Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

nice looking.

my son texted me pictures of a new car in his work lot. an X3 in a midnight (really dark) blue over Cognac. really sharp looking. I know my wife would love it, until she found out how much it cost!

rayains

venture -
Congrats!
Starting off the yr right!
- Ray
BMW fan

kyfdx

stickguy said:

nice looking.

my son texted me pictures of a new car in his work lot. an X3 in a midnight (really dark) blue over Cognac. really sharp looking. I know my wife would love it, until she found out how much it cost!

That's the color of interior of the loaner we had in September. Gorgeous.

andres3

The S4 is due for an oil change and the brake pad sensor light went off early this week; time to part out!!!!!

andres3

sda said:

oldfarmer50 said:

sda said:

Sandman6472 said:

Seems the wife had to stop at Ft. Lauderdale Audi to get the oil topped off again tonight on her way home. The oil light came on and they put some more in. They can't find any oil leak and this happens like every 6 months or so, usually when we're on our way to Orlando. Weird. Besides that, the vehicle is running nicely at 74K and she's not thinking about trading it any time soon. If it behaves, no reason why we'll keep it for at least another three years. But, let it strand her once, and it'll be gone within a month as she won't trust it anymore.

Your wife should have the oil level checked periodically and add before the oil light comes on. Sadly VW/Audi 1.8 and 2.0 engines are known to consume oil between oil changes. Adding a quart of oil here and there is no big deal and certainly cheaper than an engine replacement or buying a new car.

Interesting, I just asked about that issue on the other board:

“ the only issue with our Audi is that it drinks some oil in between changes.”

Funny you mention that. Today while stopped for a coffee break in the Adirondacks we saw an frail elderly man and (I presume) his middle aged daughter trying to lift up the hood of their VW. We decided to help. She said her oil light had come on and when we checked there was nothing on the dipstick. We put some oil in for her and told her she should get it looked at.

Are VW products noted for drinking oil?

I think it is hit or miss. My 06 Passat 2.0T FSI was the worst. One quart of expensive synthetic every 6-800 mi. VW postured it was normal. I traded it before the warranty expired. The 16 Q5 2.0T no additions between changes and appears full on the information screen as it doesn’t have a dipstick. It has 57k. I change the oil at 5k intervals instead of 10k. The 18 Passat 2.0T at 34k seems to be using a qt every 3k. Not horrible but disappointing. I have an appointment this Saturday for an oil change. What’s a bit ironic is the 06 TL with 175k drips a bit of oil and makes a mess in the driveway always shows full on the dipstick even at the point the 5k oil change is needed.

My '06 A3 consumed a perfect and consistent 1/2 quart every 2,500 miles. With 5K interval oil changes that was easy to manage. Just fill up 1/2 quart in between oil changes.

corvette

@venture - congrats! What year and model? New or used?

laurasdada

Congrats, Venture! 1 down, 40 to go to honor Tom Seaver...

venture

It's a 2023 330i xDrive. I've been waiting for the dealer closest to me to get one in those colors for a few years.

There's a lot to learn and I mean a LOT. Look at that dashboard! The genius spent about a half hour with me.

It's fast. Not Roadburner fast, but still pretty quick. 5.4 seconds 0-60. The Legacy was 6.1 seconds.

The Legacy Touring XT was comfortable. Hopefully this one will be also - soon.

Michaell

venture said:

It's a 2023 330i xDrive. I've been waiting for the dealer closest to me to get one in those colors for a few years.

There's a lot to learn and I mean a LOT. Look at that dashboard! The genius spent about a half hour with me.

It's fast. Not Roadburner fast, but still pretty quick. 5.4 seconds 0-60. The Legacy was 6.1 seconds.

The Legacy Touring XT was comfortable. Hopefully this one will be also - soon.

Don't the Legacy and the 330i have roughy the same HP? Must be gearing or weight that is the difference in the 0-60 time.

venture

I think the Legacy has more HP. Remember though - BMW's horses are a little bigger than most others.

jmonroe1

@venture, that’s a nice one alright. Good thing the interior isn’t beige. Beige shows grass stains more than red.

Give us some updates when you can.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

venture said:

I think the Legacy has more HP. Remember though - BMW's horses are a little bigger than most others.

————————————————
Here we go. Already talking like a BMW owner.

jmonroe

cdnpinhead

henryn said:

My first regular paid job was working in a gas station. I worked 72 hours a week (6 p.m. to 6 a.m., 6 nights a week). Gross pay before taxes was $45, which works out to $0.625 per hour.

Not trying to do a topper, but my first job was in San Marcos, TX, in 1959, for 0.25/hr, at a tourist attraction known as "Aquarena." "Sir, would you like a free Aquarena bumper sticker on your car?" Many did, surprisingly. I grossed $12 a week, given that I worked six days a week, as you did. I was eleven years old and have a 463 SS card to show for it.

It was, as they say, a different time. Better? You decide.

I won't trouble you all with my adventures working at an Amoco gas station on route 66 in Santa Rosa, NM, the summers of '66 and '67 on the overnight shift (10 pm to 6 am). There were several.

henryn

cdnpinhead said:

henryn said:

My first regular paid job was working in a gas station. I worked 72 hours a week (6 p.m. to 6 a.m., 6 nights a week). Gross pay before taxes was $45, which works out to $0.625 per hour.

Not trying to do a topper, but my first job was in San Marcos, TX, in 1959, for 0.25/hr, at a tourist attraction known as "Aquarena." "Sir, would you like a free Aquarena bumper sticker on your car?" Many did, surprisingly. I grossed $12 a week, given that I worked six days a week, as you did. I was eleven years old and have a 463 SS card to show for it.

It was, as they say, a different time. Better? You decide.

I won't trouble you all with my adventures working at an Amoco gas station on route 66 in Santa Rosa, NM, the summers of '66 and '67 on the overnight shift (10 pm to 6 am). There were several.

I have considered writing a book about my adventures from the summer of 65, working the overnight at that gas station. There is a lot that goes on while the rest of the world is sleeping.

I actually have a 458 SS card, but I don't really remember when I first got that SS card. If 463 was 1959, then I must have gotten mine previous to that.

EDIT: No, I just looked that up. It's the 4th and 5th digit which indicate the year the SS number was issued. Mine was issued in 1965.

[Deleted User]

Congrats @venture, love the color combo as well, enjoy!!!

explorerx4

@venture,
Congrats on the new car and getting the ball rolling for 2023!

oldfarmer50

cdnpinhead said:

henryn said:

My first regular paid job was working in a gas station. I worked 72 hours a week (6 p.m. to 6 a.m., 6 nights a week). Gross pay before taxes was $45, which works out to $0.625 per hour.

Not trying to do a topper, but my first job was in San Marcos, TX, in 1959, for 0.25/hr, at a tourist attraction known as "Aquarena." "Sir, would you like a free Aquarena bumper sticker on your car?" Many did, surprisingly. I grossed $12 a week, given that I worked six days a week, as you did. I was eleven years old and have a 463 SS card to show for it.

It was, as they say, a different time. Better? You decide.

I won't trouble you all with my adventures working at an Amoco gas station on route 66 in Santa Rosa, NM, the summers of '66 and '67 on the overnight shift (10 pm to 6 am). There were several.

If you really want to get into it for lousy pay there’s my two paper routes when I was 12. One morning, one afternoon. On a good week I made $3 on each…if the customers didn’t hide behind the curtains on collection day.

kyfdx

My lowest pay was a summer job after my junior year of high school. Working in a 3-man tire retreading shop for $1.50/hr. Hydraulic presses, hot molds, rubber fumes. Perfect for a 16-yr old.

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

cdnpinhead said:

henryn said:

My first regular paid job was working in a gas station. I worked 72 hours a week (6 p.m. to 6 a.m., 6 nights a week). Gross pay before taxes was $45, which works out to $0.625 per hour.

Not trying to do a topper, but my first job was in San Marcos, TX, in 1959, for 0.25/hr, at a tourist attraction known as "Aquarena." "Sir, would you like a free Aquarena bumper sticker on your car?" Many did, surprisingly. I grossed $12 a week, given that I worked six days a week, as you did. I was eleven years old and have a 463 SS card to show for it.

It was, as they say, a different time. Better? You decide.

I won't trouble you all with my adventures working at an Amoco gas station on route 66 in Santa Rosa, NM, the summers of '66 and '67 on the overnight shift (10 pm to 6 am). There were several.

If you really want to get into it for lousy pay there’s my two paper routes when I was 12. One morning, one afternoon. On a good week I made $3 on each…if the customers didn’t hide behind the curtains on collection day.

"I want my $3!"

mjfloyd1

@venture very nice 330 with msport

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

cdnpinhead said:

henryn said:

My first regular paid job was working in a gas station. I worked 72 hours a week (6 p.m. to 6 a.m., 6 nights a week). Gross pay before taxes was $45, which works out to $0.625 per hour.

Not trying to do a topper, but my first job was in San Marcos, TX, in 1959, for 0.25/hr, at a tourist attraction known as "Aquarena." "Sir, would you like a free Aquarena bumper sticker on your car?" Many did, surprisingly. I grossed $12 a week, given that I worked six days a week, as you did. I was eleven years old and have a 463 SS card to show for it.

It was, as they say, a different time. Better? You decide.

I won't trouble you all with my adventures working at an Amoco gas station on route 66 in Santa Rosa, NM, the summers of '66 and '67 on the overnight shift (10 pm to 6 am). There were several.

If you really want to get into it for lousy pay there’s my two paper routes when I was 12. One morning, one afternoon. On a good week I made $3 on each…if the customers didn’t hide behind the curtains on collection day.

————————————————
Boy do I remember those days. In the early 50’s when we lived in the Burgh I had an afternoon paper route. For the most part the customers were good except for the few I had that lived in the projects. Those folks had no qualms about beating out a poor paper boy for 50 cents. Heard the story, “I’ll have to catch you next week kid, honest”, a few times before I finally woke up and dropped them. I should have listened to my Dad when he said, “if they can’t pay you for one week how are they going to pay you for two? It took me a couple weeks to learn that lesson. And that money I didn’t collect came out of my pocket because I had to pay the paper company for every paper that was delivered to me. Making less than 2 cents a paper, it finally hit me that I had to drop those folks.

The best part was when they called the paper company and complained. My route manager said to me, “let’s give it one more try with this family”. That’s when my Dad said, “ OK, but if they don’t pay him he’s not going to pay you for those papers”. Guess what, my route manager didn’t get paid that week for those papers and that ended that.

Delivering papers will make a kid grow up quick. I definitely learned the value of a buck, early.

jmonroe

Sandman6472

Had an afternoon paper route when I was like 13, it was either that or join a sport team. My twin & I did it for like 4 months on our bikes but once it got cold, we either had to walk it or get my mom to drive us. Luckily, summer came and off to sleep away camp we went, never to do papers again!
Did join the swim team once we moved down to the Ft. Lauderdale area. I was in 11th grade and joined for my junior year. Since our high school had no pool, we had to drive about 1/2 an hour away to another high school that had a pool. Swam from 5:30 to 7, Monday through Friday and remember when it got cooler in the winter, the steam would be coming off the pool. Seem to remember it being heated. Was a fun year though I wasn't very fast or anything like that. Was fun but by the spring, I was ready to quit but stayed on till school ended. The best thing was I met a girl who I almost married who was a really good swimmer. She was two years behind me and even came to Newcomb in my junior year while I was at Tulane. She got a scholarship to study in Paris her sophomore year and I encouraged her to go. Told her if she turned it down & we got married, she'd resent me years later for turning down something so wonderful. I insisted she had to go! But, that was the beginning of the end of our relationship. Looking back, still feel it was the right decision to insist she go...not because I didn't love her enough to eventually marry, but I loved her that much where I knew this would change the trajectory of her life going forward...which it did.
She looked me up many years later, we were both married and I had three kids. Was nice to chat for awhile and that was that. Fond memories to this day still!

Sandman6472

Showed the BMW to my wife and said maybe this could work for you next time. Nixed that idea and said she's going to go with "cheap to keep" like myself. Wants a longer warranty and a bit more reliability going forward. Agreed with me that we've both done the German car thing now but not going down that road again. I definitely get it...guess she's been listening to me!

tjc78

@venture
Very nice! Congrats.

tjc78

@henryn said:
I have owned Chevrolet and Ford, no problem with either. I do prefer the Ecoboost V6 over the Chevrolet 5.3, but not enough to keep me from purchasing another Chevrolet.

The last time I looked at a Dodge truck, you couldn't get a power seat without a console. And we're talking a really big, massive console that greatly impinged on the leg room. If there are deals to be had on Dodge trucks, I will have to look into the seating situation. A Dodge with the nice soft ride and the Hemi wouldn't be a bad choice ...

I’m a big guy and even though the console is large there is still tons of room. It’s extremely comfortable and honestly rides like a Town Car.

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

@henryn said:

I have owned Chevrolet and Ford, no problem with either. I do prefer the Ecoboost V6 over the Chevrolet 5.3, but not enough to keep me from purchasing another Chevrolet.

The last time I looked at a Dodge truck, you couldn't get a power seat without a console. And we're talking a really big, massive console that greatly impinged on the leg room. If there are deals to be had on Dodge trucks, I will have to look into the seating situation. A Dodge with the nice soft ride and the Hemi wouldn't be a bad choice ...

I’m a big guy and even though the console is large there is still tons of room. It’s extremely comfortable and honestly rides like a Town Car.

Research the Hemi tick before you buy. Up here the Rams rust like no other but that shouldn’t be a problem for you.

stickguy

I have been watching the south main auto Youtube channel. he just was underneath a 2017 GMC pickup. It looked like it spent 10 years underwater. top side looked great but everything underneath was rusty and crusty. Probably 2 years max from snapping in half on a lift.

roadburner

In the summer I worked for the county road department when I was 17 and graduated to the state highway department when I was 18. Aside from almost getting killed by a road grader when I was 17 I had a ball. Against ALL the rules, one of the guys on the state highway department let me drive the Galion road grader, an F350 dump truck, and several other pieces of heavy equipment. He and I also got pulled over by the local police for "horsing around" while driving a backhoe down a city street. Then there were the days we drag raced the pickup trucks during lunch. It was nuts.

Sandman6472

Luckily I'm off tomorrow, well today really. Wasn't sure I wouldn't be asked since I did volunteer the last two Saturdays and for awhile there before the new year, I was filling in for someone who had gotten hurt on the job. I did go see my boss back in October and see if would help out if I gave up my Tuesday and took on both days of the weekend. He declined my offer saying they were a bit short on Tuesdays. Kind of glad he didn't take me up on my offer as I'd have been working less hours overall as there's more of a chance of working more than 8 hours on a weekday. And branches close a few hours early on the weekend, so it would've been more in their favor hour wise.
Just am hoping I can swap my Wednesday for a Monday going forward. Spoke to another person and was told that the team I want to go into is looking for another driver it seems. So I'm thinking the timing is going to work in my favor here, finally. Just like ten years ago wen i wanted a set schedule instead of having to call in every evening to see what my status was for the next day. Ever since my current team broke up last March, nothing is set in stone for me schedule wise and never know for sure where I'm going to be each day. That uncertainty is something I've been struggling with for awhile now when all I want is a set schedule so I'll know where I'll be each of my three work days. Would make my life so much easier.

benjaminh

laurasdada said:

Pumping gas for $2.50/hr at my local country store/gas station. Best job ever. Well, maybe not in February...

"Gold" from 1979, by John Stewart (with Stevie Nicks)

"....Well my buddy Jim Bass past he's a-workin' pumpin' gas
And he makes two fifty for an hour
He's got rhythm in his hands as he's tappin' on the cans
Sings rock and roll in the shower
Drivin' over Kanan, singin' to his soul
There's people out there turning music into gold...."

"Kanan Road (usually pronounced "CAIN-un") is a street in California that connects Agoura Hills with Malibu."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reFlgu1vq3Q

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I have been watching the south main auto Youtube channel. he just was underneath a 2017 GMC pickup. It looked like it spent 10 years underwater. top side looked great but everything underneath was rusty and crusty. Probably 2 years max from snapping in half on a lift.

Stay out of the southern tier if you value your frame. The problem with those rural areas is that they often combine sand or gravel with the salt and brine. The grit is good for traction but it blasts the paint and rust proofing off the metal leaving it exposed to the salt.

kyfdx

benjaminh said:

laurasdada said:

Pumping gas for $2.50/hr at my local country store/gas station. Best job ever. Well, maybe not in February...

"Gold" from 1979, by John Stewart (with Stevie Nicks)

"....Well my buddy Jim Bass past he's a-workin' pumpin' gas
And he makes two fifty for an hour
He's got rhythm in his hands as he's tappin' on the cans
Sings rock and roll in the shower
Drivin' over Kanan, singin' to his soul
There's people out there turning music into gold...."

"Kanan Road (usually pronounced "CAIN-un") is a street in California that connects Agoura Hills with Malibu."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reFlgu1vq3Q

Bruce Berry was a workin' man
He used to load that Econoline van
A sparkle was in his eye
But his life was in his hands
Well, late at night when the people were gone
He used to pick up my guitar
And sing a song in a shaky voice
That was real as the day was long

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Luckily I'm off tomorrow, well today really. Wasn't sure I wouldn't be asked since I did volunteer the last two Saturdays and for awhile there before the new year, I was filling in for someone who had gotten hurt on the job. I did go see my boss back in October and see if would help out if I gave up my Tuesday and took on both days of the weekend. He declined my offer saying they were a bit short on Tuesdays. Kind of glad he didn't take me up on my offer as I'd have been working less hours overall as there's more of a chance of working more than 8 hours on a weekday. And branches close a few hours early on the weekend, so it would've been more in their favor hour wise.
Just am hoping I can swap my Wednesday for a Monday going forward. Spoke to another person and was told that the team I want to go into is looking for another driver it seems. So I'm thinking the timing is going to work in my favor here, finally. Just like ten years ago wen i wanted a set schedule instead of having to call in every evening to see what my status was for the next day. Ever since my current team broke up last March, nothing is set in stone for me schedule wise and never know for sure where I'm going to be each day. That uncertainty is something I've been struggling with for awhile now when all I want is a set schedule so I'll know where I'll be each of my three work days. Would make my life so much easier.

If you were willing to work two weekend shifts you’d be a superstar up here.

explorerx4

Yesterday, after I walked the kids dogs, gave my grandson a bottle and put him for for his nap, I stopped by a dealership on the way home.
They had a nice 22 Powerboost F150 on the lot but I couldn't find on the dealer or manufacturer inventory website, so it may be sold.

sda

I took the Passat to the dealer for an oil/filter change. No surprises, polite, attentive service advisor, oil change completed and car washed in less than an hour. In the showroom was an extremely nice CPO 21 Arteon R SEL Premium in pearl white. Oh, the temptation! Good thing the sales department wasn’t open yet.

mjfloyd1

@venture what are the details on the 330xdrive?

I’m second guessing the msport as the steering wheel is not the msport wheel but the seats look like sport seats

I’m going with black sapphire metallic (maybe dravit grey) with Tacora red sensatec, 19 inch double spoke wheels and premium pkg

What do I win?😂

kyfdx

I remember when the only vinyl color choices were Sand or Black.

Now, I'm not sure I'd want to pony up for leather in a BMW, when the color choices for Sensatec are so varied. I wouldn't have known our last loaner was Sensatec, if I hadn't seen it on the sticker.

roadburner

mjfloyd1 said:

@venture what are the details on the 330xdrive?

I’m second guessing the msport as the steering wheel is not the msport wheel but the seats look like sport seats

I’m going with black sapphire metallic (maybe dravit grey) with Tacora red sensatec, 19 inch double spoke wheels and premium pkg

What do I win?😂

Sport seats are now essentially standard on the G20.

roadburner

Funny thing; the Mach 1 I mentioned has now had a price cut to $1k over what I paid for the C43, and the 2022 M240i I test drove is now priced $1k under what the C43 cost.
Still no regrets or second-guessing.

qbrozen

@roadburner said:
Funny thing; the Mach 1 I mentioned has now had a price cut to $1k over what I paid for the C43, and the 2022 M240i I test drove is now priced $1k under what the C43 cost.
Still no regrets or second-guessing.

You sure? You keep checking prices. Lol

corvette

@roadburner a penny for your thoughts on the iVision Dee? BMW’s Apple Lisa?

venture

mjfloyd1 said:

@venture what are the details on the 330xdrive?

I’m second guessing the msport as the steering wheel is not the msport wheel but the seats look like sport seats

I’m going with black sapphire metallic (maybe dravit grey) with Tacora red sensatec, 19 inch double spoke wheels and premium pkg

What do I win?😂

You and Roadburner have it.

Black Sapphire Metallic
Tacora Red Perforated SensaTec
Driving Assistance Package (Does not have adaptive cruise control - the one thing I don't like. How could something in this price range still not have it?)
Premium Package (The curved display with HUD is wild)
Remote Engine Start
19" Double Spoke bi-color orbit grey wheels
Wireless Device Charging
...and, yes, sport seats are standard.

Still figuring stuff out.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

Funny thing; the Mach 1 I mentioned has now had a price cut to $1k over what I paid for the C43, and the 2022 M240i I test drove is now priced $1k under what the C43 cost.
Still no regrets or second-guessing.

All these dealerships must be monitoring your posts on here.

What was the actual asking price for that Mach 1 ? I was thinking about upgrading last year until I saw the $20k ADMs.

roadburner

@qbrozen said:

@roadburner said:
Funny thing; the Mach 1 I mentioned has now had a price cut to $1k over what I paid for the C43, and the 2022 M240i I test drove is now priced $1k under what the C43 cost.
Still no regrets or second-guessing.

You sure? You keep checking prices. Lol

I just want to be prepared for when the UCM at BMW asks me why I left the fold.

roadburner

@corvette said:
@roadburner a penny for your thoughts on the iVision Dee? BMW’s Apple Lisa?

I am now convinced that BMW has lost the plot, as the British say. The 3er, 5er, 8er, X3/4, X5, and Z4 are the only cars in the lineup that aren’t awkward looking or simply flat-out ugly. I believe that the suits think that cranking out a decent driving car every few years is sufficient. The iVision Dee is a textbook example of sizzle instead of steak.

mjfloyd1

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

Funny thing; the Mach 1 I mentioned has now had a price cut to $1k over what I paid for the C43, and the 2022 M240i I test drove is now priced $1k under what the C43 cost.
Still no regrets or second-guessing.

All these dealerships must be monitoring your posts on here.

What was the actual asking price for that Mach 1 ? I was thinking about upgrading last year until I saw the $20k ADMs.

I’m guessing that this is the Mach 1

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/1FA6P8R05M5553572

Ahhhh, it has the limited edition Ricardo seats😂

roadburner

@oldfarmer50 said:

All these dealerships must be monitoring your posts on here.

What was the actual asking price for that Mach 1 ? I was thinking about upgrading last year until I saw the $20k ADMs.

The 2021 Mach 1 was a CPO with 4,400 miles on it. Every option including automatic(I wasn't happy about that, but Randy Pobst thought it worked great on the track, so there's that). The dealer has had it for months. The original price was over $60k and it has since dropped to $53k. Earlier last year the same dealer had a nice 2019 CPO Bullitt. The price dropped to $48k at about the same time I caught Covid. Probably would have bought that car if it hadn't sold before I was able to check it out.
Here's the car:
https://www.castruccifordofalexandria.com/certified/Ford/2021-Ford-Mustang-dd146edf0a0e09a82f043eac68b73a6d.htm

mjfloyd1

A swing and a miss.

Nice with CPO for that price

explorerx4

Fighter Jet Gray is the best color for that car.

corvette

Started the repair for the capacitor on the Prius instrument cluster. I'm pleased to report that I broke a total of *zero* plastic clips nor did I break any of the four air vents which have to be removed (these seem to be common casualties). Had a heck of a time getting the connector for the passenger airbag disconnected. After that, realized I needed a longer 3/8" extension to unbolt the airbag and release the dash pad.

I'm staying at my parents' place tomorrow night and had planned to take the offending circuit board down there for my dad to solder a new cap on, but I called it a day and treated myself to some delicious Cuban food at my local pub (to top it all off, the vibe there this afternoon was completely off, but that's another story).