Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Sandman6472

Getting ready for the coldest weather of the season come Sunday morning it seems. Right now The Weather Channel is saying our area 10 miles west of the ocean will get down to 34 degrees! It'll be somewhat breezy and they predicted the wind chill will make it feel like the mid 20's, pretty chilly for us southern folk! Monday morning will only go up to 37, cold for us. My kids in Orlando will be in the upper 20's both nights with frost expected. Luckily, the citrus farmers in that area know what to do to protect their crop so we're just praying that their products survive.

Michaell

Sandman6472 said:

My co-worker who's a real car guy already sent me that link the other day. Funny but I was looking on Auto Trader and found a really clean 2019 HR-V EX for a decent price, has just under 5500 miles on it with a clean Carfax. Decent silver color but have never tried one of them for some reason. I should go over and give it a spin just to see how they drive. But not getting my hopes up to be honest. Just curious to see how they drive, hoping they have decent low end grunt.
My closest Toyota store, where I used to work, still has a good number of the new Corolla Cross but not many XLE models and none with the JBL audio option. My co-worker suggested I just try to go order one and see what happens. Not a bad idea really but before I do, need to bring one home and do the "garage test" to see if it'll even be an option. At just under 175", think it'll fit with a smallish bit of room. Have driven a few new Corolla's at work lately and the engine pulls pretty decently and don't miss not having the turbo engine.
Had an awful experience at the Goodyear dealer the other morning, just needed a rotation. The tire icon came on right about 5 minutes up the road and turns out they never calibrated the system. They over inflated the tires to boot so had to stop on the turnpike to rectify the situation. Easy to calibrate once the right amount of air is in each tire by going through the audio system. About to hit 70K within the next few weeks and all is fine except the strut that holds the hood up is toast. Also, the brake pedal is a bit low but no squealing as of yet, the brake fluid was changed a few months ago.

@Sandman6472 - I predict you are going to be sorely disappointed with the HR-V after driving the Golf for 7 years. No turbo = no low end grunt. And the lack of HP means there is no top end grunt, either.

I know you've driven the Kona, and were unimpressed. I think you should find a turbo model and give that a spin. Much more like the Golf, in my opinion.

jmonroe1

28firefighter said:

Guess I'll need to find that shoebox under the mattress.

At today’s prices I think you’re gonna need the whole mattress.

jmonroe

stickguy

the 1.6t Kona is a hoot. That thing pulls, hard.

the upcoming HRV should be a vast improvement over the current version. That is not a very good car overall, and a bit long in the tooth.

stickguy

nyccarguy said:

@stickguy said:

Maverick hitting the big time.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/30AebXX1/2022-ford-maverick-xlt-awd

Almost at MSRP and still 4 days to go!

not finding one at the dealer for less than sticker, and not all that easy to find one at sticker. But at least easy to get financed!

corvette

@stickguy said:
Here's something for Sandy's wish list!

That looks a little light on details (powertrain, etc.)...

corvette

@stickguy said:
With iffy weather tomorrow, decided to go Monday.

Ugh, I pulled out the Prius to drive tomorrow and Saturday, and now it's spitting snow. Supposedly it's not expected to accumulate.

stickguy

corvette said:

@stickguy said:

Here's something for Sandy's wish list!

That looks a little light on details (powertrain, etc.)...

Honda always does that. I think the Integra teaser came out about 2 months before they actually previewed it. I guess we are still waiting for full specs and interior shots. I kind of forgot all about that! Maybe it finally comes out and I am the only one that really loves it, and they will just even up trade me for one.

stickguy

corvette said:

@stickguy said:

With iffy weather tomorrow, decided to go Monday.

Ugh, I pulled out the Prius to drive tomorrow and Saturday, and now it's spitting snow. Supposedly it's not expected to accumulate.

A Prius should be able to handle a light snow event.

28firefighter

This will be gone before I can make it to the ferry…

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/forks-2000-toyota-4runner-sr5-4wd/7438574372.html

cdnpinhead

A Prius should be able to handle a light snow event.

As should its driver.

stickguy

for that price I would fly out to buy it and ship it home and still come out ahead.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

This will be gone before I can make it to the ferry…

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/forks-2000-toyota-4runner-sr5-4wd/7438574372.html

Yikes!

My sister bought a similar vintage 2WD 4Runner (also in green) with 160K on it for, I think, $6K a couple of years ago.

28firefighter

We’ll see if they respond. I’m half wondering if it’s a scam…

breld

Yeah, now that price for a low mileage 4Runner of that vintage does seem fishy.

Or a really awesome buy.

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:
This will be gone before I can make it to the ferry…

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/forks-2000-toyota-4runner-sr5-4wd/7438574372.html

Ad seems legit with the matching carfax and all. He does have a funny idea of what “clean carfax” means, though

28firefighter

I sent a note saying I’d buy it and asking a few questions. I’m guessing my message goes unseen. It’s a 3.5 hour drive even with the ferry, so I put odds as low.

au1994

28firefighter said:

I sent a note saying I’d buy it and asking a few questions. I’m guessing my message goes unseen. It’s a 3.5 hour drive even with the ferry, so I put odds as low.

Good luck and I don’t blame you for being skeptical. I’ve seen a few of those low mile examples go big on BaT. But what doesn't these days…

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1996-toyota-4runner-24/

tjc78

The Prius will be fine in a little snow. Both of our Elantras did very well. FWD and skinny tires are a good combo.

Funny thing now is both of our vehicles are AWD and we don’t go anywhere…

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I think they just left the car in gear. There have been some cases of shifters slipping out of park I think too, but not as common as dumb drivers.

According to news reports:


[In 2015], NHTSA began investigating the unconventional gearstick design on these cars, which was causing crashes because drivers were mistakenly shifting to neutral when they thought they were shifting to park.

oldfarmer50

Something to inspire qbrozen:

https://youtu.be/NvWPsYWsQ2s

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

rescheduled my trip to NY to help my father buy out his lease. With iffy weather tomorrow, decided to go Monday. Should be less of a rush. So much cheaper than buying an identical car off the lot too!

I am supposed to get my license plates UPS tomorrow (dealer said they were getting today and would overnight them out). Temp tag expires Saturday so that would be convenient. Would be even nicer if they show up early enough that I can run out to the inspection station to get that sticker too so I am not running NJ tags with a PA inspection sticker.

Oh those NYS troopers are gonna love you! Yesterday I had one pass me at well over a hundred without lights on I-87 on his way to catch a tricked out BMW with red rims. I didn’t hear or see him until he blew past and his slipstream rocked the van I was driving. I glad I didn’t decide to change lanes right then.

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

This will be gone before I can make it to the ferry…

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/forks-2000-toyota-4runner-sr5-4wd/7438574372.html

Sounds too good to be true in this market. Other than being 22 years old that’s the holy grail of CL offerings.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

Something to inspire qbrozen:

https://youtu.be/NvWPsYWsQ2s

I like the steel wheel look! I should consider that.

tifighter

28firefighter said:

I sent a note saying I’d buy it and asking a few questions. I’m guessing my message goes unseen. It’s a 3.5 hour drive even with the ferry, so I put odds as low.

There's a supercharger in Sequim and in Forks, just so you know.

28firefighter

tifighter said:

28firefighter said:

I sent a note saying I’d buy it and asking a few questions. I’m guessing my message goes unseen. It’s a 3.5 hour drive even with the ferry, so I put odds as low.

There's a supercharger in Sequim and in Forks, just so you know.

There is no response from the seller and I'm not driving to Forks unless I'm buying.

henryn

https://houstonchronicle.com/business/article/At-Houston-s-boat-and-auto-show-would-be-16811898.php?sid=59a70cb424c17c0f2e73478b&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=news_a&utm_campaign=HC_MorningReport

High prices weighed on would-be buyers during the first two days of the Houston Boat and Auto shows with many adopting a “wait-and-see” attitude as the highest inflation in decades undermines purchasing power and supply chain disruptions make it harder for consumers to find the products they want at prices they can afford.

...

Local dealerships’ inventories are so depleted that it made more sense to combine the boat and auto shows this year rather than pay to have cars shipped in from across the nation to fill the hall at NRG Center, said Roshelle Salinas, executive vice president of the Houston Automobile Dealers Association.

That may be behind a paywall, not sure. Nothing much to read, mainly what I just quoted.

Sad thing, really. I used to love going to the car show every year. I remember going with my father.

tifighter

https://www.vroom.com/inventory/bmw-m2-2019-WBS2U7C51K7D55648?b=gp

Don't miss the carfax report.

kyfdx

Our new car show is coming up. Undecided about going. Maybe, just to report back on how sad it is. It's been going downhill for many years.

stickguy

I think the philly auto show is still scheduled for this March. No clue if it does happen, or what changes are implemented. But if nothing else I assume it will be much.smaller.

kyfdx

Ours is next week.
The current list on the website isn't promising.

https://cincinnatiautoexpo.com/visitors/auto-expo-vehicles/

breld

That's a better lineup than we had in Denver last summer, though that was intentionally a very limited experience.

Hopefully we get back to some semblance of an real auto show, but I doubt that will happen.

breld

tifighter said:

https://www.vroom.com/inventory/bmw-m2-2019-WBS2U7C51K7D55648?b=gp

Don't miss the carfax report.

Certainly my idea of a "clean" carfax and Vroom's are different.

corvette

Checked the Prius at lunch, and it turns out it has automatic park if you press the start/stop button while stopped in D. I’d never tried that before! It doesn’t seem to switch to park if you open the driver’s door, though.

tjc78

@stickguy said:
I think the philly auto show is still scheduled for this March. No clue if it does happen, or what changes are implemented. But if nothing else I assume it will be much.smaller.

Yeah it is the second week of March. I’d like to go, but the only way I will is mid-week right when they open. Maybe I’ll pull my son out of school at 11:30 one day that week and head over just the two of us. My wife and daughter get nothing out of it.

I just can’t do the weekend crowds.

tifighter

breld said:

tifighter said:

https://www.vroom.com/inventory/bmw-m2-2019-WBS2U7C51K7D55648?b=gp

Don't miss the carfax report.

Certainly my idea of a "clean" carfax and Vroom's are different.

Exactly. Minor or not, someone used the copy paste function a little too fast.

stickguy

I did opening on a weekday once years ago. It was nice.

I doubt my wife has any interest. Usually my son and BIL come down for it but that might not be a thing this year either. Unlikely I go by myself since I’m not exactly in the market right now!

xwesx

28firefighter said:

This will be gone before I can make it to the ferry…

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/forks-2000-toyota-4runner-sr5-4wd/7438574372.html

At that price, it's going to be sold TWICE by the time you get there.

kyfdx

corvette said:

Checked the Prius at lunch, and it turns out it has automatic park if you press the start/stop button while stopped in D. I’d never tried that before! It doesn’t seem to switch to park if you open the driver’s door, though.

The Rav4 that we rented, would go into park, and set the parking brake, every time you pushed the off button.

corvette

I thought the RAV still had a conventional shifter for some reason… my Prius has a third pedal for the parking brake, so that’s definitely not automatic.

kyfdx

It's a shifter, but electronic. Sort of like the BMW beer tap

sda

Until a few years ago my office was across the street from the car show. I would take a long lunch on opening day. That was great. Often there was a free lunch offered to incent early viewers. The crowd was thin, everything pristine. I could easily sit in vehicles without having to wait on others to exit. The last car show I went to three years ago was disappointing. Some major players such as MB, Porsche were absent. I imagine it will be even more so this year if it is held.

stickguy

I just checked the web and still seems to be a go. Just have to mask inside. Looks like they lost a few more brands this year but probably not all that many fewer than the last year we went (was actually 2000, since it was just before Covid hit since it was usually late February).

oldfarmer50

henryn said:

https://houstonchronicle.com/business/article/At-Houston-s-boat-and-auto-show-would-be-16811898.php?sid=59a70cb424c17c0f2e73478b&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=news_a&utm_campaign=HC_MorningReport

High prices weighed on would-be buyers during the first two days of the Houston Boat and Auto shows with many adopting a “wait-and-see” attitude as the highest inflation in decades undermines purchasing power and supply chain disruptions make it harder for consumers to find the products they want at prices they can afford.

...

Local dealerships’ inventories are so depleted that it made more sense to combine the boat and auto shows this year rather than pay to have cars shipped in from across the nation to fill the hall at NRG Center, said Roshelle Salinas, executive vice president of the Houston Automobile Dealers Association.

That may be behind a paywall, not sure. Nothing much to read, mainly what I just quoted.

Sad thing, really. I used to love going to the car show every year. I remember going with my father.

That website is messed up.

oldfarmer50

tifighter said:

https://www.vroom.com/inventory/bmw-m2-2019-WBS2U7C51K7D55648?b=gp

Don't miss the carfax report.

So the damage was intentional?

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I just checked the web and still seems to be a go. Just have to mask inside. Looks like they lost a few more brands this year but probably not all that many fewer than the last year we went (was actually 2000, since it was just before Covid hit since it was usually late February).

I’m making plans to go to the NY Auto Show this spring but I may cancel due to the mandates.

corvette

We had a light dusting this morning and it started to clear up, but came back with a vengeance this afternoon. I’m guessing we got about 2”, with maybe an inch of accumulation on the roads so far. The Prius handled it okay, save for some frequent ABS activation, which I will blame on the regenerative brakes. I think it would be pretty good with a set of all seasons that have the three peak mountain snowflake rating, like the Goodyear WeatherReady and a few others, versus the half worn regular all seasons it has now.

breld

I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers having the option of walking into your local Acura dealer and picking one of these up at MSRP or more likely a modest discount back in the day.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-acura-integra-type-r-51/

nyccarguy

@breld said:
I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers having the option of walking into your local Acura dealer and picking one of these up at MSRP or more likely a modest discount back in the day.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-acura-integra-type-r-51/

The crazy thing about that is also just how many Japanese sport compacts were on the road. Everywhere you looked there was an Eclipse/Talon/Laser or an Integra.

oldfarmer50

breld said:

I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers having the option of walking into your local Acura dealer and picking one of these up at MSRP or more likely a modest discount back in the day.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-acura-integra-type-r-51/

Oh come on! $111k? I know it’s yellow but that’s not made out of gold.