Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

You guys are funny. Love the Seinfeld comment.

If you recall in an earlier episode, the escape was supposed to live in SC. @explorerx4 is correct that I have a 16-yr-old and wife says he can have it.

Volvo = her DD
Sprinter = zombie apocalypse backup
Wrx = my DD
Charger = because… hemi orange
One 4xe to flip and one to keep till sprinter arrives because the zombie apocalypse has no set date and because you never know when the volvo needs the shop.

stickguy

the FIAT and ML are just random driveway filler at this point?

qbrozen

ML will be sold.

I forgot about the Fiat. Its a toy. At least her toy runs, unlike my Coronet. Everybody deserves at least 3 cars.

explorerx4

@stickguy,
Both my kids got 'hand me down' Escapes.

henryn

Hmmm… Zombie Apocylapse… hmmm… On a shelf close to my front door you will find a 14 inch survival knife and a hatchet. In the umbrella stand, behind the front door, in addition to umbrellas and a couple of walking sticks, I have a full size Louisville Slugger and a half-size T-Ball bat. Just inside the door leading to the garage you will find a couple of ball peen hammers and 3 crowbars (small, medium and large). When anyone questions my collection, I ask them if they know where I can pick up a crossbow cheap.

stickguy

if anybody broke in here they would trip over all my wife's boxes, and probably hurt themselves making it easy to subdue them.

roadburner

My son got a 1975 2002- but I did replace the seats with E21 Recaros and the seat belts with rebuilt retractors and new belt webbing.

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

@stickguy,
Both my kids got 'hand me down' Escapes.

Not too long after Grandson #1 (now 20) got his license he got a 2005 Escape that didn’t give him a lick of trouble until last Spring when his Fathers mechanic said it wouldn’t pass state inspection that would be due in a couple months. The killer was @oldfarmer50’s nemesis, salt. The salt finally took out too much of the suspension system to the point it wasn’t worth fixing. It was replaced last August with an Altima (I can’t remember the year).

That Escape racked up many miles delivering pizza when he worked a few nights and weekends while in high school. He now works at Advance Auto Parts on the weekend because he’s going to school during the week. If nothing else he gets a discount on parts but no more free pizza or hoagies for lunch like the old days.

He’s even lost a few pounds but that rusted out Escape lost lots of pounds.

jmonroe

ab348

jmonroe1 said:

It was replaced last August with an Altima (I can’t remember the year).

Painted black, one assumes.

explorerx4

Our 04 Escape got sold to Carmax in 2016 due to rust issues around the rear struts mounts.
It still ran great. I used it as a lesson for the kids to take their cars to the carwash a few times in the winter.

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

jmonroe1 said:

It was replaced last August with an Altima (I can’t remember the year).

Painted black, one assumes.

I figured someone would say that but, no, just the opposite. It’s white but with your favorite interior color, black.

jmonroe

qbrozen

Somehow, despite Jeep 2 showing as being built and shipped ahead of Jeep 1, Jeep 1 arrived first and is ready for pickup. Will do that this Friday. $14.9k one-pay for 36/10 on a $61.8k window sticker. I'll be into it for $51,168. Should be able to get at least 54 for it.

stickguy

You want to keep Jeep 2?

qbrozen

stickguy said:

You want to keep Jeep 2?

Yes. It has all of Jeep 1 plus tow package and off-road camera. Due to larger discount, it will cost the same, excluding $400 broker fee. So it will "owe me" about $51.6k, I believe.

cdnpinhead

Will you be putting the same "special" decals you did on the previous one?

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
Somehow, despite Jeep 2 showing as being built and shipped ahead of Jeep 1, Jeep 1 arrived first and is ready for pickup. Will do that this Friday. $14.9k one-pay for 36/10 on a $61.8k window sticker. I'll be into it for $51,168. Should be able to get at least 54 for it.

My head is spinning on what configuration to get if we decide to. So many choices.

Need to research all the different trim levels. Looks like your build is basically a loaded up Sahara. I keep going back to the High Altitude with a few options.

qbrozen

tjc78 said:

My head is spinning on what configuration to get if we decide to. So many choices.

Need to research all the different trim levels. Looks like your build is basically a loaded up Sahara. I keep going back to the High Altitude with a few options.

Definitely not loaded. I could add more. Lots of folks do the skytop. Could do dual doors, dual top, side steps, rail guards, and several other things. You can option it up to $68k.

Got blue this time, so army graphics wouldn't make sense. ;b

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

tjc78 said:

My head is spinning on what configuration to get if we decide to. So many choices.

Need to research all the different trim levels. Looks like your build is basically a loaded up Sahara. I keep going back to the High Altitude with a few options.

Definitely not loaded. I could add more. Lots of folks do the skytop. Could do dual doors, dual top, side steps, rail guards, and several other things. You can option it up to $68k.

Got blue this time, so army graphics wouldn't make sense. ;b

Papa Smurf graphic?

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:
Papa Smurf graphic?

Interesting idea.

I have this one in the wrapper still. Bought it before switching to the GI Joe idea. It is a big one I had planned for the hood.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

You guys are funny. Love the Seinfeld comment.

If you recall in an earlier episode, the escape was supposed to live in SC.

So, *will* the Escape end up in SC, or is that an unknown factor at this point? I assume it's not there because space at home isn't an issue (i.e., there's no need to make a special trip just to drop it off).

qbrozen

@xwesx said:
So, will the Escape end up in SC, or is that an unknown factor at this point? I assume it's not there because space at home isn't an issue (i.e., there's no need to make a special trip just to drop it off).

Unknown. Wife seems intent on keeping it here. Which means nothing in SC. Go figure.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
Definitely not loaded. I could add more. Lots of folks do the skytop. Could do dual doors, dual top, side steps, rail guards, and several other things. You can option it up to $68k.

Got blue this time, so army graphics wouldn't make sense. ;b

Gotcha. Keep forgetting there are many more options to a Jeep than just the gadgets.

I think the High Altitude I built was just shy of 64K

tjc78

@qbrozen
Is Myrtle Beach golf cart friendly like many of the Jersey shore towns?

stickguy

tjc78 said:

@qbrozen

Is Myrtle Beach golf cart friendly like many of the Jersey shore towns?

golf buggy works fine when you drive to the shore and want to park at the house and use the cart for running around downtown. But not so good when you are flying in, and need overall transportation while you are there.

corvette

So, what you're saying is, you're in the market to buy another car to keep in SC?

Michaell

corvette said:

So, what you're saying is, you're in the market to buy another car to keep in SC?

That’s how I’m reading it.

corvette

Any of you Denver area folks ever go to Hearsecon or the Morbid Curiosities Carnival? Looks interesting.

Sandman6472

My co-worker bought a house in Myrtle Beach and is leaving end of the month, he just told me today. Others will find out soon enough. Said it's a 4/2 in a Del Webb new community, think he's paying just over $400K. Very surprised to say the least as I thought they wanted to go back home to Mass. or R.I. where their kids live. I know she's hated Florida these past 3+ years they've lived here. Personally, don't think he's going to be that happy there and he's even told me he'd be just as happy to just stay here! But she who must be made happy wants to move there, so that's where they're going. Personally, give it a couple of years & betting it's back up north for them to be near their grandkids. Once those years are gone, they're gone & can never get them back. We were lucky as we had my in-laws and then her mom for such a long time. It was great for both sides as kids need their grandparents around to teach them things we as parents can not. My folks weren't around for mine but, that was their choice. Then after my dad passed, she just didn't care to as she told my wife. I understood as she wasn't the best parent honestly...finally got my wife to see it really was all for the best. We missed a lot of unnecessary drama, trust me!
Still, will be sad to see my new friend leave. He's taught me a lot about life, being maybe 6 years older than I. I will miss his intelligence & humor because he's just a regular Joe who did well using his common sense in life. Worked for all he's got and deserves it all. I will miss him but wish him the best in this new venture.

stickguy

being nearer to the kids is the reason we are looking at houses up in NY. That and my wifes family is almost all up there too.

the grandkids, well, we got a grandpuppy to go see this weekend! Grandkids, who knows.

doubtful that both of our kids will ever be in the same general area again. but at least they are only about 3 hours apart for now!

qbrozen

golf cart is where this whole damned thing started. After looking around, I declared it was cheaper to buy a real vehicle.

Michaell

corvette said:

Any of you Denver area folks ever go to Hearsecon or the Morbid Curiosities Carnival? Looks interesting.

Do you have a link?

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

@qbrozen

Is Myrtle Beach golf cart friendly like many of the Jersey shore towns?

Even more so because Myrtle Beach is crawling with golf courses.

jmonroe

laurasdada

stickguy said:

being nearer to the kids is the reason we are looking at houses up in NY. That and my wifes family is almost all up there too.

the grandkids, well, we got a grandpuppy to go see this weekend! Grandkids, who knows.

doubtful that both of our kids will ever be in the same general area again. but at least they are only about 3 hours apart for now!

She who must be obeyed first grandchild was born 6 weeks ago in the SF area. We just returned from a week visit, many tears flowed, especially as we left. This is her son's first child, her daughter also lives in SF (and bought a lovely 2/1.5 TH for ~10% more than we paid for our brand new, her sq footage is less than 50% of ours).
Even though we've just bought a new 3/3 TH and are still furnishing it, I fear we will be moving to the SF area in 2-5 years. Sooner, no doubt if grandchild #2 comes along... she may just move there without telling me, call me one day to sell the TH and all belongings and get my posterior to SF.

So, upstate NY? Enjoy, it could be much worse. Before this massive upswing in gas prices, RUG was $5+/gallon around SF. My favorite moment, going to Safeway to buy some essentials. Keebler Townhouse Pita crackers, normally only $4.99 there were on sale for the astounding price of $4.79!!! Of course, around here, on sale, they're usually $2.50, sometimes $2.00. Basically, all foodstuffs I saw were 50-100% more expensive.

But, we did eat at an oceanfront Taco Bell! Which served alcohol! That wasn't too bloody expensive.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
golf cart is where this whole damned thing started. After looking around, I declared it was cheaper to buy a real vehicle.

That’s right I remember now. Yeah they are pricey, I looked at a few for a little over 10K. Wife really wants one, so I’m sure at some point we will get one.

tjc78

@Sandman6472 said:
My co-worker bought a house in Myrtle Beach and is leaving end of the month, he just told me today. Others will find out soon enough. Said it's a 4/2 in a Del Webb new community, think he's paying just over $400K. Very surprised to say the least as I thought they wanted to go back home to Mass. or R.I. where their kids live. I know she's hated Florida these past 3+ years they've lived here. Personally, don't think he's going to be that happy there and he's even told me he'd be just as happy to just stay here! But she who must be made happy wants to move there, so that's where they're going. Personally, give it a couple of years & betting it's back up north for them to be near their grandkids. Once those years are gone, they're gone & can never get them back. We were lucky as we had my in-laws and then her mom for such a long time. It was great for both sides as kids need their grandparents around to teach them things we as parents can not. My folks weren't around for mine but, that was their choice. Then after my dad passed, she just didn't care to as she told my wife. I understood as she wasn't the best parent honestly...finally got my wife to see it really was all for the best. We missed a lot of unnecessary drama, trust me!
Still, will be sad to see my new friend leave. He's taught me a lot about life, being maybe 6 years older than I. I will miss his intelligence & humor because he's just a regular Joe who did well using his common sense in life. Worked for all he's got and deserves it all. I will miss him but wish him the best in this new venture.

I just can’t see myself ever leaving Jersey. My grand plan is when the kids are older and moved out to sell our primary home and just live down the shore. If finances allow maybe escape to FL or CA for a month during the winter.

ab348

qbrozen said:

golf cart is where this whole damned thing started. After looking around, I declared it was cheaper to buy a real vehicle.

So if she has the Volvo and the Fiat and soon the shuttle bus, when is she going to drive the Escape?

qbrozen

ab348 said:

So if she has the Volvo and the Fiat and soon the shuttle bus, when is she going to drive the Escape?

she wants our son to have it.
He is 11 mos from his license, though. But I think she imagines he'd learn in it, too.

corvette

Michaell said:

corvette said:

Any of you Denver area folks ever go to Hearsecon or the Morbid Curiosities Carnival? Looks interesting.

Do you have a link?

The Car Wizard’s recent guest mentioned it.

http://www.hearseclub.com/hearsecon/hearsecon.htm

nyccarguy

@tjc78

My grand plan is when the kids are older and moved out to sell our primary home and just live down the shore. If finances allow maybe escape to FL or CA for a month during the winter.

That sounds like a wonderful plan!

stickguy

I’m hoping that, once we move back to upper NY, to do a Christmas to Easter snowbird routine someplace down south. Without snow or cold.

qbrozen

My biggest concern is that my kids couldn't even afford to stay in NJ if they wanted to. Or they'll never leave home. Not that I care if they do. They sooner they leave, the sooner we'll have to make a decision about downsizing. lol.

stickguy

I’m still debating the concept of downsizing with the wife. She seems obsessed that we still need a big house. I just passed her a link to a really nice place. 3 bed, 2.5 bath newer ranch, in a cool modern style. Nice and open and bright. About 1,900sf. Plus a gigantic full finished basement complete with a wet bar (6-8 seat length) and 1/2 bath.

It’s “small”.

Basically she wants a small hotel for the 2 days per year (at thanksgiving) we have extra guests. Who could all go sleep in the basement. Or go home, since most of the visitors live within half an hour of it!

Going to show it to her Friday. Hopefully the light bulb goes off.

28firefighter

@qbrozen said:
My biggest concern is that my kids couldn't even afford to stay in NJ if they wanted to. Or they'll never leave home. Not that I care if they do. They sooner they leave, the sooner we'll have to make a decision about downsizing. lol.

I have similar concerns about Seattle for my little one.

stickguy

My son at least went to Albany and already bought a house.

My daughter moved to Boston though. She is never buying up there.

jmonroe1

corvette said:

Michaell said:

corvette said:

Any of you Denver area folks ever go to Hearsecon or the Morbid Curiosities Carnival? Looks interesting.

Do you have a link?

The Car Wizard’s recent guest mentioned it.

http://www.hearseclub.com/hearsecon/hearsecon.htm

Unless my eyes are tricking me I’d say that first pic in your link is pretty scary but what a way to go.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

nyccarguy said:

@tjc78

My grand plan is when the kids are older and moved out to sell our primary home and just live down the shore. If finances allow maybe escape to FL or CA for a month during the winter.

That sounds like a wonderful plan!

Until you realize that is probably going to be your last “grand plan”. Just enjoy the ride as long as you can.

jmonroe

andres3

tjc78 said:

breld said:

Nice choice on the S90 @qbrozen. I’ve always thought it’s quite the sleeper option, as long as you like a sedan.

Pay attention to the brake feel - the pads seem to be be notorious for irregular wearing early on. Slowing down at higher speeds may result in some very noticeable shuddering. My V90 exhibited that on a road trip, and the dealer ended up replacing them under warranty with no fuss.

Both of my Volvos have a little brake shudder at speeds over 75 and the S60 squeals a bit. So be it. I’m hard on brakes so I’m partly to blame. I warped the rotors on both Enclaves before 20k miles.

@qbrozen
A rental S90 is what got me into Volvo. Very nice car. For awhile in 2019 there were screaming lease deals if you could stack Costco.

A squealing brake pad is a happy brake pad; no problem there; that's acceptable. However, shuddering and warped rotors is not acceptable, either poor engineering, or Chinese metals in use likely.

I've tracked cars and the only thing that should happen from hard driving is eventually scoring your pad metal back plate into the rotor for a nice grinding noise. LOL! With proper pads this doesn't happen..

andres3

oldfarmer50 said:

ab348 said:

Up here in Canada I used to have an Amazon Visa card, issued by Chase. It provided a similar 5% back IIRC and I liked it. Oddly, Chase decided to get out of the credit card business up here and Amazon of course discontinued the card. Even more oddly, Chase just ate the loss by not trying to collect any outstanding balances owed to them after a few months of discontinuing the card (wish I had known about that before I made my final payment). After some period of time without a branded card, they returned with an Amazon Mastercard from MBNA, but now only offer 2.5% back, and MBNA has a less than stellar reputation at least in my mind, so I didn't bother with it.

I only have two cards, one I’ve had for nearly 40 years. That one I don’t use any more because of some company policies with which I disagree. To close it now would cause a big credit score hit so I just let it float like a zombie. I never buy anything based on points as I would feel like I was being manipulated.

Mostly I just use cash as I know it frustrates the CIA’s efforts to track me.

The CIA might be pushing inflation up to get back at you.

jmonroe1

andres3 said:

tjc78 said:

breld said:

Nice choice on the S90 @qbrozen. I’ve always thought it’s quite the sleeper option, as long as you like a sedan.

Pay attention to the brake feel - the pads seem to be be notorious for irregular wearing early on. Slowing down at higher speeds may result in some very noticeable shuddering. My V90 exhibited that on a road trip, and the dealer ended up replacing them under warranty with no fuss.

Both of my Volvos have a little brake shudder at speeds over 75 and the S60 squeals a bit. So be it. I’m hard on brakes so I’m partly to blame. I warped the rotors on both Enclaves before 20k miles.

@qbrozen
A rental S90 is what got me into Volvo. Very nice car. For awhile in 2019 there were screaming lease deals if you could stack Costco.

A squealing brake pad is a happy brake pad; no problem there; that's acceptable. However, shuddering and warped rotors is not acceptable, either poor engineering, or Chinese metals in use likely.

I've tracked cars and the only thing that should happen from hard driving is eventually scoring your pad metal back plate into the rotor for a nice grinding noise. LOL! With proper pads this doesn't happen..

What universe do you live in? When you wear out the pads the metal backing plate of the pads will ALWAYS score the rotor.

No speeding is going to prevent that.

jmonroe

andres3

stickguy said:

I think I am a little too old for boot camp.

Ukraine will likely let you enlist.