Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

au1994

Congrats! Hydro and Saddle should be a nice combo. I regretted not getting all weather mats but Weather Tech finally came out with rear mats for the 4xe. Ordered mine and they are due tomorrow.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Keeping them both or getting into flipping?

Going to drive the '21, then flip it when the '22 comes in

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

Just to see where I stand, I submitted the mach-e to a couple of the usual suspects. Winner thus far is ALgo (who I sold my Jeep to) at $50,500. That would put me at $10k in my favor.

Do you have to own the Mach-E for a specific amount of time in order to claim the tax credit?

stickguy

I probably should have ordered A 4xe too. Though driving a wrangler first would be a good idea.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

Just to see where I stand, I submitted the mach-e to a couple of the usual suspects. Winner thus far is ALgo (who I sold my Jeep to) at $50,500. That would put me at $10k in my favor.

Do you have to wait for a title from the state? That takes 4-6 weeks, where I live.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

Just to see where I stand, I submitted the mach-e to a couple of the usual suspects. Winner thus far is ALgo (who I sold my Jeep to) at $50,500. That would put me at $10k in my favor.

Do you have to own the Mach-E for a specific amount of time in order to claim the tax credit?

Not that I have found.
But it will be with me for a little while. I have no idea when any of the other vehicle orders are due in.
However, my wife informed me she doesn't like driving the mach-e.

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

Just to see where I stand, I submitted the mach-e to a couple of the usual suspects. Winner thus far is ALgo (who I sold my Jeep to) at $50,500. That would put me at $10k in my favor.

Do you have to wait for a title from the state? That takes 4-6 weeks, where I live.

yes. I don't know how long that will be. I asked the F&I guy what his experience has been. The expression on his face made me think he has no clue, but he said "a few weeks."

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I probably should have ordered A 4xe too. Though driving a wrangler first would be a good idea.

Bah. Test driving is for senior citizens. Just order sight unseen. All the cool kids are doing it.

stickguy

Plates should be a week or 2. I’m guessing title will be the same but I’ve not recently paid cash so haven’t gotten it sent to me.

sda

The prices on the used market continue to amaze me. To think that 3 year old cars with 60K are selling at new car prices is insane. I have a service appointment for the Q5 tomorrow. Looking at the new inventory I found this disclaimer sums up the current sales environment: "Dealer Sets Actual Price"

2.0L 4 Engine
Automatic
23/28 mpg City/Hwy
Glacier White Metallic Exterior
Atlas Beige Interior
Stock #: A17244
Trim: S Line Premium Plus 45 Tfsi Quattro
Total MSRP
Dealer Sets Actual Price
$53,605
1.49% APR* for 60 months.

au1994

Offer $50k OTD. Oh wait, it’s not 2019.

jmonroe1

@oldfarmer50 said:
Just got the bad news on my kid’s Fusion. It wasn’t a head gasket, thank goodness but it was a gasket related to the timing chain cover which was an even bigger job. $2500 which include a free oil pan because the tech cracked it while doing the other work.

On most of the old cars I run it wouldn’t be worth it but at 38k miles it’s probably still worth more than I paid for it 18 months ago considering the market.

You said, “the tech cracked the oil pan”. How can you do that unless it’s plastic and even then that’s inexcusable. I’d say you had a grease monkey doing the work. A real tech (I’ll never understand the name change) would not have done that.

To answer my question about the name change, I guess being called a “tech” implies a level of greater competence but l’ve never experienced that. The only tech that’s ever worked on my cars has been me. Probably because I want it done right not quick like, “hurry up. We gotta get another car in here”. And people laugh when I say I always check all 20 lug nuts before I move my car if the work involved required taking my tires off, like state inspections and such.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

Just got the bad news on my kid’s Fusion. It wasn’t a head gasket, thank goodness but it was a gasket related to the timing chain cover which was an even bigger job. $2500 which include a free oil pan because the tech cracked it while doing the other work.

On most of the old cars I run it wouldn’t be worth it but at 38k miles it’s probably still worth more than I paid for it 18 months ago considering the market.

You said, “the tech cracked the oil pan”. How can you do that unless it’s plastic and even then that’s inexcusable. I’d say you had a grease monkey doing the work. A real tech (I’ll never understand the name change) would not have done that.

To answer my question about the name change, I guess being called a “tech” implies a level of greater competence but l’ve never experienced that. The only tech that’s ever worked on my cars has been me. Probably because I want it done right not quick like, “hurry up. We gotta get another car in here”. And people laugh when I say I always check all 20 lug nuts before I move my car if the work involved required taking my tires off, like state inspections and such.

jmonroe

I wondered that too. He may have said “bent” the pan but I could have heard wrong. I know the oil pan on those Duratec engines is a complicated two piece affair. Complicated to the point that mu indie mechanic won’t touch them. I’ll ask for further info when we pick up the car.

ab348

stickguy said:

I probably should have ordered A 4xe too. Though driving a wrangler first would be a good idea.

Bah. Don't you have a Maverick or two on order with just a YouTube first drive video to go on? All the kool kids are ordering vehicles just to flip these days.

jmonroe1

@ab348 said:
Bah. Don't you have a Maverick or two on order with just a YouTube first drive video to go on? All the kool kids are ordering vehicles just to flip these days.

Not ALL the kool kids but I’m learning a thing or two in here. If I can flip a house, why not a car? Shouldn’t take as long. I’m thinking the gates are about to open.

jmonroe

kyfdx

Oil pans are notoriously fragile. Plus, if you bend it, then you may have gasket sealing issues.

kyfdx

RE: used car values.

Ran my wife's 2017 X3 through Carmax on-line. 54K miles, perfect condition. Original MSRP of $54K+

Surprised to see it only come back at $27,300. Thought it would be higher.

xwesx

explorerx4 said:

3G being shut down starting next year. Some brands will be affected up through 2021 model years.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/how-the-3g-shutdown-in-2022-could-screw-your-car/ar-AARF1Ri?ocid=hponeservicefeed

I am completely unsurprised. Just another reason why it's probably best not to try pushing too much tech through a car. The whole idea that a car's lifespan should or even might resemble that of a handheld device is ludicrous, at best.

A better option is to always use the owner's handheld (or in-home network) as a conduit. For 99.9% of people, that's going to work quite well and avoid hiccups for decades, most likely.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

Just to see where I stand, I submitted the mach-e to a couple of the usual suspects. Winner thus far is ALgo (who I sold my Jeep to) at $50,500. That would put me at $10k in my favor.

Do you have to own the Mach-E for a specific amount of time in order to claim the tax credit?

Not that I have found.
But it will be with me for a little while. I have no idea when any of the other vehicle orders are due in.
However, my wife informed me she doesn't like driving the mach-e.

Well, dang. You just keep winning on this deal!

xwesx

sda said:

The prices on the used market continue to amaze me. To think that 3 year old cars with 60K are selling at new car prices is insane.

I saw an article through Associated Press this morning that mentioned the CPI rose by 6.8% last year; the most since 1982 (and by a good margin)!

Used car prices were up 31%, fuel 58%... there were several examples. I'll have to look to see if I can find it again.

Ah, here we go.

au1994

kyfdx said:

RE: used car values.

Ran my wife's 2017 X3 through Carmax on-line. 54K miles, perfect condition. Original MSRP of $54K+

Surprised to see it only come back at $27,300. Thought it would be higher.

Yeah, the X1 has never blown up compared to some of the other numbers we see. 2017 ~46k miles and best I’ve seen is 26.8.

stickguy

I actually got a good test drive in a Maverick already. Around 15 minutes, mixed driving. I also wouldn’t buy with trying whatever it was when it arrives before deciding.

I’m getting something to keep, not flip, so I better like it.

stickguy

I saw something recently indicating wholesale prices might be taking a bit of a dive. Should know soon how true it is!

au1994

I saw that too. A small dip in housing prices too,

oldfarmer50

xwesx said:

sda said:

The prices on the used market continue to amaze me. To think that 3 year old cars with 60K are selling at new car prices is insane.

I saw an article through Associated Press this morning that mentioned the CPI rose by 6.8% last year; the most since 1982 (and by a good margin)!

Used car prices were up 31%, fuel 58%... there were several examples. I'll have to look to see if I can find it again.

Ah, here we go.

Gee, it’s almost as if someone is trying to stop you from driving ICE cars.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

xwesx said:

sda said:

The prices on the used market continue to amaze me. To think that 3 year old cars with 60K are selling at new car prices is insane.

I saw an article through Associated Press this morning that mentioned the CPI rose by 6.8% last year; the most since 1982 (and by a good margin)!

Used car prices were up 31%, fuel 58%... there were several examples. I'll have to look to see if I can find it again.

Ah, here we go.

Gee, it’s almost as if someone is trying to stop you from driving ICE cars.

that would be OPEC. Which seems counterproductive for them since they make their money selling oil!

stickguy

au1994 said:

I saw that too. A small dip in housing prices too,

still steams my clams that I might have missed out on selling at the peak. Though at least I didn't order a new build at record high prices and get shafted on both ends. At least if I sell at the spring at a lower price, I should be getting the same benefit on the buy side.

mjfloyd1

It’s ok if you like steamed clams

fintail

I've read of a dip in housing price increases/rates, but not actual prices. That market is still insane, especially in regions like here where there's still endless in-migration. At least gasoline has softened a little.

mjfloyd1

Wasn’t it Terry who said “the difference is the difference “?

stickguy

that was Terry. words to live buy.

corvette

stickguy said:

that was Terry. words to live buy.

I see what you did there.

stickguy

if this did not have the infamous 3 valve Triton V8, it would be interesting. Pull the tint off, and I kinda like it!

I suppose you would just have to figure into your purchase price taking it in for new timing gear and rocker arms as preventive maintenance.

There is a guy on Youtube that is an expert Ford tech that puts out videos on these engines. I watched a bunch. Really interesting. And somewhat scary if you own one! Too bad he is out in Indiana or Illinois someplace.

https://www.royalmotorsnj.com/details-2007-ford-f~150-2wd_supercab_145_xlt-used-1ftpx12547na66198.html

qbrozen

I was keeping an eye on this. I was already out when it broke $8k. I can’t believe how high it went. Must be a record sale probably dating back to when they were just a few years old.

stickguy

qbrozen said:

I was keeping an eye on this. I was already out when it broke $8k. I can’t believe how high it went. Must be a record sale probably dating back to when they were just a few years old.

which car are you talking about?

qbrozen

Whoops. That would have helped.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/r4Rk1DLp/2005-saab-9-2x-aero

corvette

Those were what, mid-$20s new? So almost no depreciation for being 17 years old.

stickguy

after reading the listing it seems less crazy. Somebody spent a whole lot of money on that. Seems totally rebuilt, and upgraded along the way. So if you want a nice, turnkey one, this was probably it.

of course, now everybody with a needy, clapped out unit will expect to get $15k for it.

kyfdx

corvette said:

Those were what, mid-$20s new? So almost no depreciation for being 17 years old.

I think upper $20s. I looked at one, the last year.

@nyccarguy looked at an '05 in NJ for me, around 2015 (?), that turned out to be not great, and they were asking around $7K-$8K, then IIRC.

stickguy

you probably could not have gotten the ratty one to the condition of that one that just sold for $10k though if you were paying a quality shop to do the work.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

you probably could not have gotten the ratty one to the condition of that one that just sold for $10k though if you were paying a quality shop to do the work.

True.. At the time we were shopping for my son, the Saabaru was selling for four figures, and every WRX was $12K-$15K. They really were a steal, if you got the turbo/stick.

stickguy

I went to the dealer (SAAB) back when they stopped making these since rumors were they were discounting massively. But by then I think they only had a couple of AT models left.

28firefighter

Kentucky friends, are you all safe?

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

Kentucky friends, are you all safe?

Yeah, well North and East of all that.

Most of the other Kentuckians are closer, but hopefully out of the path.

kyfdx

@mjfloyd1 might have had a few high wind storms, as well.

kyfdx

Also, the Amazon warehouse collapse is just NE of St. Louis.

mjfloyd1

@kyfdx said:
@mjfloyd1 might have had a few high wind storms, as well.

We had had and are having high winds. Power went out for less than 2 hours. Went to the basement at 4 am with the peak of the winds and storm alerts. No trees down near me and all appears good.

Thanks for checking.

Our biggest issue is Covid with 50+ hospitalized and 10 ish in the ICU. Just moved to new hospital facility and already have 30 in ER waiting for beds (not sure how many are Covid). Cancelled non urgent/ emergent cases for Monday. Hopefully this surge will get better and people will get vaccinated. I think only 60% vaccinated here. Ugh.

Staffing issues seem to be a lack of nurses and other support staff. Wages are not the greatest and they hire traveler nurses and techs for outrageous hourly costs, yet they won’t reward the loyal staff with higher wages. Then the staff talk with the travelers and find out what they are being paid and leave for higher pay. Makes no sense how this is handled.

28firefighter

Hopefully the rest of the KY crew checks in soon.

Hang in there @mjfloyd1 and stay safe, at home and at work.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

if this did not have the infamous 3 valve Triton V8, it would be interesting. Pull the tint off, and I kinda like it!

I suppose you would just have to figure into your purchase price taking it in for new timing gear and rocker arms as preventive maintenance.

There is a guy on Youtube that is an expert Ford tech that puts out videos on these engines. I watched a bunch. Really interesting. And somewhat scary if you own one! Too bad he is out in Indiana or Illinois someplace.

https://www.royalmotorsnj.com/details-2007-ford-f~150-2wd_supercab_145_xlt-used-1ftpx12547na66198.html

Is that guy Fordtecmakuloco? I’ve watched some of his 5.4 videos. Isn’t some of the problems they have related to poor maintenance as well as design?

I don’t think I’d buy anything with that engine used.

jmonroe1

mjfloyd1 said:

@kyfdx said:
@mjfloyd1 might have had a few high wind storms, as well.

We had had and are having high winds. Power went out for less than 2 hours. Went to the basement at 4 am with the peak of the winds and storm alerts. No trees down near me and all appears good.

Thanks for checking.

Our biggest issue is Covid with 50+ hospitalized and 10 ish in the ICU. Just moved to new hospital facility and already have 30 in ER waiting for beds (not sure how many are Covid). Cancelled non urgent/ emergent cases for Monday. Hopefully this surge will get better and people will get vaccinated. I think only 60% vaccinated here. Ugh.

Staffing issues seem to be a lack of nurses and other support staff. Wages are not the greatest and they hire traveler nurses and techs for outrageous hourly costs, yet they won’t reward the loyal staff with higher wages. Then the staff talk with the travelers and find out what they are being paid and leave for higher pay. Makes no sense how this is handled.

I know it can’t be done but hospitals should only allocate beds to those who have been vaccinated. The rest get beds on a first come first served basis. The world has lived with this way too long to have to live with those not vaccinated.

Let nature get rid of those genes since nothing else seems to work. Yes, this is political but I don’t give a damn about helping those that don’t want to help themselves.

jmonroe