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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • ronsteveronsteve Member Posts: 1,234
    edited June 2012
    And I came across this one. I know the powertrain combo means it could have been driven pretty hard, but is it that much more of a crapshoot than driving a Volvo into its old age?

    http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=40245&endYear=2- - 013&startYear=1981&makeCode1=SUB&listingType=used&bodyStyles=WAGON&transmissionC- - ode=MAN&searchRadius=200&listingId=322567628&Log=0

    Still far enough south that the black leather is a little iffy, but with options dwindling to go back to doing my own shifting, this car IS pretty appealing...
    2015 Acura RDX AWD / 2021 VW TIguan SE 4Motion
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    Nice.
    Good to know that mine has:
    S823A HEISSLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG Hot-climate version
    - Ray
    In HotLanta.....
    2022 X3 M40i
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    I guess the 2012 Murano was just being borrowed. That driver was in a last generation Hyundai Sonata last night ....
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,522
    I appreciate your affection & desire to drive a car with a manual transmission. I even appreciate you wanting to save a few bucks & let owner #1 take the big depreciation hit. Knowing that CarMax is a 1 price take it or leave it operation, there is zero room for negotiation (unless you have a trade they give you top dollar for). I also understand that used car values are insanely high right now. To pay $20,599 for a 5 year old WRX with 60K miles is just plain nuts. A new fully loaded WRX Limited is what $30K? What do you think they bought the car for? $13,500? $14K?

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,465
    Muranos are in some fleets (the National fleet anyway), hope it wasn't a rental.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,749
    i agree that price is insane. HOWEVER, believe it or not, IT IS CORRECT!

    Only 2 through auction recently. 1 in Seattle with 52k miles for $18,900 and the other in Atlanta with 40k miles for $17,300. Base 2007 335i sedans are going for the same money with 50k miles. Guess which one I'd pick?

    '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

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,522
    WOW! That's INSANE!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,809
    It's like buying a used Accord... makes no sense..

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  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Muranos are in some fleets (the National fleet anyway), hope it wasn't a rental.

    Nope, was a new car with temp tags on it.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,522
    Yup! With these crazy used car prices, maybe more mfrs will start to subsidize their leases like BMW does.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If Honda did offer a 6 in the CR-V

    They do, but it's called Acura RDX.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited June 2012
    Funny thing is, at one point you could get the Saab 9-2x for about $19k new.

    So that 2007 car costs more than a new Saabaru did for a while.

    And the Saab came with 2 years' free service.

    I kept telling people to buy them. You could sell it today for about $18,999. Total depreciation about one dollar.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Hope it wasn't a rental"

    Why?

    I have personally owned two ex rentals that I bought direct from Hertz and Avis when they used to sell their own cars. Both were great cars!

    A LOT of the auction cars are ex rentals. Like ANY used car, some are pristine and others are rough. We didn't buy the rough ones.

    There seems to be some perception that rental cars are somehow beat to death. I suppose some are but most are just fine!
  • ronsteveronsteve Member Posts: 1,234
    That Saabaru going for $19k back in the day... was that the base, or did the Aero (WRX equivalent) get that cheap when they did the employee pricing?

    Half kicking myself for writing off the base model and not springing for the Aero when I looked at those.

    Subarus on the used market pull silly money. :-/
    2015 Acura RDX AWD / 2021 VW TIguan SE 4Motion
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Aero during the employee pricing/rebate wars.

    Deal was incredible. They were too small for my needs at the time, but what a missed opportunity...
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,465
    edited June 2012
    I am pretty sure using a rental for pizza delivery could create some insurance/legal issues if you crash it, and no doubt violates the contract from the beginning.

    I remember seeing an ex-Hertz Prestige Infiniti FX on the Honda lot.
  • ronsteveronsteve Member Posts: 1,234
    I forget why I wouldn't spring for the Aero back in 2005... Subaru found a market for the Saab goodies, which gave rise to the WRX Limited, and I almost bought one of those just before I ended up pulling the trigger on the Volvo. In hindsight, if I knew how much I would end up wanting to shift my own again...
    2015 Acura RDX AWD / 2021 VW TIguan SE 4Motion
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,019

    There seems to be some perception that rental cars are somehow beat to death. I suppose some are but most are just fine!


    I used to rent a fair amount of cars (at least once a month, usually more) and 95% looked/drove great. I didn't beat on them, but if it was 10 degrees out I really didn't let it idle a minute or two like I would with my own car. I also didn't worry about where I parked it. So, in other words how most of the public treats their personal cars. :P

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,458
    when I heard about these crazy deals, I actually went to look for one. But by then, the saab dealer near me had next to nothing. if that. Certainly no stick moonroof models!

    I almost got a Honda Si back in the day, when the bread van model (don't ask me which year) was being phased out (and roundly unloved). Supposedly you could get a 19k+ sticker for about 15 large (new). And 3-4 years later, sell it for what you paid.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,019
    the bread van model

    My Aunt had one of those. She absolutely loved it, though she admitted it wasn't much in the looks department. Quick sucker.

    image

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sampled one at a BMW dealer event locally. I'd driven the C350 before, but wanted to try the new 4 banger turbo.

    Interior is nicer than I remember. It was a luxury model, and I usually drive sport models, so that could be why. The seats are a bit hard, but it was a short drive, and that could pay off with more support on longer drives. It had the light interior and felt warm and cozy overall, and did a good job reflecting heat on a sunny afternoon.

    The interface has improved a lot, and you can actually find your way around without a manual, for simple stuff at least. The Navi screen is on the small side, but it's very sharp, definitely HD. Reminds me of the E-class', only mini-sized.

    Trans had 2 modes, E and S. E must stand for "Torture the Driver" in German, with horrible response. The first inch of travel does NOTHING, reminds me of the mid 80s S classes that were like that. Pop it in to S mode and it's less bad. You still get too little and then suddenly TOO MUCH when boost comes on, not linear at all.

    Steering was tuned by Toyota, i.e. completely numb. Too light, also. It's lighter than my Sienna's, which is numb but at least has more heft to it.

    Good ride isolation on Luxury model. It was a short drive so it's not like I was able to test at-the-limit handling. I much prefer it when these events are at a track or at least a parking lot with autocross courses set up.

    The power train was disappointing so I focused on the inside. The moon roof was a good size. Side mirrors are sort of small compared to what I'm used to. Visibility is OK, though.

    Overall a lot of compromises are made to improve MPG. It might work if you want a luxury angle, but then the drive train disappoints, so not really.

    Flame suit on. ;)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Drove this next. How odd to see an e-shifter with a real parking brake handle.

    Steering also felt a bit light for my tastes, but at least it has some feel. Not as much as earlier Bimmers did, though.

    Throttle lag is present, but tolerable here. There's a little less lag, staff said it was due to the twin scroll turbos spooling up quicker. More ratios on the trans probably doesn't hurt, either. Not as responsive to the throttle as the outgoing inline 6, though.

    Suspension was a bit tighter, not a Sport pack car BTW. Went off the designated route to hit a few speeds bumps and was surprised - very tolerant bump absorption. I guess the lesson is if you don't need the Sport package with the massive wheels you can actually get a decent ride that won't bend wheels.

    Skip this paragraph if you're a BMW fan and ever drank the Kool Aid at the dealership. The start/stop mechanism was simply dismal. The whole car would shake and rattle, each time it stopped and again when it started up. It was warm so the A/C was on, but I can't find enough antonyms for seamless to describe the operation. The 5.8 earthquake in VA did not shake me around that much. It was embarrassing. There was a off switch, and the fact that the staff pointed it out to me, even though I skipped the walk-around sessions, says a lot. Apparently others felt the same way. My wife could hardly believe what she felt, even as a passenger.

    OK, so the Black interior got baking hot in the sun. I would try to get something lighter as it was hot to the touch when we first got in. Seats were good, interior is not as warm as the Benz but that could be the color scheme.

    Split Navi screen is neat, but fonts for roads are tiny. I'd need my reading glasses. I think the Benz had a sharper display (fonts also too small, though).

    The funny thing is that the interior still feels very compact. I felt a little claustrophobic, to be honest. I did drive my minivan to the event, which is cavernous, but I daily drive a Miata so I should not have felt that way.

    I really think that's why the X3 is increasingly popular. Particularly the distance from your head to the A-pillar, makes it feel a lot roomier, never mind the measurements on paper.

    I could probably live with the turbo 4 and 8 speed if I liked the interior more.

    Maybe I should have had more Kool Aid, but it left me cold. It tries to be too many things - luxury and sports and fuel miser all in one.

    Flame suit upgraded to v2.0, with self-contained oxygen supply. ;)
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,357
    I hate the stop/start as well. I like the F30's looks inside and out but I prefer how the E90 drives. If I buy a late model Bimmer I'm leaning heavily toward a Z4 M Coupe. Relatively light, a real LSD, and no turbo.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • gouldngouldn Member Posts: 220
    It's funny with the recent used car talk how you get people who dispense 'one size fits all' advice of always buying used versus new. No way on certain cars .. mid-line subaru's, accords, etc, they offer a scant discount from new and often the warranty is used up, etc.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,749
    check these out, though.

    '05 92x Aeros in May ... 3 of them with 50k-74k miles averaged $7k at auction.
    The '05 WRX wagons? $10k-$11k with 50k-78k miles.

    '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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,458
    used to see the same thing with Chevy/Geo vs. Toyota, when they were identical except for the badges.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited June 2012
    We even keep a list.

    Some New Cars Now Cheaper Than Used Cars

    Pretty long list too. Edmunds compares new vs one year old or CPO used cars.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,465
    I'd take the Saaburu just for the weird factor, and maybe better image - you won't see one with a day-glo blue paint job and gold wheels.
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Big auto dealer network is offering a trunk full of Coke [I think it's the beverage] with any new or used car purchase. Very tempting.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,323
    Yeah, they did some real blowout deals when that generation of Si got to the end of its run.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    If Honda did offer a 6 in the CR-V

    They do, but it's called Acura RDX.


    Yeah, I know. Even if I wanted a 6, I don't want to spend $40,000 for a tow car behind the motorhome that gets the occasional rock chip, etc. :blush:

    Mark156
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,323
    No flame suit needed, I haven't driven the new one, but he reviews I've read universally panned the start/stop mechanism.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] ColoradoPosts: 0
    I've been calling around to check prices on the 90K service for the Odyssey. All have been in the $400-$500 range, and all have mentioned the timing belt which is another $600-$800. I understand the 105K service is in the thousand dollar range, so I was telling this to my wife and she says, "maybe we should just trade it in, get something new since it's 8 years old." I think my heart skipped a beat and I wondered if I was dreaming. Really? We've been taking the Pilot when the whole family goes places so she's driving to and from work in the van solo. She tells me and the boys to start looking around for something nice for her, smaller sedan, sunroof, etc. I'm still looking at her like, "who are you and what have you done with my wife?!?!?"
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,458
    I have the same situation. My wife, who is normally loath to look at cars or ever go to a dealer, has the bug. I catch her on the internet comparing options, looking things up, etc. And at various times, she pops out with what she wants or likes.

    we also have a 2005 odyssey, that is going to need brakes very soon and tires/T Belt around year end. so put money in or bail now?

    but mostly, we are ready to downsize and she is really tired of driving a van after 16 years!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,522
    No flame suits necessary amongst friends here. Thanks for posting that info. Looks like the 2011 E90 328xi is the last of the old school BMWs with its balanced & linear I6 as well excellently weighted steering. I'm going to enjoy it for the next 27 months or so.

    From all the write ups & reviews I've been reading, I won't have to get mad that I probably won't be able to afford another new BMW at the wonderfully reasonable payment I have now!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • ronsteveronsteve Member Posts: 1,234
    Looks like that P5 keeps getting re-listed... you may still have a shot at it yet, Q. ;)
    2015 Acura RDX AWD / 2021 VW TIguan SE 4Motion
  • au1994au1994 Member Posts: 3,714
    I've got just over a year left on my 328i coupe lease. If I wanted to continue w/BMW, which I do, I think I'll move up to the 335i. To me the I6 is the secret sauce for the 3 Series. To be fair I'll give the 4 a shot, but man do I love the engine in my car now. Not so peppy off the line but it seems to rev forever.

    Audi has to be pretty happy that BMW dropped a 4 in the 3 Series. Makes the A4 an even more viable option to some buyers.

    Would definitely disable the start/stop before I left the lot.

    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

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,809
    Would definitely disable the start/stop before I left the lot.

    It's default mode... you have to do it, every time you get in the car...

    To me the I6 is the secret sauce for the 3 Series

    Agreed

    Makes the A4 an even more viable option to some buyers.

    Maybe.... it just made me realize how anemic that engine is in the A4, once I had a direct comparison.. and, I love Audis....

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  • au1994au1994 Member Posts: 3,714
    edited June 2012
    It's default mode... you have to do it, every time you get in the car...

    Wow...what a PITA. In the C&D review I read it said it could be disabled, I assumed that meant permanently. Oh well, you know what you do when you "[non-permissible content removed] u me" :P

    That feature would be a no go in Atlanta traffic.

    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

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,019
    It's default mode... you have to do it, every time you get in the car...

    I'm sure that someone on the BMW forums will come up with a permanent fix. It could be as simple as pulling a relay, or splicing a few wire together.

    If any car I test drive has this feature, I will not buy it if it can't be permanantely disabled.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,130
    ate....I have a brief test drive in a '12 328 when they first came out and my dealer offered me the opportunity. Agree entirely with your assessment. No flames here.

    Their implementation of the "engine shut off at stop" feature is bad. I'm surprised the feature was turned loose out of engineering with that kind of poor operation. I'd be getting pretty irritated if I had to constantly turn it off whenever I wanted to drive it.

    au1994, you and kyfdx are right on. BMW does 6 cyls better than they do 4 cyls. They're really good at both, though. You drive a 335i and you'll feel a significant difference between the outgoing NA 328 6 cyl and the twin scroll turbo 4 cyl in the current 328i.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Plus the orphan effect. Saab values drop regardless.

    A friend has a 9-5 and her Navi went kaput. OEM is very expensive to fix, as you can imagine, yet she's having trouble getting aftermarket fitments, too.

    I suggested a junk yard, finding a wrecked one, yanking out the head unit from there.

    Ironically the 9-2x looks better than the WRX, IMHO.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Yeah, not sure what the story is. Was able to get my wife to visit a Mazda dealer to "just look" this past weekend. Normally she'd rather have root canal without drugs than go to a dealer.

    Dad - sounds like an Acura ILX might be the right car for your wife, given that you like Hondas.

    How much rain / hail did you end up with last night?
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,749
    yeah, only a couple of more months. haha.

    The MR2 should be on the block very very soon. I finally gave up trying to repaint the trunklid myself and sent it to a pro. I'll have that back tomorrow, I think. Alternator also decided to start spiking and lighting up the dash, so I had that rebuilt. Otherwise, the stock airbox, steering wheel, and Eibach springs are all back on the car. So it should hopefully be good to go this weekend.

    Cooling system is done on the 540, and I've been driving that this week to make sure it is good to go. So far so good. I don't think I'll be doing anything else to that before sale time. Was pondering getting the odometer cluster LEDs fixed, but it is largely legible, so I think I'll leave well enough alone.

    Speaking of Ebay... where do we stand on the toy for stickguy? :shades:

    '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

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    the I6 is the secret sauce for the 3 Series

    Smooth as buttah and linear, responsive throttle. I've run a few of those through autocross courses at events, the throttle is so responsive you can slow for corners by just letting off the gas, and easing back on as you pass the apex.

    The Turbo 4 wasn't too bad, though. Gas mileage is good and to someone new to the brand, they won't miss what they haven't tasted. Thing is, if you've sampled the 6, we know better.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,522
    My Mom's 2011 Cayenne has the auto start/stop feature. I'm pretty sure it can be permanently disabled.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm surprised the feature was turned loose out of engineering with that kind of poor operation

    It is v1.0 and I'm sure they'll use the feedback. Let's hope.

    Probably needs a different starter. Does the 2.0T have balance shafts?

    Could be a bad sign of things to come from the BMW i car lineup.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Thing is, if you've sampled the 6, we know better.

    I've test driven both a 128i and a 328xi (coupe), so I know what you're talking about. And, because our family truckster is a turbo 4-cyl, I've got a good idea what the new engine in the 3-series will be like.

    That I-6 is like buttah.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,458
    DOes look nice, but a 120K SAAB? 2004? Already bid to more than I am likely to pay for that combo!

    right now, still need to sort out what the wife is doing car wise. She really does seem to want an RDX (though I may have to play the tightwad card and push her down into a CRV!), and that will seriously eat into the spare car budget (as in, I get get new tires for my bike!)

    Hey, how about the MR-2? What year is that? if it has a clean bill of health, and you are reduced to cheap selling it anyway, let me know!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

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