Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

roadburner

corvette said:

Here’s another hobby @roadburner would disapprove of:

https://www.jalopnik.com/1913466/moo-moo-subaru-cows-explained/

Like I said, rank stupidity is contagious.

xwesx

kyfdx said:

In any case, the effect on your credit is short-term. And, I'm not sure going from 825 to 795 is going to change anyone's life.

Amen to that! When it comes to credit, the only thing that will change a person's life is to carry long-term credit card balances. And, it's not a good change, either.

xwesx

Michaell said:

Thoughts on replacing a spare donut after 10 years? Getting the tires rotated on the Outback, and Discount is recommending that I do this.

I don’t think I’ve ever had the spare out of the well, but I do know that they can dry rot over time.

Roughly $100, give or take.

Really depends on the condition of the spare! It lives in close to the best possible environment down in that well.... no sun, no abrasion, no risk of damage. The biggest risk with a donut spare is that you won't have good pressure in it when/if you do need it simply due to being out of sight and out of mind.

If you have used it before, left it outside for extended periods, or run it while low on air, then yeah, probably worth replacing. If you put some 303 protectant on it once every few years, it will last forever even with some use or abuse. Otherwise, It will most likely last the life of the car.

andres3

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Thoughts on replacing a spare donut after 10 years? Getting the tires rotated on the Outback, and Discount is recommending that I do this.

I don’t think I’ve ever had the spare out of the well, but I do know that they can dry rot over time.

Roughly $100, give or take.

Really depends on the condition of the spare! It lives in close to the best possible environment down in that well.... no sun, no abrasion, no risk of damage. The biggest risk with a donut spare is that you won't have good pressure in it when/if you do need it simply due to being out of sight and out of mind.

If you have used it before, left it outside for extended periods, or run it while low on air, then yeah, probably worth replacing. If you put some 303 protectant on it once every few years, it will last forever even with some use or abuse. Otherwise, It will most likely last the life of the car.

You can probably usually find a compressor, but a replacement wheel/tire may be much harder to come by, especially in remote areas or on a weekend. So the worst that could happen is your spare doesn't get you all the way to where you need to go; so if remote driving isn't in your future; I'd take my chances.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

I’d stretch that out a few more years … especially considering that you may be getting rid of it

I agree... I doubt the inside of your spare tire compartment is a bad place for a tire to live, unless you have a leak. Have you ever used the tire?

Michaell

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:

I’d stretch that out a few more years … especially considering that you may be getting rid of it

I agree... I doubt the inside of your spare tire compartment is a bad place for a tire to live, unless you have a leak. Have you ever used the tire?

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:

I’d stretch that out a few more years … especially considering that you may be getting rid of it

I agree... I doubt the inside of your spare tire compartment is a bad place for a tire to live, unless you have a leak. Have you ever used the tire?

As noted in my original post, I don't think I've ever had it out of the compartment under the floor.

explorerx4

Last year, I checked the spare in one of the kid's cars. After 12 years it was low on air.
I put air in it and checked it a couple days later. The pressure reading was the same.

roadburner

I've only removed the spare on the Club Sport to give me access to the differential. I'll let sleeping tires lie...

ab348

I’m shocked, I tells ya, shocked, that a massive insurance company that spends a small fortune every year on a feel-good marketing campaign really isn’t good to deal with.

ab348

For perhaps some members here I hope this Automotive News report does not kill your purchase ambitions too much:

It’s not a good time to sell imported luxury or ultraluxury vehicles in the U.S. Sales and registration data reported by Jack Walsworth in this story point out a clear downward trend for upscale brands in 2025.

And given that the full bite of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade wars won’t be felt until the third and fourth quarters, there’s little hope for sales gains for the luxury brands in the U.S. this year.

Why? The simple answer is that most luxury and ultraluxury vehicles come to the U.S. from Europe.

Granted, higher sticker prices from tariffs are the very definition of a first-world problem for wealthy car buyers. Paul Waatti, director of industry analysis at AutoPacific, told Walsworth that exotic and ultraluxury vehicle shoppers are less price-sensitive than others.

“But that doesn’t mean they’re indifferent,” Waatti said. “A $50,000 swing in tariffs or taxes might not dissuade someone buying a $400,000 vehicle, but it could shift the timing or the configuration.”

Customers are canceling orders for $750,000 Lamborghini Revueltos when the price rises an additional $75,000 because of tariffs, said one dealer who requested not to be identified.

Robert DiStanislao, president of RDS Automotive, a prominent ultraluxury dealership group, said the wind has come out of the sails at his stores, which represent Bugatti, McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Ineos, Walsworth wrote.

“It’s incredibly frustrating,” DiStanislao said. “Because of the uncertainty, people are canceling orders and don’t know how to proceed. It’s ruining confidence on a multitude of levels.”

benjaminh

My wife and I just returned from a two hour tour through Subaru's vast factory in Lafayette, Indiana. The tour is free, but needs to be reserved in advance. The factory was more colossal than even I had imagined, and the production process even more complex.

You walk on catwalks around twenty to thirty feet or so above the floor, on different levels, going up and down stairs. Forty foot high steel presses that were really buildings within the building press steel with many tons of pressure. Overhead conveyors of a size almost beyond belief move across the ceiling above you transporting heavy machinery. Sometimes things are somewhat enclosed, while other times the factory goes on pretty much as far as the eye can see.

Synchronized welding robots make sparks that go up thirty feet or so. Workers ride bikes in the factory, as well as operate a variety of electric vehicles carrying parts. Blue light and infrared for inspection of car bodies looked surreal and science fictional.

Ten thousand workers a day work at the factory in two shifts. It has been expanded many times since it first opened in 1989, and the total cost for the facility is in the billions. They've made about eight million vehicles at that plant since it opened. The workers were working hard, but took pride in their work. A few waved and smiled at us as we did our tour. Maybe around a third of the workers are women. Saw workers installing headliners, working on Boxer engines, assembling all sorts of parts, quality control, etc.

We all wore headphones so that everyone could hear our knowledgeable tour guide above the considerable but not unpleasant sounds of cars being made.

When I was ten someone gave me a book on the Model T and the factory pictures in it interested me. Now half a century later I've finally seen an actual car factory in operation, and it exceeded expectations. My wife thought it was very interesting too. None of the individual pix or videos I've seen quite convey the jaw-dropping size and multilayered complexity of these facilities, with parts being moved up and down many levels by robots.

Pictures are strictly forbidden. But these photos from Subaru, Motor Trend, and other sources give some good glimpses....

andres3

Mass production.... makes you wonder why it's still so expensive.
Has anyone done the spreadsheet on what it would cost to build their new car if you ordered every part separately piece by piece from the parts department vs. MSRP?

qbrozen

@tifighter said:
Griots now bringing the heat on BaT - https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-lancia-stratos-2/

What a car…

Who throws in a $300k first bid? Hard to believe.

qbrozen

@explorerx4 said:
What year was the Mach 1? Cobra R's are 20 to 25 years old.

I don’t recall the year but it was one of the ‘03-‘04 style.

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
Agree with you on the 300K opening bid. Probably a shill.

Re: The Cobra R, original was around 01, naturally aspirated 5.4 @ 385 HP.
03/04 Terminator Cobra had a supercharged 4.6 with 390 HP.
05 Ford GT had a supercharged 5.4 with 540 HP.
I would tread very, very carefully with someone claiming to have a 700 HP example.

corvette

@Michaell - I’d leave the spare alone. Keep it aired up to spec and drive slowly, avoiding the interstate, if you ever need to use it, since it may not be able to handle the heat that comes with high speeds.

xwesx

ab348 said:

For perhaps some members here I hope this Automotive News report does not kill your purchase ambitions too much:

I think it is way more appropriate to tax the snot out of purchases like those than it is to tax the someone's income in the same way. People make choices about purchases that includes accepting such added cost.

tifighter

@qbrozen said:

@tifighter said:
Griots now bringing the heat on BaT - https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-lancia-stratos-2/

What a car…

Who throws in a $300k first bid? Hard to believe.

Look at his history. Besides, this car isn’t going to sell anywhere near $300k.

tifighter

This shows 6 Stratos sales in the past 5 years. This is only the second one ever on BaT. Griots thought that it could get lost in the auctions during car week at Monterey, and it might get more eyeballs on BaT. Given they already have sold a seven figure car in the past year on BaT, they decided to try it again. And of course, BaT was keen to get the listing.

qbrozen

@explorerx4 said:
@qbrozen,
Agree with you on the 300K opening bid. Probably a shill.

Re: The Cobra R, original was around 01, naturally aspirated 5.4 @ 385 HP.
03/04 Terminator Cobra had a supercharged 4.6 with 390 HP.
05 Ford GT had a supercharged 5.4 with 540 HP.
I would tread very, very carefully with someone claiming to have a 700 HP example.

It is a particular group I’m in. All fully built cars for sale. Seller took a cobra r engine and built it with forged internals, etc.

oldfarmer50

andres3 said:

Mass production.... makes you wonder why it's still so expensive.
Has anyone done the spreadsheet on what it would cost to build their new car if you ordered every part separately piece by piece from the parts department vs. MSRP?

I seem to remember reading a long time ago that a $5k car would cost $25k to replace all the parts. Must have been a long, long time ago for there to be $5k cars.

sda

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:

Mass production.... makes you wonder why it's still so expensive.
Has anyone done the spreadsheet on what it would cost to build their new car if you ordered every part separately piece by piece from the parts department vs. MSRP?

I seem to remember reading a long time ago that a $5k car would cost $25k to replace all the parts. Must have been a long, long time ago for there to be $5k cars.

IIRC it was a Motor Trend article in 1971 about putting together a 71 Impala part by part. I wonder if that factor of 5 is higher today.

nyccarguy

@28firefighter

(1) How's the Porsche? I thought of you recently when I saw a Benzes & Bowties video where they took in an (I think) '04 911 Turbo Cab with a 6-Speed Stick. Silver with a light grey top (that worked mechanically, but needed to be refinished or replaced) and a light grey interior.

(2) Any updates on the Jetta?

benjaminh

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a65450365/mercedes-cuts-eq-pricing-ends-us-production/

"Between the termination of the federal EV tax credit moving up from the end of the year to September 30 and Mercedes's struggling EV sales, the brand is taking more drastic actions than simple price cuts. According to a report by Motor1.com, Mercedes will end production of all four U.S.-market EQ products (excluding the EQB), starting on September 1."

ab348

Who knew that selling car care products and accessories could be so profitable? I used to keep up with the wash/wax/protectant debates you would find online where those who cared obsessively about such things would talk about "the best!" products to use for whatever purpose. I don't remember many Griot products being mentioned in those discussions; it was usually even more obscure stuff. I did get their catalog once and seem to recall being impressed by the price points they were asking. Stuff wasn't cheap, which I guess explains how the founder could afford to buy 6-figure cars for his collection.

benjaminh

Japanese Kei-cars by regulation can't be more than 1.48 meters wide, which is 58.3 inches, and 3.4 meters long, which is 134 inches. Engines need to be no larger than .66 liters, but can be hybrid or turbo.

This is shorter than a 1975 US Civic, which was 150 inches long and 59.3 inches wide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjcshrUUxmk

nyccarguy

ab348 said:

Who knew that selling car care products and accessories could be so profitable? I used to keep up with the wash/wax/protectant debates you would find online where those who cared obsessively about such things would talk about "the best!" products to use for whatever purpose. I don't remember many Griot products being mentioned in those discussions; it was usually even more obscure stuff. I did get their catalog once and seem to recall being impressed by the price points they were asking. Stuff wasn't cheap, which I guess explains how the founder could afford to buy 6-figure cars for his collection.

Griot's marketing magic worked very well on me. I think their catalogues are great. I remember living in my apartment in NYC, then my condo in Westchester looking and saying to myself; "you know, when I get a house one day I'm going to treat myself to the Griot's products." I did. Everything works as advertised. The wheel cleaner, the heavy duty wheel cleaner, the polish, the wax, the clay, & the orbital. Some of their tire shine products I'm not particularly thrilled with. It seems like they've changed a few things over the years (which happens, I understand).

tjc78

I’m not a fancy car wash products type of guy. Whatever Walmart sells (Turtle Wax, Meguiars, etc) does just fine for my leased cars.

The one exception is Ardex Speedy VOC for the tire shine. I’ve found nothing that works better. It’s hard to get though. Either EBay or when I was in the campground there was a guy who distributed for them. I used to get a gallon at his cost.

For the cleaning the rims and tires I used to use Spray Nine but have shifted to Simple Green as it’s much cheaper.

kyfdx

I used to look at the Griot's catalog.. That's as close as I got to actually cleaning my own car.

28firefighter

(1) I just got the Porsche back from the dealer. They had to drop an additional $4500 (!!!) to replace the hydraulics for the top. They still owe me a repair for a piece of elastic on the canvas, but the GM of the store is working on it. I’m so happy it’s back though.

(2) The Jetta is in limbo. It’s technically driveable but the rear quarter is a structural component on the GLI (according to the shop) and is compromised, so would not be safe in the event of an accident. All parts on a national back order and no ETA. I’m pursuing channels but I’m basically stuck.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

(1) I just got the Porsche back from the dealer. They had to drop an additional $4500 (!!!) to replace the hydraulics for the top. They still owe me a repair for a piece of elastic on the canvas, but the GM of the store is working on it. I’m so happy it’s back though.

(2) The Jetta is in limbo. It’s technically driveable but the rear quarter is a structural component on the GLI (according to the shop) and is compromised, so would not be safe in the event of an accident. All parts on a national back order and no ETA. I’m pursuing channels but I’m basically stuck.

Time to update your signature line!

sda

Years back I used some of the Meguiar’s products and enjoyed the TV show they had. I understand the company was sold to a larger entity.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

(1) I just got the Porsche back from the dealer. They had to drop an additional $4500 (!!!) to replace the hydraulics for the top. They still owe me a repair for a piece of elastic on the canvas, but the GM of the store is working on it. I’m so happy it’s back though.

(2) The Jetta is in limbo. It’s technically driveable but the rear quarter is a structural component on the GLI (according to the shop) and is compromised, so would not be safe in the event of an accident. All parts on a national back order and no ETA. I’m pursuing channels but I’m basically stuck.

They - key word here. This is all covered under this extended warranty? What company is it through? How much did it cost you? IIRC, this 1 repair means the warranty has paid for itself?

Stinks about your Jetta. The 911 C4S cab is a heckuva nice consolation prize though. Is the plan to NOT drive that during the winter months?

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

Who knew that selling car care products and accessories could be so profitable? I used to keep up with the wash/wax/protectant debates you would find online where those who cared obsessively about such things would talk about "the best!" products to use for whatever purpose. I don't remember many Griot products being mentioned in those discussions; it was usually even more obscure stuff. I did get their catalog once and seem to recall being impressed by the price points they were asking. Stuff wasn't cheap, which I guess explains how the founder could afford to buy 6-figure cars for his collection.

————————————————
Back in the 80’s I saw a guy on a TV talk show who was introduced as a very successful entrepreneur. I didn’t recognize the name but that’s not important.

His claim to success was to see what was selling well in the market, that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. For men that was stuff for cars and for women it was stuff to clean the house along with some women’s clothing apparel. So, he went to established companies and had them package their products with a name he created but had them packaged in eye catching attractive displays. However, his biggest success was to charge a premium price for these products. His reasoning was if his products looked good on the shelves, customers would be willing to pay higher prices for them because they must be worth the higher price and it worked. Supposedly he made a lot of money doing this and retired in his mid 40’s and just enjoyed life with his family.

When asked why he didn’t continue with his money making schemes, his answer was he wasn’t a greedy person and he had more money than he or his family could spend in their lifetimes, so why not enjoy the fruits of his success.

His closing comment that ended his interview was that buyers had to be smart enough to know what they were willing to spend for products. In short, buyer beware and there is a sucker born every minute. For me, this was reinforcement that some things never change.

jmonroe

imidazol97

ab348 said:

Who knew that selling car care products and accessories could be so profitable? I used to keep up with the wash/wax/protectant debates you would find online where those who cared obsessively about such things would talk about "the best!" products to use for whatever purpose. I don't remember many Griot products being mentioned in those discussions; it was usually even more obscure stuff. I did get their catalog once and seem to recall being impressed by the price points they were asking. Stuff wasn't cheap, which I guess explains how the founder could afford to buy 6-figure cars for his collection.

The companies are selling the sizzle via the advertising. The steak is pretty much the same as the others. Buyers pay for the advertising that makes them feel they're buying a special product?

28firefighter

The dealer who sold it to me agreed to fix it as a we owe. Warranty hasn’t been touched yet.

Re: Daily driving, I might see about picking up an i4/i5 for the winter months and just train runs. I really like the BMW EVs. In fact I have an incredible deal on an i5 m60 loaner but I’m hesitating because I don’t really want to pay for both the Jetta and that.

jmonroe1

imidazol97 said:

ab348 said:

Who knew that selling car care products and accessories could be so profitable? I used to keep up with the wash/wax/protectant debates you would find online where those who cared obsessively about such things would talk about "the best!" products to use for whatever purpose. I don't remember many Griot products being mentioned in those discussions; it was usually even more obscure stuff. I did get their catalog once and seem to recall being impressed by the price points they were asking. Stuff wasn't cheap, which I guess explains how the founder could afford to buy 6-figure cars for his collection.

The companies are selling the sizzle via the advertising. The steak is pretty much the same as the others. Buyers pay for the advertising that makes them feel they're buying a special product?

————————————————
That’s pretty much what I just said in the post above yours, so it must be true. Why couldn’t I think of things like that?

jmonroe

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

ab348 said:

Who knew that selling car care products and accessories could be so profitable? I used to keep up with the wash/wax/protectant debates you would find online where those who cared obsessively about such things would talk about "the best!" products to use for whatever purpose. I don't remember many Griot products being mentioned in those discussions; it was usually even more obscure stuff. I did get their catalog once and seem to recall being impressed by the price points they were asking. Stuff wasn't cheap, which I guess explains how the founder could afford to buy 6-figure cars for his collection.

Griot's marketing magic worked very well on me. I think their catalogues are great. I remember living in my apartment in NYC, then my condo in Westchester looking and saying to myself; "you know, when I get a house one day I'm going to treat myself to the Griot's products." I did. Everything works as advertised. The wheel cleaner, the heavy duty wheel cleaner, the polish, the wax, the clay, & the orbital. Some of their tire shine products I'm not particularly thrilled with. It seems like they've changed a few things over the years (which happens, I understand).

I started using Griot's products when the company began sponsoring BMW CCA events; I especially like their Ceramic product line. The Club Sport after the Griot's Ceramic treatment:

roadburner

sda said:

Years back I used some of the Meguiar’s products and enjoyed the TV show they had. I understand the company was sold to a larger entity.

3M acquired Meguiars in 2008 but left Barry Meguiar in charge. As far as I know -and based on my experience with some of the later products- the company still makes quality automotive detailing products.

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

(1) I just got the Porsche back from the dealer. They had to drop an additional $4500 (!!!) to replace the hydraulics for the top. They still owe me a repair for a piece of elastic on the canvas, but the GM of the store is working on it. I’m so happy it’s back though.

(2) The Jetta is in limbo. It’s technically driveable but the rear quarter is a structural component on the GLI (according to the shop) and is compromised, so would not be safe in the event of an accident. All parts on a national back order and no ETA. I’m pursuing channels but I’m basically stuck.

I bet that dealer is soooo happy he took that car in on trade.

I know it’s not the dealer’s fault that your car got hit but I find it strange that they would expect you to just take the bus for an indeterminate amount of time waiting for parts.

28firefighter

The dealer doesn’t care. Neither does VW. Neither does my insurance.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

sda said:

Years back I used some of the Meguiar’s products and enjoyed the TV show they had. I understand the company was sold to a larger entity.

3M acquired Meguiars in 2008 but left Barry Meguiar in charge. As far as I know -and based on my experience with some of the later products- the company still makes quality automotive detailing products.

I loved his song ‘Eve of Destruction’.😂

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

sda said:

Years back I used some of the Meguiar’s products and enjoyed the TV show they had. I understand the company was sold to a larger entity.

3M acquired Meguiars in 2008 but left Barry Meguiar in charge. As far as I know -and based on my experience with some of the later products- the company still makes quality automotive detailing products.

I loved his song ‘Eve of Destruction’.😂

A1 post here.. Your dues are covered for next year.

corvette

Apparently, Dad's Ranger is still having transmission issues following the replacement of the valve body and other parts. He's basically issued a "final warning" and will take it to the dealer one last time before getting rid of it. The kicker--he wants another Ranger, which still has the same transmission.

I encouraged him to strongly look at the Tacoma, as well as considering the Colorado/Canyon.

greg1288

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

sda said:

Years back I used some of the Meguiar’s products and enjoyed the TV show they had. I understand the company was sold to a larger entity.

3M acquired Meguiars in 2008 but left Barry Meguiar in charge. As far as I know -and based on my experience with some of the later products- the company still makes quality automotive detailing products.

I loved his song ‘Eve of Destruction’.😂

A1 post here.. Your dues are covered for next year.

You as well as I are apparently showing our ages.

ab348

I just wish I had thought of it first.

roadburner

I was at a friend's house last night and I had a chance to check out his Superformance 427 Cobra. It's the identical twin of this car. Gorgeous.

stickguy

I finally came up with a good reason to start wheeling and dealing cars. My right knee hurt today!

When I drive a long time without a break I get a pain in my right knee. Eventually works itself out but I limp around a bit for a while until it gets better. But using cruise control can help so I can move my leg around instead of keeping it bent on the gas pedal. Unfortunately, on the roads I drive longer stretches on regular cruise is pretty much useless since I have to keep hovering over the brake pedal at all times.

so the answer is, get a car with fancy adaptive laser cruise. Hey, I'm old and comfort is important! The wife has creaky knees also so she is sympathetic to that issue. I just won't mention that the RDX has it. Will just point out how she often has issues with Apple CarPlay glitching on her.

suydam

Don’t most cars have adaptive cruise now? Our Kia Sportage does!

imidazol97

jmonroe1 said:

imidazol97 said:

ab348 said:

Who knew that selling car care products and accessories could be so profitable? I used to keep up with the wash/wax/protectant debates you would find online where those who cared obsessively about such things would talk about "the best!" products to use for whatever purpose. I don't remember many Griot products being mentioned in those discussions; it was usually even more obscure stuff. I did get their catalog once and seem to recall being impressed by the price points they were asking. Stuff wasn't cheap, which I guess explains how the founder could afford to buy 6-figure cars for his collection.

The companies are selling the sizzle via the advertising. The steak is pretty much the same as the others. Buyers pay for the advertising that makes them feel they're buying a special product?

————————————————
That’s pretty much what I just said in the post above yours, so it must be true. Why couldn’t I think of things like that?

jmonroe

Sorry. Didn't mean to step on your post.