Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

well, black is not first choice color. and miles a bit steep. No bun warmers, but I can live with that.

but this is the 2nd one of these oddballs I found locally recently. The other one was more $ but 90K miles.

Curious what this will go for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/X3-AWD-6-SPD-/200935414637;jsessionid=29B3CA82865- CE4AC876498192833275F?ViewItem=&ssPageName=ADME:B:FSEL:US:1123&item=200935414637- &forcev4exp=true

Mr_Shiftright

Nonetheless, I'd advise him to have the car checked out by a Porsche specialist before he bought it. It's got 62K on it and it's pricey, so it's not going to fly out the door.

qbrozen

hmmm... pretty major front end alignment issue going on there.

stickguy

I noticed the front tire was not exactly in good shape.

[Deleted User]

Well there's irony. My family is on the way to SLC tomorrow. I'll be staying behind in FC to work as well as monitor progress on the new home.

I hope everything turns out okay with your DIL. I'm guessing the U of U hospital? Excellent facility with top notch physicians. Good travels to you and I wish your fam the very best.

-Ty

kyfdx

We looked at one in early March... about the same, but 108K miles, gray over black interior, but with heated seats and xenons.... and, a really nice roof rack.

Asking was $13,500 at a non-BMW new car dealer...

It was fun to drive with the stick, and handled fairly well, but not up to sedan standards, of course... I felt the price was a little steep for what you get (didn't really look into RWTIV).. considering over 100K miles... (and, I'm a big BMW fan)

No bun warmers is the kiss of death on a BMW, above the Mason Dixon line..

michaellno

I hope everything turns out okay with your DIL. I'm guessing the U of U hospital? Excellent facility with top notch physicians. Good travels to you and I wish your fam the very best.


Actually, she's at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. Right around the corner from the BMW and MINI dealers.

Thanks for the positive thoughts. After a rough day yesterday, things are starting to progress in the right direction this morning.

Still driving back to CO tomorrow via I-80.

roadburner

I posted this in the SFTSFL topic, but the CCBA may find it interesting as well:

I participated in a BMW Ride-and-Drive yesterday, driving an Audi A7 and an xDrive 640 Gran Coupe- Ingolstadt and Munich's answers to to the M-B CLS.

A7: Beautiful interior with a fairly logical control layout. Audi's MMI interface might be a tad better than BMW's latest iteration of iDrive, but not by much. The navigation system uses Google maps, so you have an actual picture of the area rather than a map. The sound system was nice as well. Not a bad drive, but everything felt a little soft and numb. After the drive I commented that I might want one- in 20-30 years.

640i Gran Coupe: Color me surprised; the interior design and trim was actually more attractive than the A7 cockpit. After 12 years of revisions/upgrades the iDrive is actually easy to use. The B&O surround system was stunning. This is the only AWD BMW I prefer over the RWD- only because the AWD gets a communicative hydraulic steering system instead of the horrible EPS found in the RWD cars. Unlike the Audi, I was able to put the 640i in Sport+ mode. It handled much better than it's size and bulk would suggest. I might-MIGHT-prefer a Gran Coupe to an Alpina B7, but I'd need to drive them back to back to make sure. In any event, the Gran Coupe is one of the very few new BMWs that I would seriously consider owning- the others being the 135is/M Sport and the E92 M3. Everything else bores me to tears- including the F10 M5...

Mr_Shiftright

Here's an interesting commentary on your comparison test drive from Automobile Magazine:

A7 vs. Gran Coupe

roadburner

Different strokes, I guess. My wife and I both preferred the 640i. In particular she found the 640i seats to be more comfortable.

stickguy

finally got around to throwing my Integra up on CL just to see what happens. 2.5 hours after the ad went up, the car was paid for and delivered. I was shocked at the speed!

of course, when I got back home from dropping it off, had 4 more ads of people super excited to see it (though from my CL experience, no more than 1 would have actually showed up!).

asked a bit more than I paid, and took COTVT (cash on the volvo trunk, where it got counted out) of exactly what I paid for it 6 months ago. Only $295 less than asking price, so for a quick sale, not complaining.

now down to 3 cars clogging up the driveway. Daughter is so excited, since Roberto (the Volvo, don't ask) now gets a garage spot back.

Mr_Shiftright

You got THAT right...the rule on Craigslist is take the first fair offer with cash in hand....it may be the last "I'll be right over" you'll ever see....

stickguy

yeah, I have had plenty of people that are desperate to see it, coming ASAP, want it bad, that never show up and you don't hear from them again.

but, from the 4 Emails I got while I was out selling/delivering, pretty sure a few of them (close by) were legit show ups. But, even if they wanted it, no guarantee that they were going to offer more, and at most, I figure I left a few hundred on the table, and that was theoretical.

28firefighter

So what are you replacing it with?! I hope you're not suggesting that you just cleared a member of the fleet for the sake of freeing up driveway space...

stickguy

I mentioned that this means I can look, and was reminded that I did not need to do that.

I actually did do it to clear out a garage spot (my daughter is thrilled that the Volvo gets to live indoors again). With my son home for now, and daughter off for the summer, I have plenty of spare cars around if I need one during the week. I only put 600 miles on the Integra in 6 months, so barely 20 miles/week, so not like I have a big void to fill.

so, pocket the $, save on insurance, and see what happens.

My plan always was when my son got a job (he just graduated college) he would get a new(er) car, and I would keep one of the old acuras. I just got a head start on the process.

tjc78

You never seemed truly happy with the Integra anyway. Nice quick sale. I have to thin out the fleet too. My 99 S10 is a true waste of money at this point. We have three cars and now I almost always have a company car home, so 4 cars two drivers is nuts. My 04 Marquis and the truck almost never move.

I figure I can get a grand out of it even with bad A/C and bad ball joints. V6 ext cab, shiny paint, clean interior and runs great. It would be a good fixer upper so someone will probably snatch it up.

breld

That's a nice deal just to drive around the Integra for a while at no cost.

Congrats Akangl on the new addition!

As we were getting out of the car at my son's baseball game yesterday, a gentlemen parked next to me with a very nice looking '90s era MR2. I complimented him on it - he's the original owner and has put 190k miles on it. Lot of miles, but not bad for the age (I think it was a '92 or '93). The owner said he has considered selling it, but it runs so well that he just decides to keep it (it was a non-turbo model, which is probably why it still runs at all ).

Anyway, I had thoughts of showing some interest, but thought better of it. It'd be a nice novelty, but I doubt I'd keep it long (though it could be like Stick's experience with the Integra).

Mr_Shiftright

I toyed with the idea of an MR2 as well, and cross-shopped it with the Boxster---in that comparison, the MR2 came up short on looks, luggage space and performance, but good on price; the Boxster handled like a dream come true, but then I decided that what I really wanted was a Boxster S---the base Boxster, while handling better than my FWD MINI Cooper, wasn't any faster, if as fast. The one I drove also had no heated seats and....i dunno...I heard this engine noise and my gut just didn't like the sound of it...high pitched whine that was *really* annoying.

But I'd still consider an MR2 as a toy if it fell into my lap cheaply. It would never serve as the "only" car however---it's like a Miata ---"room enough for a cat and a cantaloupe" as my friend Stewart used to say.

corvette

"My 99 S10..."

Around here, those are popular with a certain subset of youthful males who lower them, install obscenely loud stereos, and put some tacky looking low profile wheels and fart can mufflers on them. They seem to gravitate towards the four cylinder models. :confuse:

My family has owned a several of the last-gen S-10/Sonoma, and they were fairly dependable vehicles, but I don't understand the urge to turn them into something they're clearly not.

tjc78

It's a good truck. Mine is the V6, I've neglected it and barely ever drive it. Wife's next ride is an SUV so really have no need for it at that point.

I've seen the low rider versions, not for me!

stickguy

for a 2006. Looks nice. I like that color for some reason.

http://torchlightmotors.com/2006-BMW-X3/Used-SUV/Parlin-NJ/5241/3139564/Details.- aspx

fairly cheap orphan. I like the color.

http://torchlightmotors.com/2007-Saab-93/Used-Car/Parlin-NJ/5241/3092637/Details- .aspx

kyfdx

100K mile Saab.. what could go wrong?

roadburner

100K mile Saab.. what could go wrong?

Bluegrass(in Louisville) still has 47 2011 Saabs in inventory, at $10,000-$14,000 off sticker. They are including a 5/60 third party warranty(big deal). When they cut $25,000-$30,000 off I might be tempted...

Mr_Shiftright

You'd want to buy that 2007 for what the dealer paid for it, which is probably well under 5K. I like Saabs, but they were hard to get serviced even when they were in business. Not many indy shops will work on them.

au1994

I'm still sad about Saab. I liked them when they were their own company before GM got invovled. Of course a sound argument could be made that they would have closed were it not for GM but it just postponed the inevitable and made some very average cars along the way.

Mr_Shiftright

Back in the day, late 80s, early 90s, they really did have a character all their own.

I'm a sucker for cars that offer the driver a unique experience---I'm not saying they are the "best" cars or "most reliable", but I really like cars that drive in a way that you couldn't duplicate in any other car you might choose.

The Saab Turbo up to ...was it...1994?...was like that, before the car was GM-ized in the Bean Counter's Boredom Blender.

Porsche 911 also offers that unique experience, as does most Ferrari---there's just nothing quite like them.

I simply cannot resist that individuality--which is hard to define---it's not just one thing about a car--it's not just speed, or style...it also includes the noise the car makes, how it feels in your hands, how weird some of the features might be.

I guess the closest analogy would be walking into a bar full of middle class patrons speaking quietly, and then a guy with tattoos and with a parrot on his shoulder walks in... :P

corvette

"Bluegrass(in Louisville) still has 47 2011 Saabs in inventory, at $10,000-$14,000 off sticker."

I always wondered whether those prices were "no haggle." There doesn't seem to be a source of data for actual transaction prices, even on the Saab forums.

"They are including a 5/60 third party warranty(big deal)."

I bet they shutter their Saab service department as soon as the last one is sold.

andre1969

he killed a Toyota! Or rather, is in the process of killing one. Yesterday we took his '03 Corolla to the mechanic. The a/c was acting up, and there was an occasional knocking sound coming from the engine...although on the way to the mechanic yesterday, naturally the a/c worked fine, and the engine was quiet.

Well, we just got the call, and the knocking is a rod. Not too serious right now but essentially, the mechanic said it's nothing a new engine wouldn't cure. As for the a/c, there was some issue with it shutting off every once in awhile, getting hot, but then it would eventually get cold again. So, the a/c is in a slow death spiral as well.

It has 225,000 miles on it, and my uncle has had it over 11 years now (bought Memorial Day weekend, 2002), and he's been pretty rough on it (although good with maintenance/oil changes, etc). So, despite these mythical stories of these things just getting "broken in" at 300K miles and more, I think this one's done. And at this point I don't think it owes him anything.

So, he's going to start looking at new cars, and I'm probably going end up helping him choose. Honestly, I'm tempted to just tell him to take the easy way out and get another Corolla. Either a brand-new one, or a slightly used one.

fintail

I bet with the 14 model being a redesign and the 13 being old, there will be some room to deal on 2013 cars.

corvette

The 2013 Civic is a lot more car than the old, outdated Corolla. That said, it's easier to find a cheap, used, ex-rental Corolla.

Mr_Shiftright

Are you quite sure about that diagnosis?---a rod knock is either ON or OFF---there's no "it's not that serious" about. I wonder if he got fooled by a loose wrist pin? A rod knock is generally 10 miles away from engine destruction.

Way to Test: determine by long screwdriver or hose to ear which cylinder is knocking. Then remove spark plug wire with engine running (insulated pliers, please). If "knock" doubles in frequency, it's a wrist pin.

fintail

For sure, if I had to pick something in that class, Corolla would not be at the top of my list. But they have devotees. The huge amount of fleet sales they enjoy now might help in dealing - not sure if I would want an ex-rental unless it had perfect cosmetics and a great warranty.

andre1969

Way to Test: determine by long screwdriver or hose to ear which cylinder is knocking. Then remove spark plug wire with engine running (insulated pliers, please). If "knock" doubles in frequency, it's a wrist pin.

I'll have to try that out and see what happens. So, if it was rod knock it would be going on consistently, then? My uncle said that the car still has plenty of power, and that it doesn't make the noise all the time.

I wonder if the mechanic simply didn't want to tear into the car, considering its mileage and condition?

kyfdx

Yeah.... but this guy has only 200K+ miles, and is already having problems.... why would he chance another one? :P

Mr_Shiftright

If it doesn't make the noise all the time, then its a misdiagnosis IMO.

Could be, on such an old engine, more like piston slap--which will disappear or diminish as the engine warms up.

Could also be a loose crankshaft pulley (worn out pulley keyway)...it could also be a loose AC compressor or loose alternator....

andre1969

What about a main bearing going bad? What would that sound like? And would that make noise all the time?

Mr_Shiftright

That would be a *very* deep clunk, like a heavy hammer hitting a block of lead. The more "work" the engine is doing, the worse a main bearing sounds.

A rod knock is a *very* sharp knock, and very rapid--it sounds like a 50 lb pair of castanets. you can hear this clearly if you SNAP the throttle at idle and rev up.

Piston slap is higher up in the engine, and you hear that at slow idle mostly

A loose crank pulley might be testable by inserting a heavy screwdriver (engine OFF please :P ) and seeing if you can move the pulley. They can also crack and make a noise just about identical to an engine knock.

With piston slap the engine can run a long, long time.

with a loose wrist pin, you might still get some miles out of it (because the wrist pin really has no place to go, even if it is loose).

But with a rod knock or main bearing knock, your engine life is numbered in days, if not hours.

ohenryx

There aren't many shops who would be interested in pulling the engine and tearing it down. And at 225,000 miles it would need a complete rebuild once you pulled it. No, most shops are going to want to sell you a rebuilt engine, they're going to quote around $4k and probably come in a little higher than that. And I really, really don't think you want to spend $4k dollars or more on a 2002 Corolla. I know I wouldn't do it.

The down side to getting rid of it is ... how? I would not sell it on Craigslist, not without full disclosure. And if you told the truth, who would buy it? If your uncle itemizes on his tax returns, his best bet is probably to donate it to the charity of his choice.

kyfdx

I got $62 cash for a set of alloy wheels from the local metal recycler..

Wonder what you could get for a whole car?

stickguy

well, if it comes and goes (the noise) just keep driving it until it blows, then have it towed off to the scrapper. Who knows, maybe he gets another year out of it!

or CL it for some kid that wants to "hot rod" it out (or whatever the PC term for what kids do to old japanese econoboxes now) and see who shows up to tow it away.

akangl

We have to get the kid a car, although it won't be nice like the last one. I'm thinking $3k price range.....maybe up to $4k. What are some good options? She really likes the older Ford Escapes, found a couple that fit the bill but are pretty miled up. I'd like to see her in a small SUV since its AWD and safe. However, a car isn't out of the question. Ok give me some ideas so I can put a punch in my card!

au1994

Totally agree. The 900 Turbo 3 door was so quirky cool and the original 900 convertible was a stunner!

imidazol97

>The 900 Turbo 3 door was so quirky cool and the original 900 convertible

Just saw a 900S convertible in red that looked like original paint cruising down the interstate with a couple of guys in it last weekend.

The taillights were rectangular and that's the most I know about identifying it by year.

qbrozen

Kia sportage
hyundai santa fe
suzuki aerio
subaru forester/imprezza/outback sport

ronsteve

subaru forester/imprezza/outback sport

While most anything at the $3-4K price point is going to have some age/miles on it, Subarus will have more. Any "gently used" Subaru is going to fetch a pretty penny.

As for the others, it's tricky to find a truly "safe" small SUV.

suydam

At that price they will all be miled up. Cheapest and also safe would be an older Buick sedan like the LeSabre or Lucerne.

Mr_Shiftright

I would still consider fixing up an older Saab 900 5-door turbo. I mean, gee, a cavernous 5-door turbo "crossover" with good MPG and fun to drive for 1/3rd the price of new.

gogiboy

"But I'd still consider an MR2 as a toy if it fell into my lap cheaply. It would never serve as the "only" car however---it's like a Miata ---"room enough for a cat and a cantaloupe" as my friend Stewart used to say."

I have a 92 MR2 with the naturally aspirated 2.2 engine. It runs like a top, but then I only have 60K on the clock, which is low miles for a 21 year old car. I have always found the trunk to be surprisingly spacious, especially for a mid-engine, two-seater. I can easily fit two of the airline acceptable roll-away suitcases in the back. Now the 3rd gen MR2s had essentially no trunk. It's getting tough to find one with under 100K mileage and many on eBay have 125K and up.

I love the low cost of ownership. I think I have owned it for 14 of its 21 years and have done virtually nothing beyond basic scheduled maintenance other than having the freon recharged.

As you say, though, it is certainly best utilized as an extra car. There are a couple other gen 2 2s in my town. Both are driven by young men and in both cases they appear to be their daily driver. I'm fortunate to use mine when the mood strikes me, which is on sunny weekends.

Gogiboy

breld

I bet you could get Andre's uncle's Corolla in the $3k price range. :P

breld

Anyone else interested in the new Mazda3? Its reveal is featured in Edmunds Hot News today. A release of fall is at least a few months earlier than I expected.

What was already a great compact now has updated sheetmetal that was sorely needed and an improved interior. I'm already a fan of the CX-5 and Mazda6, so I'm really liking this new 3. Whereas I would have leaned toward the Elantra GT over the current Mazda3, I think I'd take this new one without question. The 184hp 2.5l SkyActiv engine is now available, which should make it pretty entertaining. 6-speed manual available with both engines - kudos to Mazda.