Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

au1994

Wow…

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-saab-9-3-16/

Michaell

When did thread become CCSA?

explorerx4

@micheall,
It's a form of conversion therapy.

qbrozen

That’s insanity on the 850R

corvette

850R isn't even low miles... I mean, it's low miles for a 1996, but not low miles for a collectible.

roadburner

I managed to snag a spot on a digital live talk with the product managers of the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 PHEV. It was conducted on MS Teams and all of the participants were able to ask multiple questions. That said, I only asked one- Will the E53 Estate (wagon) be available in the US? Unfortunately, the answer was no, but one of the AMG managers said that it may be available later. Another participant asked how the PHEV sytem worked on the track and the answer was that the E53 was not intended to be driven on the track. Kind of disappointing, but I'm guessing that the upcoming E63 will not have a similar restriction. I'd still like to have one, however.

explorerx4

There were 2 bidders on the 850 R, that's all you need.
The seller was giddy at the price even before all the entertainment started.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

That’s insanity on the 850R

Just WOW! I know these cars have a following, but...

nyccarguy

Starting to make some headway with the Lexus dealer. Sort of. He called and gave me the old: "We'll keep you at the same payment..." speech. But he structured the deal with sales tax up front , not in the payment as I requested and $3,600 in negative equity. I asked him to break down the numbers for me. He's going to get a printout and call me back.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

Starting to make some headway with the Lexus dealer. Sort of. He called and gave me the old: "We'll keep you at the same payment..." speech. But he structured the deal with sales tax up front , not in the payment as I requested and $3,600 in negative equity. I asked him to break down the numbers for me. He's going to get a printout and call me back.

He’s definitely playing hide the cannoli with something if he’s got $3600 in negative equity in a deal thats going to keep her at the same payment.

Why, oh why, the games?

cdnpinhead

Because they work.

tjc78

I have to get Mom a replacement this month for the Murano.

Hornet is out … “I don’t want a Dodge”. Not fighting it.

Need to dig in. What’s cheap right now? lol

tjc78

Gonna hit up LH to see what’s possible on another Murano. I also think there were decent leases on the Mazdas.

stickguy

Nothing? especially if you are writing Stellantis off. Nissan likely the next best bet. Stick her in a Rogue. Those are actually pretty nice. Might do OK on a CRV too if you hunt around.

au1994

The redesign of the Rogue is pretty nice.

Sandman6472

Drove a Rogue yesterday at work & was surprised how nice it really was! Not something I'd want due to it's size but if the shrunk it to the Kicks size, think I'd seriously consider one. Did do the "garage test" yesterday morning with a Toyota Corolla since I had some time to kill. Got to the house & the garage was empty so I really got to position the Corolla correctly & was a bit disappointed as it's just a bit to long. The front was about touching the wall while there was a couple of inches out back but, just not going to work on a daily basis. Just confirmed to me that anything over 176"'s will not work. Looking like the 2024 Hyundai Kona will probably be a good choice at this point.

Taking the Golf up to the Orlando area on Saturday for an overnight trip. Tires are in great shape and all gassed up, ready to go. Just hope no lights come on but think it'll do just fine. About to turn over to 76K on the clock, so not anticipating any issues & to be honest, renting something for this small trip just made no sense. Very confident things will go very smoothly.

corvette

Sandy, the Kicks is a redesign for 2025. Might want to take a look at it, if you're still looking when the 2025 is for sale. Enjoy your trip!

stickguy

Kicks is the right size at 170" long and 70" wide!

is that the replacement for the old Rogue Sport they don't make any longer?

ab348

stickguy said:

Kicks is the right size at 170" long and 70" wide!

is that the replacement for the old Rogue Sport they don't make any longer?

Yes, it is. Here it is, now called the Kicks: https://youtu.be/VLGx5BpdVGY?si=dFDl_n42wEeAiXy8

The redesign is quite interesting and a good update. I have no confidence, though, that the CVT transmission will be any better than that found in other Nissans, unfortunately. Too bad they don't use something else. Otherwise, it is a nice design.

stickguy

The cvt would not Bother me too much from reliability standpoint for a runabout car. But I also would make sure to change the fluid every 30k at most. Something most (ok, any) owners will actually do.

jmonroe1

@Sandman6472, I’m beginning to think the Schwinn bike I had when I was 12 would have a hard time fitting on your side of the garage.

jmonroe

mjfloyd1

@jmonroe1 said:
@Sandman6472, I’m beginning to think the Schwinn bike I had when I was 12 would have a hard time fitting on your side of the garage.

jmonroe

Also sounded like he needed to back up an inch if it was hitting on the front but a couple inches space behind it😂

ab348

stickguy said:

The cvt would not Bother me too much from reliability standpoint for a runabout car. But I also would make sure to change the fluid every 30k at most. Something most (ok, any) owners will actually do.

My understanding was that the CVT was a sealed unit and that changing the fluid is rather involved?

explorerx4

This one getting to be good.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-porsche-911-carrera-s-coupe-44/

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

This one getting to be good.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-porsche-911-carrera-s-coupe-44/

————————————————
That’s another investment I should have made. I’m batting a 1000 with losers, though.

jmonroe

qbrozen

@tjc78 said:
I have to get Mom a replacement this month for the Murano.

Hornet is out … “I don’t want a Dodge”. Not fighting it.

Need to dig in. What’s cheap right now? lol

Driving a Morono and sticking the nose up at Dodge. Geesh.

stickguy

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

The cvt would not Bother me too much from reliability standpoint for a runabout car. But I also would make sure to change the fluid every 30k at most. Something most (ok, any) owners will actually do.

My understanding was that the CVT was a sealed unit and that changing the fluid is rather involved?

no, I have seen the fluid being changed. not that big of a deal I don't think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILqTMbyeSPI&pp=ygUVY2FyIHdpemFyZCBuaXNzYW4gY3Z0

Sandman6472

As one can see, the front of the Corolla is almost touching the bottom of the air handler box and out back, not a whole lot of room. So any vehicle Corolla size just won't be a good fit. Will check out that new Kicks and see if it does anything for me. With just about 76K on the clock, think I could keep the Golf running another ten years if I keep the current 3K/year mileage. And since we've taken moving off the table, for now, could see us here till possibly 2027 or so. Personally, I could stop working tomorrow & be content but the other half is just not ready to give it all up. But I get it as I have some special issues she doesn't have which became very apparent these past couple of days. Saw my pain doc yesterday & he could see from the way I was acting that it was a bad day for me. Stayed in all day today also as I just didn't feel well. But she's lucky as she's very healthy. But, will continue to keep working for now.

oldfarmer50

au1994 said:

The redesign of the Rogue is pretty nice.

Higher trim Rogues are very luxurious. If you trust the CVTs you can’t go wrong.

xwesx

Man. Placing mechanicals like that is such a waste of an otherwise perfectly good garage. And on the door-side of the garage, no less! Goof balls.

Kudos to you, Sandy, with being so diligent about working with that flaw and getting garage-able cars... and actually garaging them!

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

This one getting to be good.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-porsche-911-carrera-s-coupe-44/

I’d need jmonroe1 to do my taxes to be able to afford that.

corvette

xwesx said:

Man. Placing mechanicals like that is such a waste of an otherwise perfectly good garage.

That makes me grateful that the first house I bought had the air handler in the crawlspace.

xwesx

corvette said:

xwesx said:

Man. Placing mechanicals like that is such a waste of an otherwise perfectly good garage.

That makes me grateful that the first house I bought had the air handler in the crawlspace.

Yeah, nothing wrong with that... as long as it doesn't *draw* the air from that space! Our Ohio house did (drew from basement, not technically a crawlspace, but definitely as nasty as one), which prompted my wife to tear out the entire system. LOL

28firefighter

Someone please save me from myself. They put up more photos and dropped the price $1k…

https://www.infinitiofbellevue.com/inventory/used-2016-bmw-x3-xdrive35i-awd-4d-sport-utility-5uxwx7c58g0k35986/

tifighter

At least your winter beater will come with the cold weather package.

tjc78

@xwesx said:
Man. Placing mechanicals like that is such a waste of an otherwise perfectly good garage. And on the door-side of the garage, no less! Goof balls.

Kudos to you, Sandy, with being so diligent about working with that flaw and getting garage-able cars... and actually garaging them!

Terrible design. That could have been done at nearly half that depth.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:

@tjc78 said:
I have to get Mom a replacement this month for the Murano.

Hornet is out … “I don’t want a Dodge”. Not fighting it.

Need to dig in. What’s cheap right now? lol

Driving a Morono and sticking the nose up at Dodge. Geesh.

Exactly ….

au1994

28firefighter said:

Someone please save me from myself. They put up more photos and dropped the price $1k…

https://www.infinitiofbellevue.com/inventory/used-2016-bmw-x3-xdrive35i-awd-4d-sport-utility-5uxwx7c58g0k35986/

Let us know when you pick it up.

kyfdx

I like it.. Holy cow, that turbo six is overkill. Again, that is my wife's color combo.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

@qbrozen said:

@tjc78 said:

I have to get Mom a replacement this month for the Murano.

Hornet is out … “I don’t want a Dodge”. Not fighting it.

Need to dig in. What’s cheap right now? lol

Driving a Morono and sticking the nose up at Dodge. Geesh.

Exactly ….

The CX-5 has some decent lease programs. Even a turbo model. If it's big enough for your Mom.

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
The CX-5 has some decent lease programs. Even a turbo model. If it's big enough for your Mom.

I saw that. I think it will be fine. She is used to RAV4 size. 90% of the time it’s just her or my little ones in the back.

Going to show her one and look how they come equipped. For mom the middle trim levels are usually perfect for her. CarPlay, power and heated seats along with some nannies are the sweet spot.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

As one can see, the front of the Corolla is almost touching the bottom of the air handler box and out back, not a whole lot of room. So any vehicle Corolla size just won't be a good fit. Will check out that new Kicks and see if it does anything for me. With just about 76K on the clock, think I could keep the Golf running another ten years if I keep the current 3K/year mileage. And since we've taken moving off the table, for now, could see us here till possibly 2027 or so. Personally, I could stop working tomorrow & be content but the other half is just not ready to give it all up. But I get it as I have some special issues she doesn't have which became very apparent these past couple of days. Saw my pain doc yesterday & he could see from the way I was acting that it was a bad day for me. Stayed in all day today also as I just didn't feel well. But she's lucky as she's very healthy. But, will continue to keep working for now.

My Mustang (which is the only car I garage) only has a few inches between the rear bumper and the door. I hang a little fishing bobber from the ceiling and when the windshield touches it I have enough room to lower the door without hitting anything.

au1994

That works perfect. Did the same thing when I had my Ram reg cab.

stickguy

my maverick is not that bad, but still has a pretty small range where I can still get around in front of it and also close the door. I never bothered with the tennis ball hanging from the ceiling bit, but I do have a marker on the side wall. I know if I am even with that I am in far enough. If I hear a thud, I went too far.

corvette

Sandy's garage reminds me of the garage in the townhouse my great aunt used to have. Very tight garage, and hers had the bonus of not having very good access to the mechanicals.

28firefighter

I’m going to go drive it, but I’m still wondering if the Subaru is a better choice.

pensfan83

I don't think I've ever seen an X3 of that generation optioned out like that. It's sharp and if it were local I'd want to check it out too.

laurasdada

explorerx4 said:

This one getting to be good.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-porsche-911-carrera-s-coupe-44/

Excellent, another winter beater candidate for me.

kyfdx

My friend’s new wheels

au1994

dang, nice!!