Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

It’s been a very busy couple of days since I returned from my trip to AZ. I got a call that my Prelude was ready for pickup on Wednesday afternoon. So I picked it up and left my truck to pick up later that evening.

Here’s what they fixed:

The rubber & metal oil cooler lines were leaking. They ended up custom fabricating new ones.

They performed a leak test on my AC and determined there were no leaks. The left a dye in there so if it ever does leak, they’ll find it. Drained out and added new refrigerant. They tested the whole AC system and determined the blower motor resistor was bad. This part is no longer made by Honda, but I found a DURALAST one from autozone that said it fit my car. Had it shipped directly to the mechanic overnight. The AC performs perfectly as it should.

They noticed some of the brackets that hold the exhaust & flex pipe in place had cracked. The mounted and welded news ones.

A few bucks in parts. More money in labor. Under $1K to get it rolling once again. Now I’ve just got to take it for its last CT emissions test ever.

Parts for old cars can be a real problem. Last year I wanted the motor mounts on my Sebring replaced but Chrysler no longer makes them. My mechanic had to rebuild them with new bushings. It pays to have a good indie mechanic.

graphicguy

28firefighter said:

My Dad traded his ‘14 Q5 TDI and ‘11 S5 4.2 and picked up a 2025 SQ5 last week.

Here is the S5:
https://www.audiwynnewood.com/used/Audi/2011-Audi-S5--e61d6de0ac182b32cbe682dad444247d.htm

Not sure what happened to the Q5. Had much higher mileage so wondering if it went wholesale.

Oooooooo....red interior. I'm smitten!

Michaell

Speaking of Audi and the Q5, I was sent a link to this article. Tariffs strike again!

According to a new report from Bloomberg, sources close to the four rings are warning that Trump's heavy trade levies can specifically hurt the feasibility of the Q5 due to the application of multiple tariffs. The compact crossover, which starts at $45,400, is affected by three separate tariffs that stack up: a 25% tariff on imported cars and car parts, a separate 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico, as well as a 2.5% tariff applied to all cars that do not meet the parts of origin requirements set by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

When combined, Audi could face 52.5% trade levies on every Q5 it imports from San José Chiapa, Mexico, which could result in a pricing nightmare for customers at dealers in the U.S.

“The Q5 is a nice car, but if they’re making it there, they can’t sell it in the U.S.,” Ambrose Conroy, the CEO of auto consultancy firm Seraph told Bloomberg.

fintail

roadburner said:

fintail said:

roadburner said:

Michaell said:

@roadburner @fintail - you've probably already seen this, but MB is going to make the E53 wagon available in the US.

The price of admission is steep, but I'd love one- and my bride would likely love it even more.

As the youngins used to say, yolo

I am at year 6 with my wagon now and it continues to be sublime high quality experience. The last major service was indeed major, but I guess you gotta pay to play (and hope this will be the biggie for several years).

My advisor suggested changing out all the drivetrain fluids at the next Service B in 12 months, so I'm good with that. I only wish Mercedes had a Rewards MasterCard like BMW offers.

Indeed, my latest jaunt would have me signing up for that card. I just did the transmission service, which is dear due to the pan replacement. I suppose it being attached to such a good car makes it palatable. I wonder if these more complex modern cars are more sensitive to such maintenance than oldies.

I saw the mention of the steering wheel spoke touchpads, which are always panned in car reviews. My car has similar (the pre-MBUX type) and I found they become muscle memory in about a day. Yes, it can be a pain to learn new things, but the learning curve is not steep for this.

roadburner

@nyccarguy said:
It’s been a very busy couple of days since I returned from my trip to AZ. I got a call that my Prelude was ready for pickup on Wednesday afternoon. So I picked it up and left my truck to pick up later that evening.

Here’s what they fixed:

The rubber & metal oil cooler lines were leaking. They ended up custom fabricating new ones.

They performed a leak test on my AC and determined there were no leaks. The left a dye in there so if it ever does leak, they’ll find it. Drained out and added new refrigerant. They tested the whole AC system and determined the blower motor resistor was bad. This part is no longer made by Honda, but I found a DURALAST one from autozone that said it fit my car. Had it shipped directly to the mechanic overnight. The AC performs perfectly as it should.

They noticed some of the brackets that hold the exhaust & flex pipe in place had cracked. The mounted and welded news ones.

A few bucks in parts. More money in labor. Under $1K to get it rolling once again. Now I’ve just got to take it for its last CT emissions test ever.

I’m taking the Club Sport to my indie shop for a cooling system rebuild. I guess it’s due; after 30 years the only parts I’ve replaced have been a heater hose fitting and the thermostat.

roadburner

@fintail said:
Indeed, my latest jaunt would have me signing up for that card. I just did the transmission service, which is dear due to the pan replacement. I suppose it being attached to such a good car makes it palatable. I wonder if these more complex modern cars are more sensitive to such maintenance than oldies.

I saw the mention of the steering wheel spoke touchpads, which are always panned in car reviews. My car has similar (the pre-MBUX type) and I found they become muscle memory in about a day. Yes, it can be a pain to learn new things, but the learning curve is not steep for this.

I definitely prefer the pre-MBUX wheel on the C43 but the new wheel would not be a dealbreaker- especially since voice commands work so well.

sda

I took this picture the night I bought the Arteon. I was exploring the different features and settings. I have had zero issues with the haptic and capacitive controls. On the climate control a light tap changes the temp. I rarely move it up or down two degrees and leave it in Auto. I may turn the compressor off depending on temperature. Controls on the steering wheel work fine. The press took VW to the tool shed for a whipping for these controls. Lol

jmonroe1

graphicguy said:

28firefighter said:

My Dad traded his ‘14 Q5 TDI and ‘11 S5 4.2 and picked up a 2025 SQ5 last week.

Here is the S5:
https://www.audiwynnewood.com/used/Audi/2011-Audi-S5--e61d6de0ac182b32cbe682dad444247d.htm

Not sure what happened to the Q5. Had much higher mileage so wondering if it went wholesale.

Oooooooo....red interior. I'm smitten!

————————————————
We’re seeing different cars. I see a worn out 2011 Audi with a brownish interior.

jmonroe

xwesx

explorerx4 said:

Wife ordered this monstrosity.

Well, that's a great way to make a big television look small! Did she know she'd be playing right into your hands on that one?

xwesx

28firefighter said:

My Dad traded his ‘14 Q5 TDI and ‘11 S5 4.2 and picked up a 2025 SQ5 last week.

Here is the S5:
https://www.audiwynnewood.com/used/Audi/2011-Audi-S5--e61d6de0ac182b32cbe682dad444247d.htm

Not sure what happened to the Q5. Had much higher mileage so wondering if it went wholesale.

Isn't that the one with the pretty green paint? That one was a real gem.

nyccarguy

My son just passed his permit test!

laurasdada

nyccarguy said:

My son just passed his permit test!

Your insurance agent says, "Yay!"

stickguy

Better get shopping!

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

My son just passed his permit test!

Now the real fun begins.😁

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

My son just passed his permit test!

Now the real fun begins.😁

————————————————
Not so fast. It’s only a permit which allows him to drive with a licensed driver in the passenger seat. The soonest he can take his drivers test to get his license is a year from now. At least that’s the way it is in PA.

jmonroe

28firefighter

@xwesx said:
Isn't that the one with the pretty green paint? That one was a real gem.

That was mine. His was an orange (vermillion?) 2014 with 17X miles on it.

explorerx4

@jmonroe1,
When is his older brother coming home from college for the summer?

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

@jmonroe1,
When is his older brother coming home from college for the summer?

————————————————-
I think you meant to ask @nyccarguy this question.

jmonroe

explorerx4

@jmonroe1,
He knows but you forgot about that.

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
How about looking at this one?
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3BYdwyyb/2011-cadillac-escalade-luxury

nyccarguy

@explorerx4 said:
@jmonroe1,
When is his older brother coming home from college for the summer?

He comes home in May, but then leaves for Israel for 3ish weeks. It’s called a birthright trip and is mostly funded by various Jewish organizations who want kids to experience Israel. He’ll be back by Memorial Day to start his lifeguard gig.

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
That trip will be a great experience for your son, very lucky to do a trip like that.

fintail

roadburner said:

@fintail said:

Indeed, my latest jaunt would have me signing up for that card. I just did the transmission service, which is dear due to the pan replacement. I suppose it being attached to such a good car makes it palatable. I wonder if these more complex modern cars are more sensitive to such maintenance than oldies.

I saw the mention of the steering wheel spoke touchpads, which are always panned in car reviews. My car has similar (the pre-MBUX type) and I found they become muscle memory in about a day. Yes, it can be a pain to learn new things, but the learning curve is not steep for this.

I definitely prefer the pre-MBUX wheel on the C43 but the new wheel would not be a dealbreaker- especially since voice commands work so well.

Oh yeah I think your car and mine have similar wheels, and the same spoke controls. I have yet to drive an MBUX car. I did ride in a current GLC300 last week though (local dealer does not have loaners, which astounds me, but I guess that's this smallish market) but has shuttle cars. I am amazed at the NVH in some of these modern turbo 4s - silent and smooth. Not as relatively calm at hard acceleration as the wagon, but that's not expected. Shuttle driver told me they are retiring an old shuttle car, 2017 E300 sedan, ~230K miles, he thinks the transmission is slipping and doesn't want to drive it, so they just gave him the GLC to use.

corvette

explorerx4 said:

@qbrozen,
How about looking at this one?
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3BYdwyyb/2011-cadillac-escalade-luxury

I love GMT900s, but that one will fetch over $20k.

stickguy

I couldn't see us ever having something like that, but I love the color combo on the Escalade.

xwesx

That was mine. His was an orange (vermillion?) 2014 with 17X miles on it.

So, you're saying it was worth the weeping, either way.

28firefighter

@nyccarguy said:

@explorerx4 said:
@jmonroe1,
When is his older brother coming home from college for the summer?

He comes home in May, but then leaves for Israel for 3ish weeks. It’s called a birthright trip and is mostly funded by various Jewish organizations who want kids to experience Israel. He’ll be back by Memorial Day to start his lifeguard gig.

My now-bride and I did birthright together 17 years ago. We still talk to some of the folks we met on the trip. Loved it.

qbrozen

@explorerx4 said:
@qbrozen,
How about looking at this one?
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3BYdwyyb/2011-cadillac-escalade-luxury

Well, sure, but biddiots will take that way out of my budget.

suydam

Our daughter loved her birthright trip.

oldfarmer50

suydam said:

Our daughter loved her birthright trip.

That must be rewarding to get in touch with your heritage like that but is it really safe to travel there at this time?

nyccarguy

@oldfarmer50 said:
That must be rewarding to get in touch with your heritage like that but is it really safe to travel there at this time?

100%. My daughter went to Israel 🇮🇱 back in February. They travel with professional tour guides that get daily briefings from the IDF. If there is even a remote chance that some place won’t be safe for whatever reason that activity for the day is cancelled and they do something else.

28firefighter

I have some family that lives there. Life doesn’t stop for them, unfortunately. And they really don’t take these tours near the trouble spots.

The sad thing is part of the experience used to be dialogue with those who live in Gaza and the West Bank, which is such important perspective (and they don’t sugar coat it, either). I’m guessing that is suspended right now, and that alone is a critical missed opportunity.

28firefighter

Ultimately going to need a cut and polish to get rid of the swirls, water marks etc from the dealer and it sitting for so long, but not bad for a temporary job with Adam’s graphene ceramic.

stickguy

Nice color. Looks sharp

sda

28firefighter said:

Ultimately going to need a cut and polish to get rid of the swirls, water marks etc from the dealer and it sitting for so long, but not bad for a temporary job with Adam’s graphene ceramic.

Sharp. I didn’t realize it was a hybrid type drive train. What engine does it have. Mpg?

28firefighter

It’s a PHEV with a 2.0 turbo engine. Same one that was in my Wrangler.

We’re still on our delivery tank. Approaching 300 miles but have plugged it in here and there.

Sandman6472

Our son loved his birthright trip also. He was glad he went.

qbrozen

Whee!!
Nobody with any other brand should complain about depreciation ever again.
https://www.automotiveavenuesnj.com/inventory/used-2023-fisker-ocean-ultra-awd-with-22-f6-vortex-2-tone-black-wheels-awd-suv-vcf1ubu29pg008275/

stickguy

still way overpriced.

28firefighter

Holy crap.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

Whee!!

Nobody with any other brand should complain about depreciation ever again.
https://www.automotiveavenuesnj.com/inventory/used-2023-fisker-ocean-ultra-awd-with-22-f6-vortex-2-tone-black-wheels-awd-suv-vcf1ubu29pg008275/

————————————————
How readily available are parts for that beast? $3,200 might be twice what it’s worth.

jmonroe

stickguy

parts are non-existent. If you buy one, best to buy a spare. The bigger issue is, no support for it. Software updates (and these are rolling computers), stuff like that. I saw some videos on them and basically the owner community had to band together to try and help each other out.

corvette

Didn't some livery company in NYC buy the remaining stock? It's plausible that they could start manufacturing or otherwise making replacement parts available.

I love how the dealer advertises the price with a $4k EV tax credit, but the description says "This vehicle does NOT qualify for the IRC 25E vehicle tax credit."

nyccarguy

I had a wonderful round trip commute today. The weather was sunny and mild. Traffic was on the lighter side. The Prelude has made back into my regular driving rotation!

qbrozen

Guess I should stop stalking BaT. I've bid on several vehicles lately and the biddiots just push it over the top every time. I even went high on an R-class diesel today but still not high enough. Oh well.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
Guess I should stop stalking BaT. I've bid on several vehicles lately and the biddiots just push it over the top every time. I even went high on an R-class diesel today but still not high enough. Oh well.

I struck out today too. I thought I was gonna get a stupid deal on a Limited Longhorn Ram demo … but the MF on that trim was higher than expected and the dealer price of course included every rebate that couldn’t stack.

@kyfdx was of course there for program support. Thanks!

Dealer is now trying to get me into a Laramie.. their deal actually beats the Leasehacker brokers. It’s a shame they don’t have the exact config I want

I have time … but I needed a diversion at work today lol

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

@qbrozen said:

Guess I should stop stalking BaT. I've bid on several vehicles lately and the biddiots just push it over the top every time. I even went high on an R-class diesel today but still not high enough. Oh well.

I struck out today too. I thought I was gonna get a stupid deal on a Limited Longhorn Ram demo … but the MF on that trim was higher than expected and the dealer price of course included every rebate that couldn’t stack.

@kyfdx was of course there for program support. Thanks!

Dealer is now trying to get me into a Laramie.. their deal actually beats the Leasehacker brokers. It’s a shame they don’t have the exact config I want

I have time … but I needed a diversion at work today lol

Any time I see a truck with a fancy name like Laramie, Longhorn, King Ranch etc. all I see in my mind is an over expensive truck with a bunch of electronics that will cost a fortune to replace.

tjc78

@oldfarmer50 said:
Any time I see a truck with a fancy name like Laramie, Longhorn, King Ranch etc. all I see in my mind is an over expensive truck with a bunch of electronics that will cost a fortune to replace.

Won’t cost me anything because I’m not owning out of warranty!

Because we love links …

Here is the loaded Limited

https://www.baysidecdjrmd.com/new/Ram/2025-Ram-1500-5471c68fac1833da86f0c6458f42d9d5.htm

I’m thinking about going after this one - almost an ideal build for me.

https://www.lucaschryslerjeepdodge.com/new/Ram/2025-Ram-1500-c1919805ac1808b73a68489226a5cf86.htm

explorerx4

No running boards on the Laramie. Not sure about lease terms but Limited price is less than the Laramie.

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

Any time I see a truck with a fancy name like Laramie, Longhorn, King Ranch etc. all I see in my mind is an over expensive truck with a bunch of electronics that will cost a fortune to replace.

Won’t cost me anything because I’m not owning out of warranty!

Because we love links …

Here is the loaded Limited

https://www.baysidecdjrmd.com/new/Ram/2025-Ram-1500-5471c68fac1833da86f0c6458f42d9d5.htm

I’m thinking about going after this one - almost an ideal build for me.

https://www.lucaschryslerjeepdodge.com/new/Ram/2025-Ram-1500-c1919805ac1808b73a68489226a5cf86.htm

Nice looking trucks. The Rams certainly are the best riding pickups. I’d get the vapors at those sticker prices. Good thing they’re still discounted.