Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

xwesx

qbrozen said:

mjfloyd1 said:

Strong work @qbrozen on the MB repairs.

Interesting that they reassembled the cams incorrectly. Should really go like stink when you are done!

And it was fast before! Lol!
But it did idle a little rough, and had the CEL. Hopefully both fixed. I’m ready to fire it up but now the battery is dead so it is on the charger. I replaced the rear hatch struts, too. Now it doesn’t close on my head. Ha.

Nice! That was surprisingly fast (work). I want this car when you're done with it.

roadburner

xwesx said:

mjfloyd1 said:

You got the disc brakes tho.

I sweat and swear when someone pulls out in front of me with these drums. I never know what wheel will lock up. I try to keep my distance but it is tough sometimes

Same was true for me with my '69 Econoline (and still true for my '69 C20)... best modification I ever did was the disc brake conversion on that machine! It is amazing the difference in braking... especially with directional control when doing a hard stop.

Ditto for my POS 1973 Bronco(but I repeat myself).

qbrozen

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

mjfloyd1 said:

Strong work @qbrozen on the MB repairs.

Interesting that they reassembled the cams incorrectly. Should really go like stink when you are done!

And it was fast before! Lol!
But it did idle a little rough, and had the CEL. Hopefully both fixed. I’m ready to fire it up but now the battery is dead so it is on the charger. I replaced the rear hatch struts, too. Now it doesn’t close on my head. Ha.

Nice! That was surprisingly fast (work). I want this car when you're done with it.

Well, you'd have to make me an offer I can't refused. ;b

Still haven't started her. The battery may be done for, for some reason. I had disconnected the post under the hood while working on it, so I'm not sure what's up. But I charged it for quite some time and, although the dash at least lights up now, it doesn't have enough juice to turn over. I even tried jumping with the Dodge, but no luck. I've plugged in the trickle charger and will let it go overnight.

BTW, I was not at all aware that the battery is located under the passenger seat, in the floor. That's crazy. OH, and I discovered I have no spare! The well is empty.

mjfloyd1

Yep you have to lift a panel and make a couple cuts in carpet to change the battery but pretty straight forward.

Bummer about no spare tire

28firefighter

@breld what are your impressions of the JCW so far? Asking for a friend.

corvette

"Watch JR remodel two bathrooms?" He needs to post some car content soon.

stickguy

too busy trying to get the shop going I assume. Can't be doing both!

Michaell

stickguy said:

too busy trying to get the shop going I assume. Can't be doing both!

He also mentioned that the bottom end of the flipping market has dried up due to the price increases. I suspect we will see a lot of shop related content in the near term.

corvette

Hoovie has it pretty easy in that department - buy, pay someone else to fix, then sell at a loss or give the car away.

Michaell

corvette said:

Hoovie has it pretty easy in that department - buy, pay someone else to fix, then sell at a loss or give the car away.

Because the YT income allows him to absorb those costs....more about entertainment now.

28firefighter

Like I said. I’ve tapped out from JR. I enjoy Hoovie though because he does exactly what I would do given unlimited funds.

tjc78

28firefighter said:

Like I said. I’ve tapped out from JR. I enjoy Hoovie though because he does exactly what I would do given unlimited funds.

Yeah there are so many of his rides I would own.

roadburner

I really want an M2 Comp, but 446 hp is a nice consolation prize. Too bad it's at EAG, as the price has to be beyond crazy: Dinan M2 .

I also like this BaT oddball.

I really, really, really, REALLY want this car, but I'm sure the price is headed for the stratosphere: 1971 Jensen Interceptor Mk III Think: Budget Aston Martin- only with a big block Chrysler underhood...

fintail

I seem to share some of his tastes too, maybe that's why I find him tolerable. That SLS in white is a beauty, and I even like his money pit Azure.

tjc78 said:

Yeah there are so many of his rides I would own.

Michaell

At the moment, I’m only subscribed to watchjrgo and 100percentjake. Who else are you recommending I follow?

28firefighter

HooviesGarage and Car Wizard

stickguy

I watch them, and the rest of the Wichita Carfia. Elliot Alvis, and Car wizard.

also Emilia Hartford, Sarah n tuned, and Legit street cars.

fintail

For car repair/flipping content, I watch Hoovie, Car Wizard most of the time, HubNut much of the time, AutoAuctionRebuilds and We Hustle Daily most of the time, East Coast Classics, Big Al's Bike and Auto, maybe a couple others now and then - CarThrottle (UK) can be funny. I also catch up with Kent Bergsma's Mercedessource now and then, as I used to patronize his shop when he still operated as a repair facility. I also watch dashcam channels a bit.

breld

28firefighter said:

@breld what are your impressions of the JCW so far? Asking for a friend.

Personally, I really like the new JCW - over the previous S, it has a better sounding exhaust and is a bit more spirited in its acceleration (it’s not night and day, but it’s not like I pushed the S or this one either). The suspension on the S was firm as is, and fortunately the JCW doesn’t feel any harsher. We still need to play around with the suspension settings and see what difference that makes.

Aesthetically, I LOVE the carbon black (oh wait...Enigmatic Black 😉) combined with the red top and mirrors. And the suede-like seats are pretty cool.

Most importantly, my wife is over-the-top pleased with the swap out - it got her the additional features she wanted and then some, and going used makes the whole thing feel okay.

mjfloyd1

I don’t know if it is LOVE or lust😂. Time will tell

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

@breld what are your impressions of the JCW so far? Asking for a friend.

Just don’t fool yourself into thinking it is anything more than a 2-seater. A used 5-door GTI is cheaper, quicker, and far more versatile. I’m sure the Mini is more fun and handles better. So, as always, it is a trade-off and depends on your needs.

stickguy

I will look at a mini again in the spring. We test drove new ones a couple years back and both liked it more than I expected. And now the wife doesn’t care what I get so no worries about it being too small for traveling!

GTI will be on the list too.

tjc78

Michaell said:

At the moment, I’m only subscribed to watchjrgo and 100percentjake. Who else are you recommending I follow?

I really like Vice Grip Garage. He cracks me up.

Sandman6472

We have a few Mini Coopers at work and I did get to sit in one that was in our sold lot. Felt comfortable, it as a 4-door and had enough room for my needs. Think it was an "S" model because it seemed a bit bigger but definitely wasn't a Clubman. We did have to move one earlier in the year but a co-worker refused to let me drive it even though I said it was on my short list for a future purchase. (Some of my co-workers are older retirees with a bad attitude!). So, I've never driven one of the newer ones though I did drive a 2016 unit many years ago but the lady salesperson kept me on a tight leash and we stayed on a prescribed short course. I really want to get in one and get it on a variety of different roads just to see how it handles and see how rough they really do ride.
Maybe one day soon, I'll get the chance. Heck, I finally got to drive a Tesla couple weeks back so I'm sure in time, I'll get into a Mini Cooper.

stickguy

Covid test drives are easier. They usually send you off by yourself!

Sandman6472

Was going through my note in my cell phone earlier and found a post about my mileage last 12/3/19, my first day of work at Enterprise. It showed 62,750. This week, 12/3/20, my mileage will be about 65,500. If this is correct, and have every reason to believe it is, that'll be 2750 miles for this past year...I've never driven any of my vehicles that low mileage yet! Of course between switching jobs and being on furlough those 86 days, it's obviously true mileage and so much less than the 13K I put on ever since I bought the Golf new on 12/12/14. I'll be interested to see how our insurance company incorporates this when we get our new bill come February 3rd. I'll probably call my agent and let her know how little I in fact did drive last year as I had put down under 7500 when they asked last January. Hopefully, they'll lower our bill a lot.

mjfloyd1

@roadburner

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1775105

DCT but Dinan HE+

28firefighter

@breld - thanks! Very helpful.

@qbrozen - your point is well taken and the size is definitely of concern. I just want to make sure if I'm shopping that I consider everything. It isn't looking like I'll need considerably more backseat space than a Cooper 2 door has, though - my little one's car seat fits just fine and he has plenty of space. A GTI is still top of list.

graphicguy

Michaell said:

corvette said:

Hoovie has it pretty easy in that department - buy, pay someone else to fix, then sell at a loss or give the car away.

Because the YT income allows him to absorb those costs....more about entertainment now.

Hoover makes no bones about his objectives. He knows his money will be made on YT content, not fixing and flipping cars for a profit. I appreciate the honesty, although it does get flaky at times (i.e. burying a LeBaron).

Even the Flying Wheels guy says the used market has tanked. And, that’s how he makes his living. He’s dumped all of his high buck stuff.

I wonder if that will hurt DiMuro’s “Cars and Bids” site?

28firefighter

The only place the used car market could go is down after spending 6+ months on the upswing. Carvana and Vroom must be on the verge of taking an absolute bath on all of the cars they overpaid on.

breld

qbrozen said:

28firefighter said:

@breld what are your impressions of the JCW so far? Asking for a friend.

Just don’t fool yourself into thinking it is anything more than a 2-seater. A used 5-door GTI is cheaper, quicker, and far more versatile. I’m sure the Mini is more fun and handles better. So, as always, it is a trade-off and depends on your needs.

100% true and well put.

Back when we lived further from work and were doing more running around with the kids, we were putting 20-25k miles a year on our cars...the GTI was far more comfortable and versatile.

Moving closer to our work and kids getting older are more self sufficient, along with the current COVID restrictions (some of which I think are here to stay), something like the MINI (and Supra for that matter) makes a lot more sense for us.

@28firefighter - I would definitely take a look at the Clubman. IMO, that combines the character of a MINI with the increased usefulness of the GTI. Can be had with AWD and a stick, and are really good used car buys. Heck, go for the current JCW and I think you get upwards of 300 hp?

28firefighter

Also good feedback - thanks!

stickguy

We looked at the bigger one (countryman? With the normal hatch) but liked the 4 door hardtop better. Just as convenient but nicer driving.

venture

stickguy said:

We looked at the bigger one (countryman? With the normal hatch) but liked the 4 door hardtop better. Just as convenient but nicer driving.

The wife and I saw a Clubman yesterday. I told her it was a MINI. She said it didn't look very mini since it looked almost as big as a Forester that was sitting along the road. (She only knew it was a Forester because she had 3 of them).

28firefighter

So Alexandria VW seems to have a few extremely low mile certified 2019 GTIs (less than 1000 miles). All of them appear to have come from the now-defunct VW of Union and were sold at auction back in October. Wondering if the dealer dissolved and these cars were punched and then sold at auction as part of the dissolution proceedings...

corvette

Speaking of Hoovie, I had my first Freddie's experience today. It was pretty good for what it is. The place reminds me of Culver's. I thought the shoestring fries were over-salted, but the steak burger was good.

Michaell

stickguy said:

We looked at the bigger one (countryman? With the normal hatch) but liked the 4 door hardtop better. Just as convenient but nicer driving.

The gen I Countryman (like my daughters) can be a bit rough riding - the new iterations of the MINI line are much more comfortable, yet still retains some of those sharp handling traits that we enthusiasts love.

stickguy

Sounds like a good way to get a GTI. Depending on the price of course!

stickguy

I like this one. Need to shave the price a bit though since it’s a 19.

https://www.alexandriavw.com/inventory/certified-used-2019-volkswagen-golf-gti-2-0t-se-fwd-4d-hatchback-3vw5t7auxkm031857

andres3

OK, gave the S4 a wash n' wax with Costco's Meguiar's Wash n' Wax combo wash soap. Just used a tiny bit of elbow grease on the wheels, needs more work and less laziness.




Looking good if I do say so myself, but I'm a mediocre car detailer/washer. There's some luggage scuffing/scratching on the rear bumper, and a small very thin light "white" scratch on the left rear quarter panel, a couple small touched up with Misano Red paint chips on the hood, and the car is otherwise in great shape. Oh, and the engine bay was detailed by the dealership, which was a nice touch.

ab348

28firefighter said:

So Alexandria VW seems to have a few extremely low mile certified 2019 GTIs (less than 1000 miles). All of them appear to have come from the now-defunct VW of Union and were sold at auction back in October. Wondering if the dealer dissolved and these cars were punched and then sold at auction as part of the dissolution proceedings...

The blue one with the plaid seats looks appealing. I dunno what the equipment differences are between S and SE trims though.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

I like this one. Need to shave the price a bit though since it’s a 19.

https://www.alexandriavw.com/inventory/certified-used-2019-volkswagen-golf-gti-2-0t-se-fwd-4d-hatchback-3vw5t7auxkm031857

That's exactly the one that caught my eye.

stickguy

Leather and moonroof and I think power seat are the big ones.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Leather and moonroof and I think power seat are the big ones.

Not always - the one @breld sold to @kyfdx was an SE, but it had the plaid seats (at least, I'm pretty sure that was the case)

breld

Correct. I believe it may have been a one year thing for the 2018 model year, where they made leather an option on the SE. That was the entire reason I moved quickly to buy that one off Carvana - SE, plaid, manual.

The SE also gets you the lighting package, which dresses up the headlights nicely.

28firefighter

The options have varied over time. Generally the SE gets you a sunroof, keyless start, LED headlights, and leather (unless 2018 model year). There is also an SE experience package for 2018 and 2019 that adds Fender Audio and Dynamic Chassis Control. For 2020, that SE Experience Package went away in favor of an SE Autobahn Experience which was much more expensive and added both the audio and DCC plus a bunch of other stuff.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

So Alexandria VW seems to have a few extremely low mile certified 2019 GTIs (less than 1000 miles). All of them appear to have come from the now-defunct VW of Union and were sold at auction back in October. Wondering if the dealer dissolved and these cars were punched and then sold at auction as part of the dissolution proceedings...

If they went through the auction, I can almost guarantee the warranty clock was started. It's possible the dealership had to punch them to get an incentive from VW, once the lease programs ended.

explorerx4

Andres3 needs a gray striped shirt to got with that red car.

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

So Alexandria VW seems to have a few extremely low mile certified 2019 GTIs (less than 1000 miles). All of them appear to have come from the now-defunct VW of Union and were sold at auction back in October. Wondering if the dealer dissolved and these cars were punched and then sold at auction as part of the dissolution proceedings...

If they went through the auction, I can almost guarantee the warranty clock was started. It's possible the dealership had to punch them to get an incentive from VW, once the lease programs ended.

Yup - though certified, so practically 6 years/72k miles left on the warranty.

sda

2018,19 had great warranties. VW adds an additional 12 mo/12k mi if a CPO which effectively makes it 7/84 from first purchase date.