put the bottle of Cataclean in with about 3-5 gallons left in the tank, ran it until it was showing 1 out of 10 "pips" on the scale, refilled the tank, and reset the CEL using BlueDriver. The CEL came back on the second ignition cycle. I ran that tank of gas and reset it a second time, so we'll see if it comes back. It's burned enough oil to bring the level to just a hair above the full mark, so I'll continue to keep an eye on that. I did bring an extra quart and funnel in anticipation of needing to add some.

As a bonus, I just had two of the TPMS sensors replaced at Discount Tire. It ran fine for a week, but now the light is on again. I made an appointment Monday morning to have the local DT take a look.

As a road trip car, the Prius is on the noisy side, which may be more annoying than the lack of horsepower. The Bluetooth audio streaming device I bought to plug in the aux port works pretty well.

Michaell

Member has tax questions about ending a lease early

stickguy

I did my best! Should send Breld over there. an accountant, and very experienced with all aspects of car flipping!

jpp75

I happened to be in the vicinity of the BMW dealer @breld and Mrs. @breld were at last night, he had texted @Michaell and I about the 340 so I stopped by. It's a gorgeous car, sounds great and I liked a lot of the styling touches, seeing it again today at lunch in the daylight it looked even better.

xwesx

@stickguy said:
or more after the 200#s of leverage knocks the car off the jack stands and it falls on you.

some jobs, just way easier with a lift. and of course safer.

Well, it was levered down against itself, so it wasn’t having much effect on the stability of the stands. In contrast, my efforts to raise the strut up to meet the wheel assembly nearly toppled the whole thing.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

I’ve been starting up my Prelude and letting it run almost every day. I sprinkled some baking soda on the carpet to help soak up any moisture. Vacuumed it up and sprinkled some more down. The musty smell seems to be dissipating. I do see some rust on the bolts of the seat tracks.

I know you had some flooding issues at your house recently but I was unaware that your cars got flooded enough to impact the interior. So the water actually got into the interior of the Prelude?

Depending on how high the water came up you might want to pull the seats and carpet to wash and disinfect them before drying. At least spray some WD-40 on all the seat tracks and moving parts.

oldfarmer50

ronsteve said:

So after just over 3 years with the RDX I can now say I wouldn’t have gotten out of a situation without AWD. Didn’t arrive in time to park in the gravel lot at the Kentucky Castle so we were directed to the large grassy area. Which was quite wet, and more than a little muddy in spots. As we were departing, the wife noticed some guys one row over, trying to push a Fusion that was stuck in one of those muddy spots. I tried to go up our own row, but where the upgrade got a little tricky and more muddy, the two rows were parked very close together. I didn’t want to risk a wiggle ending badly, and got a little bogged down. I decided to back up to a gap that would get me to the next row, which was just as muddy but at least there was enough room that I could saw plus or minus a good 45 degrees as I powered my way up the hill.

Would have been easier with a better AWD or traditional 4wd but I’m not sure how it would have gone with 2wd.

What genius thought it was a good idea to direct parking on a muddy hill?

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

ronsteve said:

So after just over 3 years with the RDX I can now say I wouldn’t have gotten out of a situation without AWD. Didn’t arrive in time to park in the gravel lot at the Kentucky Castle so we were directed to the large grassy area. Which was quite wet, and more than a little muddy in spots. As we were departing, the wife noticed some guys one row over, trying to push a Fusion that was stuck in one of those muddy spots. I tried to go up our own row, but where the upgrade got a little tricky and more muddy, the two rows were parked very close together. I didn’t want to risk a wiggle ending badly, and got a little bogged down. I decided to back up to a gap that would get me to the next row, which was just as muddy but at least there was enough room that I could saw plus or minus a good 45 degrees as I powered my way up the hill.

Would have been easier with a better AWD or traditional 4wd but I’m not sure how it would have gone with 2wd.

What genius thought it was a good idea to direct parking on a muddy hill?

You've never been to Kentucky?

Sandman6472

Went to the hospital clinic yesterday and confirmed that I've got a case of vertigo again. Was told under no circumstance to get behind the wheel, so we'll see about when I go back to work. Sucks big time as feel like I've lost a week of my life again and no one likes to feel sick all the time. Twice in my college years, I caught some kind of sleeping sickness where I basically slept a lot and have no recollection of almost 3 weeks of my life back then. It was pretty weird and having this intense vertigo again reminded me of how bad it is to feel so sick.
Hopefully I'll be feeling better tomorrow then I do right now and get back to my normal life. It ain't much, but I want it back!!! The Golf is clean & just sitting in the garage, I had it washed & vacuumed right before I got ill. I know I don't feel well as have no desire to drive yet, which is truly abnormal for me...I always want to drive!

rayainsw

cdnpinhead wrote:
"Do any of you actually drive these cars anywhere besides to the store and back? How do they suit you in bad or different weather as the calendar unfolds? Do you ever take them across several states, or even one?"

I drove my 2020 M340i north from Georgia to my cottage in Wells, Maine this May.
I drove it back last month – the drive is 1,225 door-to-door.
Across many states. . .
Does that count?
Average MPG between 34 and 37.5 – this is predominantly Interstate driving.
I ordered my BMW – and the only this I would change \ add is adaptive suspension.
Otherwise, I consider this close to my ideal car – both for my general use here in GA -
and in southern Maine -
And for my extended [ 10+ hour days ] road trips to Maine.
She handles all weather encountered with no issues.
Cheers,
- Ray
I do “winterize” her = by driving back south before snow flies . . .

oldfarmer50

This is depressing.

https://youtu.be/SkNu4xYdvkA

au1994

Bwahahahaha!!!!! $72k for a Ridgeline? As John McEnroe once said “You cannot be serious!”

sda

@Sandman6472
Hope you get better pronto.

stickguy

I don't think they come close to expecting to get that. My guess, they only have one, so no great incentive to move it. and if you put an absurd asking price, some rube might feel like that took advantage of them by haggling it down to only $10K over!

benjaminh

Seems like some people are going to get buried in debt with of this surge in vehicle prices. In a year or two the values for some of these vehicles will probably fall.

(9-minute video of Wile E. Coyote vs. gravity.)

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

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

ronsteve said:

So after just over 3 years with the RDX I can now say I wouldn’t have gotten out of a situation without AWD. Didn’t arrive in time to park in the gravel lot at the Kentucky Castle so we were directed to the large grassy area. Which was quite wet, and more than a little muddy in spots. As we were departing, the wife noticed some guys one row over, trying to push a Fusion that was stuck in one of those muddy spots. I tried to go up our own row, but where the upgrade got a little tricky and more muddy, the two rows were parked very close together. I didn’t want to risk a wiggle ending badly, and got a little bogged down. I decided to back up to a gap that would get me to the next row, which was just as muddy but at least there was enough room that I could saw plus or minus a good 45 degrees as I powered my way up the hill.

Would have been easier with a better AWD or traditional 4wd but I’m not sure how it would have gone with 2wd.

What genius thought it was a good idea to direct parking on a muddy hill?

The brother of a guy who owns a tow truck outfit.

jmonroe

stickguy

was telling the wife at dinner last night about my expanding empire of cars on order. and discussing options on the truck. At the price, it is almost impossible to lose, even if the market tanks back to normal. No way though I would be buying something with a massive markup.

ab348

I can't understand dealers trying some of those ridiculous markups. Even if some fool comes along and actually pays it, I suspect it is likely they are going to be bad-mouthing the dealer at some point once things settle down.

nyccarguy

I just got rear ended again! Minimal damage. All are ok, I’m just a little shaken up.

Got off of the highway. Went to make a right turn on red. I realized I couldn’t go because there was a car coming. I stopped. The Xterra behind didn’t. Happy Halloween everyone!

tjc78

Man that just sucks!! Sorry to hear.

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

I can't understand dealers trying some of those ridiculous markups. Even if some fool comes along and actually pays it, I suspect it is likely they are going to be bad-mouthing the dealer at some point once things settle down.

“Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will…”

jmonroe

jmonroe1

@Sandy, we hope you’re back to normal soon and driving again since that is what makes you happy.

Good luck.

jmonroe

sda

nyccarguy said:

I just got rear ended again! Minimal damage. All are ok, I’m just a little shaken up.

Got off of the highway. Went to make a right turn on red. I realized I couldn’t go because there was a car coming. I stopped. The Xterra behind didn’t. Happy Halloween everyone!

😡 Glad everyone is ok.

roadburner

@nyccarguy said:
I just got rear ended again! Minimal damage. All are ok, I’m just a little shaken up.

Got off of the highway. Went to make a right turn on red. I realized I couldn’t go because there was a car coming. I stopped. The Xterra behind didn’t. Happy Halloween everyone!

Idiots are everywhere. BTDT, I know it sucks.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

I just got rear ended again! Minimal damage. All are ok, I’m just a little shaken up.

Got off of the highway. Went to make a right turn on red. I realized I couldn’t go because there was a car coming. I stopped. The Xterra behind didn’t. Happy Halloween everyone!

That sucks. Glad you are ok.

jmonroe1

nyccarguy said:

I just got rear ended again! Minimal damage. All are ok, I’m just a little shaken up.

Got off of the highway. Went to make a right turn on red. I realized I couldn’t go because there was a car coming. I stopped. The Xterra behind didn’t. Happy Halloween everyone!

Good to hear there were no injuries. But, that kind of shxx has to get old.

jmonroe

stickguy

Good thing the taco is a lease the way it’s getting beat up.

28firefighter

Ugh. Sorry, @nyccarguy. Glad you’re okay.

stickguy

One thing on these silly markups. Even if someone wanted that ridgeline, unless they had $30k to put down, nobody would finance them.

Even with higher current payments, seems way smarter to just lease.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

I just got rear ended again! Minimal damage. All are ok, I’m just a little shaken up.

Got off of the highway. Went to make a right turn on red. I realized I couldn’t go because there was a car coming. I stopped. The Xterra behind didn’t. Happy Halloween everyone!

That’s too bad, as long as you’re ok. Any idea on damages?

nyccarguy

@oldfarmer50 said:
That’s too bad, as long as you’re ok. Any idea on damages?

Some of the plastic is scuffed. I didn’t even take the guy’s information. It’s barely noticeable

corvette

On a more positive note, Charleston has a surprising amount of automotive eye candy.

au1994

Very nice. The pristine old Benz just says I’ve got money but no, I don’t need to show you.

andres3

fintail said:

Thinking back to an 80K ADM on a G550 @Michaell posted a few months ago, I came across this on another forum today:

If you ask I'm sure they'll throw in the etching for free.

nyccarguy

andres3 said:

fintail said:

Thinking back to an 80K ADM on a G550 @Michaell posted a few months ago, I came across this on another forum today:

If you ask I'm sure they'll throw in the etching for free.

Nope. They'll dig their heels in.

jmonroe1

nyccarguy said:

andres3 said:

fintail said:

Thinking back to an 80K ADM on a G550 @Michaell posted a few months ago, I came across this on another forum today:

If you ask I'm sure they'll throw in the etching for free.

Nope. They'll dig their heels in.

I'm sure @andres3 will bite on half the etching fee if they agree to put a bow on it, at no additional charge, in time for Mrs. @andres3's birthday.

jmonroe

corvette

au1994 said:

Very nice. The pristine old Benz just says I’ve got money but no, I don’t need to show you.

I had to walk around to check the badge, and it's a 240D. Can't imagine driving that out on the highway, but on the 25-35 MPH roads in and around Charleston, I'm sure it would do fine.

au1994

corvette said:

au1994 said:

Very nice. The pristine old Benz just says I’ve got money but no, I don’t need to show you.

I had to walk around to check the badge, and it's a 240D. Can't imagine driving that out on the highway, but on the 25-35 MPH roads in and around Charleston, I'm sure it would do fine.

Oh man…acceleration is a suggestion in that tank. Highway merging would induce much pucker.

tifighter

Speaking of automotive eye candy-

You're welcome.

Someday, this will rule Radwood.

28firefighter

tifighter said:

Speaking of automotive eye candy-

You're welcome.

Someday, this will rule Radwood.

Or haunt my dreams....

tjc78

That might be worse than the Aztec.

Michaell

au1994 said:

corvette said:

au1994 said:

Very nice. The pristine old Benz just says I’ve got money but no, I don’t need to show you.

I had to walk around to check the badge, and it's a 240D. Can't imagine driving that out on the highway, but on the 25-35 MPH roads in and around Charleston, I'm sure it would do fine.

Oh man…acceleration is a suggestion in that tank. Highway merging would induce much pucker.

My folks had a '72 220D, and I would agree with you about that. I took it to Los Angeles a few times with friends (about 60 miles, give or take), and any sort of slope would almost stop forward progress.

jmonroe1

28firefighter said:

tifighter said:

Speaking of automotive eye candy-

You're welcome.

Someday, this will rule Radwood.

Or haunt my dreams....

Well maybe not that bad but bad enough that I’m sorry I opened the damn link. :@

jmonroe

roadburner

tifighter said:

Speaking of automotive eye candy-

You're welcome.

Someday, this will rule Radwood.

It's one of maybe 20 sold in North America?

corvette

The Murano convertible reminded me a lot of the Evoque convertible. Both answers to questions absolutely nobody was asking.

corvette

A few more, plus a bonus “mild” Carolina Squat.

jmonroe1

corvette said:

A few more, plus a bonus “mild” Carolina Squat.

You should have waited for the owner of the Mac to show up then asked him for a test drive and ran as soon as he took one step toward you.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

Some guy on one of these Prelude FB groups in Ohio has a 1992 Prelude Si 4WS with 23K miles I’m that drop dead gorgeous dark blue color. After some chiming in from posters, he wants to sell it to an enthusiast before he lists it for $15K.

breld

Is that Prelude ad legit? Seems like the owner could get more than the $15k he plans on listing it for.

I know that gen hasn’t yet hit a high demand level, but still.

If it were closer I’d be considering it.

explorerx4

I guess he needs the money for his boat?