Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Sandman6472

Our garage door has no windows nor do we have a window in the garage. There is a side door out to the a/c unit and trash bins on the far west garage wall. Nice to take garbage out without having to raise the garage door or go out the front door, which we hardly ever use. Come in/go out through the garage as we both park in there whenever home. Hate leaving a vehicle outside overnight so only do it a few times a year. If I do end up with a larger vehicle, we'll just split garage use 50/50 during the week. But so far, have never brought home a vehicle large enough to have this happen with zero plans in the future. Unless I get say...a Camry or mid-sized SUV, which I also do not see happening.

Folks did bring up the timing belt the other day. Siri told me that mine should be done between 60K and 90K, so am good there for a bit. Hitting 78K this week and doing like 3K/year gives me like a good four years to even want to do it and don't see my keeping this Golf another four years!

Michaell

I would look at getting the timing belt done sooner than later.

I don’t know if the Golf has an interference engine, but it would be bad either way for it to fail on you.

sda

I have had the Arteon for about 6 weeks and have yet to see another one out in the wild. I have seen multiple Cybertrucks, Rivians and Lucids, however.

stickguy

Sandy we all know that means the Audi lives inside and your car lives outside!

pensfan83

I dunno about the plate frame but the cars sure are nice looking.

mjfloyd1

@Sandman6472 said:
Our garage door has no windows nor do we have a window in the garage. There is a side door out to the a/c unit and trash bins on the far west garage wall. Nice to take garbage out without having to raise the garage door or go out the front door, which we hardly ever use. Come in/go out through the garage as we both park in there whenever home. Hate leaving a vehicle outside overnight so only do it a few times a year. If I do end up with a larger vehicle, we'll just split garage use 50/50 during the week. But so far, have never brought home a vehicle large enough to have this happen with zero plans in the future. Unless I get say...a Camry or mid-sized SUV, which I also do not see happening.

Folks did bring up the timing belt the other day. Siri told me that mine should be done between 60K and 90K, so am good there for a bit. Hitting 78K this week and doing like 3K/year gives me like a good four years to even want to do it and don't see my keeping this Golf another four years!

Looks like 80,000 -120,000mile timing chain change interval for VW 1.8 T. It is an interference engine so it gets really expensive if the timing chain breaks.

Any timing belt slap on start up?

corvette

@mjfloyd1 - is there a time interval on that, as well? I know I reminded my parents to change the belt on my mom's old Volvo S80 at the ten year mark, even though it was below mileage for a change. Of course, we've all seen YouTube videos of those old Honda/Toyota engines that have 250k+ on the original belt and other components, but the belt invariably looks extremely bad/dry rotted at that point.

mjfloyd1

corvette said:

@mjfloyd1 - is there a time interval on that, as well? I know I reminded my parents to change the belt on my mom's old Volvo S80 at the ten year mark, even though it was below mileage for a change. Of course, we've all seen YouTube videos of those old Honda/Toyota engines that have 250k+ on the original belt and other components, but the belt invariably looks extremely bad/dry rotted at that point.

I have not seen any time intervals.. The best that I have seen is using this:

There is an inspection port in the lower timing cover that can be removed to view the extension of the tensioner piston. 7 teeth from the end of the body is time to replace according to the manual.

tifighter

@28firefighter said:
After entirely too long, the Western PNW contingent of CCBA met up at a Cars and Coffee this morning.

cc: @tifighter

Good to meet up with @28firefighter finally. His new ride is nice; I don’t think he had been parked for more than 3 minutes before the Subie guys were all over his STI exhaust…

If anyone wants to come to Seattle in mid-November (and who wouldn’t), we’re going to do the auto show.

28firefighter

I love the Type R - especially the red sport seats.

mjfloyd1

Do I recall correctly that the CTR has black rear seats regardless of what color the fronts are and the ITS has same color front and rear?

roadburner

I went to my last car show of the season last night. The weather was nice and a very cool street rod parked beside me. The only other BMW was a very clean 2017 M3. As usual the kids loved my Hot Wheels giveaway; the cars aren’t all BMWs but they are mostly German.

jmonroe1

roadburner said:

I went to my last car show of the season last night. The weather was nice and a very cool street rod parked beside me. The only other BMW was a very clean 2017 M3. As usual the kids loved my Hot Wheels giveaway; the cars aren’t all BMWs but they are mostly German.

————————————————-
Looks good and so does that black one. How old is that one?

jmonroe

stickguy

older than you even!

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

older than you even!

————————————————
I’m sure that’s true but don’t knock it until you get there.

jmonroe

roadburner

jmonroe1 said:

roadburner said:

I went to my last car show of the season last night. The weather was nice and a very cool street rod parked beside me. The only other BMW was a very clean 2017 M3. As usual the kids loved my Hot Wheels giveaway; the cars aren’t all BMWs but they are mostly German.

————————————————-
Looks good and so does that black one. How old is that one?

jmonroe

I believe it's based on a 1932 Tudor. It definitely has a Lil' Coffin vibe.

nyccarguy

Seems I've found a decent used Outback on marketplace. Too bad the timing isn't right. '07 2.5i. White over beige cloth. 117K miles. "All common Subaru wear items were addressed last year including but not limited to timing belt, water pump, complete engine reseal, wheel bearings, etc." The seller also notes he just had a new exhaust system installed, new brakes, & brake fluid. New tires as well. I clicked on the profile and the guy doesn't have 5 other cars listed for sale on marketplace. $4,500.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

Seems I've found a decent used Outback on marketplace. Too bad the timing isn't right. '07 2.5i. White over beige cloth. 117K miles. "All common Subaru wear items were addressed last year including but not limited to timing belt, water pump, complete engine reseal, wheel bearings, etc." The seller also notes he just had a new exhaust system installed, new brakes, & brake fluid. New tires as well. I clicked on the profile and the guy doesn't have 5 other cars listed for sale on marketplace. $4,500.

That sounds like a great deal. If it checks out, it might be worth figuring out how to make it happen.

stickguy

Seller would have made more money if he scrapped it before doing all that work. Probably cost more than he is asking.

This a stick or an automatic?

If nothing else should make a fantastic winter beater in snow country.

breld

tifighter said:

@28firefighter said:

After entirely too long, the Western PNW contingent of CCBA met up at a Cars and Coffee this morning.

cc: @tifighter

Good to meet up with @28firefighter finally. His new ride is nice; I don’t think he had been parked for more than 3 minutes before the Subie guys were all over his STI exhaust…

If anyone wants to come to Seattle in mid-November (and who wouldn’t), we’re going to do the auto show.

Any idea which day/evening you all are going to the auto show?

Sandman6472

No noises on start-up so think we're good there. Just have to price it out with the mechanic and go from there. That and the coolant flush and think that should be it. But, for the time being, just going to sit tight here on doing anything and wait till the new year before I commit to anything. Just in case I do find something I have to have. Wife doesn't seem to care what I do either way and do have the funds ready to go actually.

Stick, the Audi has been history almost a year now, last December 1st I think. Just know it was a Sunday afternoon that she came home and we had to clean the Audi out. Went back and she finished all the paperwork and then, had me drive it home as it was dark already. Last time I actually drove it also. But not a big deal, as I drive so many vehicles at work. Did drive a newer Hyundai Tucson yesterday and was surprised how nice it did drive. Dash didn't have the tablet thing in the middle of the dash which was a nice surprise...the audio/HVAC system was nicely integrated in with the dash. A bit more upscale if you will, made it feel like a more upscale vehicle then it really is. Am hoping that tablet style will end very soon as I've never been a fan of it in the first place and looks like a last minute decision by designers to look trendy. It fils in that regard as far as I'm concerned. Also drove a newer Corolla Cross and again, was impressed with how it drove. Decent acceleration for a smaller CUV econo vehicle, though it's at the top length of my comfort level. But think I could live with one if need be though I'd need to order an "LE" with the JBL audio system to actually be serious about following through. Prefer the alloys of the "LE" model over those found on the "XLE" but definitely would have to have the JBL package.

breld

Dropped off my wife's GV60 to get the windows tinted and saw this in the showroom...

https://denver.clscars.com/vehicle/volkswagen/2023-golf-gti/

For a 10k mile 2023 GTI SE, struck me as a fairly reasonable price. Not to mention it's an SE with the plaid seats and manual. Perfect combo.

Sandman6472

Definitely like those alloys compared to the dark gray one I've been looking at. They're just o k and nowhere as nice as those on the 2023 GTI. Also, it's a 2024 model and at this point, would rather wait on a 2025 if I were to do anything at all. But, am partial to those 2023 alloys. Big reason I had them swap out the original alloys on my current 2015 Golf as I didn't really like what it came with. After some early issues, finally got the right alloys I had wanted and it just transformed the look of the vehicle, at least in my eyes. I'm a bit particular on little things like that and feel that I don't want to settle on a purchase I make every nine to ten years. And that's o k, because I want to be happy with what I'll be seeing for many years to come.

28firefighter

breld said:

tifighter said:

@28firefighter said:

After entirely too long, the Western PNW contingent of CCBA met up at a Cars and Coffee this morning.

cc: @tifighter

Good to meet up with @28firefighter finally. His new ride is nice; I don’t think he had been parked for more than 3 minutes before the Subie guys were all over his STI exhaust…

If anyone wants to come to Seattle in mid-November (and who wouldn’t), we’re going to do the auto show.

Any idea which day/evening you all are going to the auto show?

Not yet - I'll send you a message once we figure it out. It's only here the 14th to the 17th.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Seller would have made more money if he scrapped it before doing all that work. Probably cost more than he is asking.

This a stick or an automatic?

If nothing else should make a fantastic winter beater in snow country.

It is an automatic.

venture

breld said:

Dropped off my wife's GV60 to get the windows tinted and saw this in the showroom...

https://denver.clscars.com/vehicle/volkswagen/2023-golf-gti/

For a 10k mile 2023 GTI SE, struck me as a fairly reasonable price. Not to mention it's an SE with the plaid seats and manual. Perfect combo.

So...when do you pick it up?

jmonroe1

breld said:

Dropped off my wife's GV60 to get the windows tinted and saw this in the showroom...

https://denver.clscars.com/vehicle/volkswagen/2023-golf-gti/

For a 10k mile 2023 GTI SE, struck me as a fairly reasonable price. Not to mention it's an SE with the plaid seats and manual. Perfect combo.

————————————————
Question for the group.

What’s the over/under till we see that in @breld’s garage?

jmonroe

xwesx

Sandman6472 said:

No noises on start-up so think we're good there. Just have to price it out with the mechanic and go from there. That and the coolant flush and think that should be it. But, for the time being, just going to sit tight here on doing anything and wait till the new year before I commit to anything. Just in case I do find something I have to have. Wife doesn't seem to care what I do either way and do have the funds ready to go actually.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it here or not, but, when coming back from Jacksonville on 9/29, I was at a rest area when I came across an older man with a "new Beetle" that had snapped its serpentine belt while he was driving up I40 in North Carolina. He was apparently expecting this could happen, because he had a new one on hand, yet he was struggling to try to get it installed. The engine is, of course, mounted transversely, so the serpentine belt faces the driver side. I suspect it is intended that the passenger side wheel and fender liner be removed for access, but that was way too deep for a "road side" repair.

I ended up helping him out by working the tensioner while he kept the belt positioned properly, and we were finally able to get enough movement for him to slip the belt back on. A second visit to the wash area to get all the grease off our hands and we were both back on the road! However, definitely not recommended, and even more so with a timing belt - preventatively replace these when you can control the narrative!

mjfloyd1

@breld said:
Dropped off my wife's GV60 to get the windows tinted and saw this in the showroom...

https://denver.clscars.com/vehicle/volkswagen/2023-golf-gti/

For a 10k mile 2023 GTI SE, struck me as a fairly reasonable price. Not to mention it's an SE with the plaid seats and manual. Perfect combo.

Looks like it had the factory tires and then two other sets of tires within 10k miles. Definately check the alignment (and obviously the clutch )😳

breld

mjfloyd1 said:

@breld said:

Dropped off my wife's GV60 to get the windows tinted and saw this in the showroom...

https://denver.clscars.com/vehicle/volkswagen/2023-golf-gti/

For a 10k mile 2023 GTI SE, struck me as a fairly reasonable price. Not to mention it's an SE with the plaid seats and manual. Perfect combo.

Looks like it had the factory tires and then two other sets of tires within 10k miles. Definately check the alignment (and obviously the clutch )😳

Could be snow tires being mounted in November and then swapped out in March.

But who would go through the trouble of doing that just to trade in the car months later?

I gotta go...I'm selling some Blizzaks off our BMW X5.

tifighter

breld said:

mjfloyd1 said:

@breld said:

Dropped off my wife's GV60 to get the windows tinted and saw this in the showroom...

https://denver.clscars.com/vehicle/volkswagen/2023-golf-gti/

For a 10k mile 2023 GTI SE, struck me as a fairly reasonable price. Not to mention it's an SE with the plaid seats and manual. Perfect combo.

Looks like it had the factory tires and then two other sets of tires within 10k miles. Definately check the alignment (and obviously the clutch )😳

Could be snow tires being mounted in November and then swapped out in March.

But who would go through the trouble of doing that just to trade in the car months later?

I gotta go...I'm selling some Blizzaks off our BMW X5.

That hits close to home.

This actually reminds me that I need to sell my winter wheel set up from the MDX.

kyfdx

Low coolant warning comes on, yesterday (Cayman)
Pulled over. Light went out. Drove it home.
In the filler pipe (inside the rear hatch), two plastic tabs labeled MIN/MAX.
Today, topping it off with a quart of distilled water, it seemed just below MIN, still.
Unfortunately, a quart was all I had.

Look online, OEM Porsche coolant comes in liter/gallon.
Drive to the dealer. Parts guy says they only carry gallons. $47.
Concentrated. You mix it 50/50. I won't use up a gallon before I'm dead.
Head home with the gallon of coolant.
Pop the rear hatch, unscrew the CAP, and the coolant level is now even with the MAX tab.

Put my coolant on the shelf.
Took a nap.

pensfan83

@tifighter said:
That hits close to home.

This actually reminds me that I need to sell my winter wheel set up from the MDX.

If I wasn't across the country I'd probably snag them.

roadburner

So pursuant to the recall I'm not charging the Wrangler. Surprisingly the fuel economy isn't terrible- my first fill up without any charging still averaged 23.4 mpg. Not bad for a 5,300 pound 4x4 with the aerodynamics of a brick.

suydam

Sandman6472 said:

No noises on start-up so think we're good there. Just have to price it out with the mechanic and go from there. That and the coolant flush and think that should be it. But, for the time being, just going to sit tight here on doing anything and wait till the new year before I commit to anything. Just in case I do find something I have to have. Wife doesn't seem to care what I do either way and do have the funds ready to go actually.

Stick, the Audi has been history almost a year now, last December 1st I think. Just know it was a Sunday afternoon that she came home and we had to clean the Audi out. Went back and she finished all the paperwork and then, had me drive it home as it was dark already. Last time I actually drove it also. But not a big deal, as I drive so many vehicles at work. Did drive a newer Hyundai Tucson yesterday and was surprised how nice it did drive. Dash didn't have the tablet thing in the middle of the dash which was a nice surprise...the audio/HVAC system was nicely integrated in with the dash. A bit more upscale if you will, made it feel like a more upscale vehicle then it really is. Am hoping that tablet style will end very soon as I've never been a fan of it in the first place and looks like a last minute decision by designers to look trendy. It fils in that regard as far as I'm concerned. Also drove a newer Corolla Cross and again, was impressed with how it drove. Decent acceleration for a smaller CUV econo vehicle, though it's at the top length of my comfort level. But think I could live with one if need be though I'd need to order an "LE" with the JBL audio system to actually be serious about following through. Prefer the alloys of the "LE" model over those found on the "XLE" but definitely would have to have the JBL package.

My neighbor has a Hyundai Tucson PHEV. It’s really nice.
We are in Connecticut now. Drove the Kia all the way across the country, it is a terrific car. Holds a surprising amount of gear too, as does the Tucson. NAV is definitely not as good as the integrated Google maps nav in the Blazer, but gave us good directions most of the time. There was the one odd moment when it took us to a cannabis dispensary instead of our hotel down the street. Hmmm.
Daughter and her husband have a 4 year old RAV 4, it’s very similar but not as nicely equipped as the Hyundai/Kia vehicles.

nyccarguy

@suydam - where in CT are you visiting?

explorerx4

I'm guessing not Bridgeport or Willimantic.

28firefighter

I “modded” the WRX today. Swapped out for WRX all weather mats and installed the center armrest extension. @breld wasn't kidding about the latter, it is comically easy to install. Only thing left is I bought an STI shift knob off marketplace that should be here this weekend.

28firefighter

@pensfan83 said:

@tifighter said:
That hits close to home.

This actually reminds me that I need to sell my winter wheel set up from the MDX.

If I wasn't across the country I'd probably snag them.

Roadtrip for the auto show?

corvette

@kyfdx - I thought nearly all modern coolant was compatible with all manufacturers.

28firefighter

@kyfdx said:
Low coolant warning comes on, yesterday (Cayman)
Pulled over. Light went out. Drove it home.
In the filler pipe (inside the rear hatch), two plastic tabs labeled MIN/MAX.
Today, topping it off with a quart of distilled water, it seemed just below MIN, still.
Unfortunately, a quart was all I had.

Look online, OEM Porsche coolant comes in liter/gallon.
Drive to the dealer. Parts guy says they only carry gallons. $47.
Concentrated. You mix it 50/50. I won't use up a gallon before I'm dead.
Head home with the gallon of coolant.
Pop the rear hatch, unscrew the CAP, and the coolant level is now even with the MAX tab.

Put my coolant on the shelf.
Took a nap.

Wonder if you have air in the system?

qbrozen

So I just happen to notice the early Macan S units have come down in value. I've glanced at ads for a few with low miles under $30k. It is kind of tempting. BUT, the only way I could justify it is to sell the QP and the 156. So a 2-for-1 deal, and I'd still likely be in the neighborhood of $10k (with fees and taxes) out of pocket. Then I'm back to that whole "why make payments when I drive so little" situation that made me sell the WRX. On the other other hand, it gets me a Porsche in my vehicle history.

I am loving the QP, though. It is an impressive car.

nyccarguy

That Legacy I posted about earlier is gone. Yanks are down 3-0. I still believe they can pull this one out!

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I “modded” the WRX today. Swapped out for WRX all weather mats and installed the center armrest extension. @breld wasn't kidding about the latter, it is comically easy to install. Only thing left is I bought an STI shift knob off marketplace that should be here this weekend.

You are a custom car freak!

kyfdx

corvette said:

@kyfdx - I thought nearly all modern coolant was compatible with all manufacturers.

Absolutely not... Porsche coolant is PINK!

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

@kyfdx said:

Low coolant warning comes on, yesterday (Cayman)

Pulled over. Light went out. Drove it home.

In the filler pipe (inside the rear hatch), two plastic tabs labeled MIN/MAX.

Today, topping it off with a quart of distilled water, it seemed just below MIN, still.

Unfortunately, a quart was all I had.

Look online, OEM Porsche coolant comes in liter/gallon.

Drive to the dealer. Parts guy says they only carry gallons. $47.

Concentrated. You mix it 50/50. I won't use up a gallon before I'm dead.

Head home with the gallon of coolant.

Pop the rear hatch, unscrew the CAP, and the coolant level is now even with the MAX tab.

Put my coolant on the shelf.

Took a nap.

Wonder if you have air in the system?

Possibly. I exceeded my car repair knowledge once I removed the filler cap.

jmonroe1

kyfdx said:

Low coolant warning comes on, yesterday (Cayman)
Pulled over. Light went out. Drove it home.
In the filler pipe (inside the rear hatch), two plastic tabs labeled MIN/MAX.
Today, topping it off with a quart of distilled water, it seemed just below MIN, still.
Unfortunately, a quart was all I had.

Look online, OEM Porsche coolant comes in liter/gallon.
Drive to the dealer. Parts guy says they only carry gallons. $47.
Concentrated. You mix it 50/50. I won't use up a gallon before I'm dead.
Head home with the gallon of coolant.
Pop the rear hatch, unscrew the CAP, and the coolant level is now even with the MAX tab.

Put my coolant on the shelf.
Took a nap.

————————————————
Wow, I hope I never get to the point where buying a gallon of coolant tires me out to the point where I have to take a nap.

jmonroe

explorerx4

Ford has different coolant colors.
My last Explorer was down on coolant a bit, so I just put in some 50/50 Prestone I already had.
When we moved a couple of years ago, I recycled some Saab specific coolant that was 20 years old.

jmonroe1

nyccarguy said:

That Legacy I posted about earlier is gone. Yanks are down 3-0. I still believe they can pull this one out!

————————————————
And the Easter Bunny will help Santa Claus decorate your Hanukkah Bush this year.

jmonroe

stickguy

@nyccarguy said:
That Legacy I posted about earlier is gone. Yanks are down 3-0. I still believe they can pull this one out!

What, you think they are the Red Sox?