Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

roadburner

The Mazda salesman who sold us our CX-7 specifically said that if you buy a MazdaSpeed 3, to get winter tires and wheels as the OEM's are crap in the winter.

I'm sure that roadburner can confirm.

The Mazdaspeed(along with Sport Package/M BMWs, the GTI, and numerous other performance cars) come equippedwith summer tires. They are designed for maximum grip in +40F temps. My MS3 runs Pirell PZero All Season tires in the winter and I have a set of 2010 MS3 wheels for my summer rubber.

akangl

I just drive in too much traffic for stick shifts.

I certainly understand that, I hate traffic here with a manual trans. My car is the only automatic in the stable, the other 3 are all manuals.

My son came home today saying his car was being a pain and kept stalling. I took it out and filled the tank up.....found out the gas gauge is about 1/4 of a tank off, meaning the poor car was on E and said it had 1/4 of a tank. I told the kid to fill it up every 225 miles or so and don't trust what the car says it has. I checked the fuel economy and 29.6 mpg around the city with a new driver isn't too bad.

I'm just glad he is content with a manual and so far hasn't asked for the keys to the Pilot.

andre1969

Our desire to do more work on the house is one reason that we have slowed down our chronic car buying.

I'm not near as chronic as some of you guys and gals, but I think that's one reason I'm in no rush to buy anything, either. My next project around the house, though, is adding onto the garage!

I gotta admit though, this 2008 Altima kinda caught my eye. 2.5S model with a sunroof, 31K miles, for $16,888. Same dealer has brand-new ones similarly equipped for around $21K. However, I do like that green, and I don't think they offer it anymore.

And while the new ones aren't THAT much more (guess I'm just used to domestic-car depreciation), that $4,000 difference can buy a lot of gasoline!

fezo

I hate to ask but how goes the DeSoto?

andre1969

I hate to ask but how goes the DeSoto?

Very, very slowly. The mechanic hasn't asked for any money lately, and I've been kinda tight in the cash flow situation, so I've been a bit reluctant to call him for a progress report!

And hopefully I get the carport addition put on the garage before the DeSoto comes home! The DeSoto will actually go in the garage, but it's going to kick my '79 5th Ave out.

Of course, I guess I could always just clean the garage out, so that I can get four cars in it!

fezo

Of course, I guess I could always just clean the garage out, so that I can get four cars in it!

Let's not get drastic now....

28firefighter

It seems the love of my life....I mean of my automotive life..., the 330xi, is back in the shop and this time its a real doozy. The car is bogging down on the highway such that I have no power when pressing the gas pedal until I floor it and force it to kick down into panic mode. We have replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, Mass Airflow Meter, DISA Valve, lower and upper intake boots and a whole slew of other parts.

It has been in twice now, first time for a week and a half, and now going on 4 days as of today for the same issue with the mechanic. No other mechanic in town will touch the problem, as it is over their head and they said to take it to where it is now or to a BMW dealer.

I'm at a complete loss, and at this point am running out of both patience and time to spend on it. My eyes are starting to wander, thats for sure.

andre1969

Could it be a camshaft or crankshaft position sensor causing that? I had one of those (don't know which, because I had them both replaced at the same time) go bad on my 2000 Intrepid. When it failed, sometimes it would just flat-out stall the car, and I'd have to throw it into neutral and re-start. But sometimes, on the highway, I could feel it coming on. It would start to sputter, and lose power, but wouldn't quite die, and if I started pumping the gas pedal, sometimes could keep it from totally dying.

I know that doesn't sound exactly like the problem you described, but it still might be worth looking into those two sensors.

28firefighter

CPS' have been checked and had good ones swapped in, with no change. That was on the top of my list of things to suggest when he couldn't come up with anything.

samm43

Sorry to hear.

Have they confirmed that the fuel tank vent is working properly?

Sam

stickguy

I know if it was me, at the first opportunity that baby would be sent on down the road for something new.

Once a car passes into the untrustworthy stage, it is going, going gone.

even quicker if it is my wife's car. If it craps out and strands her, she probably will never drive it again, unless it is clearly a total fluke unlikely to ever happen again. Even that will only buy a little time until we get out looking!

28firefighter

The problem with getting rid of it, is that I cannot sell nor trade it right now with a clear head. It has no lights and likely driving it around town would not reveal the problem, but I would have to live with knowing the dealer would likely not fix the issue, and someone might be hurt by it.

I want to get rid of it, and very well might, but then the question is - what do I replace it with? I would want something with warranty (CPO or New), bluetooth, satellite radio and at least FWD. Also maybe something with a shred of reliability. Budget would likely be 15k-16k.

Thoughts?

michaellno

I know if it was me, at the first opportunity that baby would be sent on down the road for something new.

Once a car passes into the untrustworthy stage, it is going, going gone.

even quicker if it is my wife's car. If it craps out and strands her, she probably will never drive it again, unless it is clearly a total fluke unlikely to ever happen again. Even that will only buy a little time until we get out looking!

So, why is it that I'm the only person here who gets grief when this happens to me?

28ff, I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are having. Sucks not being able to drive a car you truly want to own because it is unreliable, and, having a conscience about trading it in or selling it because the problems may not be addressed for the next owner.

Truly a difficult situation. However, I'm sure those of us here can help you spend your money for a new ride. Might I suggest a Ford Fiesta? I think they can be equipped with BT.

28firefighter

I'm with you 100% in terms of your wife. Right now, my fiancee doesn't want to even ride in it, because she is concerned it will leave us stranded. She has good cause, it has already happened once and it lives in the shop.

This was really one of my dream cars, but it has become a nightmare to own. It really isn't even the money as that hasn't been so bad. It is the constant need for the shop.

qbrozen

I'm not sure of all the years that the 2.5 has serious potentially catastrophic problems (such as the pre-cat failing and shooting metal back into the engine), so tread carefully here.

jayrider

You can always donate the car to a worthy charity of your choice. They wholesale it and give you a tax deduction based on what they recieved. The Fiesta should be on your list, but the best buy is a 2011 Focus SEL with leather -roof -etc. Big rebates -- around 17k. If you don't need leather than an SE is less than 15k --- brand new all current safety and full warranty. [Check truecar.com]

fezo

So, why is it that I'm the only person here who gets grief when this happens to me?

Because when it's your car it gets fixed but when it's your wife's car (or your daughter's for that matter) it gets replaced.

Actually in my book you are doing the right thing - but it's fun to tease. Sorry.....

corvette

All the reports I've heard are on the last-generation Altima (2002-2006). I also owned one of those, and didn't have the problem. On top of that, there was a problem with some sort of butterfly valve in the intake coming unscrewed. I haven't heard any reports of these problems with the current generation (2007 and newer) model. The factory powertrain warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles, and the CVT has a 10 year, 120,000 mile warranty that's fully transferable to the next owner.

andre1969

hmmm, maybe I'll have to come to the dark side next time, and buy "furrin". Although with something like 65% domestic content, I guess an Altima isn't really all that much "furrin"!

And, the Park Ave is getting up in miles. Hit 70,000 today! :P

stickguy

here you go. I love the color. car too. Price, ditto.

miles though, not sure about them, but it is a stick so no big worries!

http://www.paulburnfamilydealerships.com/used/BMW/2000-BMW-5+Series-7dffc5610a0a- 006400eee839fc1e15c6.htm

qbrozen

Thanks, stick. But I don't have that kind of money for a 5th car. Plus, no black leather for me again.

I've seen plenty slightly older models with lower miles being advertised for less than $5k. That's more where my focus would be, if I were to do it, that is.

fintail

My impulsive friend who wants a Fiat 500 called me all excited this morning, saying his local dealer is supposed to get the first cabrios next month, and one will be in the color combo he wants. I think he'll jump at it.

corvette

Your four cylinder BMW has arrived:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/04/2012-bmw-z4-to-offer-four-cylinder-po- wertrain.html

The power output from a 2.0 liter kicks Audi's butt, too.

fezo

Send him over here. We'll get him done.

akangl

Plus, no black leather for me again

Me either. I guess I didn't think the whole black leather/interior through very well. Its HORRIBLE to keep clean, shows everything, and now that winter is over its HOT.

Back to light colored interiors I go......eventually. Pilot only has 5100 miles on it, have to keep it a while longer, probably a year or two.

andre1969

Me either. I guess I didn't think the whole black leather/interior through very well. Its HORRIBLE to keep clean, shows everything, and now that winter is over its HOT.


I used to have a '68 Dodge Dart that was originally white, but was primer-black by the time I got ahold of it. It had white seats, which were pretty thoroughly trashed, so I swapped in the black seats from wrecked '69 Dart I had. Bad move. Oh, and the thing had an aftemarket sunroof on it, so that black on black with a sunroof was a perfect storm for overheating yourself on a hot summer day! thankfully, if you rolled all four windows down, flipped open the vent windows, opened the sunroof, and opened the little vent doors under the dash, it cooled down pretty quickly. And after about a year and a half, I repainted that car back to its original white, which helped alot.

stickguy

I said never again too. it would have to be a hell of a deal on a used car to make me do it again.

kyfdx

I don't really have any issues with it.... For a BMW, it's a lot better than the other standard leather color (Sand)...

tjc78

IMO the best combo is light seats/headliner etc with dark carpets. This combo makes it easier to keep clean and the dark floors don't seem to heat the car up too much.

michaellno

OK, now y'all got me a bit concerned, since the CX-7 has a black leather interior.

We'll see if the wifey complains when summer rolls around ... and, before anyone makes a crack (I'm lookin' at you, fezo), no, it won't mean that it'll get traded in.

tjc78

I'm a "no black interior person" but mainly for the look and the fact that it shows every little spec. Yes, it is a touch hotter, but honestly IMO the exterior color has more to do with interior temp than the interior color. My Grandfather's car is white over black and its no worse to get into on a hot day that my burgundy car with ivory interior.

michaellno

I'm a "no black interior person" but mainly for the look and the fact that it shows every little spec.

Got it .. and yes, I do agree with you. After only a couple of months, there are quite a number of scuffs on the lower part of the interior that I'd love to remove.

I'm leery of using Armor-All -- does anyone have a suggestion for a product to use on the plastic surfaces of the interior?

stever

Armor All was reformulated umpteen years ago. I like 303 Protectant myself though. Usually just use a slightly damp cloth.

tjc78

NO ARMOR ALL..... ever! That stuff causes more problems than good! +1 on 303, haven't used it in a while but only hear good stuff about it.

For leather, IMO Lexol wins hands down (both the cleaner and the protectant) not cheap 9-10 bucks a bottle but worth it and it lasts.

fezo

Oh, you're no fun....

That black interior probably really looks great though.

I have found a gray interior to be nice for the same reason a silver exterior works - doesn't show dirt.

andre1969

My '67 Catalina is pale yellow with a black interior, and it can get pretty brutal on a hot day. However, the convertible top is black, which probably has a lot to do with it. I wonder if a white top would make much difference? I don't think the white would go as well with the body color as black does, though. And I just had that top done about 2 1/2 years ago, so I want to get my money's worth out of it!

fezo

Besides, you do not want to be dealing with a white convertible top. What a pain THAT would be to clean!

tjc78

I agree, I like cars with convertible tops that either match the interior or body color. I just think it looks better that way.

qbrozen

Like someone else said, I'm not against black for the heat problems. I mean, black leather still doesn't compare to the brutality of black vinyl, in my experience. But, anyway, my issue is more with keeping it clean (like black paint). My Alfa, BMW, and Infiniti never looked really clean to me, no matter what I did. OK, maybe for like 10 seconds after cleaning... but then the dust settles. Ugh.

jayrider

No black leather for me either --- funny thin is -- when I was 18 it never occurred to me to pay attention to dark colors and heat. Played baseball all day in the summer in a black t-shirt. Not on the radar. Other stuff on my mind I suppose.

anonymousposts

Sold the Camry today after less than a week on the market. Sold it for $19,000. Now we get to hunt down a replacement.

roadburner

I'm optimistic about the new fours; I like smaller and more efficient engines, but I hope it has a sporting power curve...

roadburner

Vinylex is another good product. Meguiars makes some good protectants as well.

michaellno

Thanks for the interior cleaning / protectant suggestions - I'll take a look at both the 303 and Meguiar's brands.

rb - I, too, am interested in the small turbo 4-cyl that BMW will be introducing. With approximately 20-30 more HP than the Audi / VW turbo 4, it should provide more oomph. But, I wonder if mileage will be the same.

stever

I'd forgotten about Vinylex but I've heard good stuff about it. And it was cheaper than 303 last I looked.

I think Armor All's rep isn't deserved since they got rid of the slick formulation and it's usually easier to find. But a bit of 303 lasts me for years since I rarely detail my cars anyway. My Lexol stuff must be 20 years old now.

nyccarguy

What year was it? How many miles did you have on it? How much were you asking for it?

tjc78

I think Armor All's rep isn't deserved

The problem isn't the "slickness" the problem is the silicones they use can tend to dry out the vinyl and cause cracking.

stever

Yeah, but those have supposedly been gone for a decade or more now. That's what made it slick.

breld

We dropped off our 328xi for some service this morning and they offered a new Z4 as a loaner. So tempting, but I thought we may need the loaner overnight (which it turns out that we do), and I need something that will accomodate car seats for the kids. Bummer.

I'll second the use of Vinylex - I've been using that for years along with the rest of the Lexol products.

And I have black leather in my CX-9 and have no complaints about it.

breld

Roaming the lots while picking up our 328, I really like this:

link title

Not too many wagons around with the sports package. It was in pretty decent shape; miles were decent. If it were a manual (which is a big if), I may have just bought it.