Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

oooo... a v8 4runner coming up on a no reserve auction tonight. hmmmmm... Interior is rough, needs the exhaust fixed, but body looks pretty good. It is an '03 with 96k miles. Will probably be bid up to something stupid.

Can't recall ever seeing a 20 year old 4Runner that wasn't rusty, somewhere..

Same, but this one is pretty clean. Doesn't matter, I was already outbid in the first 2 mins. Not that it wasn't worth it but it is far away and will cost $1100 transport, so that puts a kink in my bidding.

Next up is a 2008 Ford Edge. Maybe too plain for me but if it is cheap enough...

qbrozen

andres3 said:

A 7 year old M2 with less than 36K miles with 6 owners. What says the peanut gallery? Avoid, or at least drive 1.5 hours for a test drive?

Why so many owners? That's always a concern, and hurts the value.

jmonroe1

andres3 said:

A 7 year old M2 with less than 36K miles with 6 owners. What says the peanut gallery? Avoid, or at least drive 1.5 hours for a test drive?

————————————————
Don’t be #7. Nobody buys an M2 just to take it to the grocery store. They got away with it but you’ll be left holding the bag.

jmonroe

qbrozen

Nope. Lost on the Edge, too. Or did I actually win?

There is something of interest in their "make an offer" column. My concern is the miles. 2004 JGC Laredo 4x4 with the old straight 6. 141k miles. Has new 285/70/17 all-terrains on it, with a moderate suspension lift. Codes are present for O2 sensors and the windshield is cracked.

I'm probably better off just getting that low-mileage Pathfinder. It is a little large for my taste, though, and demands quite a bit more cash than these other beaters.

xwesx

That is about the right mileage for catalytic converter issues due to age. 140-160,000 miles is quite common. That's not to say it won't last longer, but it will likely push periodic codes during that time. New sensors can help reduce the frequency unless the converter is really shot, and some fuel additives can help to clean up the catalyst surfaces, too.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Alright, just for research purposes, what are the thoughts on these in a heads-up comparison?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/link/375087756

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/link/376043886

Just on the price to mileage ratio I’d take the Pathfinder although if well kept the VW might be more fun.

sda

andres3 said:

A 7 year old M2 with less than 36K miles with 6 owners. What says the peanut gallery? Avoid, or at least drive 1.5 hours for a test drive?

6 Owners, wow. That would give me pause. A thorough inspection, maintenance history required.

oldfarmer50

tifighter said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

That’s disappointing. I think most rental companies are self insured so accidents don’t get reported to CarFax. I suppose they still have to tell you if a car was a rental though.

I’ve noticed recently on carfax listings that cars that were obviously rentals get reported as fleet. That’s not how they used to appear. Are the rental companies doing something different with how they register these to avoid the tag?

Not that I’m looking out there or anything.

I think it depends on the state. Florida and a few others say ‘Fleet’ on the plate sticker but in NY they are regular 2 year registrations. Probably boils down to which costs less.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I had both like that. Problem is I can’t keep them both tucked away. I was doing the truck but got caught out in a freak squall so that got trashed and needs a follow up bath. Getting rain this week so hopefully it resolves the issue! For now. They live their salt and brine up here. Roads are always White

ab348

Miled-up Touaregs are a nightmare waiting to happen.

corvette

Anyone been to the Chicago auto show? Looks like it's coming up next month. I was impressed with NAIAS last year, so I'm probably putting the Chicago, LA, and NY ones on my bucket list, along with SEMA.

Michaell

I went to the LA show a couple of times before I moved to Colorado. Early 90’s. I stumbled across some pictures from them not too long ago. If I can put my hands on them again, I’ll post.

Sandman6472

Had a pretty rough time at physical therapy today, started some new exercises to deal with m balance issues so thought it best not to drive down to Miami Lakes to test anything. Did watch some YouTube videos on the 2024 Hyundai Kona and liked what I saw. Think the size could work and know I'll enjoy the tech but might be a bit tight in the garage with two Kona's. Still keeping the petrol gauge at about half a tank just in case I do find something. Just not so sure an EV is the way to go right now. And from what I've been getting in emails about the value of the Golf, most sites have it pegged in the mid to high $6's and it's worth more then that to me. At the rate I'm driving, I won't hit 78K till sometime in early 2025. But, still looking at ads and will just leave it at, "never say never"! Bottom line here...still not ready to dump the Golf quite yet.

qbrozen

It is overpriced and I swore I’d never get the 3.7, but I really really like this. Probably mostly the color.

https://www.autoexpoli.com/2009-Jeep-Liberty-Huntington-NY-Long-Island-Queens-Connecticut-Suffolk/used_car/OoZSLpsOAac=

stickguy

Sharp looking. I could winter beat the heck out of that.

Though a pickup makes the most sense. Just not financially these days!

stickguy

Maybe lease a Ram like Tom. Give it back before the frame rots out too bad!

qbrozen

I keep looking for ram leases but it would have to be dirt cheap, which just ain’t happenin.

Someone posted a pretty good looking 2001 Frontier with 87k last night in CT on facebook. Something about it has me on the fence, though. Can’t quite put my finger on it. Lack of pics, possibly busted AC, vague damage description … it adds up in the BS meter, possibly.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2068010363580641/

stickguy

My default assumption with marketplace is that it’s a scam or someone’s trying to cheat you, until proven otherwise.

ab348

qbrozen said:

I keep looking for ram leases but it would have to be dirt cheap, which just ain’t happenin.

Give it time. You just know that with the way they are churning them out and stacking them up on lots that the deals will come.

kyfdx

50F today. Took the Cayman out for about a 40-mile drive.

xwesx

Ooooh, that sounds nice. It was -40 this morning, but it's only -32F now.

ab348

Snowing in Halifax now.

andres3

jmonroe1 said:

andres3 said:

A 7 year old M2 with less than 36K miles with 6 owners. What says the peanut gallery? Avoid, or at least drive 1.5 hours for a test drive?

————————————————
Don’t be #7. Nobody buys an M2 just to take it to the grocery store. They got away with it but you’ll be left holding the bag.

jmonroe

Lucky number 7 leaves #8 holding the bag, or so I wish if a deal were to be made. I am fairly scared off though.

28firefighter

There are enough M2s out there that haven’t had 7 owners.

andres3

28firefighter said:

There are enough M2s out there that haven’t had 7 owners.

For sure, but some sellers have really high asking prices that are either moon shots or stubbornness.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

It is overpriced and I swore I’d never get the 3.7, but I really really like this. Probably mostly the color.

https://www.autoexpoli.com/2009-Jeep-Liberty-Huntington-NY-Long-Island-Queens-Connecticut-Suffolk/used_car/OoZSLpsOAac=

My in-laws had one just like that maybe a little newer. Similar miles. They had it a year and the 3.7 blew a head gasket. While they were deciding what to do with it their daughter took it out for a meet up with her boyfriend and ruined the engine. Consensus was that the 3.7 is a boat anchor.

sda

xwesx said:

Ooooh, that sounds nice. It was -40 this morning, but it's only -32F now.

Brrrr. Not for me.

28firefighter

@andres3 said:
For sure, but some sellers have really high asking prices that are either moon shots or stubbornness.

You get what you pay for.

28firefighter

@xwesx said:
Ooooh, that sounds nice. It was -40 this morning, but it's only -32F now.

Sounds like Hawaiian shirt and shorts weather to me!

mjfloyd1

Browsing vehicles and I zoom on the wheel and tire picture, hmmm

stickguy

reading is hard.

stickguy

picture fail.

roadburner

I had a tire shop do that fixing a flat on the Mini; I noticed it the next day and the shop corrected it with no issues. The manager had the guy who originally mounted the tire re do it which I thought was a good way to teach the tech to check for that situation in the future.
At BMW we had a 3 Series come in with a staggered set of wheels and a clueless tire shop had rotated them front to rear.

xwesx

That's just the model of tire.

jmonroe1

sda said:

xwesx said:

Ooooh, that sounds nice. It was -40 this morning, but it's only -32F now.

Brrrr. Not for me.

————————————————-
Me neither.

The coldest I’ve ever experienced was -20 F and that was back in the mid 70’s. I worked with a guy who had to leave his car out one night so he put one of those old time extension lights with a 100 watt light bulb in it on the intake manifold near the carburetor then covered the hood with a few heavy moving quilts. He got up early to see if his car would start and it did. He said he was in the process of patting himself on the back, being so pleased with himself, for thinking about doing that until he heard his vinyl seat crack.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

I had a tire shop do that fixing a flat on the Mini; I noticed it the next day and the shop corrected it with no issues. The manager had the guy who originally mounted the tire re do it which I thought was a good way to teach the tech to check for that situation in the future.
At BMW we had a 3 Series come in with a staggered set of wheels and a clueless tire shop had rotated them front to rear.

It’s possible that some techs in tire shops these days my not be able to read English.

mjfloyd1

@roadburner said:
I had a tire shop do that fixing a flat on the Mini; I noticed it the next day and the shop corrected it with no issues. The manager had the guy who originally mounted the tire re do it which I thought was a good way to teach the tech to check for that situation in the future.
At BMW we had a 3 Series come in with a staggered set of wheels and a clueless tire shop had rotated them front to rear.

I had that exact same thing happen when I had the 335 convertible. I took it back the next day and was accused of rotating them myself but they finally did swap them back.

kyfdx

Four tires, four wheels, it's pretty easy to do, I'd guess.

My local Firestone store did the same thing on my Honda Fit. Luckily, I checked before I left the store.

Sandman6472

Happened to drop a bought ex-rental at Miami Lakes Auto Mall today and that dark gray Bolt EUV was still there. Still love the size and the alloys but hate that it doesn't have the Bose audio system and the plug looked really big. Not sure I'm going to want to deal with this on a weekly basis. Still need to find out if the charges at my home office accept Bolt's on their system but since I did see one using it many months ago, assuming they do fit.

Just for sh-ts and grins, did a local search for 2023 Hyundai Kona Limited models in the 50 mile radius of home and did find quite a few still in stock for sale, mostly down in Miami. Guessing that would be a bit too weird to have the same vehicle but in a different color. I know it'll fit on my side and do lie the way they look. At 166", very doable. Got to ride in a Kia Seltos yesterday in Miami for a few minutes and even though bigger, think it could work also. And that comes in at 172" plus so do have options going forward. And there is about a $7K price difference, give or take, between the 2023 and 2024 models. But since I haven't driven a 2024 model yet, hard to make a valid comparison between both models. So, thinking a "garage test" is needed to decide which way to go here. Just have to really decide if two of the same vehicles for the next 9 or so years is doable!

kyfdx

I'd have a hard time buying a car that's been discontinued, especially if I planned on keeping it for 8-10 years.

sda

Unless things have changed most Seltos have a CVT which isn’t great.

kyfdx

sda said:

Unless things have changed most Seltos have a CVT which isn’t great.

Also, similar power to the last HR-V, unless you get the turbo. I don't think I'd get one with the standard engine.

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

I'd have a hard time buying a car that's been discontinued, especially if I planned on keeping it for 8-10 years.

No classics for you, huh?

Guess it depends on what exactly is discontinued, though. You can really get into the weeds thinking about it. A Dodge Caliber is discontinued, but in name only. It lives on as the Jeep Compass. The Corvette is not discontinued but you can own one from 2 generations ago that has zero relationship to the current one except for the name.

qbrozen

Oh, the Xterra is gone. They picked it up the other night.

stickguy

that seems like a really weird situation. and a lot of money spent shuffling around a cheap old car. Where does it end up going without a title? somehow back to the owner that sent it to auction in the 1st place?

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

kyfdx said:

I'd have a hard time buying a car that's been discontinued, especially if I planned on keeping it for 8-10 years.

No classics for you, huh?

Guess it depends on what exactly is discontinued, though. You can really get into the weeds thinking about it. A Dodge Caliber is discontinued, but in name only. It lives on as the Jeep Compass. The Corvette is not discontinued but you can own one from 2 generations ago that has zero relationship to the current one except for the name.

He’s shopping for a daily driver. That’s a different thing. Bolt or Volt don’t have any successors.

ab348

kyfdx said:

Bolt or Volt don’t have any successors.

GM announced a while back that there will be a new Bolt next year. Don't think it will bear much resemblance to the old one.

qbrozen

@stickguy said:
that seems like a really weird situation. and a lot of money spent shuffling around a cheap old car. Where does it end up going without a title? somehow back to the owner that sent it to auction in the 1st place?

Right? I was expecting them to just refund me and say “keep it.” They are spending more to transport it than they’ll get from junking it.

I think it possible the selling dealership just ghosted them. Sounded that way from the clues they dropped in our convos. So possibly the auction is refunding me out of their pocket and will sell it sans title.

On that orange Liberty, the dealership has not responded to my first inquiry nor to my offer through their “make us an offer” button on their website. They also have several JGCs I like the looks of. Oh well. Oddly, their google reviews aren’t bad. Actually fairly strong. But on dealerrater and yelp, they are awful and there are many reports of them not responding, not having anything on their website actually in stock, and selling lipsticked pigs.

There is a mechanic selling one not far away, but his business hours are M-F 9-5. Told him that would be very tough for me. He didn’t seem to care.

Then another in Lakewood at one of the small backroom dealers like where I got the Escape. It is white, which I’m not fond of, but maybe a blank pallet. Again, not sure when I could get there. I really just need one delivered to my driveway. It is simply how I work these days. Haha.

xwesx

jmonroe1 said:

The coldest I’ve ever experienced was -20 F and that was back in the mid 70’s. I worked with a guy who had to leave his car out one night so he put one of those old time extension lights with a 100 watt light bulb in it on the intake manifold near the carburetor then covered the hood with a few heavy moving quilts. He got up early to see if his car would start and it did. He said he was in the process of patting himself on the back, being so pleased with himself, for thinking about doing that until he heard his vinyl seat crack.

jmonroe

Oh, yes! Those old Vinyl seats HATE cold temperatures! Anything under about -10, and you can pretty much guarantee that they are going to fall apart.

I made that mistake with my '69 C20. It's vinyl seat was in perfect condition in 1997 when I got it back on the road. Then, in 1999, I brought it up to Fairbanks and used it, for the first time, during the long, cold winter of 1999/2000. By the end of the winter, there was a big, shredded hole where the driver sits. To this day, I have a piece of cardboard I put over the seat there just to keep from tearing up the stuffing (because I'm too lazy to reupholster it). The rest of the black vinyl bench seat (and back) still looks perfect.

xwesx

-46F here this morning, though it has warmed up a *little* bit since then. I don't usually have this problem, but all of my cars are pissed off today and failing to start. I skipped pickleball because it was just more effort to get the car running than it's worth. /sigh