Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

well, all the better then. A win-win!

I really need to get one of these. Just too bad that my wife has first dibs.

I am just going to have to start trolling the 10 YO old aisle for something like that Red 3 series wagon KY posted a few days ago. I don't drive many miles now anyway, so justifying an expensive 2nd car in the family is hard to do.

As long as my wife gets something really nice (she liked the X3. A lot) so I can drive it on weekends and trips, I'm good with an old one.

Sandman6472

I remember that one also...now that was a nice piece of machinery! Also saw a few new Rio's a couple of weeks back and they looked killer on the outside but can't comment on the interior as they were all locked. The hatch did like sweet though...nicer than the Accent wagon hands down.

Spoke with the wife when she got home from a couple days away on business and told her about the Mazda3 I Touring and before I could say anything, all I heard was, "I want the same engine as I have right now"! Tried to explain to her about the new SkyActive engine with the better mileage figures but she repeated the same phrase to me. Explained that the acceleration in the I was not as brisk as her 2.3 and that it's a new 2.5 engine in the S model with a higher price to boot, well y'all know the answer I got. If this is a must have and a deal breaker for her, that could limit the pool a bit. The Verano would be the perfect car for her besides the 3s model. Can't quite see her spending the $ on a # Series or a C Class so her choices will be somewhat limited in that respect. Her sweet spot will be around the $20k point but we're golden if she also includes the trade price we get...so maybe $24k or so. If so, we're golden here. If not...a compromise might be in order. The I Touring did accelerat nicely, but she may be underwhelmed. Not so sure if the Elantra is gonna make it now. She blind sided me here, really! :surprise:

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

qbrozen

There are 4 different types of seats I have found so far. You have the standard, non-premium, non-sport; the premium only, which is the flat seat but with power adjustments and power lumbar; sport only, which gives you manual adjustments with thigh extender and bolsters; then premium+sport, the one I like, which combines the bolsters and thigh extender with the power adjustments and power lumbar.

As rayainsw pointed out, the 3 sport+premium allows power adjustment of the side bolsters. Funny enough, I'm not sure on the 1. I drove it, but didn't think to try the bolsters. I'm curious now.

I'm not sure what I'm doing at this point. I feel kinda ... I dunno, like a deer in the headlights. I feel like I WANT to do something, but have no idea what. I feel like the perfect car must be out there and I just haven't found it. The 1 is about as close as it gets, I think. I might prefer the 3 if it wasn't so damned big and heavy. So that puts me back to the 1. As I've said, though, I'm not sure I want THAT particular car with a stick. I might say "hey, I can live with the auto's faults," but we all know that kind of thinking is a recipe for trading again before too long.

And, yes, THAT car. I'm not sure why, but thinking of some other cars with a stick, like a Porsche or that maser, seems completely acceptable, and even preferable, to me. I'm off my rocker, I know.

stickguy

I learned a long time ago that if you have to ratinalize before you buy, just don't bother.

And no, I have no clue if the seats in the 1 did adjust. The sales dude did not mention it when I commented about the bolsters being a bit tight (really don't think my wife wold like them).

I won't buy a non power seat car, unless it has full 8 way adjustments to mimic what you can do with the power operated one. The craze now of single ratchet levers has to go. I like to have the front of the seat tiled up, and those single lever ones pitch you forward when you raise it.

qbrozen

agree on that single-lever ratchet. Assume its a cost cutting measure. As I think we mentioned here before, a good example is the Protege. Had front and rear tilts and was a far better seat than what they now use in the mazda3/5.

If I continue to keep the GTI, one of these days I'm going to get around to raising the front of the seat a bit with spacers and longer bolts.

rayainsw

Downloaded the 128 owner's manual -
contains exactly the same wording to describe
that adjustment.
[ edit: did you expect a typical 'sales dude' to
have comprehensive knowledge of the
product they sell ? ]

'And no, I have no clue if the seats in the 1 did adjust. The sales dude did not mention it when I commented about the bolsters being a bit tight (really don't think my wife wold like them)'

akangl

Just 500 miles after the first repair the transfer case is out once again in my truck. I have to wait until Monday to call the dealer. I really hope they find the cause behind this issue. Nothing worse than paying for a truck to sit in the shop.

Worst part is my favorite service advisor transferred out of service so now I have to find someone else that has a clue!

stickguy

Looks like Santa is bringing jolie a new car for Christmas!

Should save on delivery charges, since you are so close to the north pole already.

I need to get myself a BMW. Or my wife one at least.

I feel we deserve it. The spring college tuition bill that arrived yesterday might say otherwise.

Someone please find me a 2002-2004 vintage 3 series in my area that is a killer deal so I can get a fix at least!

akangl

Looks like Santa is bringing jolie a new car for Christmas!

That's the thing, I don't WANT a new car, I want mine to stop being stupid. I'm going to give them another shot at it, but keep thinking "tick tock goes the lemon law clock"

Even if I did trade it in.....which is what hubby wants to do. I'd drop down to a used truck and pay cash for it. Then the thought crosses my mind, well, is that going to be reliable?? *SIGH* I want my 07 Pilot back!

rayainsw

huh?????

stever

lol, I think that was a spammer who forgot to stick a link in their nonsensical post. Gone now. :shades:

isellhondas

It's not the Service Advisors who usually have a clue. It's the guys in the shop who work on them.

In your case, THEY are doing something wrong. It's not the truck's fault. They either mis diagnosed the problem or else they didn't put it together correctly.

I would gently remind them of the Lemon Law rules.

Ford would NOT want to take back a Lemon Law car!

akangl

It's not the Service Advisors who usually have a clue. It's the guys in the shop who work on them.

In your case, THEY are doing something wrong. It's not the truck's fault. They either mis diagnosed the problem or else they didn't put it together correctly.

I would gently remind them of the Lemon Law rules.

Ford would NOT want to take back a Lemon Law car!

They replaced the whole transfer case with a new one sent from ford.....how can that even begin to be not put together correctly? Heck hubby and I have replaced a transfer case on a log skidder (very large piece of equiptment). Its not hard. I think in this case there's an underlying cause to the issue that they aren't finding.

This will be repair attempt #2, in alaska they get 3 attempts to repair a single issue and/or the vehicle has to have 30 business days out of service. Good thing I didn't lease this truck since leases aren't recognized under the lemon law.......that's why my white 04 Titan wasn't a buyback, it qualified in all other ways.

stickguy

took my daughter out for the first time today in the odyssey (yes, I am too danged old to be doing this again). Biggest hassle? She is short, so has to change everything including the mirrors. That gets real old real quick when you are sharing.

One more reason to just get something new that has 3 person memory settings!

rayainsw

'One more reason to just get something new..'
And how many reasons do you require?
- Ray
Few for me........

oldfarmer50

"...took my daughter out for the first time..."

I hope you're having fun. Nothing comes close to the ritual of a parent teaching a child to drive. Loads of emotions---pride, fear, anxiety---you name it. Like sending the kid out to slay his/her first lion.

I've trained 3 youngsters (my two boys and a nephew) and they all passed on the first try. The first time in the car I told them "Rule #1 is--DON'T HIT ANYTHING".

I have to wait 1 more year for my niece to turn 16. That should be an experience. :surprise:

stickguy

she is very by the book. Not expecting any speeding tickets out of this one!

But, I may have created a monster. I wa poking around, and found out there are a slew of 2003-204 3 series available for not too much (as in close to what I can sell my Accord for most likely).

She was fully on board with my new plan. Find a 325i sedan in good shape, buy it and sell the accord, then I can drive it for the next year while teaching her to drive. Not that I "need" a BMW, but simply because it has the memory seat settings. So much more convenient!

Then in a year, I can pass that along to her and find myself a toy.

Basically the same plan, but I would "upgrade" to a (older, probably higher mile) BMW for a while, without blowing the budget I don't have to blow.

I can't see any flaws to this plan. A 325i non-sport is a nice size to drive, super safe, and not too powerful for a younger driver. And it will be close to 10 years old by the time she can solo. And it won't get many miles in the next 2.5 years (probably well less than 20K).

I am liking this plan. Especially since no payments will be involved! And next year the wife can get her new car.

this is even better than Yesterdays plan (lease a 2011 left over for a couple of years).

I'm getting all itchy just thinking about it. Now just need to find the right car at the right price. Posted a couple over at RWTIV for a reality check.

fezo

Ah, you've hit on why I hate letting the kids use my car. Mirrors. I can contort myself into he seat and fix that but I'm really fussy about mirrors.

Not buying any more cars for a while so we'll let that issue go...

isellhondas

Well, "something" is wrong and without seeing the insides of those transfer cases I have no idea what that "something" may be.

Otherwise, every Ford truck like yours would be having the same problem.

roadburner

I hope you're having fun. Nothing comes close to the ritual of a parent teaching a child to drive.

I found that I was more nervous instructing my son than I was riding shotgun with a total stranger on a road course. And my son isn't a bad driver.
Having said all that I am a firm believer in real driver training, so I sent my son to a two day driving school as well as the BMW Car Club's one day Street Survival course.

stickguy

I am thinking about sending my daughter to a school like that (her 6 hours with the instructor was basic get used to a car stuff). Just not sure what there is around me in south Jersey.

anyone with ideas, post them!

kyfdx

Street Survival school is tentatively scheduled for Edison, NJ on May 12th

http://streetsurvival.org/school-schedule-registration/tentative-schools/

stickguy

that looks cool (the street survival). Definitely gonna have to get to one of those. Will probably send my son too if he is around.

roadburner

You might want to check with your BMW dealer Jake; BMW NA is hosting a sneak preview of Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol on Thursday in most major cities; my salesman provided me with four tickets.

roadburner

I also sent my son to the BMW Performance Center's Two-Day Teen School. I observed both days; the instructors do a great job.

stickguy

that looks like a nice program. A bit more difficult logistically (as in getting to S. Carolina!), but something to keep in mind. I think one of the big names (Skip Barber?) runs a program in connecticut?

rayainsw

I attended this school, when I lived in NH, back in the
early 1980s.
And brought the teen son of a friend.
Well worth the time and $$s, I believe.

http://www.skidschool.us/teen.php

FWIW.
- Ray
Left a lot of rubber on their venue.....

stickguy

but, already frustrated. I need to "hire" someone like Q to do everything for me, short of writing the check (unless he really wants that part also!)

Took a look at the 2003 with 53K on it. Battery too dead to to start the car, and it had obviously been sitting quite a while. Kid came out to jump and it did fire right up, but was kind of rough at first, but did settle down and sound OK.

I liked driving it. Validated my plan at least, but this particular car did not give me the warm and fuzzies.

- new tires on front, but not same brand as the rear (I hate that!)
- steering wheel was off center
- inside of rear window was all condensation, but that might have been from running the heat
- headlight lenses were bad. At first I thought it was water inside, but it might have just been all crapped up outside.

So, overall, not that clean (IMO) and not something that made me real comfy. And no way I would get it without a full inspection (this dealer does go through the cars and supplies a written report of everything done, so it is ikely OK, but the details let it down).

at this point, I am going to call about the 2004 too. I often had good luck with private sellers. Just need to find the 1, OCD owner with every service record from the dealer. Higher miles, but if the price adjustment reflects it, I don't mind.

Plus we both prefer dark blue! So the big question is, will the owner face the reality that he likely ain't getting close to 10.5K for it.

Too bad it is an hour away from me. Too far for a "what the heck" drive by, but still worth a call.

One thing I am realizing is, there is no shortage of 2003-2004 325is floating around. And even better, in that vintage, nice high profile tires (205-55/16), and even a full size spare!

man though, driving one through the twisties put my accord to shame.

qbrozen

Frustrated already?

Must be a bimmer-shopping thing. I'm kind of frustrated, too. Not from the actual looking/shopping part but from the "can't figure out exactly what I want" angle. I know its sacriledge, but I'm really feeling like I want an autobox. I wish it was a bit better suited to my demands, but I like the car otherwise and probably would only experience any sort of frustration at the autoX. So i'm thinking I might go ahead and do it. If that orange one is still there in CT come 12/26 ....

stickguy

the 1 series was very nice, but too rich for my blood right now (plus does not fit "the plan").

One thing about BMWs is I have always liked their ATs, one of the few cars I can say that about. This one drove nicely, and it has the manumatic, so for what I need to do it was fine. I also don't auto-x or anything, so no worries there.

now it really is just a matter of finding the right car at the right price. Too bad my evaluation skills aren't quite good enough. I can sniff out obvious rats, but still need help at some point on the gilded pigs. And shopping is hard enough, dealing with taking the car to the mechanic is a whole nother world of hassle.

stickguy

I also am 100% fine with a nice simple 325i with the base suspension/tires. A reasonable thing to teach a kid to drive on, but plenty to keep me happy in the interim.

nyccarguy

Even in their "non sport package guise," a BMW is still a BMW.

stickguy

that is true. a base 325 still runs rings around my accord.

and given the horrible condition of the roads around here, I am more than fine with the 55 series tires!

tjc78

A 325i non-sport is a nice size to drive, super safe, and not too powerful for a younger driver

Not worried about RWD in poor weather? The winters aren't too harsh in our neck of the woods, but RWD in a car like that without snow tires isn't fun. My Genesis on the OEM Dunlops was downright bad.

stickguy

the tires on that car are not particularly wide, so that helps. As does having good quality AS tires. And no, it won't be out in the snow enough to matter.

I spent years in college in upstate NY driving around in various cars including a duster with bald bias-ply snows. After that, this would be cake.

If it was to be driven much in actual snow I would get a set of steelies with snows from tire rack.

roadburner

2009 128i Sport

About the way I'd order one except mine would have Comfort Access and would lack a hole in the roof.

qbrozen

I used to think that. But I've since realized I need the power seat for the right comfort.

nyccarguy

Before buying her current 2011 Porsche Cayenne, my Mom leased a 2008 BMW 328xiA which is technically the heaviest of the E90 3 series sedans with the least powerful engine (AWD, Automatic Transmission, 240 hp I6, no sport suspension). It was still a blast to drive!

nyccarguy

Nice ride, but I think you need a turbo car.

Sandman6472

Absolutely, I love my 205/55/16's on my Civic, also on the wife's Mazda3. The kids both have 15" tires and I can definetly feel the difference in road feel...the Civic is much more tossable. Funny, that blue 325 looked great in the pictures but not so apparently in person...great blue color and nice interior. If I'd was to get a 3 Series, think I'd go for a '05 model myself and spend the bit extra but that's just me. And I'm not in the market as my Civic still looks & feels brand new...still get complments on it all the time!

Good luck on your quest to find the perfect 3!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

stickguy

I'm getting into it. A brighter blue but cheaper 2003. Gotta ditch the tint, and the wheels look like sport package on this one.

http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/BMW/2003-BMW-325-eb8916ab4046381101a8bf5258693893- .htm

same place has a 5301 (2003) with a 5 speed stick for the same price. Only 138K on the clock!

stickguy

Isn't this what Burner wants?

No clue how crazy high the price is, but not something you see every day.

If the link goes to the search page, it is the only Porsche in stock.

http://www.carboneautosales.net/Search.html

kyfdx

That blue is either Topaz or Mystic..

I don't recognize those wheels from an E46.. They look factory, but may be aftermarket with BMW center caps...

From the pictures they also appear to be 17".... It bugs me when they don't include any interior photos... :mad:

roadburner

Isn't this what Burner wants?

Oh yes...

Sandman6472

Sweet wheels but prefer the other blue color. Why do the wheels stick out so much? Do they come from a 330? Just look a bit off on this particular car but sweet anyways! You are getting closer. I might be inclined to do something similar but the wife would have a heart attack since she thinks I should keep my Civic as long as possible. But I'd still prefer that RX 330 I always talk about. She'd probably like that better as she'd get to drive a more lux car then she has now and a Lexus is a lux car. Showed her one recently and she said it was nice, so I know if I'd go that route, she'd take it a lot of the time!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

lemmer

Pretty sure those are OEM BMW wheels.

roadburner

I don't recognize those wheels from an E46.. They look factory, but may be aftermarket with BMW center caps...

I think they are E90 328i Sport Package wheels.

stickguy

one thing I don't want is a car that has been monkeyed with a lot. Wheels I know are pretty common on these, but who knows what other hinkiness went on. Aftermarket tint is a big turn off to me also. The standard 16" wheels on the 325 look fine to me.

kyfdx

I think you are right... which might account for the stance, since E90 wheels have less offset....

stickguy

Now I am starting to have fun with this. Here's a 2005 that splits the difference in miles, but looks super clean and nicely presented. Also loaded. Dang, there are a lot of these floating around.

http://premierautogroupllc.com/newandusedcars/0/1207833/a2cd6ab9-06cf-4884-aa8d-- 2506a1ec918b/none/2005-BMW-3Series-Turnersville-NJ-08012.aspx