Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

This is a long list but keep in mind a) that I'm older than most of you and could buy these cars when they were cheap, and b) some were purchased to fix up and flip. I think there were more but I've forgotten them (probably because they were forgettable---oh, yeah, I remember a Ford Escort just now---ugh!). If there was something interesting that compelled me to buy it, I put that in there, too.

** = favorite


41 Oldsmobile (hydramatic!)
1955 Studebaker President 2D HT (my first car ever, bought with money made delivering the NY Times in Manhattan, V8, manual shift)
51 Studebaker coupe (dual carb, aluminum head)
63 Buick Riviera ** (just beautiful but troublesome)
57 Morgan Plus 4 ** (suddenly it's 1925!)
57 Jaguar XK 140 FHC
57 Jaguar XK 140 Roadster **
59 Chevrolet 4D sedan
58 Ford 4D sedan
51 Dodge PU
51 Mercedes 220a Cabriolet (rough but running)
61 Mercedes 220 Sb ** (unfailingly reliable, owned by Exec officer on the USS Nautilus)
56 Studebaker Golden Hawk
59 Chevy Impala convertible (the car I drove out West--the rest is history)
49 Oldsmobile 88
71 Subaru FF1 Star ** (Colorado mountain car)
53 International Pickup
63 Studebaker GT Hawk
71 Volvo 145 wagon
19?? Renault R16 ** (versatile, economical, comfy, 4-speed on the column)
1953 BMW R/67 motorcycle ** (most reliable motorcycle I ever owned)
55 Dodge Royal Lancer 2D HT (sold to a woman aviator)
56 Buick 4D sedan
37 Terraplane (basket case)
49 Packard Convertible (basket case,wish I had kept it)
71 Fiat 124 convertible
67 Fiat 600D cpe ** (fun)
71 Honda 600 cpe ** (way fun)
74 Honda CVCC cpe
83 Saab Turbo cpe
86 Saab Turbo convertible ** (POS but fun)
76 Audi 100 LS ** (great snow car)
Yamaha 650 motorcycle
71 BMW R/75 motorcycle
68 Norton Atlas P11 ** (classic British bike, rather rare)
Honda Trail 90
Honda 350 Superhawk
Ducati Desmo
68 VW Squareback
71 Toyota Corolla ** (wish I had kept it)
73 Dodge Dart (sunroof!)
68 Pontiac Coupe
65 Valiant (4-speed!)
61 VW bug
71 VW bug (automatic!)
64 Cadillac DV 4D HT ** (my dog just loved this car)
70 MGB ** (good-looking, reliable cars)
71 MGB **
67 A-H Sprite
71 Mercury Capri
73 Mazda RX3 cpe
74 Mazda RX3 wagon (nice car!) ** (wish I still had it--rather deluxe)
67 Volvo 122S
64 Volvo 544 ** (tough as nails--no, tougher)
56 Chevy Wagon 2D
59 Morris Minor 2D coupe
69 Volvo 142
67 Saab 96 cpe
61 Saab 93 (2 stroke) ** (you had to be there)
1969 Porsche 912
1973 Porsche 914
1983 Porsche 928 ** (released my inner demon)
1971 BMW 2002
1997 Subaru Outback wagon
1968 Triumph TR250 roadster ** (wish I still had it, I mean really)
1975 Fiat X1/9
1966 Olds Toronado (awesome!) ** (chewed up mountains and snow like it was born to it)
1974 Peugeot 504 diesel ** (solid, rugged, great economy, very comfy)
1959 Peugeot convertible
1960 Simca Aronde
71 Chevy wagon
1985 Alfa Romeo Spider
198? Mercedes 300D diesel sedan ** (cheapest car to run per mile that I ever had)
1988 BMW 735 sedan
1980 BMW 320i coupe
1964 Pontiac GTO 2D HT
1958 MGA
1962 Triumph Herald
1953 Ford Coupe
1963 Checker Marathon ** (you had to be there)
1998 Dodge Dakota 4X4 PU ** (the go-anywhere vehicle)
2006 Scion xA
2003 Mini Cooper S ** (faster than you think)

au1994

Favorites...

The ZHP. Never had a car make me smile so much.
2007 Wrangler
11 328 coupe. Still a little of the good 3 series DNA left and it was my first BMW
66 Mustang. V-8 top down fun for a 16 yr old.

fintail

Nice list, Shifty. The RX3 wagon would be a real hen's tooth today. Did it have a "Rotary Wagon" badge at rear?

You also had a W126, I think I remember it mentioned, maybe a short term car.

Mr_Shiftright

Oh yeah, that's right. I had a 560SEL that a friend just gave me--it was dead in the water. I got it running--- miraculously. I really don't have a high grade of technical skill, nor a terribly impressive tool box, but I am very tenacious about solving a problem, like a terrier on a rat. It was some fuel injection issue---don't recall exactly what, but $400 in used parts fixed it. I remember it was a high mileage car, otherwise I might have held onto it a while.

When I refuse a car that someone wants to give me, you KNOW it's ready for the grave.

Sandman6472

Not sure which on my list I will get but here it is.

- door sill protection plate
- u v sunshade
- pedal caps
- chrome look rear accent strip
- door edge guards
- chrome exhaust tips
- rear bumper protection plate.

Again, not sure what I'll actually purchase but just want to dress it up a bit. They also had a wind guard for in front of the sunroof that I liked since I do use my roof a lot during this time of year.

The Sandman

stickguy

sandy, show the dealer parts manager your online prices, and ask them to match.. often they will.

roadburner

Top Four

1987 535is
1988 M6
1995 318ti Club Sport
1999 Wrangler

And one more thing; put me down for a punch...

stickguy

I don't believe it. The impossible has happened.

Michaell

roadburner said:

And one more thing; put me down for a punch...

Glad I was sitting down when I read that. Details, and pictures, forthwith!

stickguy

I'd dying here. The Philly auto show started last night with a "black tie" charity gala (open to public today), and the local ABC station is doing a special on it. Darn, looked like fun. and all those pretty cars I won't see until next Saturday!

tifighter

roadburner said:

And one more thing; put me down for a punch...

Do you think he's messing with us?

nyccarguy

He doesn't joke about punches

nyccarguy

I say either a Mustang GT or an ///M2

stickguy

Nah. knowing him, after 5 years of research and evaluation, and many sleepless nights, he finally bought a new snow blower.

but if it is a car, I say it is a BMW. Not a Mustang. I will guess it is a slightly used M235i coupe.

Sandman6472

Stick, asked them that when I was there today and got a big fat "NO" answer. Will try this again next week and go from there. There are really only four of those things that I think I really want now so will go in and see what we can work out.

The Sandman

stickguy

well, then just buy them online.

other thing to ask is what they will "throw in" install on, if you buy there (vs. bringing in your own stuff). Might make up the difference there.

abacomike

sandman_6472 said:

Stick, asked them that when I was there today and got a big fat "NO" answer. Will try this again next week and go from there. There are really only four of those things that I think I really want now so will go in and see what we can work out. The Sandman

Sandy, try another VW dealer - perhaps the one in Pompano.  I am surprised they won't discount 10% for one of their own customers.  Let us know how you make out. 

suydam

My GM dealer sold me floor mats at the online cost. I usually negotiate it as part of the price but forgot about it till after I made the purchase.

laurasdada

My top 5? Tough, but:

'78 VW Scirocco (stick): My first, used. Recaro seats, 77hp (iirc), light, totally fun. No AC.
'84 or '85? Mitsu Mirage Turbo (stick): First new car. Turbo lag, oh yes. But, when the turbo spooled up, loved the kick in the seat bottom. Arrest me red.
'88 Acura Integra (stick). Still likely the best screwed together car I've owned. Down on power from the Mitsu, but handled great and had pop up headlights!
'09 Jaguar XK. Beautiful, V8 engine/sound. Pace with grace.
'13 Jag XF. Because my current ride is always my favorite! See "XK," sans V8. And, throw in practical. Which makes me somewhat sad.

Hatchbacks rule!

Easily could throw my '05 Acura TL into the mix. And, '95 Saab 900s (as I learned to drive in a '71 Saab 99 (stick). I've never really owned a clunker, including my '99 Chrysler 300M!

roadburner

Stick guessed correctly; I brought home the CPO 2015 M235i- with a slushbox, yet.



We went up just intending to look; I took it out and was impressed with the power as well as the suspension tuning. It felt faster than anything else I had driven, and after perusing some old road tests it seems I was right. 0-60 in the low four second range before I add 40-50 hp with a tune. I like the automatic as well or better than the DCTs I have driven.
The sales process was painless; they gave me what I wanted for the Mazda and chopped over $2,000 off the asking price. The finance guy was no nonsense, only offering the BMW tire/wheel warranty. I passed, since the car doesn't have run-flats(Yay!). He even agreed, it really wasn't necessary.

Looking back I still like the Mustang GT. A lot. If Ford had an option policy more akin to Dodge than Honda I probably would be driving one today, but I resent being forced up the food chain in order to select options that I want. Then there's the fact that it is over a foot shorter and a few hundred pounds lighter than the Mustang. Would I have liked a stick? Sure- but I still have the ti and Wrangler to keep those skills polished. It also gives my bride a second car to drive in a pinch. Anyway, out of the 26 2014 and 2015 CPO cars in the US, only four were manuals- and all were 2015s and cost several thousand dollars more.

I think the reason I got a good deal was the fact that the car had been on the lot for going on two months and it was also the end of the month. Now to find a limited slip for a reasonable price...

stickguy

nice looking for sure. and low 4's still needs a tune?

a slushbox. Another old guy bites the dust!

corvette

Rb, congrats, it looks great! How many miles?

Michaell

And a hole in the roof!

Congrats, RB. I'm sure you'll have many enjoyable miles with it.

Michaell

For those of you who aren't part of the "Cars & Conversations" thread, I'll repost:

My father passed away earlier this evening. While he wasn't much of a car guy, he did manage to own a few decent cars over the years (before they were classics).

Before I was born, I know he and my mom had a '57 Chevy. No idea of trim level, but I think it was yellow and while. Might have been a convertible - this was Southern California, after all. Apparently, he was involved in an accident on the 101 near Santa Barbara with a cement truck. Goodbye, Chevy.

I do remember him owning a '53 or '54 Ford pickup. This would have been in the late 60's. It was a run down piece of junk that he used to get back and forth to work at the Fire Department and for his other jobs as a free lance carpenter. Might be worth something today, if it were fixed up.

After the Ford, he bought a '70 Chevy C-10. 350 with 3-speed automatic. New off the showroom floor. Mom told him it would be the 'last truck he ever bought'. Well, 46 years later, it's still in the driveway. My son and nephew are gonna have a battle over who gets it.

My mom had a couple of VW's in the 60's - one Beetle, one Squareback - and a new '73 Toyota Corona that they bought on my dad's birthday. Sadly, I totaled the Toyota in '81 driving to school one morning.

It was replaced with a series of used cars - '72 MB 220D (vanity plate: REAL SLO), an '84 Toyota Celica hatchback and a '91 Camry - before they splurged one last time on a new car. My mom still drives it - a 2003 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6, which probably has about 45,000 miles on it.

He did not pass along good driving skills to his oldest, however. Through bad luck and poor attention, I was involved in a number of accidents in my first few years of driving. So much so that my folks got me a trophy with a gorilla wearing a crash helmet, holding a steering wheel. That trophy might still be in the attic at my mom and dad's house to this day.

I was set to fly out to California later this week to visit, but now it will be to attend the services. My son, sister and cousin are there taking care of my mom.

He was a great guy. He's gonna be missed.

28firefighter

So sorry, Michaell. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

tifighter

Condolences Michaell. Wishing you the best.

tjc78

Very sorry for your loss.   It's never an easy thing.  

roadburner

I am vert sorry Michaell, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

imidazol97

Mustang?

Michaell

28firefighter said:

So sorry, Michaell. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

Thanks, 28ff.

Michaell

tifighter said:

Condolences Michaell. Wishing you the best.

Appreciate the kind words, ti

Michaell

roadburner said:

I am vert sorry Michaell, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks. RB, when the weather gets warmer, take a hot lap in honor of us in your new BMW.

I'm still surprised that it's an automatic and has a sunroof. Old dogs can learn new tricks, it appears.

jpp75

@Michaell my condolences to you and your family, it's never an easy time.

Michaell

jpp5862 said:

@Michaell my condolences to you and your family, it's never an easy time.

Thank you, jpp.

tjc78

Congrats on the punch @roadburner

I had a feeling only a BMW would do.  

Wife is getting a nice promotion at work. I joked with her and said that would be my new car... She just smiled.  No punches for me this year unless something unforeseen happens! 

tjc78

Was just looking over the lists of cars... Wow I differ a lot.  I've never owned anything remotely sporty...
89 Grand Marquis LS
93 Taurus LX 3.8
98 Olds 88 
79 Continental Town Coupe
89 Town Car Sig
2000 Solara XLE V6 
2003 Avalon XL 
99 S10 Extended Cab V6
2006 Avalon XLS
2009 Genesis sedan V6
2012 Buick LaCrosse P3
2012 Enclave leather group W/Nav
2004 Grand Marquis Ultimate

nyccarguy

@Michaell - I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's death. Thank-you for sharing with us.

nyccarguy

@roadburner - that M235i should be honored to have you as its new owner!  I really like it in white!  Enjoy my friend!  Mazel-Tov & Congratulations!

stickguy

sorry to hear Michael. having been through this recently myself, I know how mentally draining it is. Glad to hear your Mom has support. Much worse for her.

corvette

Michaell said:

My father passed away earlier this evening.

My condolences.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen - all the talk spawned by your wife hitting a deer with the LR2 almost jinxed me.  Someone told me when I moved to CT 5+ years ago, that you aren't an official resident of the state until you hit a deer.  Last night on my way home with my family and a deer ran right out in front of us.  I slammed on the brakes and missed this really big deer by inches!

Sandman6472

Sorry to hear Mike, never easy to lose a parent. Stay strong!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Nice looking BMW, know you'll enjoy it for a long time!! White over black is a nice combo.

The Sandman

cdnpinhead

My experience with deer is that they often travel in pairs -- you see and miss the first one only to have the second one jump out in the way. One did significant damage to my wife's Pathfinder a few years ago, but it was still driveable and didn't even lose the A/C charge. Pretty significant bill to get it fixed, though.

cdnpinhead

rayainsw said:

one of - what - 17 sold?
- Ray
Mine had the 5-speed automatics...

You and I were on another board back in those days, and I took quite a bit of pleasure commenting on all the issues that were occurring with the automatic transmissions. I drove that car until I got the one I'm driving now, which is why I shouldn't even be posting here. I think you've had 4 or 5 cars since your LS.

Either way, the LS was a unique vehicle, and it's a pity Ford didn't see fit to keep it in production.

cdnpinhead

roadburner said:

Stick guessed correctly; I brought home the CPO 2015 M235i- with a slushbox, yet....

Congratulations! I'm confident that you'll find the automatic more to your liking than I did the one (and only) time I bought a car for my use with one. It was a Chrysler product from the era in which they lasted 60K miles at most.

I'll be interested in reading your impressions of the 2. Have fun!

roadburner

Tyhanks for all the kind comments. I'll keep everyone updated on my impressions. I was doing some reading in the OM and found out that when you put the car in Sport+ and the transmission is in manual mode the autobox goes full manual- it will not upshift or downshift until you tell it to do so. That has been the pet peeve of every other automatic I've driven- they second-guess me at least part of the time- so I'm glad to know I won't have that issue.
One final impression; I thought my MS3 was deceptively fast- this puppy is on a whole 'nother level.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell - I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's death. Thank-you for sharing with us.

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell - I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's death. Thank-you for sharing with us.

Thanks, Bradd.

Michaell

corvette said:

My father passed away earlier this evening.

My condolences.

Thanks, Corvette.

Michaell

sandman_6472 said:

Sorry to hear Mike, never easy to lose a parent. Stay strong! The Sandman

Thanks, sandy. There is an emptiness in me knowing he isn't here.