Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

Breld, is painting the garage on the "honey do" list?

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

Looks great inside & out @breld! Does CO require a front plate?

Sadly, we do need a front plate.

Do they break chops about it? I know in NY, it is required and they will pull you over specifically for that reason. In CT, it is required, but the police don't really bother you about it (unless you given them a reason to).

abacomike

nyccarguy said:

Looks great inside & out @breld! Does CO require a front plate?

Sadly, we do need a front plate.

Do they break chops about it? I know in NY, it is required and they will pull you over specifically for that reason. In CT, it is required, but the police don't really bother you about it (unless you given them a reason to).

Speaking of license plates, back in the 1960's, Florida bagan producing license plates (we call them "tags") using soy by-products to reduce costs and decrease use of metals.  Sounded like a great idea until animals (mainly cows I believe) began eating the tags/plates off the rear ends of farm vehicles (Florida requires only rear tags).  I believe raccoons and hedgehogs and squirrels were doing the same.

That was the end of that idea!!!

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

Looks great inside & out @breld! Does CO require a front plate?

Sadly, we do need a front plate.

Do they break chops about it? I know in NY, it is required and they will pull you over specifically for that reason. In CT, it is required, but the police don't really bother you about it (unless you given them a reason to).

I don't think so ... I suppose I can try to go without a front plate on the Subaru, but since the wife drives it mostly, I'd get a ration of you-know-what if she were to be pulled over.

I'd say <5% of the cars I see don't have a front plate on them.

breld

corvette said:

Breld, is painting the garage on the "honey do" list?

Oh yes - 4 years into the house, and I sure wish we would've just done it right away. One of these days.

jayrider

breld said:

corvette said:

Breld, is painting the garage on the "honey do" list?

Oh yes - 4 years into the house, and I sure wish we would've just done it right away. One of these days.

Just get a few bids and have it done. It won't be that much and if you hate to paint as much as I do, well worth it. In all honesty, I'd just leave it as is.

iluvmysephia1

ML to Wenatchee, that's not a short drive. You're going to mile up that thing.

You're right,fintail. It would be good to get my string of 3 nights in a row in ML. Lobbied for that but it wasn't available. Things change, lookin' for this one to eventually or I am gonna mile up the '11 Kia Soul 5-speed in clear white.

Congrats on the cool '15 Mazda 3, breld!

corvette

breld said:

Oh yes - 4 years into the house, and I sure wish we would've just done it right away. One of these days.

I painted mine myself. Not that bad, but I'm not very good at edging the trim. I'm much more picky about paint inside the house, but judging from the houses I've looked at with my agent, most other people aren't! I was always taught that you do prep work to sand down rough spots, etc., before painting, but people seem to leave those steps out nowadays and just slap on another coat of paint.

kyfdx

Had a little scare with my car, a couple of weeks back. Temperatures were - 10 F in the AM, warming up to about 15 F by the end of the day. Was commuting home on the freeway and looked in my rearview mirror. My car was laying a heavy trail of smoke. Noticed a burning smell, that up until I saw the smoke, thought was coming from the beater in front of me.. No performance issues and no warning lights.

Get home and the burning smell is strong. Checked my oil and I'm two quarts low (out of 7). Added the oil, and drove it a little the next day. No more smoke, and holding oil okay, but figured I should park it.

Shop traced the leak to the valve cover gasket. All of the smoke was from the leaking oil contacting the hot manifold below. Replaced the valve cover gasket, and did an oil/filter change (almost due). Total labor charge was 2.5 hours. Didn't really have a diagnosis of why the gasket failed... but, they don't think anything else was damaged. Picked it up today, and all seems normal. shewwwwww

jeffb0101

Really like that Mazda3. How do you like the infotainment so far?

roadburner

kyfdx said:

Had a little scare with my car, a couple of weeks back. Temperatures were - 10 F in the AM, warming up to about 15 F by the end of the day. Was commuting home on the freeway and looked in my rearview mirror. My car was laying a heavy trail of smoke. Noticed a burning smell, that up until I saw the smoke, thought was coming from the beater in front of me.. No performance issues and no warning lights.

Get home and the burning smell is strong. Checked my oil and I'm two quarts low (out of 7). Added the oil, and drove it a little the next day. No more smoke, and holding oil okay, but figured I should park it.

Shop traced the leak to the valve cover gasket. All of the smoke was from the leaking oil contacting the hot manifold below. Replaced the valve cover gasket, and did an oil/filter change (almost due). Total labor charge was 2.5 hours. Didn't really have a diagnosis of why the gasket failed... but, they don't think anything else was damaged. Picked it up today, and all seems normal. shewwwwww

The M5x engines like to cook the left rear corner of the valve cover.

breld

jeffb0101 said:

Really like that Mazda3. How do you like the infotainment so far?

I like it so far. When I first plugged in my iPod to the USB, it seemed to take a little while before all the artists were available to scroll through. Not sure if that was an "initialization" thing or if it is recurring.

I read on some long-term review that there were some bugs with the system, such as needing to be re-booted from time to time, but I haven't experienced any of those issues in the short time I've been driving it.

Having come from many BMWs, I like the "command" knob and its placement. I much prefer it to using the touchscreen.

The stereo is the upgraded Bose system - I'm no audiophile, but I do appreciate when you can turn the volume up and have a nice full, clean sound, and this system accomplishes that well to my taste.

nyccarguy

@breld‌

I saw a 3 hatch on the way home. You are correct about the spoiler finishing off the rear end! Great job!

au1994

kyfdx said:

Had a little scare with my car, a couple of weeks back. Temperatures were - 10 F in the AM, warming up to about 15 F by the end of the day. Was commuting home on the freeway and looked in my rearview mirror. My car was laying a heavy trail of smoke. Noticed a burning smell, that up until I saw the smoke, thought was coming from the beater in front of me.. No performance issues and no warning lights.

Get home and the burning smell is strong. Checked my oil and I'm two quarts low (out of 7). Added the oil, and drove it a little the next day. No more smoke, and holding oil okay, but figured I should park it.

Shop traced the leak to the valve cover gasket. All of the smoke was from the leaking oil contacting the hot manifold below. Replaced the valve cover gasket, and did an oil/filter change (almost due). Total labor charge was 2.5 hours. Didn't really have a diagnosis of why the gasket failed... but, they don't think anything else was damaged. Picked it up today, and all seems normal. shewwwwww

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I seem to remember a few guys on the ZHP forum having gaskets go and reporting no ill effects afterward.

au1994

@Breld...thats a good looking ride, inside and out. Love the functionality of the 5 door hatch!

fezo

I hear yo on the stereo. My Mazda has a Bose system, the Prius has a JBL and the Camry has an anonymous but very nice system.

henryn

kyfdx said:

Shop traced the leak to the valve cover gasket. All of the smoke was from the leaking oil contacting the hot manifold below. Replaced the valve cover gasket, and did an oil/filter change (almost due). Total labor charge was 2.5 hours.

2.5 hours to change one valve cover gasket. And what is the hourly charge at the shop you use, $100 per hour? I'm sure the dealer is well above that.

I remember when it used to be a 15 minute job to pull a valve cover. Back in the day, I had a 67 'Cuda Formula S, with mechanical lifters. Regular maintenance on that engine included pulling both valve covers to adjust the lash on the lifters.

With some of these modern cars, it might be easier / cheaper to buy a new car than pull the valve cover.

nyccarguy

henryn said:

kyfdx said:

Shop traced the leak to the valve cover gasket. All of the smoke was from the leaking oil contacting the hot manifold below. Replaced the valve cover gasket, and did an oil/filter change (almost due). Total labor charge was 2.5 hours.

2.5 hours to change one valve cover gasket. And what is the hourly charge at the shop you use, $100 per hour? I'm sure the dealer is well above that.

I remember when it used to be a 15 minute job to pull a valve cover. Back in the day, I had a 67 'Cuda Formula S, with mechanical lifters. Regular maintenance on that engine included pulling both valve covers to adjust the lash on the lifters.

With some of these modern cars, it might be easier / cheaper to buy a new car than pull the valve cover.

@henryn‌

This is chronic car buyers anonymous. it is ALWAYS cheaper to buy a new car:)

rayainsw

' Back in the day, I had a 67 'Cuda Formula S, with mechanical lifters.'
I had a couple of late 1960s, early 1970s Volvos that required
setting mechanical valve lifters.
- Ray
Probably have the tools and feeler gauge in my garage, still.
No chance I will ever use 'em again....

Mr_Shiftright

In California they'll give you a ticket for no front plate even if you're just parked and they spot it.

nyccarguy said:

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

Looks great inside & out @breld! Does CO require a front plate?

Sadly, we do need a front plate.

Do they break chops about it? I know in NY, it is required and they will pull you over specifically for that reason. In CT, it is required, but the police don't really bother you about it (unless you given them a reason to).

kyfdx

henryn said:

kyfdx said:

Shop traced the leak to the valve cover gasket. All of the smoke was from the leaking oil contacting the hot manifold below. Replaced the valve cover gasket, and did an oil/filter change (almost due). Total labor charge was 2.5 hours.

2.5 hours to change one valve cover gasket. And what is the hourly charge at the shop you use, $100 per hour? I'm sure the dealer is well above that.

I remember when it used to be a 15 minute job to pull a valve cover. Back in the day, I had a 67 'Cuda Formula S, with mechanical lifters. Regular maintenance on that engine included pulling both valve covers to adjust the lash on the lifters.

With some of these modern cars, it might be easier / cheaper to buy a new car than pull the valve cover.

I'm assuming 0.5 hours for the oil/filter change and 2 hours for the gasket. Either way, diagnosis time included.. And.... (drumroll....).. the shop only charges $70/hr! $90 for the gasket from BMW.

Pros: Walking distance from my house..
Cons: Had to rent a car, while waiting for available time slot. (not an issue for planned maintenance or repairs.. they only had my car for the day.. just had to wait 4 days to get it in).

fezo

Interesting thing on the front plate. The Prius was formerly a Pennsylvania car - no front plate. No front plate bracket either. What to do what to do.

stickguy

What I did. Put it on. The sonata I bought in PA. It had a bracket in trunk. I just forgot to have them install. I got brave and did myself. The Toyota dealer can give (more likely sell) you one.

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

In California they'll give you a ticket for no front plate even if you're just parked and they spot it.

nyccarguy said:

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

Looks great inside & out @breld! Does CO require a front plate?

Sadly, we do need a front plate.

Do they break chops about it? I know in NY, it is required and they will pull you over specifically for that reason. In CT, it is required, but the police don't really bother you about it (unless you given them a reason to).

Same in NY.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

What I did. Put it on. The sonata I bought in PA. It had a bracket in trunk. I just forgot to have them install. I got brave and did myself. The Toyota dealer can give (more likely sell) you one.

You ever see a car where the front plate is just so slightly off center? Drives me nuts!

stickguy

the Sonata was well designed. There were slots and tabs on the fascia for the bracket to slide on. So by design, if you had it flush, it had to be centered.

the only real risk was torqueing the screws too hard, and cracking the bumper. So I was real gentle on the throttle!

xwesx

The front plate on our Forester is super-fancy.... just screwed right into the bumper fascia; who needs a plate to mount it?!

After a few winters, the plate is now shaped the same as the fascia underneath it. LOL

jeffb0101

Breld, I remember one of the automotive reviewers (Alex on Autos maybe?) complaining about the fact that the USB devices had to index everytime the car was started. I think it was on either the CX-5 or M6, though, which are still using the older software. I'm sure they are going to update with the 2016 refresh to match that of the 3. 

breld

I did notice today that the iPod information seemed to come up quickly, so maybe it was just an initialization thing when I first plugged it in.

Th overall interface is great. There is a favorites page with three tabs - one for radio stations, one for phone numbers, and the last one for nav addresses. I think it's pretty innovative to have those in one location. And there's a direct access button for that favorites page around the controller knob.

Had my first fill-up today. I calculated the overall MPG right at 30. According to the trip computer, I was getting into the upper 30's on some of my commutes. Upon filling the tank, the trip computer indicated a range of 420 miles - that's close to the range of my 535i, but with only a 13 gallon tank. I can live with that.

suydam

Here's a pic of my new Encore.

stickguy

Sharp looking. My daughter would live that.

jayrider

stickguy said:

Sharp looking. My daughter would live that.

Great deals are available ?????

suydam

One more pic from a different angle.

xwesx

Nice! I didn't realize those Encores were so compact. What sort of fuel economy are you getting out of it?

suydam

So far, 28 mpg around town, which is better than I expected. I've only taken 1 highway trip and it was mixed with a lot of city stop-go traffic. I got 30 mpg on that trip. EPA estimates are 25/33. Most owners on other forums are reporting around 35 highway. Time will tell. I never got close to the EPA estimates on my Vibe, but the estimates for my Honda Accord are pretty close.

Kirstie_H

Are you looking to buy a vehicle equipped minimal technology features? Or did you recently buy a car with minimal technology? A reporter wants to hear your story. Please contact pr@edmunds.com by Monday, March 16, 2015.

graphicguy

Thought you might get a charge out of this.....


http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/09/1980s-sporty-cars-retro-review-motorweek-video/

au1994

graphicguy said:

Thought you might get a charge out of this.....


http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/09/1980s-sporty-cars-retro-review-motorweek-video/

Wow! that's some great stuff! Where did I put my copy of "Memories"?

xwesx

suydam said:

So far, 28 mpg around town, which is better than I expected. I've only taken 1 highway trip and it was mixed with a lot of city stop-go traffic. I got 30 mpg on that trip. EPA estimates are 25/33. Most owners on other forums are reporting around 35 highway. Time will tell. I never got close to the EPA estimates on my Vibe, but the estimates for my Honda Accord are pretty close.

That's great! And this one is an AWD unit, yes? That sounds like a pretty decent compromise in terms of size/features/comfort.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

Thought you might get a charge out of this.....


http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/09/1980s-sporty-cars-retro-review-motorweek-video/

I'd still like to have a 323 GTX.

suydam

No, this is the FWD Encore. Compromise is the solidity, quiet, good maneuverability + SUV height and still practical for our needs. For the price, a great little package.

kyfdx

roadburner said:

graphicguy said:

Thought you might get a charge out of this.....


http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/09/1980s-sporty-cars-retro-review-motorweek-video/

I'd still like to have a 323 GTX.

Bought a used one in 1994... it was a great little package..

nyccarguy

I know we spoke about this here too, but I also posted this on buying and selling. We had a discussion about this hand written note from the car dealers. Very clever marketing. The penmanship looks real and there's even a smudge on mine to make it look more realistic. Mine reads as follows:

"Bradd

I wanted to drop you a quick note purchasing your 2010 Acura TSX.

I need it now and frankly, I think you will be pleased with my aggressive offer.

It's easy and you don't have to purchase anything!

Talk to you soon,"

Signed by the GM of the dealership with her phone number, extension, & business card enclosed.

Maybe I should drop her a note and tell her that the list she bought is outdated and that I traded the car in three years ago;)

corvette

Cool retro Motorweek episodes. The VW GLI has changed a lot since the 1991 model, as has everything else. Olds and Suzuki are no more in the US. The first-gen digital gauges were awful. The newer ones on modern vehicles are decent.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

I know we spoke about this here too, but I also posted this on buying and selling. We had a discussion about this hand written note from the car dealers. Very clever marketing. The penmanship looks real and there's even a smudge on mine to make it look more realistic. Mine reads as follows:

"Bradd

I wanted to drop you a quick note purchasing your 2010 Acura TSX.

I need it now and frankly, I think you will be pleased with my aggressive offer.

It's easy and you don't have to purchase anything!

Talk to you soon,"

Signed by the GM of the dealership with her phone number, extension, & business card enclosed.

Maybe I should drop her a note and tell her that the list she bought is outdated and that I traded the car in three years ago;)

The smarta$$ in me would love to do just that!

Michaell

Greetings, all.

In California for my annual visit with the family. A possible car-buying opportunity may have come up.

My son currently drives a '97 Mustang V6. True miles unknown as the odometer stopped working at around 160K. He's had it for 6 years and loves it, but it's draining the pocketbooks of everybody here (his mom and grandparents, specifically) due to maintenance and repair costs.

It may be time for something newer and more reliable, not to mention more fuel efficient.

He can't afford much of a monthly payment - he says $200 or so - so I've been on-line looking at used former rental cars. Found a handful that might be in his budget.

Versa SV - http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/628946177/overview/

Mazda 2 Touring - http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/630709094/overview/

Lancer ES - http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/630492282/overview/

And, a non-rental outlier - http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/630235647/overview/

Thoughts? Opinions?

Michaell

An alternative would be a cheap lease on something like a Civic LX .. though I don't think he has the up front cash to get into a lease.

stickguy

I like the lease idea, assuming he has income and a reasonable expectation of being much sounder financially in 3 years. Cheap sign and drive (or 1k max OOP) leases are there, if his credit score is ok.

Élantra is a good choice. Sentras can go cheap. Stuff like that.

A 10k car will be 11k OTD at least. So same 1k up front means 10k financed. $200/month means you are likely looking at a 5 year loan. I'm not interested in making payments on something pushing 100k miles.

Those options other than the Buick should work ok, but quite a shock after a mustang. And all pretty basic. Might do better getting new, and taking 6 year financing.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, nothing very "sporty" in that bunch.

rayainsw

My first suggestion is - buy the current issue of
Consumer Reports [ April - car buying issue ]
and really read it through, before making any
buy \ lease decisions.
Whatever you may think of their car reviews,
there is a wealth of general information, all
in one place...
- Ray
Just a suggestion...