Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Well kinda funny anyway and a good example of why I happen to think cars have become WAY too complex.

    Think about a car like this when it's 15 years old and getting fussy.

    Heck, a situation like this could total the car from a financial stand.

    Typical British car!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,481
    Being a British car, 15 years is a stretch anyway :shades:
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    On the bright side however, you'll be able to get it for about $2000 - $4000 in 15 years, same price as 15 year old Jags are fetching now. Maybe even cheaper when you can't shift it out of park. :lemon:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,528
    Funny thing you brought this up & linked the article. Talk about BMW answering a question nobody asked. My Dad's former 2007 X5 was the 1st BMW to have the new style "beer tap" shifter for the automatic transmission. One day in a snowstorm, I'm cleaning off my car in the AM & notice a few missed calls & a voicemail. Probably he wants to tell me about an accident somewhere on our route to work. So my Prelude is cleaned off & toasty warm. I call him back & he tells me he drove over a piece of wood (that was covered in snow & he didn't see). His low coolant light flashed on the dash, so he pulled over right away & was about to call Wide World BMW where we bought & service our BMWs. He pulls over & the light shuts off. He gets out of the X5 to do a visual inspection & doesn't see coolant spewing anywhere so he continues on his journey. Well, 1/2 way across the Tappan Zee Bridge, the low coolant light flashes again & his X5 just shut down (during a snowstorm).

    Flat bed from the NY Thruway Authority comes to tow him off the bridge. This is where things get complicated. The X5 won't start up because now it has no coolant. So how do you get the damn thing into neutral so it can be loaded properly onto a flatbed? Here's what the owner's manual had to say:

    1. Open the rear tail gate, pull the red T shaped key from the compartment in the spare tire. Sounds easy, right? No, it's snowing & he's on the right lane of a bridge. Would you like my Dad to get out of the truck with cars barreling at him at speeds of 40 - 60 mph? Or should he get out the right side & risk slipping & falling hundreds of feet into the icy Hudson River? Spare tire compartment is covered by a piece of plywood to protect the inside of the car from 2 130+ lb Great Danes.

    2. Pull out the cup holders.

    3. Pull out the plastic piece underneath the cup holders.

    4. Insert red T shaped key into slot & twist so the transmission is now in neutral.

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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Wow, sounds complicated too. It's sad when you think about it that an upscale SUV that should be able to tackle any reasonable road obstacle can get disabled by a piece of wood in a snowstorm and then makes the owner play mind puzzle games just to get it off the road to a safe spot.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,126
    edited August 2012
    Put a number on this one for me, please?

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,467
    just go to the casino and put it all on 17 black.

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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    There aren't any comps to go on. The only one even close was back in June in San Diego with 104k miles and auto trans. With a below average condition, it sold for $9k.

    So I would imagine that price is fair enough as long as it is real nice.

    '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: 53,467
    would really want to see service records on that one, and for sure a solid PPI by an expert.

    I believe that the AWD (angle gear) and clutch were problem areas on those. and expensive if they go on your dime. So if it was clean, and you know that stuff had been done, looks like a good deal.

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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    definitely the angle gear. Can't say I've heard about clutch issues.

    '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

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,126
    Thanks..

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,467
    Would of course like to see pictures. And I believe this is pretty close to Q's neck of the woods. But for an around town, spare/beater car, hard to argue with 2K if it runs well, especially with new consumables that probably cost as much as he is asking!

    of course, at that mileage, it could self destruct on the drive home, but life is a crap shoot, right?

    http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3207258608.html

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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    Interesting. Hell, I would have been interested in going to see it 2 weeks ago. Oh well.

    '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: 53,467
    still could... :blush:

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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    I'm pot commited on the s70 now. :cry:

    '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: 53,467
    not exactly what I meant of course.

    I never seem to stumble upon interesting items that are nearby to me. Usually they are an hour away, so not something where it is easy to pop over and just take a look.

    So anyway, bored with the Volvo yet? I call mine the putt putt mobile. It gets where you are going, but at it's own pace! The turbo on these makes a huge difference. But, I just took a round trip to N. Virginia this weekend, and by the TC got 33.3 overall (I think it calculated to more like 32). Not too bad IMO.

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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    My 19th car I've owned in 17 years that I've been driving. I picked up a 93 Accord EXR wagon to use as a commuter car about a week and a half ago. Amazing condition with 200k miles. Interior is like new. The only thing I wish it was was manual, but I'll settle for an automatic for now.

    The cool thing is it was Honda dealer maintained, at a dealer I used to work at. So I went to get a print out of service records, and they go back to about 1998. It was meticulously maintained hence the great condition. At the top of the sheet was total $ spent on maintenance at this dealer. Can you believe it was a whopping $15979. :surprise:

    The Accord replaced a Subaru Legacy Wagon, AWD 5 speed manual, also with high mileage (about 180k miles). I sold it because it was a stripped down base model with no ac, no power anything, not even a tach. Even though it was basic I quickly fell in love with it. Fun car and I wouldn't mind owning another older Legacy Wagon if a good deal came around.

    Our other car is an 07 BMW 328i which my wife drives, but I think when winter time comes around she'll be in the Accord because of the FWD in case it snows.

    Here's my updated list of cars I have/had:
    1. 1982 Honda Accord Sedan
    2. 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity Sedan
    3. 1997 Honda Civic EX Sedan
    4. 1982 Honda Accord Sedan
    5. 1984 Honda Accord Hatchback
    6. 1993 Honda Civic Si Coupe
    7. 1977 Chevrolet Impala Sedan
    8. 2005 Honda Civic LX Coupe
    9. 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 CLASSIC Sedan
    10. 2008 Jeep Patriot NORTH SUV
    11. 1991 Toyota MR2 TURBO Coupe
    12. 2011 Nissan X Terra SV SUV
    13. 2007 BMW 328i Sedan - still own
    14. 1993 Honda Civic DX Hatchback
    15. 1997 Honda Accord EX-V6 Sedan
    16. 1998 Subaru Legacy Brighton Station Wagon
    17. 2002 Dodge Caravan SE Minivan
    18. 2001 Honda Civic LXG Sedan
    19. 1993 Honda Accord EX-R Station Wagon

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    $15979 over that period is about $111 a month.

    He must have been up-sold a bunch.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I think so too. But when you think about it $100/month is not too bad to keep a car running in tip top shape.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,937
    Not too many of these around - miles are high but certainly not bad for the year. I may go look at it.

    '02 325xit manual

    Question is whether I'd swap out my e39 for it - if it were a gem with less miles, I'd probably consider it, but otherwise hard to give up my 530i that is just about to pass 70k miles.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    So - what is something like that worth?
    - Ray
    Just curious....
    2022 X3 M40i
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,467
    looks nice. but seems pricey.

    chop the $$ and delete the AWD, and I'll take it!

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

  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,794
    I seem to recall when you were asking about the C-class, so you've made excellent progress from then... :blush:

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,481
    edited August 2012
    Those old Accord wagons are nice looking cars - I would drive one of those. EXR would be top trim level, right? Wheels, roof, maybe leather in 93?
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,250
    "...at that milage..."

    There's not too many cars I would trust at that milage.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    What is an "EXR" Accord? No such thing that I've ever heard of!

    Service records aren't usually available due to privacy reasons. Often I would have a customer proudly hand me a thick file of service records on a car they were trading in. I would ahve to gently let them know that there were three options.

    They could keep them.

    They could throw them away.

    I would be happy to shread them for them.

    Our Service Dept wouldn't print out records either but they would be happy to take a look and let the new owners know what had (and had not) been done.

    Tough world this has become....sad.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,481
    edited August 2012
    EXR is Canadian trim level. Back in the day, Canada didn't get a DX, so USA DX = Canada LX, USA LX = Canada EX, USA EX = Canada EXR.

    I've seen MB dealers hold on to records for a customer to examine, but not issue copies. Funny thing though, MB manual packets usually have a spot for the original owner's name, and this is seemingly never removed.
  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,937
    Yeah, I'd become much more interested at about $8k or so on that wagon.

    Sport pkg, wagon, 5-speed though - always tempting.

    I wonder if they'll offer the manual on the new 3-er wagon.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    edited August 2012
    I paid a whopping $850 for it lol :shades:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    lol yeah the C class was a bit of a lemon. It drove nice but just too many issues:
    -power steering rack needed replacing (est $2000) never got it done
    -sensors going here and there
    -some minor electrical sensors/warnings had a mind of their own

    In comparison the 07 328 we have is a much nicer car to drive, but then again it is 6 years newer.

    Personally I like picking up older cars from time to time, driving them for a bit and then getting rid of them. I never lose money on them (some I'll come out ahead) so it's like free transportation for me.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    I haven't finished with the volvo, so i can't be bored yet. haha.

    When I took it to ProVovo on Saturday to get the oil, trans, and brake fluid changed, they called to tell me it had a ripped CV boot. Quoted me $230. I said "just go ahead and do it." So that bill totalled $505. Ouch.

    stereo is in the mail and so is the factory matched paint. After that, who knows?
    Still haven't taken it to inspection. That pesky CEL keeps coming back. Time to start rooting around for a disconnected air line.

    I haven't even figured out the real-world mileage yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 26mpg.

    Total spend on the car so far is ~$4640

    '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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Yeah the EXR was the top of the line in Canada. Same as EX trim in the US.

    This one has roof, alloys, ABS, power everything, no leather, but get this infrared keyless entry. Even the A/C still works on it.

    I think similiar system Mercedes used back in the early 90s. Instead of it working off radio frequency, it works like a remote control. I have to point the Honda key at the sensor by the door handle like a remote and it locks/unlocks the car.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    heck, that's great being that it was so overmaintained.

    '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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I got a multi page summary print out of the records from their computer. The previous owner's info was removed and not shown to me.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Yeah not often you come across vehicles like this. Some people just do minimal maintenance, if any, some follow the schedule to a tee - and then some.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,481
    Sounds like a cool old car. What colors? I'd drive one of those without shame - I've always thought the 90-93 Accord was a fantastic design in terms of being clean and homogenous.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Mine is champagne exterior on red interior. Not a big fan of the red but it doesn't offend me.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,467
    You just have to laugh. As in, offer the # of a local wrecking yard.

    http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3197993986.html

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

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited August 2012
    $100 a month? Hm.

    My '99 Quest rolled over 177,777 today. Had it for 152 months now and I'd drive it anywhere. Took it to Newfoundland a year ago, Florida back in March.

    My spreadsheet is pretty current (just did an 11k oil change today :shades: ) and all maintenance and repair totals $7,228.43. So, ~$48 a month, .04 cents a mile for M&R.

    Would be a better number (~$38 a month) if I hadn't let some idiot indy garage back in Boise talk me into replacing the knock sensor instead of figuring out what was really wrong with it. That was $1,500; well, did get three injectors out of it.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,751
    My offer is a can of lighter fluid and a book of matches .... as long as I get to light it and toast marshmallows.

    '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: 53,467
    too many miles, but not that expensive, and gotta be super rare.

    http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3212855731.html

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

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,126
    Wow.. I run into manual X3s, occasionally... but, can't remember the last time I heard of an X5 stick..

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  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,332
    The last one I remember was one Roadburner posted. That's an unpopular feature here in the States.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    edited August 2012
    The Escort has moved on to a new home....*sniffle* I know the person who bought it and he takes wonderful care of his vehicles. He was happy with the whole deal and the car, said it was in better condition than any other he'd seen in that price range. In the end the little car left me for $750. So, to recap, purchased in February 2011 for $1000, total repairs (including timing belt/water pump) of approx $1900 = $2900. On the positive side, totalled in March of 2012, insurance check for $1466 + sold the car for $750 = $2216. The kid was able to drive the car for well over a year for a cheap price of just $684, can't complain about that. :shades:

    I really wanted my daughter to take the Escort, but she was having none of it, said she'd rather walk than drive that car. She's saving her money to put 1/2 down on a used Ford Fiesta, we agreed if she comes up with 1/2 we will pay the other 1/2. In the meantime I guess we will keep being her taxi since she refuses to drive the Civic or the Sierra. :confuse:

    I fly out on Wednesday for Chicago so I can see my son graduate Navy basic training on Friday. I'm so proud of him for sticking it out. He's been sick the entire time, but pushed on through. On the bright side, he's probably immune to every virus on the planet now. He goes to "A" school next weekend to start his law enforcement training. :D
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That Fiat is about 30 cents away from being worth a quarter.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Let her walk a couple of times, she'll take the Civic or Sierra eventually. ;)
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,250
    "...I like picking up older cars from time to time, driving them for a bit and then getting rid of them..."

    I can relate to that except I like to pick up older cars with low milage and then run them for years and years until I put them in the ground or a big repair comes along.

    How do you personally judge if a 200k mile car is in good enough shape to not drive you crazy with repairs?

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,250
    "...you just have to laugh..."

    I was wondering where I left my good car, LOL! :lemon:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    A 200,000 mile Honda can easily be good for another 200,000 miles providing it receives a bit of care and isn't beat to death.

    I once took in a beat to hell Civic that looked like it hadn't been taken care of at all. It had 457,000 miles and still seemed to run OK.

    The rest of the car was trash!
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    You can just tell. I've seen cars with 100k miles in worse shape than my 200k mile Accord wagon.

    One Accord I looked at ran like crap, had trim pieces broked, felt loose, dirty, and not taken care of. Even if you take a beat up car and shine it up you can tell it was recently cleaned up vs a high mileage well taken care of car with no rips, no dents, no worn out fabric or faded trim pieces.

    Some cars you just "know" if they were well looked after. Especially when they come with $16k worth of service receipts (although I only discovered those after I purchased the car).

    In comparison we took in an 03 Neon (Dodge SX2.0) on trade at work. It had all of 60k miles. Although it looked ok, the a/c didn't work, brake pads were worn to bare metal, and engine was knocking as it had no oil. Whoever owned it did not do any maintenance on it whatsoever.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

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