Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

kyfdx

There is a rumor that I bought an E30 in September.... someone is driving it, but it sure isn't me....

michaellno

Think it'll come down to the Verano and the Mazda3 when all's said and done. Two choices I could definitely live with!

Wow .. couldn't be more opposite of one another. Either way, sounds like you've zeroed in on what you both want.

I like the fact that the Verano comes with a different engine than the Cruze .. not simple badge engineering like the GM of old.

sda

I bet using the 2.4 instead of the 1.4 turbo makes for a smoother, more balanced and likable engine/tranny combo. It may not get quite the mpg, but still good. I found the 2.4 in my previous 08 HHR quite willing, economical and reliable. It easily got 26 mpg in my daily driving, and would get 30+ mpg on the highway. This is with the boxy styling and 4 speed automatic. I saw the Verano recently at the Charlotte Auto Show and liked it a lot.

qbrozen

oh, is that you and your son with the red 318? That's great. What's with the 3 numbers on it?

roadburner

oh, is that you and your son with the red 318? That's great. What's with the 3 numbers on it?

The two big numbers were our registration numbers; they aren't sequential because my son wasn't cleared to go until his midterm grades were posted(as the article states, he was playing hooky). The small yellow number was my instructor number for the drivers school.

qbrozen

ok, BMW fans, please help me out with this color. We've discussed this car previously, but I ran across the 2008 1-series brochure and there is no orange listed. What's the deal? What color is this??

So, I've conducted a nationwide search via the internet and I have found 5 2008 135i automatic coupes with, at a minimum, sport and premium packs that are priced $25k or less.

Here they are in order of actual value.
[miles, ext color, int color, location, asking price, base trade-in value, extras]
53600, orange??, tan/tan, CT, $21600, $18200
50600, black, red/black, AL, $22984, $18675
44000, black, red/black, IL, $24995, $19800, cold weather pack
43000, blue, tan/black, GA, $24850, $21175, navi
15500, grey, black/black, IL, $24991, $23350, cold weather pack

Out of the above, I really like the color combo of the blue the best, but the navi is a $1200 add I just don't care enough about. The orange, if it is orange, is my favorite exterior color, but the tan/tan interior is a letdown. The red interior is my fav interior, but its in a black car in both cases. All things considered, the middle one is probably the one i want to be in ... but it figures they have the highest asking price.

Of course, the low miles one is damned tempting for that reason alone, but you do pay for it, and the black/black is rather dreary.

nyccarguy

Sedona Red Metallic

rayainsw

If you arrive at the point where you are serious about this one -
43000, blue, tan/black, GA, $24850, $21175, navi
let me know - it is on the other side of Atlanta from
where I live, but I could do an amateur inspection &
answer specific questions without 'salesperson bias'....
- Ray
Acquired the [ blue ] 335iS from a BMW dealer not too far from there....
Some of their other inventory does look interesting.

nyccarguy

qbrozen

Of the cars you listed, my favorite of the exterior colors is the MONTEGO BLUE (same color as our '07 X3 was). I'm not thrilled with the sand leather interior. Lighter color interiors SHOW EVERYTHING.

I really LOVE a Black/Red Leather 135i Convertible where you can really see the contrast with the top down. I also don't know how you feel about black cars.

Both these cars are still under BMW's factory warranty.

I know the grey (actually Sparkling Graphite) doesn't show in the pic, but it does really sparkle in the sunlight. Only 15,500 miles too. Hmmmm.

Having leased a Montego Blue X3 & Now owning a Black Acura TSX, I can tell you that the Blue shows scratches like black does.

stickguy

last week I sat in the 2012 version of that car (almost) at Turnersville BMW.

that orange, black interior, with the m Sport package.

It was nice, and I actually liked the color a lot in person. it just seemed to work on that car.

stickguy

Had my Odyssey in for an oil change today. They finally had a new CRV on the floor. Not bad. Horrible rear visibility though. And not sure I cared for the driver's seat, but overall, a nice package (size/cargo room/equipment). Should sell well.

But, wandering the lot, out behind the used car building, I found the row of fresh trades not yet processed. And fell in love with one. A 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, dark blue over tan guts. Man, this looked nice. No clue of miles or eventual asking price, but would be a tough choice for the same price as a CRV!

stickguy

and yes, I know that a non-cpo 535 might eat me alive $ wise (certainly compared to a new car).

Sandman6472

It's really what she wants and she wants a car with the same power she has now, a 2.3 liter engine...the Mazda has the 2.5 and the Verano, a 2.4, so we're good to go there. The Verano looks to be more upscale than the Mazda which will really appeal to her I think, and it's not a "Cruze clone" which I like. So yes, I think we have our two contenders as she mentioned last night the Elantra is a nice ride, but not "her ride". And since we pay for our own vehicles from our separate pots, it's all good!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

qbrozen

Sedona Red Metallic

Sooo... does that look orange in real life?

Yeah, like I said, I really like the blue, too. But I hate paying that much for navi. Its a possibility... for the right price.

As for the light interior, I've had the opposite experience. For me, black shows everything. You can even see dust. Tan only shows actual dirt, which I manage to keep out of my cars for the most part. My wife, however, doesn't fare so well with light interiors. She just doesn't keep her cars as nice as I do.

qbrozen

Thanks, ray, I appreciate the offer. Doubt I could get that one down to where I want to be. If it weren't for that damned nav, I could.

nyccarguy

Sedona Red most certainly does not look orange. It is a burgundy color. All the press cars were Sedona red I think.

kyfdx

It's more of a rust color....

It was the launch color for the 1-series coupe in the US... the first 128i were all in that color.. You don't see it much on the 135i, and it is definitely not orange in real life like those pictures...

stickguy

was cruising the listings of 325s, making sure I did not miss any 2005s. Well, what does my wandering eye see, but another one with 84K at the Ford dealer about 1 mile from my office, listed slightly cheaper than the steel blue one I posted (much farther away, and sadly, I could not get down to it today).

But, unless the ad is wrong (no pictures, might be a new arrival), this one is a manual trans!

the former holy grail, but how do I work that into my convoluted justification scheme for my wife (since one reason is getting another AT in the family).

I think the only logical solution is, buy them both!

stickguy

I did find something to go in the plus column. If I trade my 2005 Accord for a 2005 BMW, my insurance will actually go down about $100/year. Practically pays for the whole purchase differential right there!

nyccarguy

I know you've got your heart set on a 135i & are a BMW guy. Have you considered a used C6 Corvette?

stickguy

Even better, the Ford dealer with the 325 also has an 1993 850 BMW. Only $8,988, and a modest 135K on the clock.

Not for the faint of heart, but Q seems like a brave man!

qbrozen

I need a back seat. Otherwise I'd just turbo my MR2.

stick, I actually found an 840 with really low miles (like 50k), but its just too damned heavy for my taste.

roadburner

The only 8er I'd want would be an 850CSi- and they aren't cheap...

kyfdx

I thought these were million dollar cars... but, my son says he has seen them for sale for under a half-million?

You know.. just in case one of us wins the lottery..

isellhondas

Oh man...an 850!

Do you have ANY idea how often these break and how much they cost to fix?

They make a 3 Series look like a Honda Civic in that regard!

qbrozen

Huh. Don't know why this one didn't come up before. They've had it over 2 months now.
black on red with 37k, and its CPO.

Of course, it is priced as only a BMW dealer dares price it. Wonder if I have any shot in hell of getting them down to a more realistic $25k. Which is still high for me, but with the "we'll pay your first 2 payments" deal, its pretty good. I would finance pretty much the whole thing using their 3.9%/60mo rate, which is near $500/mo. Them paying the first 2 mos (their limit is $500/mo) is like getting another $800 off the principal.

nyccarguy

Go for it! Love the black w/ red leather. They've had the car for 2 months & it being a RWD BMW (about as popular as a black/black car in Florida), it's going to sit there. Let us know all the gory details!

qbrozen

just got word that my wife won't be home today (she's in Switzerland on business), which means I'm solo'ing with the kids yet another day (been 6 days now), which means no test drive tomorrow. Ah well. Guess we'll see if its still there next week.

isellhondas

I'm thinking the red interior would be a dealbreaker for most people.

Also, are the 1 Series BMW's very popular? To me, they are just so small.

stickguy

looks nice. Take the kids. See if they fit.

qbrozen

I'm thinking the red interior would be a dealbreaker for most people.

yeah, I don't know. To me its one of the strongest selling points.

To me, they are just so small.

bah. Damned American! :P

Seriously, though, I find the inside to be on par with the E30.
Think of it as a sportscar with a back seat.

stick, I wouldn't mind taking the kids ... up until I needed to sit down and negotiate. The older one wouldn't be so bad cause I could just give him my phone to play with, but the younger one is a nightmare.

fezo

I wouldn't mind taking the kids ... up until I needed to sit down and negotiate. The older one wouldn't be so bad cause I could just give him my phone to play with, but the younger one is a nightmare.

You are missing an important point - all of this is to your advantage......

ateixeira

Think of it as a sportcar without a back seat.

I asked my kids to try to squeeze in and they just rolled their eyes.

breld

I took my 6 and 8-year old boys with me when we bought the Insight. At one point, the 6 year-old was playing around in a Pilot on the showroom floor and somehow set the alarm off. So the horn blared for several minutes inside the showroom while the salesmen searched for the keys to shut the alarm down.

Embarassing at the time, but pretty darn funny now.

fezo

When I was getting my oldest daughter her first car there was a 97 Accord we were looking at. Turned out to have an aftermarket alarm on it that we managed to set off much to the amusement of the sale folks.

andre1969

yeah, I don't know. To me its one of the strongest selling points.

When I first saw "black with red interior" I was initially thinking it would be a shiny, pimpy red that could hurt your eyes, like what you'd find in a '76 Eldorado. But I think that red interior is actually pretty tasteful and subdued.

qbrozen

Its certainly more room than a mini. Hell, there is more backseat legroom than a first gen A4. When I tried that out, the back of the front seat was touching the backseat. In the 1-series, there is actually about 6 inches between my seatback and that backseat cushion.

Besides, my kids are almost 6 and 2. I've got plenty of time before worrying about their comfort. Its only 3 miles to school anyway.

stickguy

yeah, besides, how much can the kids grow by 7 and 3 when you get rid of it?

and keep me in mind for this one!

stickguy

off to search out high mileage 2005 BMWs tomorrow! Looks like the close by Ford dealer actually has an AT 325i after all (the ad changed since yesterday, or I just misread that it was a manual).

Might look at that one first before traveling farther afield to look at the steel blue one that is at a smaller used only lot.

I got a real good winter deal a few years back at that Ford place when I picked up my Miata just before thanksgiving. So maybe a RWD BMW at Christmas I can do well on too? And a whole boatload easier to get it off for an inspection!

Just no idea about color or equipment.

stickguy

with a stick that is. If only I was looking for a stick, it would be damned tempting to take the accord up and negotiate a straight swap! Or just buy it and worry about the spare later. Does not look like a bad price for something bought, serviced and sold at the same dealership. Of course, it would have to be silver over black (not planning to do that again).

http://www.bmwofturnersville.com/detail-2003-bmw-3_series-325i-used-8067360.html-

what the heck, maybe on my travels tomorrow I should stop in, just to browse (and I was at this dealer last saturday too, just didn't happen to see it).

oldfarmer50

"...To me, they are just so small..."

I was trying to see if I could fit in one at the auto show but they had them all locked and even though the salesman tried to talk me in to buying one he wouldn't actually let me sit in it.

BTW, I'll up my offer on your Reatta a bit now that I know what they are asking for them here on the east coast:

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/2754415593.html

Kind of makes you feel like a smart cookie to have got yours so cheap.

stickguy

a 1 series is not that bad. I tried it out, and fit OK in the back seat. if anything, better than a 3 series coupe because the roof is more squared off, and you have enough headroom. For kids, it would be fine.

oldfarmer50

"...and fit OK in the back seat..."

If the money fairy ever left me enough to buy ANY BMW the last thing I would worry about would be the back seat. Unless someone else was driving me to my funeral the car would never move unless I was at the wheel.

Now the driver's seat would have to have good headroom and other nice ergonomics. I still have a sore neck from driving that old Vette this summer. :sick:

I don't remember creature comforts being so important when I was younger. I use to have a blast driving my brother's VW bug with my knees tangled in the steering wheel, my head cranked side-ways against the ceiling and pushing the clutch with the tip of my toe. :confuse:

qbrozen

I'm 6'5", so unless you beat that by a good 2 inches, you'd fit just fine. I didn't even use up all the rearward seat travel, but I was only about an inch from the headliner. And I hear that the manual seat gives even more headroom.

tjc78

I can't believe you are 6'5" and even considering something so small! I'm only 6" with a 30" inseam and keep the seat just about as far back as it will go in my big boat of a car. I guess you like to drive close? I've noticed my cousin does that. He is about 2" taller than me and when he drove my car I couldn't believe how far he moved the seat up (and how far down he tilted the steering wheel).

nyccarguy

I know you've got your heart set on a 135i, but I think this 2002 E46 M3 SMG might be worth taking a look at too.

qbrozen

I posted that same one not too long ago. I was thinking of checking it out... but it is 10 years old. Plus, the 135 is a hair faster and not as high strung.

tjc - I do sit closer than I used to. Having your arms outstretched does not give proper control of the car. It is tricky, however, finding vehicles that allow my arms to be bent but give enough room for my legs. The Germans seem to do a pretty good job at this. Better than most. The size of the car has nothing to do with it in most cases. There are SUVs and vans I'm not comfortable in.

oldfarmer50

"...I'm 6'5"..."

I'd fit fine then.

nyccarguy

Sorry for the repost. That car is 10 years old already. What's that worth, $14 - $15.5 GALVES?

The 135 will be not as high strung and easier to live with day to day.

stickguy

Took my daughter out on a shopping trip (for cars). In order:

1) looked at a white over tan (nice combo) 2005 325i at Ford dealer. As traded, not even inspected or serviced, but I did drive. Not bad, but seemed a little ratty. and cardinal sin, new tires on front that did not match the rears (and were el cheapo Eldorados). So, would require new sneaks. But, drove OK though it seemed like it had been smoked in.

Salesguy is supposed to call after they run it through the BMW shop and get ready for sale.

2) finally saw the 2005 steel blue. Nice in person. at a small "high end" lot (quite a few German cars, inc. BMW and MB, some much newer and pricier). Seemed legit, but speaking Russian (I believe) would have been helpful. Car was actually very nice, probably as clean as you can find with 82K on the clock.

only flaw was when I put on heat, smelled like something burning. Owner said it was just all the detail dressing under the hood burning off (did kind of smell like undercoating on a new car). Guess that would have to be looked at. But overall, nice package.

Offered me the BMW for 12K and $8,500 for my Accord ($3,500 diff). Almost said 2.5k and deal, but wasn't completely sure. So I decided to think about it.

3) gave daughter her first stick lesson. Actually did pretty well at it. Got up to 2nd gear.

so, based on managing the stick, decided to look at the ^6,995 2003 3 series manual trans. So doubled back to BMW dealer (and at this point, my wife at home was probably steamed from waiting!)

SEE PART 2