Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

Occasionally XM turns on all the inactive radios for a short period, hoping you get hooked and want to pay to keep it when they turn them back off.

Wes, nice sunset. What was that, about 2:00 PM?

stickguy

I finally figured out what the JEEP looks like A super sized Nissan Cube.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

Seven years ago today, we picked up our 2015 Outback 3.6R.

Since then, I've spent $3800 on repairs and maintenance, and traveled just over 48,000 miles.

It's been a good, solid car for us - not too exciting, but it gets the job done.

Wish I had a plan to upgrade it, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards at the moment. Perhaps in a few years.

I also picked up my Mustang in 2015. I’ve spent about the same amount on mods but very little in repairs (just fluid changes).

I’ve driven it less than 15k miles which is why I hate winter with such a passion.

I can’t see replacing it with anything that wouldn’t cost me twice as much.

oldfarmer50

henryn said:

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:

Interesting note on possibly selling my work truck and buying a new one. Carvana, which had the highest bid by far, has not followed up. They're just waiting on me. The two low bidders, Algo and CarGurus, keep following up, emails, text messages. Algo especially.

I’ll buy it. Are you willing to knock $500 off?

Seriously though, what is Carvana offering?

Carvana is offering $14,883.

Algo offered around $12 flat, can't find the email right now. And they are the most aggressive, sending emails and text messages.

Cargurus offered $8,739, which I find rather insulting. The truck was worth more than that before the market went crazy. They're obviously trying to rip people off. But why should I be surprised that a car dealer is trying to rip me off?

A quick search on Autotrader shows Carvana has a 2013 XL with 85k miles for $25,000. I think they’re low balling you.

henryn

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:

Interesting note on possibly selling my work truck and buying a new one. Carvana, which had the highest bid by far, has not followed up. They're just waiting on me. The two low bidders, Algo and CarGurus, keep following up, emails, text messages. Algo especially.

I’ll buy it. Are you willing to knock $500 off?

Seriously though, what is Carvana offering?

Carvana is offering $14,883.

Algo offered around $12 flat, can't find the email right now. And they are the most aggressive, sending emails and text messages.

Cargurus offered $8,739, which I find rather insulting. The truck was worth more than that before the market went crazy. They're obviously trying to rip people off. But why should I be surprised that a car dealer is trying to rip me off?

A quick search on Autotrader shows Carvana has a 2013 XL with 85k miles for $25,000. I think they’re low balling you.

Insanity. Absolute stark raving insanity. I'm not sure I believe the world I'm living in. I'm not sure I want to believe the world I'm living in.

Can you believe that we're living under the threat of nuclear war? Again?

Insanity!

xwesx

stickguy said:

Occasionally XM turns on all the inactive radios for a short period, hoping you get hooked and want to pay to keep it when they turn them back off.

Wes, nice sunset. What was that, about 2:00 PM?

Hahah! That was a little after 6PM, if you can believe it!

@corvette A hand-me-down iPhone 8.

Sandman6472

Saw a red Corolla Cross today and liked it, looks good on this small CUV. Had the trim piece around the shifter recall done today at VW and the place was pretty dead. Did see one couple picking up their new vehicle but the service department waiting room was a ghost town. Got the recall notice last week in the mail so decided to have it done. They even washed the car though, not so good but, free is free! The Golf sure cleans up well and at just shy of 70K, still looks pretty damn good. My brake pedal is kind of low though they stop with no squealing. Had the brake fluid changed about 3K miles ago so what can we do to raise the pedal a bit? Do I just bite the bullet & install new pads & rotors or just rotors or just pads? Not quite sure what needs to happen to raise the pedal to a higher level? Any advice would be helpful here.
Thanks all.

mjfloyd1

@breld said:
You all with your comments on teenage boys and minivans…giving me nightmares. Just cause we’re thinking it doesn’t mean it has to be said.

Got home yesterday from my weekend visiting my son at his college in Illinois. Fun weekend just him and I hanging out; the concert was incredible. First concert I’ve been to since before the pandemic started.

Had time when I got home yesterday to clean out the garage, wash the cars, and install the running boards onto the Bronco. They really finish off the car, and should prove very functional in getting in and out of it.

Super simple to install them. Just six bolts on each side into pre-threaded holes.

I’m sure that the next owner will like those sidesteps. I’m not sure if they will like those wheels though. Time to upgrade??🤣

mjfloyd1

@xwesx said:
Saturday evening, Feb 26: Jeep Grand Wagoneer - First sighting in the wild. This one still had temp tags on it. The window design makes it look much boxier than it really is, and this thing is definitely huge - full Suburban-sized huge.

I apologize for the poor lighting; it was a nice sunset, though!

I’m positive that @breld would wrap that chrome trim around the windows to nice black…

Sandman6472

Yes, 2015 was a good year as both our Audi A3 & VW Golf are 2015 models. Mine is just at about 70K while the A3 has close to 68K on the clock. Depending on how long we keep them, think she'll over take mine within the next 8 or so months. But, we shall see how things go as I'm quite close to making myself happy here.

breld

mjfloyd1 said:

@breld said:

You all with your comments on teenage boys and minivans…giving me nightmares. Just cause we’re thinking it doesn’t mean it has to be said.

Got home yesterday from my weekend visiting my son at his college in Illinois. Fun weekend just him and I hanging out; the concert was incredible. First concert I’ve been to since before the pandemic started.

Had time when I got home yesterday to clean out the garage, wash the cars, and install the running boards onto the Bronco. They really finish off the car, and should prove very functional in getting in and out of it.

Super simple to install them. Just six bolts on each side into pre-threaded holes.

I’m sure that the next owner will like those sidesteps. I’m not sure if they will like those wheels though. Time to upgrade??🤣

Well, at least these steps are actually functional as opposed to the cosmetic upgrades I enjoy so much paying for 3 months prior to selling.

stickguy

the pedal can drop a little as the pads wear and the system self adjusts. Can also happen if the fluid is a little low (actually I think it drops a bit as the pads get low). I would assume that the shop that did the brake fluid would have checked the pads at the same time. Can always swing by there and just ask them to take a quick look at everything.

some cars just have a lower pedal too.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Occasionally XM turns on all the inactive radios for a short period, hoping you get hooked and want to pay to keep it when they turn them back off.

Nah. It was a trick I learned on the interwebs.

stickguy

that would work too. Good luck with it!

sda

Sandman6472 said:

Saw a red Corolla Cross today and liked it, looks good on this small CUV. Had the trim piece around the shifter recall done today at VW and the place was pretty dead. Did see one couple picking up their new vehicle but the service department waiting room was a ghost town. Got the recall notice last week in the mail so decided to have it done. They even washed the car though, not so good but, free is free! The Golf sure cleans up well and at just shy of 70K, still looks pretty damn good. My brake pedal is kind of low though they stop with no squealing. Had the brake fluid changed about 3K miles ago so what can we do to raise the pedal a bit? Do I just bite the bullet & install new pads & rotors or just rotors or just pads? Not quite sure what needs to happen to raise the pedal to a higher level? Any advice would be helpful here.
Thanks all.

While having the recall addressed did you ask them about the brakes?

corvette

qbrozen said:

Nah. It was a trick I learned on the interwebs.

I hear if you jump the flux capacitor with a 50k ohm resistor, it will unlock the radio and you'll get free XM.

roadburner

Michaell said:

Seven years ago today, we picked up our 2015 Outback 3.6R.

Since then, I've spent $3800 on repairs and maintenance, and traveled just over 48,000 miles.

It's been a good, solid car for us - not too exciting, but it gets the job done.

Wish I had a plan to upgrade it, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards at the moment. Perhaps in a few years.

I picked up my 2 Series a bit over six years ago. It had just come off a two year lease and only had 15,000 miles on it. I've put another 55,000 miles on it and I've been quite pleased with the reliability. It's required a few minor repairs but they were all covered by either the new car, CPO, or a special BMW extended warranty(in the case of the NVLD emissions pump).

I've spent $4800 on maintenance, but $2,500 of that is for one set each of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires and Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires. That also includes the cost of changing the fluid in the ZF 8HP automatic at 60,000 miles- which BMW doesn't call for, but ZF does. Ditto for coolant every two years.

The Condition Based Service system is estimating I'll need new front and rear brakes in about 40,000 miles. Fuel economy ranges from 15 mpg at HPDEs to 32 mpg cruising at 80 mph; the overall average is around 26 or 27 mpg- not bad for a car that can click off a 0-60 sprint in the low four second range and the quarter in the high twelves.

If I didn't want a real M car so bad I'd put the M Performance LSD in it and get Steve Dinan's CarBahn Stage One tune(+64 hp and +72 lb-ft of torque- not bad for only $500).

stickguy

for a modern car, 7-8 years old and 70-80k miles should be the sweet spot for reliability and cheap to own. Just basic stuff like oil change, and tires that are really just miles based. Maybe brakes depending on how hard you drive, but they are pretty cheap. Assuming (a big assume) the owner does maintenance like it should be (including going above what is called for at times).

and should still be at a mileage point and condition (being maintained mechanically and cosmetically) to still be worth a good amount if you want to sell it.

Sandman6472

He did check the brakes when the fluid was changed and said all is well. I just like a higher pedal than many others and since I drive so many different vehicles, I see & feel all kinds. Brakes do bite nicely though so it's probably just me.
Agree on the 7 to 8 year old & 70K to 80K areas as being the real sweet spot for optimal vehicle ownership, not much going on and they drive nicely. It's just when things go south that we notice. Guess I'm just about ready for a change.

stickguy

After that long you can get bored!

jmonroe1

@henryn said:
Insanity. Absolute stark raving insanity. I'm not sure I believe the world I'm living in. I'm not sure I want to believe the world I'm living in.

Can you believe that we're living under the threat of nuclear war? Again?

Insanity!

That’s pretty sad alright but the way things are going the world would recover from that faster than getting past the chip shortage that’s killing the car market.

As I’ve said dozens of times before…Russia is just a trouble maker, always has been and always will be. That’s not getting political, that’s merely stating a fact.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

@Sandman6472 said:
Saw a red Corolla Cross today and liked it, looks good on this small CUV. Had the trim piece around the shifter recall done today at VW and the place was pretty dead. Did see one couple picking up their new vehicle but the service department waiting room was a ghost town. Got the recall notice last week in the mail so decided to have it done. They even washed the car though, not so good but, free is free! The Golf sure cleans up well and at just shy of 70K, still looks pretty damn good. My brake pedal is kind of low though they stop with no squealing. Had the brake fluid changed about 3K miles ago so what can we do to raise the pedal a bit? Do I just bite the bullet & install new pads & rotors or just rotors or just pads? Not quite sure what needs to happen to raise the pedal to a higher level? Any advice would be helpful here.
Thanks all.

Pretty simple, wear shoes with thicker soles. That’s a lot cheaper than fixing it right.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

for a modern car, 7-8 years old and 70-80k miles should be the sweet spot for reliability and cheap to own. Just basic stuff like oil change, and tires that are really just miles based. Maybe brakes depending on how hard you drive, but they are pretty cheap. Assuming (a big assume) the owner does maintenance like it should be (including going above what is called for at times).

and should still be at a mileage point and condition (being maintained mechanically and cosmetically) to still be worth a good amount if you want to sell it.

I agree on the mileage but for a cheap car I look in the 15 year plus or minus range. For most cars that’s the bottom of their depreciation curve. You might run into a few extra repair expenses but I’ve been able to acquire them for 10% or less of their original MSRP.

stickguy

I’m not interested in old and needy for my only car or daily driver/long distance travel machine.

2nd around town wheels? Sure!

stickguy

Speaking of 2nd cars, finally putting the truck to work next weekend chill find out how much a Maverick can haul. Meeting the kids in NY and delivering a bunch of stuff our daughter left her, since she’s getting a new apartment.

Up to about 6 big plastic totes, a few cardboard boxes, milk crate and some miscellaneous stuff. I should have fun packing the bed!

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

Speaking of 2nd cars, finally putting the truck to work next weekend chill find out how much a Maverick can haul. Meeting the kids in NY and delivering a bunch of stuff our daughter left her, since she’s getting a new apartment.

Up to about 6 big plastic totes, a few cardboard boxes, milk crate and some miscellaneous stuff. I should have fun packing the bed!

Don’t forget the glove box and cup holders.

jmonroe

stickguy

Trying to keep it all out of the cabin as a proof of concept.

qbrozen

One of my Jeeps has been delayed. Built 3 weeks ago and sitting in Toledo parking lot somewhere. Waiting on an update on #2. That's the one I want to keep anyway, so hoping it comes soon. Chrysler raised the MF this month but also kicked up residuals a couple of points, so the overall net is a lower payment. Mine should work out to about $385/mo effective with a one-pay 36/10 lease on a $64k MSRP.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

One of my Jeeps has been delayed. Built 3 weeks ago and sitting in Toledo parking lot somewhere. Waiting on an update on #2. That's the one I want to keep anyway, so hoping it comes soon. Chrysler raised the MF this month but also kicked up residuals a couple of points, so the overall net is a lower payment. Mine should work out to about $385/mo effective with a one-pay 36/10 lease on a $64k MSRP.

How do you know about the changes to the lease program numbers?

sda

qbrozen said:

One of my Jeeps has been delayed. Built 3 weeks ago and sitting in Toledo parking lot somewhere. Waiting on an update on #2. That's the one I want to keep anyway, so hoping it comes soon. Chrysler raised the MF this month but also kicked up residuals a couple of points, so the overall net is a lower payment. Mine should work out to about $385/mo effective with a one-pay 36/10 lease on a $64k MSRP.

Did you sell the TRX already?

nyccarguy

sda said:

qbrozen said:

One of my Jeeps has been delayed. Built 3 weeks ago and sitting in Toledo parking lot somewhere. Waiting on an update on #2. That's the one I want to keep anyway, so hoping it comes soon. Chrysler raised the MF this month but also kicked up residuals a couple of points, so the overall net is a lower payment. Mine should work out to about $385/mo effective with a one-pay 36/10 lease on a $64k MSRP.

Did you sell the TRX already?

That sucker is LONG gone. He sold it with the original gas still in the tank.

qbrozen

@Michaell said:
How do you know about the changes to the lease program numbers?

CCAP is apparently very lax in their intranet security.

qbrozen

@nyccarguy said:
That sucker is LONG gone. He sold it with the original gas still in the tank.

“Sold” but still in my driveway. And, yes, still original tank of gas. Lol.

ab348

Well, the 4000 VWs, Audis, Bentleys and Lambos on board the Felicity Ace are no longer on fire. It sank.

https://www.autonews.com/retail/burnt-out-ship-carrying-4000-vws-porsches-audis-bentleys-and-lamborghinis-sinks-rough-seas

qbrozen

I'm confused by the math.

In a projection assuming all vehicles would be lost, the risk-modeling company Russell Group last week estimated that the incident could cost the automaker at least $155 million. About $438 million worth of goods were aboard the ship, $401 million of which were cars.
....
Volkswagen had VW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini-branded models on the vessel


So 4000 cars from those brands at $401M is only $10k each. What am I missing?

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

I'm confused by the math.

In a projection assuming all vehicles would be lost, the risk-modeling company Russell Group last week estimated that the incident could cost the automaker at least $155 million. About $438 million worth of goods were aboard the ship, $401 million of which were cars.
....
Volkswagen had VW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini-branded models on the vessel


So 4000 cars from those brands at $401M is only $10k each. What am I missing?

Journalists aren't famous for being good at math.

au1994

qbrozen said:

I'm confused by the math.

In a projection assuming all vehicles would be lost, the risk-modeling company Russell Group last week estimated that the incident could cost the automaker at least $155 million. About $438 million worth of goods were aboard the ship, $401 million of which were cars.
....
Volkswagen had VW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini-branded models on the vessel


So 4000 cars from those brands at $401M is only $10k each. What am I missing?

Somebody’s insurance premiums are about to take a hit!

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

I'm confused by the math.

In a projection assuming all vehicles would be lost, the risk-modeling company Russell Group last week estimated that the incident could cost the automaker at least $155 million. About $438 million worth of goods were aboard the ship, $401 million of which were cars.
....
Volkswagen had VW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini-branded models on the vessel


So 4000 cars from those brands at $401M is only $10k each. What am I missing?

Journalists aren't famous for being good at math.

D'oh!! I'm the one who is bad at math. My brain was saying $40M for some reason. It is $100k ea.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

Well, the 4000 VWs, Audis, Bentleys and Lambos on board the Felicity Ace are no longer on fire. It sank.

https://www.autonews.com/retail/burnt-out-ship-carrying-4000-vws-porsches-audis-bentleys-and-lamborghinis-sinks-rough-seas

Those EV batteries are probably still smoldering at the bottom of the sea.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

I'm confused by the math.

In a projection assuming all vehicles would be lost, the risk-modeling company Russell Group last week estimated that the incident could cost the automaker at least $155 million. About $438 million worth of goods were aboard the ship, $401 million of which were cars.
....
Volkswagen had VW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini-branded models on the vessel


So 4000 cars from those brands at $401M is only $10k each. What am I missing?

A zero.


Edit: Speaking of "d'oh!", I missed the punchline by nearly two hours. Darn it.

xwesx

In other news, @qbrozen is considering starting a career in journalism.....

henryn

VW and Nissan are about the only 2 brands in this area who seem to actually have cars to sell. This might put a hit on the VW dealers.

corvette

Most of the Ford dealers seem to have at least a handful of Ecosports at any given time. I can’t imagine why.

sda

henryn said:

VW and Nissan are about the only 2 brands in this area who seem to actually have cars to sell. This might put a hit on the VW dealers.

Only one local VW dealer has some inventory, around 35 units. They have market adjustment and mop and glo add ons. The other dealers have less than 10. I haven't checked Nissan. Like most of the country most dealers have very little new inventory and most seem to be focusing on over-priced pre-owned.

greg128

oldfarmer50 said:

ab348 said:

Well, the 4000 VWs, Audis, Bentleys and Lambos on board the Felicity Ace are no longer on fire. It sank.

https://www.autonews.com/retail/burnt-out-ship-carrying-4000-vws-porsches-audis-bentleys-and-lamborghinis-sinks-rough-seas

Those EV batteries are probably still smoldering at the bottom of the sea.

Apparently VW had insurance for the $400M loss. If an EV battery started the fire, which is probably likely, I think the insurer might reconsider their rates the next time VW ships another boatload of them.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
One of my Jeeps has been delayed. Built 3 weeks ago and sitting in Toledo parking lot somewhere. Waiting on an update on #2. That's the one I want to keep anyway, so hoping it comes soon. Chrysler raised the MF this month but also kicked up residuals a couple of points, so the overall net is a lower payment. Mine should work out to about $385/mo effective with a one-pay 36/10 lease on a $64k MSRP.

Wife is very on board with a 4XE to replace the S60. Hoping things stay pretty consistent with the offers. If so looking like I’ll try and order around May so I have it before mid August when the S60 is due back.

Most likely is this works out I’ll take the XC and give her the Jeep. I’ll have her pick the colors, etc. When the XC90 goes back Nov 23 I’ll get a sedan again.

au1994

Sounds like a good plan @tjc78.

I still love mine and have no desire to flip it. Having a PHEV does show me the lack of charging infrastructure. A large shopping venue we frequent has 2 chargers and the past 3 times we’ve been they have been full. And there’s even a Tesla dealership at this place!

I have the ChargePoint app and will happily pay a reasonable rate to use a rapid charger. I’m not one of these that expects to be ‘rewarded’ for driving a hybrid with free juice, but man, more chargers are badly needed if the EV market is going to get much past where the current market share is.

tifighter

It's full every morning. So, the only time I ever use charging infrastructure is on a trip of 3+ hours, which is not a daily event. And even then, superchargers have me covered.

Clearly, apartments are the challenge for the future. But another geopolitical gas price surge might be the motivation needed to get more buildings to make the change.

jmonroe1

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

I'm confused by the math.

In a projection assuming all vehicles would be lost, the risk-modeling company Russell Group last week estimated that the incident could cost the automaker at least $155 million. About $438 million worth of goods were aboard the ship, $401 million of which were cars.
....
Volkswagen had VW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini-branded models on the vessel


So 4000 cars from those brands at $401M is only $10k each. What am I missing?

Journalists aren't famous for being good at math.

You got that right and far too many ain’t even good journalists.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

I'm confused by the math.

In a projection assuming all vehicles would be lost, the risk-modeling company Russell Group last week estimated that the incident could cost the automaker at least $155 million. About $438 million worth of goods were aboard the ship, $401 million of which were cars.
....
Volkswagen had VW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini-branded models on the vessel


So 4000 cars from those brands at $401M is only $10k each. What am I missing?

That’s what happens to folks that play hookie from math class too often! They become journalists.

EDIT: I shouldn’t have trusted YOUR math. I usually check other folks work.

jmonroe