Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

andres3

I forget the specifics because I'm not a mechanic nor a DIY tool-collecting hobbyest. However, the stories specifics don't matter much as the moral of the story is what counts here.

Online Poster is a DIY-er and posts the following dilemma : Oh shoot, I broke something while doing some minor repair or maintenance job myself, and this certain something is important, and the car won't function without it being replaced/fixed.

Problem: They have a dead car in their garage/driveway and need a tow truck to move it.

If this problem happens at a shop (and shops can break things too; though less likely to), the car is already where it needs to be to fix what was broken. Maybe they even have the part if they are a specialist. Joe Blow doesn't have extra parts so the car is a big paper weight and space taker until resolved (tow truck?)

jmonroe1

breld said:

I decided it might be nice to have a fun sporty car that bled more into the comfort side of things for more of a day to day. Something a bit more physically comfortable for my size, as well as some additional creature comforts.

I looked at a very nice used C300, already knowing it would likely be too far to the comfort side and too “close” to the i5, and that was correct. Although the C300 was a very nice car, and this one I drove was particularly well equipped.

I went to look at a used Nissan Z, but it was located at more of a “side of the road” dealership. Not particularly bad, but it ended up being uncomfortable if not sleazy. As the salesman/owner realized that me “getting a feel for the car” meant…gasp!…a test drive, he started acting weird. I get it if some young adult is obviously looking for a thrill ride, but here I am in my 50’s with my wife. I finally said, “you seem uncomfortable with the idea of me driving the vehicle to get a feel…are you wanting more of a commitment that I’m buying it before you’ll let me drive it?” He replied as if it was ludicrous for me to take out this Nissan without more of a commitment, so we just left.

Anyway, I saved the test of the 230i for last, already knowing I’d likely pull the trigger. Other than the color, which I love, this one is very well equipped, which is relatively rare for “just” the 230i. Premium package isn’t rare, although many of them only have the convenience package, but this one also has the dynamic handling and parking assistance package, which are very nice to have.

Not a CPO, but only 2,300 miles.

————————————————
Good luck with it.

With no CPO but with only 2300 miles, I guess that means you didn’t get it at a BMW dealer yet still has the remaining factory warranty, right?

jmonroe

stickguy

Is the 230 replacing something else in the garage?

I bet my wife would love that color. Probably the car would be ok too. Maybe too low.

tifighter

Guessing the dealer figured CPO wasn’t really worth the additional cost with so much factory warranty left.

Nice pick up @breld …

roadburner

@breld
Congrats!

jmonroe1

andres3 said:

I forget the specifics because I'm not a mechanic nor a DIY tool-collecting hobbyest. However, the stories specifics don't matter much as the moral of the story is what counts here.

Online Poster is a DIY-er and posts the following dilemma : Oh shoot, I broke something while doing some minor repair or maintenance job myself, and this certain something is important, and the car won't function without it being replaced/fixed.

Problem: They have a dead car in their garage/driveway and need a tow truck to move it.

If this problem happens at a shop (and shops can break things too; though less likely to), the car is already where it needs to be to fix what was broken. Maybe they even have the part if they are a specialist. Joe Blow doesn't have extra parts so the car is a big paper weight and space taker until resolved (tow truck?)

————————————————
Something tells me if the guy is a DIYer he doesn’t have the skill or desire to replace what he broke. Still would be interesting to know what he screwed up.

jmonroe

xwesx

andres3 said:

I forget the specifics because I'm not a mechanic nor a DIY tool-collecting hobbyest. However, the stories specifics don't matter much as the moral of the story is what counts here.

Online Poster is a DIY-er and posts the following dilemma : Oh shoot, I broke something while doing some minor repair or maintenance job myself, and this certain something is important, and the car won't function without it being replaced/fixed.

Problem: They have a dead car in their garage/driveway and need a tow truck to move it.

If this problem happens at a shop (and shops can break things too; though less likely to), the car is already where it needs to be to fix what was broken. Maybe they even have the part if they are a specialist. Joe Blow doesn't have extra parts so the car is a big paper weight and space taker until resolved (tow truck?)

Yep.... that's always a risk!

Funny you should post that, because I am currently in the midst of trying to replace the turbo on my Q7's TDI. And, it is RIDICULOUS! The factory shop manual makes the job seem laughably simple, but it is not. Not. At. All. I am getting very close to having the turbo out, but still probably hours from being there, so hopefully that helps explain just how long I have been struggling with this.

And, yes, I have broken several parts. I replaced a couple of them, but a few are just going to get the ol' duct tape treatment because they are too expensive and too simple to bother with a new one. This is, perhaps, the first automotive project I have ever taken on where I am feeling a bit nervous about whether the vehicle will actually run once it is all back together. At this point, if I had any idea that this would be such a PITA project, I would have just sold the car and been done with it.

au1994

breld said:

So I ended up doing a thing Saturday…

Our King, Ladies and Gentlemen...

au1994

Michaell said:

breld said:

I decided it might be nice to have a fun sporty car that bled more into the comfort side of things for more of a day to day. Something a bit more physically comfortable for my size, as well as some additional creature comforts.

I looked at a very nice used C300, already knowing it would likely be too far to the comfort side and too “close” to the i5, and that was correct. Although the C300 was a very nice car, and this one I drove was particularly well equipped.

I went to look at a used Nissan Z, but it was located at more of a “side of the road” dealership. Not particularly bad, but it ended up being uncomfortable if not sleazy. As the salesman/owner realized that me “getting a feel for the car” meant…gasp!…a test drive, he started acting weird. I get it if some young adult is obviously looking for a thrill ride, but here I am in my 50’s with my wife. I finally said, “you seem uncomfortable with the idea of me driving the vehicle to get a feel…are you wanting more of a commitment that I’m buying it before you’ll let me drive it?” He replied as if it was ludicrous for me to take out this Nissan without more of a commitment, so we just left.

Anyway, I saved the test of the 230i for last, already knowing I’d likely pull the trigger. Other than the color, which I love, this one is very well equipped, which is relatively rare for “just” the 230i. Premium package isn’t rare, although many of them only have the convenience package, but this one also has the dynamic handling and parking assistance package, which are very nice to have.

Not a CPO, but only 2,300 miles.

Congrats!

Time to update the signature line (again!)

Did the BRZ go away and I missed it, or was it part of this transaction?

breld

Yes, the BRZ was traded for the 230i.

breld

tifighter said:

Guessing the dealer figured CPO wasn’t really worth the additional cost with so much factory warranty left.

Nice pick up @breld …

This is correct. The remaining manufacturer warranty should get me through my extensive ownership period.

nyccarguy

Nice rig @breld !

tjc78

Congrats @breld.

corvette

Great looking BMW!

28firefighter

Congrats @breld!

ab348

Poor Subie was always the red-headed stepchild in that garage.

tifighter

@breld said:
Yes, the BRZ was traded for the 230i.

Makes sense. Plus the BRZ wasn’t purple.

I’m not kidding.

kyfdx

breld said:

tifighter said:

Guessing the dealer figured CPO wasn’t really worth the additional cost with so much factory warranty left.

Nice pick up @breld …

This is correct. The remaining manufacturer warranty should get me through my extensive ownership period.

60 days until you have to put plates on it

andres3

Inspiring @breld

The car industry probably owes you at least several sales from your purchases inducing others to try and keep up.

laurasdada

Congrats and well done, @breld!

explorerx4

@breld,
Congrats on the BMW.
When you sell it next month, can you send me the temp plate so I'll have a reminder that it's my wife's birthday?