Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

Michael, I never got a message come through (since you said you sent one).

stever

corvette said:

I'm not stable on any ladder taller than about six feet.

Geeze, just got an email from a friend whose ladder collapsed under him coming off his folks' roof. Sore all over but hopefully that's all. Supposed to have left on a road trip north yesterday. I've done a bit of research on those poles btw.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Michael, I never got a message come through (since you said you sent one).

Sorry, I screwed it up. I've got to respond using the messaging tools in the forums; I tried to respond via google mail. I'll try again in the right place.

roadburner

Number One Son may be in for a surprise; he doesn't know it yet, but my wife is talking about repossessing the X3 and giving him the 328i. I don't think she has ever liked the 3er as much as the X3, and as little as she drives we could probably get another 4 years or so out of it. And since my son's latest true love attends Alabama, he'll have a car with considerably fewer miles to drive on extended journeys...

au1994

Paging Dr Fintail...Please pick up a white courtesy telephone...

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4965933260.html

imidazol97

au1994 said:

Paging Dr Fintail...Please pick up a white courtesy telephone...

Paging Dr Fintail...Please pick up a white BLUE courtesy telephone...

fintail

I think I have seen that before. I like it. A fuel injected sunroof fintail in good colors is a desirable combo. It would sell in an instant at that price in Germany - but here, it needs about a 50% price reduction. It looks pretty straight , not too rusty, and very complete, but not being a runner, on 1970s-80s issue plates, means it will need some work. You could restore it and spend 50K to have a 20K car. Maybe a good DIY hobbyist could nurse it back to health - looks too good to be a parts car, to me.

Also looks familiar:

au1994 said:

Paging Dr Fintail...Please pick up a white courtesy telephone...

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4965933260.html

stickguy

Fin, on the tranny, is "4" like drive?

breld

Last week, while driving around, some seemingly extreme warning lights started flashing on the wife's GTI. Turned out the coolant level was low. I topped it off with some distilled water (per the dealership's instruction) and we took it in. My wife also wanted them to check out a squeaking passenger seat - it is quite annoying when someone is sitting in it.

So, picked it up this morning, and they simply said they topped off the coolant and didn't find anything wrong, and then had the standard response of not being able to replicate the squeaking from the passenger seat.

First, should you really be needing to top off the coolant on a new car like this?

And second, my wife was pretty annoyed that they couldn't replicate the squeaking - it has become a very consistent thing.

Now, these are fairly minor annoyances, but I'd still say for all you yearning for a MKVII GTI - wait a few months for the 2016. New infotainment and hopefully some of the bugs from the new factory are worked out.

roadburner

breld said:

Last week, while driving around, some seemingly extreme warning lights started flashing on the wife's GTI. Turned out the coolant level was low. I topped it off with some distilled water (per the dealership's instruction) and we took it in. My wife also wanted them to check out a squeaking passenger seat - it is quite annoying when someone is sitting in it.

So, picked it up this morning, and they simply said they topped off the coolant and didn't find anything wrong, and then had the standard response of not being able to replicate the squeaking from the passenger seat.

First, should you really be needing to top off the coolant on a new car like this?

And second, my wife was pretty annoyed that they couldn't replicate the squeaking - it has become a very consistent thing.

Now, these are fairly minor annoyances, but I'd still say for all you yearning for a MKVII GTI - wait a few months for the 2016. New infotainment and hopefully some of the bugs from the new factory are worked out.

I have just about zero confidence in the VW dealer network; "Blow off the customer at every opportunity." seems to be their mission statement.

xwesx

corvette said:

stever said:

Two down, about 17 more LED floods to go. Got 5 in the LR with ~11' ceilings so it'll be nice to swap all those out. May do 'em all when the first one dies. Not a big fan of ladders.

I'm not stable on any ladder taller than about six feet. You may want to get one of those extender poles so you can change the bulbs from the floor with a little contorting.

Oh, man. These ladder comments got me thinking about a ladder event this past winter. I don't think I've ever felt that scared in my whole life! LOL

A friend's plumbing vent (those 3-4" vents that protrude from the roof) was frosted over and causing issues with drainage in the house, so I suggested this was likely the problem and said, "we just need to thaw it by pouring hot water down the pipe from the roof. It's a pain, but really simple." So, like any good friend, he asks, "Oh, can you show me how to do it?"

Hahah. Well, I go home, get my 22' extension ladder and tea kettle, and go to his place. Of course, the only way onto the roof is two stories up, and it's dark, and there's about 30" of snow on the roof. I extended the ladder and set it up, and it was *just* tall enough to reach the fascia. I mean, *just* tall enough. I climb up there with him holding the ladder, *carefully* clear off a landing platform for myself, and feel my leg cramping. Great!

I go down, get the hot water, climb back up, *ease* onto the roof, and freedom! Being up there was very nice (about a 4/12 slope, so pretty easy to traverse) and the view was incredible! I thawed the pipe, tossed the kettle off, but then had to get back to that ladder (which I could not see from the roof). Holy cow was that scary. After several seconds of foot-dangling terror, I found the ladder and safely made my way down it, but told him point blank, "Okay, I'm *never* doing that again!" He laughs and says, "That's okay by me, 'cause I wouldn't have done it once, never mind a second time!"

xwesx

I sold the Fiesta last night (sig updated accordingly)! Now, I just have to make it through the summer as a vehicular nomad.

slorenzen

Sounds like all the dealership did was perform the "parking lot" test.

Let it sit in the repair lot for a couple hours, and call you to say it's all fixed...

:@

xwesx

roadburner said:

Number One Son may be in for a surprise; he doesn't know it yet, but my wife is talking about repossessing the X3 and giving him the 328i. I don't think she has ever liked the 3er as much as the X3, and as little as she drives we could probably get another 4 years or so out of it. And since my son's latest true love attends Alabama, he'll have a car with considerably fewer miles to drive on extended journeys...

Poor kid!

kyfdx

I'm sure there are some good VW dealer service departments..

That said, I don't know of any, personally.

nyccarguy

@robr2 - is your passat FWD or 4Motion?

roadburner

xwesx said:

roadburner said:

Number One Son may be in for a surprise; he doesn't know it yet, but my wife is talking about repossessing the X3 and giving him the 328i. I don't think she has ever liked the 3er as much as the X3, and as little as she drives we could probably get another 4 years or so out of it. And since my son's latest true love attends Alabama, he'll have a car with considerably fewer miles to drive on extended journeys...

Poor kid!

We've been very fortunate with the truck up to this point. I found a good indie shop in Columbia and so far the only repairs it has needed have been a starter and a battery.

nyccarguy

Our Pilot is officially 4 years old today

stickguy

Buy it a cake.

Our RDX clicked over 30k Sunday.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Buy it a cake. Our RDX clicked over 30k Sunday.

Wow @stickguy.  You guys are piling the miles on that sucker!

xwesx

stickguy said:

Buy it a cake.

Our RDX clicked over 30k Sunday.

How long have you had it now? Seems like a respectable # of miles. It's seen several college runs too, now, so that's going to give that odometer a boost now and again.

We're at 84K now on the Forester (which will be six in Sept).

xwesx

Wait a minute.....

Is it wrong that we're on the CCBA thread talking about automotive anniversaries and mileage milestones?

stickguy

RDX is now at 32 months. So we are running just under 12K/year, largely inflated with numerous trips touring the south. I'm surprised with all the extra trips (including my runs back and forth to NY for parents health duty when I did not have a decent car of my own) it would be more. Thankfully commuting miles are almost nil on it!

would have worked out perfectly if we had done a 12K lease. would be giving it back with only a couple of K to spare.

nyccarguy

These "handwritten" notes must be all the rage with the dealers now.  I got one attached to a fake check made out to me from Stamford Hyundai for the amount of $23,850.  The note on the "invoice" part of the check explains that the GM himself is prepared to write me a check for this amount for my 2011 Honda Pilot (depending on its miles & condition).  He then goes on to explain that now is the perfect time to sell or trade my vehicle and upgrade to a new Hyundai or certified pre-owned vehicle.  

"please keep in mind, even if you do not want to buy a car from me, I am still interested in purchasing your vehicle."

yeah, ok buddy.  Let me get right down there.

corvette

breld said:

 Turned out the coolant level was low... First, should you really be needing to top off the coolant on a new car like this?

No. My GLI lost coolant before the 10k and 20k services but hasn't lost any more just shy of 30k. I was told it was normal but I don't think it is in a sealed system. My 2.0t burns close to a quart of oil between services, which I do accept as normal. 

henryn

kyfdx said:

I'm sure there are some good VW dealer service departments..

That said, I don't know of any, personally.

West Houston Volkswagen

Sandman6472

So far, so good with just over 5800 on the clock. When tires were rotated, tire store put in too much air and the icon came on the next day. Took it in to the Tires Plus next to the office, they lowered the air pressure to specs and icon went off. Audi also had a similar issue with the pressure in one tire being too low but wife took it in, they rechecked all tires and made adjustments, icon went off. These are the first vehicles we've owned that seem to be so sensitive to air pressure...both have 225/45/17's on them. These are the biggest tires with the smallest sidewalls we've ever owned so the jury is still out. I've got Continentals and she has Pirelli's...but mine came off a 2015 Jetta due to a miscommunication with the dealer.
Getting the 10k service gratis and paid to also get the 20k and 30k, wife did something similar but paid slightly more. Like insurance, we both wanted the piece of mind of dealing with the dealer during the warranty period. Not sure if the wife will keep the A3 for 10 years like her Mazda though I plan to do just that though she did mention that she'd give me first dibs if she does bail before I do. As it stands now, my mileage will be greater than hers so things could get interesting come year 5 or 6. Convinced her to take the Accent on this weeks road trip that she and the girls went on since it's mileage is still pretty low for it's age. And since I just put a lot of $ into it, might as well use it.


The Sandman

Sandman6472

Wife told me someone tapped the A3 and dented it but for the life of me, I can't find it...need to wait till she returns from their road trip to show me the damage. Now the jerk who hit me on the drivers side rear wheel well left scratches with mucked up the clear coat...still trying to figure out how they did this since I park in a handicap space 95% of the time. Not bad enough to repair but was a bit pissed when I did see it. Trying to keep a good amount of wax on it so as to stop any further damage. The first one is the hardest but still got another compliment on the blue color today at the Publix supermarket. Lady came over and mentioned how blue the color is, she said it was such a deep blue that she just had to come over and get a closer look. For some reason, most Golf's I see down here are white for some reason though have seen a few silvers...vowed no more silver vehicles and was all set to get white also but once I saw the blue, I was hooked. Also didn't want to have 2 white vehicles in the garage!

The Sandman

Michaell

A wonderful lunch today with Mr. and Mrs. @breld. Lots of car talk - PT Cruisers and Pacers factored into our conversation.

jpp75

xwesx said:

I sold the Fiesta last night (sig updated accordingly)! Now, I just have to make it through the summer as a vehicular nomad.

Congrats on selling the Fiesta. When are you thinking about a replacement and what's on the short list?

xwesx

jpp5862 said:

Congrats on selling the Fiesta. When are you thinking about a replacement and what's on the short list?

I'm waffling. I thought I had it all figured out and wanted to replace it with a Flex Ecoboost. But, this being completely debt-free stuff feels pretty good. When I woke up this morning, I was thinking maybe I should use some of the $7K I pocketed from this sale to buy me a nice old hooptie and just enjoy the feeling a bit longer (as in a few years longer.... LOL).

But, I have the summer to think about it. I'm going to try to use our Forester on "off" days (when wife doesn't need it) as well as my '69s on those other days.

stever

I'd mumble something about no car debt since '82 but it's off-topic in here.

Here's an idea - road trip to Oregon, send your family back home without you and get home in your garage queen in storage down there.

xwesx

stever said:

I'd mumble something about no car debt since '82 but it's off-topic in here.

Here's an idea - road trip to Oregon, send your family back home without you and get home in your garage queen in storage down there.

Well, house debt counts, too.

That's a good idea, Steve! If I had a good three or four weeks to be able to sink some serious time into it, that just might be a viable plan. Who knows, if the legislature keeps up their shenanigans for much longer, I just might get the "vacation" I'm talking about, with that little caveat of being unpaid....

stever

Ouch, those unpaid "holidays" aren't good.

Dunno, house debt just doesn't feel the same as car debt. I've haven't made any money selling a house since the 70s but can't say I've lost much money on any of them either (none, really, unless you count all the "usual" expenses of owning one). Our cheap house in the UP was paid for but I'm not feeling any worse for loading up on house debt again.

Cars just wear out and lose value, even while you are paying them off

Except for a few garage queens in Oregon that is.

fezo

Just a word for you folks on ladders - be insanely careful. I guy I used to play with in a country rock band - our front man - fell off a 10 foot ladder last week, breaking his hip. Had everyone wishing him well of his Facebook pages and suddenly went silent. Then his wife posts that he had difficulty breathing and they put him in a medically induced coma to ease on that. Long story short he didn't make it. Only 66 years old and a crazy man in the best sense of the word.

So, if you're considering working up on a ladder, how about go buy a car and entertain us instead?

fintail

If only the car market was as subsidized and idolized as the housing market, eh?

Houses wear out too - look at a lot of 80s and 90s era construction. And they can be used as deduction after deduction.

stever said:

Ouch, those unpaid "holidays" aren't good.

Dunno, house debt just doesn't feel the same as car debt.

Except for a few garage queens in Oregon that is.

fintail

Yep, "4" is Drive. It's a 4 speed non-OD non-torque converter unit, MB's first in-house automatic.

stickguy said:

Fin, on the tranny, is "4" like drive?

stever

fintail said:

If only the car market was as subsidized and idolized as the housing market, eh?

Mmm, like your stuck Bertha and all those floating bridges?

In other news, I may be driving a Cruze in ten days or so. Wait for it.

28firefighter

My office sits right along the Seattle waterfront about a 1/4 mile from where Bertha is currently sitting. Total disaster. Traffic is constantly backed up due to new detours and the road it is supposed to replace (the Viaduct) moves every time they do something with Bertha. 

I believe the project will finish by the time the only thing I'm allowed to drive is a jazzy scooter. 

breld

Michaell said:

A wonderful lunch today with Mr. and Mrs. @breld. Lots of car talk - PT Cruisers and Pacers factored into our conversation.

Yup, Mrs. Breld paid her dues early in her car ownership experience.

And yes, always great to catch up in person with @Michaell.

qbrozen

xwesx said:

When I woke up this morning, I was thinking maybe I should use some of the $7K I pocketed from this sale to buy me a nice old hooptie and just enjoy the feeling a bit longer (as in a few years longer.... LOL).

I tried that. It didn't last long. I think maybe 2-3 months with a Benz 190E I bought for $1500. Then started climbing the ladder from there. $7k for a V70 that I then traded like 8 mos later for a $15k GTI that lasted about 18 mos before trading on a $24k 135i ... and so on. SIGH.

slorenzen

For all you rat/rabbit hunters...

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5033719040.html

stever

"Cup holders for cold sodas." - uh huh.

stickguy

My wife would kill me if I brought that "rat" home.

xwesx

fezo said:

Just a word for you folks on ladders - be insanely careful. I guy I used to play with in a country rock band - our front man - fell off a 10 foot ladder last week, breaking his hip. Had everyone wishing him well of his Facebook pages and suddenly went silent. Then his wife posts that he had difficulty breathing and they put him in a medically induced coma to ease on that. Long story short he didn't make it. Only 66 years old and a crazy man in the best sense of the word.

So, if you're considering working up on a ladder, how about go buy a car and entertain us instead?

Condolences, sir, and thank you for the sound advice!

xwesx

qbrozen said:

I tried that. It didn't last long. I think maybe 2-3 months with a Benz 190E I bought for $1500. Then started climbing the ladder from there. $7k for a V70 that I then traded like 8 mos later for a $15k GTI that lasted about 18 mos before trading on a $24k 135i ... and so on. SIGH.

LOL I know; UGH! I'm trying to be sensical about this whole thing, but then I like to think that I can learn from the lessons taught by others, and yet....

xwesx

slorenzen said:

For all you rat/rabbit hunters...

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5033719040.html

Bwahahahahahhaha! That is fantastic!

slorenzen

xwesx said:

slorenzen said:

For all you rat/rabbit hunters...

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5033719040.html

Bwahahahahahhaha! That is fantastic!

You probably know this, but in central Oregon, the ranchers and farmers welcome hunters to come and help shrink the rabbit and ground squirrel population.

Like whack-a-mole out there.

corvette

slorenzen said:

For all you rat/rabbit hunters... http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5033719040.html

Bwahahahahahhaha! That is fantastic!

You probably know this, but in central Oregon, the ranchers and farmers welcome hunters to come and help shrink the rabbit and ground squirrel population. Like whack-a-mole out there.

My dog would go crazy. She tries to climb a tree every time a squirrel runs up one, then cries when she can't reach it. 

xwesx

slorenzen said:

You probably know this, but in central Oregon, the ranchers and farmers welcome hunters to come and help shrink the rabbit and ground squirrel population.

Like whack-a-mole out there.

No, I didn't realize that! I know that gophers are a real issue in eastern Oregon, especially with regard to livestock animals stepping into the burrows (probably no different than prairie dogs on the plains), but I did not know that these other rodents were such an issue in the central part of the state. Beefing up the coyote population would be a pretty good fix.