Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

Kids want a back seat on the eventual Miata replacement, that's certainly interesting. 2004 though? I need a daily.

When I had my Miata, my kids also wished for a convertible with rear seats. My 8 year old would point out something like a Sebring and ask why I didn't get that instead of the Miata. I didn't bother to explain - just assuming he'll understand when he's older.

qbrozen

ah hell, I use a 148k mile 2000 540 as my daily now .... well, one of my dailies.

'04 would be a step up. And less than 60k? That's pretty young still.

I do know the backseat is TIGHT in the 3'er droptop, though.

boomchek

I wonder if it has stories behind it. Seems to be priced kinda low. Could be because of the color too. :confuse:

breld

Well if it's a hardtop you all want...

06 M3

Newer in model year, but more miles.

fezo

Yeah, that's a bit of a tight back seat.

I kind of ended up in the Solara because it's about as practical a convertible as I could manage.

qbrozen

Its 8 years old. Manheim says $17k at the block for it ... so I'd say $23k is quite the healthy markup.

qbrozen

oh well, hell, if I wanted to spend $30k, that would give me a wide-open market.

boomchek

Haha, I should know I'm in the car business but I'm used to dealing with Canadian cars and prices, that's why.

breld

Just browsing...Man, if I ever wanted to get into a convertible again, I guess December in Colorado is the time I'll do it. These all seem pretty attractive.

Z4 3.0i

Z4 M

04 330

qbrozen

I was pondering a Z4 for myself, too. Wife suggested a Boxster, but that's just a tad too slow for my taste. I mean, my GTI can hang with a manual 2.7 Boxster. Now a 3.0 Z4 on the other hand .... orrr.... yummm.. the Z4M. Yeah, get that one!

qbrozen

I should note, however, my biggest problem with these is that I don't want a 2-seater. She tried to talk me into it, but it makes no sense. I'm selling the mr2 because I never drive it because I can't drop the kids off at school with it.

And that's a shame because there are several around here (3.0s) with low miles at BMW dealers even for under $20k.

breld

Well, that settles it. The imola red M3 for you! What are you waiting for? :P

fintail

Oh, it's a tank. I like the craigslist ads I see for those, where the owner will say "bulletproof glass" because it kind of looks like that. Dopes. But as they get older and harder to find a nice one, they have more appeal to me. I remember when those hit the streets, I think I was in 9th grade, and that was the car I wanted.

The antennas were the only parking aid of that era, normal parktronic with sensors in the bumper on the S class didn't come around until the 2000+ cars, I think.

andres3

2006 A3 DSG 2.0T - my best purchase decision ever, being a car or anything else this thing has given me the most value and bang for the buck I've ever received when buying anything at anytime.

Should hit 85,000 miles this week. Needs a new serpantine tensioner (starting to shake), a new intake runner motor module (extended warranty letter from Audi good for 10 years 120K miles), and possibly might need some bushings checked in the suspension (starting to make a little creaking sound everytime I go from reverse to stop, or forward to stop.)

Still extremely fast with just a few mods I've done. I think I'll keep it for the LONG LONG term.

So unfortunately, short of winning the lottery, I don't see another new car in my near future. The A3 simply does it all, utility, track weekend warrior, daily driver.

30 MPG at 80 MPH on the highway.

Solid no rattling. Go Audi.

oldfarmer50

"...Crusier looks like it rides pretty low..."

Yeah, I know what you mean but it's actually pretty high compared to my sports coupe or even my son's Deville. Go figure.

Of course most people know that the PT crusier is about as obsolete technology as you can get these days so I was suggesting it only as a type of car that might be easier on the back. The seat's on the wife's are pretty firm and upright. I can drive it for 4 hours without it kinking up my less than perfect back.

Gas mileage stinks for a 4 banger though.

oldfarmer50

"...popped the tire...bent the alloy wheel..."

Yikes! There goes a lot of tips in repair costs. Funny, I was just looking on Tire Rack at Saturn alloys and they go for as little as $79 each.

Thanks for the info on the Saturns. Always wanted a little 2400 pound puddle jumper.

oldfarmer50

"...you can't blame me now..."

Sweet. you do like your orange cars, don't you?

Have you checked with Isell to see if orange is an "unsaleable" color?

stickguy

might have to have you find me a killer deal on a Z3 or Z4. I decided my next car will be a toy, but probably not a Z4 budget (hell, my budget is more like your MR-2!).

I think I can get away with a 2 seater this time, since I would be keeping my Accord to have a 3rd car around for my daughter to drive 9and I could take the 4 door from her when needed).

May end up with a fixed roof (with a hole of course) instead though, since the convert can get to be pricey.

a 2002-2003ish 3 series coupe though, that could be doable!

stickguy

I like the M3, but would never do that color combo. Plus, an M is way overkill for me now. A base car would be such a huge step up after 6 years in an Accord 4 cylo, that I might as well save the money!

stickguy

Oh, I would still love a RWD s series wagon, stick being fine of course.

isellhondas

I know you didn't ask but...

Orange is a love it or hate it color with FAR more people in the "hate it" side of the fence.

But for the few who like it, they will go to the end of the earth to find one.

stever

Maybe we could interest Gbrozen in an S60 like the one in the Edmunds fleet?



It looks "orangier" in brighter light. 2012 Volvo S60: Rolling Carrot

fezo

Orange is a perfectly sellable color - in 1974.....

I kinda dig it, though....

stever

Probably would do okay in Knoxville too.

qbrozen

Yup. LOVE that color volvo.

BTW, brentwood informed me that orange 135i has been sitting at that dealer for 6 months now. Guess the right orange freak hasn't shown up yet.

Sandman6472

Yes, but it looks good on that particular car...a small sports car can handle most any color better than a larger one. I'd be more than happy if it was on my side of the garage!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fezo

A friend of mine had an orange Porsche 914 - the old VW Porsche. 71 or 72. It looked good and it was a load of fun to drive.

Sandman6472

Bet they'd be anxious to deal on it after sitting there that long. Some person should be able to make a great deal on it. Just wish that person could be me! I'm gonna go test drive a BMW just to see what everyone is talking about. I did enjoy the C Class last year...didn't fall into it that much. Wonder if a 1 Series or 3 Series would be similar...need to find out. Luckily both the MB and BMW dealers have opened stores really close to us. Most of the majors have opened up near the house with the Honda, Buick, Kia & Nissan stores just across town. We have 2 which go over there and 2 that go to the closer stores. Spent another 2.5 hours at the Nissan store again yesterday but am glad these little issues are being taken care under warranty. But enough is enough already!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

qbrozen

Yes, you should drive one ... you know, just to see.

In my experience, MBs are softer, more isolated. But both have that "solid" feel.

I'm going to go over to the local BMW dealer at lunch today to see if I can talk my way into a test drive of a used 335 sport auto just so I can test out the seat and auto trans to be sure its what I want. The 135 will be the same in those aspects. I had sat in a 1 series when it first came out, but couldn't drive it.

anonymousposts

That Murano Cabrio is one car I don't understand. I have seen one on the road here since it was introduced and I do a fair amount of driving. I do like the regular Murano but couldn't see myself in a sport utility convertible ...

qbrozen

Ok, can a more educated bimmer-head explain these seats to me? Is that cloth?? :confuse:

low mileage E46 m3.

So, what's better? A 10-year-old M3 or a 3-year-old 135i? Debate!

anonymousposts

The M3 will have more potential cost in maintenance and repair but it is "more" car. With that said, the 135 will have a lot of modern conveniences that may help it last 12 months instead of 6.

I have driven both and I would buy the M3 if it were my money. However, my preference would still be a 2006 330i 6-speed manual sedan. I am afraid of the turbo in the newer 335's.

qbrozen

no need to be afraid.

I'm kind of fixated on that 0-60 in under 5 secs threshold. I know, its silly, but it is what it is. With the 540 in my stable, I have no need for another family sedan with family sedan performance.

The 135 is a hair lighter than the e46 m3, and, if comparing autobox vs smg, the autobox has more favorable reviews and shifts faster from what I've read. Not to mention it is 6 years younger .... so i'm still leaning that way. That m3 is nice, though. There is also a blue '02 up in CT at a Carmax. That one has Nav and leather, though. Both are smg.

rayainsw

My guess is:

Interior Colors:

* Black w/Cloth/Leather Upholstery [Black] Black w/Cloth/Leather Upholstery [Black]

http://www.autobytel.com/bmw/m3/2002/color/

qbrozen

yeah, I've now been reading up from owners who have cloth. I'm really quite shocked that was offered.

nyccarguy

That's definitely a difficult choice. Style wise, I'm in love with the E46 M3 coupes. There is something to owning a car with a hand built, Inline 6. I don't know what scares me more, the turbo on the 1 (oil cooler, HPFP... You know better than I do) or a 10 year old (1st year) of the SMG.

There seem to be a decent amount of SMG equipped E46 M3s out there. I have a customer who just picked up an '02 SMG E46 M3 with 100K miles at the auction (pa I think) for 12K. He said the 6 speed E46 M3s with more miles were going for $18K & with less miles a little bit over $20K. I know you are a CCA member, just email Mike @ tech talk to see what he thinks.

The E46 M3 is a special car. For the "perfect one," I'd seriously consider selling my beloved 2001 Prelude to help pay.

The 135i performance is definitely hot, it's just not as awesome as an M3.

qbrozen

Hey, what do you know? Edmunds did a comparison just for this discussion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZGwpifULe4

roadburner

Ok, can a more educated bimmer-head explain these seats to me? Is that cloth??

Yes- I prefer it.

SMG E46 M3 vs. 135i automatic? 135i; both are inferior to a manual, but the automatic is very good for a slushbox.

Six Speed E46 M3 vs. 135i automatic? What do you think?

nyccarguy

As they say: The "i" has it! It's like they were reading our minds. I'm impressed with the 1er. I just don't LOVE the styling. That dip under the door drives me nuts!

qbrozen

I'm in the minority. I love the styling. Definitely more than the 3'er sedan. The 3'er coupe on the other hand...

In any case, after visiting the dealer just now, driving the 3 coupe and sitting in and poking around the 1, I've decided I need to stick to the 1. You give up just about nothing except 200 lbs, which is a good thing.

Oh, and that auto trans is really really really good. Definitely faster than manual shifting... well, at least on the downshifts. The upshifts were faster than manual as long as you go 1 gear at a time. Try to demand a 3-to-6 upshift, for example, and it makes its ways through all the gears. It can't skip-shift, in other words, like it can when downshifting. But since the downshifting is the more important part of skip-shifting, I'm fine with that sacrifice. My main test was putting my foot to the floor and short-shifting it. It did exactly what I wanted.

Now, I did NOT try bouncing it off the rev limiter. I was driving a car I already told the guy I wouldn't buy, and he was along with me, and it was a short drive through a residential area. So it wasn't worth it.

rayainsw

128 or 135?
New or used?

qbrozen

2008 135i sport pack auto.
Trying to keep it under 50k miles. There is that one in CT, but I'm going to hold off. 53k miles is just a tad high and putting me off. If I haven't found anything else and it is still there by the time Xmas break rolls around, I'll make the trip.

stickguy

you really had to ask if he drove the big motor or not?

stickguy

50K is important, if only because the orange one is out of warranty already. Now if it was CPO?

Get it under 20K and I'll buy it, but I actually would be perfectly fine with a 128.

so find that car, 40K miles, in a 128 for under 20K and let me know where to go pick it up.

qbrozen

You know, you SHOULD be able to get pretty darned close to that. Galves is $17k-$18k for a 2008 128i, auto, sport, with 39k miles.

If you want stick, that's $650 less (and I would suggest a stick in this trim as the 128 auto is a GM unit). Premium adds $500. Cold weather is a freebie.

I have absolutely no worry if its under warranty or not, personally. I told the salesperson today I don't WANT CPO. He was kind of shocked. Never heard anyone say that, I guess.

stickguy

the CPO part is not that big a deal to me (asusming the price is reduced accordingly), but I do want it to be under warranty for a little while, just in case there are any "issues" with it that need to be addressed.

Sandman6472

Go for the 135i...it looks to be a perfect size and with the auto, the wife will be able to drive it also...a good selling point I'd suspect. Walked by both, an 135 and a 3 Series, at the bank earlier and definitely liked the smaller 135 much better...looks to be the more fun car. If y'all can handle the extra weight of the doors, I'd say go for it. Just wish it were me!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

corvette

"Cold weather is a freebie."

That's weird. On a car like that, I'd expect a $500-1k deduction if it didn't have it... I've looked at many ebay auctions and wondered why the car didn't have heated seats.

kyfdx

I really like that cloth/leather combo... much more than the alcantara that they put in some of the ZHP cars...

isellhondas

In many parts of the U.S. heated seats would be of zero value to most people.

Back in the 50's car heaters were an option on a lot of cars. I don't ever recall even using the heaters on my old cars.