Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

I like the idea of trading the Benz. They may give you an overallowance on trade. That's how I got rid of my 540i money pit M-Sport.

Edit: Tried to do a strikethrough and it didn't seem to work.

benjaminh

@corvette said:
I like the idea of trading the Benz. They may give you an overallowance on trade. That's how I got rid of my 540i money pit M-Sport.

Just out of curiosity, would you be willing to share what kind of things were going wrong with your 540i, and what kind of $ was involved? How old was it and with how many miles when it started to become a money pit? Thanks.

oldfarmer50

@stickguy said:
getting one step closer. just am in the process of finishing touching up the Volvo. Not sure that I did not make it work, but at least it is shades of blue, not whit scrapes! A couple of days to cure, and by Tuesday/Wednesday I can give it a wax job and interior detail, then throw a CL ad up for the weekend. I hope it sells quick because I really just want to move on, and simplify something in my life.

Here's one from my area for comparison. Not bad looking. If I was into Volvos that's the one I'd pick.

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/4637121973.html

One closer to you.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/4647147572.html

I hope you'll post your ad and give us the details of the selling experience. I might have to do it in a while myself with a car of similar age and price to yours.

tommister2

@oldfarmer50‌ I tend to buy the last year of a model cycle. It usually takes me a while to like the new model.

I can't find exactly what I want but a few are close. Still not sure if I will try to make a deal.

qbrozen

Jay - I would consider the fiesta, but I searched the Ford site and found zero base model hatchbacks with stick anywhere at any distance. The others are all quite a bit more expensive. Only hatchbacks and manuals need apply, BTW.

Tommister- can't argue with you. I think the 2014s are better looking, have the same drivetrain, yet far cheaper. As I stated previously, the only advantage to waiting is the IRS. How much is that worth?

Ben - I'll take a stab at the typical maladies such as vanos, valley pan gaskets, cooling, timing guides.

oldfarmer50

@tommister2 said:
oldfarmer50‌ I tend to buy the last year of a model cycle. It usually takes me a while to like the new model.

I can't find exactly what I want but a few are close. Still not sure if I will try to make a deal.

That's the smart way to do it but for me buying a car like that is such an emotional thing that reason tends to go out the window. I'm sure the 14 would be perfectly acceptable for anything I'd ever do in it.

There should be a ton of 14s still out there because of people like me.

stickguy

Farmer, the one near you looks just like mine (color) but different wheels. That, and somehow my daughter ran it up to 107k. still runs nice, deep tread, etc. but I won't be asking nearly that much! Was going with $7,900, but thinking I might start at $7.499 instead. Depends on how good it looks after the detail! Not in a huge rush to sell, but I would like it gone.

jpp75

@qbrozen said:
The Leaf has 4 mos left. Comparing interior dimensions online, the mazda2 has more front and rear legroom than the Leaf! Pretty sure it gives it up with cargo room though. If I like the 2, I think my "uncle" point would be $10,500 plus the Benz. I'm sure they would never do that but it can't hurt to try.

Why do I have so many cars? Have you noticed the name of this board? Ha. But, seriously, in my opinion, there is no one car that does it all for me. So I have the Stang, but its not great for kid taxi duty or foul weather. Wife has the van, but thats not the most economical choice for running errands and commuting every day. She would use the van all the time, but I'm against it. Its an expensive vehicle and I hate watching her put 20k per year on it. So she has been driving the $4k volvo about 12k of those miles. The volvo was supposed to be my beater, but she stole it. So i've been left with the benz and leaf (both of which were failed experiments for her). I will get rid of those two shortly in exchange for one practical car for myself.

Never hurts to ask, the worst they can do is say no.

How much have you been using the Leaf in the warmer weather? I remember you saying the cold weather really killed the range. I'm curious to see what the Fusion does when it gets cooler, not that it gets "that" cold here but we do have a few cold snaps. Right now it's in the low 20's on a full charge with the A/C on, some of the cooler days when the A/C isn't necessary I've seen it as high as 27 on a full charge.

And I'm like you on why so many cars, I've always wished I could combine the Fusion and Q50 Hybrid, more of the Q50 but some of the Fusion's options and the all electric range.

jpp75

@stickguy said:
Farmer, the one near you looks just like mine (color) but different wheels. That, and somehow my daughter ran it up to 107k. still runs nice, deep tread, etc. but I won't be asking nearly that much! Was going with $7,900, but thinking I might start at $7.499 instead. Depends on how good it looks after the detail! Not in a huge rush to sell, but I would like it gone.

What have you decided on when it does sell? Or did I miss a punch?

stickguy

no punch yet. I am a little all over the place. Might call about 1 thing tomorrow. or wait until this one sells. Hey, an empty space in the driveway is a big incentive to shop!

oldfarmer50

@stickguy said:
Farmer, the one near you looks just like mine (color) but different wheels. That, and somehow my daughter ran it up to 107k. still runs nice, deep tread, etc. but I won't be asking nearly that much! Was going with $7,900, but thinking I might start at $7.499 instead. Depends on how good it looks after the detail! Not in a huge rush to sell, but I would like it gone.

Here's one with near that milage.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/4624565406.html

I'd go with $7900 to start unless your kid really trashed it. You can always come down. Doesn't Volvo have a cult following? I know when I sold the Corvette the guy kept calling me every few minutes as he ran to the bank to make sure I didn't sell it out from under him.

stickguy

OK, $7,900 it is. Did not even know the S40 came with that cute pop-up nav. I am sure that is probably well out of date, and functionally inferior to a $50 Tom Tom. I think you have to enter everything with little scroll wheels on the back of the steering wheel.

Hopefully my touch up work looks OK once I get it waxed out. If not, oops. But other than a lot of parking lot scrapes, it looks pretty good, and interior is fine. So, we shall see.

corvette

@benjaminh said:
Just out of curiosity, would you be willing to share what kind of things were going wrong with your 540i, and what kind of $ was involved? How old was it and with how many miles when it started to become a money pit? Thanks.

It was a 2003 540i automatic, purchased 1/12/2012 with 85,000 miles. It was a money pit from day one. Oil leaks, coolant leaks (replaced entire cooling system), transmission leak, power steering fluid leak (replaced hoses), thrust arm bushings went bad, a bunch of little stuff I can't remember. I was averaging around $500/month in maintenance and repair costs, and that was even doing some of the maintenance/repair myself. Figured out I could buy a 10 year newer car for well under $500 a month, and did.

roadburner

My advice has always been to buy a 3er or 5er with the inline six if you want to own a BMW long-term. However, since the onslaught of what my friend Mike Miller refers to as the "Cyberdyne" BMWs that advice is no longer applicable. I find myself becoming less enthusiastic about BMWs with each new generation.

qbrozen

I'm with you, RB. I've pretty much decided I wouldn't go past an E46. And even then only if a great deal. Give me an E30/E34. I'll avoid the rest. Heck, if possible, just avoid VANOS.

roadburner

That's why I'm leaning toward a Z4 M Coupe over a 135i M Sport. Just reading about t-stat or water pump replacement on an N54 or N55 gives me pause...

benjaminh

@corvette said:
It was a 2003 540i automatic, purchased 1/12/2012 with 85,000 miles. It was a money pit from day one. Oil leaks, coolant leaks (replaced entire cooling system), transmission leak, power steering fluid leak (replaced hoses), thrust arm bushings went bad, a bunch of little stuff I can't remember. I was averaging around $500/month in maintenance and repair costs, and that was even doing some of the maintenance/repair myself. Figured out I could buy a 10 year newer car for well under $500 a month, and did.

That's an eye-opener. Yikes. Thanks for that educational post. I need to stay away from cars like that....

benjaminh

@qbrozen said:
Jay - I would consider the fiesta, but I searched the Ford site and found zero base model hatchbacks with stick anywhere at any distance. The others are all quite a bit more expensive. Only hatchbacks and manuals need apply, BTW....

What about Honda Fit 6MT? Starts at $15,500 msrp. Gets 37 mpg hwy, which beats the Mazda2 by 2 mpg, even though the Fit is bigger and more functional.

qbrozen

$16,315 with destination, and almost no discounts since its a 2015 model. No 2014s available, apparently.

Not sure I'm a fan of the new style. However, now that I look, they have a pretty decent lease deal. 36/36k, $0 down, $200/mo for 35 payments. And that's at full MSRP with the CVT. Knock out the CVT and take a small $400 discount (as shown by truecar), and you might be down in the $175-$180 zip code. Pay tags and doc fee up front of ~$500, and add tax to the payment, putting it at ~$190.

Thing is, I'm not sure I want another lease. Might be worth a look, though. It does have Bluetooth and cruise standard, which is lacking in the base mazda2.

BUUTT... find a base LX. That's the trick! Zero found near either my work or home.

jpp75

@stickguy said:
no punch yet. I am a little all over the place. Might call about 1 thing tomorrow. or wait until this one sells. Hey, an empty space in the driveway is a big incentive to shop!

I didn't think so but something I read in another topic made me wonder if you had already gone with the Camry.

Good luck selling the Volvo!

nyccarguy

I just got 1 step closer to punching my card. I ordered a 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium. In addition to the dealer I drove the car from (Kingsley Subaru - Rye, NY), I also emailed the dealer closest to my house (Subaru Stamford - Stamford, CT), & a dealer about 40 minutes away near where my parents live (Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru - Orangeburg, NY).

The guy I test drove the car with came back with the cheapest price. Everyone was in the ball park. I ended up paying about $500 over invoice for the car ($23,800). My car should be here next week.

I'm excited!

stickguy

Good job. How was it equipped? Roof? Eyesight?

And what color?

xwesx

@tommister2 said:
I'll admit the big thing holding me back is my insurance. I can't get a get an online quote because I already have 4 vehicles on my policy. To add a fifth I need to open a second policy. Wouldn't be chronic car buyers without some insurance policy craziness.

I solved that problem by opening a second policy with a different company. Kinda works well to swap cars back and forth depending on which is the better savings, too, without the hassle of the company then bugging me for a year afterward as they do when you ask for a competitive quote.

jpp75

@nyccarguy said:
I just got 1 step closer to punching my card. I ordered a 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium. In addition to the dealer I drove the car from (Kingsley Subaru - Rye, NY), I also emailed the dealer closest to my house (Subaru Stamford - Stamford, CT), & a dealer about 40 minutes away near where my parents live (Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru - Orangeburg, NY).

The guy I test drove the car with came back with the cheapest price. Everyone was in the ball park. I ended up paying about $500 over invoice for the car ($23,800). My car should be here next week.

I'm excited!

Congrats nyc! You should be excited, that's a great deal on what many have said is a great car. I'm sure you'll be happy with it!!

Can't wait to hear a detailed review and see pictures.

xwesx

@qbrozen said:
Jay - I would consider the fiesta, but I searched the Ford site and found zero base model hatchbacks with stick anywhere at any distance. The others are all quite a bit more expensive. Only hatchbacks and manuals need apply, BTW.

No need to limit to the base models with manuals on Fiesta, but, you're right that they do get a little spendy toward the top end. Mine has been a great car so far after just a little over two years. The time sure flies!

nyccarguy

Here are the numbers broken down:

Subaru Stamford: $23,826 + $379 Conveyance Fee = $24,205

Kingsley Subaru: $23,800 + $75 Doc Fee = $23,875

Bill Kolb Junior Subaru: $23,808 + $75 Doc Fee = $23,883

Every little bit helps. The prices from "Kolb" & "Stamford" include a $100 discount for being a Costco Member. The price from "Kingsley" includes a $300 discount for being a AAA member.

qbrozen

I did an extended search, and the cheapest manual hatchback 2014 Fiesta is $16905. Take into accounts the incentives and discount, I come up with $14,879. Still more than $2k more than the mazda2. Is it out of the question? No. But I wouldn't even be able to test drive it without either taking a long trip or the dealer bringing it in first (which I would not expect them to do).

xwesx

I'm not sure if the Mazda2 is redesigned from three years ago, but those cars were night-and-day when it comes to interior room. I wasn't able to fit in the back seat of the 2 (both leg and head room were non-starters), yet it isn't a problem at all in the Fiesta (or the Fit, for that matter). Actually, for rear passenger and cargo space, the Fit simply wins. Finding a Fit in manual form, in Fairbanks, at least, was simply unobtainable at the time, so I didn't bother with them.

The dealer suggested that I could order one, to which I responded that I wasn't going to buy a car without driving a comparable unit first, and that I wasn't going to buy it from them either way, so it didn't make much sense. I suggested that they order a manual just to have one available, then call me when it comes in, but, shockingly, I never received that call!

breld

Maybe you can just inch up bit by bit on your pricing criteria and end up with a Fiesta ST.

nyccarguy

@stickguy‌

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium
Lapis Blue Exterior with Tan "guts" (this is a first for me)
Slick Top
No EYESIGHT

oldfarmer50

"...My car should be here next week..."

Is it a dealer trade? If so how far away?

nyccarguy

Dealer trade. Not sure from how far away. I didn't ask. I'll find out when I get the car.

jayrider

Dealer in STL has a stick Fiesta Titanium for $14525 with an MSRP of$19595. Leather seating if anyone is interested. Black and black.

roadburner

@nyccarguy said:
Here are the numbers broken down:

Subaru Stamford: $23,826 + $379 Conveyance Fee = $24,205

Kingsley Subaru: $23,800 + $75 Doc Fee = $23,875

Bill Kolb Junior Subaru: $23,808 + $75 Doc Fee = $23,883

Every little bit helps. The prices from "Kolb" & "Stamford" include a $100 discount for being a Costco Member. The price from "Kingsley" includes a $300 discount for being a AAA member.

Congrats, Bradd!!!

roadburner

@breld said:
Maybe you can just inch up bit by bit on your pricing criteria and end up with a Fiesta ST.

My thoughts as well, but with some of the rebates I've seen. you might get a Focus ST for similar money(and yes, I know it isn't as much fun as the Fiesta ST...)

nyccarguy

Thank-you Bailey!

I agree that a Focus ST for Fiesta ST money is a good buy. I'm still not convinced you'll like it out of the box as much as you do your modified MazdaSpeed 3.

qbrozen

Went and drove the 2 tonight. I was pleasantly surprised by the space front and back. With the driver seat all the way aft, my older son would have no problem sitting behind me. The boot was definitely small, though. Driver's seat would need a little modifying for me, but that's the case with all current mazdas without a power seat.

I was impressed with the level of interior noise on the road. It is not as cheap feeling as a versa note. The engine note is pretty good, too. Not nearly as thrashy or coarse as the nissan. It revs happily, zinging through first gear. Hitting 2nd, however, leaves it flat-footed if you don't wring out first. Power overall is certainly adequate for around town. On the highway, forget about passing in 5th unless you have all the time in the world. But 3rd is not far away and pulls it past cars without too much drama.

Speaking of the shifter...holy cow! It is so effortless. That goes for the clutch, too. I can't believe how light the pedal is. It doesn't feel like it is connected to anything.

The best part is how it transitions in the corners and stays level. I found an empty lot with new asphalt and had no problem getting it to drift around. It put a big smile on my face.

Used car manager wanted nothing to do with the benz and I found out the low price is thanks to a $2k dealer spliff that is not compatible with the 0% financing. So I left to mull things over.

sweendogy

@nyccarguy‌ - did you happen to look at true car as a reference? If not what did you do to get pricing ?

roadburner

@nyccarguy said:
Thank-you Bailey!

I agree that a Focus ST for Fiesta ST money is a good buy. I'm still not convinced you'll like it out of the box as much as you do your modified MazdaSpeed 3.

I know- I've been thinking of a car I'd like driving more than my MS3 and I have trouble naming anything new that doesn't start at over $40k or used for less than $30k.

nyccarguy

@sweendogy‌

I actually didn't look at true car as a reference. I did check out edmunds here to see what the invoice price of the car is. If I really wanted to, I could have emailed every Subaru dealer from Maine to Maryland, but I was comfortable knowing the 3 quotes I received in the market were valid.

stickguy

@nyccarguy said:
stickguy‌

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium
Lapis Blue Exterior with Tan "guts" (this is a first for me)
Slick Top
No EYESIGHT

Buying this one, or leasing?

sweendogy

@stickguy good question, and are you trading the 328x?

stickguy

oh, that color is nice. If I get one, it would be the darker gray. Though that has black/charcoal guts, I think it is OK in cloth.

nyccarguy

I'm buying this time around. I just put so many miles per year on the car that I don't want to worry about "watching the odometer." Subaru has 2.9% financing for 72 months. I told the sales guy if he can get me a better rate from another bank (other than Subaru Finance) that I'll take it.

@sweendogy‌

No trade. The lease on my 328xi is up on the 22nd of this month. It is going back to BMW. Most likely headed for the auction block.

nyccarguy

@stickguy‌

I'm kinda nervous about caring for a light colored interior, but the Lapis Blue is such a gorgeous color. I decided to just go for it!

stickguy

If the legacy interior is the same as the Forester, I don't think it will be too bad. Plus it makes it airier.

speaking of the Forester, I "sold" another Sube this weekend. I think they owe me some kind of commission. After much coaching, and long-distance psychoanalysis, my SIL sucked up the courage to go to the dealers and strike a deal. Even walked from one place when it didn't go the way she hoped.

ended up finding her dream Forester premium in Jasmine green. A few weeks out, but dealer said that as soon as they have a VIN she can have a loaner.

she said they settled at $1,400 off of sticker, so I think she did well. Of course, I have not seen #s, so have no idea if that sticker was padded!

nice, nice car though. A fine upgrade from a 15 YO 180K Odyssey, that is currently dead at a garage with a shot trans.

corvette

@nyccarguy said:
stickguy‌

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium
Lapis Blue Exterior with Tan "guts" (this is a first for me)
Slick Top
No EYESIGHT

Blue with tan guts is my favorite color combination. Congrats! We are at 24 punches for the year.

28firefighter

Congrats, Bradd. Use it well!

nyccarguy

Thank-you @corvette! Don't count my punch until I take delivery;)

stickguy

well, I must like Blue over tan too. Both my sedans are that combo! And it is my wife's favorite too, and I guarantee her RDX would be that configuration if Acura had offered it in Blue.