Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

tifighter

stickguy

Love that!

stickguy

Q I’ve completely lost track of what problem you are trying to solve. Is it simply a tow vehicle that your wife will ride in, even though it will rarely tow? Or just because you want to make changes to the fleet, just because? With a sidebar or something else your wife can use instead of the Volvo?

sda

@laurasdada said:
Yeah, I guess I picked the wrong administration under which to retire.
Actually, kinda bummed I'm losing the ongoing dollar cost averaging (paycheck) I've enjoyed the past 40 years-ish.
Oh, well. At least I have less money to spend on soon-to-be more expensive cars.
Bought my new iPhone at the right time apparently.

New Conti DWS06+ seem quite quiet, so far suiting the A7 well. But need a road trip.

Yes, report your impressions after you've had them a while. I am considering them for the Arteon when tire replacement is needed.

qbrozen

@stickguy said:
Q I’ve completely lost track of what problem you are trying to solve. Is it simply a tow vehicle that your wife will ride in, even though it will rarely tow? Or just because you want to make changes to the fleet, just because? With a sidebar or something else your wife can use instead of the Volvo?

Well, fair point, the Hornet does not solve the problem that she hates riding in the truck. THAT is my issue that I need to focus on. I have been getting aggravated that, whenever we travel together, I have to stop and think, “we can take the Alfa. Oh wait, kid is coming with so can’t do that because he complains the back is too small. We can take the truck. Oh wait, wife will complain incessantly. We can take the QP. Oh, that is leaking oil (no longer but you get the idea).”

Funny that the van rides as rough as the truck, but she doesn’t say a word about that because that vehicle was completely her choice.

qbrozen

Here is one of the cheaper options I’ve been discussing with this dealer. They say it is in great shape, no rust, no smells, etc.
https://ninestarsauto.com/vdp/22296511?shortLink=6ef2a9c

I mean, wouldn’t that be FAR less risky than a Jag, even one that is 10 years newer? Less than half the price is a strong consideration, too. As is probably close to zero depreciation in the next few years.

stickguy

Can always take the Volvo!

qbrozen

Did I mention the QP was leaking? Developed a puddle over the winter, and was stinking when running as it burned off oil hitting the manifold. I determine it must be the valve cover gaskets. And, yes, they were quite a PITA. 14 torx bolts per side, only half of which are easily accessible and the 3 most inner on each side are under the firewall, so those are done mostly by feel. And this is after removing all pipes and connectors in the vicinity AND removing upper and lower cowls along with wipers and wiper motor and master cylinder. Took me some time but it is back together now. Fingers crossed that solved it.

stickguy

Xterra looks nice. I’ve never driven one but not sure it will ride better than the GMC. probably nicer looking though inside. Cheap enough so unlikely to lose on it. Give it a whirl!

qbrozen

@stickguy said:
Can always take the Volvo!

I ask her not to drive that when not commuting since it is seeing so many miles now. She’s been using the Fiat more for errands lately. And we’ve been using the van for weekend trips to family functions.

Xterra rides much better. At least the 2000 I had for a brief time did.

28firefighter

@qbrozen said:

@stickguy said:
Q I’ve completely lost track of what problem you are trying to solve. Is it simply a tow vehicle that your wife will ride in, even though it will rarely tow? Or just because you want to make changes to the fleet, just because? With a sidebar or something else your wife can use instead of the Volvo?

Well, fair point, the Hornet does not solve the problem that she hates riding in the truck. THAT is my issue that I need to focus on. I have been getting aggravated that, whenever we travel together, I have to stop and think, “we can take the Alfa. Oh wait, kid is coming with so can’t do that because he complains the back is too small. We can take the truck. Oh wait, wife will complain incessantly. We can take the QP. Oh, that is leaking oil (no longer but you get the idea).”

Funny that the van rides as rough as the truck, but she doesn’t say a word about that because that vehicle was completely her choice.

Are you sure it’s the car and not the driver?

jmonroe1

imidazol97 said:

Buying opportunity.

————————————————
I’m pretty sure you need some money to do that.

I’m glad I bought coffee cans before the price of coffee skyrocketed.

jmonroe

xwesx

Wow; that's a lot of considerations, Q! I don't recall ever having a comfortable vehicle when growing up, yet we knew better than to ever complain about it.

And, my wife complains incessantly any time I am driving about what I'm driving, how I'm driving it, and anything else she dreams up, so I don't give much credit to the racket. Rather, I wear it as a badge of honor any more.....

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

Are you sure it’s the car and not the driver?

I would agree, but I'm the driver (usually) in both cases.
I also blame NJ roads.

stickguy

My wife tries not to complain too much. Not risking being told she can drive instead.

Plus I’m an excellent driver Charlie.

laurasdada

My wife loves being chauffeured by me, she loves both of "my" cars. Especially the convertible where she can feel the wind in her hair, something I can't relate to .

stickguy

My wife would be perfectly happen to never drive. And she seems to like my truck a bit (and not in a a tolerate it way). Not as fancy as her car but rides nice and has comfy seats. And is pretty quiet. The Acura ELS stereo is lost on her since if I turn it up above the level of background noise she turns it down because it’s too loud.

ab348

I notice, QB, that you never mention getting rid of the Sprinter. How much does that get used?

imidazol97

stickguy said:

My wife would be perfectly happen to never drive. And she seems to like my truck a bit (and not in a a tolerate it way). Not as fancy as her car but rides nice and has comfy seats. And is pretty quiet. The Acura ELS stereo is lost on her since if I turn it up above the level of background noise she turns it down because it’s too loud.

I think your wife is related to mine. I can't turn the stereo up above a minimal level--even though I have some high pitch hearing deficit. I have a 250 watt Pioneer system in the Malibu that I can only enjoy when I drive by myself. The Cruze's stereo is not bad, but not their "top" system. Still makes my CD of mp3's sound pretty good. 90 old songs I love hearing.

qbrozen

So today she says, "but what if I take the Jag to work and you don't have the maserati? you should get what makes you happy. Life is short."
Geez. She must have had a near death experience on the way to work.
I didn't have the heart to point out I'd still have the Alfa.

kyfdx

Had to attend a funeral, today.. for my 401K.

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

Had to attend a funeral, today.. for my 401K.

i'm not gonna look at mine.

au1994

qbrozen said:

kyfdx said:

Had to attend a funeral, today.. for my 401K.

i'm not gonna look at mine.

No, fools errand. It will come back. Always does. Just don’t need this to happen 10 years from now.

corvette

Yeah, don't look. I think I've heard that advice somewhere.

qbrozen

Dare I?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/8001b589-b07f-4647-8cf1-9fc611037ce1/

Got a 4.3/5 at the auction, so it must be pretty spectacular for the year. I've asked for interior pics.

au1994

The old hair metal band Great White has a song for you…

Michaell

@qbrozen said:
i'm not gonna look at mine.

Fidelity was kind enough to not show the daily results. Not a good time for a correction.

laurasdada

My 401k wasn't left with enough to pay for a funeral @kyfdx so you're lucky!

Apparently, his astrologer told him to fire some national security folks, of course not (yet) the folks that gave us all a lesson in how and when to launch an attack. Maybe she can convince him that tariffs are taxes.

carnaught

qbrozen said:

Here is one of the cheaper options I’ve been discussing with this dealer. They say it is in great shape, no rust, no smells, etc.
https://ninestarsauto.com/vdp/22296511?shortLink=6ef2a9c

I mean, wouldn’t that be FAR less risky than a Jag, even one that is 10 years newer? Less than half the price is a strong consideration, too. As is probably close to zero depreciation in the next few years.

And the dealership is on the street where the pheasant pluckers are !

qbrozen

carnaught said:

And the dealership is on the street where the pheasant pluckers are !

I have NO idea what that means, but they turned me off it. I know the reason is weird, but you gotta take all clues when buying sight unseen. They said "we can do it remotely but we suggest you have it inspected." When I have full confidence in the vehicle I'm selling, I don't make that suggestion.

stickguy

Not far from where my sister lives.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

carnaught said:

And the dealership is on the street where the pheasant pluckers are !

I have NO idea what that means, but they turned me off it. I know the reason is weird, but you gotta take all clues when buying sight unseen. They said "we can do it remotely but we suggest you have it inspected." When I have full confidence in the vehicle I'm selling, I don't make that suggestion.

I make that suggestion to anyone that offers to buy one of my cars, remotely.

pensfan83

@qbrozen said:
Dare I?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/8001b589-b07f-4647-8cf1-9fc611037ce1/

Got a 4.3/5 at the auction, so it must be pretty spectacular for the year. I've asked for interior pics.

Those who don't learn from history...

pensfan83

@Michaell said:

@qbrozen said:
i'm not gonna look at mine.

Fidelity was kind enough to not show the daily results. Not a good time for a correction.

Not great, Bob

qbrozen

@pensfan83 said:

@qbrozen said:
Dare I?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/8001b589-b07f-4647-8cf1-9fc611037ce1/

Got a 4.3/5 at the auction, so it must be pretty spectacular for the year. I've asked for interior pics.

Those who don't learn from history...

Hey, insurance paid me well for that one.

pensfan83

Wait, what? I missed how that happened.

corvette

“We always recommend an inspection on a used vehicle” would have been the correct way to state that.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

@Michaell said:

NY incentives for the Hornet PHEV:

Total Cash of $7000 includes:

$500 2024 DODGE National Performance Days Bonus Cash exp. 04/30/2025

$6500 2024 Stellantis Financial Services EV Incentive

Maybe I should get one. I don’t need one of course. Maybe the wife will like it?

Can make up for the absurd amount of money I lost so far today thanks to somebody causing a stock market crash. Should have sold everything and invested in coffee cans for the back yard.

I keep telling you to buy the dip but if coffee cans are your thing use the plastic ones so they don’t rust.🤣

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Here is one of the cheaper options I’ve been discussing with this dealer. They say it is in great shape, no rust, no smells, etc.
https://ninestarsauto.com/vdp/22296511?shortLink=6ef2a9c

I mean, wouldn’t that be FAR less risky than a Jag, even one that is 10 years newer? Less than half the price is a strong consideration, too. As is probably close to zero depreciation in the next few years.

18 years old has been a sweet spot for me. I think I’ve spent about 7 to 10% of original MSRP. Figure that a low mileage unit like that will give you at least 50k miles of use before something major goes wrong.

roadburner

My bride doesn't criticize my driving much if at all; she doesn't like really hard braking or the Stoplight Grand Prix but that's it. I couldn't abide a constant critique of cruising or cornering velocities.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

@Michaell said:

NY incentives for the Hornet PHEV:

Total Cash of $7000 includes:

$500 2024 DODGE National Performance Days Bonus Cash exp. 04/30/2025

$6500 2024 Stellantis Financial Services EV Incentive

Maybe I should get one. I don’t need one of course. Maybe the wife will like it?

Can make up for the absurd amount of money I lost so far today thanks to somebody causing a stock market crash. Should have sold everything and invested in coffee cans for the back yard.

I keep telling you to buy the dip but if coffee cans are your thing use the plastic ones so they don’t rust.🤣
————————————————
I’m a belt and suspenders guy. I powder coat mine then I put them in the plastic thingies.

jmonroe

corvette

jmonroe1 said:

I’m a belt and suspenders guy. I powder coat mine then I put them in the plastic thingies.

You powder coat the money, the coffee cans, or both?

roadburner

You've been smoking Crack for how long?

stickguy

Nice car. Price seems ambitious.

venture

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

@Michaell said:

NY incentives for the Hornet PHEV:

Total Cash of $7000 includes:

$500 2024 DODGE National Performance Days Bonus Cash exp. 04/30/2025

$6500 2024 Stellantis Financial Services EV Incentive

Maybe I should get one. I don’t need one of course. Maybe the wife will like it?

Can make up for the absurd amount of money I lost so far today thanks to somebody causing a stock market crash. Should have sold everything and invested in coffee cans for the back yard.

I keep telling you to buy the dip but if coffee cans are your thing use the plastic ones so they don’t rust.🤣

Maybe I should buy now. I usually wait until it goes back up because I'm chicken. I hesitated on gold and look what happened.

jmonroe1

corvette said:

jmonroe1 said:

I’m a belt and suspenders guy. I powder coat mine then I put them in the plastic thingies.

You powder coat the money, the coffee cans, or both?

————————————————
I never thought about the money. Thanks.

jmonroe

stickguy

I keep reminding myself that what just disappeared was stuff I was not planning to touch for 10 years when RMDs kicked in. So in theory I won’t know how poor I am until about 2036!

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I keep reminding myself that what just disappeared was stuff I was not planning to touch for 10 years when RMDs kicked in. So in theory I won’t know how poor I am until about 2036!

You haven't lost any cash. It's just the stock you own is worth less, at this point in time.

stickguy

I know it’s all unrealized paper worth. But if my spreadsheet says I’m a lot poorer we are going on an austerity budget to make up for it.

Doing my part to help deepen the recession we are already into!

explorerx4

@roadburner,
Must be a lot of smoking going around.
https://www.marshallgoldmanoh.com/used-vehicles/?make=Volkswagen