Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Sandman6472

That's exactly what I thought when I first saw the 2012...they didn't go far enough with the changes. My '06 is such a different look than the previous generation but this time, it's like Honda just took a 1/2 baked idea and went with it...it's not ratically different as the last generation was and I think folks expected a much different & sleeker design, something class leading which did not materialize. The "pizzaz" just isn't there...it's boring and doesn't break any new ground, something Honda is known for. A big let down is the best and simplest way I can say it. A refresh is definitely needed, and way before year 4 like the typical cycle runs. Just like they did with the '05 to '06 Accord...something needs to be done...and fast!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

corvette

"...becoming a lawyer..."

Now, that is probably the dumbest thing I ever did!

kyfdx

roadburner

What does BMW, or MB for that matter, do to the cars they sell as cpo? Are they really almost as good as brand new? And can these cars live on a diet of only 87 octane? Who knows what the price of petrol will be at that time?

The CPO program is only as good as the certifying dealer; if the CPO inspection is performed properly you will end up with virtually a new car- I've had no complaints with CPOs from my local dealer but I've heard of horror stories about other dealers(and brands). As for 87 octane- no way. But considering the few miles you drive any additional cost will be negligible.

isellhondas

If that BMW is a 1991 I once owned it's twin only mine wasn't lowered.

rayainsw

Very, very nice.....
- Ray
Still waiting....

stickguy

I want your garage.

fintail

If I had that garage I would be in trouble, as I'd lack the self control to stop myself from accumulating a nice menagerie of odd cars and probably a few bikes. He probably also has a nice secluded backyard perfect for parts cars :shades:

frankiec1

After 7 BMW leases I am interested in buying a Sunday car. I've found a 1997 Carrera 4s manual with 41k miles. The car is on consignment at a dealer who specializes in high end used imports. The car appears to be in excellent condition. The asking price is 59k and the dealer says the owner is pretty much stuck at that number. The dealer also tells me that because it's the last of the air cooled engines with so few miles the car will hold its value as opposed to a post 2000 model which, he tells me, will sink like a rock in value month after month. I'm brand new to Porsche, haven't owned a car in over twenty years, and don't tend to think of cars as "investments" except that 60k to me anyway is a lot of $$. I'd appreciate any advice. I've seen much newer cars for the same money.

thanks for any insights!

Frank

kyfdx

It's an '87... Notice the "diving board" bumpers... Pretty much identical to a '91, otherwise..

The only modification from stock is sport springs and Bilstein shocks, which lower it about 1/2"-3/4".. The long bumpers accentuate that look a little, and make it look lower than it is...

Unfortunately, that garage doesn't belong to me, but to the previous owner.. He actually has another two-car attached to the right, and another two-car detached to the right of that (8 total).. Plus, he has a lift installed in one bay...

kyfdx

Everything that consigment dealer said is pretty much on the money... but, I'd note a few things...

1) If I were really looking for one of the last air-cooled 911s, I'd want a RWD model, not a Carrera4..

2) Do you want to collect cars, or just have fun driving them? I love air-cooled Porsches, but if that isn't your thing, then $59K is a lot of money.

3) Speaking of $59K, I think you could find a few dozen other examples of that model for between $35K-$50K.

4) A later model may depreciate more, but you can get into an early 2000s model for $25K-$35K.... That leaves a lot less to depreciate... If you are only driving in on Sundays, and you aren't really into historic Porsches, will you really care?

I'm not saying that getting one of those Porsches is a bad thing, but you should research it heavily, before buying one... If you overpay by $15K-$20K, then you'll find the depreciation to be just as heavy as on a newer model...

regards,
kyfdx

stever

Inside Line's shop just got a new lift. (I didn't even know they had a shop).

stickguy

well, that is my lotto-winning dream. A house with a big garage, and at least 1 bay set up as a shop with a lift. Not that I would know what to do under there, but dang it, I want one!

The set up on Two Guys garage (the TV show) always looked good to me.

maybe I should just buy a dead gas station building? Kind of a large, detached, man cave? Now that sounds like fun.

oldbearcat

Roadburner: I'll second your comments. I bought a CPO 2006 Jaguar S Type VDP off the local dealer, and, the experience was excellent. I owned the car for several years, and, the few problems I had with it were taken care of by the dealer with no hassles or cost to me. Like you said - cars like this require premium fuel - but - the Jag's fuel economy, even with a V8 under the hood, was excellent.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

qbrozen

well, unfortunately, I can't pull up many old Porsche numbers... but I did find that one 2001 Carrera4 with just 23k miles sold at dealer auction for $25,200 in October.

Going further, I see that a 2005 Carrera S with 25k miles in "above average" condition sold in October for $47,500. To get near the price you are talking about, you could buy a 2007 model with under 20k miles!

So... would I pay $59k for a '97 with 41k? Hell no! Oh, and I agree to just stay away from the AWD models.

ateixeira

well, that is my lotto-winning dream. A house with a big garage

I dream of a big garage with a small house attached. Maybe even just a loft area where I can sleep.

My wife says otherwise...

qbrozen

funny. I said that same thing to my wife this weekend in the context of "if I wasn't married with kids."

And, no, it wasn't said in anger or regret. More of a "I'd be a wretched soul living that way" kind of way. At least that's how I outwardly made it sound. :P

ateixeira

I actually managed to drag her to a small car show this weekend.

They had free coffee and bagels I was able to peek at a few cool rides, including a '67 GTO my kid loved.

It had the original sticker in the window, priced at $4600. My 9 year old looks at me and tells me to buy it!

qbrozen

Someone talk me down from this. I really don't want to give up the GTI... but man a black/black V8 benz with half the miles is ssoooo tempting.

Of course, my wife would say "isn't that why you just bought the 540?" Well..... yes..... so?

fintail

That seems to be a very fair price - I see plain old E320s for more. Spec looks pretty boring, but if it checks out OK, could be some bang for the buck - I think by 05 a lot of the W211 issues had been remedied (but I still would want a later series car).

danbone111

Would hate to be the one to burst your bubble....but I can almost guarantee that you will not find that vehicle there (especially at that price) when you arrive in their showroom....Although, I would love to be proven wrong. If it is close by to you, may make sense to head over. Unfortunately, I have read and heard bad stories that say otherwise.

qbrozen

apparently that's a new 7-speed in the '05, though. How have those held up I wonder?

And, yeah, its a tad on the tame side... but 1/4 mile in 13.5 secs is not exactly slow. My 540 takes around 14 secs.

qbrozen

are you referring to that dealer? I know nothing about them.

It is a good price, but not necessarily "too good to be true." Car is worth around $14k-$15k trade-in.

fintail

From what I know, they are fine. Transmissions were a big issue in 03 for some reason, but after that the kinks seemed to be worked out.

Keep in mind that's the old 90s era V8, "only" 302hp, the E550 that replaced it is 382hp.

fezo

Prepare to jump on Q's GTI.....

andres3

If your GTI's been reliable, that's a good indication of the future, that it will be reliable long term as well. If it's a bad apple, you might want to throw it out.

qbrozen

Yes, it has been reliable ... for the whole 15 months I've owned it.

I really like it... but for some reason, the fact that the trade-in value is exactly the same as when I bought it 15 months ago makes me feel like I'm getting a freebie and should cash in on it. I know I shouldn't.

frankiec1

Thank you for your prompt and informative reply. No, I don't intend to be a collector; the dealer said that the advantage to AWD in the Carrera is that the RWD loses its rear end in a curve. I'm not Mario Andretti, however,in all of the years that I've driven RWD BMWs I haven't had that happen.

Thanks again!

Frank

frankiec1

The issue with the 4 according to the re seller is that the RWD version loses its rear end in a curve. I haven't had that experience with all of my RWD BMWs but I'm not Mario Andretti.

Thank you for your prompt and informative response.

michaellno

Someone talk me down from this. I really don't want to give up the GTI... but man a black/black V8 benz with half the miles is ssoooo tempting.

You expect us to talk you out of this? If the GTI is worth what you paid for it, nothing stopping you from having a closer look.

What's the worst that could happen?

Speaking of Benz's, I spotted a W126 coupe (what's the code for those, fin?) at a little BHPH lot in the small town where my wife works. Black exterior, no idea of anything else. Just a drive by on our way back from lunch today.

ab348

That's a really pretty car but for me the black/black combo is about the least appealing color scheme possible. I suppose if you want to spend every waking moment keeping it clean, though, it might be nice.

qbrozen

I keep saying I'll never have another black car ..... but a Benz in black is pretty nice. Almost have to say its the color it "should be."

I think I'm talking myself out of it. I mean, I just know what will happen. I'd get that and then it would take all of a month before I'm saying "why do I need 2 full-size German sedans?" and/or "I need an extra car that gets good mileage." Its a can I just shouldn't open.

ateixeira

for some reason, the fact that the trade-in value is exactly the same as when I bought it 15 months ago

It was the same with my Miata. Resist the urge...

tjc78

I keep saying I'll never have another black car

I said I would never own one and I just bought one. Nothing looks like it when clean. I'm OCD enough to keep it looking good. Two weeks old and I've washed it twice. It doesn't seem that much worse than the burgundy color I just got rid of.

fintail

That would be a C126, likely a 560SEC. Beautiful elegant cars, but can be a huge money pit if they have issues.

isellhondas

NEWSFLASH.....

Any German car can be a huge money pit if they have issues.

and, it seems, they always have issues of some type!

nyccarguy

Frank - if you've been driving rwd BMWs, then a rwd 911 will suit you just fine. Good luck & keep us posted!

fintail

But, sometimes those issues can still be more pleasant than driving a Civrolla or Camcord over and over :shades:

andres3

The only money pit I've ever owned was American, and I've owned German and Japanese as well.

stever

Yeah, but Porsches are chick cars these days. :P

michaellno

I found an ad for that 560SEC here.

Seems a bit overpriced for a 22 year old car. But, that's just me.

ateixeira

Where were all these 911 owning females when I was single?

breld

That reminds me - qbrozen, how are you enjoying that 540i you purchased a little while back? I don't recall hearing much on the forum about it since you bought it.

I am absolutely in love with the 530i we bought a few weeks back. I keep telling my wife how much it just "fits" me. She asked today if I regret buying the GTI since I like the 530i so much - the answer was no, I like having the different character in the cars. My only regret is that we weren't more patient to find a used GTI, but that has nothing to do with the 530 purchase.

Well, we are off to Disneyland tomorrow for the week - with all four of the kids! Have a great week everyone!

Bruce

michaellno

Well, we are off to Disneyland tomorrow for the week - with all four of the kids! Have a great week everyone!

Looks like you're leaving town just in time, what with 4+ inches of snow forecast for Wednesday.

Guessing the CX-9 is the vehicle of choice for the road trip - are you driving?

Either way, enjoy yourself.

isellhondas

Yeah, I know. I just don't enjoy troubles and expense.

isellhondas

I've got a nice BMW Convertable that I'll sell you.

then you too can guess which trouble light will light up next!

nyccarguy

Guilty - My Mom drives a 2011 Cayenne V6

stever

Oh, so that's why Porsche quit making sport cars.

Sandman6472

It's a beauty... go for it! Think the wife'll like it to once it's in the driveway. But it's a B E A U T I F U L car, really. Be nicer if it were a C Class, but still, a beautiful car!!!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

kyfdx

The issue with the 4 according to the re seller is that the RWD version loses its rear end in a curve. I haven't had that experience with all of my RWD BMWs but I'm not Mario Andretti.

If you drive your car at 9/10ths on public roads, then yeah, the 911 can be problematic, if you aren't used to it....

But, I had my '84 911 for four years... and, I never came close to 9/10ths... the handling was so good at 7/10ths, that you'd have to be hitting the curves at twice the speed limit to even think about the rear-end coming around. The technical term for it is "lift throttle oversteer".

But, if you've never spun one of your BMWs, or put it in the weeds while out for a drive, then you won't have any problems with a RWD 911... It's all goodness and the handling quirks are part of what it is... It was my dream car, and I wish I still had it..

regards,
kyfdx