Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

xwesx

@Sandman6472 , I think you'll miss it when it is gone. Not saying you shouldn't replace it, though! I have never had an issue with tint in my cars, though I'll also admit that I've only had two cars with an applied tint film. Might be a matter of product quality and/or installation versus age.

Sandman6472

Got a few quotes starting at $130 to $150 to remove the current tint. Seems prices have gone up since 2015 but not surprised by this. Think if I could get a decent deal on removal/new tinting, I might be interested. But also not having any tint at all would be fine also.

tjc78

I wouldn’t dream of owning a car in FL without tint

jmonroe1

xwesx said:

Ooh! I like that "average age" approach. With that, my fleet's average age is 31 years. Nice.

And, I think @fintail 's would be pretty similar.

————————————————-
Yikes, 31 years !!!! You’re working on getting kicked out of here.

You should apply for antique licenses and while you’re at it, an antique dealership permit.

jmonroe

greg128

nyccarguy said:

@greg128 - congrats on the Caddy! That 3.6 has plenty of go go juice!

Thanks gentlemen for the kind wishes. I will be giving up my work truck so we needed another vehicle. I will probably be using the Buick Lacrosse with only 38K miles on it. Both have the 3.6. The important thing of course is a happy wife.

cdnpinhead

There's tint and then there's tint.

I live part of the year in what the local chamber of commerce has taught everyone to call "the valley of the sun." I call it the hellhole -- Phoenix.

That said, I've had super-dark tint in the past on a couple of vehicles, but I paid a pretty penny (old-school reference) for Huper Optik on my TSX. It rules. It isn't so dark as to make an observer think it's a hearse, but, well. . . it works.

When I put my LH window up I can feel the reduction in discomfort, yet the window isn't very dark. I realize that removes much of what many tint people think is important, but there you are.

YMMV

fintail

xwesx said:

Ooh! I like that "average age" approach. With that, my fleet's average age is 31 years. Nice.

And, I think @fintail 's would be pretty similar.

32.5 years here. Of course one of those cars now hibernates in winter and is generally a fair weather weekend car otherwise, but it is driven and maintained, drove it last Sunday.

explorerx4

My fleet average gas is low, under 12. 33, 1, and .5.

qbrozen

Sandman6472 said:

Got a few quotes starting at $130 to $150 to remove the current tint. Seems prices have gone up since 2015 but not surprised by this. Think if I could get a decent deal on removal/new tinting, I might be interested. But also not having any tint at all would be fine also.

I removed purple bubbling tint off the replacement Mini window. It was really easy. Hairdryer and peel. Took a few mins.

venture

Window tint doesn't have to be dark anymore, I think.

It mitigates the sun's rays without limiting your visibility, especially at night. It also has the benefit that you can see other drivers so you know that they see you.

I don't tint. Just something I read somewhere - except for seeing other drivers. When it is real dark I wonder what they are afraid of.

mjfloyd1

I’ve heard that the ceramic tint works well. Costs a bit more but apparently reflects heat better

corvette

$130 to $150 sounds reasonable to remove tint from what I assume are seven windows on the Golf. Make sure your rear defroster works afterwards. I had to have tint removed from the Tahoe's front windows when I bought it, because my state inspects out-of-state vehicles and the fronts (the only ones they check) were too dark. I think it was $40 for just the two. Once the inspection was done, I had them re-tinted. The tint shop had a sign up about refusing to tint if a car has temporary/out of state plates or something similar.

kyfdx

I know that I can't be seen by other drivers through my door window, only through the windshield.

It came this way, and it was well done, but I'd rather not have it.

tifighter

The Type R had a crazy dark tint on it when I got it. Full removal was one of the parts of the deal, no me gusta.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Sometimes, it's just better to fix the few issues & keep a vehicle then get a new one & have a car note. That's where I am now and have just decided to fix what needs fixing and save as much as I can for the next ride. I'm lucky that we live so close to work and I only work 3 days a week. And at just over 9 years of ownership, just hit 76K miles. Did quite well on my round trip to Orlando this weekend, maybe 500 miles give or take. No lights came on and all worked as it should. Almost rented a vehicle but figured I'd see how things go & seems I lucked out.

And as much as I'd like to get something new, it's just not necessary right now. The new 2024 Hyundai Kona is my top choice right now but the upcoming 2025 Nissan Kicks looks to be a strong contender also. Checks all the boxes so, we'll just hav to see. At the rate I'm going, I won't hit 80K for another year or two. Only thing I really want to do is take off the window tint as it's faded to purple and it's bubbling on 3 of the 5 tinted windows. Not even sure I'd replace the tint to be honest right now.

On my last purchase I paid cash which came from savings. Now I pay the savings back $600/month. I’ll have it paid off in two years interest free rather than the 9.25% used car loan rate. Using the account that was getting basically zero interest make that a win for me.

Why don’t you “loan” yourself the money and pay it back with your Enterprise gig.

BTW, did you hear about the 4 Enterprise workers who were killed at the Dayton OH airport a few days ago?

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Got a few quotes starting at $130 to $150 to remove the current tint. Seems prices have gone up since 2015 but not surprised by this. Think if I could get a decent deal on removal/new tinting, I might be interested. But also not having any tint at all would be fine also.

Be careful when having tint removed from your rear window. My son’s Sable came from Florida and had the tint removed because it was illegal in NY. Whoever removed it damaged the defroster wires in the glass and he had to spend $300 to get it replaced.

sda

More fun today. We arrived at the Acura dealer to pick up the TL. While I was paying the bill my wife comes upto the door with a worried face. The Q5 showed key not recognized. I was able to start the Q5 and figured the key fob battery was weak. I replaced the battery when we got home.
The TL is brought to me and my wife was getting ready to drive off. What? A VSA light is glowing on the TL dash. I hurriedly call her and tell her not to go. I go back into the service department to tell them what I found. They take it back to the garage and run a diagnostic test, all clear. They claim the dash switch to turn the system off needs replacing. They will not charge labor to replace it but it is not in stock and will be available on Monday. Ugh.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

BTW, did you hear about the 4 Enterprise workers who were killed at the Dayton OH airport a few days ago?

I had posted that because I suspected Enterprise or other rental workers involved based on initial reports.

Here's a picture that ab348 was able to copy from the articles that I have talked about. The black Pacifica was broadsided making a left turn to take the side drive to Enterprise lot. They were outbounch from the terminal parking and Enterprise retail lot 1/4 miles behind them parking garage is visible on left distance in picture.

The white Volve was fleeing from another accident at reported 65 mph in a 25 zone on the interstate feeder into the airport. Ran the light or the Enterprise driver didn't see him coming because he was traveling much faster than the nominal 25-35 others drive there. The driver whom the Volvo driver hit was tailing him and giving info on location to Ohio State Patrol on the 2 miles from I70 to the airport.


https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/comment/6393232/#Comment_6393232

jmonroe1

sda said:

More fun today. We arrived at the Acura dealer to pick up the TL. While I was paying the bill my wife comes upto the door with a worried face. The Q5 showed key not recognized. I was able to start the Q5 and figured the key fob battery was weak. I replaced the battery when we got home.

The TL is brought to me and my wife was getting ready to drive off. What? A VSA light is glowing on the TL dash. I hurriedly call her and tell her not to go. I go back into the service department to tell them what I found. They take it back to the garage and run a diagnostic test, all clear. They claim the dash switch to turn the system off needs replacing. They will not charge labor to replace it but it is not in stock and will be available on Monday. Ugh.

————————————————-
I alway hold my breath when I have taken my car in for a warranty repair or a recall to reset something. While they fix what the car goes in for, I have heard horror stories about what they screw up.

Once they do these resets it’s a toss up if they get it right. When they’re questioned the response is usually, “it’s just a coincidence that it happened when you brought it in for a system upgrade”. Yeah, right.

jmonroe

explorerx4

@sda,
Did you look up what it means and how to fix it?

nyccarguy

@imidazol97 - that’s just awful about those enterprise workers. I’m amazed at how well that Volvo held up.

Thank-you @stickguy

roadburner

11 years for my fleet; two newer cars replacimg three older ones brought the number down considerably.

roadburner

jmonroe1 said:

sda said:

More fun today. We arrived at the Acura dealer to pick up the TL. While I was paying the bill my wife comes upto the door with a worried face. The Q5 showed key not recognized. I was able to start the Q5 and figured the key fob battery was weak. I replaced the battery when we got home.

The TL is brought to me and my wife was getting ready to drive off. What? A VSA light is glowing on the TL dash. I hurriedly call her and tell her not to go. I go back into the service department to tell them what I found. They take it back to the garage and run a diagnostic test, all clear. They claim the dash switch to turn the system off needs replacing. They will not charge labor to replace it but it is not in stock and will be available on Monday. Ugh.

————————————————-
I alway hold my breath when I have taken my car in for a warranty repair or a recall to reset something. While they fix what the car goes in for, I have heard horror stories about what they screw up.

Once they do these resets it’s a toss up if they get it right. When they’re questioned the response is usually, “it’s just a coincidence that it happened when you brought it in for a system upgrade”. Yeah, right.

jmonroe

There are only 3 dealers and two indie shops that I trust with my cars- which is one reason I'm reluctant to sample any other brands...

nyccarguy

Curious to see what you guys think of some of these for a 16 year old. My neighbor has twins that have their license. 1 of them drives the family’s ‘06 Sienna. The other one had an ‘09 Impreza. The Impreza was hit by a 16 year old unlicensed driver who spoke no English and was arrested at the scene because the cops recognized him from an accident the week before. It’s totaled. Obviously they want safe, cheap to run/maintain, & $10K max.

Any reason not to like this 2012 Impala with the V6? Is this THE 3800?

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/682643906?listingId=682643906

Here’s an ‘07 ES350:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/711134578?listingId=711134578

Dinged up ‘09 Accord. K24 Motor.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/707959878?listingId=707959878

What’s the deal with Volvos Turbo Charged 5 cyl from this era:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/705991452?listingId=705991452

corvette

Can't speak to the others, but the 2012 Impala was the first year of the 3.6 liter LFX engine, which was renowned for timing chain issues (supposedly resolved in newer models). Beyond that, the W-bodies are excellent highway cruisers.

28firefighter

I like the Lexus, personally.

I’d avoid the Volvo turbo of that era, but Q would know better.

I don’t have a problem with the Impala generally, but that interior for this one is giving off some “I’ve seen some things” vibes. I can smell it from here…

28firefighter

In other news, I’ve put over 100 miles on the Q5. Nary a rattle and the gas gauge is still showing full - now here is the magic question: is the fuel efficiency this good, or is the gas gauge broken? German car…could go either way!

Sandman6472

Only have tint on 5 windows and have heard one needs to be careful with the rear defroster. Not sure I'll even do anything but just getting quotes to see. But for the amount I really do drive it, might just leave well enough alone.

And OF, was thinking the same thing about lending myself the funds and paying myself back monthly. Right now, have around $35K, give or take, for when the time comes. Just haven't found anything that blows my socks off really. And with mileage still under 80K, is there really a good reason to get rid of it?

qbrozen

@nyccarguy said:
Curious to see what you guys think of some of these for a 16 year old. My neighbor has twins that have their license. 1 of them drives the family’s ‘06 Sienna. The other one had an ‘09 Impreza. The Impreza was hit by a 16 year old unlicensed driver who spoke no English and was arrested at the scene because the cops recognized him from an accident the week before. It’s totaled. Obviously they want safe, cheap to run/maintain, & $10K max.

Any reason not to like this 2012 Impala with the V6? Is this THE 3800?

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/682643906?listingId=682643906

Here’s an ‘07 ES350:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/711134578?listingId=711134578

Dinged up ‘09 Accord. K24 Motor.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/707959878?listingId=707959878

What’s the deal with Volvos Turbo Charged 5 cyl from this era:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/705991452?listingId=705991452

I’m not aware of any issues with the volvo drivetrain, but I wouldn’t get one with those miles. All the other components will just nickel and dime you to death.

Chevy: As said before, early 3.6 is to be avoided.

Lexus may be reliable.

If they have a $10k budget, why look at $5k cars? Something like a $9k mazda would have a long healthy life ahead.

nyccarguy

"If they have a $10k budget, why look at $5k cars? Something like a $9k mazda would have a long healthy life ahead."

I was chatting with them last night in the driveway and did a quick autotrader search for cars $10K & under for sale by owners. If I see the car has plates on it and not in a crummy area and these happened to catch my eye.

sda

@28firefighter said:
In other news, I’ve put over 100 miles on the Q5. Nary a rattle and the gas gauge is still showing full - now here is the magic question: is the fuel efficiency this good, or is the gas gauge broken? German car…could go either way!

Great Q5. If you like yours as much as my wife loves hers, it doesn't get much better than that! The fuel gauge on our 2.0T is slow to budge off full, but drops a little more quickly once it reads below a half tank.

ab348

Although I've long been a GM guy, I never liked that edition of the Impala. Prior to them getting the 3.6 engine, they had 3.5 and 3.9L versions of the hoary Chevy V6. I only drove rentals with the 3.5 but hated all of them. The engines always sounded ticky but the worst part was the interior which was a sea of hard black plastic which was not well done and did not wear well. IIRC you didn't even get a shift quadrant display on the tunnel next to the shifter and had to look at the dash display to see that info.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

In other news, I’ve put over 100 miles on the Q5. Nary a rattle and the gas gauge is still showing full - now here is the magic question: is the fuel efficiency this good, or is the gas gauge broken? German car…could go either way!

LOL! You are an amateur. I put a little over 300 miles on my Tacoma just yesterday alone. Drove to work. Drove home to pick up my 17 year old. Drove him up to the Sheraton at Bradley International Airport (BDL) for a BBYO convention. Then since I was on 20 minutes away from one of my 15 year old's favorite pizza spots (RED ROSE) in Springfield, MA I grabbed a party size to go. Drove home. Then drove my 15 year old to the hockey rink & back, then picked him up.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

In other news, I’ve put over 100 miles on the Q5. Nary a rattle and the gas gauge is still showing full - now here is the magic question: is the fuel efficiency this good, or is the gas gauge broken? German car…could go either way!

LOL! You are an amateur. I put a little over 300 miles on my Tacoma just yesterday alone. Drove to work. Drove home to pick up my 17 year old. Drove him up to the Sheraton at Bradley International Airport (BDL) for a BBYO convention. Then since I was on 20 minutes away from one of my 15 year old's favorite pizza spots (RED ROSE) in Springfield, MA I grabbed a party size to go. Drove home. Then drove my 15 year old to the hockey rink & back, then picked him up.

I'm exhausted just reading this post.

28firefighter

@nyccarguy said:
LOL! You are an amateur. I put a little over 300 miles on my Tacoma just yesterday alone. Drove to work. Drove home to pick up my 17 year old. Drove him up to the Sheraton at Bradley International Airport (BDL) for a BBYO convention. Then since I was on 20 minutes away from one of my 15 year old's favorite pizza spots (RED ROSE) in Springfield, MA I grabbed a party size to go. Drove home. Then drove my 15 year old to the hockey rink & back, then picked him up.

No argument here. Public transit, man! Gotta love it.

corvette

I forgot about the shift quadrant display quirk. Also, on those, the manual dual zone climate control is infuriating to use. If memory serves, the dials for driver and passenger are small, don't have detents, and have little resistance, so it's difficult to dial in the proper blend of fresh and heated air.

sda

One interesting feature not many know about on that series of Impala, is not only does the seat back fold down for extra room, but there is a tab on the seat bottom that when pulled up, opens a storage area and can be used to store taller items. It is not as useful as the magic seat in a Honda Fit. but still has some usefulness.

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
Red Rose is my favorite pizza place, too. Small world.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

@nyccarguy said:

LOL! You are an amateur. I put a little over 300 miles on my Tacoma just yesterday alone. Drove to work. Drove home to pick up my 17 year old. Drove him up to the Sheraton at Bradley International Airport (BDL) for a BBYO convention. Then since I was on 20 minutes away from one of my 15 year old's favorite pizza spots (RED ROSE) in Springfield, MA I grabbed a party size to go. Drove home. Then drove my 15 year old to the hockey rink & back, then picked him up.

No argument here. Public transit, man! Gotta love it.

I beg to differ. I took public transportation for MANY years and while I always got to my destination safely. Yes it was somewhat efficient for the most part. I definitely don't "Gotta love it."

Of course I'm sure there is A BIG DIFFERENCE between the public transportation you have in modern day Seattle vs New York City in the late 1990's/early 2000's:)-

breld

This surprises me, but I guess BMW didn't want Audi getting all the hot wagon glory.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44344061/bmw-m5-wagon-teaser/

Too bad there isn't a market in the US for the more reasonable wagon variants.

pensfan83

Even though public transit in the Pittsburgh area has been on a managed decline since the late 90's, it's my primary mode of transportation to get to work. It certainly isn't convenient or beneficial for everyone, but when it is and when people actively choose to spend an hour of their day in gridlocked traffic, it's mind boggling to me.

nyccarguy

This 2014 Accord EXL V6 6MT Coupe comes in @stickguy 's favorite color combination and the paint is swirled like dairy queen. Also look at the paint literally peeling from the front of the hood. It is a stick though and seems like it has an extensive maintenance history. Looks like it hit its fair share of potholes too.

Here's a 2020 Civic Si with only 67K miles on it, but it seems to have failed emissions twice back in February. I wonder what was done to it.

Looks like a case of priced the same as new 2024 CPO Honda Civic Si

jmonroe1

kyfdx said:

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

In other news, I’ve put over 100 miles on the Q5. Nary a rattle and the gas gauge is still showing full - now here is the magic question: is the fuel efficiency this good, or is the gas gauge broken? German car…could go either way!

LOL! You are an amateur. I put a little over 300 miles on my Tacoma just yesterday alone. Drove to work. Drove home to pick up my 17 year old. Drove him up to the Sheraton at Bradley International Airport (BDL) for a BBYO convention. Then since I was on 20 minutes away from one of my 15 year old's favorite pizza spots (RED ROSE) in Springfield, MA I grabbed a party size to go. Drove home. Then drove my 15 year old to the hockey rink & back, then picked him up.

I'm exhausted just reading this post.

————————————————
Me too and what he didn’t tell us was his tank was empty when he got home.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

jmonroe1 said:

kyfdx said:

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

In other news, I’ve put over 100 miles on the Q5. Nary a rattle and the gas gauge is still showing full - now here is the magic question: is the fuel efficiency this good, or is the gas gauge broken? German car…could go either way!

LOL! You are an amateur. I put a little over 300 miles on my Tacoma just yesterday alone. Drove to work. Drove home to pick up my 17 year old. Drove him up to the Sheraton at Bradley International Airport (BDL) for a BBYO convention. Then since I was on 20 minutes away from one of my 15 year old's favorite pizza spots (RED ROSE) in Springfield, MA I grabbed a party size to go. Drove home. Then drove my 15 year old to the hockey rink & back, then picked him up.

I'm exhausted just reading this post.

————————————————
Me too and what he didn’t tell us was his tank was empty when he got home.

jmonroe

No. I filled up on Wednesday night and will have to fill up again on my way home tonight.

pensfan83

Just some geese on the highway

28firefighter

Man that merge onto the Fort Pitt Bridge to hit the Park West still gives me flashbacks.

kyfdx

Looks like a good day for a ball game!

28firefighter

Re: public transit - it's far from perfect here, but they're expanding light rail service heavily (and lord knows I've been paying for it in my vehicle registration fees for almost a decade now). They're opening a light rail station along with a park and ride garage about 2 miles from my house that will drop me off a block from the office. Once they ramp service, it'll run every 4 minutes. I have no good reason not to use it. Will easily save me 20+ minutes in traffic each way.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

BTW, did you hear about the 4 Enterprise workers who were killed at the Dayton OH airport a few days ago?

I had posted that because I suspected Enterprise or other rental workers involved based on initial reports.

Here's a picture that ab348 was able to copy from the articles that I have talked about. The black Pacifica was broadsided making a left turn to take the side drive to Enterprise lot. They were outbounch from the terminal parking and Enterprise retail lot 1/4 miles behind them parking garage is visible on left distance in picture.

The white Volve was fleeing from another accident at reported 65 mph in a 25 zone on the interstate feeder into the airport. Ran the light or the Enterprise driver didn't see him coming because he was traveling much faster than the nominal 25-35 others drive there. The driver whom the Volvo driver hit was tailing him and giving info on location to Ohio State Patrol on the 2 miles from I70 to the airport.


https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/comment/6393232/#Comment_6393232

Thanks for posting that. The bosses at work were not aware of it either. My fellow drivers were shocked when I told them.

roadburner

breld said:

This surprises me, but I guess BMW didn't want Audi getting all the hot wagon glory.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44344061/bmw-m5-wagon-teaser/

Too bad there isn't a market in the US for the more reasonable wagon variants.

Here's the press release from BMW NA. I find a 738 hp wagon to be eminently reasonable.