Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

By the by, although the bidding is already near my limit for such a car, I'm keeping an eye on this one.

stickguy

well, that looks about as nice as you are going to find one of these. Too bright a color for me, but other than that, I like it.

And, you won't even have to bother with an inspection for 2 years.

Wonder how much that wil lgo for? I would guess over 5K, could push 6?

qbrozen

With the accident history, I think $4k is about the trade-in number, so you are probably right on.

Personally, I'd want it for $4500. Although I have yet to see it in person.

I showed my wife this car, a '96 Mustang GT, an '84 Mustang that looks to be in exceptional condition (it is at Marlboro Motors, though, which makes me think it must not be as nice as it looks), and an '01 Sebring that I found last night. The order of her preference was Solara, '96 GT, and '01 Sebring .... and not the '84 at all.

qbrozen

whoops. It is a '94 GT. Too bad its that terrible dark green.

And here is that '84

stickguy

would take the solara over either one of the mustangs, even if it cost more.

I am also not surprised that your wife wanted no part of the '84. Should have kept the BMW if tht is where you were heading.

The Toyota and Sebring are about the only easonably priced converts that have a usable back seat though, right? Mustang is tiny like the BMW.

I did not notice accident history on the solara, but I did not read the ad that close! Just that is was one owner, and has a fresh NJ inspection (which seems odd, since it was jsut traded in someplace in PA).

lemmer

Yeah, I would choose the BMW you just sold over any of the cars you've listed. I think most women would take the Solara out of those choices. At least it would be reliable and somewhat roomy.

fezo

I'd be looking at the Solara because I can't be looking at something with the potential for pricey repairs.

I can accept Toyota handling in a car where the top goes down. Would that they made them with sticks but they didn't.

What I may well do is wait out the summer and try to pick one up on an end of season sale. Had my daughter not drowned a car a couple of months ago forcing a vehicle move I'd be in better shape on such moves.

qbrozen

Well, the backseat space is a weird thing. Just going by specs, a late 90s mustang has 6 inches more rear legroom than our e30 and only 2 inches less than a saab 93 and 4 inches less than a solara or sebring.

We just have to get out there with the kids and try these things out. To be honest, I bet the wife wuld have kept the e30 had I gotten one with a power top because then she'd just have to push a button to have easy access to get the kids out.

andre1969

Definitely get out there and try the cars...don't just rely on those published specs. I found some old specs on my '67 Catalina convertible that says it only has something like 35" of legroom in back. Yet, at 6'3", I fit back there fine. I think my 2000 Intrepid had something like 39", yet it didn't feel any better to me. And my 2000 Park Ave has something like 41", and with that one my knees brush the seatback!

Legroom is actually a combination of how high the seat is off the floor, plus how far back from the front seat the backrest is I think. So, you can have a seat that's high-up, but you don't have a lot of fore-aft room. Consumer Reports used to publish another measurement, called "rear fore-aft seating room" or something like that, which just measured the horizontal space in the back seat. That's probably a more useful number.

qbrozen

Tried out my dad's '99 9-3 vert today. We might go with that one. He's thinking of selling it anyway. I even managed to fit the baby's rear-facing seat behind the passenger seat and I could still sit in the passenger seat (barely).

I took it for a spin. Nice enough car. A bit sluggish and definitely a flexible chassis, but pretty quiet with the top up and certainly comfy enough.

His has just under 120k miles. He's fixed just about everything that needed fixing and put on new shocks, mounts, and brakes recently. We're thinking $4k is the number on it.

roadburner

A local VW dealer has a CPO 2008 R32 with 39,000 miles; the place is asking $23,400(they've had it since early February). Clean Carfax(worthless, I know...)
I understand it's essentially a Golf with an Audi TT drivetrain. I could easily do without the DSG, but it does mean that my wife could drive it. The only thing that really keeps me from giving it a serious look is the abysmal VW service departments in the Louisville area.

qbrozen

Well, just a V6, so pretty much used across the VW board, I believe.

Here in Jersey, that's worth about $19k on the trade side.

stickguy

don't do it. will be everything you hate about having the speed3, and more.

Is the R32 an AWD setup, or just FWD?

Just keep looking for the BMW that you really want, so we don't have to go through all the same drama 6 months from now!

hey, with all your contacts, don't you have access to the BMW dealer auctions? SHould be able to find what you want through that source.

michaellno

Is the R32 an AWD setup, or just FWD?

AWD, IIRC. They were selling new for north of $30K here in Denver.

There are a couple in my town that I see from time to time .. probably closeouts.

jayrider

For another $5500 you can buy a brand new audi 3. For 2k more you can buy a brand new GTI.

michaellno

For another $5500 you can buy a brand new audi 3. For 2k more you can buy a brand new GTI.

Both of which come with the 2.0T 4-cylinder. To get the 3.2 V6 in the A3, you're probably looking at $35K plus.

The R32 is a unique piece of kit, no doubt about it.

jayrider

Is the performance of the older discontinued model substantually better? I can't imagine needing anything quicker than a GTI. The reviews are outstanding across the test drive board.

boomchek

My wife and I recently had a look at both the new GTI and the A3. I like the 5 door GTI ever since it came out.

Fully loaded with every option it runs just shy of $40k cdn here. The A3 about the same for a somewhat average equipped model.

My wife who typically loves Audis said she'd prefer the GTI after she sat in both, due to the equipment, the sportier looks, and the body hugging seats in the GTI.

Maybe when our 8 month old son grows up a bit and we won't need a huge trunk for his stroller, then a GTI would be on our shopping list.

qbrozen

Problem I see with the R32's performance is that it weighs over 3500 lbs!! That's crazy for a 2-door hatch, IMHO.

stickguy

Hey, I was pretty close.

that red Solera that Broz linked to a few days back from Ebay sold for $6,100. i thought it would hit about 6K. Nice looking though.

roadburner

If I could get the R32 for $20K or less I'd probably go for it. The AWD/DSG angle makes it a bi a lot easier to sell to SWMBO. I'm almost certain the dealer won't go that low so it's a moot point.
I hate to admit it, but I may have to turn in my CCBA card. I've about decided to put Bilstein HDs on the MS3, add a Hypertech ECU flash, and scare up some track wheels and tires. That should keep me entertained for at least a couple of years, at which point I can start looking for a CPO 1 ///M(or whatever the heck they are going to call it).

kyfdx

I'm not sure what the R32 gets you over the MS3, other than more neutral handling and a little German road feel.... Probably slower, and not a real stick..

That said, if I didn't already own one, and had to pick, I'd take the VW...

qbrozen

yeah. Saw that. Just silly, IMHO. Maybe if it was perfect and had no accident history .... but it ain't.

roadburner

I'm not sure what the R32 gets you over the MS3, other than more neutral handling and a little German road feel.... Probably slower, and not a real stick...

All the tests I've seen put the R32 within about 2/10 of a second of an MS3 in the 0-60 and quarter mile sprints. And like I said, the DSG is a mixed blessing/curse. I do prefer the R32's interior; the MS3 doesn't look or feel cheap inside, but the R's interior looks like it came straight out of an A4 or better.

stickguy

my wife had a bunch of old photo albums out (going back to and before our wedding) looking for family pictures for a B Day album.

More interesting to me, was a bunch of pictures of some of my old cars that I did not know existed.

Found one of the 1975 Celica (aka rustbucket) I had briefly in 1987.

stever

That's fun - I've been looking for a pic of my Dad's old '53 Buick for years and none have turned up.

Now you need to scan them and park them on your CarSpace page, like this '60 Buick wagon that my Mom drove.

stickguy

maybe I should look at that. I know I have one, and have some friends, but have never done anything with it.

rayainsw

My records do not go back to my cars from the ‘60s.
Here are 2 scans of pictures of my cars from the mid & late ‘70s –
A 1978 Audi Fox GTI & a 1972 Volvo 164-E.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/rayainsw/MyAudiFoxwithlightsPhoto_2005_5_- - - 27_.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/rayainsw/Volvo164E1972Photo_2005_5_27_12_- - - 58_.jpg

- Ray
Interesting times . . .

stickguy

your new car is waiting!

Stick shift SAAB wagon. Hope you like black.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?140533-1999-Saab-9.5-wagon-5-speed-m- anual-non-turbo

qbrozen

Spotted this one on bimmerfest. Figured you guys might be interested. No sport pack, though. Trade value is ~$8K, so his asking price is still a bit high. He should be satisfied with $9500 and happy with $10k.

qbrozen

I like it, too. Although I've sworn off black interiors.

That's worth all of $2k on a trade, though. I know his prices are non-negotiable and that's just too high for that one.

By the by, in case you guys haven't guessed, I've taken a year-long subscription to Galves. So you Jersey folks should feel free to hit me up.

fezo

Oh, both of those are quite nice.

Q - you'll certainly be hearing from me...

Right now I am driving the Ody around. Daughter #2 has the Celica but is at me to replace it. Nothing fancy - just an old Accord or some such thing.

Speaking of Accords, daughter #1 has the old 00 Accord. Yesterday she had to have it towed. Needs the clutch. Some of this is no doubt that she just learned a stick on this car but some is that it's close to if not at 190K. Should have had it towed to Q's house. Not like he's not otherwise occupied.....

roadburner

I've decided to hold on to the MS3 a while longer. It's running fine and it only needs a few tweaks to make it really good. So... I bought a pristine set of RX-8 40th Anniversary wheels off eBay- they will be wrapped with either Dunlop Direzza Star Specs or Yoko AD08s. Soon to follow will be a set of Bilstein HDs and maybe -just maybe-a Hypertech ECU flash. Worst case scenario is a total outlay of @$2700- or less than half of what it would cost to upgrade to something else.

jayrider

I put a set of bilstein hd's on my jeep liberty and the ride and handling improved dramatically. You will be very pleased.

stickguy

the BMW. lthough I really do not like black exteriors, I might live with one if it had light gray or tan guts.

But I too have sworn off black leather interiors, unless I stumbled upon a deal that was way too good to pass up.

wonder where in NJ he is?

jayrider

No black interior for me either --- figure I've got enough time in the future to spend in a black box. No need to start early.

roadburner

I put a set of bilstein hd's on my jeep liberty and the ride and handling improved dramatically. You will be very pleased.

They are great, aren't they? I have a set on my 1999 Wrangler and it turns out that a previous owner had put HDs on my old 2002- which explains why it rode better than any '02 I'd previously driven...

anonymousposts

we have found a 2004 Lexus RX300 FWD with NAV and cold weather package. It has 70k and we can buy it for $15,500. It's tempting to sell the RAV4 and maybe even the Camry to upgrade to the RX. Any thoughts?

lemmer

I once bought an RX300 just because it was a great deal. I don't have much else to say. It is a good family car, but really boring. It was downright wallowy until I switched the stock wheels and tires to an 18" set from an RX400H. I sold it to a relative and it is still going strong without any major problems with over 200K on it.

jayrider

And bilsteins are always on sale online. A set of 4 was cheaper than monroes at sears. Then you have to pay for installation -- have a trusted shop that did it reasonably.

roadburner

I found that Autozone -of all places- had the best price on Bilsteins for my Jeep(@$64 ea.). The MS3 HDs will run @$740 + installation(if I can't rope someone into helping me do it myself).

anonymousposts

I checked the local autotrader listings and RX330's with the NAV, heated seats/headlight washers, and factory 18" wheels are pretty rare. It would replace the RAV4, which isn't exactly soul-stirring either. If we don't sell the Camry now, it would become my car when the Camry lease is up. I've thought about getting someone to assume my lease. At 299 month, it's a pretty good deal for the equipment level it has. We paid no money at signing so if we have someone assume the lease, it won't be that much of a financial hit.

fezo

Q, stick -

I think the immediate need is something for my soon to be 18 year old to drive - a cheap Accord/Camry or even Civic/Corolla. Nissans are OK - actually I'm pretty open.

By all means if you spot one that catches your eye let me know.

this will keep me in the Ody for maybe a year but I'll live....

jayrider

I bought mine last year and they had big discounts due to the economic situation. No one was buying shocks let alone premium shocks. The install was 246 and included an alignment. The shocks were about 275. They go for 318 now.

michaellno

Not that I'm in the market, but I've seen this at the local used car lot and wondered what folks thought about it:

M3 'vert

Pros:

- Miles seem good, given that it's 8 years old
- 6-speed
- Tires have a bit of life left in them

Cons:

- Price seems high (but, I don't know a lot about BMW values)
- 27 pictures, and not one of the interior? Makes me wonder ...

Am hoping the Bimmer-philes come out and render an opinion.

Would it be bad of me to take a test drive if I've got no intention of buying?

lemmer

It doesn't seem so bad for an asking price.

Those M3s are pretty high strung and at that mileage you are getting close to the time they start liking a lot of the suspension pieces refreshed. BMW electrical tops are pretty sucky. I had one that drove me nuts. So, BMW maintenance is expensive and regular, M cars are worse in this respect, and the convertible top adds more complexity.

If you expect all that in advance and are willing to live with it, these are incredible cars and give a driving experience that is hard to match for the price.

michaellno

Thanks for your comments .. would your feedback also apply to the non-M's? I've seen some 3-series 'verts for under $20K that are newer and with (slightly) less miles.

Just wondering if the M's are a completely different beast, maintenance wise, than regular 3-series, especially as you close in on 100K.

28firefighter

Wondering how bad of an idea this would be for someone who drives very few miles yearly (under 8000), and what kinda deal this is.

2002 BMW 530i
Premium Package
Cold Weather
Xenons
80,000 Miles
Silver
No "runs, hits or errors"
Pittsburgh Area

At a trusted mechanic, who is asking $10k (would most likely offer 8500 and go from there). My biggest concern is reliability, cost to maintain, and lastly...driving a Rear Wheel Drive car in Pittsburgh.

My current lease will be up in a few months, and I can't justify spending a lot of money on a car that I don't drive more than 8 miles a day with occasional weekend trips to Cleveland (115 miles one way). I love the idea of owning a BMW 5 series, but I'm concerned about whether I'll survive winter with this thing - I don't need to drive when the weather is bad enough the snow comes up past the bumper, but I'm more concerned about those in between type days. I've only driven FWD and AWD to this point.

Thoughts on this as well as whether or not this is a good deal?

Thanks guys (and gals).

busiris

Just wondering if the M's are a completely different beast, maintenance wise, than regular 3-series, especially as you close in on 100K

Yes! (If the maintenance is properly performed). Remember, most M series cars are bought with performance in mind. Some have been treated with kid-gloves, while others have had the crap driven out of them.

Personally, I wouldn't touch an "M" with that kind of mileage unless I was able to review the maintenance history in detail. These are expensive cars to keep in tip-top shape, and pricier to maintain than regular Bimmers.

As in all used cars, the final answer depends upon the specific car.

stickguy

yes, you can survive with RWD in pittsburgh. doesn't sound like a bad deal either, at less than 10K.

but if you really want comfort in the snow, just get a set of snows for it. between good quality snows, and all the electronics, you will be nearly unstoppable.