Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

corvette said:

Good luck on the Bluetooth fix. Hopefully, there is a firmware update or something. My Tundra had an annoying alternator white type of sound whenever I had my phone plugged into USB to use CarPlay, that the dealer was unable to fix.

I didn't have that issue with my 2019 Tacoma, but that didn't have CarPlay. No complaints when making calls from our 2022 Highlander either.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

there is a recall for "weld splatter" that could cause the drive shaft to decouple

That's a weird one. One would hope splatter is like a really specific and odd situation that wouldn't be so consistent across so many vehicles as to constitute a recall.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

there is a recall for "weld splatter" that could cause the drive shaft to decouple

That's a weird one. One would hope splatter is like a really specific and odd situation that wouldn't be so consistent across so many vehicles as to constitute a recall.

————————————————
That’s what I was thinking too. Weld splatter is usually so insignificant it is only a cosmetic thing. There would have to be a hell of a lot of it to knock the driveshaft out of balance to the point where it would cause vibration and a driveability problem. There has to be more about this than what Toyota is telling their customers.

jmonroe

explorerx4

It's a ploy to get current owners into the dealership, so they have a chance to sell the new gen version, which has not been well recieved.

oldfarmer50

May be nothing but…

Our UCS (used car sales) lot is as full as I’ve ever seen it since the pandemic and I have been moving a lot of cars with low mileage to our sister lots in NJ and CT. This could mean that the rental companies are getting back to normal and can start cycling old cars out as more and more new ones come in. I know I’ve seen nothing but low mileage (under 10k miles) cars at the airport.

Disposal used to happen at 60k miles but now I’m moving units with under 25k. If this is actually reflective of the market, this influx of up to a million cars a year could drive used car prices down.

iluvmysephia1

It's me. I'm back. For whatever reason I come on here and add some posts, enjoy the Edmunds forums, then go away like the elusive 2nd Super Bowl victory
for the New York Jets.

Hey, I have a question. I have developed a hankering for the BMW Mini Cooper. I have my eye on a 2013 BMW Mini Cooper 6-speed stick. CarMax is offering me $13,400 for our lone car, the 2021 Kia Soul 6-speed stick that has 43,697 miles on it.

The Mini Cooper has just over 40,000 miles on it. Do any Edmunds members have a Mini Cooper or have any experience with these cars? Do you all know it's weak areas. I've heard stories of $300 oil changes that have me barfing my lunch up. Not really...but...would anyone have an opinion in this deal. I like the CarMax business model, actually. I've had this 4th Kia of ours for almost 4 years and the car is great as far as reliability. I'm just ready for a change. Is the Mini Cooper tiny inside?

Michaell

iluvmysephia1 said:

It's me. I'm back. For whatever reason I come on here and add some posts, enjoy the Edmunds forums, then go away like the elusive 2nd Super Bowl victory

for the New York Jets.

Hey, I have a question. I have developed a hankering for the BMW Mini Cooper. I have my eye on a 2013 BMW Mini Cooper 6-speed stick. CarMax is offering me $13,400 for our lone car, the 2021 Kia Soul 6-speed stick that has 43,697 miles on it.

The Mini Cooper has just over 40,000 miles on it. Do any Edmunds members have a Mini Cooper or have any experience with these cars? Do you all know it's weak areas. I've heard stories of $300 oil changes that have me barfing my lunch up. Not really...but...would anyone have an opinion in this deal. I like the CarMax business model, actually. I've had this 4th Kia of ours for almost 4 years and the car is great as far as reliability. I'm just ready for a change. Is the Mini Cooper tiny inside?

Two MINI owner here (well, proxy via my stepdaughter).

First was a 2010 MINI Cooper base 2-door hatch. Minimally equipped, automatic. She enjoyed owning it so much she traded it in on a 2014 MINI Cooper Countryman S ALL4 (say that 5 times really fast). This is the 4 door, "grown up" model that looks like a shrunken SUV. Hers is pretty much loaded, and the MSRP was around $38K.

10 years and 68,000 miles later, it hasn't stranded her. Maintenence for the first 5 or 6 years was free (well, she pre-paid it), and in the last 4 years we've put just over $8K into it for tires, maintenence and repairs. All of this work has been done at the dealer (her money, her choice), and, while that's probably more than you'd spend on your Kia at that same age (should be considerably more since the Kia has a 10 year warranty on the drivetrain), she's enjoyed owning and driving it.

It does ride pretty rough (run-flat tires and a sport-tuned suspension will do that), but the turbocharged engine is plenty zippy here at altitude. Low tech, however - no backup camera, the nav system is pretty outdated, no power seats.

You're effectively trading convenience for fun.

xwesx

I feel like the pictured Cooper is about as mini as you can get. But, the hatchback version, Clubman, and Countryman all feel pretty roomy for the overall size of the car.

iluvmysephia1

Yeah, I absolutely LOVE the Mini Cooper S pictured above. CarMax wants $14,998 for it. The Mini has pert-near the same mileage on it. They are offering $13,400 in trade for our Soul LX. So I'd be under $2,687 counting trade-in differential, tax, title and fees. But I know that going in.

I love those black rings around the headlights. This Mini stands out aesthetically from the others. It does have Bluetooth and AUX connection but no rear view camera. I don't need a rear view camera.

My wife will have an absolute thrombo but last time we bought a car (July of 2020) she completely disregarded what I wanted and demanded we get the '21 Kia Soul LX 6-speed instead of the 2021 Nissan Versa S 4dr. sedan 5-speed stick. So, after 4 years with the Soul wagon I don't see what's wrong with switching to the Mini.

iluvmysephia1

xwesx - yes, it's definitely Mini small. It's the 2-door S model with 6-speed stick. Gas mileage is 30 city 40 highway.

I never studied the CarMax business model before. They really check their used cars out thoroughly and reject cars that don't live up to their standards. As I studied their cars I grew to believe them!

oldfarmer50

The Minis I’ve driven at work all seem bigger on the inside than outside. They drive well and got good gas mileage. I don’t know about maintenance costs but the company got rid of them all so make of that what you will.

iluvmysephia1

You're talking your company got rid of them?

Michaell

FYI, oil changes at the dealer are $99.99

oldfarmer50

This was just bid to $300k at Mecum Indianapolis. Not sure if it sold but seems to be a desirable package.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/1117198/1969-ford-mustang-boss-429-fastback/?aa_id=584203-0

oldfarmer50

iluvmysephia1 said:

You're talking your company got rid of them?

Yeah, I work for Enterprise so they tend to rotate them out after a year or two. I don’t know if repair or maintenance had anything to do with it but if any particular car exceeds the repair cost algorithm it gets sent down the road.

Evidently, they didn’t replace them as I see very few these days.

If you want to know exactly why you can ask our company CEO Chrissy Taylor. She’ll be in Times Square on Monday to unveil a new billboard. My coworker got picked to drive all the suits down there to kiss her ring.

iluvmysephia1

I'll take your word for all of it, oldfarmer50. I'm going to examine the maintenance costs of the 2013 BMW Mini Cooper S while my time runs down on their latest trade-in offer. We get a week at that offer price if $13,400 and if the time runs out they re-appraise our car for several hundred less dollars. If I like the deal I need to take it ASAP.

mjfloyd1

Look into the Carmax extended warranty as well

Michaell

mjfloyd1 said:

Look into the Carmax extended warranty as well

I second that - it's pretty comprehensive, and should give you piece of mind.

mjfloyd1

Piece of mind or peace of mind?🙄. Peace of mind is good

@Michaell - did you ever figure out the tire aspect ratio situation?

28firefighter

Have the CarMax warranty on the bmw. They’re paying for two replacement taillights at the local dealer because of an intermittent fault in both when the turn signal comes on.

Michaell

mjfloyd1 said:

Piece of mind or peace of mind?🙄. Peace of mind is good

@Michaell - did you ever figure out the tire aspect ratio situation?

Let me circle back with my sister and find out.

qbrozen

Chattin with the wife last night. I said I could sell the Charger to mostly pay for a camper. She said “no.” Said we should sell the Fiat instead. Alright. If you say so.

This morn, she’s getting ready to go out and wants to take the Fiat. I said I had planned on prepping that for sale since she wants me to sell it. She said, “I don’t WANT to sell it.” Umm.. OK so don’t. She explains she thinks I’ll regret selling the Charger so figures it is safer to sell the Fiat. I, in turn, explained I have 2 RWD V8 large sedans but she has just 1 convertible. If I want another Charger in the future, I’d just get a newer one.

laurasdada

28firefighter said:

Have the CarMax warranty on the bmw. They’re paying for two replacement taillights at the local dealer because of an intermittent fault in both when the turn signal comes on.

I had the same, but just the right rear. Repaired under warranty, which expires in two weeks!
I now understand what climate change is; our climate has changed into the PNW, does it ever not rain here???

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
Did say were interested in a Jayco? You should watch this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVrtnnJqrbA

imidazol97

mjfloyd1 said:

Look into the Carmax extended warranty as well

I'm glad to see the CarMax warranty mentioned. I would take a look at it if I decided to buy Carmax vehicle. Otherwise, it's manufacturers' warranties for me.

oldfarmer50

laurasdada said:

28firefighter said:

Have the CarMax warranty on the bmw. They’re paying for two replacement taillights at the local dealer because of an intermittent fault in both when the turn signal comes on.

I had the same, but just the right rear. Repaired under warranty, which expires in two weeks!
I now understand what climate change is; our climate has changed into the PNW, does it ever not rain here???

I kind of thought that was your trademark. Now explain why it won’t stop raining in the east. Meanwhile, there’s drought in central Canada.

I guess that’s why they call it weather.

qbrozen

explorerx4 said:

@qbrozen,
Did say were interested in a Jayco? You should watch this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVrtnnJqrbA

alright, I couldn't get through it. Did you watch it all? Was there any other issue besides the too-long screws?

greg128

There should be some pretty good deals on Mercedes EVs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIpXkQhq1ps&t=111s

qbrozen

Someone here wants this, I’m sure.

https://www.facebook.com/share/P9pwxUMX34z1w5TU/?mibextid=79PoIi

laurasdada

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:

28firefighter said:

Have the CarMax warranty on the bmw. They’re paying for two replacement taillights at the local dealer because of an intermittent fault in both when the turn signal comes on.

I had the same, but just the right rear. Repaired under warranty, which expires in two weeks!
I now understand what climate change is; our climate has changed into the PNW, does it ever not rain here???

I kind of thought that was your trademark. Now explain why it won’t stop raining in the east. Meanwhile, there’s drought in central Canada.

I guess that’s why they call it weather.

I'm in SeattlE MA, OF; town of a famous rock.
Lifelong New Englander.

28firefighter

@qbrozen said:
Someone here wants this, I’m sure.

https://www.facebook.com/share/P9pwxUMX34z1w5TU/?mibextid=79PoIi

So much space in the back for…activities!

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
What I hoped you would take from that video is that there are build quality issues, and the dealer and manufacturer won't stand behind it(fix it correctly).
I watched a video on material quality by a mobile repair tech a while back and that was pretty enlightening, too.

qbrozen

explorerx4 said:

@qbrozen,
What I hoped you would take from that video is that there are build quality issues, and the dealer and manufacturer won't stand behind it(fix it correctly).
I watched a video on material quality by a mobile repair tech a while back and that was pretty enlightening, too.

Yes, thanks. I'd imagine, like cars, every manufacturer has their lemons out there.
The kicker on that particular video is that she saw the problem before taking delivery and yet still took it.

Last word we just had about it was to revert to my other idea of putting a bed in the sprinter and, if we're on the road, I sleep in the van with the dogs and the rest of the fam can get a hotel room. Lol.

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
There are many similar videos about that brand out there going back years.

jmonroe1

28firefighter said:

@qbrozen said:

Someone here wants this, I’m sure.

https://www.facebook.com/share/P9pwxUMX34z1w5TU/?mibextid=79PoIi

So much space in the back for…activities!

————————————————-
Which we aren’t allowed to talk about in here.

jmonroe

tifighter

@28firefighter said:
Have the CarMax warranty on the bmw. They’re paying for two replacement taillights at the local dealer because of an intermittent fault in both when the turn signal comes on.

I had this happen on the drivers side tail light on the M2. I have no idea if the M2 tail light is different than the M240 but the part cost alone was $1200, which was fortunately under warranty. It took 5 weeks for the replacement part to arrive.

Still feeling good about the Type-R.

oldfarmer50

laurasdada said:

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:

28firefighter said:

Have the CarMax warranty on the bmw. They’re paying for two replacement taillights at the local dealer because of an intermittent fault in both when the turn signal comes on.

I had the same, but just the right rear. Repaired under warranty, which expires in two weeks!
I now understand what climate change is; our climate has changed into the PNW, does it ever not rain here???

I kind of thought that was your trademark. Now explain why it won’t stop raining in the east. Meanwhile, there’s drought in central Canada.

I guess that’s why they call it weather.

I'm in SeattlE MA, OF; town of a famous rock.
Lifelong New Englander.

My mistake, I missed the “into” and read it as “the climate has changed in the PNW”.

tjc78

I have a new store opening in Surprise AZ, so I worked into my Vegas trip a visit there. It was a little less than a four hour ride each way through the desert.

The Wagoneer soaked up those miles. Wow. Perfect road trip vehicle. I actually prefer it to an Escalade. It was very composed at speed for something so large. I pushed it a little and for miles on end did not drop below 80. MPG said 17.9

tjc78

Apparently there are decent leases on these available.

Broker has a 72K 4x4 for $768 36/10 with just first OOP

Not sure there is any full size SUV that can come close to that.

Michaell

@tjc78 - great pictures. AZDOT needs to get on the ball and build out Interstate 11.

laurasdada

"I have a new store opening in Surprise AZ..."
Bet no one saw that one coming!

Out of curiosity, have you (or anyone) been to Lake Las Vegas? If so, any thoughts on that area?

tifighter

We had our rental Wagoneer in AZ too. I’m fully with you; great highway car. And it could do forest service roads too, with seat coolers on and the baby sleeping in the back. I even kinda like the looks (ducks)…

tjc78

@tifighter said:
We had our rental Wagoneer in AZ too. I’m fully with you; great highway car. And it could do forest service roads too, with seat coolers on and the baby sleeping in the back. I even kinda like the looks (ducks)…

The short wheelbase one looks better to me. The rear is the worse of it IMO. The rest is good

28firefighter

I’ve had the wagoneer as well. If we needed a true full size SUV, it’d be on the short list.

carnaught

The interiors and the McIntosh audios are nice.

28firefighter

While the BMW was in for service, the dealer ran me to and from home in a BMW iX. To say it looked and felt cheap inside would be an understatement. The i5 looks much better put together.

I did see an M440i Convertible in the showroom. Little big for my taste but was quite nice.

au1994

28firefighter said:

I’ve had the wagoneer as well. If we needed a true full size SUV, it’d be on the short list.

I love the SWB version, just don’t love the price right now.

stickguy

saw my college roommate today. He is turning in his BMW 2 series GC lease this week to pick up an i4 EV. not really a car guy so should be interesting to see how he adapts to the lifestyle! does have the electrician lined up to put a fast charger in his garage.

saw online you get 2 years free charging at electrified america stations. Too bad you have to use them. I believe he can use the SC network too which sounds a lot better.

roadburner

stickguy said:

saw my college roommate today. He is turning in his BMW 2 series GC lease this week to pick up an i4 EV. not really a car guy so should be interesting to see how he adapts to the lifestyle! does have the electrician lined up to put a fast charger in his garage.

saw online you get 2 years free charging at electrified america stations. Too bad you have to use them. I believe he can use the SC network too which sounds a lot better.

The fact that he leased a 2 Series Gran Coupe is irrefutable proof that your friend is millions of light years away from being a car guy.

Michaell

And I’ve maintained that is you took a slightly out of focus picture of the 2 GC and the Kia Forte, you’d have a hard time telling them apart.