Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stevedebi

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

the whole getting in and out of a sporty car does give me pause. Probably the smart move is to get one as a spare toy, and have a more practical daily driver. Even for a convertible like the BMW I posted. keep it inside in the lousy weather!

My wife rode in the E-GT tonight. She had minor knee surgery last month and is still hobbling a bit. She found it pretty hard to get in and out due to the height.

It's possible my next lease will have easier access to accommodate her.

That is one thing I love about my C-Max. It is very easy to enter and exit, with the high roof and seating position, but it doesn't sit high off the ground like an SUV. Really easy access.

It is easier then my Honda Odyssey, back in the day, and that was an easy car to get into.

Mr_Shiftright

The one thing a MINI does well (perhaps the only thing a MINI does well) is entry/exit and headroom. The cars are quite spacious inside, better than many cars with much larger exterior dimension--and better than many SUVs in my experience.

stevedebi

Mr_Shiftright said:

The one thing a MINI does well (perhaps the only thing a MINI does well) is entry/exit and headroom. The cars are quite spacious inside, better than many cars with much larger exterior dimension--and better than many SUVs in my experience.

Surprised to hear that, they seem so low to the ground that I would think I'd have to crouch down to enter them. My wife considered one briefly, but we didn't think it would be reliable enough. Plus she has back problems and we were afraid of the ride quality.

Mr_Shiftright

Good call in that case--ride quality has improved over the years, but it's still jittery, given the short wheelbase. Yes, they are low to the ground but there's a good deal of entry headroom, so you don't have to slouch down very far. I'm 6'2" and have no problem.

iluvmysephia1

The soul though, really tested out well. assuming (like 99% of the people that buy these) you don't need AWD, it gave the most practicality, comfort, and even drove real nice (similar to the Mazda).

Yee-haaaww! Yeah, the chance for me ta enter the Kia Soul in to the contest for easy ingress/egress was just building inside of me, and then this comment above showed up. It really is easy on the bod ta get in and out of and friends will mention it to me now and then, too.

Drives nice in the snow and ice and also, the cabin noise isn't too bad. To me. Someone driving a luxury sedan would no doubt differ, I'm sure.

stickguy

From reviews, the 2014+ is also nicely upgraded all around from your 2011 vintage.

iluvmysephia1

From reviews, the 2014+ is also nicely upgraded all around from your 2011 vintage.

Yep - that's why I went out and sat in the 2014 dark green Soul on sale at Frontier Kia. Started it up and talked to the salesguy for a couple of minutes. Just can't justify trading up right now, and, the Mrs. would send me out to the car (whichever one it might end up being) ta sleep for a couple months weeks.

That 2014 Soul has 19,341 miles on it, it's a 6-speed stick and they want $14,998 for it. They have that "get internet price" rectangle next to it's ad on the net, also.

stever

Sounds high - they advertise new base ones with sticks here in the 15's.

stickguy

Darned Acura dealer is being mean. Just got a flyer postcard with some specials on loaners. 2016 ILX premium and 2015 TLX tech package. 1,500-3,000 miles. $6,000+ off sticker in each case. So dealing.

The white over tan ILX is perfectly equipped with premium, and current MY, and 3,050 miles so like new.

Too bad I don't need a car, but in 2 years, probably the way I'll go!

iluvmysephia1

Sounds high - they advertise new base ones with sticks here in the 15's.

Yep, sadly, if I want a new Kia Soul I would need ta travel ta get one at a "normal" new Kia Soul price. Like Wichita or Oklahoma City.

xwesx

Michaell said:

The HOA where I live doesn't allow overnight street parking, so I'm always moving the Hyundai around to let the Subaru or the mini out of the garage. 

Just park on the lawn. If they take issue with that, have a load of gravel dumped on the lawn, then park on that.

Sandman6472

My Tucson was the perfect slide in/slide out vehicle and that's the best thing about it, my spine never hurt while driving it or getting in and out of it. The new one's look even better on the inside and the outside. Funny, not sure what I'd have done if I had kept my Civic until all the 2016's came out...what would I have bought? But any cuv will have that same ease, at least all the one's that I have driven have been easy in/easy out.
Ingress/egress in mt Golf is very easy I must say, have had no issues that I can remember to be honest. Same with the A3, both wonderful vehicles that we are both very happy with!

The Sandman

xwesx

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

the whole getting in and out of a sporty car does give me pause. Probably the smart move is to get one as a spare toy, and have a more practical daily driver. Even for a convertible like the BMW I posted. keep it inside in the lousy weather!

My wife rode in the E-GT tonight. She had minor knee surgery last month and is still hobbling a bit. She found it pretty hard to get in and out due to the height.

It's possible my next lease will have easier access to accommodate her.

My brother has a 2013 Elantra, and I rode in it for the first time over the weekend. I concur... this is a difficult car to enter and exit! I had a much easier time with my Fiesta. The Elantra sure is a pretty car, though!

stever

@xwesx, something tells me you've never heard about HOA liens and losing your house thanks to that crotchety little old neighbor on the corner who always complains when you put a towel on the front porch railing to dry out. Or maybe you're just rabble-rousing.

Could have a punch myself. A Realtor is showing our house tomorrow and I need to schedule a time to show it to the FSBO people. The problem is that we don't have a place to move.

That Alaskan Camper discussed in the obscure classics forum has possibilities.

stickguy

moving already steve? I'm confused. did you buy your current place, or just renting?

fintail

HOAs, glad I didn't buy a house in Soviet Russia or late 1930s Germany. I am surprised more of those places don't result in violence.

I've heard of some places who even whine if you back into a parking spot.

stickguy

so, a thought exercise (why the heck am I looking so early? Like I need to ask that here!). From poking around local "gently used" options, would be a tough choice of conceptually similar options (compact to mid-size 4 door sedans, with plenty of goodies). These are a few that I know of:

2013 Lexus ES350 - 28,000 miles, $27K
2013 BMW 328i - 33,000 miles. $26k
2013 Infiniti G37 - 14,000! miles. $23K
2016 Acura ILX premium - 3,000 miles, $24.5K

so a pretty interesting slice of the not too old sedan gamut, in the low-mid 20s.

stever

stickguy said:

moving already steve? I'm confused. did you buy your current place, or just renting?

We bought. It's just a house, you can flip them too. My wife loves the place but it's not walkable and I miss riding my bike around town. So I'm lobbying to move. And yeah, a rental could work.

stickguy

OK. it just seemed kind of quick to sell what you just bought. But, if it doesn't serve your needs, and the numbers work, go for it.

I love the idea of being in a month to month rental when home shopping, with cash in the bank. Gives so much flexibility to make moves!

same concept with cars. If you sell the old one first and have your cash in bank before you go out and start trolling, gives you more power to deal (assuming you have some other way to get around!)

stever

Ya, the cash helps. But I got antsy in the rental and wanted to buy so we were in and out in 6 weeks (it was a vacation rental kind of condo). Still sitting on some cash that should have gone into the market, but watching the market, it's just as well that we stayed a bit more liquid than usual. We sold our first Boise house in a year and wound up paying two mortgages for two months. But it's only money, and we kept the hot tub so we sort of broke even on that deal. And unlike cars, houses don't depreciate 8% the day you sign the papers.

xwesx

stever said:

@xwesx, something tells me you've never heard about HOA liens and losing your house thanks to that crotchety little old neighbor on the corner who always complains when you put a towel on the front porch railing to dry out. Or maybe you're just rabble-rousing.

Could have a punch myself. A Realtor is showing our house tomorrow and I need to schedule a time to show it to the FSBO people. The problem is that we don't have a place to move.

That Alaskan Camper discussed in the obscure classics forum has possibilities.

Probably mostly just rabble-rousing. It's his property; modifications welcome.

corvette

540i M-Sport with no reserve. Looks nice for its age. Seller is a dealer who has owned it for almost two months and claims it leaks no fluids. This is dubious at best--when the valley pan gaskets go, they often leak under the engine cover. Not having dead pixels on the dash/radio/climate control is impressive. Needs new tires, but someone liked it enough to install uber-expensive Michelin Pilot Sports.

Ah, well, I already have a black V8 powered gas guzzler with maintenance needs, probably don't need another.

kyfdx

corvette said:

540i Sport with no reserve. Looks nice for its age. Seller is a dealer who has owned it for almost two months and claims it leaks no fluids. This is dubious at best--when the valley pan gaskets go, they often leak under the engine cover. Not having dead pixels on the dash/radio/climate control is impressive. Needs new tires, but someone liked it enough to install uber-expensive Michelin Pilot Sports.

Ah, well, I already have a black V8 powered gas guzzler with maintenance needs, probably don't need another.

Those are really, really nice. But, I think your experience was typical.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

so, a thought exercise (why the heck am I looking so early? Like I need to ask that here!). From poking around local "gently used" options, would be a tough choice of conceptually similar options (compact to mid-size 4 door sedans, with plenty of goodies). These are a few that I know of:

2013 Lexus ES350 - 28,000 miles, $27K
2013 BMW 328i - 33,000 miles. $26k
2013 Infiniti G37 - 14,000! miles. $23K
2016 Acura ILX premium - 3,000 miles, $24.5K

so a pretty interesting slice of the not too old sedan gamut, in the low-mid 20s.

BMW or Infiniti.

Big difference in power, though.. if torque is your thing.

stickguy

If I'm looking at something like the 540, might as well go all in. I seriously love this, though I suspect I am the wrong person to own it!

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-535is-turbocharged-m106/

stickguy

Ky, I drive a Sonata now. They all have more power. some a lot more power!

I do find it an interesting list. They all carve out there own niche, and have a lot to offer. Just need the right "fit"

The Lexus would be more than powerful for me. The Infinit, would probably get in serious trouble with that. the BMW just might hit the sweet spot for me. But no cupholders that you can use? Really?

Actually, gun to head today, I probably pick the Infiniti and hope gas stays on the cheaper side!

stickguy

Actually, after looking at that 540, I love it too. I test drove one just like that new back in the day. What a hoot! Was like driving a muscle car.

but, you gotta laugh at BMW. The 2 items highlighted in all caps? No dead pixels and working cup holders!

henryn

stever said:

Ya, the cash helps. But I got antsy in the rental and wanted to buy so we were in and out in 6 weeks (it was a vacation rental kind of condo). Still sitting on some cash that should have gone into the market, but watching the market, it's just as well that we stayed a bit more liquid than usual. We sold our first Boise house in a year and wound up paying two mortgages for two months. But it's only money, and we kept the hot tub so we sort of broke even on that deal. And unlike cars, houses don't depreciate 8% the day you sign the papers.

But you do pay 6% to realtors the day you sign the papers. (smile)

Actually, I am not likely to flip a house because I absolutely hate moving!

stever

Just 3% on this deal (or less if that's required to make the numbers work). Or none if the FSBO couple want it (they tried to buy it way before we did but a contingency fell apart and it came back on the market after we moved here). I did $1,000 off the commission in Michigan and did 5% in Boise for the second house we sold there.

Everything is negotiable, but I won't rehash my Nordstrom deal or the case of catfish deal, lol.

Moving is a great way to get rid of all your junk and gives you an excuse to get new junk.

qbrozen

Stick - I gotta think the Infiniti is the way to go out of that list.

535is turbo - looks interesting.

540i - 4 owners in only 74k miles? Interior looks rougher than mine did with 168k on it. While I enjoyed driving the car well enough (other than the ridiculous clutch), I could not escape the feeling that it was a bomb waiting to go off with all those expensive potential failures the owners have to live with.

stickguy

Q, how is the rover doing? That really is a sharp looking car.

I also might lust after one of those older BMWs, but know I would never buy one!

qbrozen

Rover is just fine. Wife drives it daily and doesn't complain, so it is doing its job.
I don't think we have fully assessed its gas mileage just yet. I believe she said something about the first tank getting 15mpg, but pretty sure that involved alot of idling time while getting to know the car. Not that we bought it for great mileage. We did, however, assume it would be better than the Hummer.

Winter break is upon us, during which I really hope to get my garage squared away, move the Volvo in there, and start refurbing that before any real snow hits for my winter use.

Mr_Shiftright

Oh c'mon, Hans and Dieter at Bavarian Valley Hospital need the cash flow!

corvette said:

540i M-Sport with no reserve. Looks nice for its age. Seller is a dealer who has owned it for almost two months and claims it leaks no fluids. This is dubious at best--when the valley pan gaskets go, they often leak under the engine cover. Not having dead pixels on the dash/radio/climate control is impressive. Needs new tires, but someone liked it enough to install uber-expensive Michelin Pilot Sports.

Ah, well, I already have a black V8 powered gas guzzler with maintenance needs, probably don't need another.

slorenzen

Well, I suppose it is a sleeper...

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/5347166223.html

Mr_Shiftright

What engine is that? That monstrously underpowered FI unit that went into the 75-76 Eldos?

Mr_Shiftright

I want this so bad I can barely contain myself:

eBay Farm Hotrod

Aside from being the hit of the 4th of July parade, I could terrorize the back road tourists all summer.

stever

There's at least three old tractors within a block of me. The nearest ag fields are ten miles away.

First time buyer needs help.

stickguy

Impressive getting that huge engine in pacer. I recall seeing an AMC 401 jammed in at one point.

And 55 on that tractor sounds terrifying.

laurasdada

Someone should buy this:
http://mattieimports.com/Used-2011-Jaguar-XK-XKR-Providence-RI/vd/27291643

Or, maybe the '14 Cayman...

xwesx

Mr_Shiftright said:

I want this so bad I can barely contain myself:

eBay Farm Hotrod

Aside from being the hit of the 4th of July parade, I could terrorize the back road tourists all summer.

Wow! That is a gorgeous tractor!

stickguy

I like it. But might as well go all the way and get convertible.

corvette

Not a fan of the ice blue color. 

fintail

Here's a rare bird, and it looks loaded - I wish dieselgate would impact prices of these, I'd consider one at lease end.

laurasdada

corvette said:

Not a fan of the ice blue color. 

Agree on the color, I just miss my '09 Platinum XK...

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

I want this so bad I can barely contain myself:

eBay Farm Hotrod

Aside from being the hit of the 4th of July parade, I could terrorize the back road tourists all summer.

Heh. When I was a kid we had a country place with a few acres and dad decided he wanted to be a farmer on some of the cleared land. So he went and bought a 1947 Ford Ferguson tractor with implements which looked very much like that one except for the engine of course. I drove that thing all around the property for a few years. Never could shift it due to the hand throttle not being good for double-clutching the crashbox, so you would pick the one of the 3 gears that suited what you were going to do, let out the clutch, and either creep along in first, trundle along in second, or go scarily quickly in third. You weren't really going very fast in third but you had no suspension, no handling, and essentially one-wheel brakes due to the "pedal" (not really ) mechanism arrangement so it could get hairy. Can't imagine what it would be like driving that thing with the V-8, considering ours had the weak-sauce 4 cylinder.

We had that tractor for 4 or 5 years. Each winter it got parked in the unheated garage out there and left until spring. I think all he ever did to it aside from gas was to recharge the battery a few times. I know it never got an oil change or a coolant flush all the years we had it. And it just ran and ran. Amazing.

stickguy

50 grand for a 2012? Ouch.

fintail

That's about 50% of original price, but still too much for a cult item. I'd like it another 10K cheaper and if it had distronic.

stickguy said:

50 grand for a 2012? Ouch.

nyccarguy

I hit a sewer grate just right while making a right turn on my way to pick up my son from hockey practice & killed the front, right tire on the Pilot. I think this should be covered under Costco's "Road Hazzard Warranty." I'll let you know more tomorrow.

I think we should start a "go fund me" page for @roadburner. I think you need to stop shopping for CPO Mustang GT Performance Package cars & start setting your sights on a Shelby GT350. Oh my is that thing NASTY! It has your name written all over it my friend.

roadburner

True; I'd take a GT350 with the Track Package- with a MSRP of $57,000 it's a screaming deal for a focused track car...

breld

roadburner said:

True; I'd take a GT350 with the Track Package- with a MSRP of $57,000 it's a screaming deal for a focused track car...

Yeah - I agree with @nyccarguy. That GT350 screams @roadburner's name. Heck, every time I read a review on it, I drool a bit. But I'm not sure I'm worthy.