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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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of the new Caddy CTS.
- Ray
Not seen one 'in the flesh' yet...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I can almost see myself tolerating NY long enough to attend an auto show like this.... :shades:
Yes, some failed.
People with 150,000 miles complained in forums whan their A/C compressor went.
We want to also trade the 2001 Mercedes S500 with almost 89,000 miles, runs and looks good with a couple of door dings.
Should I make the effort to fix the SL? Or just trade as is? Would a car not running perfect take that big of a hit?
Thinking of a new Jaguar XJL.... might wait for a 2014 if there is not a good selection of 2013's. I would like AWD.
Has anybody heard if the Jaguar is updating the XJ in '14?
Opinions appreciated.
Mark156
at least if you don't have it looked at, you have plausible deniability in case they ask if there is anything wrong with it!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Mark156
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
one of these ?
http://blog.caranddriver.com/grosser-gravy-10-things-you-didn%E2%80%99t-know-abo- ut-the-mercedes-benz-600/
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
If you trade it in, they will assume it's the worst thing possible to protect themselves. Usually that turns out to be the case!
For your car, I would set a threshold, say 1K. If it can be fixed for that, do it, otherwise, move on. At least the SL should be worth about the same as the S500, no mean feat as it is a bit older.
The first RX8s were advertised to have 250HP. The number was actually 232 HP. Some dyno'd it saying HP was actually closer to 215-220 HP.
Anyway, Mazda offered those early buyers (like me) the option of giving the cars back for a full refund. Or, keeping the car and getting a $500 check plus free maintenance for the 4 year warranty period.
I think mazda brought out the RX8 before it was ready for prime time as it burned a lot of oil and gas and was prone to flooding and blowing out its seals.
Too bad. They were fun cars with a 9K RPM red line.
I'll let you know what the verdict is.
More than likely, I will get it fixed and focus on a 2014 model vehicle for the two old cars to be traded :surprise: .
M156
M156
Another Saabaru.. identical to the last one
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looks pretty clean on my little screen though. But I expect you will have trouble getting Bradd all the way out there to check it out for you!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
If I still lived there, I'd go check it out!
Still way cheaper than a comparable WRX wagon...
Close enough for us to take the day to go see it...
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Beautiful car indeed.
But it grinds me that it's known as "Grosser" in the English-speaking world, that is to say: outside of France and inside the internet.
That word makes no sense.. it's as if the Germans decided that the long-wheelbase Lincoln Town Car should be known as the "Larger."
It's like reading a Japanese owner's manual from the 70s. Sheesh.
-Mathias
And can a person really trust a dealer that doesn't even know which end the pedals hinge from? :surprise:
But being a non-smoker is a huge plus. 2500 extra is not chump change though. Since they were the selling dealer, if they can show all the service records tho is also huge. If no crash repairs, and if really is a non-smokers (as opposed to chemically cleaned) it really is probably well worth the premium over the other one.
Makes me almost wanna do a search for one in Cda. I am looking for a 2nd car. Although was looking for something extra good on fuel but only 2WD. Sure would be a fun car to own though. And a bonus for me to have a backup AWD'r...Ironically, it would cost a hair more in gas due to getting slightly better mpg, but requiring premium.
Ya know...in looking over some of their other offerings..it is almost like they are apologetic when they priced this one...It is easily one of the better deals they have.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
When my wife's Pilot goes in for service, we "night drop" it. She takes my BMW for the day and I take the Prelude.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Maybe have it detailed before trade, too - that can reap a positive return.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
besides, on the NJ to NC main run per the TC I got 28.5. that was mainly running at 70-75 and once we hit rt. 85, closer to 80 a lot of the time. Might not get much better than that out of a CR-V.
Does need a bigger gas tank though. 16 gallons is just too small.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Maybe have it detailed before trade, too - that can reap a positive return.
Actually, the car is in great clean condition, recent Michelins, new soft top and shines as it's always been garaged.
But, you are right, there is no middle ground, minor or catastrophic. LOL!
M156
We did some shopping today..
Looked at an '06 A3 w/100K miles for $10.5K
Drove an '08 GTI w/84K miles for $13.9K
Drove an '04 MINI Cooper S w/81K miles for $11K
Drove an '06 WRX w/129K miles for $10.5K
Busy day... :surprise:
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About to walk out the door for work. Glad to be going back and have decided that I'd rather work more hours now as I've been home all those months and it was plenty. Funny how G-d knew that my body, and mind, needed that down time to heal myself so I could resume my life and eventually go back to work, something I never thought I'd ever do again. I was in that deep depression 14 or so months ago and never thought I'd come out the other side. But with his help and my family's love and support, I did emerge a healthier guy. Also, posting and reading in here definitely helped my mind to think about other stuff besides my pain as I found that once I got involved in something else, I didn't have time to think about how painful everything felt. The mind is an incredible thing...it can do so much when in the proper frame of mind. I am walking proof of that.
Now, I have a few rentals to move. Later dude!
The Happy Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
It was too pricey for my taste too, but the wife was fixated on it, so a few K more than we would have been spending was OK. she deserved it, and had been drving a minivan for 17 years.
besides, at this point, it is our only "real" car, and we take it everywhere. Since my daughter took over the volvo, I only have my little intergra for errands duty, but we never take that anywhere. Easier to have a nice car when you dno't need a 2nd good one!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2011 X3 for sale locally.. by owner... Well equipped, new body style. 28K miles.. asking $33K.. The cheapest X3 on AutoTrader is $32K, with most being mid-upper 30s....
This is my wife's all-time favorite vehicle..... Her Infiniti lease is up in 19 months... So... I'd buy this for her, drive her Infiniti, and let my son drive my BMW for the next 19 months...
I'd still have to replace the Infiniti when the lease is up.... I could either get myself something then, or take the BMW back (with less miles than I would have driven it), and then look for something else for my son..
Of course... spending $30K now vs. $10K-$12K... but, also getting my wife a vehicle she will drive for at least 6-7 years.. (she is taking a buyout and retiring at some point this year)... HHHHHMMMMMMMM..... :surprise:
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We always take the Mazda when we go any where and right now, it is pretty clean except for the oxidized headlamps which I do have to get taken care of soon. Told her after tax season I'll do her car stuff.. Probably do my oil change this week or next week though it does say 40% oil life left. It's been just over a year and about 5k miles so think I am safe here till this or next week. Am glad the Mazda is holding up so well as I only want her to buy when she's ready what she really wants...I just hope I can convince her to try enough vehicles so she can make an informed decision...who knows, she might just find that another Mazda3 is the way to go...and I would be just as happy!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
this car though came with a 10 year commitment. so better have something you like and want (and trust) that long.
and I don't miss the van at all. Just the rare times I need the room. But I can have mulch delivered instead of buying bags. And we will figure out some way to move my son back from college!
I also thought it was a good time to move it along. Still worth a decent amount, and was going to need some decent $ into it soon. I also did not have real faith it was going to go another few years without issues.
so, no looking back, even though I hate making the payment!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Sorry, horribly off-topic.
The Mustached Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Things have changed a lot since then, but even if I had to do my grad school days over -- and that WAS during the early 90s -- one thing I might change is not have a long line of $1000 clunkers but buy one good car on credit, call it good, and concentrate on important things.
It sure was fun, though...
At any rate, a car is an excellent investment, so long as it gets your behind to your job on time every day. If you can walk or bike, and I do, so much the better, but the important part is the getting there... a $20k car, bought new and kept a decade, is hardly a frivolity. More to the point, buying older & cheaper might save you a few bucks, but won't make a hill of beans worth of difference for you average middle-class wage earner.
Cheers -m
You sound like my wife. :P Have to agree that buying new has worked well for us, since we do drive them for a decade or more.
But, unless you are a cab driver perhaps, I find it hard to call a car an investment.
You guys are investing in your hobby, so that's okay.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Sounds like a good plan IF you are willing to GIVE your son your beloved ZHP 330ci:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Not that fired up about driving the Infiniti for the next 1.5 years, either.. But, that's how much I love my wife..
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Since both my sons are old enough to not require 5 point harnesses (just high back boosters), we decided to take the Prelude (that I washed and polished yesterday).
Andre's (my 6 year old) favorite car at the show was "The Black Dodge Dart with the Black Wheels."
Henry (my 4 year old) likes "The Hondas."
I can tell you that the new C7 Corvette is breathtaking (I'm a big fan of the current C6). The Chevrolet design team did an absolutely incredible job. I can't wait to start seeing these things on the road.
The Cadillac ATS is a very small car. Small trunk. Very small back seat. My E90 328xi, which is no huge car by any means "seems" bigger. I'd have a hard time squeezing the kids in the back with their car seats or stopping at Costco (for a normal trip) on the way home from work.
Mercedes-Benz were ALL LOCKED! Gorgeous, but locked.
BMW had its fine lineup of $50,000 + cars. The one that particularly caught my eye was the F31 328xi Wagon. It is the best looking version of the new F30 3 series. Dark Blue Metallic Paint, Sand Leather, Sports Package, AWD. I didn't see the sticker, but that's easily a $50K car. I liked the Valencia Orange Z4 too.
Honda seems to have stepped up their game since softening up and cheapening their cars a few years back. The Civic EXL w/ NAV I sat in was genuinely a nice car. I dig the 2 step dash too. They seemed to be pushing "Hondas are reliable, but fun to drive too."
I was really impressed with the Accord EXL V6 w/ NAV I sat in. The interior was beautifully crafted and very refined. They had a fantastic display how their different side view cameras work.
The New CTS was on display, but I couldn't sit in it (sorry Ray). I think the New Chevrolet SS IS going to be one helluva road ripper. The interior looked nice too.
Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge are on a roll. People were waiting to check out everything from 300Cs to Dodge Charger Daytonas. The 2014 Grand Cherokee will continue to be a home run.
Ford had a gorgeous Grabber Blue 5.0 Mustang GT Coupe that was just begging for someone to swindle the keys away from a "product specialist."
Next year I'll be in "car shopping" mode at the car show as my lease will be up in September 2014. I really like the Wrangler Unlimited. 4 doors, 4 Wheel Drive, Convertible, insane resale value, cool, nicely done interior...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD