Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

jmonroe1

corvette said:

@sda - about 500 entries, beginning in 2012.

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Something tells me just few got it to that figure. Throw out the most prolific chronic buyer (gee, who could that be?) and the total shrinks to 147.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

Found this for my friend of a friend with the blown up Accent

Hard to believe that the average price for a 19 yo Hyundai with 129k miles is $6k. Then again it’s tax season so the price goes up.

mjfloyd1

@xwesx said:
Nice! I also like looking at box trucks while I eat lunch.

I was thinking Amazon Prime😂

28firefighter

Went to test drive that diesel tonight just for fun while I was with my friend. Sold.

corvette

@28firefighter - To you?

pensfan83

Or it was already gone.

28firefighter

Nah. Not to me. I did see it and it was in very good shape. Well taken care of.

nyccarguy

@pensfan83

Did you replace your Prelude's radiator when you got it a few years ago? I found a DENSO that's an OEM equivalent that is MUCH cheaper than an OEM HONDA radiator. Should I stick with Rubber Hoses or go for Silicone?

sda

@oldfarmer50 said:
Hard to believe that the average price for a 19 yo Hyundai with 129k miles is $6k. Then again it’s tax season so the price goes up.

I've heard of too many self destructing engine stories of Kia/Hyundai with the Theta engine after 100k, I wouldn't touch it .

kyfdx

sda said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

Hard to believe that the average price for a 19 yo Hyundai with 129k miles is $6k. Then again it’s tax season so the price goes up.

I've heard too many self destructing engine stories of Kia/Hyundai with the Theta engine after 100k, I wouldn't touch it .

Especially considering they own a Hyundai with a blown engine.

stickguy

If I was getting another Hyundai or a Kia, it would be new and I would make sure to follow the oil change guidelines to get the full 10 years of warranty. And dump it no later than that.

nyccarguy

@sda said:

@oldfarmer50 said:
Hard to believe that the average price for a 19 yo Hyundai with 129k miles is $6k. Then again it’s tax season so the price goes up.

I've heard of too many self destructing engine stories of Kia/Hyundai with the Theta engine after 100k, I wouldn't touch it .

I seem to recall someone here on the boards having an issue with. Hyundai engine failing prematurely. I can’t seem to remember the poster, but the car was a Hyundai XG350. Shiny too.

28firefighter

Paging @jmonroe1 to Aisle 10, Hyundai rant is needed.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

sda said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

Hard to believe that the average price for a 19 yo Hyundai with 129k miles is $6k. Then again it’s tax season so the price goes up.

I've heard too many self destructing engine stories of Kia/Hyundai with the Theta engine after 100k, I wouldn't touch it .

Especially considering they own a Hyundai with a blown engine.

Is the engine the same as the ones having problems today? The engine in my Kia is the Theta II which is a GDI version. Hard to tell which is the less reliable. Even in buying my car the research i did said the Theta II by 2019 had solved the problem but later they declared it hadn’t. There were also stories that any of those engines made in Korea were more reliable than the ones made in America. Mine was made in Korea so I hope that’s true.

sda

@nyccarguy said:

@sda said:

@oldfarmer50 said:
Hard to believe that the average price for a 19 yo Hyundai with 129k miles is $6k. Then again it’s tax season so the price goes up.

I've heard of too many self destructing engine stories of Kia/Hyundai with the Theta engine after 100k, I wouldn't touch it .

I seem to recall someone here on the boards having an issue with. Hyundai engine failing prematurely. I can’t seem to remember the poster, but the car was a Hyundai XG350. Shiny too.

Ouch

tjc78

@28firefighter said:
Paging @jmonroe1 to Aisle 10, Hyundai rant is needed.

Great oil change tech… bad record keeper. 😜🤪😜

28firefighter

tjc78 said:

@28firefighter said:

Paging @jmonroe1 to Aisle 10, Hyundai rant is needed.

Great oil change tech… bad record keeper. 😜🤪😜

SHOTS FIRED.

ab348

“They all blow up!!!”

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83

Did you replace your Prelude's radiator when you got it a few years ago? I found a DENSO that's an OEM equivalent that is MUCH cheaper than an OEM HONDA radiator. Should I stick with Rubber Hoses or go for Silicone?

I did not. When the timing belt service was done the shop said there was nothing wrong with the radiator itself when I asked them to replace the hoses. I'm pretty sure they probably used rubber and they won't let me bring my own parts, as I found out when I overhauled the front suspension. I'm due for a coolant service this year so I'll inquire again how it's holding up and I also ask them to always check the condition of belts/hoses since it sits for 5 months out of the year.

stickguy

that Hyundai Michael found I think that the 3.3 V6, not the 4 banger.

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

“They all blow up!!!”

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Probably true. The XG350 V6 engine that blew up was a Mitsubishi engine not a Theta. It had around 43K miles on it and as mentioned had countless oil changes but poor documentation according to the dealer, which I proved to them was wrong, but it made no difference to them. They still bounced the warranty claim.

jmonroe

Michaell

stickguy said:

that Hyundai Michael found I think that the 3.3 V6, not the 4 banger.

It says it's the 3.5, similar to the engine that @jmonroe1 had fail on him.

stickguy

but not the same as the one that blew up in your friend's current car though!

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy

pensfan83 said:

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83

Did you replace your Prelude's radiator when you got it a few years ago? I found a DENSO that's an OEM equivalent that is MUCH cheaper than an OEM HONDA radiator. Should I stick with Rubber Hoses or go for Silicone?

I did not. When the timing belt service was done the shop said there was nothing wrong with the radiator itself when I asked them to replace the hoses. I'm pretty sure they probably used rubber and they won't let me bring my own parts, as I found out when I overhauled the front suspension. I'm due for a coolant service this year so I'll inquire again how it's holding up and I also ask them to always check the condition of belts/hoses since it sits for 5 months out of the year.

Got it. Thank-you!

roadburner

I have a friend who is looking for a reliable car for around $5,000. Needless to say, that's not exactly my area of expertise (if I was looking in that price range I'd be drawn to decrepit Alfas, a miled-up SLK or a dead 924). Thanks for any and all suggestions!

qbrozen

You gotta be pretty open to possibilities. Mazda is usually my first go-to, but you might stumble upon a decent Ford duratec 3.0L, a low-mileage Buick 3.8L, maybe a CrownVic/GMarquis/Towncar, if RWD is OK.

fintail

roadburner said:

I have a friend who is looking for a reliable car for around $5,000. Needless to say, that's not exactly my area of expertise (if I was looking in that price range I'd be drawn to decrepit Alfas, a miled-up SLK or a dead 924). Thanks for any and all suggestions!

It's tax time, the worst time to buy a used car.

I suspect one can find a moderately miled up 20-25 year old Camrolla or maybe a similar era GM 3.8 car for that money - as long as it has been maintained and the 3.8 achillles heel issues dealt with, those might be the safest bets. Edit: Panther or 3.0 Taurus seem ok too if maintained, I see a number of them with big mileages and still going.

qbrozen

Just a few off the first page of results when I search for $2500-$5500 with 120k or less.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/417596020954588/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/271503305900877/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/395504043204162/

ab348

Yesterday Hagerty sent me a link to a story on their site about "Worst engines" as submitted by readers. I tell you, based on that you would never buy a used car because no brand was immune.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/hagerty-community/according-to-you-the-worst-engines-youve-experienced

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
You gotta be pretty open to possibilities. Mazda is usually my first go-to, but you might stumble upon a decent Ford duratec 3.0L, a low-mileage Buick 3.8L, maybe a CrownVic/GMarquis/Towncar, if RWD is OK.

lol … I was going to write essentially the same thing.

au1994

qbrozen said:

Just a few off the first page of results when I search for $2500-$5500 with 120k or less.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/417596020954588/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/271503305900877/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/395504043204162/

Am I just nuts but none of those look terrible.

qbrozen

@tjc78 said:

@qbrozen said:
You gotta be pretty open to possibilities. Mazda is usually my first go-to, but you might stumble upon a decent Ford duratec 3.0L, a low-mileage Buick 3.8L, maybe a CrownVic/GMarquis/Towncar, if RWD is OK.

lol … I was going to write essentially the same thing.

Because it is the right answer.

jmonroe1

roadburner said:

I have a friend who is looking for a reliable car for around $5,000. Needless to say, that's not exactly my area of expertise (if I was looking in that price range I'd be drawn to decrepit Alfas, a miled-up SLK or a dead 924). Thanks for any and all suggestions!

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Wow, asking YOU something like that is kinda funny. I’m surprised you didn’t give him a razor blade to end it all.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

@au1994 said:
Am I just nuts but none of those look terrible.

No. What’s the deal with that Grand Marquis? Looks nice!

ab348

The Taurus doesn’t look bad either… for a Taurus.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

You gotta be pretty open to possibilities. Mazda is usually my first go-to, but you might stumble upon a decent Ford duratec 3.0L, a low-mileage Buick 3.8L, maybe a CrownVic/GMarquis/Towncar, if RWD is OK.

I would second that list and maybe add Chevy Malibu to the list.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Just a few off the first page of results when I search for $2500-$5500 with 120k or less.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/417596020954588/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/271503305900877/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/395504043204162/

That’s actually a pretty good selection. I’d go with the Taurus as it’s newer but the Grand Marquis is a close second.

EDiT: if that Taurus has the 3.5L with the internal water pump I’d be careful of it. Potential engine killer and expensive to replace.

nyccarguy

My parents went car shopping/test driving today. 1st stop was Lexus where they drove an NX (not sure which one yet) & the RX. They just got preliminary numbers as I just wanted my mom to drive the car to see if she likes the new (to her) body style RX with the 4cyl Turbo. NX is more expensive to lease than an RX which has a higher sticker price. I know the RX is the volume seller and the NX sells well enough without a ton of lease support. Mom liked the RX and said she liked it.

Then it was off to Genesis. They looked at the GV80 which was too big and a GV70 which she loved. It’s bigger than an NX, but smaller than the RX. She loved the way it drove (the 2.5 Turbo). My 6’2” 78 year old (not very limber) Dad sat in the back and was surprisingly comfortable.

Ive got to take a look at the programs and see if we can get her out of the Lexus…

The Base GV70 was $100 more per month than the RX. The GV70 Sport was only $20 per month more and had a much higher sticker. I’ll look at the paperwork and comment more intelligently when I see it.

mlevine

nyccarguy
Does your parents have any positive equity in there current lexus? Since prior customer may be able to get into an RX for a good price. I would also look at Volvo and Infiniti.

nyccarguy

@mlevine said:
nyccarguy
Does your parents have any positive equity in there current lexus? Since prior customer may be able to get into an RX for a good price. I would also look at Volvo and Infiniti.

We’ve got to call up on Monday and see what their payoff is, but I’m almost positive (no pun intended) that they won’t have any equity. Most likely they will be under water in which case we’ll have to make a decision on what to do. My Mom currently has 45,000 miles on the ‘22 and she’s allowed 48,500 (I think) for her lease (39/15K). Let’s say she goes over the miles by 16,000. At $.25 per mile that’s $4,000 plus tax. So they are out $4K if they ride out the lease, so maybe if I can negotiate negative equity down to less than $4K (after I negotiate my best deal of course) I’d consider that a win.

roadburner

jmonroe1 said:

roadburner said:

I have a friend who is looking for a reliable car for around $5,000. Needless to say, that's not exactly my area of expertise (if I was looking in that price range I'd be drawn to decrepit Alfas, a miled-up SLK or a dead 924). Thanks for any and all suggestions!

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Wow, asking YOU something like that is kinda funny. I’m surprised you didn’t give him a razor blade to end it all.

jmonroe

It's a long story and I can't share the details, but it all boils down to the simple fact that my friend is paying a very stiff price for not showing his son tough love back when the kid was a teenager.

roadburner

My friend advises that he found a 2013 Legacy. The only Subaru I kept up with was the STI, so I don't know if that Legacy is a bad choice or not. I'll let my friend decide..

roadburner

I was able to watch several hours of the Twelve Hours of Sebring; one of the BMW GTP cars finished P4 and Winward Racing's Mercedes-AMG GT3 won back-to-back IMSA victories- P1 in GTD at both Daytona and Sebring.

roadburner

I like the looks of the GV70; of course in Louisville the Genesis dealership is part of the Oxmorons group.

au1994

I saw a Santa Fe in the wild today. It was…interesting.

jmonroe1

roadburner said:

My friend advises that he found a 2013 Legacy. The only Subaru I kept up with was the STI, so I don't know if that Legacy is a bad choice or not. I'll let my friend decide..

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As I’m sure everyone is aware, I hold my breath when I praise anything that is still doing well. But, I have to say that the two Subie 6 cylinder Legacy Limited’s that we have owned (2012 and current 2018) are as good as you can get for grocery getters.

Now I really have to hold my breath.

jmonroe

mlevine

nyccarguy
How many month left on her lease? Sometimes they do pull ahead and may have to hold for a few months. Even if over mileage they may work with you.

nyccarguy

@mlevine said:
nyccarguy
How many month left on her lease? Sometimes they do pull ahead and may have to hold for a few months. Even if over mileage they may work with you.

She’s got a year left. Currently there are no “pull ahead” incentives that I am aware of.

corvette

I found the OEM fuel fill adapter for the Maverick. It was… wait for it… under the rear seat in the storage bin where I had previously searched for it and couldn’t find it. D’oh! I clipped it to the bag that keeps the jack from rattling around, which is where I think it’s “supposed” to reside. At least I have a spare now.