Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

fintail

Luxury trim final run S212 with leather and lighting (which for me is a must-have), definitely not a common car.

ronsteve said:

Observations from here in Louisville... Regular unleaded is $3.69 plus or minus on my side of town, which stands to reason premium will be around 4.29. Costco was 4.04 when I filled up the RDX last week... going to take frequent visits to make sure the membership pays for itself. BUT...

Just for sh*ts and giggles, I did what still seems like a monthly check of my value on Carvana. After seeing something barely north of 14 last month, the offer I got yesterday was $17,8. Almost enough to really tempt me to shop, but with interest rates on the way up it may be pretty appealing to keep driving a car that's paid off.

I worry that if I go too long, the Jetta could start creeping closer to replacement age, and we might be faced with a 2-car-payment scenario. Mileage isn't a big deal these days because we have barely put 7K miles on it since the start of the pandemic. My shift work life isn't enough to let us go to one car. But after the numbers on the RDX, I decided to have a little more fun and enter the Jetta info... $8k on a 13 Jetta?! How the hell is Carvana going to stay in business?!

But what would I replace the RDX with? My automotive wanderlust seems to be at a low the last few months. The newer generation RDX with the turbo might be appealing, especially as much as the Acura dealership spoiled me during the traumatic timing belt service... an Outback XT could also be a player. But there's also something about having no car payments for a while.

Now if I was having a real CCB crisis, there is this guy... https://jeffwylernissanoflouisville.com/used/Mercedes-Benz/2016-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-6ed40b200a0e0a9275aae8c07689b920.htm

qbrozen

@Michaell said:
OK, need to get the hive mind going around here. It's time for the Edmunds version of "What Car Should I Buy"...

Youngest nephew was set on getting a new Civic Sedan, Sport trim. Turns out it's a bit out of budget. He's in mourning at the moment, but my sister and I have started to move on. Some general search parameters:* Max budget of $18-20K

• Prefers a sedan, a hatch would be OK

• Blue or Black exterior color

• Reasonable mileage for the age

• Not going to break the bank for repairs and maintenance

• Does not want another Mazda (he's the one that sold his 3 to CarMax a week or two ago for $1500)

• Within 40 miles of zip 92127

I've already poked around on cars.com, but I want to get the opinions of the folks here.

No rush on this - he's driving my mom's Sonata for the interim.

Thanks!

Does the $20k include taxes and fees?

In looking at this very budget recently, I had suggested a new Impreza to my SIL.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

@Michaell said:

OK, need to get the hive mind going around here. It's time for the Edmunds version of "What Car Should I Buy"...

Youngest nephew was set on getting a new Civic Sedan, Sport trim. Turns out it's a bit out of budget. He's in mourning at the moment, but my sister and I have started to move on. Some general search parameters:* Max budget of $18-20K

• Prefers a sedan, a hatch would be OK

• Blue or Black exterior color

• Reasonable mileage for the age

• Not going to break the bank for repairs and maintenance

• Does not want another Mazda (he's the one that sold his 3 to CarMax a week or two ago for $1500)

• Within 40 miles of zip 92127

I've already poked around on cars.com, but I want to get the opinions of the folks here.

No rush on this - he's driving my mom's Sonata for the interim.

Thanks!

Does the $20k include taxes and fees?

No. Tax is 7.75%, fees are around $400 or so.

corvette

@ronsteve @fintail - well enough, but that one appears to have curb damage on all four wheels. And it's sliver over grey.

andres3

tifighter said:

Oh hai.

I test drove a '19 M2C over the holiday weekend. I like the extra power vs. the original M2 but through the rev band it didn't seem all that much more powerful. It was ultimately the top end where the biggest differences lie. I think it hits its highest numbers higher in the power band whereas the older M2 seemed more consistent throughout the power band (consistent, yet lower power numbers). I don't mind the older M2 at all. Seems "safer."

400+ RWD HP seems like enough to get yourself into trouble for sure. BMW handling makes me a bit nervous testing anywhere near the limits. The "light" was blinking at me a bit I think as an early warning of computer intervention. I'm sure I wasn't at the limit yet; and just need more BMW seat time to feel more comfortableness when the squirminess starts.

My first BMW shouldn't likely be a real "M" unless it's the "old" M.

xwesx

tjc78 said:

You know… lots of things play a factor when buying a truck. Towing capacity, comfort, fuel economy, resale value, payload to name a few. I’ve learned none of that matters if you can’t put your coffee carrier safely inside the console. 😜😜😜

What the.... Okay, that's just nuts! Wow!

xwesx

tjc78 said:

My Father’s side of the family are all car nuts. My uncle and cousins own a transmission shop. My other Uncle ran Dodge dealerships for years, had his own lot and his son is currently a Service Mgr at a Chrysler dealer. Anyway…. I won’t ever visit them or go to a function where they will all be without my car looking pristine!

Hey, at least your days of bringing shame to the family seem to be over... for now.

qbrozen

Wife says she wants to keep the Sprinter.

Huh.

fintail

corvette said:

@ronsteve @fintail - well enough, but that one appears to have curb damage on all four wheels. And it's sliver over grey.

And dirty mats and not particularly low miles, and maybe not a bargain price - still a nice rare car though. Wheel refinishing would definitely be a condition of sale.

stickguy

so 18K sales price in Cali is the limit? tough getting nice and good miles in this crazy used market. Can you work out a stretch to jumping to something new to pick up many years and miles?

doing a quick cars.com search, slim pickings. especially when dropping the accidents and branded titles that actually looked like reasonable prices!

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d8737e13-3b7e-4f25-9b55-942a2e1f2afe/ -seems clean, and what dealers ask for nice stuff. but how much off of buying new is this to lose 2 years and 25K miles?

way too cheap so I assume this is a place selling rebuilds.

https://www.vtekmotorsports.com/details/used-2020-honda-civic/86731247

https://www.vtekmotorsports.com/details/used-2021-honda-civic/87207409

stickguy

based on this, sell him the sonata and just do the rest of the preventive maintenance and repairs it needs.

tjc78

@xwesx said:
Hey, at least your days of bringing shame to the family seem to be over... for now.

There is some truth to that. This is the first Chrysler product I’ve owned. I’m probably the only one in the family that hasn’t owned several.

tjc78

@xwesx said:
What the.... Okay, that's just nuts! Wow!

Lol. Just messing around of course.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
Wife says she wants to keep the Sprinter.

Huh.

Tough to give up all that room!

stickguy

has she really driven it yet? or is this just going to stay parked in the driveway (definitely not fitting in a garage!) when not heading to SC? have her make a Walmart run with it and she might change her mind.

Michaell

stickguy said:

so 18K sales price in Cali is the limit? tough getting nice and good miles in this crazy used market. Can you work out a stretch to jumping to something new to pick up many years and miles?

doing a quick cars.com search, slim pickings. especially when dropping the accidents and branded titles that actually looked like reasonable prices!

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d8737e13-3b7e-4f25-9b55-942a2e1f2afe/ -seems clean, and what dealers ask for nice stuff. but how much off of buying new is this to lose 2 years and 25K miles?

way too cheap so I assume this is a place selling rebuilds.

https://www.vtekmotorsports.com/details/used-2020-honda-civic/86731247

https://www.vtekmotorsports.com/details/used-2021-honda-civic/87207409

You missed the line item about exterior color ....

Michaell

stickguy said:

based on this, sell him the sonata and just do the rest of the preventive maintenance and repairs it needs.

Can't sell the Sonata ... there are three other grandkids to consider with the estate.

stickguy

he is a kid with a way too low budget for the criteria. So I laughed off being picky about color. If you find a quality car that is purple over yellow, he will just have to get used to it!

Michaell

stickguy said:

he is a kid with a way too low budget for the criteria. So I laughed off being picky about color. If you find a quality car that is purple over yellow, he will just have to get used to it!

Maybe. Adjusting expectations can be tough. She explained what his older brothers had at his age.

No rush on this.

qbrozen

Exactly. She doesn't want to give up the room. "Hey, I wanted something bigger, so here it is."

I'm tempted to at least airbag it and maybe get it down under 10' high. Lol.

corvette

@qbrozen - happy wife, happy life!

tifighter

@andres3 said:
I test drove a '19 M2C over the holiday weekend. I like the extra power vs. the original M2 but through the rev band it didn't seem all that much more powerful. It was ultimately the top end where the biggest differences lie. I think it hits its highest numbers higher in the power band whereas the older M2 seemed more consistent throughout the power band (consistent, yet lower power numbers). I don't mind the older M2 at all. Seems "safer."

400+ RWD HP seems like enough to get yourself into trouble for sure. BMW handling makes me a bit nervous testing anywhere near the limits. The "light" was blinking at me a bit I think as an early warning of computer intervention. I'm sure I wasn't at the limit yet; and just need more BMW seat time to feel more comfortableness when the squirminess starts.

My first BMW shouldn't likely be a real "M" unless it's the "old" M.

Hey, cool car! I like the color.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

OK, need to get the hive mind going around here. It's time for the Edmunds version of "What Car Should I Buy"...

Youngest nephew was set on getting a new Civic Sedan, Sport trim. Turns out it's a bit out of budget. He's in mourning at the moment, but my sister and I have started to move on. Some general search parameters:

• Max budget of $18-20K
  
• Prefers a sedan, a hatch would be OK
  
• Blue or Black exterior color
  
• Reasonable mileage for the age
  
• Not going to break the bank for repairs and maintenance
  
• Does not want another Mazda (he's the one that sold his 3 to CarMax a week or two ago for $1500)
  
• Within 40 miles of zip 92127
  

I've already poked around on cars.com, but I want to get the opinions of the folks here.

No rush on this - he's driving my mom's Sonata for the interim.

Thanks!

You could always let him keep the Sonata or look into a new Elantra. They start around $21k. How old is the nephew and is he looking for a sports car or just transportation?

Sports car:
https://www.eastcountypreowned.com/details/?vin=1ZVBP8AMXC5209433&type=used&desc=2012-Ford-Mustang-Coupe&utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx&utm_term=1ZVBP8AMXC5209433_761FB17D/F358/A29F/5793/3C40C37EEF81

Transportation:
https://express.hyundaiescondido.com/inventory/used?other_vin=5NPD84LF8LH532900&utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Wife says she wants to keep the Sprinter.

Huh.

You just had to let air out of the tires to make the ride more comfy, didn’t ya?

[Deleted User]

@Michaell - well below budget, too expensive to maintain?
https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/WBAPH7G56BNM58405

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

Michaell said:

OK, need to get the hive mind going around here. It's time for the Edmunds version of "What Car Should I Buy"...

Youngest nephew was set on getting a new Civic Sedan, Sport trim. Turns out it's a bit out of budget. He's in mourning at the moment, but my sister and I have started to move on. Some general search parameters:

• Max budget of $18-20K
  
• Prefers a sedan, a hatch would be OK
  
• Blue or Black exterior color
  
• Reasonable mileage for the age
  
• Not going to break the bank for repairs and maintenance
  
• Does not want another Mazda (he's the one that sold his 3 to CarMax a week or two ago for $1500)
  
• Within 40 miles of zip 92127
  

I've already poked around on cars.com, but I want to get the opinions of the folks here.

No rush on this - he's driving my mom's Sonata for the interim.

Thanks!

You could always let him keep the Sonata or look into a new Elantra. They start around $21k. How old is the nephew and is he looking for a sports car or just transportation?

Sports car:
https://www.eastcountypreowned.com/details/?vin=1ZVBP8AMXC5209433&type=used&desc=2012-Ford-Mustang-Coupe&utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx&utm_term=1ZVBP8AMXC5209433_761FB17D/F358/A29F/5793/3C40C37EEF81

Transportation:
https://express.hyundaiescondido.com/inventory/used?other_vin=5NPD84LF8LH532900&utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx

The nephew will turn 19 at the end of the year.

Just transportation - I don't think a Mustang would help with the overall insurance cost (there are already 4 vehicles on the policy).

Michaell

dad23 said:

@Michaell - well below budget, too expensive to maintain?
https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/WBAPH7G56BNM58405

I have to admit, I kind of like that.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions. I think this is going to simmer for a while before they get back in the market.

We're hoping that prices start to ease, but that will be offset by higher interest rates.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

You just had to let air out of the tires to make the ride more comfy, didn’t ya?

yes, I did.

stickguy

If that bmw had a stick and RWD I’d like it too!

breld

We are always happy to share stories of a punch, but here's one to demonstrate that Mrs. Breld does exhibit some restraint...

We decided to check out any available GV70's on Saturday and ended up finding this one available at our nearby Hyundai/Genesis dealer:



3.5T Sport version, so the base version with the 6 cylinder, but still well equipped. I tend to hand wash our cars anyway, so the matte finish isn’t too concerning, and it does look sharp. It’s a very impressive vehicle to drive - great interior and the V-6 is strong.

She’s very interested, but we drove the 530i I have on loan while the X5 is getting some maintenance, so we rush home to grab the Bronco to bring it back for trade appraisal. And in that 45 minutes round trip home and back, she realized how much she is attached to the Bronco. We still go through the exercise of getting some numbers just so we know, and she also considers the Advanced trim for the GV70, but at the end of the day, and long weekend, she decides to hold on to her beloved Bronco.

At least for this week.

henryn

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:

Over the last year, Carvana offers on my 2013 F150 XL have varied quite a bit, starting at around $13.5, peaking at $15.2 a few months ago, and just now coming in at $12.1 (lowest to date). It's always interesting to see the latest numbers, but I have no intention of parting with it until I can get my hands on a new or newer one without breaking the bank.

I expect the solid underlying value of the truck to be at or about $10k, so I wouldn't expect to lose a great deal by waiting and keeping. And to tell the truth, I now wish I had kept my 2018 XLT instead of selling for a profit. Not something I ever expected to say, but there it is. I never predicted the craziness to last this long.

If I remember correctly you got that 2013 truck for a bargain price. If it were me I’d keep it forever and get a good feeling every time I drove it.

The biggest problem is the regular cab. I would really like to get back into a crew cab, or at least an extended cab. But for now, I'm going to sit tight.

corvette

I love the matte finish on that Genesis.

mjfloyd1

@breld said:
We are always happy to share stories of a punch, but here's one to demonstrate that Mrs. Breld does exhibit some restraint...

We decided to check out any available GV70's on Saturday and ended up finding this one available at our nearby Hyundai/Genesis dealer:

3.5T Sport version, so the base version with the 6 cylinder, but still well equipped. I tend to hand wash our cars anyway, so the matte finish isn’t too concerning, and it does look sharp. It’s a very impressive vehicle to drive - great interior and the V-6 is strong.

She’s very interested, but we drove the 530i I have on loan while the X5 is getting some maintenance, so we rush home to grab the Bronco to bring it back for trade appraisal. And in that 45 minutes round trip home and back, she realized how much she is attached to the Bronco. We still go through the exercise of getting some numbers just so we know, and she also considers the Advanced trim for the GV70, but at the end of the day, and long weekend, she decides to hold on to her beloved Bronco.

At least for this week.

Now I am convinced that the @breld account has been hacked by an imposter 🤣😂

28firefighter

@breld blink twice if you are in danger.

mjfloyd1

@28firefighter said:
@breld blink twice if you are in danger.

I have a funny feeling that @breld is duct taped up inside of an inflatable kayak in the back of said Bronco with a smiling Mrs @breld at the helm🤣😁

oldfarmer50

dad23 said:

@Michaell - well below budget, too expensive to maintain?
https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/WBAPH7G56BNM58405

That’s the first car I’ve seen for sale at a dealer for under $10k in over 2 years.

oldfarmer50

henryn said:

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:

Over the last year, Carvana offers on my 2013 F150 XL have varied quite a bit, starting at around $13.5, peaking at $15.2 a few months ago, and just now coming in at $12.1 (lowest to date). It's always interesting to see the latest numbers, but I have no intention of parting with it until I can get my hands on a new or newer one without breaking the bank.

I expect the solid underlying value of the truck to be at or about $10k, so I wouldn't expect to lose a great deal by waiting and keeping. And to tell the truth, I now wish I had kept my 2018 XLT instead of selling for a profit. Not something I ever expected to say, but there it is. I never predicted the craziness to last this long.

If I remember correctly you got that 2013 truck for a bargain price. If it were me I’d keep it forever and get a good feeling every time I drove it.

The biggest problem is the regular cab. I would really like to get back into a crew cab, or at least an extended cab. But for now, I'm going to sit tight.

I wouldn’t have any problem with a regular cab PU since you get more bed that way. I’d pay $10k for a rust free truck in a Texas minute.

How many miles on that again?

corvette

I've seen several under $10k, especially at non-franchise dealers, but they are not pretty when you look at them up close.

jmonroe1

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

based on this, sell him the sonata and just do the rest of the preventive maintenance and repairs it needs.

Can't sell the Sonata ... there are three other grandkids to consider with the estate.

———————————————
First come, first served.

jmonroe

roadburner

@graphicguy I know you mentioned that one of your dealers was being taken over by a dealer group you are not too enamored with. Are the initials of the group JW? I ask because that same group is taking over a dealership that has a car that I’m considering.

jmonroe1

corvette said:

@qbrozen - happy wife, happy life!

————————————————-
Under normal circumstances that’s true but I’ve been chased around the table when Mrs. j is smiling. Try to figure that out. I’ve stopped trying.

jmonroe

ab348

qbrozen said:

Wife says she wants to keep the Sprinter.

Huh.

"Fine. Here are the keys. I'll take all the other keys now."

jmonroe1

corvette said:

I love the matte finish on that Genesis.

————————————————
Really? No matter what the finish, it’s still Old Man’s Gray.

jmonroe

xwesx

Quick update on my son's car search: He found one! Considering his price range and what he was after, I think it worked out as well as it possibly could have.

The longer story: He was pretty dead-set on getting a Subaru (familiarity and all that), plus he didn't want to spend more than $5,500 (out of pocket purchase). As I noted before, we spent a couple weeks getting ghosted by various sellers in the region (we set a ~100-mile search radius from our location in Conneaut, OH, so that included a couple of major metropolitan areas).

For some odd reason, one of the cars that fell into the search criteria was a 2010 Forester XT that was located on the near-end of the Indianapolis, IN, area. Certainly NOT within 100 miles, but no further than a quick trip to Anchorage (from our home in Fairbanks). The seller was responsive, and the car looked like it was in reasonably good condition for the age (e.g., no rust, decent body condition and mechanical). My son really wanted to take a look, plus I was going to buy a set of wheels for my Q7 from a guy that was south of Toledo (a little over half-way there), so we went ahead and made a day of it.

We left at 0600 that morning with the plan to stop for the wheels by about 10. Got there on schedule, wheels were fine, seller and his father were engaging to chat with, so we stood around swapping stories for a good half hour. Their poor dog was convinced that my son and I were devils and had to be scorned incessantly, so we finally wrapped up the chats and headed back on the road. A short time later, I thought to check in with the Indiana guy, and quickly noted that he pulled his listing! I quickly called him, and he said he didn't sell the car, but he pulled the listing because he had taken the car to a mechanic. The mechanic said that the turbo was on it's way out, so he didn't feel comfortable selling the car that way.

Admirable! I said we still wanted to come take a look and would be there in about two hours. He waffled a bit, then finally admitted that there hadn't been time for the news to really sink in yet on the car's condition, so he wanted to weigh his options and get back to me in a few days. No problem... saves me a lot of driving! As we turned around (son was driving all this time, FYI), I checked email and saw that one of my ghost-sellers had actually responded! She said, "call my husband at *this* number." Okay, I thought.... good timing!

xwesx

Called the number, the guy answers, we chat. He says, "I'll be honest. I've had a lot of folks contact me saying they were going to come look at it, and very few have actually showed up." After telling me he'd hate for us to drive all that way and him not have the car, I clarified that we were WEST of him (he was in the Cleveland area) and were headed to the EAST of him... literally, he was no more than a mile or two off our planned route anyway.

So, he gives us his address, I told him we would call about an hour out to get a status update, and he said, "Great; maybe you can do a bidding war with the four other people who say they're coming this afternoon!" We get there, and he's quite happy to see us: Nobody else has shown up that day. We chat about Alaska, all that good stuff, my son takes the car for a run. He comes back and says, "I like it! Except, it sounds like it has a second motor running, but one I can't control..." Uh-oh. I take for a quick spin, maybe two minutes, and come back to declare that a wheel bearing is bad. Seller is bummed.

Another couple shows up, wants to buy it for $4K just to get out of there (haven't looked at it or driven it yet). I ask my son what he wants to do, and he offers the guy full ask: $4,500. Other couple bows out and leaves, they shake on it, and it's a done deal except the details. Of course, us being 5,000 miles from home doesn't do wonders for having easy funds on hand, but they decide to take a personal check from me after another half hour of chatting.

Ultimately, it worked out really well for both parties, and all because we went to get those tires and look at the Indiana car.

Without further ado:

xwesx

2009 Subaru Forester X Premium. 158,000 miles. Purchased on 8/27/22. Lots of recent (and significant) work done. Only immediate need: Front left wheel bearing. I think it was the best he was going to do in this market for his price range and desired make. Probably would have done no better than $6K on the same car in Alaska, so not a bad move overall (even though he'll spend $1,000 in fuel getting it back there!).

xwesx

He already got his parts and we spent some time replacing the wheel bearing, plus the other side's bearing, plus the front brake calipers and rotors! Even though the car started out here and ended up here (for the sale), this car spent most of its life in Colorado. As such, the subframes and body actually look really good (better than the Crosstrek, TBH). However, the brake calipers were heavily rusted and the pistons were somewhat sticky on the driver side. For the cost of replacements, I felt like it was worthwhile to just replace it all while we had it off the car anyway. So, I paid for half of the parts cost to encourage him to do it (job was about $550 total in parts).

I showed him what needed to be done, and, aside from bleeding the new brakes and some lended muscle when it came time to break those bearings loose, he did all of the work himself. About four hours. Car looks, sounds, and functions much better now!

explorerx4

@micheall,
Highest bidder among the grandkids. That would be fair for the estate.

sda

xwesx said:

He already got his parts and we spent some time replacing the wheel bearing, plus the other side's bearing, plus the front brake calipers and rotors! Even though the car started out here and ended up here (for the sale), this car spent most of its life in Colorado. As such, the subframes and body actually look really good (better than the Crosstrek, TBH). However, the brake calipers were heavily rusted and the pistons were somewhat sticky on the driver side. For the cost of replacements, I felt like it was worthwhile to just replace it all while we had it off the car anyway. So, I paid for half of the parts cost to encourage him to do it (job was about $550 total in parts).

I showed him what needed to be done, and, aside from bleeding the new brakes and some lended muscle when it came time to break those bearings loose, he did all of the work himself. About four hours. Car looks, sounds, and functions much better now!

That’s tremendous. Great experience for your son with you readily assisting him.

tjc78

@xwesx

Awesome!