Yeah, that would have been the deal had I been able to sell my Lincoln privately. As it is, I'm quite a ways above $300, but I only put $800 down and rolled negative equity into it. Regardless, I'm still paying less per month AND saving alot of gas.
'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
A couple of ways to look at that... One, you're driving a car that originally stickered for, I'm guessing, $40-45k new, and it's lost less than $5k per year in depreciation, which is less than the original owner lost, and it's poised to lose even less than that over the coming years.
Two, I'm betting that while the 528i may be worth $14-16,000 as a used car, it's worth more than $14-16,000 to you.
On a few unrelated points:
I really like the looks of the FJ Cruiser. From what I can tell, when you activate four wheel drive, the stability control turns itself off, and can not be turned back on. This may be useful for off-roading, but if I'm in a snowstorm, I'm forced to choose between VSC and four wheel drive. I think this is a boneheaded move on the part of Toyota. While the FJ appeals to off-road enthusiasts, the majority of them will never be driven off road.
The Solara coupe and convertible both look great. I haven't driven either, but you're right, if they put an "L" badge on them, I don't think I could call them out on it.
Your 528 only has 24,000 total miles? How many miles when you bought it? You and mark156 seem to keep the mileage on your cars extremely low--this probably has something to do with their reliability. I'm nearing 13,000 miles in 10 months. I've always been committed to the idea of having one car at a time and driving it nearly everywhere I go, but my mileage has decreased from 25-30,000 miles per year to around 15,000.
are you sure there are no coil packs on the VR6 VWs? My sister had them replaced, so did my Father-In-Law on his '04 GTI VR6. So did everyone I know who owned an Audi with the 5 valve 3.0L V6.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
It was a pretty good car, only on the back of a tow truck twice in the 8 months/20k miles that I owned it.
Hey for a VW that's pretty darn good in my opinion. First time was a battery problem second time was a throttle body control unit that came on the heels of the battery problem (the day I picked it up from the shop).
Sorry, I must have had a brain freeze. Yes, the VR6 had a coil pack (with separate spark plug wires), not separate ignition coils (with no spark plug wires) like the 1.8T did.
You and mark156 seem to keep the mileage on your cars extremely low--this probably has something to do with their reliability
Corvette, yes, I keep the miles down a bit on both cars because I travel a lot. My 2000 E430 is at 32,750 miles and the new 2006 Land Rover LR3 HSE is at 3,300 (owned almost 5 months).
I'll drive the SUV probably about 12,000 per year and the Mercedes about 3,500. People are shocked when they see my E430 and I'll tell them I've had it almost 7 years. It really looks almost new. My neighbors laugh at me because I'm washing and detailing it all the time.
M156
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
"I really like the looks of the FJ Cruiser. From what I can tell, when you activate four wheel drive, the stability control turns itself off, and can not be turned back on. This may be useful for off-roading, but if I'm in a snowstorm, I'm forced to choose between VSC and four wheel drive. I think this is a boneheaded move on the part of Toyota"
I am pretty sure it's only when you go to 4-LO that the VSC turns off. In fact, it has a mode where you can run in 4WD all the time, even on dry pavement, and I know the VSC is still on for that mode. And if you're in 4-LO, you should be doing some real low-speed stuff, at which time you really don't want the VSC on as it will strand you in low-traction situations. With 4-LO you've got the diff locks to get at least one wheel turning - you don't want the electronics meddling and throttling back because they sense a spinning wheel.
The FJ is a great concept, but unfortunately it is a little too cute for regular folks like me. Not because I wouldn't buy a cute truck with serious offroad potential, but because its cute looks have caught the eye of every Tom, Dick, and Harry (and Jane), and I will never be able to find one for a good price. Or even one in stock at all, it seems. They are selling right off the truck in many cases.
Anyway, I am keeping my new Runner for life, it's the last MY they made the stick. So there's no need for me to be thinking about trucks in any form! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I also think it looks great, and I love the idea of a 6-speed in a small'ish SUV, plus the pricing is pretty good .... but, IIRC, its about 4400 lbs!! And the mileage is pretty horrific for its size (although not its weight). If they could have kept it under 4k lbs (thereby probably keeping mileage up in the mid-20s), it would still have my attention.
'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 Jeep Wrangler can be had with a 6 speed manual in both the regular wheel base and extended wheel base and it is more capable off-road then the FJ and you can get it in soft or hard top.
A couple of weeks ago we had a FJ come in and he wanted to drive on our test track.
Now for liability reasons we just cannot allow that and we told him that. He was disapointed but he walked the track and asked us the techinical specs on it and figured that the FJ could have done it now problem.
What he ignored was the the entrance to the track is an aproximately 24 inch deep(measuring Crest to trough), 40 inch wide(measuring crest to crest) ditch. I don't think the FJ has the approach or departure angles to go through that ditch.
If anyone can find the approach and departure angles of the FJ that would be great then I could figure it out but they are not listed on toyota's site.
Wait 6/9/12 months, and Toyota will probably up the production of the FJ. Thanks for the update on the VSC. I had read in an early report that it wouldn't operate in 4-HI, but I'm glad if that's not the case.
What year is your 4Runner? The Toyota dealer had an '05 4Runner Sport with only 16K miles on the lot. Nice (no-sale) blue color, but the Sports only have this really dark interior that looked kind of depressing. I might call them on the last day of the month & see what they'll do. It took me about 2 seconds to figure out that if I get a truck, I want a truck, not a cute-ute.
The FJ.......I know what you're saying. Yuppies will buy it for their 16 y.o. daughters & to have one in their driveways. However, it is beautiful (the exterior, not the interior IMO). And supposedly has awesome off-road credentials. I also get a feeling that the resale value may be excellent(???). Like the Mini probably(?).
Suppose I call the dealer, & they want $28 for the '05 4Runner, & will sell the $33K FJ at sticker?
*The FJ is a great concept, but unfortunately it is a little too cute for regular folks like me.*
yeah, there are a lot of ways to look at it. The way I'm looking at it right now, is as a cheapskate. And thinking that, $5k per year in depreciation is certainly not terrible, for an expensive Euro vehicle. But then, you could pay off a brand new Civic at $5k per year in 4 years, & it'd still be worth good $$.
My 528iT wagon had 11K miles when I bought it at 2 years old (the car, not me). I still had my dear, departed, 1988 M6 then (I should have kept the M6, & bought a new Accord or something instead of selling the M6 & buying the 528iT).
Wow, am I depressed now, I try not to think about the M6, even tho it needed $4k in suspension work when I sold it.
But, what can you do with $15K or so, to replace a car like a mint-condition E39 bmw wagon? It would be different if it were having problems.......(knock wood!)
*Two, I'm betting that while the 528i may be worth $14-16,000 as a used car, it's worth more than $14-16,000 to you.*
The Jeep Wrangler can be had with a 6 speed manual in both the regular wheel base and extended wheel base and it is more capable off-road then the FJ and you can get it in soft or hard top.
Oh, but what a HORRIBLE vehicle to drive around in on a daily basis. My first vehicle was a Jeep CJ7 and I loved it. Fast forward 15 years later ... I received a Wrangler as a loaner while our Pacifica was in the shop for a couple of days. That was the most frightening, noisiest, most uncomfortable vehicle I've ever been in. My memories could certainly be more fond than reality, but I swear that Wrangler was WAY more uncivilized than my '79 CJ (of course, to be fair, my CJ was modded to a great extent, including plush leather seats). I am assuming the FJ is a much nicer road vehicle.
'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
has an old Wrangler. I'm not sure of the year, but it has the HO 4.0 inline 6, and not that ancient old AMC 258. Good lord what a crude vehicle, but still kinda fun, as a second-car toy to knock around in. The tiny little 1-2" thick doors take awhile to get used to, though. :surprise:
I have a soft spot for these - when I saw Toyota was bringing them back, I couldn't believe it. Overjoyed, really.
My parents moved to Michigan in the mid-70s, and eventually ended up buying a house in the middle of nowhere. This house has a quarter-mile long driveway, and as such my old man needed something to plow it with. So, he bought a 1968 FJ (I knew them as "Land Cruisers"). It performed admirably until '93-'94. The engine and transmission were fine, but was tired of plowing with the windows rolled down, because the entire exhaust system had rotted away. So, he gave it away before he had to have it towed.
So, for the winter of 1994, what did he replace it with? A 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser. It looked essentially the same as the 1968 model, but this one had floor boards and you didn't have to worry about passing out from CO2 poisoning. Oh, and it was red with a white roof, while the '68 was baby blue all around (the parts that weren't completely rusted away, that is).
When we went to the local auto show back in January, the old man was disappointed that they didn't have the new FJ on display. However, I don't think he really needs to be "sold" on one.
"Don't tell your mother", he told me at the show. "But I'm going to order one this spring."
Most guys' fathers are into old muscle cars or boats - mine's into FJ Land Cruisers.
Wouldn't you know it, when they restarted the car, the service light went off and stayed off no matter what they did. There was no code in the computer, so they said, & they let it run for a few hours and drove it about 20 miles and nothing. They even kept it overnight, as the problem always happens after sitting all night and all was fine this morning. Got the car back this afternoon and all appears well. While at the automall, sat in a new Civic & Accord. Gotta say, was more impressed with the Civic than the Accord. Looked at both the EX and LX and do prefer the EX with the bigger engine, 4 wheel disc brakes & 6 speaker stereo. It'll definitely fit into the garage also. Looks like it'll be between the Civic EX and the S40 with a time frame around the model change over in September, G-d willing. Funny, while sitting and looking at the Honda's, not 1 salesman came out the whole 15 minute time. It was a slow Tuesday afternoon around 5 PM and nothing. I really would've taken a test drive in the EX, LX & the Accord but finally decided to leave. Strange really. Will probaly stop by on my N/S day tomorrow if the weather's nice. Came home and told the wife and she's pretty convinced that I'll have a new ride by the fall...and she's probaly right. It'll be wonderful to buy a car I really want with no $ constraints...what a novel idea. After being so conservatively minded all these years and having to pass the "honey can we afford this" test for 25 years now, it's quite exhilerating to finally have the means to get whatever I want under $25,000. Woohoo for me!
my Runner is the last-gen, not the current one - a 2000 model. 2000 is the last year Toyota offered a stick shift in the 4Runner, making it worth its weight in gold to me (although most people couldn't care less, I am sure, which is why Toyota dropped it).
It's funny, the second gen ('90-'95) sold like 50% or more in stick shift, yet the third gen never sold many sticks at all. That probably represents the time period of the shift in the market from people using SUVs as trucks to people using SUVs as soccer-mobiles. The soccer moms and dads mostly want the automatic, I feel (and don't want 4WD anywhere near as much - there were a lot more gen-3 2Runners sold than gen-2's).
hey sandman, the Civic EX now has the exact same engine as the LX, I believe. It was the last gen where the EX had an extra 12 hp.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The latest platform for the 4Runner is also way too big for my tastes.I would bet the new Rav-4 is close in size to your 4Runner. I assume the Rav still come with a stick,but its offroading is not even close to the your 4Runner.
How did you like the seats in the Accord & Civic? If it comes down to a toss-up between the Civic, & the S40, I'd have to vote for the Civic. Or, at least look at the reliability charts for Volvos in CR before buying one.....not pretty. (I know I was praising Volvo seats before).
Found out yesterday that my sister and BIL were able to unload their Yukon Denali in trade for a Honda Pilot.
What I know is that they leased the Pilot and that it's burgundy in color (this is from my mom). What I suspect is that it's an EX-L with all the bells and whistles and that it's probably 2WD as they live in San Diego.
I guess the good news is that they probably cut their car payment in half (roughly).
You would assume wrong, sir! :-) The new RAV4 is automatic-only.
It is also wider than my 4Runner, but my truck is longer - more space behind the rear seats. But I think the load height of the RAV4 is lower in the back (for obvious reasons - the Runner is on a truck platform and is raised higher for off-pavement duties), so it gives the illusion of having more space - in fact strictly talking cubic feet, it may actually HAVE more room back there. But you can't load as long items as I can in my truck. And I don't have to stack everything to the roof to take advantage of the space.
I know someone who has one of the new RAVs, and it was instantly clear on my first ride that this model continues the Toyota tradition of hard plastic interiors with precious little in the way of non-elbow-bruising areas, although it is certainly stylish in its own way.
Me, I will take my truck, which is a leftover from the old-school at Toyota: lots of padded plastic and vinyl everywhere, no hard stuff anywhere, and lots of cloth on doors etc as well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I liked both the Accord and the Civic seats and overall, liked the Civic EX much better. But the price is so close between the EX and the Accord LX that I'm not sure. Will get a Brochure for the Accord sent to me so I can compare both width & length. But the Civic was sweet...the controls are placed perfectly and I liked the tilt & telescopic steering wheel. The multi level gauges aren't my cup of tea, but that won't be a deal breaker by any means. The more I hear about the S40, the less I like it. I really want a fun car with no drama at all...it needs to start everytime and get me to where I'm going...period! Kinda like an appliance, but I want some "zing" with it also. If the Civic shifts and drives as smoothly as the wife's 3, it'll be the next car in the stable. So far, the Sentra's running fine with no light on. Took it on the turnpike earlier for a 30 minute drive at 80 mph to blow the engine out a bit and see if the light would reappear. So far...nothing. Which is really very good news as I'd like to wait till at least the '07's are out. Hopefully there will be a greater supply and they'll have my color...galaxy grey. I must admit, just sitting in the Civic yesterday put that big smile on my face which I've never had when buying any other automobile. I guess I know what that means!!!!!
with all of the up sizing I wonder if Toyota has any plans to sneak in a smaller ute,something with a manual transmission.
I saw a FJ40 in yellow at the bank today. I know everyone else here loves it but I did not like it. I loved it in all of the photos , but in real life it had a Aztec look to it to me. It may be that I loved the 70's landcruiser(not the new monstrosity version) and the new one looks too big to me. The Aztec look may also be from the yellow color, I think Pontiac sold a ton of them in that same shade of yellow.
I am thinking that's likely where Toyota is going to take the next Matrix - make the roof taller but retain the Corolla powertrains, and voila! A cute ute as big as the original RAV4.
I hope this doesn't stop them from also offering a Corolla hatch with the next generation. Whatever happens, we will know about nine months from now, as I am sure the next-gen Corolla will debut at one of the big auto shows between January and March '07.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Ok, I've got a dilema guys. I'm having major second thoughts about letting Zippy go. The Titan is no doubt leaving when the new truck gets here, but the plan was the Zippy was either going to be sold before then or traded at the same time.
I have a choice, we can pay Zippy off in June, hubby says to drop the insurance to liability only (that scares me), and keep her. Or we can just go with the plan and trade her in.....we owe about what she's worth on trade.
I would really like to keep her, but I'm not sure if that's a good move or not. Another option is to go ahead and get rid of her then buy a $1000 beater car to take her place.
Right now Zippy needs tires, an alignment, and possibly a power steering pump (its leaking). Other than that there is nothing wrong with the car, cosmetically she's in pretty good shape for her age/miles (54k).
You might consider raising the deductible to $1000 before dropping to liability only. Either decision would depend on your ability to sustain a loss.
If you keep Zippy long enough, it will eventually turn into a beater car, but that's after you've enjoyed the car's best years--and with 54k on the clock, you should still have a decent year (or three) left, depending on how quickly you rack up the miles. I thought you had an extended warranty on it until 100k?
Don't get rid of it just to get a $1000 beater car. The car you've already got will treat you so much better, and there probably isn't that much money between the two is there? Anything you buy at $1000 will need $2000 in repairs and overdue maintenance in the first year - that's $3000 you could just put into keeping Zippy.
Will your extended warranty cover the P/S pump? It should, right?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
You guys don't get it do you? Akangl has to get rid of Zippy so that she can go shopping for a beater and while she's in the showroom fall in love with a new Fusion (or whatever that dealer sells) and come home with it.
Nope, the Focus comes with a standard 5 year/100K powertrain warranty on it. This was a response from Ford to alleviate fears of all the early recalls when the Focus was first released.
Akangl, well, if it was me, I would keep Zippy because it's the best used car you are going to fine since you know the owner pretty good! :P
The savings in gas alone will pay for Zippy and it's little repairs! If you need to make a quick run to the grocery.... Zippy could get there and back in 3 quick hours! LOL
You are getting over 30 mpg's on the road aren't you? I think it's a keeper!
Good luck Jolie! 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
with $1000 or less beater cars, but the reliable ones tend to be old monsters that will eat you alive in fuel costs, while the more fuel efficient ones tend to be more fragile and more expensive to fix when they break.
Plus, I've never had to drive 3 hours to the grocery store! :surprise: About the scariest thing I ever did was drive a 290,000 mile 1968 Dart out to Oklahoma and back. And I used it to deliver pizzas for awhile. But if I had to rely on my car for a lot of long distance, high mile driving, I think I'd rather have something fairly fuel-efficient, and also fairly dependable. Something that you're just not going to get from most $1000 beaters.
I know it goes against the very essence of this forum, but I'd say keep Zippy!
Oh, and on the subject of buying, for some reason I have an urge for a Bronco! Don't ask me why. One of my friends has one, and we were riding around in it the other day, and I just thought it was cool.
I guess I should've specified which Bronco! My friend's is a '95 or so Eddie Bauer. Did these things have removeable roofs? My friend's looks like the roof is a separate piece, but on the inside it looks like you'd have to take off a bunch of trim and such to get to the bolts.
Back in high school, a friend of mine had a '70's Blazer, and I think all you had to do was take off four bolts and the top lifted off. It was a two man job, though.
I think the main reason I liked it was because it felt big and tought and up high, but with about 2 1/2 feet less rear end than my pickup. Hardly the most maneuverable thing to be cruising around on the streets of DC with, but it was still fun!
I'm sure this is just a passing fad with me, though. I always liked those old 60's Broncos, too.
Some Full sized broncos did have removable roofs but I think by 1995 that had been phased out of production.
Those old full size broncos aren't bad vehicles but finding one in good shape now would probably be hard.
One of my friends in HS had one that was passed down to him from his Dad. His dad was a VMI graduate and very, very meticulous about everything. It was in great shape and he used it all through HS and college. I think it finally got wrecked and totalled not long after he graduated.
has about 113,000 miles on it, and is definitely showing its age. Plus, it's been vandalized and broken into a few times, along with a couple of attempts to steal it. I've heard that these things are kinda popular with drug dealers for some reason.
What $$ amount would you get by trading it? Unless you're getting more than it's worth, I'd probably agree with those who say to keep it--esp. if it has an ext. warranty.
Plus, you love the car, it gets 30 mpg, & soon it'll be paid for.....
As we all know, it's also the perfect vehicle if you're ever involved in a "low-speed chase". White is the best color for that of course.....shows up better for the helicopter TV news crews.
there was a story in the Baltimore Sun where a guy in a Bronco was trying to evade the police, and hit a Caprice police cruiser head-on. This was one of the 90's whale-Caprices.
It was anything BUT a low-speed chase! The Bronco pretty much ceased to exist ahead of the firewall. But worse, it rode up over the Caprice, which was just about obliterated to the C-pillar. The Bronco driver was unhurt, but the officer died instantly.
I wonder if an old Blazer would satisfy my Bronco-type vehicle craving? I found a 1986 Blazer not too far away. Cheap, but needs work. I guess if nothing else, if it ended up being too much of a junker, I could cannibalize parts off of it for my Silverado! :shades:
Everyone is voting for Zippy to stay, isn't that against CCBA rules?? (extracting the kitten from my shoulder so I can type a little faster)
I would really like Zippy to stay, I like the little car, she never lets me down, she always starts no matter what (can't say that about the Titan this past week), and she's fun to drive.
There are downsides to her though, I fell a couple days ago and messed up my left knee again (had 3 surgeries on this knee) so driving a stick right now hurts. She's small, 2-door, no a/c, no c/c. But darn she's a great little car.
She does have the balance of the 5 year/100k powertrain warranty (hubby canceled the other warranty while I was gone). Other than the stuff I listed there's nothing wrong with her unless you count the broken windshield......dang rocks!
I was offered $6500 3 weeks ago not on trade but selling to a used car dealer, so I guess that's about what she's worth wholesale. The dealer did comment that my car was in better shape for its age/miles than most of the Focus he sees come through even the ones with lower miles. Retail I could probably get $8000 in the market up here, people gobble up used Focus especially if they are in good shape.
Argh......now off to chase that rotten kitten again, he's into who knows what this time!
Of course, there's a zillion ways to look at it. It could be a fun search to look for an old F/S Bronco. (I have no idea how in demand they are?). Hopefully you could get a nice one for a fraction of the cost of a new FJ Cruiser(?).....what do they sell for on fee-bay?
I change my opinions on cars, or at least buying/selling specific cars, about every 2 hours. BUT:
If you can get between $6.5 & $8K for a 3 y.o. 50K mile Ford economy car with a broken windshield, no A/C, bad tires, & your clutch shifting knee is bad..........I'd have that thing gone so fast your head would spin. I was thinking it was worth more like $4500......(in the Lower 48).....
I had it appraised at 2 used car dealers and both of them said they would buy it for $6500 or I could consign it and probably see $7500 (they put it on the lot for $8495 and take $995) or I could sell it on my own for $8000. I don't know how much the books have dropped in the past 3 weeks, but that's what they said then. The only catch was I had to replace the windshield ($250). I questioned them a couple times and mentioned that I thought that was high, but the one dealer said he had a 2004 Focus on his lot with 12k on it and he was asking $9995 so he felt he was in line with mine.
I have seen several used Focus on lots that are more miled up than mine and in much worse shape for about the same amount of $$$. They are a pretty popular car up here, go figure.
Only reason I didn't sell it was because I was still undecided.
I asked the UCM at the dealer we are dealing with on the new truck what he was thinking as far as trade on my Titan, he said he figures around $19k for it and $6k for Zippy. That is providing the books don't dump between now and the time the new truck gets here.
The parents of one of my daughters friends has a last gen Bronco (I think early 90's).
I've only seen it a couple of times, but from a distance it looks to be the cleanest Bronco in the state of Colorado. However, I have heard via the friend that they've had a few mechanical issues with it.
Of course, they totally ruined it by plastering Pittsburgh Steeler stickers and what-not all over the back. That, I can tell you, does not go over well here in the land of the Broncos (exhibit 1 would be the latest AFC Championship game in January).
A buddy of mine in college back in the 80's owned a mid-70's Blazer. Even though we lived in Phoenix, he claimed never to have had the roof removed. Drove it from PHX to California and back during one school break. Bouncy bouncy bouncy went the ride.
Jolie, I'm pretty sure I can get 8-9K for my Focus in trade, but I know it's a bit more loaded than yours. Must be those inflated Alaska pricing forces at work again....
Those Alaskan prices are amazing! I also change my opinion: sell sell sell! I am shocked you can get $6500 for a 55K-mile Focus without A/C, but there is no question you should then.
I still don't know about buying a beater though. What ISN'T beater duty on roads that aren't paved all the way to the house? And it is so likely to become a money pit - believe me, I have had more than my share. Better to use the money putting diesel in your new HD pick-up, and enjoy driving a new ride. :-)
As for Broncos, they have to be the toughest covered truck around, but I don't know about those later models right before it got discontinued. I had a friend of a friend who used to spend about equal amounts of time telling us how much he loved his early 90s model and cursing it loudly every time something new broke. I think CR agrees with that general sentiment - the basic foundation is very solid, but everything else is constantly breaking down.
Plus they guzzle gas even more than other gas guzzlers - that friend's friend used to take four of us up to the snow, and we had to put like $100 of gas in it going there and back, which is way more than even other SUVs.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
LOL, yes, Alaska prices are a little nuts. I'm thinking about advertising Zippy and maybe selling her on my own.
Should be able to see an easy $7500 I would think. The NADA book out sheet I got 3 weeks ago listed retail at $10k, I was stunned. Little cars are like gold up here. I only paid $11k for Zippy when she was new.
The decision hasn't been totally made yet, but I think Zippy will be leaving. Its either payoff Zippy and keep her or cut her loose and buy a wood fired boiler to heat the house (read: no high fuel bills, wood is free for us).
I'm sending out the deposit for the new truck in the morning. I have been amazed at how easy this deal has been, 2% over invoice with no arguement (not so at other dealers), ordered the truck, took all of 15 minutes. Very easy dealership to do business with no doubt there. The internet manager who has been handling it is an awesome guy, very easy to deal with. I'm super happy with the deal, probably the easiest I've ever done. Now if 2 months would just hurry the heck up!!!!
Diesel trucks have been commanding crazy $$$ up here, Ford dealers won't go under 3% over, one Dodge dealer won't go under MSRP, Chevy dealers seem to really love thier trucks.
Comments
'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
Two, I'm betting that while the 528i may be worth $14-16,000 as a used car, it's worth more than $14-16,000 to you.
On a few unrelated points:
I really like the looks of the FJ Cruiser. From what I can tell, when you activate four wheel drive, the stability control turns itself off, and can not be turned back on. This may be useful for off-roading, but if I'm in a snowstorm, I'm forced to choose between VSC and four wheel drive. I think this is a boneheaded move on the part of Toyota. While the FJ appeals to off-road enthusiasts, the majority of them will never be driven off road.
The Solara coupe and convertible both look great. I haven't driven either, but you're right, if they put an "L" badge on them, I don't think I could call them out on it.
Your 528 only has 24,000 total miles? How many miles when you bought it? You and mark156 seem to keep the mileage on your cars extremely low--this probably has something to do with their reliability. I'm nearing 13,000 miles in 10 months. I've always been committed to the idea of having one car at a time and driving it nearly everywhere I go, but my mileage has decreased from 25-30,000 miles per year to around 15,000.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Hey for a VW that's pretty darn good in my opinion. First time was a battery problem second time was a throttle body control unit that came on the heels of the battery problem (the day I picked it up from the shop).
Corvette, yes, I keep the miles down a bit on both cars because I travel a lot. My 2000 E430 is at 32,750 miles and the new 2006 Land Rover LR3 HSE is at 3,300 (owned almost 5 months).
I'll drive the SUV probably about 12,000 per year and the Mercedes about 3,500. People are shocked when they see my E430 and I'll tell them I've had it almost 7 years. It really looks almost new. My neighbors laugh at me because I'm washing and detailing it all the time.
M156
Zippy is 21 months old with 53,500 miles on her
The Titan is 17 months old with 49,800 miles
The Dodge is 7 years old with 50,100 miles
I seem to average 35k/year, hubby does about 15k/year on his truck for the business.
I guess it doesn't help that my daughter's dr is 300 miles away and its an 85 mile just to get to the grocery store.
I am pretty sure it's only when you go to 4-LO that the VSC turns off. In fact, it has a mode where you can run in 4WD all the time, even on dry pavement, and I know the VSC is still on for that mode. And if you're in 4-LO, you should be doing some real low-speed stuff, at which time you really don't want the VSC on as it will strand you in low-traction situations. With 4-LO you've got the diff locks to get at least one wheel turning - you don't want the electronics meddling and throttling back because they sense a spinning wheel.
The FJ is a great concept, but unfortunately it is a little too cute for regular folks like me. Not because I wouldn't buy a cute truck with serious offroad potential, but because its cute looks have caught the eye of every Tom, Dick, and Harry (and Jane), and I will never be able to find one for a good price. Or even one in stock at all, it seems. They are selling right off the truck in many cases.
Anyway, I am keeping my new Runner for life, it's the last MY they made the stick. So there's no need for me to be thinking about trucks in any form! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
'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
A couple of weeks ago we had a FJ come in and he wanted to drive on our test track.
Now for liability reasons we just cannot allow that and we told him that. He was disapointed but he walked the track and asked us the techinical specs on it and figured that the FJ could have done it now problem.
What he ignored was the the entrance to the track is an aproximately 24 inch deep(measuring Crest to trough), 40 inch wide(measuring crest to crest) ditch. I don't think the FJ has the approach or departure angles to go through that ditch.
If anyone can find the approach and departure angles of the FJ that would be great then I could figure it out but they are not listed on toyota's site.
The FJ.......I know what you're saying. Yuppies will buy it for their 16 y.o. daughters & to have one in their driveways. However, it is beautiful (the exterior, not the interior IMO). And supposedly has awesome off-road credentials. I also get a feeling that the resale value may be excellent(???). Like the Mini probably(?).
Suppose I call the dealer, & they want $28 for the '05 4Runner, & will sell the $33K FJ at sticker?
*The FJ is a great concept, but unfortunately it is a little too cute for regular folks like me.*
yeah, there are a lot of ways to look at it. The way I'm looking at it right now, is as a cheapskate. And thinking that, $5k per year in depreciation is certainly not terrible, for an expensive Euro vehicle. But then, you could pay off a brand new Civic at $5k per year in 4 years, & it'd still be worth good $$.
My 528iT wagon had 11K miles when I bought it at 2 years old (the car, not me). I still had my dear, departed, 1988 M6 then (I should have kept the M6, & bought a new Accord or something instead of selling the M6 & buying the 528iT).
Wow, am I depressed now, I try not to think about the M6, even tho it needed $4k in suspension work when I sold it.
But, what can you do with $15K or so, to replace a car like a mint-condition E39 bmw wagon? It would be different if it were having problems.......(knock wood!)
*Two, I'm betting that while the 528i may be worth $14-16,000 as a used car, it's worth more than $14-16,000 to you.*
Oh, but what a HORRIBLE vehicle to drive around in on a daily basis. My first vehicle was a Jeep CJ7 and I loved it. Fast forward 15 years later ... I received a Wrangler as a loaner while our Pacifica was in the shop for a couple of days. That was the most frightening, noisiest, most uncomfortable vehicle I've ever been in. My memories could certainly be more fond than reality, but I swear that Wrangler was WAY more uncivilized than my '79 CJ (of course, to be fair, my CJ was modded to a great extent, including plush leather seats). I am assuming the FJ is a much nicer road vehicle.
'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
My parents moved to Michigan in the mid-70s, and eventually ended up buying a house in the middle of nowhere. This house has a quarter-mile long driveway, and as such my old man needed something to plow it with. So, he bought a 1968 FJ (I knew them as "Land Cruisers"). It performed admirably until '93-'94. The engine and transmission were fine, but was tired of plowing with the windows rolled down, because the entire exhaust system had rotted away. So, he gave it away before he had to have it towed.
So, for the winter of 1994, what did he replace it with? A 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser. It looked essentially the same as the 1968 model, but this one had floor boards and you didn't have to worry about passing out from CO2 poisoning. Oh, and it was red with a white roof, while the '68 was baby blue all around (the parts that weren't completely rusted away, that is).
When we went to the local auto show back in January, the old man was disappointed that they didn't have the new FJ on display. However, I don't think he really needs to be "sold" on one.
"Don't tell your mother", he told me at the show. "But I'm going to order one this spring."
Most guys' fathers are into old muscle cars or boats - mine's into FJ Land Cruisers.
While at the automall, sat in a new Civic & Accord. Gotta say, was more impressed with the Civic than the Accord. Looked at both the EX and LX and do prefer the EX with the bigger engine, 4 wheel disc brakes & 6 speaker stereo. It'll definitely fit into the garage also. Looks like it'll be between the Civic EX and the S40 with a time frame around the model change over in September, G-d willing.
Funny, while sitting and looking at the Honda's, not 1 salesman came out the whole 15 minute time. It was a slow Tuesday afternoon around 5 PM and nothing. I really would've taken a test drive in the EX, LX & the Accord but finally decided to leave. Strange really. Will probaly stop by on my N/S day tomorrow if the weather's nice. Came home and told the wife and she's pretty convinced that I'll have a new ride by the fall...and she's probaly right.
It'll be wonderful to buy a car I really want with no $ constraints...what a novel idea. After being so conservatively minded all these years and having to pass the "honey can we afford this" test for 25 years now, it's quite exhilerating to finally have the means to get whatever I want under $25,000.
Woohoo for me!
The Sandman
It's funny, the second gen ('90-'95) sold like 50% or more in stick shift, yet the third gen never sold many sticks at all. That probably represents the time period of the shift in the market from people using SUVs as trucks to people using SUVs as soccer-mobiles. The soccer moms and dads mostly want the automatic, I feel (and don't want 4WD anywhere near as much - there were a lot more gen-3 2Runners sold than gen-2's).
hey sandman, the Civic EX now has the exact same engine as the LX, I believe. It was the last gen where the EX had an extra 12 hp.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The Sandman
What I know is that they leased the Pilot and that it's burgundy in color (this is from my mom). What I suspect is that it's an EX-L with all the bells and whistles and that it's probably 2WD as they live in San Diego.
I guess the good news is that they probably cut their car payment in half (roughly).
You would assume wrong, sir! :-)
The new RAV4 is automatic-only.
It is also wider than my 4Runner, but my truck is longer - more space behind the rear seats. But I think the load height of the RAV4 is lower in the back (for obvious reasons - the Runner is on a truck platform and is raised higher for off-pavement duties), so it gives the illusion of having more space - in fact strictly talking cubic feet, it may actually HAVE more room back there. But you can't load as long items as I can in my truck. And I don't have to stack everything to the roof to take advantage of the space.
I know someone who has one of the new RAVs, and it was instantly clear on my first ride that this model continues the Toyota tradition of hard plastic interiors with precious little in the way of non-elbow-bruising areas, although it is certainly stylish in its own way.
Me, I will take my truck, which is a leftover from the old-school at Toyota: lots of padded plastic and vinyl everywhere, no hard stuff anywhere, and lots of cloth on doors etc as well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The more I hear about the S40, the less I like it. I really want a fun car with no drama at all...it needs to start everytime and get me to where I'm going...period! Kinda like an appliance, but I want some "zing" with it also. If the Civic shifts and drives as smoothly as the wife's 3, it'll be the next car in the stable.
So far, the Sentra's running fine with no light on. Took it on the turnpike earlier for a 30 minute drive at 80 mph to blow the engine out a bit and see if the light would reappear. So far...nothing. Which is really very good news as I'd like to wait till at least the '07's are out. Hopefully there will be a greater supply and they'll have my color...galaxy grey. I must admit, just sitting in the Civic yesterday put that big smile on my face which I've never had when buying any other automobile. I guess I know what that means!!!!!
The Sandman
I saw a FJ40 in yellow at the bank today. I know everyone else here loves it but I did not like it. I loved it in all of the photos , but in real life it had a Aztec look to it to me. It may be that I loved the 70's landcruiser(not the new monstrosity version) and the new one looks too big to me. The Aztec look may also be from the yellow color, I think Pontiac sold a ton of them in that same shade of yellow.
I hope this doesn't stop them from also offering a Corolla hatch with the next generation. Whatever happens, we will know about nine months from now, as I am sure the next-gen Corolla will debut at one of the big auto shows between January and March '07.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I have a choice, we can pay Zippy off in June, hubby says to drop the insurance to liability only (that scares me), and keep her. Or we can just go with the plan and trade her in.....we owe about what she's worth on trade.
I would really like to keep her, but I'm not sure if that's a good move or not. Another option is to go ahead and get rid of her then buy a $1000 beater car to take her place.
Right now Zippy needs tires, an alignment, and possibly a power steering pump (its leaking). Other than that there is nothing wrong with the car, cosmetically she's in pretty good shape for her age/miles (54k).
If you keep Zippy long enough, it will eventually turn into a beater car, but that's after you've enjoyed the car's best years--and with 54k on the clock, you should still have a decent year (or three) left, depending on how quickly you rack up the miles. I thought you had an extended warranty on it until 100k?
Will your extended warranty cover the P/S pump? It should, right?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The savings in gas alone will pay for Zippy and it's little repairs! If you need to make a quick run to the grocery.... Zippy could get there and back in 3 quick hours! LOL
You are getting over 30 mpg's on the road aren't you? I think it's a keeper!
Good luck Jolie! Mark156
Plus, I've never had to drive 3 hours to the grocery store! :surprise: About the scariest thing I ever did was drive a 290,000 mile 1968 Dart out to Oklahoma and back. And I used it to deliver pizzas for awhile. But if I had to rely on my car for a lot of long distance, high mile driving, I think I'd rather have something fairly fuel-efficient, and also fairly dependable. Something that you're just not going to get from most $1000 beaters.
I know it goes against the very essence of this forum, but I'd say keep Zippy!
Oh, and on the subject of buying, for some reason I have an urge for a Bronco! Don't ask me why. One of my friends has one, and we were riding around in it the other day, and I just thought it was cool.
Back in high school, a friend of mine had a '70's Blazer, and I think all you had to do was take off four bolts and the top lifted off. It was a two man job, though.
I think the main reason I liked it was because it felt big and tought and up high, but with about 2 1/2 feet less rear end than my pickup. Hardly the most maneuverable thing to be cruising around on the streets of DC with, but it was still fun!
I'm sure this is just a passing fad with me, though. I always liked those old 60's Broncos, too.
Those old full size broncos aren't bad vehicles but finding one in good shape now would probably be hard.
One of my friends in HS had one that was passed down to him from his Dad. His dad was a VMI graduate and very, very meticulous about everything. It was in great shape and he used it all through HS and college. I think it finally got wrecked and totalled not long after he graduated.
Plus, you love the car, it gets 30 mpg, & soon it'll be paid for.....
It was anything BUT a low-speed chase! The Bronco pretty much ceased to exist ahead of the firewall. But worse, it rode up over the Caprice, which was just about obliterated to the C-pillar. The Bronco driver was unhurt, but the officer died instantly.
I wonder if an old Blazer would satisfy my Bronco-type vehicle craving? I found a 1986 Blazer not too far away. Cheap, but needs work. I guess if nothing else, if it ended up being too much of a junker, I could cannibalize parts off of it for my Silverado! :shades:
I would really like Zippy to stay, I like the little car, she never lets me down, she always starts no matter what (can't say that about the Titan this past week), and she's fun to drive.
There are downsides to her though, I fell a couple days ago and messed up my left knee again (had 3 surgeries on this knee) so driving a stick right now hurts. She's small, 2-door, no a/c, no c/c. But darn she's a great little car.
She does have the balance of the 5 year/100k powertrain warranty (hubby canceled the other warranty while I was gone). Other than the stuff I listed there's nothing wrong with her unless you count the broken windshield......dang rocks!
I was offered $6500 3 weeks ago not on trade but selling to a used car dealer, so I guess that's about what she's worth wholesale. The dealer did comment that my car was in better shape for its age/miles than most of the Focus he sees come through even the ones with lower miles. Retail I could probably get $8000 in the market up here, people gobble up used Focus especially if they are in good shape.
Argh......now off to chase that rotten kitten again, he's into who knows what this time!
F/S Bronco. (I have no idea how in demand they are?). Hopefully you could get a nice one for a fraction of the cost of a new FJ Cruiser(?).....what do they sell for on fee-bay?
If you can get between $6.5 & $8K for a 3 y.o. 50K mile Ford economy car with a broken windshield, no A/C, bad tires, & your clutch shifting knee is bad..........I'd have that thing gone so fast your head would spin. I was thinking it was worth more like $4500......(in the Lower 48).....
I have seen several used Focus on lots that are more miled up than mine and in much worse shape for about the same amount of $$$. They are a pretty popular car up here, go figure.
Only reason I didn't sell it was because I was still undecided.
I asked the UCM at the dealer we are dealing with on the new truck what he was thinking as far as trade on my Titan, he said he figures around $19k for it and $6k for Zippy. That is providing the books don't dump between now and the time the new truck gets here.
I've only seen it a couple of times, but from a distance it looks to be the cleanest Bronco in the state of Colorado. However, I have heard via the friend that they've had a few mechanical issues with it.
Of course, they totally ruined it by plastering Pittsburgh Steeler stickers and what-not all over the back. That, I can tell you, does not go over well here in the land of the Broncos (exhibit 1 would be the latest AFC Championship game in January).
A buddy of mine in college back in the 80's owned a mid-70's Blazer. Even though we lived in Phoenix, he claimed never to have had the roof removed. Drove it from PHX to California and back during one school break. Bouncy bouncy bouncy went the ride.
Jolie, I'm pretty sure I can get 8-9K for my Focus in trade, but I know it's a bit more loaded than yours. Must be those inflated Alaska pricing forces at work again....
I still don't know about buying a beater though. What ISN'T beater duty on roads that aren't paved all the way to the house? And it is so likely to become a money pit - believe me, I have had more than my share. Better to use the money putting diesel in your new HD pick-up, and enjoy driving a new ride. :-)
As for Broncos, they have to be the toughest covered truck around, but I don't know about those later models right before it got discontinued. I had a friend of a friend who used to spend about equal amounts of time telling us how much he loved his early 90s model and cursing it loudly every time something new broke. I think CR agrees with that general sentiment - the basic foundation is very solid, but everything else is constantly breaking down.
Plus they guzzle gas even more than other gas guzzlers - that friend's friend used to take four of us up to the snow, and we had to put like $100 of gas in it going there and back, which is way more than even other SUVs.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Should be able to see an easy $7500 I would think. The NADA book out sheet I got 3 weeks ago listed retail at $10k, I was stunned. Little cars are like gold up here. I only paid $11k for Zippy when she was new.
The decision hasn't been totally made yet, but I think Zippy will be leaving. Its either payoff Zippy and keep her or cut her loose and buy a wood fired boiler to heat the house (read: no high fuel bills, wood is free for us).
I'm sending out the deposit for the new truck in the morning. I have been amazed at how easy this deal has been, 2% over invoice with no arguement (not so at other dealers), ordered the truck, took all of 15 minutes. Very easy dealership to do business with no doubt there. The internet manager who has been handling it is an awesome guy, very easy to deal with. I'm super happy with the deal, probably the easiest I've ever done. Now if 2 months would just hurry the heck up!!!!
Diesel trucks have been commanding crazy $$$ up here, Ford dealers won't go under 3% over, one Dodge dealer won't go under MSRP, Chevy dealers seem to really love thier trucks.