Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
Need some opinions on this interesting one.

2006 X3 3.0 with 98k miles. Clean appearance. Issues: 4x4 light is illuminated and OBDII code P0128. Those 2 are unrelated, as far as I can tell. I'm sure they didn't use a scanner that can even read 4x4 codes. Milk shows on the oil filler cap but not the dipstick. It would make sense the P0128 and condensation are related. I'd guess bad thermostat not allowing the engine to get up to full temp in the cold weather. The 4x4 light is a complete mystery without digging into it. I've read about bad actuators, which isn't a terrible job, but that usually produces more than just a 4x4 light.

With fees and shipping, it looks like I could get it for $3k total.

Good? Bad? Do I really need another project? Not really.

au1994

I think you’ve answered your own question here.

kyfdx

The 2006 is the old M54 225 HP engine from the E46 models. Could be the PCV clogged.
That's an engine that needs a fair amount of preventative maintenance, as far as replacing cooling systems, etc. Fairly low miles, but that 4X4 light would scare me.

ab348

Good gravy, man, stay away!

jmonroe1

nyccarguy said:

Sandman6472 said:

Saw and drove some interesting iron these past couple of days at work. Got to drive an electric Volvo XC40 today and not sure it's something I'd want to do every day. Must say though, the power delivery was intoxicating to say the least...something I'd probably really enjoy! It was easy to modulate the accelerator without using the brakes much but think the range anxiety would drive me nuts! At least with a gasser, one knows exactly when it'll be time to pull into a station & fill up or put just a small amount in. Would think with an EV, one would need a level 2 charger at home in the garage so they could top it off nightly. And in my case, having one of those in my garage, my range anxiety would totally disappear. The only issue would be with an extended power outage of days or weeks making every EV a brick! So think that having that Bolt being sold last week was a sign from above.

Got to drive a Porsche Panamerica this afternoon and it was fun. Nice power delivery but a little too low to the ground. Certainly nothing I'd ever want to own.

Saw a Deloreon yesterday and got to sit in it also. Was delivering a Chevy Silverado that this upscale dealership bought us in Ft. Lauderdale. Was definitely a very cool vehicle to say the least. Did like the MB convertible, a 209 model with 2156 miles on it, which also had Maclaren badging on it. Had doors that went up which was also very cool, asking price was $469K!

Plus it wouldn't fit on your side of the garage

————————————————-
This would be a good time to take over the other side of the garage. Nah, on second thought, he’d be even more dizzy with no hope that therapy could help that kind of dizzyness.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

Need some opinions on this interesting one.

2006 X3 3.0 with 98k miles. Clean appearance. Issues: 4x4 light is illuminated and OBDII code P0128. Those 2 are unrelated, as far as I can tell. I'm sure they didn't use a scanner that can even read 4x4 codes. Milk shows on the oil filler cap but not the dipstick. It would make sense the P0128 and condensation are related. I'd guess bad thermostat not allowing the engine to get up to full temp in the cold weather. The 4x4 light is a complete mystery without digging into it. I've read about bad actuators, which isn't a terrible job, but that usually produces more than just a 4x4 light.

With fees and shipping, it looks like I could get it for $3k total.

Good? Bad? Do I really need another project? Not really.

————————————————-
Lots of scaredy-cats in here.

You could get more than $3K parting it out. Plus, you could learn something about BMW’s that you don’t know now. Yeah, at that price, go for it.

jmonroe

qbrozen

This group is for interventions, right? So job well done, folks.

Back to that Bravada. Just for comparison, I came upon a very well equipped Trailblazer of same vintage and miles, but in a FAR prettier meadow metallic green and 2-tone brown/tan interior. All cleaned up, new tires, etc, for $5700 asking, retail. Figure the dealer would have had to get that one for $2k-$2500 to be able to get it retail ready and make a profit at 5700.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=697250748

andres3

If no one buys the lemons and turds we won't have any good "I was left holding the bag" stories to tell.

venture

I stopped at our local Toyota dealer this afternoon. I want to get my wife something and figured a RAV4 would be pretty close to a Forester or even an Outback. I've never been in a Toyota place before. But anyway...

The sales guy said Toyota does not discount their vehicles and that's why their resale values are so high. I didn't know what to say so I didn't say anything.

I asked for his card and pulled one out of his jacket pocket that was all threadbare (the card not the jacket) and gave it to me. He probably figured I wasn't a serious buyer. He may be correct.

His name on the card is Johnny K, Sales Professional.

corvette

@venture - if you decide on a Toyota, @nyccarguy and I both have a hookup for a broker in the Northeast that will get you a great price on what you want with no headaches. He works with buyers and lessees. The best deals are usually if you're willing to fly into Philly and drive the car back, but he also works with other dealers, and can ship from the Northeast nationwide.

kyfdx

In my experience, I've heard the dumbest things from Toyota salespeople, without a doubt.

ab348

I know the RAV4 sells like crazy, but based on the rental one I had a year and a bit ago, I cannot understand why. I hated it.

laurasdada

My fave was from a Mazda saleswoman who confidentially told me that there was no such thing as a turbocharged car with a manual transmission, after I asked for a test drive of a 626 turbo stick. A technological impossibility.

Having walked the lot earlier, I was tempted to take her out to the back of the lot where there were several such animals... But I smiled and left for another dealership. And I believe I bought a Mitsu Mirage Turbo...with a 5 speed!, sometime thereafter. Arrest me red, fun.

venture

corvette said:

@venture - if you decide on a Toyota, @nyccarguy and I both have a hookup for a broker in the Northeast that will get you a great price on what you want with no headaches. He works with buyers and lessees. The best deals are usually if you're willing to fly into Philly and drive the car back, but he also works with other dealers, and can ship from the Northeast nationwide.

Thanks. I mentioned it to Mrs. venture as we were on our way to get frozen custard and she said she doesn't like RAV4's. I didn't even know she knew they existed.

No good deed...

venture

ab348 said:

I know the RAV4 sells like crazy, but based on the rental one I had a year and a bit ago, I cannot understand why. I hated it.

I've never driven one and it looks like I won't.

stickguy

venture said:

corvette said:

@venture - if you decide on a Toyota, @nyccarguy and I both have a hookup for a broker in the Northeast that will get you a great price on what you want with no headaches. He works with buyers and lessees. The best deals are usually if you're willing to fly into Philly and drive the car back, but he also works with other dealers, and can ship from the Northeast nationwide.

Thanks. I mentioned it to Mrs. venture as we were on our way to get frozen custard and she said she doesn't like RAV4's. I didn't even know she knew they existed.

No good deed...

my wife hates a number of cars that she has never driven, sat in, or could pick out of a parking lot with 3 cars in it.

I usually don't get a very definitive answer as to why, but I don't press the issue.

xwesx

My wife's list of cars she hates is very specific: Any car that is mine.

corvette

ab348 said:

I know the RAV4 sells like crazy, but based on the rental one I had a year and a bit ago, I cannot understand why. I hated it.

The only one I would consider is the RAV4 Prime. I have a neighbor who doesn't keep cars very long, but isn't a CCBA, and she traded a current-gen RAV4 hybrid for a non-hybrid one (which performs worse and gets fewer MPG)... Why?!?

28firefighter

The 4x4 scares me more than the milk - agree it could be the PCV or Thermostat. Or all of the above more likely. I think it’s probably not worth it. Bravada sounds more interesting at 5k…

28firefighter

We’re off to Ohio tomorrow very suddenly due to a death in the family. Decided to rent a Suburban class so all 8 of us in the Seattle crew can get around together.

Curious what I end up with - rented through Avis.

stickguy

sorry to hear about your loss.

good luck with the "or similar" with that one. I rented a minivan for a couple of months from now to get from up in NY down to Newark airport. 5 of us are going on a trip together, and are going out of Newark instead of Albany to save a bunch of money. and a connection! no one has a roomy enough car (that they are willing to park there for 8 days...) so the solution was to rent a minivan at each end, and drop off when we get there/home. So it best be a minivan, since there really isn't an "or similar" to that. though I guess a Suburban would function, but I have zero desire to pilot one of those airport to airport.

corvette

@28firefighter - sorry for your loss. On the rental, if they provide anything that doesn't work at all, a Pacifica might be something to suggest as a backup (at a discount, since it's less than the vehicle you reserved, of course).

corvette

My rental Frontier has worked okay so far, it reminds me of a smaller version of the Tundra I leased: Trucky ride quality, larger displacement gasoline Japanese engine with a diesel-ish sound at idle, spartan interior. Haven't driven it a lot, but on the colder mornings, similar to other Nissans, you can use the keyless ignition to start it, then exit and use the fob to lock the doors. "Manual" remote start. I'll be glad to have the Maverick back, assuming it is properly repaired.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

sorry to hear about your loss.

good luck with the "or similar" with that one. I rented a minivan for a couple of months from now to get from up in NY down to Newark airport. 5 of us are going on a trip together, and are going out of Newark instead of Albany to save a bunch of money. and a connection! no one has a roomy enough car (that they are willing to park there for 8 days...) so the solution was to rent a minivan at each end, and drop off when we get there/home. So it best be a minivan, since there really isn't an "or similar" to that. though I guess a Suburban would function, but I have zero desire to pilot one of those airport to airport.

————————————————
Nothing to it. @oldfarmer50 and his transport crew probably does that a couple times a month.

jmonroe

tjc78

@ab348 said:
I know the RAV4 sells like crazy, but based on the rental one I had a year and a bit ago, I cannot understand why. I hated it.

My Mother has had every generation. I’ve hated them all. Just not my thing.

I did enjoy overloading the ever loving heck out of it with mulch and stone once though. (It was a lease, lol)

nyccarguy

@28firefighter said:
We’re off to Ohio tomorrow very suddenly due to a death in the family. Decided to rent a Suburban class so all 8 of us in the Seattle crew can get around together.

Curious what I end up with - rented through Avis.

I’m so sorry to hear about a sudden death in your family. Depending on when you arrive, Suburban “or similar” might be a Trax. It’s a Chevrolet. It’s an SUV…

roadburner

venture said:

corvette said:

@venture - if you decide on a Toyota, @nyccarguy and I both have a hookup for a broker in the Northeast that will get you a great price on what you want with no headaches. He works with buyers and lessees. The best deals are usually if you're willing to fly into Philly and drive the car back, but he also works with other dealers, and can ship from the Northeast nationwide.

Thanks. I mentioned it to Mrs. venture as we were on our way to get frozen custard and she said she doesn't like RAV4's. I didn't even know she knew they existed.

No good deed...

Luckily my wife's vehicle preferences usually mirror mine- BMW, Jeep, M-B and Mini. Even though she came from a family that only drove Buicks, nothing from GM interests her.

roadburner

28firefighter said:

We’re off to Ohio tomorrow very suddenly due to a death in the family. Decided to rent a Suburban class so all 8 of us in the Seattle crew can get around together.

Curious what I end up with - rented through Avis.

Sorry to hear that.

roadburner

When the Supra first came out I set up a test drive with a salesperson at a specific time. I arrived a few minutes early to find my salesperson was gone and that the dealer was not allowing Supra test drives without a signed buyers order.
Idiots.

stickguy

corvette said:

My rental Frontier has worked okay so far, it reminds me of a smaller version of the Tundra I leased: Trucky ride quality, larger displacement gasoline Japanese engine with a diesel-ish sound at idle, spartan interior. Haven't driven it a lot, but on the colder mornings, similar to other Nissans, you can use the keyless ignition to start it, then exit and use the fob to lock the doors. "Manual" remote start. I'll be glad to have the Maverick back, assuming it is properly repaired.

Before I got the 1st Maverick, I almost leased a loaded new style Frontier (pro 4x) on a killer 24 mo lease offer. So ended up taking a test drive for the heck of it after ordering the Mav. Definitely felt and drove like a big truck. bulky and, well, truckish. And man, that had the worst parking lot steering I ever experienced. super heavy and lousy turning radius. As fun as it might have been off road (since I spend so much time there!) not really sorry I did not get it.

stickguy

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

sorry to hear about your loss.

good luck with the "or similar" with that one. I rented a minivan for a couple of months from now to get from up in NY down to Newark airport. 5 of us are going on a trip together, and are going out of Newark instead of Albany to save a bunch of money. and a connection! no one has a roomy enough car (that they are willing to park there for 8 days...) so the solution was to rent a minivan at each end, and drop off when we get there/home. So it best be a minivan, since there really isn't an "or similar" to that. though I guess a Suburban would function, but I have zero desire to pilot one of those airport to airport.

————————————————
Nothing to it. @oldfarmer50 and his transport crew probably does that a couple times a month.

jmonroe

I'm getting it from his home base. just not his company.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

sorry to hear about your loss.

good luck with the "or similar" with that one. I rented a minivan for a couple of months from now to get from up in NY down to Newark airport. 5 of us are going on a trip together, and are going out of Newark instead of Albany to save a bunch of money. and a connection! no one has a roomy enough car (that they are willing to park there for 8 days...) so the solution was to rent a minivan at each end, and drop off when we get there/home. So it best be a minivan, since there really isn't an "or similar" to that. though I guess a Suburban would function, but I have zero desire to pilot one of those airport to airport.

————————————————
Nothing to it. @oldfarmer50 and his transport crew probably does that a couple times a month.

jmonroe

I'm getting it from his home base. just not his company.

————————————————-
Why didn’t you ask @oldfarmer50 about the poster buddy discount?

jmonroe

stickguy

he probably would have tried to rent me his cargo van.

tjc78

@28firefighter said:
We’re off to Ohio tomorrow very suddenly due to a death in the family. Decided to rent a Suburban class so all 8 of us in the Seattle crew can get around together.

Curious what I end up with - rented through Avis.

Sorry to hear. Safe travels.

venture

roadburner said:

venture said:

corvette said:

@venture - if you decide on a Toyota, @nyccarguy and I both have a hookup for a broker in the Northeast that will get you a great price on what you want with no headaches. He works with buyers and lessees. The best deals are usually if you're willing to fly into Philly and drive the car back, but he also works with other dealers, and can ship from the Northeast nationwide.

Thanks. I mentioned it to Mrs. venture as we were on our way to get frozen custard and she said she doesn't like RAV4's. I didn't even know she knew they existed.

No good deed...

Luckily my wife's vehicle preferences usually mirror mine- BMW, Jeep, M-B and Mini. Even though she came from a family that only drove Buicks, nothing from GM interests her.

Nothing seems to interest my wife. She just keeps saying she likes her car. I guess, if I were smart, I'd just leave it alone.

venture

roadburner said:

When the Supra first came out I set up a test drive with a salesperson at a specific time. I arrived a few minutes early to find my salesperson was gone and that the dealer was not allowing Supra test drives without a signed buyers order.
Idiots.

I never got that. Of course, I'm not too swift.

Does that mean you are going to buy the car or what?

au1994

venture said:

roadburner said:

venture said:

corvette said:

@venture - if you decide on a Toyota, @nyccarguy and I both have a hookup for a broker in the Northeast that will get you a great price on what you want with no headaches. He works with buyers and lessees. The best deals are usually if you're willing to fly into Philly and drive the car back, but he also works with other dealers, and can ship from the Northeast nationwide.

Thanks. I mentioned it to Mrs. venture as we were on our way to get frozen custard and she said she doesn't like RAV4's. I didn't even know she knew they existed.

No good deed...

Luckily my wife's vehicle preferences usually mirror mine- BMW, Jeep, M-B and Mini. Even though she came from a family that only drove Buicks, nothing from GM interests her.

Nothing seems to interest my wife. She just keeps saying she likes her car. I guess, if I were smart, I'd just leave it alone.

Where’s the fun in that?

stickguy

My wife says the same thing. Boring. But she did keep me around a long time.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

My wife says the same thing. Boring. But she did keep me around a long time.

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You can’t ask for more proof than that.

jmonroe

Sandman6472

With every new vehicle she gets, I hear complaints for a few days and then...crickets! Guess over time, those issues seem less important and she gets used to them. I've been lucky in that most vehicles I've owned recently have had very little for me to dislike. And with the current Golf, I knew within maybe 5 minutes I'd own one very shortly. Sure, I didn't get the SEL model like I should have but am still enjoying the SE I have. But, on every vehicle, I've let price be a major factor in the decision process which has always disturbed me a bit. That's why I'll still consider price on the next one, but not as much. Have decided to push my limit to $30K plus my trade since the car business has definitely changed. And I seem to be a niche buyer now in that I need a certain size component because parking outside my garage ain't gonna happen! And the fun factor vehicle has moved up as I want to enjoy it whenever I drive it.

tjc78

At this stage Sandy… if what you want ends up 32… 33 what’s the difference. Make yourself happy!

Peanuts over the 5+ years you’ll own it.

Sandman6472

Yes, once we're at this point, what's the matter with spending a bit more. Guessing by the amount of miles I put on each year, whatever I get should be here in 10 years with relatively low miles. Even if we do end up moving sooner then later, my monthly mileage will still be the same most likely. Just depends which child we live nearer I guess. And it's looking like it might be the St. Augustine area as our kid really is liking living there. The wife would just need to adapt to the chillier winter weather.

corvette

@stickguy - I noticed the heavy steering, as well. The turning radius seems smaller than the Tundra, but definitely a lot wider than the Maverick.

venture

Sandman6472 said:

Yes, once we're at this point, what's the matter with spending a bit more. Guessing by the amount of miles I put on each year, whatever I get should be here in 10 years with relatively low miles. Even if we do end up moving sooner then later, my monthly mileage will still be the same most likely. Just depends which child we live nearer I guess. And it's looking like it might be the St. Augustine area as our kid really is liking living there. The wife would just need to adapt to the chillier winter weather.

It's 41F here. Warm for the first of February. I saw a guy this morning riding a scooter (Vespa type).

roadburner

venture said:

roadburner said:

When the Supra first came out I set up a test drive with a salesperson at a specific time. I arrived a few minutes early to find my salesperson was gone and that the dealer was not allowing Supra test drives without a signed buyers order.
Idiots.

I never got that. Of course, I'm not too swift.

Does that mean you are going to buy the car or what?

Yes, the same dealer group pulled that with the 2007 Mazdaspeed 3; in that case they definitely lost a sale as I bought my MS3 from a Cincinnati dealer that didn't tack on an ADM or play other ridiculous games.

andres3

ab348 said:

I know the RAV4 sells like crazy, but based on the rental one I had a year and a bit ago, I cannot understand why. I hated it.

Like many Toyotas the strongest feature is bullet proof lifetime reliability and durability. Cars like the Camry, 4Runner, and Rav4 have built this reputation (and rightfully so). Cars like the Echo, maybe not.

andres3

roadburner said:

When the Supra first came out I set up a test drive with a salesperson at a specific time. I arrived a few minutes early to find my salesperson was gone and that the dealer was not allowing Supra test drives without a signed buyers order.
Idiots.

VW acted like Golf R's were priceless diamonds when they first came out. I considered it before getting the TTS. They said I had to make an offer prior to test driving, so I did, 6% off MSRP (perfectly reasonable).

They said no, they are selling at sticker. I said in order to even consider raising my offer I'd have to test drive. The test drive never happened and I bought the TTS without having to discuss money prior to the test drive at Audi.

au1994

Did anybody ever go back to the original dealer and let them know of the purchase from a competitor?

I did that on the Jeep lease. After getting a number that made me say “ I only wanted to lease 1 4xe, not 2”, I shot the offending dealer a note with my new and much, much more reasonable deal.

andres3

au1994 said:

Did anybody ever go back to the original dealer and let them know of the purchase from a competitor?

I did that on the Jeep lease. After getting a number that made me say “ I only wanted to lease 1 4xe, not 2”, I shot the offending dealer a note with my new and much, much more reasonable deal.

I had something similar happen a couple times.

1. At Escondido VW for the Alltrack the GM ultimately made the ultimatum that if I could get a better deal elsewhere I should take it and buy it!!!!
2. Again, at VW (different dealership from #1 though) for the Tiguan, Costco negotiated a great deal with their preferred network of dealerships and one of the VW dealerships close to home said they were unwilling to match it, go ahead and buy it elsewhere. Turned down the business to match it.

andres3

Who's in the market for a fast large SUV?

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/edmunds-u-drags-dodge-durango-srt-hellcat-vs-audi-rs-q8.html

Engineering > Brute Force