Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

I have absolutely zero use for it or anywhere to park it, but I love those Pajero Minis.

qbrozen

hmmm... looking for some votes here. I think this looks great, personally, and it is LHD with a stick. I have not found any comps, however, as I guess nobody has seen fit to bring any here. 1992 Fiat Tipo with about 70k miles. What would you pay or think the market would pay?

stickguy

I probably would not pay much, but I love it!

Parts availability scares me. Especially with how often an old Fiat will need them.

I really just need to find a clean enough NC Miata.

28firefighter

Agree with stick - would want to know what parts availability is like.

nyccarguy

It is so hard to judge. Very cool Italian car. LHD & manual. Is that RWD? It definitely has that old school, European, GTI vibe going for it. 30 years old though. I don't know what the market on that is. $3K?

rayains

I realized this morning that I did
not post a picture of the front/face...

- Ray
No sun = no blue highlights.

stickguy

One of the nicer looking bmw noses.

nyccarguy

I happen to really like the X3.

qbrozen

You guys are so unadventurous. Haha. Parts? Geez. $3k? What? I bet even a 70k-mile rust-free Chevette would fetch more than that.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

You guys are so unadventurous. Haha. Parts? Geez. $3k? What? I bet even a 70k-mile rust-free Chevette would fetch more than that.

There are no comps. I mean. Maybe that's a Cars & Bids candidate?

28firefighter

I think it's probably a $6k car in the absence of more information.

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

I think it's probably a $6k car in the absence of more information.

That's kind of where my head is at. But I'm often low.

As for C&B, I got a message this morn that they've accepted the Gloria. Small hitch... when I took it out this morn, it isn't running right. I've been having a challenge with the timing belt service. First time I did it, it was definitely wrong, as it was tapping a little. Did some research, watched videos, etc, and determined it was likely how I set the tensioner. Took it apart and redid it. Reassembled and it seemed to be good. Now, when I drove it under load, it is sputtering a bit. Looks like I'll be taking it apart yet again. Maybe the tensioner needs more tension. I dunno.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

You guys are so unadventurous. Haha. Parts? Geez. $3k? What? I bet even a 70k-mile rust-free Chevette would fetch more than that.

Sorry but I have to go with the crowd. Parts on even low production American cars are a problem at that age. I can’t imagine there being a lot available on a Euro car of dubious reliability.

Could you check on availability before you buy?

stickguy

Just saw an update from car wizard. He had to try multiple sources, and eventually have a guy in Australia come up with, some bearings for a 2012 Nissan Rogue. That’s just crazy.

ab348

I've been seeing anecdotal reports on social media about Nissan having problems supplying parts for vehicles that are still under warranty. Probably partly due to the chip shortage, but likely also due to Nissan being Nissan.

stickguy

That engine apparently was also a Renault unit. That likely won’t help.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
hmmm... looking for some votes here. I think this looks great, personally, and it is LHD with a stick. I have not found any comps, however, as I guess nobody has seen fit to bring any here. 1992 Fiat Tipo with about 70k miles. What would you pay or think the market would pay?

Can’t put a price on plaid!!!

Wild guess to the right person $6500 or so

stickguy

That looks like a cars and bids piece to me.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

Could you check on availability before you buy?

That's the next guy's problem.

corvette

@stickguy - it was a Juke. The annoying thing was that Nissan apparently sends the wrong parts when you ask for bearings for that engine--I think it happened at dealers here in the States as well as Australia. I think he's planning on selling it once he's finished. I thought he would get to it earlier, and I was halfway interested in it as a "tide me over" car between the Tundra lease ending and my Maverick getting here, but here we are.

stickguy

Juke. I knew that. I’m just feeble now.

Yeah, once the computer database gets a mistake in it, you’ll never get what you need.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

whoops, I did it again. Just can't control my trigger finger.
Will wind up with a pair of Pajero Minis. Wonder if I could tow them both at the same time.

Yes you could. You just need to have a trailer of sufficient length! You need a 20' dual-axle flat bed with ramps, I think.

xwesx

rayains said:

I realized this morning that I did
not post a picture of the front/face...

- Ray
No sun = no blue highlights.

Ah, very German! Handsome BMW!

xwesx

qbrozen said:

You guys are so unadventurous. Haha. Parts? Geez. $3k? What? I bet even a 70k-mile rust-free Chevette would fetch more than that.

I was thinking 4-5K, probably for the reasons others mention. A lack of comps means something to buyers, too. However, you might be able to fetch up to 7K for someone who really had to have it!

I like it; very cool vibe.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Could you check on availability before you buy?

That's the next guy's problem.

Well, I'm just gonna say it: If you buy it, you *are* the next guy (for now!).

qbrozen

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

whoops, I did it again. Just can't control my trigger finger.
Will wind up with a pair of Pajero Minis. Wonder if I could tow them both at the same time.

Yes you could. You just need to have a trailer of sufficient length! You need a 20' dual-axle flat bed with ramps, I think.

I think more like 22. If the trailer was 2k lb, the total would be right around 6k. So it is manageable. I just don't have such a trailer, of course. Does give me something to ponder, though, as I have yet to tackle buying a trailer. If only it was safe to actually drive one into the Sprinter, I'd do it.

xwesx

I know that you're only 26% serious, but, if the sizing helps at all, I have a Polaris 6x6 (looks much like the one below). I have it in my enclosed 6x12 trailer. It is a "fat" 4' wide (I can squeeze it into the bed of my truck, but it is a TIGHT fit there). I think the specs on it state 49" wide and 97" long, but actual space need (to get on/off it and front to rear with the front winch, etc.) is about 6'x10'. If it had a door, I wouldn't be opening it in there!





For a flat bed trailer, I think you'd need the deck 20' long since you can overhang both the front and rear of the deck as needed. Of course, with those little kei cars, they put the wheels near the corners, so there isn't much overhang available!

qbrozen

Oh, I'm not joking!
The rear opening of the sprinter is 61". Plenty of room. And, being RHD, I can easily open the door once inside thanks to the side sliding door of the van. It is almost like it was made for the task. lol.

xwesx

Well, let me indulge your consideration, then!

I think the "safe" way to do this is to build out some long ramps (preferably aluminum for weight) at 8' given the height of your van. Have them self-standing (e.g., with substructure and webbing between them), then connect them via a locking pivot point to your hitch receiver. Put a folding metal "flap" on the ends of the ramp to bridge the small gap between the front of the ramps and the floor of your van.

Then, you can mount the ramps to the hitch, pivot them up for transport, pivot down to the ground, open the doors, flip the flaps to the interior floor, and securely drive the little kei inside.

Sounds like fun to me!

laurasdada

qbrozen said:

hmmm... looking for some votes here. I think this looks great, personally, and it is LHD with a stick. I have not found any comps, however, as I guess nobody has seen fit to bring any here. 1992 Fiat Tipo with about 70k miles. What would you pay or think the market would pay?

And I continue to struggle mightily on buying a third car for us... slinking away in shame...

tifighter

qbrozen said:

Oh, I'm not joking!
The rear opening of the sprinter is 61". Plenty of room. And, being RHD, I can easily open the door once inside thanks to the side sliding door of the van. It is almost like it was made for the task. lol.

But what's the width between the wheel wells?

stickguy

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/301389400035863385/&psig=AOvVaw0k2wBwj4JkrhekUk-_vbXi&ust=1667506291655000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAgQjRxqFwoTCKjy9JKnkPsCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

stickguy

Stop screwing around and do it right!

ab348

Some early retirements from the Ford C-suite, including their quality chief (who knew?)

Joy Falotico
President of Lincoln

Falotico, who is retiring Dec. 1, has been president of Lincoln since 2018. She has been a Ford group vice president since 2016 and was previously CEO of Ford Motor Credit Co. She also was Ford’s chief marketing officer from March 2018 through January 2021. She served in several senior positions with Ford Credit starting in 1989. She is on the board of directors at Alliant Energy.

Stuart Rowley
Chief transformation and quality officer

Rowley, who will retire Dec. 1, has been chief transformation and quality officer since March. He also is chair and a former president of Ford of Europe. Rowley previously was COO of Ford North America and was vice president of strategy for Ford from 2016 to 2018; vice president and controller from 2012 to 2016; and CFO of Ford of Europe from 2010 to 2012. He joined Ford in 1990 as a financial analyst for Ford of Britain.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Oh, I'm not joking!
The rear opening of the sprinter is 61". Plenty of room. And, being RHD, I can easily open the door once inside thanks to the side sliding door of the van. It is almost like it was made for the task. lol.

Just don’t do this:

https://youtu.be/IMtuEg-n1ZI

stickguy

oopsie

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

Oh, I'm not joking!
The rear opening of the sprinter is 61". Plenty of room. And, being RHD, I can easily open the door once inside thanks to the side sliding door of the van. It is almost like it was made for the task. lol.

Just don’t do this:

https://youtu.be/IMtuEg-n1ZI

Reminds me of a guy on Edmunds in a Mustang topic many years ago; he annoyed everyone for months agonizing over the correct color combo for the Mustang he was ordering. When he finally got the car he noted a paint imperfection that was only visible lying on his back and looking at the underside of the rear bumper. One wag commented that that type of paint damage was usually due to the car falling off the hauler during delivery.. Things got even more entertaining from that point...

roadburner

After 27 years I figured that it was time to upgrade the speakers on the Club Sport(along with re-gluing the mounting points that inevitably separate from the door panel. I was lazy and previously replaced the rear speakers with the oddball OEM woofers, but I needed the tweeter and midrange for each door as well as the midrange in the kick panels. Bavsound had a Halloween sale so I bought the E36 Convertible Hi-Fi kit that only provided the door and kick panel drivers. Today I received an email asking for my VIN to verify fitment. I sent it back explaining that the the ti and the convertible used the same front speakers.. A couple of hours later I received another email from Bavsound:

Hi RB,

Thank you for your order. Our upgrade kits are not compatible with the 95' E36 318Ti Compact as they are quite a bit different than the standard E36. Unfortunately, we did not develop anything for the compacts and don't have any recommendations for other options. You will need to consult a professional audio shop for custom solutions.

We will need to cancel your order and get you fully refunded at this time.

Thank you so much for considering Bavsound for your audio needs. We truly appreciate it, and we're committed to making sure you get great sound in your vehicle. Please let me know if you have ANY further questions or I can help with anything else.

I emailed the guy back reiterating that both cars used the same speakers- and to check the ETK if he didn't believe me. I also mentioned that Bavsound used to have a YouTube video describing how the E36 convertible speakers could be used in the ti. No reply so far. It's beyond ridiculous. On top of that, if I bought a BMW that lacked H-K I was probably going to buy a Bavsound upgrade for it.
No longer.

tjc78

I’d just reorder stating you have a ‘vert and try to find an online listing for one that has a VIN you can “borrow”.

When I used to do car audio I had similar experiences with vendors telling me something wouldn’t work that will.

jmonroe1

28firefighter said:

I have absolutely zero use for it or anywhere to park it, but I love those Pajero Minis.

————————————————-
Since when has “use” and “parking restraints” been a consideration in here?

jmonroe

jmonroe1

rayains said:

I realized this morning that I did
not post a picture of the front/face...

- Ray
No sun = no blue highlights.

————————————————-
Knock it off already. Now you’re just rubbing it in.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

28firefighter said:

I think it's probably a $6k car in the absence of more information.

That's kind of where my head is at. But I'm often low.

As for C&B, I got a message this morn that they've accepted the Gloria. Small hitch... when I took it out this morn, it isn't running right. I've been having a challenge with the timing belt service. First time I did it, it was definitely wrong, as it was tapping a little. Did some research, watched videos, etc, and determined it was likely how I set the tensioner. Took it apart and redid it. Reassembled and it seemed to be good. Now, when I drove it under load, it is sputtering a bit. Looks like I'll be taking it apart yet again. Maybe the tensioner needs more tension. I dunno.

————————————————-
Turn the mirror around so you can blame it on someone else.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

xwesx said:

Well, let me indulge your consideration, then!

I think the "safe" way to do this is to build out some long ramps (preferably aluminum for weight) at 8' given the height of your van. Have them self-standing (e.g., with substructure and webbing between them), then connect them via a locking pivot point to your hitch receiver. Put a folding metal "flap" on the ends of the ramp to bridge the small gap between the front of the ramps and the floor of your van.

Then, you can mount the ramps to the hitch, pivot them up for transport, pivot down to the ground, open the doors, flip the flaps to the interior floor, and securely drive the little kei inside.

Sounds like fun to me!

————————————————
Rube Goldberg couldn’t do it any better.

jmonroe

corvette

The universe is really taunting me. Found this in the Kroger parking lot with a CarMax sticker on the back and a temp tag. My color, trim level, and powertrain, and a bed cover like I want.

nyccarguy

I saw a Black Maverick last night with the Steelies. Very cool.

stickguy

My wife really dislikes cactus gray. But it seems quite popular.

Can’t see the cover in that shot. What kind are you looking at?

corvette

Probably a soft tri fold one. Dad has a Bakflip (sp.?) on the Ranger, but those are quite expensive.

qbrozen

Here's a thought. I buy something like this, paint it up, put signs on it, and convert to a flatbed. Then use it to fetch cars. Yeah, it would only handle one small car at a time, but how cool of an advertisement for people to see this with another import on the back of it?

tifighter

Car payment chart. Discuss-
Hello Wyoming and Texas.

kyfdx

corvette said:

Probably a soft tri fold one. Dad has a Bakflip (sp.?) on the Ranger, but those are quite expensive.

Bakflips are great.