Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

rayainsw

Yes -
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 ZP
Max Performance Summer
255/40R18 99Y XL

nyccarguy

rayainsw said:

Yes -
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 ZP
Max Performance Summer
255/40R18 99Y XL

The way the roads are around here, I would most likely need to keep an extra set of (4) in my garage just in case.

stickguy

Those actually have almost decent sidewall height, being so wide. My TLX was only 245/40, so skinnier.

sda

I was encouraged by all the positive reviews for the Civic Si and am hoping most of the excitement isn't because of new car 'warm and fuzzies'. I do wish Honda had kept the interior theme consistent front and rear though recently Honda has not kept the fabric pattern the same in the rear as in the front on cloth based interiors of the Civic and Accord. I am not a fan of that design. It looks awkward and cheap. I have higher expectations for the interior treatment of the Integra and hope the base model of the Integra drives similarly to the Si.

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

multiple bids at once. I'm going nuts!
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rE7V2JdO/1990-nissan-300zx-twin-turbo

People are finally coming around to understanding the beauty of red interiors. I really like this……hope you win the bid.

kyfdx

rayainsw said:

Yes -
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 ZP
Max Performance Summer
255/40R18 99Y XL

Yeah, 20K is typical for the rear tires on a 3-series, given summer rubber.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Those actually have almost decent sidewall height, being so wide. My TLX was only 245/40, so skinnier.

245/40 is lower profile than 255/40.

breld

rayainsw said:

breld -
"M340i instead"
Initial impressions?
- Ray
Assuming you have been able to drive it...?

I have not had a ton of seat time (driver’s seat anyway) in the M340i…it is VERY much my wife’s car and she’s loving it, so I try not to commandeer it.

But from the time I have had behind the steering wheel, I find it very impressive (not surprising). I think back both to my E90 335i as well as the more recent Supra…this M340i is so well balanced, combining an engaging sporty drive with the tight feel you expect from a luxury car. With the 3 series growing so much in size, I like the way it still feels like a (relatively) small car.

breld

I’ve had some influence at my office…

breld

I’ll reserve judgment on the Integra until I see it in person. From the current pics, it seems to me they missed the mark on the shape of the rear hatch - the production version has a bulging look to the rear profile (hence the comparisons to the Crosstour), rather than more of a “swoopy” curve as the concept seemed to have. Those are very technical design descriptions of mine.

A Type S model could add enhancements including a spoiler and fenders that could “fix” the aesthetic.

At the “around” $30k price Acura is claiming, it’s attractive if you simply see it as an alternative to the Si. You probably get leather, an arguably nicer interior, better warranty, heated seats (I would presume) and a hatchback if that’s what you prefer…for $2-3k more.

stickguy

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

Those actually have almost decent sidewall height, being so wide. My TLX was only 245/40, so skinnier.

245/40 is lower profile than 255/40.

That’s what I said. My TLX had skinnier tires.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

Those actually have almost decent sidewall height, being so wide. My TLX was only 245/40, so skinnier.

245/40 is lower profile than 255/40.

That’s what I said. My TLX had skinnier tires.

I always think of skinny tires as denoting width.. I guess I'm not as pothole oriented as you are.

breld

These days, as I’m thinking through fun car options, I find myself going back to Nissan’s new Z often for comparison sake.

I believe it’s supposed to priced around $40-45k? So…that very nice used 2020 M240i was priced at $45k, a new GTI is $35-40k, a new M240i is $55k….

A used (or new) Miata, Civic Si, this new Integra…those will offer significant savings. But the Z seems to offer a lot at a somewhat sweet spot with regard to pricing.

stickguy

Skinny means sidewalls to me. So I sometimes leave that part out. And if you had our roads you would be afraid to drive the GTI much with those rubber bands.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

But I’m still old school. I want to see and drive a car before I buy it!

troglodyte.

;b

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

I'm sure we were all aware I wouldn't win any. lol.

Anyway... moving on ... here is something I have never seen before. https://carfromjapan.com/cheap-used-subaru-vivio-bistro-1996-for-sale-609f3a20046489fdd2969e5c

Interesting little car if you don’t mind driving like a mailman. What’s with the various prices listed?

qbrozen

graphicguy said:

People are finally coming around to understanding the beauty of red interiors. I really like this……hope you win the bid.

I've had several red interiors. I'm a fan.

I won't be winning that car. Not by a long shot. I'm guessing it goes over $20k.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

I'm sure we were all aware I wouldn't win any. lol.

Anyway... moving on ... here is something I have never seen before. https://carfromjapan.com/cheap-used-subaru-vivio-bistro-1996-for-sale-609f3a20046489fdd2969e5c

Interesting little car if you don’t mind driving like a mailman. What’s with the various prices listed?

It is on sale ... somehow. And then the price below is total with shipping to port of your choice (NY in my case). Still not the total total, however, as you'd need to get it to your house after that. Plus, if you click to buy it, it adds a few hundred bucks in online fees. So, for that car, it comes to just over $5500. Then figure the expense to get it home. So I'd be up to $6k or so in it. "This deal is getting worse all the time."

stickguy

Kinda thinking the Si is going to end up being a hot seller. Bummer, if the idea was to ever find one on the lot at a decent price. Oh well. Maybe used toy is better way to go, if they ever stop being absurdly priced too.

qbrozen

Here you go, @stickguy

explorerx4

That 500 is cute as a button, but 4 owners and no service records for 3 years(owner 2 I think).

stickguy

Nice color. And only 1.5 hours away. Though the Texas car seems like a better deal, though shipping will hurt that. I should go drive one.

And I can’t tell you how much my with would hate it!

qbrozen

explorerx4 said:

That 500 is cute as a button, but 4 owners and no service records for 3 years(owner 2 I think).

Well... looks like maybe 3 actual owners. I suspect owner 2 was still owner 1 and just moved, but that's merely a hypothesis. And, of course, service records on Carfax are far from a given. Most of your indy mechanics are going to be reported there.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Nice color. And only 1.5 hours away. Though the Texas car seems like a better deal, though shipping will hurt that. I should go drive one.

And I can’t tell you how much my with would hate it!

I'm kind of partial to this one. 2 years newer for $1k more doesn't seem so bad. And shipping from VA won't be too much.

sda

Locally I don't think we have a live Fiat dealer. If a Fiat dealer isn't available do you take them to the local Chrysler/Dodge/RAM garage?

stickguy

Scope creep!

My sister lives 25 minutes from there. Train down, drive home.

Interesting car. A 2015 with infotainment from 2002.

au1994

sda said:

Locally I don't think we have a live Fiat dealer. If a Fiat dealer isn't available do you take them to the local Chrysler/Dodge/RAM garage?

That would be my assumption.

kyfdx

sda said:

Locally I don't think we have a live Fiat dealer. If a Fiat dealer isn't available do you take them to the local Chrysler/Dodge/RAM garage?

Alfa dealer?

stickguy

The drivetrain was also used in the dart. Fiat specific pieces, good luck.

Maybe a Miata is a better idea after all.

explorerx4

Hey stickguy,
I saw a Fiata the other day. Best of both worlds or worst?

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

Hey stickguy,
I saw a Fiata the other day. Best of both worlds or worst?

I've heard it's the worst.

stickguy

definitely. FCA motor, turbo and some electronics (and I think transmission) replacing the amazing Mazda parts. Plus they made it goofy looking.

qbrozen

1. It has infotainment?? J/k ... yes, it is worthless. Unfortunately, it is very much part of the dash (at least in my wife's) and changing it not gonna happen.
2. Find an indy mechanic
3. I think the Fiata is far better looking than the Miata. In any case, I don't find the 500 to be anything comparable to a 2-seat roadster. Yeah, the back seat is pretty useless, but it is there and can be lowered to enlarge the trunk. Plus ... hard top. I hate roadsters.

au1994

Jeez, didn’t realize they replace so much of the Miata mechanicals.

I do think the Fiat version is great looking. Has just enough styling cues from the old one integrated into the new design.

ab348

stickguy said:

Kinda thinking the Si is going to end up being a hot seller. Bummer, if the idea was to ever find one on the lot at a decent price. Oh well. Maybe used toy is better way to go, if they ever stop being absurdly priced too.

If you hated the seats and equipment level in the outgoing SI, what makes you think the new one will be so much better that you would want to buy one?

ab348

au1994 said:

Jeez, didn’t realize they replace so much of the Miata mechanicals.

I do think the Fiat version is great looking. Has just enough styling cues from the old one integrated into the new design.

Yes, looks are subjective but I also like the 124 more than the squinty-eyed Mazda. They use the Mazda transmission but the Fiat MultiAir 160hp engine. The biggest problem with it is that it is out of production and Fiat dealers are getting thin on the ground, so parts availability is likely a headache for any bits not shared with the Mazda.

ab348

This would be good news for the domestic makes if they had anything to sell. Unfortunately for them, they don't.

sda

It is certainly telling when vehicles that were readily available with deep discounts are now being sold with huge premiums over MSRP.

stickguy

Well, that’s the only reason those company sales fell.

stickguy

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

Kinda thinking the Si is going to end up being a hot seller. Bummer, if the idea was to ever find one on the lot at a decent price. Oh well. Maybe used toy is better way to go, if they ever stop being absurdly priced too.

If you hated the seats and equipment level in the outgoing SI, what makes you think the new one will be so much better that you would want to buy one?

Equipment level is fine. seats are updated and I think bigger so not sure how comfort level is now. All the other updates are positives IMO.

au1994

Is Fiat even bringing cars to the US anymore? The website lists 2 dealers within 35 miles of me, neither of which have inventory.

Only 2 Alfa dealers as well but they do have some inventory. 20 and 26 miles away respectively but in Atlanta traffic that can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours away. And honestly a reason that would give me pause on pulling the trigger on a Stelvio for the wife. But if the killer lease deals were still around, I’d probably roll the dice. What could go wrong?

stickguy

Alfa dealer is 15 minutes from me. But FIAT seems to have disappeared based on website.

xwesx

breld said:

I’ve had some influence at my office…

Whoa! Yours has license plates! Did you need instructions on what to do with them when they arrived?

kyfdx

500X was the only model for 2021.

qbrozen

breld said:

I’ve had some influence at my office…

Apparently they don't know you at all or they would have just taken yours off your hands.

tjc78

That may be one of the first vehicles @breld has shown us with a real license plate and not a temp tag. 😜😜

roadburner

rayainsw said:

RE: My M340i service - issue that triggered the CEL was
a problem with the active grille shutters.

Looks like the same issue encountered by C+D in their extended test:
“During our first trip out west, the active grille shutters that contribute to the M340i's aerodynamic slipperiness became stuck in the open position, illuminating a check-engine light. When we returned to Michigan, the dealer replaced the lower shutter assembly under warranty.”

Mine - at just past 20,000 miles.
- Ray
Surprised that my local dealer had the replacement part in stock!

My SA told me that active shutters have been an issue in all the BMWs equipped with them.

roadburner

Several RWD M340i used cars have popped up in my area, but I think that the only four door I'd truly be happy with is an M3.

stickguy

gimmicks like active shutters on a car with 400 HP seems just silly. and a big reason they become hoopties (or junk) before they should. All the nonsense breaks and nobody can (or can afford to) fix it. Or they just drive around with parament warning lights on. It would be nice if you could just take them off and deactivate the system if you want and eliminate the CEL.

cdnpinhead

Yet another answer to a question no one asked.