Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

andres3

tjc78 said:

Lease end Inspection scheduled for next week on the S60. Last payment in about a week. As soon as that payment posts it is getting turned in. Someone is going to get a clean car with less than 16K miles.

Thought about keeping it but with a 31K buyout plus tax it just doesn’t make sense to me.

I haven’t even driven it for about a month, it’s home and we have been down the shore since mid-June. I hope the battery isn’t dead. The Volvo app said it is on standby. Never seen that before.

The problem will be that I bet they ask for more than $31K for it.

au1994

Wow, yeah somebody is going to get a heck of a nice car. Agree that if you only put 16k on it buying it would not be smart.

Refresh our memory, what’s the plan? Use the XC90 as the primary and your mothers RAV4 when necessary? Like @corvette I am sure the search for a decent used car is fruitless.

tjc78

Like @stickguy has mentioned having a truck is just too convenient… Tacomas are actually fairly plentiful and there is a broker on LH that has very good deals for the times we are in

If he ends up with a spec I like I may pull the trigger on one, but no rush at all.

In the interim yes, the XC and Mom’s car will do just fine. Living at the shore for the summer I also have a Schwinn that gets me around too!

sda

tjc78 said:

Like @stickguy has mentioned having a truck is just too convenient… Tacomas are actually fairly plentiful and there is a broker on LH that has very good deals for the times we are in

If he ends up with a spec I like I may pull the trigger on one, but no rush at all.

In the interim yes, the XC and Mom’s car will do just fine. Living at the shore for the summer I also have a Schwinn that gets me around too!

Enjoy the savings of no payment, insurance and costs of ownership.

corvette

@andres3 - I had a MKIV Jetta with the 2.8 liter VR6. Super smooth engine, made great power and was extremely refined for a compact car at the time, but reliability was a nightmare. I have driven a few cars with the 2.5 liter I5, and it seemed like the early MKV were kind of harsh, but in the MKVI and Passat, it felt more refined, but not as punchy as the VR6.

corvette

sda

I had a 95 GLX VR-6 and 2000 GLX VR-6 5sp. In true CCBA form I didn't have either long enough to have some of the issues that these engines were prone to at higher mileage. It was a sweet running engine. The 2000 felt stronger at lower revs and didn't come alive at higher revs like the 95. From what I understand VW revised the engine to provide more torque at lower revs. The 95 had the optional black leather interior and dealer installed remote key entry. Of interest, my 18 Passat 2.0t engine produces the same 174hp and 184ft/lb torque as the larger VR-6.

28firefighter

@sda said:
I had a 95 GLX VR-6 and 2000 GLX VR-6 5sp. In true CCBA form I didn't have either long enough to have some of the issues that these engines were prone to at higher mileage. It was a sweet running engine. The 2000 felt stronger at lower revs and didn't come alive at higher revs like the 95. From what I understand VW revised the engine to provide more torque at lower revs. The 95 had the optional black leather interior and dealer installed remote key entry. Of interest, my 18 Passat 2.0t engine produces the same 174hp and 184ft/lb torque as the larger VR-6.

The 95 era and 2000 era Jetta GLXs were some of my favorite cars as a kid. Loved the way they looked.

au1994

28firefighter said:

@sda said:

I had a 95 GLX VR-6 and 2000 GLX VR-6 5sp. In true CCBA form I didn't have either long enough to have some of the issues that these engines were prone to at higher mileage. It was a sweet running engine. The 2000 felt stronger at lower revs and didn't come alive at higher revs like the 95. From what I understand VW revised the engine to provide more torque at lower revs. The 95 had the optional black leather interior and dealer installed remote key entry. Of interest, my 18 Passat 2.0t engine produces the same 174hp and 184ft/lb torque as the larger VR-6.

The 95 era and 2000 era Jetta GLXs were some of my favorite cars as a kid. Loved the way they looked.

I often heard them referred to as the ‘poor mans BMW’.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

@sda said:

I had a 95 GLX VR-6 and 2000 GLX VR-6 5sp. In true CCBA form I didn't have either long enough to have some of the issues that these engines were prone to at higher mileage. It was a sweet running engine. The 2000 felt stronger at lower revs and didn't come alive at higher revs like the 95. From what I understand VW revised the engine to provide more torque at lower revs. The 95 had the optional black leather interior and dealer installed remote key entry. Of interest, my 18 Passat 2.0t engine produces the same 174hp and 184ft/lb torque as the larger VR-6.

The 95 era and 2000 era Jetta GLXs were some of my favorite cars as a kid. Loved the way they looked.

There was a VW dealership by my house that had a Black/Black '95 Jetta GLX w/ a stick on their lot for well over a year. Was '96 a new body style? I can't remember.

sda

Jetta III went from 94-98.

fintail

When I was a student, a maybe somewhat spoiled roommate had a then nearly-new Jetta, kind of a green grey I think, maybe a 1995 or so. It was a normal 4 cyl car, maybe even had wheelcovers, but I remember it seemed well-equipped with a moonroof, and seemed Germanic. I recall this car had an appetite for something, maybe wheel bearings, and it went to the dealer a couple times for this, under warranty (I recall driving him there in the fintail, when it was my DD).

sda said:

I had a 95 GLX VR-6 and 2000 GLX VR-6 5sp. In true CCBA form I didn't have either long enough to have some of the issues that these engines were prone to at higher mileage. It was a sweet running engine. The 2000 felt stronger at lower revs and didn't come alive at higher revs like the 95. From what I understand VW revised the engine to provide more torque at lower revs. The 95 had the optional black leather interior and dealer installed remote key entry. Of interest, my 18 Passat 2.0t engine produces the same 174hp and 184ft/lb torque as the larger VR-6.

xwesx

2017 Audi 2.0T.... any major or known issues with this drivetrain off the tops of your heads? I know Sandy's wife had issues with the water pump in hers (2013?). Is that still a concern?

sda

From what I understand Audi made changes to the engine in 15, revised pistons/rings to prevent oil burning. Our 16 Q5 with 2.0t at 53k has been fine and does not require oil between changes. The electronic oil level gauge, no dipstick, always shows full. I change the oil roughly every 5k. It calls for an 10k interval but I can't bring myself to go that long. The 16/17 are included in the water pump settlement, i.e. if the water pump fails within a certain period out of warranty it will be replaced at no charge. (8yrs/80k)

Michaell

xwesx said:

2017 Audi 2.0T.... any major or known issues with this drivetrain off the tops of your heads? I know Sandy's wife had issues with the water pump in hers (2013?). Is that still a concern?

Sandy’s wife’s A3 is FWD, and therefore has the 1.8T engine.

andres3

xwesx said:

2017 Audi 2.0T.... any major or known issues with this drivetrain off the tops of your heads? I know Sandy's wife had issues with the water pump in hers (2013?). Is that still a concern?

I would just want to know that maintenance had been properly done and taken care of at appropriate intervals.

laurasdada

So, 2018 BMW 430i Convertible xDrive. 67,200 miles, black over brown, reputable dealer. $32,490.
Whaddya think?

au1994

Miles are a little high, sounds like a pretty color combo but as with anything German and getting older maintenance records are key. Have you looked at it? How is the appearance? Price? Well it was probably right at $60 new so…

laurasdada

Haven't looked at it live yet, perhaps tomorrow.
Chronic car shopper, but been thinking it's time for a 'vert.

sda

In addition to @au1994 suggestion, confirm it has all key fobs. They can easily exceed $500.

laurasdada

The dealer notes up front, one set of keys. Second set at their cost. But, if it is to be, as this will be a toy/discretionary purchase, I'd make one "all-in" OTD offer, including two key fobs, tax, tags, the totally not bogus doc fees and whatever other fine print these old eyes can't read.
But, as noted, very good reputation dealer (mentioned before, Bourne's).

laurasdada

Oh, and I'm loathe to own a black car. But, the A7 is navy blue, not quite 10/10ths, but pretty darn close.

Sandman6472

Our A3 is a 2015 model. On the way home from Orlando Monday, the oil light came on again. Did the same thing back on our 2019 trip up to Orlando. Wife stopped by the Audi store Tuesday morning & they topped off the oil...light went off. No oil leaks & they have no clue as to why it seems to need topping off when we take it up to Orlando. Besides that, car seems to be just fine with just under 71K on the clock. Think we'll just use it for shorter runs around South Florida from now on.
I was under the impression that we were taking the kid's 2020 Accent up for the long weekend as it just hit 11K. That was my choice of vehicle to take since I did all the driving up & back, and it's super easy to drive plus more economical. The wife just drove it to the hotel those two nights. But she wanted to have her vehicle so we took it. Think next time, she'll listen to me for once!!

Sandman6472

Got to drive a 2020 Mini Cooper Countryman at work today and it showed me just how nice my Golf really is! Mine drives so much better and seems to be a bit more substantial to be honest. But I now finally get it, stop looking to replace it and enjoy it for another few years if possible. My co-worker has been telling me this for months now and finally think he might be right. I had him drive it a few times just to see if he felt there was anything wrong. He knows a bunch about cars and just got his '95 Civic coupe back on the road after tweaking it a bit. Just need to get the hood strut taken care of & do something about the brake pedal. Besides that, we're good to go!

corvette

Found that dealer. Don't see a CarFax link, but this would be tempting had I not already planned to take the loaner from my parents. I owned a 2011 or 2012 and the mileage on this one is low enough that I would not worry about CVT issues.

stickguy

nice looking unit. Love the color combo. these days, price seems almost reasonable.

corvette

Agree on the color combo. Mine was metallic white over ivory, which was also nice. They had a burgundy which I'd tie with the navy blue for best color.

The one at Bourne's looks like it's missing the cargo cover. The rear seats recline, so the cargo cover spool is located midway between the seats and the rear hatch and has a shorter cover towards the front that hooks to the rear seats. Super thoughtful design.

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

Found that dealer. Don't see a CarFax link, but this would be tempting had I not already planned to take the loaner from my parents. I owned a 2011 or 2012 and the mileage on this one is low enough that I would not worry about CVT issues.

That 3.5 engine is good but I think the CVT issues start happening at just about that mileage.

qbrozen

Someone here is just insistent on proving the Morono is a hunk of junk first hand. I wish you all the luck!

28firefighter

It’s not my cup of tea, but some friends of ours have one of the same era with like 185,000 miles and the thing won’t die (their criteria for getting a new car). Original CVT and everything.

stickguy

just leafed through a 1997 issue of Car and Driver. Some pretty interesting preview of upcoming designs (the new Concorde is coming!)

Wife started working on another random box out of the basement. That issue and a few consumer reports from the same era were in the bottom with a lot of other assorted junk. Including a pamphlet on how to pack. Turns out, this was all junk from when we moved into this house, and the box went onto a shelf, not to be touched again for 25 years.

The next box turned out to be a bunch of stuff from our wedding.

I really missed my window to sneak a ton more stuff out of the house in the years where I worked from home, and the wife was working in an office! She had no idea what was in these boxes, and never would have missed it if I had thinned out the herd a decade ago.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

It’s not my cup of tea, but some friends of ours have one of the same era with like 185,000 miles and the thing won’t die (their criteria for getting a new car). Original CVT and everything.

Car wizard has done a few episodes about Nissan CVTs. it does seem like doing regular preventative maintenance (fluid and filter changes, not that hard to do) goes a long way to making them last. 85k hard miles without touching the fluid, probably a recipe for disaster. But buying a used one, unless the owner supplies impeccable records, need to assume it was never done.

qbrozen

Well, it looks like I finally scored a Pajero. Had to go with a less than pristine example but I’ll have to make do. Will post more details as I get them.

roadburner

Bless her heart, my bride suggested I consider picking up a used V8 ponycar with three pedals and get that out of my system while waiting to see if M2 Comp prices ever drop.
Hmmm...

28firefighter

@roadburner said:
Bless her heart, my bride suggested I consider picking up a used V8 ponycar with three pedals and get that out of my system while waiting to see if M2 Comp prices ever drop.
Hmmm...

She’s a keeper.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

Bless her heart, my bride suggested I consider picking up a used V8 ponycar with three pedals and get that out of my system while waiting to see if M2 Comp prices ever drop.
Hmmm...

Too bad graphic guy got rid of his Mustang Cobra.

mjfloyd1

@stickguy - maybe it is better that you did not get a hybrid

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-issues-new-fire-risk-recall-expands-earlier-call-back-2022-07-08/

stickguy

that I think is a really low chance of happening. And from the forums It would only happen if the engine self destructed first.

but like I said, to get 45 MPG around town, I will take my chances!

qbrozen

Still waiting on the invoice, but, by the time I get it home, I think I'll be looking at about $6k all in. Has about 165k miles. Duncan has a similar one with 115k but the far less desirable 2.5 engine for $15k. JC had one with far fewer miles but rather questionable condition and many broken components for $10k. So I think I did OK.

Oh, and towing capacity is close to 3 tons.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Still waiting on the invoice, but, by the time I get it home, I think I'll be looking at about $6k all in. Has about 165k miles. Duncan has a similar one with 115k but the far less desirable 2.5 engine for $15k. JC had one with far fewer miles but rather questionable condition and many broken components for $10k. So I think I did OK.

Oh, and towing capacity is close to 3 tons.

How’s that dealer’s license coming. Hoovie already got his and is busy losing money.

au1994

Well, the X1 is dead in the garage. Won’t start but there is power to everything, starter just doesn’t engage so that is what I suspect. It also has the ‘secure vehicle against rolling’ error which is related to a little $3 spring in the shifter from what I read. I’m at the lake and my wife was to come up this morning so I haven’t witnessed in person. Having 3 cars has come in handy!

I’ll get it towed to an independent on Monday. Not messing with a tow remotely plus ours is a side entry garage so its going to have to be pushed out if I can’t get it to start.

This will not sit well with the Mrs. but she is pretty practical with spending and I just don’t think there is anything out there she would be happy with on a $500 or lower lease or buy payment.

Oh and I just put new Michelins on it a month ago!

stickguy

now that truck is really cool. I can see buying those. Is that a diesel? or a turbo gas engine?

28firefighter

I really like that one, @qbrozen. Nice!

qbrozen

stickguy said:

now that truck is really cool. I can see buying those. Is that a diesel? or a turbo gas engine?

TD. The 2.8TD is supposed to be very reliable, moreso than the 2.5. I bypassed many 2.5s over the past few months waiting for one like this.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

How’s that dealer’s license coming. Hoovie already got his and is busy losing money.

Not sure I mentioned it, but I got my application kicked back because they don't like my office. So I'm stuck searching for a new building. No luck so far.

mjfloyd1

Ahhh, a woody

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1862156/ten-woody-cars-time-forgot/

au1994

mjfloyd1 said:

Ahhh, a woody

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1862156/ten-woody-cars-time-forgot/

I would absolutely rock a woody wagon.

roadburner

au1994 said:

Well, the X1 is dead in the garage. Won’t start but there is power to everything, starter just doesn’t engage so that is what I suspect. It also has the ‘secure vehicle against rolling’ error which is related to a little $3 spring in the shifter from what I read. I’m at the lake and my wife was to come up this morning so I haven’t witnessed in person. Having 3 cars has come in handy!

I’ll get it towed to an independent on Monday. Not messing with a tow remotely plus ours is a side entry garage so its going to have to be pushed out if I can’t get it to start.

This will not sit well with the Mrs. but she is pretty practical with spending and I just don’t think there is anything out there she would be happy with on a $500 or lower lease or buy payment.

Oh and I just put new Michelins on it a month ago!

My money is on the battery. How many miles are on it? I haven't had a BMW/Mini starter fail before 160k miles.

jmonroe1

@roadburner said:
Bless her heart, my bride suggested I consider picking up a used V8 ponycar with three pedals and get that out of my system while waiting to see if M2 Comp prices ever drop.
Hmmm...

————————————————
That’s very considerate. Where did you find her? One thing for sure; you ain’t gonna trade her in.

jmonroe

au1994

roadburner said:

au1994 said:

Well, the X1 is dead in the garage. Won’t start but there is power to everything, starter just doesn’t engage so that is what I suspect. It also has the ‘secure vehicle against rolling’ error which is related to a little $3 spring in the shifter from what I read. I’m at the lake and my wife was to come up this morning so I haven’t witnessed in person. Having 3 cars has come in handy!

I’ll get it towed to an independent on Monday. Not messing with a tow remotely plus ours is a side entry garage so its going to have to be pushed out if I can’t get it to start.

This will not sit well with the Mrs. but she is pretty practical with spending and I just don’t think there is anything out there she would be happy with on a $500 or lower lease or buy payment.

Oh and I just put new Michelins on it a month ago!

My money is on the battery. How many miles are on it? I haven't had a BMW/Mini starter fail before 160k miles.

About 50k