Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

Sandman6472

Michael, I had sent you a message the other day but being as tech challenged as I am, don't know if I did it right. Did you ever get it?

sda

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

I immediately thought of a comparison between this 2008 and a 2008 Impala with 50k miles for $5k mentioned by driver100. Assuming both cars are similar mechanically, is a Lexus worth more than twice as much?

Excellent point. I’m not too familiar with that generation impala. Does it have the 3800 V6?

That year had a 3.5L, a 3.9L and a 5.3L V8 in the SS version.

I don’t think any of those engines are bad but they don’t have the recognized reputation of the later series 3800. IIRC, the 5.3 munched on transmissions.

Michaell

@Sandman6472 said:
Michael, I had sent you a message the other day but being as tech challenged as I am, don't know if I did it right. Did you ever get it?

Yes we received it, and acted upon its contents.

roadburner

I've owned my 2021 Sahara 4xe since October of 2023, and I FINALLY found something to complain about: the navigation map update process. First off, there are several steps that you have to go through before you even insert the map update USB stick (and you have to wait for the stick to be sent to you- no downloading it off the web, you stupid peasants!). That in itself wasn't difficult -just annoying- and more of a hassle than other nav systems I've updated.
But here's what I found to be the primary aggravation: When you plug in the map update USB stick the nav display reads, "Four Minutes Left." Not even close; it loads the first 10% quickly but then takes upwards of 30 minutes to load the next 10%- at which point in jumps to 40% and the display reads, "Three Minutes Left.", After that, It will take another 10-15 minutes to hit 100%. If you shut the ignition off you are sent back to square one. I found that even if I left my Wrangler unattended with the ignition on it would still eventually shut off- necessitating another restart of the procedure. My advice? Plan to drive around for at least 45 minutes to complete the update.

cdnpinhead

Everything's different and nothing is better.

corvette

I believe a new (or new to you) car is not properly "broken in" until you have eaten White Castle in it.

stickguy

if nothing else, that will take care of the new car smell.

28firefighter

@cdnpinhead said:
Everything's different and nothing is better.

Who brought the good news bear?

oldfarmer50

sda said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

I immediately thought of a comparison between this 2008 and a 2008 Impala with 50k miles for $5k mentioned by driver100. Assuming both cars are similar mechanically, is a Lexus worth more than twice as much?

Excellent point. I’m not too familiar with that generation impala. Does it have the 3800 V6?

That year had a 3.5L, a 3.9L and a 5.3L V8 in the SS version.

I don’t think any of those engines are bad but they don’t have the recognized reputation of the later series 3800. IIRC, the 5.3 munched on transmissions.

I think that was partially due to how the owners drove them.😂

pensfan83

I'm not getting in the way of teenagers and eating so as long as it's not going to drip, stick, stain, or stink up the car it's not a problem. That's what they make upholstery cleaning machines and leather cleaner for.

ab348

sda said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

I immediately thought of a comparison between this 2008 and a 2008 Impala with 50k miles for $5k mentioned by driver100. Assuming both cars are similar mechanically, is a Lexus worth more than twice as much?

Excellent point. I’m not too familiar with that generation impala. Does it have the 3800 V6?

That year had a 3.5L, a 3.9L and a 5.3L V8 in the SS version.

I don’t think any of those engines are bad but they don’t have the recognized reputation of the later series 3800. IIRC, the 5.3 munched on transmissions.

Aside from the SS which as was said overwhelmed the transmission if you tried to use the power of the 5.3, most Impalas had the 3.5, which was a derivative of the 2.8 V6 originally offered in the Citation and other X-cars. I never liked any version of that engine even though some others did. I always found it ticky-sounding and underpowered (or overmatched) though I never got to try the 3.9 version.

nyccarguy

oldfarmer50 said:

sda said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

I immediately thought of a comparison between this 2008 and a 2008 Impala with 50k miles for $5k mentioned by driver100. Assuming both cars are similar mechanically, is a Lexus worth more than twice as much?

Excellent point. I’m not too familiar with that generation impala. Does it have the 3800 V6?

That year had a 3.5L, a 3.9L and a 5.3L V8 in the SS version.

I don’t think any of those engines are bad but they don’t have the recognized reputation of the later series 3800. IIRC, the 5.3 munched on transmissions.

I think that was partially due to how the owners drove them.😂

I don’t think any of those engines are bad but they aren't the Toyota 3.5L V6 found in the 2008 Lexus ES350.

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

Thoughts? I like the low mileage. Price seems a little rich for an ‘08. Hit on the carfax. Dealer serviced.

2008 Lexus ES 350 - 54,000 miles

https://www.haldemanlexusofprinceton.com/inventory/used-2008-lexus-es-350-fwd-4d-sedan-jthbj46g282220675/

I've always thought the Lexus ES to be the best looking in the entire Lexus lineup. 54K miles? Probably go for another 200K with little issues.

Michaell

@nyccarguy - and the reason you haven't bought the Lexus is ....?

By this time, @breld would have bought and traded it in...

jmonroe1

pensfan83 said:

I'm not getting in the way of teenagers and eating so as long as it's not going to drip, stick, stain, or stink up the car it's not a problem. That's what they make upholstery cleaning machines and leather cleaner for.

————————————————
I’ve always been in the camp that it’s better to KEEP things clean rather than GET things clean. Kinda like an “ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. Must be an old fashioned way of going through life. But, everyone is entitled to treat their cars the way they choose to treat them.

I wasn’t trying to get any converts when I mentioned how I do it, I was only stating how I do it. However, given this is a car site, I’m surprised I’m the odd ball about this.

jmonroe

xwesx

jmonroe1 said:

I’ve always been in the camp that it’s better to KEEP things clean rather than GET things clean. Kinda like an “ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. Must be an old fashioned way of going through life. But, everyone is entitled to treat their cars the way they choose to treat them.

I wasn’t trying to get any converts when I mentioned how I do it, I was only stating how I do it. However, given this is a car site, I’m surprised I’m the odd ball about this.

I so much agree with this, but it all falls apart once the spouse is in the car, which means that my wishes are moot on any long trips, which means I might as well forget about it.

jmonroe1

xwesx said:

jmonroe1 said:

I’ve always been in the camp that it’s better to KEEP things clean rather than GET things clean. Kinda like an “ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. Must be an old fashioned way of going through life. But, everyone is entitled to treat their cars the way they choose to treat them.

I wasn’t trying to get any converts when I mentioned how I do it, I was only stating how I do it. However, given this is a car site, I’m surprised I’m the odd ball about this.

I so much agree with this, but it all falls apart once the spouse is in the car, which means that my wishes are moot on any long trips, which means I might as well forget about it.

————————————————
I’m all for teaching lessons. Sometimes subtle ones. So, you could always try eating a hot fudge sundae, with extra hot fudge, on her favorite couch.

jmonroe

xwesx

Yeah, well, I don't have a table like yours, J.

au1994

This weeks rentals were a Nissan Rogue and an Explorer. Surprisingly impressed with both.

With the Rogue, it’s probably because my expectations were so low but it was peppy, decent looking and rode really well. It was only 2 of us but if it would have been 4 with luggage it would have been tight.

Impressed with the Explorer as well. This was an Active (base) model but the 4 cyl was just fine and not too noisy. Plenty of room, comfortable and drove great. Even had heated seats which were appreciated this morning.

roadburner

The Explorer ST is the only domestic CUV I'd enjoy owning.

oldfarmer50

I just heard a radio ad pushing a 72 month zero interest loan on Honda EVs. I assume that was at full sticker.

nyccarguy

I don’t remember whether we were talking about liquor here or on cars & conversations, but a vendor gave me this bottle of scotch today. The clase azúl is from another vendor.

stickguy

that looks like a gigantic pepper grinder of some sort.

28firefighter

That clase azul is some good stuff.

explorerx4

My wife just got a mailing with some Private Offers from Ford.
When I bought my Explorer last year, the dealer didn't want to give me a loan because I was retired, so the loan ended up in her name only.
I traded in my 2020 Explorer, paid the additional cash down, and have been paying the loan.
This also interests me. Current situation, 2 kids, 1 Mustang.
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1996-ford-mustang-svt-cobra-clarkston-mi-2843468

nyccarguy

@28firefighter said:
That clase azul is some good stuff.

I never liked tequila until I had it. Incredibly smooth.

sb55

nyccarguy said:

I don’t remember whether we were talking about liquor here or on cars & conversations, but a vendor gave me this bottle of scotch today. The clase azúl is from another vendor.

I had to stop drinking when heart issues cropped up a few years ago. But back in the day Glenfiddich was a favorite of mine.

qbrozen

@roadburner said:
The Explorer ST is the only domestic CUV I'd enjoy owning.

I’ve been looking but they haven’t depreciated like I thought they would. Same with the Durango 392. I’d certainly enjoy a Trackhawk but those are definitely out of reach.

tjc78

@nyccarguy said:
I don’t remember whether we were talking about liquor here or on cars & conversations, but a vendor gave me this bottle of scotch today. The clase azúl is from another vendor.

I like your vendors.

I was at a party last summer and someone bought a bottle of the Clase Azul. The host said let’s open it up … well someone did and proceeded to pit about half the bottle in a cocktail shaker with watery ice and chill it for shots. Ruined it.

I’m all for chilling your alcohol but a nice tequila is like bourbon IMO. If you want it cold use a large cube

kyfdx

This is timely. We were out to dinner at our favorite margarita place, last night. Mezcal margaritas. mmmmmm

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

@roadburner said:

The Explorer ST is the only domestic CUV I'd enjoy owning.

I’ve been looking but they haven’t depreciated like I thought they would. Same with the Durango 392. I’d certainly enjoy a Trackhawk but those are definitely out of reach.

Literally every time I see a Trackhawk, it seems like they are being driven by someone who's rear end is on fire.

Did they stop making the SRT8 once they started making the Trackhawk?

corvette

@kyfdx - I love Mezcal, but it's kind of an acquired taste.

kyfdx

corvette said:

@kyfdx - I love Mezcal, but it's kind of an acquired taste.

True.. very smoky. My wife won't drink it

graphicguy

oldfarmer50 said:

I just heard a radio ad pushing a 72 month zero interest loan on Honda EVs. I assume that was at full sticker.

Just saw a 2024 car sales graph. Seems the Prologue outsold the GM Ultium cousins it's based on. Given it's a first year moniker, that's quite the feat.

Before I got my EV6, I looked at them. Too big for me, but I thought the inclusion of Car Play and Android Auto would drive sales to it vs the GM models that do not have either.

laurasdada

My guess? Honda's earned reputation for quality and reliability (and perhaps much of the buying population being unaware of the Prologue's bones). Versus GM's reputation...

tjc78

lol - I just realized I wrote “unlike your vendors”. I meant to write I like your vendors. Edited

I like a nice mezcal old fashioned.

qbrozen

@nyccarguy said:
Literally every time I see a Trackhawk, it seems like they are being driven by someone who's rear end is on fire.

Did they stop making the SRT8 once they started making the Trackhawk?

They did continue the 392 alongside the Trackhawk. In 2022, they dropped the “8” and just call it the SRT.

nyccarguy

I saw this posted on motor1.com this morning. I knew the take rate on MT WRXs was high, but 86.7% is impressive. Total is total amount of manual transmission cars sold in 2024.


Car Take Rate Total
Honda Civic 7.2% 17,424
Subaru WRX 86.7% 16,115
Volkswagen Golf GTI / R 41% / 52% 6,721
Toyota GR86 53% 6,056
Toyota Tacoma 3% 5,784
Mazda Miata 70% 5,762
Toyota GR Corolla 97% 5,414
Acura Integra 19.8% 4,831
Volkswagen Jetta 6% 4,310
Subaru BRZ 77.8% 2,602

breld

Clearly the "new" Z hasn't been received all that well, but at some point it still seems like an attractive buy...like $9,500 off sticker.

https://schompnissan.com/inventory/New-2024-Nissan-Z-Performance-JN1BZ4BH7RM361789

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

I saw this posted on motor1.com this morning. I knew the take rate on MT WRXs was high, but 86.7% is impressive. Total is total amount of manual transmission cars sold in 2024.


Car Take Rate Total
Honda Civic 7.2% 17,424
Subaru WRX 86.7% 16,115
Volkswagen Golf GTI / R 41% / 52% 6,721
Toyota GR86 53% 6,056
Toyota Tacoma 3% 5,784
Mazda Miata 70% 5,762
Toyota GR Corolla 97% 5,414
Acura Integra 19.8% 4,831
Volkswagen Jetta 6% 4,310
Subaru BRZ 77.8% 2,602

Part of that is some of the trims are only available in manual on the WRX (base, TR)

stickguy

Not a bad looking Z

suydam

laurasdada said:

My guess? Honda's earned reputation for quality and reliability (and perhaps much of the buying population being unaware of the Prologue's bones). Versus GM's reputation...

I agree. Plus GM has a number of EVs to choose from. Honda has one. The Equinox seems to be the EV sales winner of the GM stable at the moment. I’m sure the new Bolt will be too.
Personally I much prefer the Blazer’s interior layout to the Prologues. I’m not a fan of the iPad looking control stuck awkwardly on top, the beautifully integrated Blazer dash is much nicer. I prefer the Blazer’s looks overall too.
Tesla doesn’t have car play and that didn’t stop it from being the sales giant that it is. Going forward, I think ease of charging will play a big role in any EV market. GM plans to install a huge number of chargers nationwide. Of course Prologue owners will be able to use those too.

28firefighter

Even at 9k off the Z doesn’t do it for me.

28firefighter

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but for the first time basically ever, I’m trending over mileage on my lease (10k a year and trending for 12).

Not a big deal and it’ll even out, but says a lot about how much I like the WRX.

breld

28firefighter said:

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but for the first time basically ever, I’m trending over mileage on my lease (10k a year and trending for 12).

Not a big deal and it’ll even out, but says a lot about how much I like the WRX.

I just took advantage of an offer from Audi to purchase miles at a slightly discounted rate. My lease is for 10k/year, but I’m trending toward 23-24k miles total for the 2 year lease that matures this September.

kyfdx

breld said:

28firefighter said:

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but for the first time basically ever, I’m trending over mileage on my lease (10k a year and trending for 12).

Not a big deal and it’ll even out, but says a lot about how much I like the WRX.

I just took advantage of an offer from Audi to purchase miles at a slightly discounted rate. My lease is for 10k/year, but I’m trending toward 23-24k miles total for the 2 year lease that matures this September.

TWO YEARS!! What is the world coming to.. ?

stickguy

Breld might have had to figure out how to renew a registration. Maybe for the 1st time.

stickguy

I mentioned to the wife recently that in 2 months her car would be having it's 5th anniversary with us. She was surprised it was that long. Of course, since we bought it there was a pandemic and we moved twice so I think her sense of time is warped. Will still only have about 27K on the clock so we aren't exactly wearing it out.

explorerx4

Ford just sent my wife, Explorer loan is in her name, a nice private offer.
2K on some vehicles, 1,250 on others, and pretty much 750 on everything else.
Good through 3/31.

qbrozen

I keep looking at stuff but I can’t yet bring myself to do anything. I’d have to sell at least 2 of the current fleet. Today’s perusing mostly consisted of F150 2.7T of recent vintage. But then what? Obviously it replaces the Sierra, but what else? If I got rid of the QP, I know I’d regret not having a RWD V8 sedan. And if the Alfa, then I’d miss having something manual and [relatively] lightweight.

Unless I swap 3 for 2 and find a lightweight manual v8 sedan. But that doesn’t exist as far as I know. MAYBE I could find a turbo manual RWD sedan from Japan. Won’t sound as good but might get the job done.