Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

andres3

mjfloyd1 said:

andres3 said:

imidazol97 said:

@andres3 said:

Oh, one other knock on that Macan Turbo, it has the Chinese windshield glass my S4 does, FAYAO for CHEAP!!!! But who knows if theirs was installed properly. Needs a 100-day rainstorm test.

And who puts Chinese glass on a Macan Turbo with under 50K miles?

Is that"Fuyao" glass?

They are a supplier of new glass as well. I went by their plant here in Moraine earlier today, in the US.

Fuyaousa.com

That must be it. Chinese company gone global I suppose. I'm not super impressed by the "optical clarity" of the replacement one I have on my S4 (Grade C+, passable, but I'd only use it on a car with over 60,000 miles).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuyao_Group#:~:text=Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co,and is headquartered in Fuqing.

Did your S4 come with the aftermarket glass when you bought it?

Yes, and it led to problems. Though the problems were due to a poor installation and water leaking through. Killed my central control module and battery. Also replaced it with the same Fuyao windshield (but new and correctly installed this time). $399.99 installed.

The aftermarket oil housing we tried with the engine replacement also was throwing codes, the Germans don't like to play with others. Went to OEM oil housing and haven't thrown a code since.

xwesx

True. To be fair, it was only worthless

andres3 said:

That must be it. Chinese company gone global I suppose. I'm not super impressed by the "optical clarity" of the replacement one I have on my S4 (Grade C+, passable, but I'd only use it on a car with over 60,000 miles).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuyao_Group#:~:text=Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co,and is headquartered in Fuqing.

Every time my glass breaks, I shout, "Fuqing Fuyao!"

corvette

Very nice. I don't think that will entice me to order another one, but it's a welcome addition to the lineup, and one that a lot of people suspected was in the works. Given that 2025 will be its fourth year, they should also do some cosmetic and feature enhancements--the infotainment could have a larger screen, etc.

oldfarmer50

venture said:

andres3 said:

venture said:

The used car situation for my grandson has taken an odd turn. I wanted to say an ugly turn, but I don't know that it's really ugly; just strange.

He seems to have the same concept of money that his dad had/has. My daughter is re-married so the original moron is not around all that much.

A few weeks ago, I told him that I would give him $1,000 toward the down payment. He said that would really help. The word "really" got my attention, but I let it go.

Now I find out that he has saved "about" a thousand dollars toward a car. After deciding he wanted to get something a year ago! How he thinks he can manage a $400 or $500 a month car payment when he only saved about $85 a month for the last year is anyone's guess. He has a decent job for a 19 year-old so there is really no excuse.

I told him I would buy the car and he could pay me back to save on interest. I'm definitely having second thoughts now.

I discussed the situation with my daughter, and she didn't know that he has only saved around $1,000. We agreed that he is not ready.

The original moron asked me to go with him to look at new cars once. The very first thing he said to the salesman was how much he was paying a month and how much he wants to pay a month going forward. I didn't go with him again. It was hopeless.

Do people not realize that car salesman would put you in a Tata motor car for $10,000/month if that's what you tell them you want to pay per month?

When I was at my Subaru dealer a few months ago a guy was happy that they got him 84 month financing on a used pickup.

Yeah. They are out there.

What must the interest rate be on an 84 month loan for a used truck? My credit union won’t even make loans longer than 4 years on vehicles older than 2016. Even for 48 months they want 9.74%. An 84 month loan would carry an even high rate assuming top tier credit which he probably doesn’t have.

I can’t imagine someone being that desperate for a truck.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

A friend of mine drives an E53 AMG. He lives in NJ and commutes into The Bronx every day. He gets his money’s worth out of the wheel & tire insurance.

Last Tuesday a crew had a blowout on I-287 coming out of Wayne NJ. They sat on the side of the road for hours while the company tried to figure out a way to get them back to Albany. For a big company with a million cars they sure didn’t have any contingencies for something as simple as a flat tire. They didn’t get home until 1am the next morning.

And before you ask why they just didn’t change the tire themselves, the minivan didn’t have a spare, just an inflator and the tire was shredded driving on the shoulder to get to a safe spot.

nyccarguy

@oldfarmer50 said:
Last Tuesday a crew had a blowout on I-287 coming out of Wayne NJ. They sat on the side of the road for hours while the company tried to figure out a way to get them back to Albany. For a big company with a million cars they sure didn’t have any contingencies for something as simple as a flat tire. They didn’t get home until 1am the next morning.

And before you ask why they just didn’t change the tire themselves, the minivan didn’t have a spare, just an inflator and the tire was shredded driving on the shoulder to get to a safe spot.

My friend who has this E53 AMG lives in Wayne, NJ. Although not near 287.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A friend of mine drives an E53 AMG. He lives in NJ and commutes into The Bronx every day. He gets his money’s worth out of the wheel & tire insurance.

Last Tuesday a crew had a blowout on I-287 coming out of Wayne NJ. They sat on the side of the road for hours while the company tried to figure out a way to get them back to Albany. For a big company with a million cars they sure didn’t have any contingencies for something as simple as a flat tire. They didn’t get home until 1am the next morning.

And before you ask why they just didn’t change the tire themselves, the minivan didn’t have a spare, just an inflator and the tire was shredded driving on the shoulder to get to a safe spot.

————————————————
A clever way to rack up some overtime hours.

jmonroe

stickguy

Couldn’t they just have the closest branch run a minivan over and swap with them?

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Couldn’t they just have the closest branch run a minivan over and swap with them?

They could.. guessing these guys aren't a priority.

pensfan83

@oldfarmer50 said:
What must the interest rate be on an 84 month loan for a used truck? My credit union won’t even make loans longer than 4 years on vehicles older than 2016. Even for 48 months they want 9.74%. An 84 month loan would carry an even high rate assuming top tier credit which he probably doesn’t have.

I can’t imagine someone being that desperate for a truck.

Nope, people need to keep getting those loans so I get my bonus.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A friend of mine drives an E53 AMG. He lives in NJ and commutes into The Bronx every day. He gets his money’s worth out of the wheel & tire insurance.

Last Tuesday a crew had a blowout on I-287 coming out of Wayne NJ. They sat on the side of the road for hours while the company tried to figure out a way to get them back to Albany. For a big company with a million cars they sure didn’t have any contingencies for something as simple as a flat tire. They didn’t get home until 1am the next morning.

And before you ask why they just didn’t change the tire themselves, the minivan didn’t have a spare, just an inflator and the tire was shredded driving on the shoulder to get to a safe spot.

————————————————
A clever way to rack up some overtime hours.

jmonroe

I’ve done 15 hour shifts occasionally but 19 hours dodging tractor trailers is a bit much. Besides, we don’t get overtime until 40 hours which never happens on a two day week.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Couldn’t they just have the closest branch run a minivan over and swap with them?

The van had to be towed so there was nothing to swap. I heard that the manager from the Newburgh office drove down, brought them back and then gave them a car to go the rest of the way.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A friend of mine drives an E53 AMG. He lives in NJ and commutes into The Bronx every day. He gets his money’s worth out of the wheel & tire insurance.

Last Tuesday a crew had a blowout on I-287 coming out of Wayne NJ. They sat on the side of the road for hours while the company tried to figure out a way to get them back to Albany. For a big company with a million cars they sure didn’t have any contingencies for something as simple as a flat tire. They didn’t get home until 1am the next morning.

And before you ask why they just didn’t change the tire themselves, the minivan didn’t have a spare, just an inflator and the tire was shredded driving on the shoulder to get to a safe spot.

————————————————
A clever way to rack up some overtime hours.

jmonroe

I’ve done 15 hour shifts occasionally but 19 hours dodging tractor trailers is a bit much. Besides, we don’t get overtime until 40 hours which never happens on a two day week.

————————————————
You guys need a better union.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

nyccarguy said:

A friend of mine drives an E53 AMG. He lives in NJ and commutes into The Bronx every day. He gets his money’s worth out of the wheel & tire insurance.

————————————————
I guess I should have asked this when you made this post a few days ago so I’ll ask it now. How do you do that kind of damage to a tire and rim on a tiled floor?

jmonroe

tjc78

@qbrozen
Glad it worked out! Please post up some pics when you can.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A friend of mine drives an E53 AMG. He lives in NJ and commutes into The Bronx every day. He gets his money’s worth out of the wheel & tire insurance.

Last Tuesday a crew had a blowout on I-287 coming out of Wayne NJ. They sat on the side of the road for hours while the company tried to figure out a way to get them back to Albany. For a big company with a million cars they sure didn’t have any contingencies for something as simple as a flat tire. They didn’t get home until 1am the next morning.

And before you ask why they just didn’t change the tire themselves, the minivan didn’t have a spare, just an inflator and the tire was shredded driving on the shoulder to get to a safe spot.

————————————————
A clever way to rack up some overtime hours.

jmonroe

I’ve done 15 hour shifts occasionally but 19 hours dodging tractor trailers is a bit much. Besides, we don’t get overtime until 40 hours which never happens on a two day week.

————————————————
You guys need a better union.

jmonroe

I’ll talk to the shop steward about that 🤣.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A friend of mine drives an E53 AMG. He lives in NJ and commutes into The Bronx every day. He gets his money’s worth out of the wheel & tire insurance.

Last Tuesday a crew had a blowout on I-287 coming out of Wayne NJ. They sat on the side of the road for hours while the company tried to figure out a way to get them back to Albany. For a big company with a million cars they sure didn’t have any contingencies for something as simple as a flat tire. They didn’t get home until 1am the next morning.

And before you ask why they just didn’t change the tire themselves, the minivan didn’t have a spare, just an inflator and the tire was shredded driving on the shoulder to get to a safe spot.

————————————————
A clever way to rack up some overtime hours.

jmonroe

I’ve done 15 hour shifts occasionally but 19 hours dodging tractor trailers is a bit much. Besides, we don’t get overtime until 40 hours which never happens on a two day week.

————————————————
You guys need a better union.

jmonroe

I’ll talk to the shop steward about that 🤣.

————————————————
Now we’re getting somewhere. Well, maybe just you guys.

jmonroe

kyfdx

I was today year's old when I found out that the Lexus GX (the 4-Runner clone) has a side-hinged door on the rear.

greg128

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A friend of mine drives an E53 AMG. He lives in NJ and commutes into The Bronx every day. He gets his money’s worth out of the wheel & tire insurance.

Last Tuesday a crew had a blowout on I-287 coming out of Wayne NJ. They sat on the side of the road for hours while the company tried to figure out a way to get them back to Albany. For a big company with a million cars they sure didn’t have any contingencies for something as simple as a flat tire. They didn’t get home until 1am the next morning.

And before you ask why they just didn’t change the tire themselves, the minivan didn’t have a spare, just an inflator and the tire was shredded driving on the shoulder to get to a safe spot.

I had a very bad experience with the low profile tires on a leased 2016 Chevy Malibu. The wife popped 2 tires during the lease resulting in a tow to the dealer and $300 for a tire each time. I don't want to think about that happening on a road trip. I swore I would never buy another car with low profiles and especially one with no spare and haven't since.

stickguy

I agree. I actually bought a spare tire kit for my Acura TLX since it only had an inflator kit (not even run flats) and I can’t deal with that. Plus it was an A spec with lower profile tires. And that was a lease so short term benefit

My current fleet may not be sporty (a pickup and a CUV) but at least they both have meaty sidewalls and a spare tire on board (and the truck is an actual tire not a donut).

tifighter

@nyccarguy said:
@tifighter

Speaking of, how's life with your Type R? Mileage update?

I just ordered a second set of wheels for it. My local dealer was running a 25% off deal for accessories, and the OEM accessory forged wheel set qualified. This was a nice discount on a higher priced item, and the factory wheels are the only ones that maintain Honda’s unusual wheel offset. I’ll keep the stock ones for all seasons for the winter and put the current summer Michelins on the new ones.

I think I’m now at 5300 miles or so.

nyccarguy

stickguy

guessing a clone but I still want it.

explorerx4

Nice GT 350 although I think it's a clone or tribute.

mjfloyd1

@andres3 said:
Yes, and it led to problems. Though the problems were due to a poor installation and water leaking through. Killed my central control module and battery. Also replaced it with the same Fuyao windshield (but new and correctly installed this time). $399.99 installed.

The aftermarket oil housing we tried with the engine replacement also was throwing codes, the Germans don't like to play with others. Went to OEM oil housing and haven't thrown a code since.

Ahh, I recall that all now. That’s a bummer.

roadburner

FYI, anyone who wants to watch the Nurburgring 24 can see it on SS1 on Amazon Prime or on freevee (haven’t tried freevee, however).

qbrozen

@tjc78 said:
@qbrozen
Glad it worked out! Please post up some pics when you can.

All I’ve found so far to keep it from being perfect is a cracked air vent that should glue up fine and a couple of skirt fasteners missing, which of course is no problem. The biggie is that stereo. I might leave it if I can figure out how to get it to read in English. If I have to remove it, fingers crossed the cubby cover doesn’t get damaged in the process.

tjc78

Love it. Looks exceptionally clean. Nice buy.

28firefighter

Love that, @qbrozen!

Sandman6472

Think it could grow on me to to be honest!

Sandman6472

Finally made it to physical therapy and the vertigo is definitely back, definitely in the left ear and nor word on the right as they need to do one side at a time. Drove myself both times but left super early and took mostly back roads. Both days were pretty rough to be honest, had to sit about 40 minutes when done as I was pretty sick feeling. The cool towel and cold water definitely helped and didn't drive home till I was ready. Missed dinner both nights as I was just too out of it to even think about food. Seriously, this vertigo is truly awful and it's effecting life around here but, just taking it one day at a time. I know it'll go away in time and work is being very cooperative about me coming back. My primary doc says this is the only way to get through it, p t and time, but he wants me to get outside a bit if I'm able. Wants me not to lie in bed 24/7 if possible and will only drive for p t right now. Wife will be away for a few days during the week but as long as she leaves me lunch meats and frozen stuff, I'll be fine. My appetite ain't that great anyways so whatever is here, I'll eat.

This getting old stuff hasn't been much fun to be honest, been having a few issues since 2018 and just want it to stop already! Hoping once I turn 70 later on this year, things will get better!

roadburner

I hope that things get better sooner than later Sandy.

laurasdada

Things get better with age...hopefully.

stickguy

wife and I went to the farmers market today in town and parked along the road was a very nice gray/pewter BMW Z3, with the top down. I pointed it out to the wife and said we should get one of those, and she just said OK.

I think there is something wrong with her and she should get herself checked out.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

wife and I went to the farmers market today in town and parked along the road was a very nice gray/pewter BMW Z3, with the top down. I pointed it out to the wife and said we should get one of those, and she just said OK.

I think there is something wrong with her and she should get herself checked out.

————————————————
Being an unintentional house flipper does that to some folks.

jmonroe

Michaell

stickguy said:

wife and I went to the farmers market today in town and parked along the road was a very nice gray/pewter BMW Z3, with the top down. I pointed it out to the wife and said we should get one of those, and she just said OK.

I think there is something wrong with her and she should get herself checked out.

I think the tone of the "OK" needs to be examined. Kind of like when women say "Fine", it means anything but.

ab348

stickguy said:

wife and I went to the farmers market today in town and parked along the road was a very nice gray/pewter BMW Z3, with the top down. I pointed it out to the wife and said we should get one of those, and she just said OK.

I think there is something wrong with her and she should get herself checked out.

A “Yeah, OK” usually does not constitute agreement.

stickguy

no, this was with the "that is a good idea" tone.

Michaell

stickguy said:

no, this was with the "that is a good idea" tone.

A Z3 shouldn't break the bank to buy, or own, with as little as it would get driven.

qbrozen

So one thing I’m trying to figure out on the car: is this a stock manifold? I really looks like a header, but the rest of the exhaust appears to be stock, so it seems very odd. It does, however, have a very interesting growl and crackle at high rpms.

nyccarguy

@explorerx4 said:
Nice GT 350 although I think it's a clone or tribute.

I don’t know much about these cars, but if you zoom in on the interior pic, you’ll see it has been autographed by Carroll Shelby.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

@tjc78 said:
@qbrozen

Glad it worked out! Please post up some pics when you can.

All I’ve found so far to keep it from being perfect is a cracked air vent that should glue up fine and a couple of skirt fasteners missing, which of course is no problem. The biggie is that stereo. I might leave it if I can figure out how to get it to read in English. If I have to remove it, fingers crossed the cubby cover doesn’t get damaged in the process.

Either the Japanese are fastidious about their car interiors or somebody did a heck of a detail. Those seats look new.

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
That guy sold his signature to just about anyone.
A couple things I saw after doing some quick reasearch are the clear rear quarter windows, high dollar originals had the louvers. They could have been an option. Also the lower lights in the front have chrome surrounds which I didn't see on the same cars I looked at.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

@tjc78 said:
@qbrozen

Glad it worked out! Please post up some pics when you can.

All I’ve found so far to keep it from being perfect is a cracked air vent that should glue up fine and a couple of skirt fasteners missing, which of course is no problem. The biggie is that stereo. I might leave it if I can figure out how to get it to read in English. If I have to remove it, fingers crossed the cubby cover doesn’t get damaged in the process.

————————————————
How does one go about cracking an air vent? Do you think it could have been done by pulling out the dash to do something?

jmonroe

nyccarguy

Big day tomorrow guys. For the first time ever since I’ve owned my prelude, it will be towed away. The flatbed is supposed to be here at 8:00ish AM. I’ve got a good feeling that once I get the new radiator put in and cooling system sorted out that I should be able to log some trouble free miles for the summer/fall.

stickguy

Glad you can finally enjoy it!

tjc78

Awesome Bradd. Good luck getting it sorted out.

nyccarguy

Got up early this morning and gave my car a quick bath before the tow truck shows up.

roadburner

Beautiful!

explorerx4

The car still looks good.