Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
A. Status quo. Take advantage of the time of no car payment. The risk is how much we would give back in maintenance and further depreciation.
B. Replace my RDX. Of the replacement scenarios, I think this might get less resistance from my better half. At this point I'd most likely go with something like https://www.carmax.com/car/23118354... even the colors are right.
C(D/E). Take the insane offer on the Jetta and replace it. Simplest strategy from there would be a new Jetta (SEL would get a nice car and stay solidly in budget, even more so than the RDX-for-Outback strategy), but more tempting strategies might involve either a new GLI, or if I'm going that high, https://www.coasttocoastimports.com/used-2019-lexus-is-300-fishers-in-id-48470142
Lexus looks nice. Certainly fancier than an old jettta!
Who’s car is it going to be? That should be the person deciding! And I assume you do need two otherwise could take the offer on Jett and go with one for a while.
Otherwise change out whichever one you like the least since both are probably at top price right now.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
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Fingers crossed that it's good for a while, as between this and the wheel bearing/axle assembly and front brakes and rotors, I've now officially spent more than I paid for the car in repairs.
'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
But you are married to it now! ;b
'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 agree. Maybe he should get a new wallet now…with a heavy duty hinge before he can’t afford it.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
How long did it take to wrench it in there? Just curious, how much does that sucker weigh?
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Just getting back in here.
Thanks for the response. An hour doesn’t sound bad at all even for a pro. Hell, @xwesx spent longer than that just undoing electrical connectors and hose clamps when he tore his Audi apart. 80 pounds ain’t bad either but I’m sure the long range Tesla and other long range jobs need a helper to finagle them in place before wrenching them down.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I’m trying out a mobile oil change company in the morn. Easier than driving each one somewhere separately. I’ve asked the Charger and Fiat be done for starters. Hopefully they have the right oil.
'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
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
a sprinter? I think QB might have just gotten another business idea....
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Hopefully someone runs the engines to get the oil hot before the sucking machine is inserted. That’s another reason why I like to do my own oil changes. When I unscrew the drain plug I let it drop onto a screen that I put on top of drain pan. There is no way I’m going to hold that hot drain plug.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It easier to suck out warm/hot oil vs. ambient temperature oil. And if this sucking method is used when the temp is freezing or lower I wouldn’t want it done on any car I own.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
I saw a video where they did the dipstick method, but there was still a considerable amount of oil in the pan when they took the drain plug out.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-ford-ltd-country-squire-wagon/
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
That one is almost hard loaded. Auto temp, premium sound, auto lamp, cornering lights and a trip-minder computer.
No load leveling and why on earth didn’t they spec turbine wheels? Honestly I’m not familiar with that style of wire wheel cover on those. They may not be correct for the year.
Only knock on this, being an 85 no SEFI but the throttle body injection isn’t too bad on these.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
So RAM will need its first shop visit. The cold start problem is real. It has done it every cold start since I first reported it. I am surprised no check engine light.
It will either stall on first start or sputter and buck pretty bad until it levels out.
My cousin is service manager at a Chrysler dealer, but there are multiple dealers closer so I’ll try that first.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Found this. Typical.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Chrysler has had so many problems with the CEL over the years they decided to disconnect the bulb for all 2022 models and beyond.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Oopsie, it ain’t us it’s the other guy.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Ironically this all started after using 93 from BJs. I had zero issues with 87 from Wawa.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
'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
It’s actually pretty easy to do. SEFI harness from 86+. Heads, Cam, Intake, Injectors and computer from 88+ Mark VII. Some guys prefer to use an Explorer cam and intake but you usually have to upgrade from speed density to mass air.
Most guys also try and grab 90 Town Car exhaust manifolds and convert to dual exhaust.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Manual says it is tuned to run on 87-89 with 89 being preferred. The manual also states rough starting can be attributed to fuel
So I’m gonna run this tank all the way down put in Wawa 87 which the truck did find on. If I still get odd issues starting I’ll take it to the dealer.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I also read many reports of needing to recalibrate the gas pedal which seems like a pretty easy DIY process.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
EDIT: Or maybe they are generic replacements. Here is a shot of what is on the car. That center emblem does not appear to be anything Ford produced.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I knew they weren’t 85 specific covers. Doesn’t matter.. If I bought it, turbines would be on within the first week!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Better check the octane requirement first. You don’t want to ruin two vehicles this Winter.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)