Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

akangl

Stickguy

We called to set up a time to look at it and he had just sold it....ugh! The guy has a few other possibilities, hubby is going to go look tomorrow. Fussy baby today and I was ready to go home, been at the hospital most of the day visiting our daughter.

sda

Happy Birthday! Hope it was a great one! I have to laugh. Something my dad said when I was the same age. He called me by phone and just said 24 months. I said what? 24 months. Huh? 24 months until you're 40. Thanks dad.

nyccarguy

@stickguy‌

Like any place, White Plains has its share of "riff raff," but it is beautiful. Nothing like it was when you grew up.

Thanks guys for the birthday wishes!

stickguy

I tried to sell him on staying at my parents to keep an eye on them. He did not find the idea all that appealing, and commuting from there would be about 30 miles. Can't say I blame him! Small house, 1 bathroom. 2 old people. But he can go over and visit.

breld

Another birthday wish from me nyc!

breld

I need to change my little profile picture, since I don't actually own that 335 anymore. Maybe once I get the lip spoiler and tint on the Passat I'll make the update.

So wife and I are on a little kick looking at Mini Coopers for a fun car. What input can you all provide on what to look for - or look out for? I know they changed the model for the 2007 model year. The non-S model may be a bit slow, but likely more reliable. Any years to avoid? Any known issues to look out for?

We've toyed with the idea for years - most of the time find ourselves more enamored with the look of the car than the actual drive, but we're curious enough again once again consider it.

breld

I also can't help but be intrigued by this.

6 speed 2.0t Jetta Wagon

I knew the 2.0t wagon was rare, but according to the ad, they only made it for one year. Pretty much every one I see in my area are the TDI models. I'll stalk the ad and see if the price keeps coming down.

kyfdx

@breld said:
I also can't help but be intrigued by this.

6 speed 2.0t Jetta Wagon

I knew the 2.0t wagon was rare, but according to the ad, they only made it for one year. Pretty much every one I see in my area are the TDI models. I'll stalk the ad and see if the price keeps coming down.

Okay... that is awesome..

au1994

@breld said:
I also can't help but be intrigued by this.

6 speed 2.0t Jetta Wagon

I knew the 2.0t wagon was rare, but according to the ad, they only made it for one year. Pretty much every one I see in my area are the TDI models. I'll stalk the ad and see if the price keeps coming down.

That could be fun. Spend a few extra bucks here and there and make it a GTI wagon!

kyfdx

The biggest missing piece is the seats out of the GTI/GLI

jayrider

@breld said:
I need to change my little profile picture, since I don't actually own that 335 anymore. Maybe once I get the lip spoiler and tint on the Passat I'll make the update.

So wife and I are on a little kick looking at Mini Coopers for a fun car. What input can you all provide on what to look for - or look out for? I know they changed the model for the 2007 model year. The non-S model may be a bit slow, but likely more reliable. Any years to avoid? Any known issues to look out for?

We've toyed with the idea for years - most of the time find ourselves more enamored with the look of the car than the actual drive, but we're curious enough again once again consider it.

I read a review that says the new 2014 Mini is way more refined and still fun to drive. If you need used, wait a few years or look at leasing again. Your never ending search for new rides is inspiring. Not only do you talk the talk -- you walk the walk. At 68, I still have the itch to buy but I've come to realize that after scratching, the excitement is fleeting but the payments go on.

Michaell

@breld said:
So wife and I are on a little kick looking at Mini Coopers for a fun car. What input can you all provide on what to look for - or look out for? I know they changed the model for the 2007 model year. The non-S model may be a bit slow, but likely more reliable. Any years to avoid? Any known issues to look out for?

We've toyed with the idea for years - most of the time find ourselves more enamored with the look of the car than the actual drive, but we're curious enough again once again consider it.

Step-daughter drives a 2010 Cooper Hardtop. It is a bit underpowered - it doesn't help that she's got the automatic - but it handles like a go-cart. I love going around traffic circles in it. It does punish you a bit with the ride on the highway.

"Better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow"

She's had no problems in the 4 years she's owned it, other than needing a new set of tires after less than 30K.

rayainsw

My daughter put over 117,000 miles on a 2007 she bought new.

Automatic trans. Sunroof. Cloth seats.

Normal wear & maintenance only.
1 belt replacement - was fraying a bit.
That's it.

I agree regarding the driving dynamics = tight handling \ steering. Ride rather stiff.
Enjoy!

• Ray

Even the S lacks the TQ I really crave . . .

Michaell

Two more questions for the group:

1) Are DMV fees in your state paid at the time of transaction or separate? In Colorado, we register our cars at the county level so I write a separate check within 30-60 days of sale for my registration and plates. In CA, I'm pretty sure they still add the DMV fees to the total transaction.

2) Does your state have a personal property tax for automobiles? Again, we do in Colorado and it's a sliding scale that starts with 85% of the base MSRP. Year one tax is 2.1% of that amount, then goes down each year and flattens out at year 5.

qbrozen

NJ:
1) time of transaction. On a lease, they will actually collect the annual DMV fees for the entire length of the lease up front.
2) No.

qbrozen

@breld‌
$12k would be fair for private party.

xwesx

@Michaell@Edmunds said:
Two more questions for the group:

1. DMV fees typically paid at time of transaction. The total price depends on the jurisdiction in which the titled owner resides, but it is typically just the base cost for a new car purchase. The base cost is $130 (breaks down to $100 to title it, $15 for the title document, and $15 for the plates). An option, however, is, prior to taking delivery, for the buyer to take the MCO (also called MSO, Manufacturer's Certificate/Statement of Origin) to the DMV directly to get the plates in-hand. Then, take the plates to the dealership for install on the car at the time of delivery. I did that a couple times when buying in Seattle, but otherwise have allowed the "temp tags" and dealer-based DMV transaction. I'll tell you, though, dealers sure don't like not doing the paperwork themselves. Not sure why!

2. No personal property tax, only real estate (and only in some jurisdictions).

xwesx

@akangl said:
Stickguy

We called to set up a time to look at it and he had just sold it....ugh! The guy has a few other possibilities, hubby is going to go look tomorrow. Fussy baby today and I was ready to go home, been at the hospital most of the day visiting our daughter.

LAME! Looked like a nice find, too. A 5-speed! That must have been among the last of its kind....

Your daughter is in the hospital? I hope everything works out well!

stickguy

Love that Jetta. Hate the tint. If it was dark blue or green over beige (gray OK for the blue) it would be perfect.

kyfdx

That VW wagon is also on Autotrader... only found one other stick/turbo wagon in the country on Autotrader... http://www.coachellavalleyvolkswagen.com/auto/used-2009-volkswagen-jetta-20t/1335375/

kyfdx

And... one more... in Massachusetts.

http://www.atlanticsubaru.com/used/Volkswagen/2009-Volkswagen-Jetta-Cape+Cod-fa0de71e0a0a0064254631fe0e87ffc6.htm

corvette

@kyfdx@Edmunds said:
The biggest missing piece is the seats out of the GTI/GLI

Yep. I love the panoramic roof on the JSW.

laurasdada

@kyfdx@Edmunds said:
And... one more... in Massachusetts.

>
I thought you'd be more interested in the Bentley Continetal GTC...

kyfdx

Hmmm... nope..

laurasdada

Some interesting used cars at that Subie dealer in Bourne. Even with the horrendous warts on the front bumper, what a beauty (and a 2074 model!):

http://www.atlanticsubaru.com/used/Jaguar/2074-Jaguar-XKE-Cape+Cod-c1d55a4b0a0a00640db096141cb38047.htm

qbrozen

Arriving fully equipped with the latest luxury, powertrain and technological innovations!

Yes, for a 2074 model, I should hope so!

xwesx

@kyfdx@Edmunds said:
That VW wagon is also on Autotrader... only found one other stick/turbo wagon in the country on Autotrader... http://www.coachellavalleyvolkswagen.com/auto/used-2009-volkswagen-jetta-20t/1335375/

And, that one might not be as manual as its poster thinks it is.... LOL!

qbrozen

someone asked me offline about my Leaf experience and if I'd recommend one. In my reply, I started calculating the operating costs, and I believe I have determined that its a 40mpg car when the temps drop below 20 degrees. That's pretty disappointing.

Maybe someone knows better than me, but I believe electricity is somewhere in the 20 cent per kwh range for me through JCP&L. I couldn't find much on currents rates other than its something like 11-12 cents per kwh and another 8 cents or so in the delivery charge.

Someone might point out I have solar panels ... yes, that's true, but it doesn't really change the equation because I still use more than I'm producing.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.

stickguy

man, those rubber rams destroy the looks of that Jag. I do love the color.

a 40 YO V12 jag. What could possibly go wrong? At least it is a stick shift!

tifighter

@qbrozen Funny as I was recently wondering how your Leaf experience was going. Economics aside, do you like the car? Curious about comfort, ride, noise, etc. Any glitches or issues?

breld

@qbrozen said:
breld‌
$12k would be fair for private party.

Thanks Q. I was thinking if the seller would come down to the $12k's I'd strongly consider it. He just lowered his asking price from $15,500 to the $14,900, so I doubt he's ready to drop too quickly yet.

Great car, but he'll have to wait for the right buyer. I think a lot of the JSW buyers want the TDI, and the enthusiasts want a GTI.

I'll certainly keep my eye out on the ad.

breld

@jayrider said:
I read a review that says the new 2014 Mini is way more refined and still fun to drive. If you need used, wait a few years or look at leasing again. Your never ending search for new rides is inspiring. Not only do you talk the talk -- you walk the walk. At 68, I still have the itch to buy but I've come to realize that after scratching, the excitement is fleeting but the payments go on.

Inspiring? That's very kind of you. Much of the time I just feel a bit flaky. . I'm just happy I was able to sell the 330ci and 335xi for strong money and be in a position to start from scratch again.

Yes, the reviews on the 2014 Mini make it very appealing to me. Particularly the change on the base model engine and the interior improvements. But I keep telling myself a used one will be just fine for its purpose - and fill the gap until the new ones are used.

breld

Thanks for all the feedback on the Mini's. They certainly have a certain reputation for reliability, so it's nice to hear your positive experiences.

Obviously will keep you posted.

akangl

The hunt continues. Going to look at this truck first thing in the morning. Hoping it is as nice as it looks.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/cto/4384657416.html

ab348

@breld said:
Thanks for all the feedback on the Mini's. They certainly have a certain reputation for reliability, so it's nice to hear your positive experiences.

Obviously will keep you posted.

One thing I've noted locally is that there seem to be relatively many used Minis available on the lots compared to the number you actually see on the roads around here. I suspect it is like a Jeep - a lot of people buy them new for the image but find living with them a challenge, and so they move on.

js06gv

@Michaell@Edmunds said:
Two more questions for the group:

1) Are DMV fees in your state paid at the time of transaction or separate? In Colorado, we register our cars at the county level so I write a separate check within 30-60 days of sale for my registration and plates. In CA, I'm pretty sure they still add the DMV fees to the total transaction.

2) Does your state have a personal property tax for automobiles? Again, we do in Colorado and it's a sliding scale that starts with 85% of the base MSRP. Year one tax is 2.1% of that amount, then goes down each year and flattens out at year 5.

All things considered, we have it pretty easy in TX. Fees are 6.25% sales tax on a new car, plus another $250 or so for all the misc. title fees. After that, it's about $70-80 per year to renew registration. No personal prop tax or anything else. On a used car, it's the 6.25% sales tax and regular registration fees.

nyccarguy

In CT, we pay a property tax on the car. The amount varies by city/town. I get a bill from the City of Stamford tax collector once a year.

Mr_Shiftright

re: 2074 Jaguar: "The latest technological innovations" . That is British for "we didn't build it out of wood this time".

These E-Type V12s really aren't "sports cars" anymore--they are "GT" cars. The edginess and agility of the original E-Type is lost.

roadburner

@breld said:
Thanks for all the feedback on the Mini's. They certainly have a certain reputation for reliability, so it's nice to hear your positive experiences.

Obviously will keep you posted.

There's a_ really_ nice 2012 MCS JCW at my local Mini dealer, but I'm less than confident in that dealer's service department. Couple that with the reliability issue and I've pretty much written a Mini off my short list. Now, I realize that lots of people have had good experiences with teir Minis, but on the off chance I ended up with a troubled child, I want a dealer that I can completely rely on...

akangl

Punch my card for 2014, we bought the 2001 Silverado LT 2500HD. Very nice truck, 113k miles, no accidents, in great shape for its age. Paid $7k for it, book value was 10k so I can't complain.

rayainsw

'Punch my card for 2014'

Congrats - and good luck with the new [ to you ] truck!!!

• Ray

Not a truck guy, but that looks like what you wanted....

kyfdx

So... sometime before the end of October (when our lease is up), I have to buy another car (dang it!). I can either get one for myself, and pass the 330Ci to my son, or I can get him a car. But, that isn't the question.

Last time, before I ended up buying his mother a car, instead, we were shopping used VW GTIs. An '08 GTI that has miles in the 85K-95K range goes for about $11K -$12K. All things being unequal, would you buy a 90K mile GTI for $11K, or lease a new one for about $350/mo.? ($12,600 total for 3 years) For the sake of argument, let's assume you are going to sell the used one after three years, with 135K miles.

nyccarguy

@kyfdx@Edmunds‌

Not even a question - lease new

stickguy

Ak, I saw the ad you linked to was deleted by seller. I thought you were going to miss out, but looks like you bought it instead! Is that also a manual trans?

stickguy

was out with the daughter today driving quite a bit, since this is final college tour month (she graduates HS in June, so has to pick a college before May 1, and during april they all run accepted students days). While driving (well, I was driving, she was riding in the back seat) she car spots, to tell me what she likes. A recent spotting of a black Mazda 6 got her interest up.

she will be disappointed though since none of the schools on the short list will lead to her having a car freshman year, and since she is now likely to transfer for sophomore year, she won't be getting one then either. So only reason to get a car is if I need something for commuting, which won't help her any!

akangl

Stick: Yup we bought it. It's a super nice truck. It is an automatic which is fine since it means daughter can drive it. It's a 6.0L so not quite as thirsty as a V10. Much nicer truck than we expected to get for $7k that's for sure.

I haven't even been in the truck yet, hubby drove it and I stayed in the explorer with the little guy. I'm going to take it later and fill it up. I did see enough to know it was well cared for. The leather in it looks new, no tears or cracks anywhere. Non-smoker, no pets, can't ask for better than that in the low price range.

kyfdx

Dear Boss,

I will be busy on Monday night.

Go Wildcats!!

stickguy

an 8-7 championship game.

so much for the bracketology experts.

Mr_Shiftright

I guess nobody won the billion dollars?

stever

I never even saw a place to enter.