Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stever

Maybe his reply bounced.

kyfdx

Maybe... we traded 10 emails before that... always a reply, never a new one... I'm considering another shot at it.. but, if he was interested, I'd think he would follow-up again.. (wasn't shy about it, before)

If the car had been nicer, I'd be more enthusiastic.. It's just such a long way to go... killing a vacation day and 16 hours, end-to-end... and, then the issues you might have with title, etc... from long distance..

Which is why it makes me nervous to pursue the deal, if he isn't hot on it...

But, the sub=$10K used car market is just sad... which keeps bringing me back to this one...

kyfdx

.. this dealer is in Passaic... and, that's where that PowerBall ticket was sold... hmmmmm..... :P

graphicguy

Power Ball? Saw an interview (translated) with the guy who won. He doesn't sound like a car dealer.... :P

Me thinks the dealer probably went a little too hot with the $$$$ he put into it.

Personally? I'd wait him out. If he's holding to strong money with you, he's doing the same with anyone else. Maybe he's waiting/hoping for a naive customer?

Even there, it's not like SAAB going out of business wasn't widespread news. And, anyone who really knows what the car is, will probably know what the market is on any SAAB (which is tepid, at best).

stever

where that PowerBall ticket was sold

If that's the case, he should give the car to you and deliver it.

Sandman6472

Had a long day yesterday...2 trips of West Palm Beach down to Miami and then a Miami to Key West run where we drove cars down and minivans back up...left at 8:30 and got back to meeting spot at 11:45, man was I beat! So glad we are off today, or I am as they might be working some where. Drove a brand new Malibu LT which was pretty nice but Honda and Hyundai/Kia have nothing to fear from GM in this rather large mid size car segment...it was a nice driver but didn't blow me away. A perfect rental queen as are most of the GM products these days. Drove a newish Dodge Avenger which I liked and a Chrysler 200 down to Key West...I really like these Chrysler/Dodge products...very solid comfortable vehicles which accelerate briskly and are so smooth. Everyone knows that if there's a 200 in line...I'm gettin' it. Though I did want the Jetta in line but my one real bud got it so I didn't mind, he's been great showing me the ropes and we had a long conversation once when we drove back from Tampa. Amazingly similar lives and he's the little bro of the "Sister Rose and Cornelius Brothers" singing group...he's a really cool spiritual person and we just clicked as buddies.

Got a bit lost on the way down to the Keys as last time I followed another driver. Made a wrong turn and ended up in the Miami airport! Was not pleased but finally got out and eventually called him to get help but I was right where I needed to be and then I got on the turnpike south which turns into U S 1. I did panic for a short time though until I got my bearings and have now learned where I need to go next time. One has to watch the speed limits though as they go from 55 to 45 to 35 within blocks and there is a heavy police presence there. Too many folks were speeding and the cops were pulling them over...a few that blew by me I'd see on the side of the road 10 miles down. Coming home in the dark was interesting but used the cruise so I never went above the posted limit which turns into 35 at night in some places. Then there was construction coming into the airport area which was confusing but since it was after 11, the traffic was minimal. Leaving at 4:30 was horrible and getting lost in the airport made it worse. And when we got to Key West, we jumped out of our cars and right into the line of minivans waiting...very quick turn around. the van I had first had a broken power seat and I could not reach the pedals so the boss put me into another one and gave the bad one to a taller driver so all worked out for me.

Haven't heard from Hertz yet but my bud is supposed to get me the phone Number so I can call to see what progress is being made. Somehow though I don't think I will be hired due to my age...they seem to have younger workers there and have no place for an "older" man. But I'll keep trying to find a part time job with a regular schedule. But until then, I have this and we need the money now that the wife last her main gig...I have to work...period! Am glad to do it to, as I still love driving the vehicles. Funny, was thinking that I'd love to do a Key West run on Sunday and then on the way to West Palm yesterday, we got the call...worked out for me and it was a good $ day.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

kyfdx

So... dropped him another email... just wondering if he missed me.. :P

"Sorry.. thought I had replied... .unfortunately, we are not budging on price, at all."

Which, I can understand.... now, just have to decide what to do....

breld

That's a tough call - I've been in that position and have had to ask myself, "Am I wanting the $XXX off just for the sake of negotiating, or is it because it's truly overpriced?"

Sounds like it's fairly, if not aggressively, priced, and they probably know that. Even so, if it doesn't sell, they may lower it - but that's a risk you'd have to take.

On a slightly different note (though it does highlight other sub-$10k cars), I've been down the 318ti road once already, but this local listing keeps catching my eye.

1999 318ti

Nice miles, seems to be well taken care of. Considering I sold my 1995 318ti without a true sports package and 115k miles for $4,900 a year ago, this seems like a reasonable deal.

kyfdx

Wow.... last model year and low miles... and, the Sport Package...

Those wheels are off an E46, I think... very nice..

Trying to stay away from the "old BMW" thing, as that's why we sold the E30... If I was going back there, I'd probably get an E36 M3, but one in the same shape as that 318ti would be $12K-$14K...

Basically... if I want that 9-2X, it's $8000... I'm okay with the price, if I decide that's the one.... Was hoping it was as nice as the pictures, and it seems that it isn't..... but, still maybe fair price...

Might have to get qbrozen to take a look at the undercarriage pics..

stickguy

no moonroof is a bad thing to me. And I really hate the boy racer stereo.

stickguy

Don't push your luck with Q. Next thing you know he will be driving it home from Passaic, trying to figure out how to explain it to his wife.

breld

Yeah, I need to fight that compulsion of wanting to buy that 318ti just 'cause it's a nice example and reasonably priced. We don't need it!

Now, if my stepdaughter would like it more than the Beetle we got her....

Actually, I'd like to get an E46 at some point - always had a fondness for that model. We've had an E30, E36 and the current E90's, but somehow skipped owning an E46.

michaellno

Wonder if I could talk the wife into getting that 318ti for me and sell the ION? They've got about the same miles....

breld

Well, others here certainly know more about them than I do, but my understanding is the 318ti is pretty darn reliable. Just don't expect it to be any faster than your ION :P . But much more engaging.

Fun and stylish for $6k. It was listed at $7k a week ago, so maybe the buyer's getting a bit more anxious.

stickguy

just do it for her as a surprise. Wives love those I hear.

besides, the money is probably roughly a wash. So not like you are doing something crazy.

just not going to be allowed to deliver pizzas with it.

kyfdx

I think the "90 minutes away" thing is holding him back....

michaellno

just not going to be allowed to deliver pizzas with it.

And that's the problem. Wife doesn't think we need 4 cars with only 3 drivers in the house. Parking, insurance, etc.

So, whatever I get would have to be used for part time pizza duty. Not sure I'd want to get a BMW for that.

breld - yeah, the BMW has 138HP vs. the 140HP in the ION. However, I think that with the stick, the 318 would be a *tick* faster. Certainly more fun to drive.

The other issue is with the fact that I work from home .. wife wonders why I would even need a newer/faster/better car if I don't really go anywhere.

On a related note, even though the wife just started a new job, she's always looking. Found one over the weekend that was intriguing - Asst Director for ECE for Bermuda. 3X her current salary, and a 3 year contract.

The only downside is that the speed limit on the entire island is only 21MPH. And housing prices make Manhattan seem like the middle of Nebraska.

They do have a lot of interesting cars available there - Peugeot and Renault, for starters.

kyfdx

For an Ion? I'd swap in a minute...

Certainly more fun to drive.

It would be way better than that...

stickguy

hey, do the Bermuda thing, Sounds like your job (the real one) would support it. and at the money, you can find a place. Rent your house for 3 years.

consider it an adventure you might not get a chance to do again.

I love bermuda, but you are right. Not a driving place. Just get mopeds.

michaellno

hey, do the Bermuda thing, Sounds like your job (the real one) would support it. and at the money, you can find a place. Rent your house for 3 years.

consider it an adventure you might not get a chance to do again.

I love bermuda, but you are right. Not a driving place. Just get mopeds.

Oh yeah - so long as I have a phone and an internet connection, I can do the day job just about anywhere.

I had the same thoughts - what an adventure! And, only a 3 year commitment.

The daughter would stay here and continue to live in the house.

The downside? Wife would miss the dogs; we've got one that may not live out the contract.

stickguy

other than the dog (I feel ya there) it actually sounds like the perfect time/place for it. And that rarely happens. Certainly not to me!

Sandman6472

Please educate me here on all these numbers and letters for BMW's...I am so confused! Really love the last generation 3 Series so much, almost as much as the C Class and I would buy one if the wife would get on board. Personally, now that i drive for a living, I really want a "fun" vehicle and though my Civic is a great ride, I want to go to the next level. No one knows how much time we have on this earth, and cancer has decimated my immediate family so I know how precious life is, and I've made sure my wife & kids are taken care of. But now I want something for me, something I don't really need but want...pure and simple! Soon I'll have the funds to be able to make this a reality but the logical side of me is holding me back as it really makes no sense. But I could rationalize that in a heartbeat if the wife would get on board and she ain't having it...no way, no how! And her feelings mean that much to me so I can't make her upset but I am not happy doing this. This is the problem I have...I want either a C Class, 3 Series or the Lexus RX 330 and any of these choices will be unacceptable to her. So I do nothing and just wait, I have time and am patient but I'd hate for something bad to happen before I can enjoy a vehicle that I really want and that's where I'm at.

And life goes on and whenever I see a vehicle I like, my head does the 180 and I imagine it in my garage and how happy I'd be to own it. Just wish the wife could honestly see this and agree. But if the urge gets too strong and I do find the "perfect" vehicle, I might just do it and live with the consequences if any. She might be thrilled but I do not know yet. Probably best to just stay the course for a few months and get her vehicle stuff done. Once we get her into a new one, then I can move forward with mine.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

breld

I'll give it a shot for the last gen 3-series:

The sedan was offered from the 2006 model year through 2011. For 2006 only, they offered the 325 and 330, but both with a 3.0l I-6 engine (obviously the 330 was tuned for more power).

Starting in 2007, they offered the 328 and 335 - same 3.0l I-6 engine, but the 335 had a turbo with substantially more power (or more specifically, twin turbos in the earlier years (2007-2008 or 2009?).

They did a facelift for the 2009 model year, modifying the taillights and headlights, and added some "character creases" on the hood and elsewhere.

There was a time when the numerical designations had more meaning, reflecting the displacement of the engine (325 used to be a 2.5l engine, 330 had a 3.0l, etc.). But they went away from that several years ago. I suppose the new 320i accurately reflects the engine displacement, huh?

If you find yourself looking at a previous gen 3-series (designated as the "E90" model by BMW and BMW geeks everywhere), I think you'd be very pleased with a 2009 or newer 328 model. They are abundant on the used car market and thus relatively affordable. CPO would be nice, but the original warranty will cover you through 4 years and 50k miles.

Hope that helps!

Can't wait for Sandman to get into his dream car.

roadburner

Wow.... last model year and low miles... and, the Sport Package...

All 1999 318tis had the Sport Package.

roadburner

I think you'd be very pleased with a 2009 or newer 328 model. They are abundant on the used car market and thus relatively affordable. CPO would be nice, but the original warranty will cover you through 4 years and 50k miles.

My wife bought a CPO 2009 328i in July and she is very happy with it. It has more grunt than I expected and it's a pleasant car to drive. We could not have bought a loaded Fusion or Camcord for what we paid for the 3er. A screaming bargain if you ask me...

nyccarguy

I think it is evident in my posts that I completely dig my 2011 328xi! I'd buy it again in a heartbeat (and I just might). As long as you can $wing it, you'll never say to yourself, damn I wish I didn't have this $xxx car payment.

rayainsw

What he said.
- Ray
Driving a 2011 BMW 335iS
[ TQ = yum ]

xwesx

I was out with my wife before and told her the whole story. She thinks the lot of us are nuts.

LOL. Jayrider isn't the only perceptive one, it seems! :P

Sandman6472

Mine does also and can't see why I spend so much time in here...she just doesn't get it. To me, a car is a thing of beauty and to her, it's just an appliance to get from point A to point B. I like the looks inside and out and that instantly draws me in and so many of the new vehicles are really beautiful. Saw a new Tuscon in black that was stunning but it probably is a lot of work to keep it clean. Our silver Mazda is a very forgiving color actually and usually looks clean. But since we had the motor mounts repaired last year, the car is wicked when power is needed and part of me wants to keep it for me actually, crazy as that may seem. Thinking that a private sale would be the best way to get the most bang for the buck here. The interior just needs a good detail and possibly a new set of mats. The hail damage wasn't that bad and the car looks good for the amount of miles it has and think some kid would pay good money to have it. It's been properly maintained as I'm a real stickler when it comes to oil changes and alignments plus we had that maintenance plan we purchased when new which did the additional services...a good investment at the time and the price was very very reasonable for what we got.

I enjoy everything about the automobile and will probably attend the auto show next week here in Lauderdale if my work schedule cooperates. It's a much smaller affair than the one in Miami in the fall in a smaller venue. But there are a few vehicles we don't get to see in the rental fleet that I really want to check out. I still don't think the new Hyundai Accent is the perfect vehicle for the wife's next ride...I think she'll be disappointed in the lack of low end power and it's a bit stark inside...and without the alloys, it's not the most attractive vehicle. I understand that she wants a sub compact sized vehicle this go round but there has to be something out there that has a bit more power with the improved creature comforts she's gonna want. The Accent is just not that vehicle...the price is sure right but I think she'll miss a lot by limiting herself here. Once she tries something a little more "lux", I think she'd be so much happier and since we tend to keep our vehicles much longer now, she needs to get all the goodies for the price that she can. I know if she doesn't, she'll be pissed when I do decide to get myself more "lux" in a few years which is my plan. Have put the radio upgrade on hold for now since I really haven't missed it and if I haven't done it by now, maybe it isn't that important as it was a few weeks back when I was real excited about moving forward. I've had time to think about the whole idea and it really isn't that necessary truth be told. And with my old installer out of business, I'm a bit hesitant here. So it's on the back burner for now and I'll decide in another week or two. Might be better to just bank the allocated funds and hold off as the new idea of getting a more upscale vehicle next time makes me want to limit the amount of dollars I throw into the Civic and the idea of monkeying with the dash itself have left me a bit cold. So I'm just gonna wait and my gut agrees! Ah, the logical me has won this round again as I really do want the next level vehicle next time and it'll be an easier sell if I don't put more $ into the Civic...and cd's are just fine .

The Logical Sandman :sick: :shades:

The other crew chief called me at 6:55 tonight to do a West Palm to Miami run but since I had dinner in and the laundry in the dryer, I had to decline but made him understand that any other time I'd jump at the request. And if I wasn't in the middle of things, I would've been out the door within minutes! This is the bad part of this job...the lack of a dedicated schedule as most of us do have a life...lol!

qbrozen

So my 40th bday is coming up this year in November. The wife keeps asking me about it. I hate wasting money on parties. She figures a driving school is up my alley (of course) but she wants me to pick it out.

Any suggestions? Right now, I think Skip Barber is the frontrunner. Its $1400 for a 2-day, which is quite a bit cheaper than any other I've found. I don't want NASCAR and the wife says no Formula cars. So its road cars for me. The Barber program uses Lexus ISFs, mazdas, and Porsches.

laurasdada

"Mine does also and can't see why I spend so much time in here...she just doesn't get it. To me, a car is a thing of beauty and to her, it's just an appliance to get from point A to point B."

Ditto, Sandy. I jokingly note that a car, to my wife, is a closet on wheels...

My neck hurts from swiveling every day. My route to work includes a stretch on the "Automile." Just about every marque, with the Ferrari/Maserati dealer the main attraction. Just before that, BMW/Mazda, Infiniti, Jaguar/LR, Cadillac and Nissan. Followed by Porsche/Audi and MB. As well as an Enterprise used car lot, for the more mundane. Then I usually get on 128/I95 and come to a complete stop and wonder why I enjoy driving!

breld

I turned 40 this past November. But I didn't get to go to a driving school. That's alright - it's made up by the wife's willingness and enthusiasm for car purchases. :P

I would personally think learning to drive the "regular" road cars at the Barber program would be the most satisfying. I'd go with that.

isellhondas

Maybe I've been lucky.

We've owned a 2000 CRV and it was flawless.

We currently own a 2003 we bought new. It only has 68,000 miles and it too, has been flawless. Still has the original brake pads and they are fine.

We own a 2011 with 10,000 miles and it's been perfect.

Besides these, in my former life I have driven in and ridden in, literally, hundreds of CRVs and I never felt any kind of "shudder".

stickguy

but I was saved by this being in Texas. KYs car, but with a moonroof, sans Turbo, but 1K cheaper.

I can certainly live without a turbo, so if this was closer, it would be perfect for me.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tab=summary&recnum=&actLog=&listingId=1- 10877010&paId=503578034&listingRecNum=&criteria=&tracktype=usedcc&pageNumber=&nu- mResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE- &certifiedOnly=false&&aff=criteo

kyfdx

Not bad, but I've owned an Impreza, and the turbo is everything..

nyccarguy

That turbo motor is quite impressive

stickguy

for my around town use of my car, I could probably get by with 4 hamsters on greenies.

corvette

Front and rear bumpers need a respray, and it looks like it needs a visit from the Dent Doctor as well... Awfully beat up for only 70,000 miles. :surprise:

Sandman6472

The Mazda definitely needs a detail and the headlights need to be renewed. Will have to wait until tax season is over and then I'll take care of it. Took it through the local car wash Sunday and it does clean up nicely even with the smallish hail dents and no way does it look like a vehicle with over 118k on the clock! Drove a couple of new Elantra's yesterday, both with under 4k miles and our Mazda drives just a nice...or better so am fully behind the wife's decision to just keep it for the time being. Might be fun to try to get it up to 200k but then we'd need to do a tranny and radiator service but maybe that's not the worst thing in the world. And just save the funds and go for a 2015 model. At this point, we'll see what happens and if the Mazda cooperates. Right now, we're golden.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

stevedebi

"We currently own a 2003 we bought new. It only has 68,000 miles and it too, has been flawless. Still has the original brake pads and they are fine. "

Wow, a 2003 CRV that never blew the A/C compressor! They do exist!

xwesx

So, I think I heard someone mention that the Saab was something like 228 HP? Why is that, when it's WRX twin is 260?

stickguy

I think the base WRX was around the 228. ONly the STi was up near 260. The SAAB was a base WRX.

xwesx

No, the STi is 305, or something like that. Now I'm going to have to check the numbers for the '07, because you have me doubting my memory.

xwesx

Okay, so I was off. 2007 shows WRX at 224, STi at 300.

kyfdx

For that model, that year, both the 9-2X and the Subaru were 227 HP... they were identical powertrains...

But, it looks like my decision has been made for me.... the car is no longer listed on their website, so I'm assuming it's gone...

I'm kind of happy about, because after nyccarguy looked at it, I realized I would probably never buy a car in that shape, locally.... so, why travel that far for it, no matter how good the deal?

So, his trip wasn't in vain... kept me from making a bad decsion, I think..

xwesx

Interesting on the HP rating; I wonder why Edmunds lists the WRX at 224 for that year.

I agree about it. If you paid asking, I suspect you wouldn't be happy with the decision. Even though it is for your son, you're still buying it, so you'd need to be happy with its condition and the price you paid or it would likely reflect on your son's opinion of the car as well.

Good luck with your continued search!

ronsteve

Interesting on the HP rating; I wonder why Edmunds lists the WRX at 224 for that year.

IIRC, that was right around the time that several manufacturers, mostly Japanese, were found to have over-estimated the HP rating on some of their cars. Subaru revised most of their numbers down by less than 10 HP, but the manufacturer that really got caught out was Mazda. They ended up having to pay $$ settlements to RX-8 owners because they had significantly overestimated the HP.

It was something systematic in the way they did the dyno tests; perhaps someone else will have the details more handy than I do at the moment.

nyccarguy

No way a dent doctor could fix that. Or I should say, no way it would be cost effective for the dent doctor to fix it.

nyccarguy

kyfdx - I'm glad someone else bought that car. It was (sorry Craig) meant to be. I know you had high hopes for it given the mileage and the turbo. I could hear the disappointment in your voice when I described the car's condition to you in detail. At one point, you even stopped me mid sentence and said: "It wasn't loved was it?" You hit the nail on the head.

I know the $10K & under used car market is rough right now. You've got people with tax returns to blow coupled with high demand for used cars. Just be patient and keep looking.

My trip wasn't in vain. In the end, I helped out a friend. I'd do it again, so don't hesitate to ask.

Funny that the winning Powerball ticket was sold at a bodega in Passaic.

nyccarguy

As always, I'll be at the NY Auto Show this Sunday morning. I'll report back on my wants and findings on Monday!