Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

roadburner

au1994 said:

Punch to report. I believe I mentioned the plan to buy my BiL’s 2011 328 sedan for au1994 jr. Well, the transaction has been completed. We wanted him to have about a month of seat time before he turns 16 so he will indeed have a Merry Christmas!

I think that the BMW Performance Center Teen School and Street Survival. are worth every penny.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

yowzers. Watching a Ford dealer livestream (guy in Kansas that is a big Maverick guru now, and dealer that has ordered a huge number of them from all over the country).

he was talking about what they were selling any units that customers ordered but didn't take. He said they are looking at Manheim, dealer auction results and marking up from that to get retail. Those are going 5-10K OVER sticker. At the dealer auction. If they get any stock units they will sell XL and XLT for 5K ADM, and Hybrids and Lariats for 7.5K.

now I am getting excited for mine to show up next week!

It’s truly Bizzaro world in the car business these days.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

There is a story in Automotive News behind their paywall apparently about a KPMG report that used car prices are about to fall, maybe even crash, I dunno. More research reqd.

I’ve been hearing that for over a year. I don’t trust these “experts” any more.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I saw something on Youtube (from the YAA channel) talking about that. IIRC, one of the experts they had on said it was more toward a Q3, or into early 2023, likelihood. Though Omicron could throw a wrench in things of course. But until new cars ramp up significantly, the supply of used isn't going to go up, and the demand isn't going down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-BuqnBfSPk

I stopped watching his channel because for months he’s been predicting imminent collapse of prices.

explorerx4

I stopped watching them too. Didn't really find much value.

tjc78

As you all know in my (and my wife’s business) we follow the supply chain very closely. We wont see real relief on any of the issues until late next year at best.

Until the auto makers have all the parts to really ramp up production prices aren’t going anywhere. The chips are only one thing. Once chips are readily available there will be another bottle neck in the production. With the overall slowdown of (auto) production the tire manufacturers, paint manufacturers, etc have slowed down their production, due to decreased demand. They won’t be able to just ramp up on a moments notice causing shortages.

So in short like everything else in the Covid hangover only time will get everything back on track. My prediction is we will be seeing this auto market well into 2023.

stickguy

The flaw with just in time production has been exposed!

stickguy

2023 will hurt. I may be buying spare trucks to flip after all. Or maybe hoard!

ab348

OK, found a story about the AN story on used car prices dropping. It is not any time soon according to this:

https://www.autoblog.com/2021/12/22/used-car-price-drop-coming-2022/

tjc78

@stickguy said:
The flaw with just in time production has been exposed!

No one could have expected this. “Safety” stock has huge operating costs.

The owner of my previous company insisted on huge stock levels that costed the company millions and was one of the reasons for it’s demise.

qbrozen

Hmmmmm….

tjc78

Looks pretty clean for 3K

au1994

@qbrozen Place the media device on the floor and slowly step away with your hands away from your body.

qbrozen

au1994 said:

@qbrozen Place the media device on the floor and slowly step away with your hands away from your body.

"But, Mrs Q, it just followed me home. Can we keep it? Pllleeeeeeeease?!"

qbrozen

New update on my TRX.
“all the required materials for your order have been gathered and the plant has sequenced your order for production.”

stickguy

I always loved those protégés. That looks nice. But seems to have been raked.

explorerx4

In the background of the Protege pic, it kind of looks like the white pickup ran into the back of the silver one.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I always loved those protégés. That looks nice

same. Have wanted one for many years. I'm thinking a few possibilities ... 1) maybe my son will adopt it for his first car, 2) I'm sure SOMEONE in my family would be in need of cheap, reliable transpo, or 3) spiff it up and list it on C&B.

All signs point to "buy."

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

Hmmmmm….

Yep, you need that couch I mentioned the other day.

jmonroe

stickguy

That one, I seriously might buy for a toy. Though I would not be surprised if it is hiding some secrets.

qbrozen

He admitted the left rear fender has rust and there is a lower-hose coolant leak. The latter doesn't concern me, but the former could depending on how extensive.

stickguy

That’s probably the stuff you can’t miss. Probably not as forthcoming on the hidden stuff! At least you can DIY it

kyfdx

Last year for P5 was '03. They ALL have rust.

Drove one just like that in '02, before buying a CR-V. Even with the stick, they are pretty slow. Great car for that era, though.

stickguy

I have always been a Mazda fan. I still miss my 626. Loved that car. Wonderful seats.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I have always been a Mazda fan. I still miss my 626. Loved that car. Wonderful seats.

Same.. the only one I've owned is an '88 323 GTX.

stickguy

That’s a good one to have. Collectible now.

stickguy

I’ve actually had 3 unless I’m forgetting one. 323, 626, Miata.

mjfloyd1

@qbrozen said:
He admitted the left rear fender has rust and there is a lower-hose coolant leak. The latter doesn't concern me, but the former could depending on how extensive.

I wondered why it only showed the passenger side

sda

Mazdas are great. I've had 4, 80 626 coupe, 92 Miata, 96 Millenia L (24 mo lease), 98 Millenial L (purchase). Five if you include my 93 Mercury Tracer LTS which was Mazda engineered with the Mazda DOHC engine.

ab348

Those Mazdas are almost non-existent now up here in the salt belt. Biodegradable steel was used in their construction.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

He admitted the left rear fender has rust and there is a lower-hose coolant leak. The latter doesn't concern me, but the former could depending on how extensive.

Dum de dum dum.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

I have always been a Mazda fan. I still miss my 626. Loved that car. Wonderful seats.

What is it with you and seats? Have you had cars without them?

jmonroe

stickguy

Bad seats are painful. And also the most important personal interface. I don’t care if the car has a goofy grill, if it has top notch thrones.

nyccarguy

Our 2017 Pilot is officially 4 years old today.

stickguy

Put antique plates on it!

rayainsw

Hit 22,222 today.
- Ray
On course, on glidepath,,,

stickguy

Need to drive faster though.

rayainsw

lol
agree

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

Last year for P5 was '03. They ALL have rust.

Drove one just like that in '02, before buying a CR-V. Even with the stick, they are pretty slow. Great car for that era, though.

I test drove a Protege ES many years back. 130hp with 2700 lbs ain't all that bad. Basically neck-and-neck with a 15-yr-younger Honda Fit Sport. What I loved was the handling, though. Really scared the hell out of the salesperson.

stickguy

my 1986 323 had 82 HP (and I think 92 Lb/ft). Probably weighed in the 2,200# range? 5 speed, and plenty spritely. zero problem merging or cruising on the highway. Little hot rod compared to my 68 HP Colt.

the 626, stepped all the way up to 110/130. Also no problem getting around and being fun to drive. Plenty fast enough.

light weight and a manual trans, is the way to go to get the most out of your ponies.

au1994

“Just add lightness” as Colin Chapman once said.

ab348

au1994 said:

“Just add lightness” as Colin Chapman once said.

Body rust helps that.

stickguy

update on the Maverick. I checked in with the dealer since the status (shipped) has not changed since 11/26. Sales manager checked in their internal system (not the useless tool customers get) and she said it was "on the ramp" waiting for a truck to bring it to the dealership. So I think that means it is sitting at the staging area up at the train depot near Newark (NJ). Only 1.5 hours from me, or the dealer. So hopefully a truck frees up soon to get it down there.

I did ask about adding a tonneau cover on before delivery. she said Ford was completely out, might be 6 months to get. So, will be shopping aftermarket soon for one! Not a huge rush.

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

au1994 said:

“Just add lightness” as Colin Chapman once said.

Body rust helps that.

That’s a moderator’s trick.

I know that’s you @oldfarmer50, right?

jmonroe

tifighter

We had a P5 back in the day. Circa 2004-

We had a red thing going on back then, I guess.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

my 1986 323 had 82 HP (and I think 92 Lb/ft). Probably weighed in the 2,200# range? 5 speed, and plenty spritely. zero problem merging or cruising on the highway. Little hot rod compared to my 68 HP Colt.

the 626, stepped all the way up to 110/130. Also no problem getting around and being fun to drive. Plenty fast enough.

light weight and a manual trans, is the way to go to get the most out of your ponies.

'88 323 GTX had 138 hp from a twin turbo, DOHC engine.
Also, full-time 50/50 AWD with an electronic locking center differential, and Mazda factory BBS wheels.

'82 Accord Hatch had 78 hp (?), with a 5-speed. Very light. No PS, but PB. It was plenty quick, but a Celica was a drag car, in comparison.

Michaell

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

my 1986 323 had 82 HP (and I think 92 Lb/ft). Probably weighed in the 2,200# range? 5 speed, and plenty spritely. zero problem merging or cruising on the highway. Little hot rod compared to my 68 HP Colt.

the 626, stepped all the way up to 110/130. Also no problem getting around and being fun to drive. Plenty fast enough.

light weight and a manual trans, is the way to go to get the most out of your ponies.

'88 323 GTX had 138 hp from a twin turbo, DOHC engine.
Also, full-time 50/50 AWD with an electronic locking center differential, and Mazda factory BBS wheels.

'82 Accord Hatch had 78 hp (?), with a 5-speed. Very light. No PS, but PB. It was plenty quick, but a Celica was a drag car, in comparison.

I think the '85 Accord hatch I owned had 85HP, so they must have tweaked the engine a bit over the years. Also had a 5 speed, which my dad wasn't thrilled with, but my uncle approved of (he drove an early 80's Nissan 200SX notchback).

nyccarguy

4 year mileage tally for the Pilot is 82,800

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

He admitted the left rear fender has rust and there is a lower-hose coolant leak. The latter doesn't concern me, but the former could depending on how extensive.

I’ve seen rust on Mazda’s of that generation around me. It’s insidious. From the outside you see a little bubbling over the rear wheel well but underneath you’ll find that the paint is the only thing holding the whole rear quarter together.

corvette

The final tally on the fuel bill for my 2,300+ mile road trip in the Tundra was a quite parsimonious $486.01. MPGs per tank ranged from 12.6 to 15.4.

I made the appointment for the complimentary 20k service, now that it has 23k miles on it.

I still have not received any promotional material from US Bank about extending the lease six months. I'm wondering whether, given the current climate, they aren't promoting that option as much as they used to.