Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

I have the same problem. 2 car garage, and no off street parking that isn't in the way. Even a 3rd "lane" would help a bunch. I hate having to park outside, and to jockey cars around. And parking in the street in front of my house isn't the greatest place to be.

kyfdx

The E30 is already sitting outside and being driven on salted roadways... That wasn't really the plan, but I can't get the kid out of it..

Wouldn't want to get another older car that I can't garage, and not leaving my DD out, either..... too old to scrape windows... lol

roadburner

For some reason I thought I read about someone changing it. Maybe that was on an older model (or Burners 318ti).

The only US spec BMW engines that use a timing belt are the M20(AKA: "small") sixes, which are only found in the E30 325/i/e, the E28 528e, and the early E34 525i.

corvette

My two fit comfortably in my 24 x 24' garage. I have a large driveway, but it would be inconvenient to park a third outside.

The last reasonably priced "nicer" house I was halfway interested in had a 3+ car detached garage. The third garage door was sized for an RV, so you could probably fit four cars inside of that one.

stickguy

not far from my house, a couple of years ago on an open lot (pretty big and deep, on a busier road) built a new house. Nice enough, kind of a contemporary colonial with the normal 2 car garage in front. Interesting to watch it go up.

But I really got envious when they moved over to the side of the house (on a wide part of the lot) and put up a 3 bay matching garage, complete with a 2nd floor with dormer windows.

that is exactly what I want! Except make it a 3 car attached...

bolivar

"Cause, we only have four cars for three drivers, now...."

Doesn't the dog drive?

au1994

I get this on occasion. While I don't have multiple cars like some of you lucky folks, I have traded quite often in the past and most of the time upward.

I'm single and kidless and have a good job. All I've got is a mortgage and my car payment and I put plenty aside for a rainy day and retirement but I do indulge my love for the automobile.

Some of the comments are rooted in the green eyed monster but most are good natured.

kyfdx

Doesn't the dog drive?

Not since his vision started to go....

lemmer

I am just catching up, and reading your 04 with 90K mile values post. How much for a G35 or a TL?

qbrozen

$8700 and $9500, respectively. I had looked them up, but left them out since they are more expensive. PLUS, a G35 is a much crazier car to give a teenage girl, IMHO, than a 325.

ateixeira

Good one!

We have 3 cars for 2 drivers, and I just told my wife - better than a mistress, no? LOL

qbrozen

just thought I'd put up a pic of the bimmer "twins" together in the driveway. The 135 will be getting a spot in the garage once I sell the MR2.

ateixeira

Funny thing is the rims look like they were reversed - the 1 has big rims and the 5's seem small. :shades:

au1994

I like that 135. I've got a black on black 11 328 coupe that I love.

lemmer

Agreed. I was just asking for me.

qbrozen

And, oddly enough, when I bought the 5, I thought "man, these wheels are HUGE!" Then looked and saw they are "only" 17s. haha.

I think the difference between the 17s and 18s are exagerated by how visible those wheels are on the 1 vs the more subdued look of the 5er's.

I actually don't care for those wheels on the 1, but I'm just not the type of person to do anything about it. I don't typically spend money on cosmetic upgrades.

ateixeira

Are the 5's wheel wells bigger? Total width of the opening, I mean.

breld

Nice photo! I like it!

We're at four cars for two drivers right now (actually five until the 318ti sells), which feels a bit too indulgent, but we kinda fell into that when I found the 530i shortly after buying the GTI. If the 530i would've popped up prior to the GTI purchase, I doubt we would've bought the VW, since the point of that was to have a fun daily driver.

We have a 3-car garage, so one car (usually the SUV) sits behind the 3rd bay, so I have to do a little jockeying when we shift cars around. I don't mind it too much, and the wife and I simply like all the cars to the point of not wanting to get rid of any of them.

The one thing I really would like is a minivan (as I've mentioned before), but there's no way I want to get into five cars, and I'm just not sure what we get rid of. The obvious choice would be to replace the SUV with a minivan, and that's where I'm leaning, since that would allow us to keep the other "fun" cars. But I really like that CX-9. And since it serves the family-hauler function just fine for now, I'm trying to tell myself to sit tight.

qbrozen

Oh, beats me. I would imagine so. Certainly seems like there is more room around the tires, and the overall diameter of the tires is basically the same on the cars.

qbrozen

And that's where we are at. 5 for now. The MR2 will go eventually. I just need the time to swap out the coilover sleeves and the muffler and do some repairs.

breld

On the topic of CCB "criticism," I think most of us tend to buy used, and buy smart. That dramatically reduces the financial impact of indulging in the "habit." Not to say they're smart financial moves, but it seems the participants on this board are self-aware enough to recognize what makes sense and what is pushing the limit.

Like Michael mentioned, as long as you're taking care of the things that most of us would agree are of higher priority, like retirement, kids education, etc., then I kinda throw the funds used on cars into the "entertainment" bucket. Some of our co-workers who poke fun at my wife and I for the car buying habit are also ones who take fairly extravagant vacations each year. We live a pretty simple life otherwise, so cars are our area of indulgence.

Of course, if you're in a position to travel to Italy for a couple weeks each year and take care of a car habit, more power to you!

qbrozen

We haven't been on vacation in 3 years! I just arranged for a Disney trip that will take place in December, which will be almost exactly 4 years since our last trip.

So, yeah, good point!

breld

Christmas time at Disney - what fun!

"Land" or "World"?

michaellno

"Land" or "World"?

I'm gonna guess "World" since q is in NJ. A bit far to travel to CA, plus there is more to do in FL -- so I've been told.

My sister used to work for Disney at the studios in Burbank. She was involved in an employee program that exposed her to all parts of the Disney businesses:

A day at the Disney Channel watching production
A day at the Animation Studios
A day at Disneyland dressed in character

qbrozen

yup. World.
We'll be driving the T&C down.

I figure DW, Epcot, Seaworld, and Islands of Adventure. Using the parents' timeshare, so we're doing the trip on the cheap.

ateixeira

The way they price it, you may as well do Animal Kingdom and Disney Studios, as each extra day gets cheaper the more you go. They have 2 water parks also.

The first day at any given set of parks is the most expensive.

qbrozen

eh. Gotta hit the RIGHT places, though. Personally, I hate Disney World itself, but this is for the kids after all. My son has to see Islands of Adventure. I think they are too young for either Studio park. And... c'mon... gotta do Sea World. Unless we replace Sea World with Animal Kingdom. We'll see.

ateixeira

IIRC Sea World partners with Busch Gardens, which is better than Animal Kindgom anyway.

We did multi-day passes at both. 1st day costs $80 plus but the 10th day is just a few bucks, look and you'll see what I mean.

Epcot has concerts at night, so may be worth more than one visit. I liked visiting the countries, stop in France for lunch, the bakery is awesome!

fezo

Yeah, certainly with Disney after the first couple of days the passes get way cheaper on a per day basis. My last trip my biggest regret is that I didn't buy more days. It's been a year and a half maybe and will be another year or better due to the health issues.

The Magic Kingdom is strictly for the kids but Epcot is fun. The Hollywood Studios is good if you are park hopping. I don't think there's enough for a full day. I've yet to be at Animal Kingdom.

Christmas, like Thanksgiving, will be packed. I love election day week. Our schools are out that week and nobody is in Florida except other folks from NJ.

kyfdx

2005, I think... Track Edition..

Son's friend just got it.... I liked it a lot more than I thought I would....

tjc78

They are super quick, my V6 Genesis (6 sec to 60) was blown away by one.

Nissan's VQ is probably the sweetest V6 out there.

anonymousposts

We have a trip planned to Disney in February. Since Gee is former military, we were able to get a 4 day pass with park hopper option for $135 per person. Works out to be a fairly good deal. We just have to arrange for our own hotel.

I think we have decided to pass on the TSX. It is too small for the family. With the rear facing car seat on one side, there is no way anyone can sit in the seat in front of the youngest. I am only 5'2, and there is no way I would fit, much less if we wanted to switch drivers. SO..... we are now looking at a 2007 RAV4 with 75k for $9,000. Not exactly a hoot to drive, but will serve it's purpose well. We may also sell the Odyssey and just replace it with something more fun to drive and use the Tiguan and the RAV4 for daily driver/family duty.

ateixeira

4 banger or V6?

The V6 model was, irony of all ironies, the quickest Toyota in the lineup at the time. 0-60 in 6.2 seconds per C&D.

Plus gas mileage is close, so opt for that if you get the choice.

I don't like the swing out hatch - it blocks the curb side loading. Make sure you're OK with that before you buy.

qbrozen

We tested a RAV4 of that generation. We both found it just pitiful. Poor build quality, poor ride, poor... everything. We wound up buying an XC90 at that time.

tjc78

My Mother has a 2011 RAV 4 4x4 4cyl. I usually like Toyotas and I'm not that impressed by it at all. The interior isn't that roomy and the 4cyl just has no guts. I much preferred her 09 Camry SE that she had prior.

As for being the quickest Toyota one of the car mags got an Avalon to 60 in 6 flat. God only knows what they did to acheive that.

ateixeira

I ended up with a Sienna. Lift gate is better, 8 seats, same powertrain, but nicer interior, more soft surfaces, etc.

We later picked up a Forester. But if you're buying a RAV4...I'd still say go for the V6.

tjc78

But if you're buying a RAV4...I'd still say go for the V6.

Yes, but with that the price gets up there (26+) and then you start to get into better/bigger vehicles.

We all also forgot that horrible back door that only swings out and not up.

ateixeira

Actually I did mention it. Pull up to the curb and you need tons of space to swing it open and on top of that it blocks the curb side.

It's a JDM setup they should have reversed for left-hand drive markets. Cost cutting!

tjc78

Actually I did mention it.

Don't mind me, its one of those days! I'm loosing it!

ateixeira

No biggie. :shades:

Hopefully the 4th generation RAV4 finally gets it right.

andres3

I test drove a 2006 Rav 4 with the amazing V6. There is nothing poor about the drivetrain in the RAV 4 V6 models. The 5-speed auto is lightyears better than the 4cylinder's 4 speed.

That V6 is powerful, fast, and gutsy.

My biggest criticism of the RAV 4 is I was expecting a quality Camry-like interior, and I got an ECO Corolla-like interior instead. Couple that with a Audi A3 like price.... and it was a no brainer why the RAV 4 finished 2nd in my car buying choice in 2006.

gogiboy

"I test drove a 2006 Rav 4 with the amazing V6. There is nothing poor about the drivetrain in the RAV 4 V6 models. The 5-speed auto is lightyears better than the 4cylinder's 4 speed.

That V6 is powerful, fast, and gutsy."

My experience exactly echos andres. The 2009 V6 4WD CPO version my wife and I test drove in early 2010 has a very nice engine with minimal mpg penalty over the 4. Also like andres we were sorely disappointed by the interior. We blamed in on the previous owner (supposedly one of the dealer's salespeople). The rear seats were threadbare and were only a year old. The dash and switch gear were pretty rough, too.

My wife opted for the Scion xB, which seems to have more oomph than the Rav4 4 banger (possibly lighter?) and it also has a ton of cubic feet of storage as well as amazing back seat room. Everyone who rides in the back comments on how much they like the back seats and legroom. It's still has a cheap and tinny feel, significant rear pillar blind spots and isn't that great on gas, but might be worth a look if you are considering the Rav. It's also noticeably quieter than any Honda we have owned or driven.

Incidentally, it has a rear lift gate instead of a side one although we were coming out of a previous generation Rav so we were used to that quirk. Alas, it is not offered in a 4WD trim.

Gogiboy

ateixeira

I think in the case of the Scion the interior is par for the price class, too. The RAV4 has a lot of hard surfaces and looks out of place when you look at $30k plus ones.

breld

Just to add to the RAV4 conversation, I was looking at those a few years back when I wanted a pretty basic SUV as a second car. I ended up with an '07 Highlander instead and thought it was a much better value than the RAV4. For starters, you get the V6 automatically (I think there was a 4-cyl option, but it's rare) and while the interior wasn't anything special, it certainly was nicer than the RAV4.

kyfdx

We drove a RAV4 in September, for my wife.... The V6 drivetrain is great, but as noted above, the interior is really low-rent... We were expecting Camry level finishes, as well...... and, got Corolla/Yaris interior, instead.

For a vehicle that MSRPed at $32K, it was more than a little off-putting..

My wife went into the test drive thinking that it might be the one, because she really wanted another crossover, and the Euro models were out of our budget... but, she couldn't give up the niceties....

andres3

I know that somewhere around 2005 there's a memo or an E-mail that investigative Edmunds reporters need to find that goes something like this:

From: Mr. big shot at Lexus
To: Mr. Big Shot at Toyota

Your cars are getting way too nice and way too good. Some people are starting to think the Camry is a luxury car. They are almost competing directly with our entry level models, but for less cost. Starting with the new 2006 models, please move backward with your interior refinements, and overall quality, and create more space and cushion for us to earn more money on Lexus models.

Thank you.

Mr. Greedy at Lexus

P.S. If you don't obey I'm firing you.

ateixeira

Highlander Sport model and above also get a standard backup cam.

Toyota had been cutting costs, cheapening the interiors (RAV4, Highlander, and Sienna are all examples), but fortunately the new Camry appears to be reversing that trend.

stever

If you finally replaced an old car, please email pr@edmunds.com to share your story with a reporter.

(y'all don't all reply at once and crash the servers, LOL).

ateixeira

Your mail box is full, Steve.

tjc78

They are almost competing directly with our entry level models, but for less cost.

I remember when I got my 2000 Solara many people when they sat in it thought it was a Lexus. In all fairness it was loaded to the gills, but it was that nice at the time. I don't think I've ever had a car that nicely put together since. There wasn't even the slightest hint of a rattle, not a trim piece of out place. I got rid of that for an 03 Avalon and while the Avalon was very well put together it didn't match the quality of the Solara.