Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

Just sit back and wait!

ronsteve

a forum that used to be on here, something like "Dream On" Prices?

After those ebay links got posted, I just decided to search on everything with a manual, and saw this one in Illinois. I've got no need for a Sonata anyway, but then again, who would at
this price?

At least that Integra that was seemingly collected has some life to offer as a car.

stever

Doesn't ring a bell - maybe it was over in Smart Shopper?

corvette

Inflated price, no color, and no pictures of the actual car, either. No wonder they have a feedback score of 0.

ronsteve

Inflated price,...

Now that has to be the understatement of the year. He shouldn't be in it for more than, I dunno, $5000? Not that it matters... it just jumped off the page at me as ridiculously overpriced.

ateixeira

Back then I remember seeing screaming deals on Sonatas. That was before the public opinion on Hyundai had its upswing. You could get loaded V6s for high teens.

michaellno

You could get loaded V6s for high teens.

That's been true for a while. My folks bought an '03 Sonata GLS V6 for what they were about to pay for a 4-cyl Camry LE.

Ten years later the car has less than 30K on it.

oldfarmer50

Ok, that's much better. I like that style BMW. The new ones seem much larger and I suppose they are. Black is a nice color on that one (at least for the first 10 miles).

oldfarmer50

The 1998 Acura would be my choice. Lower milage, lower cost and I like that quirky front end styling.

The 2001 is interesting. Love that low milage. Is that a fair price for a 12 yo car of that type?

stickguy

keeping an eye on the 1998 323ic coupe. Sitting at $2,250 with 5 hours to go. Curious on what that one will go for.

nyccarguy

The E36 BMW 3 series (sedan '92 (?) - '98, coupe & convertible '93 - '99) was the car that made me fall head over heels in love with BMWs & the way they drive. growing up, I was never a fan of the 3 box style of the E30 3 series. I truthfully didn't think much of the E36 when it came out. I have a very close friend who is 3 years older than me. After he graduated college, he moved back to Buffalo & custom ordered a 1995 E36 325is with a stick & sport package. He knew how much I loved the way it drove & every time we hung out he knew I had to drive it.

One night we were out at a club in Buffalo. At about 2AM, my friend Rich & I decided to call it quits because we had to drive back to Ithaca the next morning. Chris (my friend with the BMW) decided he wanted to go to an after party with a new lady friend he met that night. Hew tossed me the keys to his BMW & said: "see you at breakfast!"

I had barely known how to drive stick at that point in my life (my car was a 1992 Chevy Beretta GT w/ Automatic). I jump in Chris' 328is & take off. It fits me like a glove. I'm going way faster than I should have been on the streets of Buffalo & rotating around corners. I left the club dead tired & ended up driving around for another 2 + hours.

I end up asleep on the floor in Chris' apartment & Rich is asleep on the couch. Chris comes stumbling in around 8 AM. He gives me a nudge with his toe & I wake up.

Chris: "What'd you do to my car last night?"
Me: "Nothing, Rich & I were driving around for a few hours. I freakin LOVE it!"

Chris then shows me some messages he received on his Alpha Pager (remember those?). Most of them were to the effect of: "Chris, where are you going?" "Slow down, we're trying to catch up with you." & the best one was: "Chris, someone stole your car & is joyriding ALL OVER Buffalo!"

nyccarguy

I actually prefer the pre 2000 styling of the Integra before they "sloped" the nose. There are a few ways to look at the price of that ultra low mileage 2001 GSR.

1st off the dealership is asking way too much money for what amounts to a 12 year old Acura. They are allowed to be "ambitious" with their asking price. The car is rare because it has such low miles, is completely stock, & a 10/10.

However I seriously doubt the car's status as "collectible." The only modern cars in my mind that are collectible right now are the E30 M3 & the Integra Type R.

Is the car worth more than a 2001 with average miles (144K if you figure 12K per year) in good condition (like my Prelude)? Absolutely. Like the old saying goes: it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. There is a fine line between paying top dollar for an exceptional car & over paying.

stickguy

My local Craig's includes a lot of the jersey shore, including mush of the part that was really hit hard by Sandy. Since I spend way too much time checking out ads, I have a good "pulse" on the market. This is the 2nd ad I recall that specifically described a flood car they are trying to get something out of. Man, the details are gory on them, and these are folks without comp so (unless the government takes pity) they are out of luck.

This one of course was something to stay away from anyway, so being under 4' of water probably did not change the value at all!

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3477124182.html

nyccarguy

I shouldn't have said there are ONLY 2 modern cars that are collectibles. There are a few others that may have stopped depreciating and are sought after like maybe a C4 Corvette ZR1. Others I can't think of off the top of my head. But you get my point about this 2001 GSR.

The other way to look at this 2001 GSR is the fact that "Honda don't build 'em like they used to." Even if someone were to buy the car for the high price of $12K to $14K, look at the car you are getting for that price. As opposed to looking at the car and saying "that's a lot of freakin dough for a 12 year old car." Double wishbones on all 4 corners, sub 3000 lb curb weight, & indestructible. It can be driven for the next X number of years and miles without the cost of a single repair.

Even If I could strike an amazing deal on this car, the only thing that would worry me (besides my wife plunging a sharp kitchen knife into me while I sleep) is that Integras are still targets for thieves. I park my car in a garage at work, but park on the street when I go to see my beloved Yankees play. I'd have a hard time enjoying the game wondering if my car was going to be there when I get back. Nothing has happened to my Prelude or my BMW in the last 10 years we've had season tickets, but Integras are magnets for car thieves.

stickguy

speaking of Acura's, I am going tomorrow morning to see one of the 2000 Integras I found. Probably good to try one out before I buy off Ebay!

so, if things work out (I like it and fit, and we can work a deal) I might end up with a toy. If I decide I really want one, but this one does not work out, I may run over to PA to check out the black Ebay one before bidding on that again.

Then again, I could end up hating it (and I am bringing the wife, so danger there of course!)

Finding 2 almost identical (other than color) ones the same day must be a sign from a higher power, right?

I am glad Tom found the first one. I really had not been considering one of these, but after the looking, it might turn out to be the perfect choice.

corvette

Two thoughts come to mind:
1. It took a hurricane to clean up the territory after the final season of Jersey Shore (the TV show)...

2. These sellers don't know how to properly list flood damaged cars. I think that's the first flood damaged car I've ever seen where the seller admitted the water was over the top of the hood. Every other car I've seen claims that:
a. It was a fresh water flood,
b. the water didn't go higher than the door sills,
c. the car runs fine and there are no mechanical problems,
d. all fluids have been replaced, and
e. the carpets have been replaced.

stickguy

pretty sure that in regards to #1, the JS house escaped Sandy. Probably needed the cleaning though.

xwesx

Great story!

Alpha pagers.... :sick:

nyccarguy

Keep us in the loop. Good luck!

nyccarguy

Alpha Pagers - blast from the past. Glad you enjoyed!

tjc78

I remember when those were popular. I never had one. Instead I chose to have a cell phone the size of a loaf of bread. I remember it costing $0.36 a minute plus whatever the monthly fee. Hard to believe how much things have changed!

stickguy

the 1998 3 series coupe on Ebay from a few days ago sold at $2,950. Probably a good deal (even with 150K on it) if as clean as it seemed to be from the pictures and description. But a lot to buy sight unseen.

fezo

I figure it wouldn't matter if that Disco engine ran or not. Years ago I had an 85 Sentra that spent some time in the bay one day. For two weeks it started rough but once it got going it was just fine. For two weeks. Died on the Parkway Christmas Day, never to run again.

Fortunately I did have comprehensive insurance. In 92 an 85 Sentra brought $1,400.

stickguy

and why I should never buy a car sight unseen off of Ebay!

had the day off (as does the wife), and since we are somehow ahead of the curve on Christmas stuff she came with me to look at some cars (yes, we really are that boring).

first looked at a private sale 2000 Integra. Turned out to be pretty nice. A little beat up body (shopping cart dent, so parking lot dings) but decent enough. Interior very clean. Engine bay clean. took a spin, and it seemed fine. Not as smooth as the RDX of course!

166K on it, but one owner, and he had every receipt, and all work done at the Acura dealer, including the big stuff (timing belt+ at 108K), Only issue was the dealer says the clutch slave/master has a slight leak, and they told him to watch level, which never moved (and yes, he went out of his way to tell me that!). Clutch felt fine though.

Not sure I fit since my head was up plastered against the roof. A minor detail.

so, I decided to go look at the black Ebay intergra (also a 2000, with 174K). Took forever in traffic to get to PA, and the car was a disappointment. Body was clean, new michelins, but inside and in the trunk was ratty. Did not look cared for. No clue about service history. And the clutch felt odd (scrunchy? hard to describe). But cardinal sin, it was a smoker's car, so thank goodness I did not win!

considering the Toyota dealer wanted more than the private guy was even asking for, a no brainer. So, I make him an offer via Email ("aggressive" but I think fair), just waiting to here back.

Oh, besides confirming the first car was nice, on the 2nd one, I figured out how to lower the rear of the seat cushion, so I can actually sit in it without craning my neck. So maybe the trip was worthwhile.

stickguy

Oh, another thing I found interesting. There were a few old car issues on the 1st car. The 2nd one had exactly the same issues.

headlight lenses could use a polish (owner said he bought kit but never got around to it), the paint on the plastic housing where the side mirror mounted on the door was flaked off, and the power antennae gears were stripped (motor whirred but it did not retract). None were a concern, I just found it interesting that the 2 cars had the same exact minor things to take care of (or not!)

ateixeira

I'd have installed a snorkel and called it a Sandy Survivor, asking $5k obo!

nyccarguy

Stickguy - I think my Prelude has the same clutch master slave cylinder leak. Very minor. Nothing I would worry about with the miles you'll be putting on the car.

xwesx

Those retracting antennas were a nightmare. The first time those things tried to retract while encrusted with ice... *POP* there goes the gear.... :sick:

stickguy

thanks. good to know. Dealers do like to make a lot of drama about relatively nothing. Might worry me more if I was looking to put major miles on it. But you are right, for a few thousand miles around town, odds are it would be no big deal. And hard to imagine it is that expensive or difficult to swap out.

corvette

My mom's 1990 Volvo 740 had a switch on the dashboard you could use to keep the power antenna lowered, even when the radio was on. Her 1995 960 didn't have the switch, but if you turned the radio off, the antenna would go down. I think the switch made an appearance on the later model S90s.

At any rate, with the introduction of cheap and more durable window mounted antennas, it looks like power antennas have gone the way of the dinosaur.

stickguy

motorized antanaes are silly, though you do get better reception than in a window one. Not really a big deal that it stays up. You just listen to the motor cycle when you turn the car on and off.

I wonder if it is possible to take it apart and replace the gears? Probably not. I did replace one once (well, I paid to have it done) and it was not horribly expensive. probably if I got ambitious could do it myself, but I bet it is cheaper to replace it with a stub type.

Sandman6472

Our two Camry's had their electric antenna's both crap out in the up position and after having the 1st one fixed, I passed on the 2nd one and just left it as is...the radio still played and was about to have a rubber one installed but we traded into a new car which had it integrated in the rear window. A bad design from the get go but I guess someone thought it was a cool idea to have them electrified. Seems like Toyota/Lexus had the majority of these at the time.

Have always liked the Integra's, especially the sedans...sure they were just more expensive Civic's but one didn't see them in every other driveway and they were more stylish to boot. That's why I like the current ILX...a nicer design than the current Civic and I prefer the nicer creature comforts it comes with...I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I needed a new car. For me at least, this is the perfect size car for me...not too big or not too small...just the right size.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

tjc78

You are usually able to replace just the mast.

Most Ford vehicles in the 80s early 90s had the manual up/down switch. Much better than the auto version.

akangl

Negotiated a deal for one of hubby's co-worker's last night. Saved him from paying way too much for a higher miled car, found him the same car with 13k less miles, CPO, and less money.

He picked it up tonight and is happy with the deal. This is kinda fun and doesn't cost me any money. In fact I'll get $100 out of it from the dealership.

On a sad note, a friend of mine, sales guy we bought the Focus from, passed away Sunday night. Made this week a rather difficult. I truly hope he found the peace he was searching for.....

Sandman6472

No way!!!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

stever

Wonder if helping someone else spend their money counts as a win? Only missed by a day.

akangl, "Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous" #28162, 13 Nov 2012 8:26 pm

Too bad about your sales guy friend. Pretty sad day all over.

stickguy

after some back and forth, it seems that $2,700 is the sellers bottom line for now. This is the 2000 Integra LS hatch, 5 speed, 166K on it but 1 mature owner, with every record, and all dealer service (and the big stuff on time, and some extras like injector and TB cleanings).

runs well, interior fine, some body bumps and bruises (1 decent dent in the LF fender from a shopping cart the only "big" one).

stiff on miles, but well maintained, and it is a Honda (of sorts!)

Probably a good deal. But making the commitment is always hard. Any nudges one way or the other?

akangl

Wonder if helping someone else spend their money counts as a win? Only missed by a day.

I say it does, I did the whole deal, spent almost 2 hrs on and off the phone last night negotiating. All he had to do was go in today, sign, and drive.

It's fun spending other people's money!

I've had Chippy for over 8 months, still wouldn't trade my beautiful Sierra for the world. We are at 3 months on the Focus and 3 months on the Yaris. The only one in danger of leaving is the Yaris if the kid doesn't change her ways, she's on her last warning before the car is sold.

akangl

Even with all the records, I would still take it for an independent mechanic inspection. Make sure they check everything. That could sway you one way or another, if it checks out great then go for it, if not, walk or use it to get the price down depending on what the issue is.

stickguy

it recently was serviced at the Acura dealer, and they do a "bazillion point" inspection and supply a written report, and that was all OK. As a bonus, it was state inspected earlier this year, so does not need that again until 5/2014.

nyccarguy

You inspired me to drive my Prelude today!

Sandman6472

Did it pass "the wife test"? If so, and you can honestly see yourself driving this and not wanting the Volvo from your kid...go for it. If you have the slightest bit of doubt, pass and move on. There's no law that says you have to decide this weekend. Might want to try to find something the last week of this month...more of a selection might crop up...you really "want" a car right now rather than really "needing" one. But like I said, if you're positively sure you can see yourself keeping this puppy for the next few years without feeling somewhat "cheated" having the oldest sled in the garage...then go for it. It could turn out to be a real gem actually and a real hoot to drive!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

akangl

it recently was serviced at the Acura dealer, and they do a "bazillion point" inspection and supply a written report, and that was all OK. As a bonus, it was state inspected earlier this year, so does not need that again until 5/2014.

Sounds like a pretty solid car. Deal doesn't sound bad, owner sounds honest, 1 owner unmolested cars are hard to find in that price range. If it was me and the car fit the bill I'd be forking over the cash before the car trotted down the road with someone else. :shades:

nyccarguy

I think for $2700 it sounds like a solid car. I think it's the best you are going to find under $3K. It's an old school Honda. Look at the ads on autotrader & eBay. There are Integras running around out there with over 200K. I think it will suit you well. This car pre cash for clunkers for $2700 would most likely have 50,000 miles less.

stickguy

I asked my wife if I should just accept, and she said Yes. Always the risk that she wants the process over with, but she also knows me well enough that if I regret it for any reason, she will suffer along with me!

I did make sure to take her to look at it and sit inside. She seemed to actually like it.

and having the old car is not a big deal. I can take one of the others if I really need to, but I don't normally have to go anywhere far during the day.

Anyway, I figure I will clean it up and do little things on my own, and I expect it will holds its value. I just don't plan to drive a lot of miles. So it is just a slightly more grown up toy than the Miata was!

so I let the guy know it was OK, and just have to get some cash in the morning and work out logistics to get the deal consummated tomorrow.

anyway, for a quality running car, this is the going rate. And it would not be the first time that I bought something and ended up not keeping it long. Though of course, around here, that just makes me normal!

in case you want to see the real item, here it is:'

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3466843274.html

nyccarguy

Stick, like I said before, I think you are making the right choice. That car looks FANTASTIC. It is a year older and has almost 20K more miles than my Prelude and looks better. The owner really took care of that car and it shows. Good luck tomorrow!

How well built are these "old school Hondas?" My 2001 Prelude Type SH still has the ORIGINAL battery in the remote for the key;less entry:)

kyfdx

That is a nice looking example...

Is that an LS or a GS?

nyccarguy

I'm just checking CL in New Haven, CT & notice a lot of the higher mileage Integras mention something about axles being replaced or axles are starting to "click." Have the Axles been replaced on the car you are buying?

akangl

I'm just checking CL in New Haven, CT & notice a lot of the higher mileage Integras mention something about axles being replaced or axles are starting to "click." Have the Axles been replaced on the car you are buying?

Sounds like CV axles, common problem on older cars here in alaska. The cold here will crack the CV boots and if the owner doesn't replace the boots before damage to the axle is done, then the clicking starts, after the clicking is a broken CV axle.......which usually means an abrupt halt where ever you may be traveling.

Pretty much an issue across the board on front wheel drives, subarus, and GM trucks. Thankfully that was the past, things seem to be better these days.

tjc78

Good luck with the Integra today. I think you scored a nice deal.