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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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A hard top is fun with the top UP. You get a coupe, too.
Ever wonder why you can't curbstone and sell used cars without a storefront?
Ever wonder why a manufacturer doesn't jerk the franchise of your awful local dealer? Chrysler and GM had trouble dumping franchises even with the bankruptcy court behind them.
Dealers have had a strong lobby for umpteen years and the dealer franchise laws reflect that. There may have been a good reason for protecting dealers from the manufacturers umpteen years ago, but good luck getting changes made nowadays.
Because we don't have Chinese cars yet?
Otherwise, yeah, you get the laws you pay for. It's capitalism and all.
I'd like a Body by Fisher please. The Nissan V6 and 5 speed manual are getting shipped from TN next week. :shades:
You can, but most slushbox owners won't. I really like the way the RX-8 R3 handles, but I can't see buying a car with such a poor horsepower to mpg ratio.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Started out at a BMW dealer to look at some used manual 3's - the problem is my wife wants "her" 3 with a manual, meaning she wants the same interior color, sport package, etc., and that's tough to find. In any case, none of the candidates did much for her and she threw out the idea that perhaps she should broaden her mindset and look at something that would drive like her 3, but offer better room in the rear seat for the kids. So, we spent much of our time looking at the X3 - they had a few used 2011's (new style). Well, she really took to those and I can see us ending up with one. Unfortunately, since that new style just came out last year, there obviously isn't much selection on the used market, and what is there is priced close to new.
Since we switched gears by looking at the X3, we also took a look at XC60's and Q5's. We liked the looks of the Volvo, but didn't care much for the way it drove. The Q5 was better. The rear seat room in both the Volvo and Audi seemed more cramped than the BMW, and since that was the major reason my wife took to the X3, we have that at the top of our list.
And then perhaps less exciting, we also looked at minivans, and I really like that new Odyssey. As much as I like our CX-9, I could see replacing it with the Honda in the near future.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
I still like ragtops. I remember the last time Bentley designed a convertible that some writer was surprised they didn't do a retractable hardtop and the Bentley guy said it took away from the romance of a convertible. I agree with that. I like the fact that when you drive in the rain it sounds like a tent inside. That's part of a convertible.
While on the subject, I was concerned that with all the restrictions on me after my upcoming medical issues (won't be able to do yard work, pet the dog without immediately washing my hands.. stuff like that) that the convertible would be an issue. The doc says no. Go ahead. I go in mid-March (finally! An almost date!) and should be back home early July. Almost a hole summer! No ocean, though.
Mom and Dad's 2003 Hyundai Sonata (2.7L V6) has a whopping 28,500 miles on it, but is having a strange problem.
When you start it, it cranks for 5-7 seconds before catching, and even then if you put a little gas into it, the engine feels like it may die before it revs up.
It's at the local indy shop at the moment, but thought I'd ping the group here to see if there are any thoughts. The battery was replaced just a couple of months ago. If this were an engine with a carb, it would be like it's flooded, but that shouldn't happen with a fuel injected engine -- should it?
BTW, weather has been perfect all weekend. A few Santa Ana winds on Friday and Saturday, but just gorgeous today. A friend of mine and I went to Montecito for breakfast and I really wish we had a convertible instead of his '94 Infiniti J30 with 160K on the clock.
Flying back tomorrow and will be in the "office" on Wednesday.
Might try posting in Edmunds Answers too; different crowd hangs out there (and the software isn't flaky today, like it is on the forums currently).
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Not once.
Ever wonder why you can't curbstone and sell used cars without a storefront?
You can't? Huh. Wouldn't know that around here.
Ever wonder why a manufacturer doesn't jerk the franchise of your awful local dealer?
I always assumed simple greed. The store is the manufacturer's customer. You don't fire your customers (well, very rarely would you).
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The interior is decent, but not great. There's a lot of vinyl and hard surfaces, but convertible interiors have to be designed to withstand direct sunlight and humidity, so that could be why.
I sat in the back and had legroom if the front seat was moved forward (my step mom is short, so I'd sit behind her if I rode with her). There was no center arm rest in the back. I think I'd be OK for an hour or so but I'd feel cramped on the 3 hours it would take to get to the beach.
Should be a good touring vehicle for the two of them, though.
Sometimes things work out differently than you expect. The best client at my consulting business is one I fired not once, but twice.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
With regard to the 5-speed and 6-speed, I wonder if the problems are more related to one or the other.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
I know they go on lots of trips loading it up, etc but no mini-van was abused more than the Town and Country we used at the office and at welll over 100K that was on its original transmission (and its not like Chrysler doesn't have their fair share of tranny issues).
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
the older ones just crapped out internally.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
but in this case, it makes no sense. How could you possibly go through them that fast? Is he taking it to Englishtown?
smells to me like there is some other issue that they aren't resolving, but that is just a 10,000' WAG.
Oh, and if it was mine? The sign would have been up after the 1st replacement most likely. My wife has a zero tollerance policy for an unreliable car. If it strands her once, she will never drive it again.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Not sure about the price? Opinions on that?
now if I just had an expert local to parlin to do a PPI on the good looking stuff he has...
http://www.torchlightmotors.com/newandusedcars/5241/1591074/aa92abda-ecdc-4811-9- ba6-05e906302073/none/2001-BMW-3Series-Parlin-NJ-08859.aspx
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
If a person has gone through FIVE transmissions, I'm sorry, but the word ABUSE comes to mind!
In our shop, Odyssyes would come in with Class 3 trailer hitches and roof racks installed. The interiors would be thrashed and the few oil changes the car had were done at Wal Mart.
Still for Honda, the transmission problems were totally out of character.
Gray, 98,078 miles, automatic. Gotta be it.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
but in this case, it makes no sense. How could you possibly go through them that fast? Is he taking it to Englishtown?
I have no idea. I always wonder if it is an exaggeration or what. That is a lot of bad luck. I know he is a heavy foot and one of the raplacements came during a family trip (claims it went out on the highway). I know Honda did indeed have problems with the Ody's transmissions, but it can't be this bad.
If I did own one, I know that I would be religious with fluid changes just to be sure.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
No bun warmers...
Asking price seems reasonable.... $6500-$6700 should take it home...
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It does look really clean.
On a side note, I love it when dealers pull the front seats really forward to give the illusion of rear leg room. That 3 looks huges in the back, until you can see the tracks of the seats because they are all the way up.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
As it is, after fees and transport, he's into it for like $6k. So $1k profit? That's skinny.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I do have a trailer hitch, but no wiring. We use it once a year to tote a bike rack. Has never towed anything.
So, if something does go wrong, certainly a strong case to argue for some extended consideration! Because if mine goes out with mileage in the 70Ks, then they really are not up to the task.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Maybe I should change my plans for Saturday morning (though with my luck, it will turn out to be a steal that gets stolen before then!)
still doesn't change the fact that I would be buying it on gut feeling (the smell test!) and faith in what he was telling me.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
E46s actually have decent back seat leg room, with an average height driver... Plus, if you are tall, they have an extremely long front/rear adjustment track... almost anyone can find a good seating position..
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'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
is he reliable enough to trust on how the car is presented? I can tell a lot anyway by how it drives, but I certainly am not pulling wheels to check the brakes, things like that.
He does tout the 3 month warranty. no idea how good that is, but hopefully it would protect from big hidden issues. Certainly better than nothing!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
On most cars with alloy wheels, you are often able to see the brakes without pulling a wheel.
Take a nice long test drive down to my house. Haha. We can drive it on the ramps, jack it up, even put a generic scanner on it.
Come to think of it, I don't know what would prevent you from taking it to a shop. He says no .... yet he let me test drive the volvo by myself. So how would he know where I took it?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
True about taking it someplace on a test drive. I guess it is more around not wanting to have to coordinate taking it someplace for a day?
If they really do service it and check brakes, etc and report out that is nice to have.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I just noticed something at the bottom. It says "nationally recognized 3-month warranty." Maybe he changed plans.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Had a little extra time yesterday, so the son and I stopped by the Infiniti dealer to see what they had. Took a little test drive of an '08 G37S Coupe - 6-speed manual, black on black, 28K miles, CPO.
Exhaust note was quite nice, though I wonder if it would be a bit intrusive on a daily basis. Clutch and shifter were easy to manipulate, even though I'm out of practice. Very quick, as you would imagine with 330 HP. Handled well, though the test drive route was flat and straight, by and large.
Asking price was $31K, which seems high, but who am I to say.
All in all, a nice way to kill 30 minutes.
Honestly, I would take it out on the highway and give it an "Italian Tune Up" In other words lay into a little and let it run. The poor thing probably barely makes it up to operating temp most of time and that engine probably hasn't seen north of 4K in ages.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
I agree about the Sonata, go drive it hard for a little bit and see what happens.
I hear the exhaust, but it sounds good to me... better inside the car than out... Outside, sounds thrashy... but, smooth from the driver's seat.. I'd swear they have some way to pipe the sound into the car...
3 months, so far... and, the sound is fine.... not a big fan of the rest of the car, overall. (but, it's the wife's ride, not mine...)
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2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
talk about a sure bet...
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.