Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

That is kinda cool - sort of Kia Soul-ish but with a bit more rugged look and nameplate.

breld

Another congrats on the Highlander purchase!

If I were to move from a minivan to another 3-row SUV, the Highlander would definitely be on the list. It still has captain's chairs in the second row, right? How's the room in the 3rd row?

nyccarguy

@robbieg

mazel-tov & congrats on your Highlander "punch!"

stever

@roadburner, nice shot of the holes in the roof - just what you wanted to see.

qbrozen

i'm diggin it. Better looking than the Fiat. I'd really want a diesel option, though.

robbieg

@breld said:
Another congrats on the Highlander purchase!

If I were to move from a minivan to another 3-row SUV, the Highlander would definitely be on the list. It still has captain's chairs in the second row, right? How's the room in the 3rd row?

The second row Captain's chairs are now an option which we declined. They are only available as an option on the XLE and standard on the Limited.

The 3rd row is tight (leg wise) but we are only using it for kids. It is now wider though and can now sit 3 across.

roadburner

@Stever@Edmunds said:
roadburner, nice shot of the holes in the roof - just what you wanted to see.

Jeep never makes a sunroof standard, and Fiat doesn't either. Still, I know I'll have to order one to get a Renegade equipped the way I want.

Michaell

@roadburner said:
Jeep never makes a sunroof standard, and Fiat doesn't either. Still, I know I'll have to order one to get a Renegade equipped the way I want.

Trying to find out what engine options will be available .. anybody know?

stickguy

Just watched the new motor week episode taped last night. They tested the highlander. Liked it, but the like everything! You can get a bench or captains in the 2nd row. Overall for the same money I would probably get an MDX.

stickguy

I love that jeep. Hopefully the back seat is nicer than in the 4 door fiat. Makes a park bench seem cushy.

I sent picture to my daughter. She wants me to make the next car a small CUV. Likes the Mazda CX-5.

I bet it has the 1.4l turbo engine.

tifighter

@stickguy Highlander XLE awd stickers at $38k with heated leather, moonroof and nav. Comparable MDX would be with AWD Tech for the navi which is around $48k. Highlander got good reviews from TTAC and is supposed to be a better drive than before, but I'm sure the MDX is still the handling king. HL seems to be a nice value, though.

corvette

@roadburner said:
My wife is enamored with the new Jeep Renegade.

Exterior looks like a cross between a Jeep and a Mercedes GLK (especially the rear proportions). The interior reminded me a lot of the Fiat 500L. It could be a neat car.

darksilkx

@tifighter said:
stickguy Highlander XLE awd stickers at $38k with heated leather, moonroof and nav. Comparable MDX would be with AWD Tech for the navi which is around $48k. Highlander got good reviews from TTAC and is supposed to be a better drive than before, but I'm sure the MDX is still the handling king. HL seems to be a nice value, though.

Not to add the terrible lease deals on the MDX. I was offered a approx $900 per month lease on an MDX Advance. Told the guy A, I can borrow 56k for 900 per month over 72months and B, I can lease BMWs and Mercedes that cost 20k more than the MDX for the same 900 so where's the value?

roadburner

@Michaell@Edmunds

I'm hearing the Renegade gets the 1.4 Turbo- the same engine as in the 500L and Abarth. I too wish that a turbo diesel would be an option.

breld

Take a look at this:

Legend 6-speed

One owner, no accident, and seemingly not abused. I haven't looked into these for awhile, but I do believe there are some known engine issues. And I think the real desirable model was the "GS" model in '94 and '95. Nevertheless, seems kinda fun.

stickguy

@breld said:
Take a look at this:

[Legend 6-speed](http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=138207692&listingRecNum=10&criteria=feedSegId=28705&rpp=50&transTypeId=28112&isDealerGrouping=false&sf2Nm=miles&requestorTrackingInfo=RTB_SEARCH&sf1Nm=price&sf2Dir=ASC&stkTypId=28881&PMmt=1-0-0&rn=0&zc=80602&rd=100&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-pseudoPrice&stkTyp=U&mkId=20001&prMn=0&sf1Dir=DESC&prMx=50000&aff=national&listType=1 "cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=138207692&listingRecNum=10&criteria=feedSegId%3D28705%26rpp%3D50%26transTypeId%3D28112%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26requestorTrackingInfo%3DRTB_SEARCH%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26stkTypId%3D28881%26PMmt%3D1-0-0%26rn%3D0%26zc%3D80602%26rd%3D100%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-

pseudoPrice%26stkTyp%3DU%26mkId%3D20001%26prMn%3D0%26sf1Dir%3DDESC%26prMx%3D50000&aff=national&listType=1")

One owner, no accident, and seemingly not abused. I haven't looked into these for awhile, but I do believe there are some known engine issues. And I think the real desirable model was the "GS" model in '94 and '95. Nevertheless, seems kinda fun.

My neighbor had a stick 4 door of that generation. Nice car. In like on this one is says all original, right after noting it has a GS Type II motor. Seems pricy but certainly rare

corvette

@breld said:
One owner, no accident, and seemingly not abused.

Looks outstanding for a 20 year old car, but $7k seems steep for a 20 year old Honda/Acura. As Terry would say, the seats look like they've been hovered in instead of sat on. Impressive.

breld

Yeah - I would think $4-5k would be appropriate.

I wonder if it's one of those things where the idea of it is greater than the actual experience - half tempted to check it out, but don't exactly have a great Honda mechanic I trust like my BMW mechanic.

qbrozen

Wiki: Honda made significant upgrades for 1993, making a 230 hp (172 kW) Type II version of the SOHC C32A engine standard on all coupes, along with the option of a 6-speed manual transmission.

I had no idea such a beast ever existed.

Anyway, driver's door looks a different shade of red. Interior does look crazy clean given the mileage. And 169k on the nose... weird. But, I agree that ain't no way its worth that.

xwesx

Boy, a nice looking Acura! That was definitely a long time ago!

gouldn

I remember when that 2-door legend was new ... I wanted one in the worst way! Never could afford it back then though. It still holds up pretty well looks-wise.

ab348

@gouldn said:
I remember when that 2-door legend was new ... I wanted one in the worst way! Never could afford it back then though. It still holds up pretty well looks-wise.

Same here - I didn't particularly like Acuras back then but the design of the Legend, with it's hunkered-down wide-track look, always appealed to me, and the 2-door was the ne plus ultra. But it might as well have been made from unobtainium. Amazing condition.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen

Since you are the auction guru, can you tell me about how much a 3 year old Jetta TDI crosses the block as opposed to a 2.5 L (since the 1.8 is band new?

corvette

@gouldn said:
I remember when that 2-door legend was new ...

Didn't anonymousposts/gee35coupe have one of those in their history? Perhaps even with a six-speed. The six-speed was very high tech for the early 1990s.

isellhondas

I've never heard of any engine problems with those and I think I would have since we sold so many used ones.

The oddball Acuras were the Vigors with that five cylinder engine. Replacing an oil pan gasket was a nightmare. About a eight hour job!

kyfdx

We had a '92 Legend sedan. Been in our family, since new. Bought it from my uncle, once.. then sold it back to him.. He gave it to my son, when he turned 16 in 2010. At that time, it had 33K miles.. Still had under 45K when I sold it, last year. We asked $4995, and it sold for full price to the first person that looked at it.

kyfdx

Vigor.. That was my first lease.. '94 Vigor GS... $29K MSRP... Leased it for $331/mo, with $2K due at signing... 36mo, 16.5K/yr lease.. It was my wife's car, and she loved it... 172 HP in 1994 was a lot...

qbrozen

@nyccarguy said:
qbrozen

Since you are the auction guru, can you tell me about how much a 3 year old Jetta TDI crosses the block as opposed to a 2.5 L (since the 1.8 is band new?

what are the comparable models? A standard 2011 TDI sedan w/40k miles is $15k, while an SEL 4-cyl is a touch over $13k, and SE convenience for a bit over $11k.

stickguy

based on the new models, a TDI with a roof has a sticker about the same as an SEL so I consider those to be the equivalent models.

stickguy

this car ownership stuff is expensive. the previous "owner" of my "new" TL is now telling me (after he borrowed it because of the snow) about stuff it needs. The wipers are crap! Not crap enough to pay to replace them when he was driving it of course, but bad enough to complain when he used it.

speaking of the kid, he piped up today that after 3 weeks, he does not at all miss the Mazda he thought about. Really seems to like the Jetta. But in the spirit of the apple and the tree, he was researching cars again today, and told me that for the next one, he is getting the GTI he really wanted.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen @stickguy

Thanks!

graphicguy

breld...I really like that Legend. If you're really interested, I'd do the dance with the dealer...."door poorly repainted, manual transmission means small market for it, 21year old car, etc." I'd hit the dealer with $2,500 cash. Do the dance for a little, come up to $3K. $7K is crazy money. He's probably hoping for $6K, might take $5K. If he bites at $4K, I'd snag it.

oldfarmer50

Would you buy it?

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/4323729722.html

I'm a sucker for low milage but....

Says it's SC but looks like a base model. Very interesting.

Mr_Shiftright

Low miles is a myth, really---an odometer fetish. You can have all sorts of issues associated with low mileage----sticking switches and deteriorated electronics, flat-spotted tires, leaking seals, deteriorated rubber parts, belts, hoses, corrosive action in cooling system, sticking brake calipers and even rust on the inside of the cylinder walls. Note what they've already done in only 14K miles. So what have they failed to do?

@oldfarmer50 said:
Would you buy it?

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/4323729722.html

I'm a sucker for low milage but....

Says it's SC but looks like a base model. Very interesting.

oldfarmer50

"low miles is a myth..."

On miles that low I guess I have to agree. That car must have been sitting for years to have those items fail. I actually would rather have that car with about 50k miles. Even if it was only driven every few weeks it would be better than sitting. The Tell for me was the tires. Tires usually don't wear out after 14k miles but they could rot after sitting for years.

Mr_Shiftright

Exactly. How would you like to be dragged out of bed and sent on a 20K run?

graphicguy

Man...I've always liked those Rivs. I think they are some of the most beautifully styled cars ever to come out of Detroit. That goes for ANY model year of Riviera.

Not really fond of the Robin Egg blue color. And, didn't the S/C 3.8L motor come in the "up market" model?

Those miles don't scare me. For every potential problem low miles cars might have, they aren't going to show 100K+ miles wear and tear on the seats, the carpeting, the exhaust system, etc.

@oldfarmer50 said:
Would you buy it?

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/4323729722.html

I'm a sucker for low milage but....

Says it's SC but looks like a base model. Very interesting.

stickguy

speaking of low miles, just watched this week's episode of chasing classic cars. wayne bought a 1970 911E with a legit 5,500 miles on it (so what about 125/year?) Damned thing looked brand new, and he drove it, but who knows what lurks inside. I assume if you drove it a bit you would find out, but considering it went at auction for 160K (dang, I would love to know what he paid the lady that owned it to get it), it is probably going into a collection to sit and not be used. Which seems sad to me.

if nothing else, a perfect reference car if you want to know how it was originally.

Mr_Shiftright

Crazy Money---that's maybe a $100K car. Of course, auction prices are a) less 10% and b) often not reproducible.

They are nice cars the 911E (mechanical injection) and pretty rare---but still, whoever bought it overpair at current market prices---maybe in 5 years it'll be worth that, or maybe 1/2 that. Classic car values are very volatile.

However, if you're worth 5 billion dollars, basically the car is free anyway.

stickguy

well, gotta figure it was run up for the originality factor. Like they say, a car is only original once. And I doubt that there are many others like that one left with the super low miles. It was a targa too if that matters.

kyfdx

What I really want to know? How come my cable bill is $109/month, and I don't get that channel?

qbrozen

oh so I forgot to give a mustang update. I had to travel up to Boston again recently for business. I decided this time to take the Mustang, as we were in between snowstorms at the moment.

I was pleasantly surprised to get a tick over 26mpg on the 280-mile trip up there, traveling at a pretty steady 75-80mph. Oddly enough, it seems the car is happier at that speed than at 65, where the mileage would start to drop. On the way back, it was worse, though. No idea why. Finished the round trip with the computer reading 24.5 average. I can certainly live with that as my Volvo would not have done any better. It would, however, have been more comfortable. I wasn't crippled, but my lower back wasn't thrilled with 4.5 hours in the mustang seat.

Mr_Shiftright

Targa is generally a minus in value. Leaks, squeaks and not preferred by vintage racers in historical venues. Not sure I'd pay 60K extra for X low miles over a 100 pt restoration, or double the price of an equally original car with twice or triple the miles.

Price is ridiculous. I could find a smashing good 911E for half that or even less.

@stickguy said:
well, gotta figure it was run up for the originality factor. Like they say, a car is only original once. And I doubt that there are many others like that one left with the super low miles. It was a targa too if that matters.

isellhondas

@kyfdx@Edmunds said:
Vigor.. That was my first lease.. '94 Vigor GS... $29K MSRP... Leased it for $331/mo, with $2K due at signing... 36mo, 16.5K/yr lease.. It was my wife's car, and she loved it... 172 HP in 1994 was a lot...

I thought Vigors were great cars. Not too big but just right and a smooth powerful drivetrain.

Do you remember the fantastic radios those had?

kyfdx

Everything about it was top-notch, though the rear seat legroom was pretty snug. Like the Legend, it was a pretty good handler for FWD... Longitudinal drive train, like an Audi..

stickguy

In theory, summer my come at some point. I won't guarantee it, but that is the rumor. And I could use some sun on my head. And this looks like a pretty sharp option for that. 82K is not that much, and price is probably fair enough.

http://www.torchlightmotors.com/detail.aspx?id=4106251&PrefID=5241&.aspx

stickguy

nyccarguy

look under "drive train." I didn't know they made the E46 in FWD.

qbrozen

FYI, he paid $6600 for it 3 weeks ago. Auto and no sport pack. Is that for your daughter? ;b

nyc - seller is a volvo specialist and doesn't understand what RWD is.

stickguy

So price not bad for retail. And at least it does not say V6 like you usually see. AT so everyone can drive it. And roads so bad now I need a hovercraft more than a sport pack. Too many busted wheels and loose fillings.