Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

qbrozen

I should have specified specifically Benz/BMW on my no-fly list. I still would like a Porsche one day. And, while I’ve never owned an Audi, I very much doubt I would ever dip a toe in that mess. Funny coming from a Maserati owner, no?

qbrozen

This coyote-powered F150 is suspiciously cheap:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/395337945
3 owners with those miles is another flag.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Found another interesting one:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/392213726

I have said I’ll never own another luxury German car, though. They always seem to screw me.

So the thieves wrecked it so bad that he just parked it after the rebuild? That would explain the mileage.

qbrozen

@oldfarmer50 said:
So the thieves wrecked it so bad that he just parked it after the rebuild? That would explain the mileage.

No accident history

oldfarmer50

That’s about what i

qbrozen said:

This coyote-powered F150 is suspiciously cheap:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/395337945

3 owners with those miles is another flag.

That’s about what I paid for my 2013 XL single cab V6 with 30k miles so yeah, a higher trim with bigger motor might be unusual at that price. The previous rental status doesn’t really worry me as they don’t let customers tow with them. In fact, many of our offices install security tags across the tow hitch to prevent that from happening.

Just do a detailed check for repaired damage since most rental companies are self-insured and don’t report repairs to CarFax.

stickguy

That was no hertz rental. Seems unlike on for enterprise either. Not in that spec.

Wonder if the rental reference really means it was a lease?

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

This coyote-powered F150 is suspiciously cheap:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/395337945

3 owners with those miles is another flag.

Former rental too

corvette

qbrozen said:

This coyote-powered F150 is suspiciously cheap:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/395337945

3 owners with those miles is another flag.

That's definitely not a long bed, from the photos. I'm not a fan of the plasti-dipped wheels, and the rear bumper is tweaked on the right side. I agree it's suspiciously cheap.

corvette

Looks like another recall on my Maverick. There's a disconnect between what I saw in the press and Ford's official information, the latter of which says "on your vehicle, the 12-VOLT battery may experience internal weld and or cast-on-strap failures, which could lead to a sudden battery degradation while driving." I take that to mean I'm probably getting a new battery once they finalize the recall.

explorerx4

Could be personal expression, but that black paint on the lower body and wheels is not factory.
Could be hiding rust.
Both bumpers damaged and no visible exhaust pipe. It should exit behind the right rear wheel.

qbrozen

I also noticed the painted trim above the front bumper is a very different shade of red.

nyccarguy

This 2011 Suburban LT checks a lot of boxes.

corvette

nyccarguy said:

This 2011 Suburban LT checks a lot of boxes.

That's the same generation as the Tahoe I had, which I loved. Looks like some fading/delamination on the door protection strips, which is common (they also tend to have the adhesive melt and pull back from the door). Fancy Michelin tires. Interior looks amazing for its age. It's common to see cracked dashboards on these, and the covers for the front 12V outlets often break off. Doesn't appear to have a backup camera (on a lower trim model with no nav, you should see the camera above the license plate, and there would be an LCD display that pops up in the rearview mirror when you shift into reverse).

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

I also noticed the painted trim above the front bumper is a very different shade of red.

Rental companies use the absolutely lowest bid body shops for minor repairs and it shows.

nyccarguy

I'm still very curious about some different used cars that I have posted in the past few weeks. First is a 2021 RAV XLE Hybrid AWD that is Toyota Gold Certified (not sure what that means) with 58K miles on the odometer. The dealer's asking price is $28,895 + a $799 Conveyance Fee, so $29,694 + TTL. Adjusted MMR on the it is $23,900. MMR estimated retail value is $27,600. What do you offer on a car like this? $25K plus TTL? They've had it for quite a bit.

stickguy

For 29 grand I pay a little bit more and buy something new!

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

For 29 grand I pay a little bit more and buy something new!

Fair point.

xwesx

stickguy said:

For 29 grand I pay a little bit more and buy something new!

Yes, and something that doesn't melt your eyes when you look at it!

However, it is like when I bought my Fiesta back in 2012... I ended up getting "the Raspberry" because they were willing to sell it to me at a price that was enough lower than new that I didn't mind having it in that color. They wanted, if I recall correctly, $2K more than I ended up paying, and they were slow to come down to my asking price. They got close, about $500 over, and I said I would talk to my wife about it. Then, before I even called her, I thought, "no, I already set my ceiling, so either they come down to it or I'll find something else." So, I called right back and told him as much. The next day, the dealer called me, agreed to my price, and we got the deal done. For 25% less than new, I was happy with the choice.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

I'm still very curious about some different used cars that I have posted in the past few weeks. First is a 2021 RAV XLE Hybrid AWD that is Toyota Gold Certified (not sure what that means) with 58K miles on the odometer. The dealer's asking price is $28,895 + a $799 Conveyance Fee, so $29,694 + TTL. Adjusted MMR on the it is $23,900. MMR estimated retail value is $27,600. What do you offer on a car like this? $25K plus TTL? They've had it for quite a bit.

That conveyance fee is a rip off. $25k max and walk if they don’t accept that.

nyccarguy

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

I'm still very curious about some different used cars that I have posted in the past few weeks. First is a 2021 RAV XLE Hybrid AWD that is Toyota Gold Certified (not sure what that means) with 58K miles on the odometer. The dealer's asking price is $28,895 + a $799 Conveyance Fee, so $29,694 + TTL. Adjusted MMR on the it is $23,900. MMR estimated retail value is $27,600. What do you offer on a car like this? $25K plus TTL? They've had it for quite a bit.

That conveyance fee is a rip off. $25k max and walk if they don’t accept that.

I know. It was $599 when I bough my Highlander back in February of '22. Some of the dealers in CT are running a close 2nd to FL when it comes to doc fees. One of the Toyota dealers not too far from me charges a $999 Conveyance Fee.

jmonroe1

nyccarguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

I'm still very curious about some different used cars that I have posted in the past few weeks. First is a 2021 RAV XLE Hybrid AWD that is Toyota Gold Certified (not sure what that means) with 58K miles on the odometer. The dealer's asking price is $28,895 + a $799 Conveyance Fee, so $29,694 + TTL. Adjusted MMR on the it is $23,900. MMR estimated retail value is $27,600. What do you offer on a car like this? $25K plus TTL? They've had it for quite a bit.

That conveyance fee is a rip off. $25k max and walk if they don’t accept that.

I know. It was $599 when I bough my Highlander back in February of '22. Some of the dealers in CT are running a close 2nd to FL when it comes to doc fees. One of the Toyota dealers not too far from me charges a $999 Conveyance Fee.

————————————————
If I were interested, I’d tell that dealer once they get their head out of their you know what, I’m willing to convey what I’m willing to pay.

jmonroe

28firefighter

Saw my first ID Buzz last night - looks like it was a 4Motion in a bright yellow/orange color. I actually really liked the styling and presence - though it is MUCH larger than I expected.

explorerx4

Took a quick lot walk yesterday at a dealer that has bigger discounts than the other local dealers for the same model.
Alas, there was also an additional sticker with Paint Protection $599, 3 year Dent Protection $699, Wheel Well Liners $399 and one other item. No wonder the discount was bigger.

Good news is that my 6 month property tax bill went down $440.

nyccarguy

@explorerx4 said:
Took a quick lot walk yesterday at a dealer that has bigger discounts than the other local dealers for the same model.
Alas, there was also an additional sticker with Paint Protection $599, 3 year Dent Protection $699, Wheel Well Liners $399 and one other item. No wonder the discount was bigger.

Good news is that my 6 month property tax bill went down $440.

Property taxes go down? In the Bizzaro world?

tifighter

@28firefighter said:
Saw my first ID Buzz last night - looks like it was a 4Motion in a bright yellow/orange color. I actually really liked the styling and presence - though it is MUCH larger than I expected.

A neighbor bought a blue and white one. They aren’t cheap.

xwesx

I would love to have one, but that price tag! Oy.

jmonroe1

xwesx said:

I would love to have one, but that price tag! Oy.

————————————————
You can have mine. I’ll spend my 60 grand on just about anything else. Talk about ugly on an ape, that thing has it in spades.

jmonroe

tjc78

@28firefighter said:
Saw my first ID Buzz last night - looks like it was a 4Motion in a bright yellow/orange color. I actually really liked the styling and presence - though it is MUCH larger than I expected.

I saw one at the chargers last week. I think it’s a pretty cool vehicle. Not my style of course….

Sandman6472

I was asked to be the lead & chase driver when we came back to work after the Covid shutdown, but declined as I didn't want the extra responsibility. Happy just to drive when I have to but sometimes, I will take over driving the chase van for my lead if they are tired or have paperwork to do. A morning here or an afternoon there ain't no big deal really but don't want to do it full time.

oldfarmer50

I was out at the local bakery this morning and I parked next to a Kia Soul that looked to be identical to mine, right down to the color but it turned out to be an electric version. I didn’t even know they made a Soul EV. Not surprising since they only had about 100 miles range and after 2019 were only sold in Europe.

graphicguy

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

Found another interesting one:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/392213726

I have said I’ll never own another luxury German car, though. They always seem to screw me.

So the thieves wrecked it so bad that he just parked it after the rebuild? That would explain the mileage.

I never could understand how the different titles work. Assuming this vehicle was stolen, but not wrecked, why does it have a salvage title?

graphicguy

stickguy said:

For 29 grand I pay a little bit more and buy something new!

Yeah...especially given the new RAV4s are just getting ready to hit the dealerships.

Toyota in particular is confusing to me. They seem to be purposely restricting models they are letting the dealerships stock.

Couple of weeks ago, I ran into the sales manager at the Honda store I bought my Accords from. HE said his business is good. He asked me when I was coming in to trade my current Accord as he gave me strong offers for a Prologue. Told him.."too late...already moved on to an EV6".

The Toyota store is right next to the Honda store and is owned by the same person.

Anyway, he said they had a bang up '24, mainly because the Toyota store couldn't get enough Camrys and RAV4s. He went on to say he could undercut the Camry and RAV4s by thousands because he had stock of both Accords and CR-Vs where the Toyota store only had stock on slow sellers like the Crown and big trucks.

corvette

graphicguy said:

I never could understand how the different titles work. Assuming this vehicle was stolen, but not wrecked, why does it have a salvage title?

If it's stolen and doesn't turn up for a period of time (usually 30 days, I think), it's deemed a total loss and the owner transfers title to their insurance company. If it's later recovered, the insurance company doesn't want any involvement in or responsibility for repairing it, so it's auctioned off as salvage or rebuildable.

sda

I had the joy of going to the VW Service Dept to have the radio replaced in the Passat. The screen was delaminating. Radio still worked fine. Thankfully covered by CPO warranty with $50 deductible. I was told it would be $2k+ had it not been covered. The radio was on back order and took 3 months to arrive. I used the remote start this morning to warm up the car. Heavy frost and 19 degrees.

explorerx4

This guy fried my brain. Changes trans fluid every 10K but is thinking about skipping timing belt change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbP_Y0EwS1E

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

Found another interesting one:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/392213726

I have said I’ll never own another luxury German car, though. They always seem to screw me.

So the thieves wrecked it so bad that he just parked it after the rebuild? That would explain the mileage.

I never could understand how the different titles work. Assuming this vehicle was stolen, but not wrecked, why does it have a salvage title?

That is a puzzler. Maybe enough time elapsed between theft and recovery that the insurance declared it a total loss and paid out the claim same as if it were wrecked.

kyfdx

When I was 19, I worked shuttling cars for Hertz at the CVG airport. Had to take 4 other drivers to Portsmouth to pick up vehicles, and almost killed all 5 of us, on the way.

Fortunately, no contact was made, but I never forgot that. 😕

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

When I was 19, I worked shuttling cars for Hertz at the CVG airport. Had to take 4 other drivers to Portsmouth to pick up vehicles, and almost killed all 5 of us, on the way.

Fortunately, no contact was made, but I never forgot that. 😕

That’s why I’d rather not do it. I don’t like being responsible for the other people. I’ll do it if asked but we usually have one person who likes to be “in charge” who volunteers.

corvette

Very cheap Level 2 chargers available here. The manufacturer is defunct, but some report that the app still works, and that another company is poised to pick up support soon. If all else fails, it looks like you can just swap a board out and turn it into an OpenEVSE charger. (Full disclosure, I ordered a charger.)

stickguy

if you already have the outlet installed for it, can you just hang one of these on the wall, plug it in to the outlet, and be good to go?

corvette

@stickguy - yes, they also appear to have one with a 14-50 NEMA plug for $100.

stickguy

no clue what that means, but sounds good!

tjc78

@stickguy said:
no clue what that means, but sounds good!

Layman’s terms… dryer/range style outlet

stickguy

Ah. No clue what I have. Will post a picture at some point so you experts can tell me.

nyccarguy

I know the price is too high, but with only 81K miles and a nice service history this 2005 Toyota Camry LE would make a nice car for my kiddos.

tjc78

That’s a near perfect car for your intended use. They were still built like tanks then.

My Stepdad had that model (an 03). My aunt bought it after he passed and had is still driving it.

tjc78

Funny story on that car… he bought it the day after I got my 2003 Avalon. Our tags were three digits off.

Michaell

Back at the turn of the century, we leased an Expedition and a New Beetle about a month apart. Got the registration and plates for them the same day - consecutive numbers.

stickguy

We would have consecutive but someone cherry picked out the one in between because they wanted 4 digits the same. So we have like XYZ-2221 and XYZ-2223.

stickguy

Camry looks like. No back up camera though! That would be a non starter for me.