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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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She really liked her '03 325i, and a convertible 330Ci seemed like just the ticket... Plus, we drive a lot, and the '03 would have been out of warranty by July.... so, I would have probably done something by then, anyway..
She just can't stand the noise... and decrease in visibility.. She just feels totally uncomfortable in the car.. Add in the loss of passenger space... and the benefits of top-down driving don't seem worth it to her...
The hardtop would help visibility... and a little on the noise... but, unless you never want to use the convertible, you'd still have 7 months per year that it would have to be off.. plus the $3000 cost :surprise:
The good thing is... I think I can get out of it, with little or no extra cost above the monthly payments that we've made.... That isn't true with a lot of leases..
This is the sixth car that I've acquired for her, with little driving or input on her part.... First time it hasn't worked out...
Worst case... I drive it..
regards,
kyfdx
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I think if your wife can make it to April/May all of the 330Ci's sins will be forgiven.Nothing like a nice spring day to make your remeber why you drive around with cloth over your head for 7 months.
There should even be wiggle room in that price. It was just 4 months ago I picked up my '03 LS. At that time, the real-world trade-in value of one with 30k miles was in the low $18k range. Given the low miles and extra options (mine doesn't have heated rear seats) of the one you are looking at, that should kick up the price a bit, but it is 4 months later now. SO... I'm thinking its about a wash and the trade-in should still be in the low to mid $18s. Does it have Nav? If so, maybe wandering to that $19k number. Even if its certified, I think you should be able to get them down to $21-$21.5.
Just realize the mileage might hurt ya. I get a hair above 21.5 mpg running premium gas with about 80% highway driving. But the torque of the V8 is addicting.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I wonder--between a 2-3 y.o. Z4, or E46, which would have the best resale after a couple more years? It might just come down to finding the best deal on a nice condition car.....I can get $500 back from buying a CPO one at a bmw dealer, but sometimes used prices at bmw dealers are so insane it's not worth it.
BTW, I liked the "getting a great lease deal on an A4" idea you had.....esp. in Snow Country.
cheers, woody
*Wow, lotta car and bling for that price, considering the $40k+ sticker new*
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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I dunno, Accord leases are looking attractive too. $250-$300 a month depending on LX-SE or EX V6 for 36months/36k is pretty cheap driving. But Accords are so plain.
Gas mileage isn't really a big deal on whatever I end up with, if anything, since my job comes with a car allowance and gas card. I don't do real big miles either, only about 15k annually tops.
So, we put our feelers out and found a 96 Honda Civic EX 5-speed sedan in silver with 127,000 miles for $4000. It appears that it hasn't been wrecked. It's clean and pretty ding-free for the age and mileage. Interior is real clean and it's a non-smoker. If we get it inspected and it comes back clean we will probably add this to our fleet until we can get the Civic that Gee wants. Or until we have moved on to the next greatest car.
Just seems high to me, but makes me glad I own 2 Hondas if that is a legit retail price!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I don't think I've EVER seen a used Civic that I thought was worth the $$.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
By the way, however, when i was buying mine, turned out Ford Credit was offering a super low rate for certified models only. The salesman didn't even know about it at first. I wanted the vehicle certified, so he went to check if they could do it and what it would cost. He then found out about the special rate. Turned out the reduced rate would save me the certification cost over the life of the loan AND THEN SOME.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
LS's do depreciate like jet powered rocks, then seem to sort of plateau. '00's with 90 or 100k are advertised on-line for between $8 and $10. A $12k hit for 5 years of driving isn't quite Honda/Toyota territory, but not bad.
My only bugaboo is that I promised myself a sports car this time, so I have to wrestle with myself there.
Did I mention I traded my 350Z for this LS?
You could always lease a 6-speed Accord. Sort of a compromise between sportscar and comfy family sedan. You would miss out on the rear-drive fun, though.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I'm on my second hard-top BMW, but right now I'm thinking that M-B built the SLK roadster just for me. It's a hard top and a convertible. O'happy day!
By the way...That IS about what I could get a T5 for. I've priced a couple. I just don't trust em on the reliability front. Especially the turbo.
Bullet-proof cars.. I'd take one.. (if I didn't have this convertible thing going...lol)
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On the same wheels that I'm putting on this Civic no less.
This is actually our third silver 5-speed 96-98 4 door Civic EX. Not to mention the 2 2000 Si's and the 1997 Civic LX 4 door. They've all been documented here and there on Edmunds forums. You can't go wrong with a good Civic for basic transportation. We've owned a total of 11 Civics and another 4 Integras which are pretty much just gussied up Civics.
I am astounded by people who drive same make and model over and over again. IMO, Life is too short to be driving 15 civics which provides "basic transportation" at best. Why not try something different? variety is after all spice of the life.
Personally, I'd rather buy a luxury car and keep it for longer time.. BTW, reliability is not an issue nowadays.. most cars if maintained well will run upto 200k and beyond.
For ten months why not roll the dice on a Golf GTI,Chevy Camaro,Jeep Wrangler or something of that ilk. Chances are something will not go wrong in that short of time, and you might love the car and want to hang on to it as a winter beater
-Jason
If I knew I could afford a small loss and was definitely keeping the car six months or less, I would try out a 3-year-old GTI. Used VWs can be hard to sell though - their abysmal reliability rep precedes them these days.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Their rep is very well-deserved... Glad I didn't talk myself into an Audi A3.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
There was this person in another thread (a Toyota dealer, no less) who was saying 10 y/o Accords were worth 1500.
I challenged him to find me one - and got my hand slapped for soliciting.
C'mon. The Civic is an awesome car I agree, but it's no match for a >94 5-sp Integra. The 1.8 liter (even non-vtec) is just so sweet, and was obviously not put in any Civic.
The cheapest car I see on their website is a 2000 Hyundai Elantra GLS, automatic, with 112,940 miles on it. And "Your Price" is a low, low $4,095. So COME ON DOWN!! :P
Okay, now it's time for the truth. The reason that so many popped up was because many of them had "See Dealer" for the price, which AutoBytel equates to be Zero Dollars.
As for the few legit cars that popped up, they were priced around $4300-4800, and had 100-198,000 miles on them. The best deal of them all, I'd say, was a 1997 Accord LX sedan with 107K miles for $4800. It has an automatic, cruise, power locks/antenna/windows and a sunroof. And it's a pretty green color.
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How about $1995, and you throw in a set of tires? :-)
I REALLY hope there isn't a buyer out there sucker enough to pay that much for a car like that.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Civic's used seem way overpriced.Must be why I never have owned one.
I paid $250 for my '79 Newport, which I bought from the junkyard. I thought it only had 130,000 miles on it, but it was more like 230,000!
My Mom gave me her '86 Monte Carlo with 179,000 miles on it. When it got totaled, with 192K on it, the insurance company gave me around $2200 for it.
Interestingly I did another Autobytel search and found a 1996 Lumina LS sedan for sale for $4999, with around 96,000 miles on it. So if you just go by asking prices, sometimes the domestics and Japanese don't seem that far off in price. But then I'm sure those Accords I found will get snatched up, while that '96 Lumina will just sit at that price, and ultimately get sold for $2-3K, at best.
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Create your page at http://www.carspace.com and add a photo album or two. Look us up when you get there... I'll be your friend if you be mine (and kyfdx will be friends with anyone... trust me
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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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I got 5K for a 182K mile 1989 MB, and the buyer wanted the car before I was ready to sell.
I have my fintail and the 126 on this page, but no C43 yet, I've been lazy. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/416201
So, I'll try to upload some photos tonight! :P
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And - to quote Terry - an exterior that looks like it was used by the Taliban for target practice.
I'm almost tempted!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I am just thinking that I would DEFINITELY go the extra $1500 for brand new vs 41K miles...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
We did get an e-mail from our credit union's auto buying service today. They can get us the Civic + NAV in May for a drive out price of $22,000 with our accessories added. Might be something to think about but it still seems a bit high.