Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Thanks for the explanation! I suppose I could have poked around in Ebay and found out for myself.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    "Ive done my part..."

    Yeah, you have, you SHILL!!
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Thank you. Good to know I have a fan club....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    I was a serious bidder. Just cheap.

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    yours is cheaper. But does not really have the "wow" factor some people are looking for (plain color, no frills). SO that may deter some people.

    The red one is the type that I like to look at. appears to have been owned by someone with money that cares about his toy. Some of these obviously fell into the hands of kids that beat the crap out of them.

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

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,074
    I was a serious bidder. Just cheap.

    Ditto.. I had every intention of honoring my bid, had it been accepted.. ;)

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  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,528
    I just upped the bid to $2000.00. Still haven't met the reserve.

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    If that hit it I would throw another bid.

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

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,074
    I think I'm done... might do something stupid and actually buy a car.. ;)

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    at least I actually do need a modestly priced car soon. And you could do a lot worse for that kind of money. Trust me, I know.

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

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,040
    I wonder when someone who actually wants to buy it will bid! :P

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    I wonder when someone who actually wants to buy it will bid!

    Probably with 15 minutes left in the auction, a la Mike Brewer in Wheeler Dealers.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    maybe now. Does anybody here currently own the high bid?

    All of this bogus cheap bidding made me make one myself on this MINI.

    '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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    edited June 2012
    Still haven't met the reserve.

    Nope. Still quite a ways to go. I want to sell the car, but I ain't giving it away. Hell, I paid $2k for it 2 years ago with a bad clutch, bad suspension, and no AC. I know I'm losing money on this one, but I'm still looking for about 80 cents on the dollar.

    Actually, though, thanks for making me do the math. I can lower my reserve about $75. haha. Also makes me realize that my rock bottom price outside of ebay fees is $3600. Just can't see letting it go for less than that.

    '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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    But does not really have the "wow" factor some people are looking for (plain color, no frills). SO that may deter some people.

    Oh, well, sure. It takes all kinds. This isn't for the person who wants to draw attention... although it does, just by way of its rareness, turn heads. But I'd much rather fly under the radar myself.

    '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: 53,466
    I was actually thinking that you could become your own 1 man wheeler dealers. Buy, restore, and sell on for a profit!

    Are you good on camera?

    I do love that show though.

    and I got an email that the reserve just got lowered.

    I need to check out that mini. That might be the way I go later in the year. Or not.

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    I think right now NYC is the high bidder.

    I actually like that mini. Not sure on the color, but it is different.

    wonder where in Philly that guy is?> There are some dealers over there in pretty sketchy areas.

    for the right price, something like that could be perfect for me. I don't drive much, so higher miles is not a bother.

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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    I love that show, too, although they've been doing some odd things on the newer ones ... like modifying a WRX and turning a base Land Rover into a Camel Trophy fake ... or something like that. I liked when they just freshened older cars.

    Anyhoo, I've often thought about being a curbstoner (which I think I've mentioned here). Heck, in a way, I kind of am, but I just keep them a little longer than I should. If I fixed every car with the intent of selling it on (rather than fixing it to the standard I require for KEEPING it), I'm sure I could make a few bucks. I just don't know if its worth my time.

    '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
    Great show, someone here suggested it to me and I DVR them now. Loved the Lotus Elan episode.

    I'd buy a car they flipped, because they know where to spend the money, for instance converting cars to run on unleaded gas, and addressing weaknesses like cooling and brakes. Plus the cars show well once they're done.

    The "profit" they make is often very small, and wouldn't really cover the labor costs if you were paying for it yourself.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,074
    Sort of like Pawn Stars or American Pickers...

    No one would pay the kind of money they do, if they didn't need action for the TV show....

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  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Here's another Mister Two in my neck of the woods!

    MAN, what a deal! All I have to do is wait three years and it'll probably double in value!

    And..."ONLY" 280,000 miles!!

    http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3093375056.html
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I'll admit that I kinda like watching those shows even though it's so obvious everything is staged. Chumlee wouldn't work two days for me.

    Anyone watch a spinoff, Hard Core Pawn? It's in Detroit and it may be staged but I sure wouldn't want to work there. Every other word get's bleeped out!
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    what the hell is hanging off the C pillars? Did he seriously put ram air ducts on there?? :sick:

    '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

  • au1994au1994 Member Posts: 3,715
    edited June 2012
    American Pickers is pretty good. They find some interesting old motorcycles and automobilia from time to time but you are right, as the show has become more and more popular the staging has become more and more over the top.

    Never got into the pawn shows. The guys on Pawn Stars are just too sleazy for my taste. "Oh you want $1000 for that, I could probably sell it for $1500 so I'll offer you $25.00 take it or leave it."

    Still like Wheeler Dealers. Yes they would lose their collective shirts if Edd's time was factored in but its still neat to see some of the cars the flip that we don't get over here "in the colonies."

    I still crack up when I think of the Corvette episode and Edd commented on the "electrics" which are "notoriously rubbish" on American cars!!

    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

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I had to go back and look. No idea! Amazing what some people do to their cars.

    Anyone else having trouble (again!) with these forums being cranky and being difficult to get to work?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Yep, flaking out off and on for me too. Haven't heard if they are working on it yet. :sick:
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    'Anyone else having trouble (again!) with these forums being cranky and being difficult to get to work? '

    Yes & yes.
    - Ray
    Annoyed.....
    2022 X3 M40i
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ram Air adds 15hp.

    Scoop on C-pillar adds another 10hp.

    The TRD sticker, though, wow, that adds at least 50hp. ;)

    Incredible that an abused sample like that lasted 280k miles.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    just think what a bargain mine is compared to that! ;)

    '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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,476
    Heck, the interior looks amazing for a car of that vintage and mileage.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    At least he didn't put scoops and stickers on the inside. :D
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    just poking around at my favorite price check site (fitzmall) and discovered that if you want an old style Hyundai Santa Fe, it is a real good time to buy.

    All seem to be FWD now, but a FWD limited 4 cyl is about $5,500 off (23K sale price, 28.5 MSRP) and a V6 is about 26K off of $20,500 (about a $4,500 discount).

    Lot of car for that money. and if you don't mind FWD very reasonable.

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

  • robbiegrobbieg Member Posts: 350
    That is where I go to check prices too. I haven't had much luck finding anything else that is useful. There is a Jeep dealer in NC that is on Ebay that says they offer all rebates and half of hold back.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    just had a text conversation with my wife (who is having a rough week at work). I said something along the lines of not feeling like doing what was on the list for today. Her response? Me neither, we should go look at cars!

    This from the woman that refused to ever go to a car dealer just to browse, and was barely willing when we were actually shopping. I think she wants the new wheels, bad.

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

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,040
    I think she wants the new wheels, bad.

    Well, she is driving a minivan. :P

    I just installed a fancy new headunit w/bluetooth, sat radio, and a remote in my Fiance's Elantra. She is loving life, I think I have bought some time before we have to replace that!

    The factory radio was replaced three times and the CD player had been broken for a few months (warranty on electronics only 3/36 on Hyundai). She loves her CDs hence the new radio. I told her CDs are so 90s.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    I just installed a fancy new headunit w/bluetooth, sat radio, and a remote in my Fiance's Elantra.

    I've been thinking of doing the same with the ION, since I spend so much time in my car delivering pizzas.

    Made a 200 mile drive in the ION yesterday - will make the return trip tomorrow morning. Am curious what kind of mileage I'll get. About 2/3 interstate, 1/3 two lane highway with a 65 MPH speed limit.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,040
    I've been thinking of doing the same with the ION

    I would. It was really reasonable (under $250) and Crutchfield supplied the kit and wiring harness. The hardest part was seeking out where Hyundai put the OEM sat radio tuner and buying an extension for the factory antenna so I didn't have to run a new one. Luckily it was in the passenger footwell area, so a 5' extension from Sat radio superstore did the trick. I installed the bluetooth microphone in driver's A-pillar and tucked the wire behind the weatherstipping. It came out pretty slick.

    The new type sat radio modules just plug into the new unit (much easier than the old type which had to be programmed to the specific head unit.

    The dash opening for the factory radio was huge, but the kit was made well and gives a new storage pocket she never had.

    What I got:
    Head Unit
    Sat Tuner

    image

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Be careful.

    The BMW ha an expensive Sony aftermarket system that, for the life of me, I can't figure out how to even get to turn on. Our son simply plugs in his iphone but old dad would like to simply listen to the radio or maybe a CD.

    I played with it for fifteen minutes before losing patience and I was only able to screw up the display color. It even has a totally worthless remote!

    I mean, I'm not totally a klutz and I can't even get the damm thing to come on!! Why make it so complicated??
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    but man, I like this!

    lot of miles for a car that is barely 4 YO (4/08 manu date).

    Same guy that has the light blue Mini Q posted.

    Hey, speaking of that, what is a real legit price for a 2007 base Cooper like that with 87K on the clock?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Saab-9-5-4dr-Wgn-Spor-Saab-9-5-2-3T-SPORT-WAGON-5- -SPEED-LEATHER-SUNROOF-FULLY-LOADED-NO-RESERVE-/200783462349?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&h- ash=item2ebfa07fcd#ht_27590wt_1167

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

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,040
    The basic functions aren't too bad. The advanced settings are a bit of a pain.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • dave8697dave8697 Member Posts: 1,498
    saw a 2006 base civic for $12,900 silver with 113,000 miles on it at the local dealer. looking for my 19 yr old who makes min wage. couldn't believe it and told the salesman I'd be lucky to get $12,900 trade in on my 2010 Malibu LT with 19k miles on it. The steel wheels were all badly rusted on the Civic.
    I just looked it up and it (civic) has a $3700 trade in value. That is a $9200 markup!
    Then I saw a 2006 silver chevy work truck at a dealer last nite for $9851. It had 1/2 as many miles and trade on it was just over $8k. The pp values of both are exactly the same if they were both in the same cond with the same miles on them. If I could find a 2006 civic in outstanding cond and only 65k miles on it, could I hope to get it for $9851?
    Or is the truck discounted for getting low mpgs? If the civic gets 30 mpg to the 17 of the truck, that would be $82 a month more for gas if drive 1000 miles a month. That is $2937 more for gas over 36 month car loan period. $3.20/gal used. How much of that potential gas savings does the civic dealer expect to collect up front? seems to me to be over 100% of it?
    How much of a mistake is it be be considering a 17 mpg truck?
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    the MINI is something like $10k trade-in.

    I have no idea on the Saab. Nothing at auction has even come close to those 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: 53,466
    edited June 2012
    I decided to watch the mini. Really curious what that ends up bringing. Wonder if it has a reserve?

    edit: nope, no reserve. sitting at 4K with 5 days to go.

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

  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    The BMW ha an expensive Sony aftermarket system that, for the life of me, I can't figure out how to even get to turn on. Our son simply plugs in his iphone but old dad would like to simply listen to the radio or maybe a CD.

    I played with it for fifteen minutes before losing patience and I was only able to screw up the display color. It even has a totally worthless remote!

    I mean, I'm not totally a klutz and I can't even get the damm thing to come on!! Why make it so complicated??


    isell, if you can get a model number for that head unit, I'll bet you can do a google search and find an on-line manual for it. Print it out and read at your leisure, then give it another go.

    I did that for my wrist watch so I could use some of the other functions that I know it had .. and, to turn off the damned alarm that activated at 4:15 every afternoon.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    Gee, think this ad is overstated just a bit?

    Reading the description first, I expected to see a pretty different car in the pics. Oh, and an aftermarket strut bar is always a must on a "carefully highway-driven car."

    '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

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,040
    IMHO that car had a hard life and was freshly detailed to attmept to look otherwise. It has three different brands of tires, the driver's seat is ripped and its hard to tell but the hood looks pretty chipped up.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,528
    I wouldn't trust any car being sold from any of NYC's outer boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island). Too many curbstoners & people "whose boy got a dealer license & I went to the auction in PA with him."

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    Ditto.

    besides, highway miles in Brooklyn means the Belt parkway, and that sucker will age a car in dog years!

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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    Oh, no, no, no. You must read the poetic description again. It came from Florida. Surprisingly, it doesn't say, but I'm sure it was owned by an elderly retired couple. :blush:

    '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: 53,466
    I saw the Florida part. Probably explains the gangster tint. Black over black leather down there? nasty.

    I was commenting more in general about wanting to avoid Brooklyn cars.

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

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