Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78

@explorerx4 said:
@qbrozen,
2WD pickups are no problem in snow. Just add some weight over the rear axle. I drove one through 4 winters while my nice car stayed in the garage.

We had some snow this winter and I drove the Ram completely forgetting it was in 2WD. It did fine.

kyfdx

I don't think my son's Tacoma was in 4WD for more than 50 miles in 3.5 years...

corvette

When I've had manual 4WD, I left it off, other than turning it on periodically to make sure it worked. My theory is that it's there to be turned on in the event you get stuck.

explorerx4

TFL just broke their month old 24 Taco following a Colorado up a snowy rock trail.

stickguy

Read the latest car and driver last night. They compared those 2. Taco won easily, even off road.

tjc78

The Ram has a 4 Auto setting. In the rare instance of my wife driving it in the rain I’ve told her to press that button. She hasn’t driven a RWD vehicle in years and figured it’s worth the insurance.

tifighter

Has anyone done a ceramic coat on their car? Like it? Hate it?

tjc78

@tifighter said:
Has anyone done a ceramic coat on their car? Like it? Hate it?

I think @abacomike has it done on his Genesis.

jmonroe1

tifighter said:

Has anyone done a ceramic coat on their car? Like it? Hate it?

————————————————
I haven’t done it but our poster buddy @abacomike over in Cars and Conversation has had it done at a shop. He seems pleased with it but part of the gimmick is they want you to bring it back every year (I think) for a touch up that goes for at least a hundred bucks a pop. I think the shops charge at least $300 to get you started.

It seems to be the newest snake-oil for having a shiny car.

jmonroe

stickguy

You can easily just DIY that with something like Avalon king. Not sure if the pros do anything fancier but for normal use seems like it should be plenty

Sandman6472

I had it done many years ago on both vehicles. The detailer was kind of new at it so only charged me $100/vehicle. But, to this day, I still get complements on how deep the blue paint looks. Sure, garaging it very night does help plus I tend to get it washed at least every two weeks or so. I tend to like blue so when I saw mine at the dealer, I really was drawn to it. Liked the red also but the blue eventually won me over. Like it so much, having a real problem deciding to get something new. Just don't like anything as much out there to spend $30K plus on!

stickguy

Garaging your car and keeping it washed probably eliminates 90% of the use case for ceramic coating. Especially down south where you don’t have to deal with road salt.

qbrozen

woof! these have fell out of favor awfully quick.

oldfarmer50

So the other shoe dropped.

Since the pick up is replacing the rusty cargo van I put it at the end of the driveway with a for sale sign and a $1000 price. I figured anything that runs and drives these days would be worth twice that but I’m not greedy.

First caller: I scrap cars and might be able to pull some parts off it so what is your bottom price.
Me: $1000 but why would you scrap a good running van?
Them: oh it runs? Ok what is the lowest you will take?
Me: $1000.
Them: I’ll think about it.

Second caller: Will you take $700?
Me: No, price is $1000.
Them: texts me later with message “I have $850”.
I didn’t respond.

Third caller: Saw the van and need details.
Me: 2004 Chevy Express, 125k miles. Runs and drives with no problems. Has rust like any 20 year old northern truck and has a light on for an airbag module. Horn works when it feels like it.
Them: Great. I need something that will last me a year because I’m trying to start a handyman business.
Me: I’ve owned for 8 years and it never left me stranded.
Them: ok I’ll see what I can do and get back to you.

Forth caller (actually the first caller calling back): Will you take $700?
Me: No, you can’t find a running vehicle for under $1000 these days.
Them: but it has a lot of rust!
Me: It’s 20 years old and besides the fame is solid.
Them: OK maybe I come look again tomorrow.
Me: Just call, I’ll be here all day.

Fifth caller: I looked at your van and want to buy it (no haggling).
Me: Sure but don’t you want to see it in daylight and hear it run? (It’s after dark).
Them: OK, can I come tomorrow? I’ll bring the money. I’ll give you a deposit right now.
Me: Just come early so I don’t have to turn anyone else away.

Now I see why car salespeople get cynical.

xwesx

Hahah, that's the way of it! You know you put a good price on it when you get that many responses that quickly. However, no matter how reasonable the price, they will always try to get it for less.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

woof! these have fell out of favor awfully quick.

I would still consider leasing one of those but it would have to be the performance version with the 2 or 3 second 0-60. Maybe this is the time to cut a deal.

I hear the Ford Lightning pick ups are really piling up too.

tjc78

I see a good amount of those at the chargers.. someone bought them.

xwesx

I would love to have either one. Prices are starting to get reasonable. Almost.

explorerx4

You can buy a new Model 3 for 35K according to the adverts I've been bombarded with lately.

mjfloyd1

Here is the FCP Euro DIY pre purchase inspection video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfCogySVh7A

stickguy

the Mach E I got a ride in last year (sales guy at the Ford dealer followed me to the Hertz local office to drop off the car I rented to drive to Philly to get my Maverick to bring me back had one) was probably the 2nd fastest car I have ridden in. 1st being a 427 Cobra (also the most scary!) The sales guy had a lead foot (and these were fairly busy roads in NE Philly) and when he nailed the throttle it just slammed me into the seat and got over 60 incredible quickly. with little noise. Interesting experience.

tjc78

That’s what gets me in EQE. It’s not super fast, but how quietly and effortlessly it gets up to speed is very different than anything I’ve driven.

Michaell

stickguy said:

the Mach E I got a ride in last year (sales guy at the Ford dealer followed me to the Hertz local office to drop off the car I rented to drive to Philly to get my Maverick to bring me back had one) was probably the 2nd fastest car I have ridden in. 1st being a 427 Cobra (also the most scary!) The sales guy had a lead foot (and these were fairly busy roads in NE Philly) and when he nailed the throttle it just slammed me into the seat and got over 60 incredible quickly. with little noise. Interesting experience.

I had a chance to drive the Mach E GT with Performance Pack that Mrs @breld had. Scary fast - and I mean scary. I don’t think you can use all the power on public roads.

stickguy

pretty common these days. I read my C&D last night, and they had a 40K test recap on a Cayman 6 cyl with a stick. And mentioned how sweet the engine was in the upper rev ranges, but said that with the gearing you pretty much couldn't do it in more than 1st, maybe 2nd, gear without risking your license and jail time.

Michaell

stickguy said:

pretty common these days. I read my C&D last night, and they had a 40K test recap on a Cayman 6 cyl with a stick. And mentioned how sweet the engine was in the upper rev ranges, but said that with the gearing you pretty much couldn't do it in more than 1st, maybe 2nd, gear without risking your license and jail time.

Which is why Miatas are so popular - 180HP (or so), and a ton of fun. As David E. Davis used to say, 'Better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow'

xwesx

Michaell said:

Which is why Miatas are so popular - 180HP (or so), and a ton of fun. As David E. Davis used to say, 'Better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow'

Heck ya! Y'all need to try out my C20 pickup.

explorerx4

FordPass app update today was to include Tesla chargers to public chargers search.

qbrozen

@explorerx4 said:
You can buy a new Model 3 for 35K according to the adverts I've been bombarded with lately.

I’d rather take the nicer Ford and save $5k.

qbrozen

@oldfarmer50 said:
So the other shoe dropped.

Since the pick up is replacing the rusty cargo van I put it at the end of the driveway with a for sale sign and a $1000 price. I figured anything that runs and drives these days would be worth twice that but I’m not greedy.

First caller: I scrap cars and might be able to pull some parts off it so what is your bottom price.
Me: $1000 but why would you scrap a good running van?
Them: oh it runs? Ok what is the lowest you will take?
Me: $1000.
Them: I’ll think about it.

Second caller: Will you take $700?
Me: No, price is $1000.
Them: texts me later with message “I have $850”.
I didn’t respond.

Third caller: Saw the van and need details.
Me: 2004 Chevy Express, 125k miles. Runs and drives with no problems. Has rust like any 20 year old northern truck and has a light on for an airbag module. Horn works when it feels like it.
Them: Great. I need something that will last me a year because I’m trying to start a handyman business.
Me: I’ve owned for 8 years and it never left me stranded.
Them: ok I’ll see what I can do and get back to you.

Forth caller (actually the first caller calling back): Will you take $700?
Me: No, you can’t find a running vehicle for under $1000 these days.
Them: but it has a lot of rust!
Me: It’s 20 years old and besides the fame is solid.
Them: OK maybe I come look again tomorrow.
Me: Just call, I’ll be here all day.

Fifth caller: I looked at your van and want to buy it (no haggling).
Me: Sure but don’t you want to see it in daylight and hear it run? (It’s after dark).
Them: OK, can I come tomorrow? I’ll bring the money. I’ll give you a deposit right now.
Me: Just come early so I don’t have to turn anyone else away.

Now I see why car salespeople get cynical.

That’s why I ALWAYS leave room in my price to negotiate. Folks just need to feel like they got a deal nobody else could get.

nyccarguy

Today through Sunday, my son is playing in a hockey tournament in lake placid, ny. Knowing our Highlander’s special constraints, I looked into renting something like a Tahoe, suburban, or minivan. My Dad offered to switch cars with me. So he’s got my Tacoma for the weekend and I’ve got his Tahoe RST. I’ll be the first to admit throwing snide comments regarding GM products, but they nailed it with this truck. It swallows cargo for 5 plus a large hockey bag and plenty of room for passengers. Solid ride. Very comfortable. Passing power when you need it. The biggest downside is the braking. I feel the weight of the 22s when on the brakes.

tifighter

Does he have the 5.3 or the 6.2?

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

the Mach E I got a ride in last year (sales guy at the Ford dealer followed me to the Hertz local office to drop off the car I rented to drive to Philly to get my Maverick to bring me back had one) was probably the 2nd fastest car I have ridden in. 1st being a 427 Cobra (also the most scary!) The sales guy had a lead foot (and these were fairly busy roads in NE Philly) and when he nailed the throttle it just slammed me into the seat and got over 60 incredible quickly. with little noise. Interesting experience.

My ride in a Mach E at the NY Auto Show last spring made me a believer too. Getting up to what had to be 60 (felt like a hundred) within the walls of the Javitt’s Center was impressive.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

FordPass app update today was to include Tesla chargers to public chargers search.

Don’t they have to send you an adapter for you to use them?

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

So the other shoe dropped.

Since the pick up is replacing the rusty cargo van I put it at the end of the driveway with a for sale sign and a $1000 price. I figured anything that runs and drives these days would be worth twice that but I’m not greedy.

First caller: I scrap cars and might be able to pull some parts off it so what is your bottom price.

Me: $1000 but why would you scrap a good running van?

Them: oh it runs? Ok what is the lowest you will take?

Me: $1000.

Them: I’ll think about it.

Second caller: Will you take $700?

Me: No, price is $1000.

Them: texts me later with message “I have $850”.

I didn’t respond.

Third caller: Saw the van and need details.

Me: 2004 Chevy Express, 125k miles. Runs and drives with no problems. Has rust like any 20 year old northern truck and has a light on for an airbag module. Horn works when it feels like it.

Them: Great. I need something that will last me a year because I’m trying to start a handyman business.

Me: I’ve owned for 8 years and it never left me stranded.

Them: ok I’ll see what I can do and get back to you.

Forth caller (actually the first caller calling back): Will you take $700?

Me: No, you can’t find a running vehicle for under $1000 these days.

Them: but it has a lot of rust!

Me: It’s 20 years old and besides the fame is solid.

Them: OK maybe I come look again tomorrow.

Me: Just call, I’ll be here all day.

Fifth caller: I looked at your van and want to buy it (no haggling).

Me: Sure but don’t you want to see it in daylight and hear it run? (It’s after dark).

Them: OK, can I come tomorrow? I’ll bring the money. I’ll give you a deposit right now.

Me: Just come early so I don’t have to turn anyone else away.

Now I see why car salespeople get cynical.

That’s why I ALWAYS leave room in my price to negotiate. Folks just need to feel like they got a deal nobody else could get.

Yeah, I realized that but I searched Craigslist for 200 miles and there’s nothing even remotely like it for under $1k. Heck, I couldn’t even find a junker car that wasn’t scrap for that price.

You would think that people would realize that this isn’t 2019 any more.

Maybe I should have told them that I’d throw in a second key for free.

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
Have you though about getting some external storage, rooftop box or hitch box?

tjc78

@nyccarguy said:
Today through Sunday, my son is playing in a hockey tournament in lake placid, ny. Knowing our Highlander’s special constraints, I looked into renting something like a Tahoe, suburban, or minivan. My Dad offered to switch cars with me. So he’s got my Tacoma for the weekend and I’ve got his Tahoe RST. I’ll be the first to admit throwing snide comments regarding GM products, but they nailed it with this truck. It swallows cargo for 5 plus a large hockey bag and plenty of room for passengers. Solid ride. Very comfortable. Passing power when you need it. The biggest downside is the braking. I feel the weight of the 22s when on the brakes.

I’ve said it before I would absolutely not throw a Tahoe out of my driveway. Same for a Grand Wagoneer

au1994

tjc78 said:

@nyccarguy said:

Today through Sunday, my son is playing in a hockey tournament in lake placid, ny. Knowing our Highlander’s special constraints, I looked into renting something like a Tahoe, suburban, or minivan. My Dad offered to switch cars with me. So he’s got my Tacoma for the weekend and I’ve got his Tahoe RST. I’ll be the first to admit throwing snide comments regarding GM products, but they nailed it with this truck. It swallows cargo for 5 plus a large hockey bag and plenty of room for passengers. Solid ride. Very comfortable. Passing power when you need it. The biggest downside is the braking. I feel the weight of the 22s when on the brakes.

I’ve said it before I would absolutely not throw a Tahoe out of my driveway. Same for a Grand Wagoneer

Me either. Although as noted I am afraid I might tire of parking it on a day to day basis.

oldfarmer50

Had a guy banging on the door at 6 this morning with a fist full of cash for the van. Sold.

I notified all who inquired which ticked off the guy who said he would buy it at 10 am. I apologized but I’ve been screwed before by promises of money that never materialized or even deposits that turn into weeks of waiting for the rest of the cash.

Tell me, did I violate some rule of the curbstone by selling it to the first guy who showed up with all the money instead of giving the latter appointment first refusal? If I turned the 6am guy away until after the 10 am guy I might not heard from either one of them again.

If it matters, the guy who bought it is a neighbor.

stickguy

No you didn’t. Cash wins every time.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

No you didn’t. Cash wins every time.

This..

breld

My $.02…the Mach E is a great buy at these reduced prices on the used market. Leasing still may be a better approach on EVs in general, but as these used prices continue to decline so rapidly there comes a point where the future depreciation on the slightly used example will be better than the guaranteed depreciation on the lease.

We were one of the suckers who bought the brand new Mach-E GT Performance at the end of 2022. Tax incentives helped, but a year later the next owner got a lightly used, well taken care of, Mach-E for 40% off.

Having owned the Ford and a Tesla back to back, the Tesla has some fun attributes, but I prefer the Mach E.

tjc78

@au1994 said:
Me either. Although as noted I am afraid I might tire of parking it on a day to day basis.

You get used to it. I’m not looking it up but I’d assume my pickup is the same length or even a touch longer. Width is definitely the same

fintail

nyccarguy said:

Today through Sunday, my son is playing in a hockey tournament in lake placid, ny. Knowing our Highlander’s special constraints, I looked into renting something like a Tahoe, suburban, or minivan. My Dad offered to switch cars with me. So he’s got my Tacoma for the weekend and I’ve got his Tahoe RST. I’ll be the first to admit throwing snide comments regarding GM products, but they nailed it with this truck. It swallows cargo for 5 plus a large hockey bag and plenty of room for passengers. Solid ride. Very comfortable. Passing power when you need it. The biggest downside is the braking. I feel the weight of the 22s when on the brakes.

Late model Tahoe or Burb is like the representative hockey parent vehicle around here - hauls a lot and travel/"elite" (lol) hockey costs so much that one needs that kind of budget. If GM gets one vehicle right, it's the big SUV.

Don't forget to hover closely over everything, scream endlessly at the refs, coaches, other kids, your kids, other parents, etc.

nyccarguy

@tifighter said:
Does he have the 5.3 or the 6.2?

He’s got the 5.3. It is mated very nicely to the 10 speed automatic.

nyccarguy

@explorerx4 said:
@nyccarguy,
Have you though about getting some external storage, rooftop box or hitch box?

I have a Thule Roof Top box that I borrowed from a friend. It is helpful. The Highlander doesn’t have a trailer hitch. We’ve got captains chairs which means that when we travel as a family of 5, one of the kids has to sit in the 3rd row.

roadburner

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

pretty common these days. I read my C&D last night, and they had a 40K test recap on a Cayman 6 cyl with a stick. And mentioned how sweet the engine was in the upper rev ranges, but said that with the gearing you pretty much couldn't do it in more than 1st, maybe 2nd, gear without risking your license and jail time.

Which is why Miatas are so popular - 180HP (or so), and a ton of fun. As David E. Davis used to say, 'Better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow'

That's what I like about the ti; you can beat on it like a red-headed stepchild and not risk losing your license.

laurasdada

Mandatory ceramic coating pkg. on the '22 X3, but since they were discounting it $3700 at the time, ok... It's pretty neat, car cleans easily and shine remains. But, so does the NuFinish on the A7 and M240, tbh.

I think the Jag I-Pace at the bottom of the hill has been replaced by a Mach E. Still no fires that I'm aware of.
I'm shedding a tear for the seemingly fading away Jaguar brand.

And I'm strangely intrigued by the Lucid Air, now that the base models have come down to reasonably unaffordable level. Let's see how the company does this year, I won't consider replacing the A7 until the warranty is up next year.
But I'm also getting a Porsche itch...
Sorry, today was bonus payment, so I'm a bit giddy. Not to mention Dell stock going up 31+% today! If only I had a wheel barrow full amount of shares.

tifighter

laurasdada said:

Mandatory ceramic coating pkg. on the '22 X3, but since they were discounting it $3700 at the time, ok... It's pretty neat, car cleans easily and shine remains. But, so does the NuFinish on the A7 and M240, tbh.

I think the Jag I-Pace at the bottom of the hill has been replaced by a Mach E. Still no fires that I'm aware of.
I'm shedding a tear for the seemingly fading away Jaguar brand.

And I'm strangely intrigued by the Lucid Air, now that the base models have come down to reasonably unaffordable level. Let's see how the company does this year, I won't consider replacing the A7 until the warranty is up next year.
But I'm also getting a Porsche itch...
Sorry, today was bonus payment, so I'm a bit giddy. Not to mention Dell stock going up 31+% today! If only I had a wheel barrow full amount of shares.

Do you have to use something special to wash the coated car?

A buddy of mine grabbed a nice chunk of NVDA a while back. He's having a custom house built in a resort town now...

kyfdx

tifighter said:

laurasdada said:

Mandatory ceramic coating pkg. on the '22 X3, but since they were discounting it $3700 at the time, ok... It's pretty neat, car cleans easily and shine remains. But, so does the NuFinish on the A7 and M240, tbh.

I think the Jag I-Pace at the bottom of the hill has been replaced by a Mach E. Still no fires that I'm aware of.
I'm shedding a tear for the seemingly fading away Jaguar brand.

And I'm strangely intrigued by the Lucid Air, now that the base models have come down to reasonably unaffordable level. Let's see how the company does this year, I won't consider replacing the A7 until the warranty is up next year.
But I'm also getting a Porsche itch...
Sorry, today was bonus payment, so I'm a bit giddy. Not to mention Dell stock going up 31+% today! If only I had a wheel barrow full amount of shares.

Do you have to use something special to wash the coated car?

A buddy of mine grabbed a nice chunk of NVDA a while back. He's having a custom house built in a resort town now...

LOL... or LLY?

Sandman6472

Same here, a co-worker got into NVDA at a good price and is extremely happy right now. Not so lucky here though I did get into APPL a couple of days before the recent split so my 50 shares became 200 in a few days. I'm more of a dividend player while he's more into growth...I'm looking to replace the income stream I'm getting by working part time by increasing my dividends so always looking for a good dividend payer. One of these days, I'm going to want to quit working so keeping that same income stream is my goal right now. And since I'm going to turn 70 this year, have some time before I need to take the money out of my traditional IRA and TSP accounts. So the current plan is to work until I start taking those payments out which of course, are taxable.