Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

Why don't you run a regular auction with a reserve? Might work better for a car like that.

@qbrozen said:
Benz finished its first week on ebay without too much hoopla. Had something like 200 views with 9 people watching and received 1 offer ($3k) than I simply let expire because it was from someone who never asked any questions or came to see the car. I've relisted with a slightly lower BIN. I think if nothing happens this week, I might just take it off the market. If I go that route, I may even put some money into redoing the suspension to suit my personal taste better (if that's even possible with that car).

oldfarmer50

@stickguy said:
81 to 88 works for upstate, but for me loops way out of the way, plus I then have to route through Philly, so not fun.

Camry's IMO are always better to buy new.

My mistake. When you said NY I assumed you meant upstate. Most natives
refer to NYC as "the city" and NY as upstate.

My brother loves Toyotas. Very happy with his Camry.

oldfarmer50

@nyccarguy said:
stickguy‌

Have you considered a Prius III? $1,500 Lease Cash plus a 60% residual value and a money factor of .00001 makes it extremely attractive (looking around). Not that I'm back in the market or anything

Or an Accord EX-CVT with $1500 Trunk Money, $850 Lease Cash, a 57% Residual Value, & a .00026 Money Factor (looking around). Not that I'm back in the market or anything

Edit. $850 Lease Cash no longer available

I'd go with the Accord if most of the driving will be highway. The Prius shines in stop& go traffic.

oldfarmer50

@qbrozen said:
Benz finished its first week on ebay without too much hoopla. Had something like 200 views with 9 people watching and received 1 offer ($3k) than I simply let expire because it was from someone who never asked any questions or came to see the car. I've relisted with a slightly lower BIN. I think if nothing happens this week, I might just take it off the market. If I go that route, I may even put some money into redoing the suspension to suit my personal taste better (if that's even possible with that car).

Personally I thought your price was dirt cheap for a car that well preserved (unless it had some hidden problems I didn't see). If it were mine I'd keep it as a weekend cruiser.

xwesx

@stickguy said:
Minimum basics are not too big, good safety (active and passive), respectable to good MPG. Not too small. Small CUV or a sedan (sedan probably makes more sense).

Impreza or CrossTrek? Especially for highway driving, they can deliver some respectable fuel economy, plus AWD.

laurasdada

That Elantra GT is one fine looking car, imho, of course! Saw one today in a nice shade of blue, looker.

Michaell

@laurasdada said:

>

That Elantra GT is one fine looking car, imho, of course! Saw one today in a nice shade of blue, looker.

Trade ya straight up for your Jag!

roadburner

I posted this in the Buying and Selling topic yesterday; it may be more appropriate for this topic...

I cruised a few car lots today while my bride was enjoying lunch with some old friends. No joy.

Nothing interesting at BMW; one base 228i and most everything else had AWD(meh).

Infiniti had a CPO gunmetal G37 S Coupe, but it was missing a pedal. And it was AWD(double meh!).

The Mini dealer has taken to adding a $2000 ADM for Blue Coral "mop and glow" as well as a couple of accessories that can't cost the dealer more than $50. The chances of me EVER owning a Mini continue to decrease.

The local Caddy dealer has a gorgeous 2010 Hemi Orange Challenger SRT. I only wish it wasn't so big...

I stopped at a Nissan dealer to check out a 370Z. The salesguy that approached me was really nice and not pushy. The down side to the Z is that I'd have to sink another $2000-$3000 into it to install a NISMO(or equivalent) oil cooler as well as decent brakes before it ever turned a wheel on a track; without the cooler the motor gets hot and goes into limp mode. The brakes don't limp- they just go MIA, like those in the Z that Car and Driver totaled during their Lightning Lap test a few years ago.

The new GTI is promising; I can get a base model with the HID lights and the Performance Pack(more hp, bigger brakes, and a real limited slip diff)- but with those options it's getting close to $30,000 and I fear I'd still have a car that wasn't as fast or appreciably more enjoyable as the Mazda(albeit it would have an exquisite interior).

And that's the rub; with the engine and suspension tweaks I've added the Mazdaspeed is a lot more fun than even I thought it would be. Frankly, there isn't anything new under $60k or used under $35k I like better. And I love the fact that the MS3 is the ultimate Q-Ship...

qbrozen

eh, I thought about an actual auction. Costs a few more bucks, and I've been burned by them before (nonpaying winners, excess fees, etc). I'm just gonna see what happens for now.

ab348

With the steep depreciation on Hyundais, why not a 1-2 year old Hyundai-something that still has warranty?

suydam

A friend who has an Elantra says it is not very good in snow, FWIW.

Michaell

@suydam said:
A friend who has an Elantra says it is not very good in snow, FWIW.

I would disagree. I went the entire winter on the OEM all-seasons with no problems.

Mine are the base 16" - not sure if the optional 17" wheels and tires make a difference.

qbrozen

I love when people blame the car.

roadburner

@qbrozen said:
I love when people blame the car.

Back in 2007 on one of the Mazdaspeed forums a guy was bitterly complaining that his new Mazdaspeed 6-equipped with summer only tires-whacked a telephone pole in icy conditions.
It was all Mazda's fault, of course...
Moron.

oldfarmer50

@roadburner said:
I posted this in the Buying and Selling topic yesterday; it may be more appropriate for this topic...

I cruised a few car lots today while my bride was enjoying lunch with some old friends. No joy.

And that's the rub; with the engine and suspension tweaks I've added the Mazdaspeed is a lot more fun than even I thought it would be. Frankly, there isn't anything new under $60k or used under $35k I like better. And I love the fact that the MS3 is the ultimate Q-Ship...

I was going to mention over on Buying and Selling that I can remember when you weren't so fond of your MS3. Guess you grew to love it. That's kind of the ultimate sleeper.

$2000 ADM on a mini? Is it made of gold? I drive by one every so often that's been on some guy's lawn all summer without selling. He probably thinks it worth more that it is too.

I say past on the Challenger (rear deck comes up to my chest) and get the 370Z. Don't know enough about BMWs to offer advice there.

corvette

@roadburner said:
The Mini dealer has taken to adding a $2000 ADM for Blue Coral "mop and glow..."

"See, they install that TruCoat at the factory. There's nothing we can do." - Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo

I'm surprised Nissan hasn't improved the brake compound of the 370Z after the C&D incident.

jayrider

@qbrozen said:
Benz finished its first week on ebay without too much hoopla. Had something like 200 views with 9 people watching and received 1 offer ($3k) than I simply let expire because it was from someone who never asked any questions or came to see the car. I've relisted with a slightly lower BIN. I think if nothing happens this week, I might just take it off the market.

It can take months to sell by owner -- it doesn't cost to list -- only if you sell. A car like yours requies patience. Listed stuff on ebay that no one even looked at for weeks and weeks. Then all of a sudden, I was sold out. You have to wait for the right person and it's a crap shoot as to how long it will take.

roadburner

@oldfarmer50 said:
I was going to mention over on Buying and Selling that I can remember when you weren't so fond of your MS3. Guess you grew to love it.

Pretty much; I had several issues while it was under warranty and I anticipated more issues. They didn't materialize and it wormed its way back into my good graces.

kyfdx

Had to do full lock-up braking with the Infiniti, today. Well.. not really locking up, since it has ABS, but you know... Wow, it really doesn't stop very well, compared to my BMW.

And to the guy in the pickup trying to cross two lanes in front of me? Next time, try it without towing a trailer..

qbrozen

@jayrider said:
It can take months to sell by owner -- it doesn't cost to list -- only if you sell. A car like yours requies patience. Listed stuff on ebay that no one even looked at for weeks and weeks. Then all of a sudden, I was sold out. You have to wait for the right person and it's a crap shoot as to how long it will take.

Oh, I know. Well, kind of. I think the 300Z took me like 5-6 weeks, but 2-3 of those were wasted off the market on a guy who gave a deposit and wound up not being able to pay up.

My cars are usually gone in a couple of weeks, if that. So far, I've had the Benz on for about 5 days before going on vacation, and now 8 days since returning.

So the guy who put a blind offer on the listing last week emailed me this morning with his phone number. Called and talked to him for 10 mins or so. Said he was going to stop by today but no show so far.

oldfarmer50

@kyfdx said:
Had to do full lock-up braking with the Infiniti, today. Well.. not really locking up, since it has ABS, but you know... Wow, it really doesn't stop very well, compared to my BMW.

And to the guy in the pickup trying to cross two lanes in front of me? Next time, try it without towing a trailer..

Years ago I had to lock up my school bus because some woman thought coming off a highway ramp gave her the right to cross all lanes. Missed clobbering her by about 6 inches and man, did those big tires smoke. Slid sideways about 100 feet and scared the day lights out of everyone around.

Good times.

nyccarguy

Ok guys. If there's one thing we love to do on this board it's buy cars. If we can't buy cars for ourselves, we like to spend other Members' money. Here's where I need your help. $200 per month including 6.35% sales tax (and maybe acquisition fee) for 36 months with 12K per year with only DMV & 1st payment due at signing. My requirements are: some form of automatic transmission, front wheel or all wheel drive, & alloy wheels. GO!

kyfdx

@nyccarguy said:
Ok guys. If there's one thing we love to do on this board it's buy cars. If we can't buy cars for ourselves, we like to spend other Members' money. Here's where I need your help. $200 per month including 6.35% sales tax (and maybe acquisition fee) for 36 months with 12K per year with only DMV & 1st payment due at signing. My requirements are: some form of automatic transmission, front wheel or all wheel drive, & alloy wheels. GO!

2015 Honda Fit Sport

Sandman6472

My Tuscon is a cuv and the Sante Fe is a suv. Stick, my SE model has all those things that you are looking for and I do like it, it still puts a smile on my face the moment I turn the key! Check out the Kia Sportage which is its cousin or even the Mitsubishi Outlander SE, it's warranty is a duplicate of my Hyundai's and if the general manager hadn't been such an a-hole and not insisted that I take it home that same day, it would be in my garage right now. Maybe these vehicles aren't class leading in the looks department and aren't in the high demand that some others in it's class are, they fit the bill on what you listed and I would've been just as happy with either of the other two vehicles...the Mitsu and Hyundai dealer are right across the street. Looks wise, I rank them as the Outlander #1, the Sportage #2 and the Tuscon a very close #3 and as I stated right above, dealer location was basically the last piece of the puzzle for me.
Also check out the old style Nissan Rogue or the Buick Encore...both capable vehicles and are also cuv's. A Subaru Forrester possibly? There are plenty of choices in the cuv area and am sure one of them could fit the bill...just need to broaden the search and not just consider the major players out there!!!

The Sandman

oldfarmer50

@nyccarguy said:
Ok guys. If there's one thing we love to do on this board it's buy cars. If we can't buy cars for ourselves, we like to spend other Members' money. Here's where I need your help. $200 per month including 6.35% sales tax (and maybe acquisition fee) for 36 months with 12K per year with only DMV & 1st payment due at signing. My requirements are: some form of automatic transmission, front wheel or all wheel drive, & alloy wheels. GO!

Dodge Dart.

corvette

@nyccarguy said:
Ok guys. If there's one thing we love to do on this board it's buy cars. If we can't buy cars for ourselves, we like to spend other Members' money. Here's where I need your help. $200 per month including 6.35% sales tax (and maybe acquisition fee) for 36 months with 12K per year with only DMV & 1st payment due at signing. My requirements are: some form of automatic transmission, front wheel or all wheel drive, & alloy wheels. GO!

Really darn close to your number. A lot more car than a Fit. Actually, if you pay the 1st and fees upfront, it meets your price criteria, even with tax.

qbrozen

I second the Fit.

nyccarguy

Believe me guys. After my brief drive in my friend's 95K 2009 Fit Sport, I'm down with the Fit. With a sticker price of $19,025 & an invoice of just $18,536 the lease payment comes out to about $225 (using MSRP as selling price).

nyccarguy

I could definitely get there with a Civic EX Sedan

qbrozen

they have an advertised deal on the Fit for $0 due at signing and $190/mo for 35 mos. That's $202 with tax. I'm sure you could get that down a little more.

henryn

. For barely more money, I would go for the Accord. Definitely, the Accord.

rny421

@oldfarmer50 said:
I'd go with the Accord if most of the driving will be highway. The Prius shines in stop& go traffic.

Actually, I just had a 2014 Prius rental today as I went to pick up my new-to-me 2012 Volvo S60! I have never driven a Prius before, and while it was pretty slow off the line, it wasn't too bad on the thruway. It got 47 mpg on the interstate down to Connecticut, and I definitely wasn't hypermiling. I was amazed... took only ~$27 to get me 360 miles. I can see why they sell so many of these. I was actually impressed, as it was more quiet and than I would have expected.

I can't quite say the S60 got me back that cheaply, but it did get 27.4 mpg (hand calculated) which I was very happy with! I was expecting much less for a 325 hp AWD sedan. Even though most of the trip was relatively flat, I'm still impressed because I was one of the quicker cars on the road. This thing is F-A-S-T!

Here's a picture. Didn't get quite the best deal, but I'm happy with the car. It's a 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD, dark grey, black interior, 24,000 miles, xenons, BLIS, and heated seats.

Add me to the count!! This will probably be my only punch for a while haha.

stever

The $199 Lease Deals for August 2014

The Soul doesn't quite fit your requirements @nyccarguy, but that'd be the one I'd check out. Although I saw a new Fit the other day and the new ones look better than the one I test drove a few years back.

roadburner

Fit.

nyccarguy

Thanks @stever . I've seen that over the past few months.

stever

Those CR-V are really selling like gangbusters; have to assume they are leasing a bunch too.

stickguy

NYC, what I talked you into it? I should just hire you to find my screamer. Heck, do it in rockland since I am up there for the week, and likely back quite often for a while.

I started looking at some used options. 2012 fusion SEL, all loaded up, miles in the 20s, CPO for probably around 17k. Just an option. And with lots of goodies.

Need to do some looking this week.

graphicguy

NYC....gotta go with the FIT, too.

stickguy

I would vote for the accord, or at least civic. Just because I am familiar with where he would be driving it!

Same for me. Not getting a fit for long distance travel on the I95 corridor from Philly to Richmond, then beyond to NC

corvette

Nice! It's very low mileage. I see a lot of base T5s that were apparently fleet models (no heated seats or anything). I like yours a lot better!

This puts us at 23 purchases for the year. Get cracking, people, or we may not break 30!

kyfdx

You are right about the Fit not being under $200/mo, though. Maybe, better deals next month..

The Civic will definitely slide under, though.

oldfarmer50

$200 lease.

Here's an article that might be helpful although they discuss deals with hefty money up front. Might provide some direction.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/best-car-deals/Car-Lease-Deals/

qbrozen

@kyfdx said:
You are right about the Fit not being under $200/mo, though. Maybe, better deals next month..

The Civic will definitely slide under, though.

I don't know about that. The lease deals on the Honda website are slightly lower for the Fit than the Civic.

qbrozen

I was about to point out a good lease deal on the Jetta until I realized it is the 2.0 engine. I thought they did away with that pig??

henryn

@qbrozen said:

>

I was about to point out a good lease deal on the Jetta until I realized it is the 2.0 engine. I thought they did away with that pig??

Did you by chance perhaps mean to say "2.5"? The 2.0T is a very good engine.

No wait, there was a 2.0 normally aspirated engine for the Jetta, wasn't there? And you're right, it was a dog. I thought most Jettas came with the 1.8T engine these days, which isn't bad. Not nearly as quick as the 2.0T, but not bad.

qbrozen

yeah, the 115hp NA engine is the one I'm referring to. They still have it on the 2014, apparently, and that's the one with the cheap lease deal. I thought I read they ditched that engine entirely. I guess not. Or these 2014s are the last of them.

kyfdx

Yeah... they still have a 2.0 gas model (no turbo) as the base engine on the Jetta and the Golf, I think... I think it's their way to compete with the base Civics and Corollas, on price.

henryn

http://vwarcher.com/VehicleDetails/new-2014-Volkswagen-Jetta_Sedan-SE-Houston-TX/2189887253

Here's a Jetta with the 1.8T engine for $17.2. Don't know what it would lease for, but should be pretty cheap.

Mr_Shiftright

Congrats! Nice looking car.

qbrozen

I can't pinpoint my fascination with these. Man, I like it.