Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

Bradd, I see that you dropped RB off your die hard list. Once you go to the darkside (like me) you are cut off.

stickguy

I would prefer a smaller wheel on that BMW, but sadly, you don't see many around here with the 17" wheels. Those are 225/45-18, which is about the minimum I would every consider going (though I would still be nervous any time I drove it, and obsessed with trying to avoid potholes!)

corvette

Got my fluid leak repaired. Apparently, it was not the oil filler tube, as I had suspected, but in fact the transmission cooler lines (those are not nearly so cheap to replace). Most people would probably just let it leak, but seeing oil spots on my driveway drives me nuts, so I had them replaced.

Sandman6472

So Corvette, you drive a Tahoe I'm guessing from the last generation. Tahoe's seem to be pretty large vehicles but I do like this new generation, see a lot down here but more in white or silver. Not sure if I could do one on a daily basis as my only d d, but we don't really need a large vehicle anymore and our two small ones do the trick. When we're all home, which isn't very often, we just end up driving both vehicles when going out.

The Sandman

stickguy

so, was making my evening rounds, and found this. Just gotta say, this is a fine looking automobile. Too bad it doesn't have the new 2.0l engine (and yes, that eliminates FWD). Warranty thru 2021 too, even though miles are way high for a 2015.

http://www.redbankvolvo.com/certified/Volvo/2015-Volvo-V60-4648abe60a0e08f77fc6635f999351d3.htm

roadburner

I don't find the base seats in newer BMWs to be very comfortable, so I'd make sure you could tolerate them with an extended test drive.

tifighter

I agree with RB. No BMW without sport or multi-contour seats. It is all about the adjustable thigh support...

tjc78

corvette said:

Got my fluid leak repaired. Apparently, it was not the oil filler tube, as I had suspected, but in fact the transmission cooler lines (those are not nearly so cheap to replace). Most people would probably just let it leak, but seeing oil spots on my driveway drives me nuts, so I had them replaced.

I don't blame you.  I have a worn blacktop driveway and still hate leaks.  Last oil change, the little gasket on the oil plug must have been past its prime and my Merc was leaking about a 4 inch spot over night. 

Took it in early on a Sat morning and it was quite funny to see the owner of the shop with his finger in the drain hole while the tech was looking for a new washer.  

He still had to top the oil off.  

Hope everyone had/has a great Valentine's Day with their significant others.   Took the wife out sans kids to Buddekan in Atlantic City last night.  They had a special tasting menu for $120 a couple that was completely out of sight.  On the way home car was reading 13 degrees coming up the Atlantic city expressway and it was windy like during a summer thunderstorm.  

roadburner

We spent Friday night at the restored Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg, KY. Very nice quiet and comfortable rooms and excellent food. We try to make it there at least once per year.

kyfdx

roadburner said:

We spent Friday night at the restored Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg, KY. Very nice quiet and comfortable rooms and excellent food. We try to make it there at least once per year.

Last time I was there, the food was excellent.

Of course, that was 1984.

qbrozen

rayainsw said:

FWIW - The recent C+D test of the BMW 340i [ comparable weight & HP ]
with the 6 speed manual trans. recorded 13.3.
[ Manual trans = not typically the quickest, these days. ]
- Ray
Waiting [ oh, so patiently ] to actually drive the Q50 and the XE.....

It was actually 100 lbs less, had computer-assisted manual shifting, was 0-60 in 4.8, and we all know BMW always underrates their engines.

So, actually, think about that... the Jag has 20 more horses and exactly the same torque, weights 100 lbs more, but beats the bimmer to 60 by 3/10ths. That is quite a bit. They should theoretically be a virtual tie if you think the 20hp offsets the 100 lbs. I happen to think 20 hp isn't enough to do so, but I'd also probably still give maybe a 1 or 2/10th advantage to the ZF 8-spd over the computer-assisted manual 6. Since we already know bimmer underrates, I stick by my statement that either Jag is underrating (probably by even more than BMW in this case) or the test car was particularly strong.

stickguy

I watched a couple of movies on the Hallmark channel with my wife (both featuring cowboys and a dude ranch for some reason!!) I truly am a hopeless romantic. But at least it was cheap.

temps? My son send a pic of his display on his dashboard. at 7:30 this AM when he got to work, it was negative 13. He is very glad he paid extra with his apartment to get a garage bay.

as to cars, the local (Philly) paper auto section writer has a review of the new Caddy CT6. only skimmed quick, but he seems blown away by it. Could be a winner. and somehow, they managed to get a 204" luxo barge to weigh in at 3,600#s. Audi can't do that for an A4 these days!

qbrozen

It is pretty impressive. Chevy was always so bloated and now they seem to have leapfrogged others in the adding lightness category.

tjc78

GMs generally need a diet... my 2012 Lacrosse was over 4000lbs. That's as heavy or heavier than my Grand Marquis with a full frame.

suydam

The new ones are getting lighter. The sound insulation is part of it.

berri

Trading weight for louder, I'm not so sure about that strategy. It is a common complaint I hear from people I know who looked at a Honda and passed. I do think GM is starting to pound Ford and Toyota on design looks though.

qbrozen

yes, it is only very very recently they are finally getting lighter. I don't know how much sound insulation is playing a part in that. My Caddy is still pretty damned quiet. Definitely quieter than my bloated G35X was, as well as my 540 and 135, although not a fair comparison with those 2. And, trust me, WORLDS quieter than any Honda I have owned.

Edmunds reports the V sport interior dB at 70 mph is 63.3. Hard to find direct comparisons, but I found this quote on C&D's site referring to a 2015 Genesis v8 and 2014 E550 4matic: "Our decibel meter says that the Genesis is quieter at idle (39 dBA) and at a 70-mph cruise (70 dBA) than the impressively serene Mercedes."

roadburner

qbrozen said:

y

Edmunds reports the V sport interior dB at 70 mph is 63.3. Hard to find direct comparisons, but I found this quote on C&D's site referring to a 2015 Genesis v8 and 2014 E550 4matic: "Our decibel meter says that the Genesis is quieter at idle (39 dBA) and at a 70-mph cruise (70 dBA) than the impressively serene Mercedes."

C/D stated that the M235i at 70 is 71dBA- quiet enough for me.

Sandman6472

Going out with the wife for Italian real soon. It's her night to work for Turbo Tax so we gotta be home by 7ish. Her second year with them but has a better schedule this year, Saturday through Wednesday, 8 p m to midnight though it always goes over midnight. This time of year, they are super busy with folks having problems. She's learning a lot and they even wanted her to be a team leader this year but she opted to be in a team so she could learn more.
Very rare that we do much during tax season as she's always busy with taxes, don't plan anything really until mid April. But Valentine's dinner we always do.

The Sandman

corvette

Maybe they're using lighter (but more efficient) sound insulation? My dad's Element was always loud, but seems much quieter now that he replaced the OEM tires for a set of high-end Michelins.

stickguy

Nice coincidence. I just finished using Turbo tax online to do my daughter's taxes. Well done website IMO. I did not have any problems though that required assistance!

I keep thinking I should go get trained and do taxes one year. I've been doing my own forever!

Sandman6472

My Golf is a bit on the loudish side, using Continentals "TX"'s I think or "XT'"'s, not sure which at the moment. They look brand new, even the tire guy mentioned how new they look, just 15K this week...hoping to get 45K if possible from them. But I do rotate at 5K and keep the vehicle aligned so just hope I'm doing all I can here, these are not cheap sneakers! Wish there was more insullaltion to be honest but wish for a few more important things also.

The Sandman

iluvmysephia1

I've got ta get serious about our taxes and print out my W-2 from here and the Alamogordo, NM, job. Then I'll have all the forms I need ta do ours. Been doing our taxes for years - on paper, but, when these online programs came out that was all she wrote! They prompt you throughout and, if you're unsure if you've got what you need in forms or information, they give you short, easy-to-understand tutorials that get you going again. I use Taxact Online and it's been real good to us.

Been cooling my engine on going after the '68 Datsun 411 Bluebird, but, the good thing is I'm learning more about the car. Evidently it's simple, easy to work on and has a history of being a very reliable automobile. So I'm keeping the fire burning possibly for something one day - but not taking on something that's gonna halt all iluvmysephia1 transportation while the little orange one gets retrofitted with A/C and stereo. It goes to OKC Auction in about a week. I think it would be cool ta go and just take in an auction. More on this baby later.

corvette

On my agenda today: Clean the salt off my windshield. Started to do that and the Windex froze once it was on the windshield (I have a detached, non-insulated garage). Started the truck and ran the defroster 15-20 minutes. Started cleaning the windshield again. The automatic wipers activated and nearly whacked me in the head. Turned them off, kept putting Windex on the glass. Then, I realized that the bottle of Windex was partially frozen and it was hard to dispense. I eventually got the salt of the windshield, but I'm sure there are a lot of streaks. It would have been a lot less trouble to go to a car wash.

Michaell

I'm back in Colorado. Dad's service was on Friday - was very nice. Got to ride with him in the fire truck on the trip to the cemetery. First time I was in a vehicle with him where he wasn't providing commentary about the skills - or lack thereof - of the person behind the wheel.

Both the FD and Navy were represented at the service - dad did 4 years in the Navy after HS in the 50's. One of his friends presided over the service - just the right mixture of seriousness and humor, which my dad would have appreciated.

Automotive related happenings on my trip, in no particular order.

Dad's truck may be in need of a bit more work than we expected. We wanted to take it with us in the procession to the cemetery, but the brakes failed the night before - with my son driving and all 3 of my nephews riding along. I think a brake line failed - what we thought was an oil leak may have been brake fluid. The guy who has been taking care of the truck stopped by the house (but didn't do the brakes), so I'll talk to him about getting it repaired soon.

Took rides in my sisters Navigator (big and ponderous, just like my '99 Expedition) and my friends' '05 G35 (much nicer than the J30 it replaced).

The Corolla rental served me well. Didn't drive it much after getting back to my mom's house.

Got mom's car into the dealer .. oil change, tire rotation, along with power steering and brake fluid flushes for now. There is a problem with the gas tank filler, but the quote was almost $500 to fix, so we're holding off on that for the time being.

nyccarguy

@Michaell - glad to hear your Dad's service went well. I. Not sure if your kid can drive a stick or if this is too far:

http://www.danperkinssubaru.com/used/Honda/2012-Honda-Accord-milford-b4cb84a60a0e0a1770156e7b2b12695a.htm?searchDepth=2:26

2012 Accord LX-S Coupe 28K miles - 5 speed stick - asking $12,590

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell - glad to hear your Dad's service went well. I. Not sure if your kid can drive a stick or if this is too far:

http://www.danperkinssubaru.com/used/Honda/2012-Honda-Accord-milford-b4cb84a60a0e0a1770156e7b2b12695a.htm?searchDepth=2:26

2012 Accord LX-S Coupe 28K miles - 5 speed stick - asking $12,590

Nice car. A bit of a drive to get it home to Southern California.

However, he wants 4 doors this time around. Apparently 7 years with the Mustang have soured him on coupes.

Michaell

One more note about the trip to CA. Had breakfast on Wednesday morning with my mom, sister and oldest nephew - the one that drives the ZHP.

Turns out he wants to get a Scion FR-S. Used examples are available around $17K or so with approximately 30,000 miles. My sister, of course, wants to limit his budget to around $10K - $3K down and a loan of no longer than 36 months at $200/mo. I'll let them hash out the money part and help him pick something out when the time is right.

Nephew #2 is 15, but will be getting his license in October. He wants, I'm told, a Tacoma pickup. Great - another wildly expensive vehicle in the used car market. My sister is going to have her hands full with this. Fortunately, the youngest just turned 12 and so has a few years before they have to worry about transportation for him.

As if that wasn't enough, she wants to ditch the Navigator for something smaller. Geez, sis, everything is smaller than that battlecruiser. But, with 3 kids and a 50 pound German Shorthair Pointer, I don't think anything smaller would really work for her family when they make the 3 hour drive to grandma's house - or the semi-annual drives to Phoenix and Las Vegas for baseball tournaments.

henryn

A Honda Pilot would be quite a bit lighter, get better mileage, and will probably hold everything she needs to haul. Heck, she could probably fit everything in a CR-V, but they wouldn't enjoy a 3 hour drive ...

Michaell

henryn said:

A Honda Pilot would be quite a bit lighter, get better mileage, and will probably hold everything she needs to haul. Heck, she could probably fit everything in a CR-V, but they wouldn't enjoy a 3 hour drive ...

I think they've had a Pilot in the past. She tends to buy used and she already has a car payment with her G37 coupe they got a year or so ago.

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

One more note about the trip to CA. Had breakfast on Wednesday morning with my mom, sister and oldest nephew - the one that drives the ZHP.

Turns out he wants to get a Scion FR-S. Used examples are available around $17K or so with approximately 30,000 miles. My sister, of course, wants to limit his budget to around $10K - $3K down and a loan of no longer than 36 months at $200/mo. I'll let them hash out the money part and help him pick something out when the time is right.

Nephew #2 is 15, but will be getting his license in October. He wants, I'm told, a Tacoma pickup. Great - another wildly expensive vehicle in the used car market. My sister is going to have her hands full with this. Fortunately, the youngest just turned 12 and so has a few years before they have to worry about transportation for him.

As if that wasn't enough, she wants to ditch the Navigator for something smaller. Geez, sis, everything is smaller than that battlecruiser. But, with 3 kids and a 50 pound German Shorthair Pointer, I don't think anything smaller would really work for her family when they make the 3 hour drive to grandma's house - or the semi-annual drives to Phoenix and Las Vegas for baseball tournaments.

My friend's grandfather took his wife, two young boys and a dog cross country in a Crosley station wagon! You'd be amazed what families can get along with.

stickguy

Sister needs a minivan. Though I would bet she would never get one!

Michaell

@Mr_Shiftright - In 1971, my family drove from CA to NY and back (I was 7, sister was 4) in a 1967 VW Squareback. I totally get what you're saying.

@stickguy - I believe they've owned a minivan at one point as well. I agree that it does make the most sense.

au1994

People want what they want and will justify it somehow. I just did it moving from the 335 to the X6. Didn't help that I just didn't like the 335. Growing, active 10 yr old aside we could have lived with it.  Now just the 2 of us took it to the beach this summer and it was packed! But again, excuses, excuses.  I mean I love my ZHP but can easily justify why I should move to a GTI or A3

petergloor

Hi guys, I'm moving to Boston in a few weeks and I'm searching for a cheap insurance for my Fiat Abarth 2015. I don't want to pay more than $1000 / year but the car insurance quotes estimated on Edmunds start at $1,110. Do I get any chance to find some discounts? A basic coverage would be fine, I'm not Vin Diesel on the roads
Do you guys have any insurance company in mind near Boston?
Thanks

Mr_Shiftright

You can do comparison shopping online:

Edmunds suggests:

GET MULTIPLE QUOTES

By the way, how do you like that Abarth? Pros and cons?

petergloor

Thank you Mr S

petergloor

Pros: Handling & Style ++
Cons: too small when you take 2 girls onboard

Mr_Shiftright

Gee, what size girls? Dutch maybe?

petergloor

Dutch or German, you got it!

iluvmysephia1

Gee, what size girls? Dutch maybe?

Pictures? Just kidding.

graphicguy

iluvmysephia1 said:

Gee, what size girls? Dutch maybe?

Pictures? Just kidding.

I'm not kidding....we want pictures...

Mr_Shiftright

"TWO LADIES" from the movie Cabaret.

Can't quite identify the car in the beginning. It might be a Horch. It definitely is not a Fiat Abarth.

iluvmysephia1

I'm not kidding....we want pictures...

Lol!

fintail

Looks like a (British) Daimler from the mid 30s.

Mr_Shiftright said:

"TWO LADIES" from the movie Cabaret.

Can't quite identify the car in the beginning. It might be a Horch. It definitely is not a Fiat Abarth.

.

brian125

petergloor said:

Hi guys, I'm moving to Boston in a few weeks and I'm searching for a cheap insurance for my Fiat Abarth 2015. I don't want to pay more than $1000 / year but the car insurance quotes estimated on Edmunds start at $1,110. Do I get any chance to find some discounts? A basic coverage would be fine, I'm not Vin Diesel on the roads
Do you guys have any insurance company in mind near Boston?
Thanks

I'm thinking your age will work against you. Compare below site to your quotes. Use thezebra.com to gather multiple quotes without revealing all your personal details.


https://www.thezebra.com/

[Deleted User]

nyccarguy said:

Ok all you Chronic Car Buying manual transmission die hards (@tyguy , @breld , & @Mr_Shiftright), would you be willing to pay more for a car with a stick?

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/outlandish-plan-bring-back-manual-191303054.html

Great article, and it would depend on the vehicle and quality of the manual transmissions. For a car I want, and a well-designed manual, yes, I'd definitely pay more. Fortunately manuals are still dominant in Europe, so there's reasons for R&D to continue with vehicles designed for that market. When they switch over, I'm afraid there just won't be much investment in manuals anymore. Who knows. By then we might all be driving transmissionless electric cars.

roadburner

In retrospect I'm very glad I didn't buy an Abarth when I was thinking about it- not because it's a bad car, but because the two dealer groups I trust dropped their Fiat franchises...

qbrozen

yikes. Short-lived return? I sure hope the experience with Fiat doesn't affect FCA's thinking on Alfa.

tifighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

Gee, what size girls? Dutch maybe?

That reminds me, I need to book another flight on KLM.