Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

bdc2020 · August 2007

Thanks...that's kinda what I figured regarding these. I sure like the looks of the wagons though - don't know why. I feel the same about the BMW wagons regarding the looks. And I've never owned either....yet

woodyww · August 2007

No offense to M-B fans, but I also just looked at repair charts in CR for the bmw 3 & 5 series; it's like day & night compared to current Mercedes (the bmw's have mostly "red dots", with few problem areas). There are also comments here in the last week or 2 re: bmw reliability.

lilengineerboy · August 2007

Huh .. I took my drivers test in my folks' '73 Corona. Poop brown with a 3-speed auto tranny and a bench seat up front.

That's classic, my folks was baby blue with shreaded bucket seats up front and a pep-boys type steering wheel wrap. The plastic in the interior was returning to the earth a little at a time by drying out and crumbling to dust.

I remember it had an AM/FM radio (i think it was Hitachi) and the knobs were on the wrong side because it was a LHD car in Japan.

smithed · August 2007

I took my test in a 1967 Plymouth Fury III station wagon. Dark red with black vinyl interior. A nice big car. Rear facing third row seating. :shades:

michaellno · August 2007

That's classic, my folks was baby blue with shreaded bucket seats up front and a pep-boys type steering wheel wrap. The plastic in the interior was returning to the earth a little at a time by drying out and crumbling to dust.

I remember it had an AM/FM radio (i think it was Hitachi) and the knobs were on the wrong side because it was a LHD car in Japan.

I don't remember the trick with the radio knobs, but I do remember it had an AM/FM radio. I added a cassette deck (mounted on the side of the floorboard in front of the driver's door.

Folks bought that car new in 1973; I totalled it driving to school one morning in '80 or '81.

andre1969 · August 2007

actually considered kind of an upscale car for Toyota back then? I know the Cressida was top dog in the Toyota lineup, but I was under the impression the Cressida was kind of up there, too.

au1994 · August 2007

Yeah, I think the Corona was the predesseor of the Cressida.

kyfdx · August 2007

I think Corona was more of the Camry model... Sort of a mid-size family sedan.. The Cressida was the luxury model.. Not sure there was a corresponding model before it showed up..

michaellno · August 2007

No, in the early 70's, the Corona was the biggest model Toyota offered. I think the Corona was offered as both a sedan and a wagon at the time we bought ours.

It's strange .. I still remember the day we bought that car. August 12, 1973 - my dad's birthday. I remember that the '67 VW Squareback we were driving had some major engine issues that were not worth fixing; I think it got traded in.

I know we looked at Mazda's as well .. I think the RX-3 was the model. Don't know why we didn't go that direction.

Our next door neighbor had a Corolla, same poop brown color as our Corona, but theirs was a 2-door sedan.

Yes, the Corona was replaced by the Camry around 1980 and the first generation Cressida was introduced in the mid 70's or so.

au1994 · August 2007

Is it just me or was just about every Toyota of this vintage the infamous poop brown color?

michaellno · August 2007

Is it just me or was just about every Toyota of this vintage the infamous poop brown color?

No. Some friends of ours also bought a Corona at about the same time we got ours. I seem to remember it being a cream color

I know I've told this story before, but I'll tell it again. The dealer that we and our friends bought our Coronas from was called Lunsford Toyota. They used to put a sticker with the dealership name in the rear window.

Our friends modified the sticker so that it simply read

FORD TOY

For those of you in California, this is like the folks who take the "In 'n' Out Burger" bumper sticker and remove the first and last letter of the last word.

lilengineerboy · August 2007

Lunsford Toyota

I remember their ads, aren't they still in Ventura or the 'nard or something?

guss · August 2007

I think the Corona was offered as both a sedan and a wagon at the time we bought ours.

Also a coupe, I had a '69 in 1984. It was the cream color until I painted it black with a case of spray cans. It was not pretty before or after I got done.

fezo · August 2007

Couldn't have looked worse than the old jeep my then next door neighbor painted with a brush....

guss · August 2007

I bet it was close.

Looking back I should have taken it to Earl Scheib, $99.95, no ups , no extras.

michaellno · August 2007

Lunsford Toyota

I remember their ads, aren't they still in Ventura or the 'nard or something?

Ouch, again.

I was born and raised in the wonderful town of Oxnard. Biggest city nobody's ever heard of in California. My folks (and my son) still live there, as a matter of fact. Just visited them about 6 weeks ago.

Lunsford Toyota is long gone. The local Toyota franchise is now owned by DCH, and the site of the Lunsford dealership now sits as an empty lot. Quite sad.

nippononly · August 2007

came along in '82 or '83 IIRC. There was no "luxury" Toyota sedan before that, but the Corona was a fairly nice car in the last generation before it morphed into the Camry.

The CCBS is powerful this week, I just put out internet quote requests for a Civic SI and a WRX hatchback. :-/

guss · August 2007

I just put out internet quote requests for a Civic SI and a WRX hatchback. :-/

Wow, buying 2 cars in one week, that's CCBA hall of fame status.

I think I have it narrowed down to three, all probably used if possible but you never know. It's between a Civic,a Vibe and the current front runner a Mazda3.

woodyww · August 2007

I just put out internet quote requests for a Civic SI and a WRX hatchback

At the very least, that sounds like a fun shopping exercise.

Have you driven either one? And what kind of quotes are you getting?

corvette · August 2007

2007 or 2008 WRX? I'm sure the 2007 models are going at fire-sale prices, even considering the small band of enthusiasts who consider the 2007 superior to the 2008.

nippononly · August 2007

quotes were $22,9 for the WRX, $19,9 for the SI, they both seem to be about $2000 off sticker, with the Honda dealer claiming that is invoice and the Subaru dealer claiming that is below invoice. I dunno - the Subaru has a rebate I think, which is included in the quote.

Have driven the WRX, it is the '07 I am asking about, like it quite a bit. However, I like the SI seats more as well as its interior, but NOT the two-tier dash and enormous digital readout, and my previous drive was quick with an over-anxious salesman by my side so it was impossible to get a well developed impression. The SI is the better handler, of course, and should deliver much better fuel economy than the WRX when I am not pushing pedal to the metal, but it is a sedan where I prefer 5-doors and it doesn't have AWD.

What to do, what to do...

I kinda hoped both quotes would be a little better, the WRX is already being replaced by the brand new '08, and the Honda dealer has a bunch of SIs sitting around too. Maybe if I can somehow shove my CCBS back into remission for a few months, dealers will be more eager to make a sale next winter.

michaellno · August 2007

While out running errands last night, I was able to convince the wife that we should go and take a closer look at the new for '08 VUE.

Took a very short test drive and the wife was quite impressed. Compared to her '04 VUE AWD V6, the XR AWD we drove was much quieter and, according to her (I did not drive it), the steering and handling were worlds better. She now calls her VUE "truck like".

They had a few XR AWD's on the lot (lots more XE trim levels were available), but nothing equipped exactly like we would want:

Dark Blue or Techno Grey
gray cloth w/ heated seats
convenience package (rain sensing wipers, heated washer fluid (!), remote start, universal home remote)
tap shift

MSRP on that configuration is just under $28K, but I do qualify for a GM Supplier discount.

Salesman was nice enough ... as is always the case with Saturn, he was low-key.

I guess it all depends on where he hits the trade value of the '04.

What's odd is that his business card does not have an email address, so I guess I'll have to call him to see what he can find for us. The dealer we are working with is part of a chain that owns 5 Saturn dealers in Colorado, so I suspect a dealer trade for them may be easier than most.

The way I figure it is that my car is almost paid off and doesn't make sense to start over, whereas with the wife's car, we still have quite a few payments left, so starting over may not be so bad.

woodyww · August 2007

it is a sedan where I prefer 5-doors and it doesn't have AWD

Well the 5-door preference leads to the '08 WRX (duh). Probably what I'd do as I always like some cargo capacity.

That might bug me on the Si, limited trunk & people space. The fun of driving it could sway me tho, esp. if I already had an SUV or such. And it's $3K less.....if I had to choose this second I'd pick the Si & budget for snow tires.

Hey, it's a Honda.

growwise · August 2007

I suggest everyone in the market to hold on a tic if they can. 'cause starting from this fall (vw) for the next couple years, you can expect new diesel entries that will be 50 state legal. So good mileage and not to mention super duper resale values... whats not to like?

stever · August 2007

whats not to like?

Increased risk of asthma? (link)

lilengineerboy · August 2007

whats not to like?

Increased risk of asthma? (link)

Yeah I heard no one else in the world where diesels are prevalent have asthma. It must just be an American thing.

Kind of reminds me of the study where they said cell phones make people impotent but the subjects in the study were habitual drug users.

fezo · August 2007

The fact that they are Volkswagens. VWs drive great but are a wallet vacuum. They'd have to make some really reliable cars for a number of years before I could consider such a thing.

stever · August 2007

Ok, here's a UK link saying that the childhood rated doubled in the '90's. If you want an EU link, someone over in the Is This the "Day of the Diesel?" discussion can find one for you. That discussion could use a little kick anyway.

michaellno · August 2007

I've had a couple of conversations with our Saturn salesguy. He has found us a dark blue XR with all the goodies on it we want (and a couple of extra ones, as well); in fact, he has transferred the car to his dealership from the one in the Springs.

He tells me there is a $750 rebate on the car and that my GM Supplier discount is worth another $1500-$1800 off the price.

I've got my wife's car today and plan to go in at lunch for the dreaded trade evaluation. It's quite possible that this step may kill the whole deal, but we'll see what they have to say.

Kirstie_H · August 2007

A reporter is looking to interview consumers now in the market for a new car, as well as consumers who would love to buy a new car but are not in the market yet. For those on the fence, why have you decided to wait and what would it take for you to start actively shopping for a new set of wheels?

Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com before August 8 with your daytime contact information and a few words about your decision.

stickguy · August 2007

I think everyone on this board qualifies, at least for the 2nd option.

woodyww · August 2007

what would it take for you to start actively shopping for a new set of wheels

LOL! Oh, I think we're all "actively shopping" here--some of us full time. This week, I'm planning to "actively shop" for both a used X5, & a new 5-series wagon......

fezo · August 2007

Give 'him michaell's phone number..... :P

Yeah, we're all ready! Where's that $10K rebate?

tifighter · August 2007

I hear you. Right now, I am on an Outback or Tribeca or Pilot kick...those 07's Tribecas have to be going cheap.

michaellno · August 2007

Give 'him michaell's phone number.....

Gee, thanks.

I've been quoted in a couple of articles in the past few years.

Once in Business Week on an article on diesel cars, and again in Parade magazine (in your Sunday newspaper) on trading down from an SUV to a car.

So, I haven't volunteered my situation to the folks here at Edmunds, because the whole deal may go south today when they evaluate my trade.

Still, it would be nice to have a shiny new ride for the same cost as what we're paying currently.

fezo · August 2007

Couldn't help myself.

I got quoted at fair length in Bottom Line a few years back. Where I blew it was they kept inviting me to these nice dinners that I wouldn't have to pay for in NYC. I never went and they stopped inviting me.....

I could see a nice 07 Tribeca. The nose takes some getting used to but...

guss · August 2007

I thought Subaru redid the grille on the '07 Tribeca, or was that an '08 redesign ? The new look is so boring I kind of miss the old one.

The new Vue looks great. Saturn got smart and did not mess with the European design.

kyfdx · August 2007

The '08 has the new grill.. I'll take boring over stomach-turning..

roadburner · August 2007

The '08 has the new grill.. I'll take boring over stomach-turning..

What? You don't appreciate the "landlocked carp sucking air" Subie brand identity?

nippononly · August 2007

Good description! :-P

guss · August 2007

still '07 Tribecas left on dealers lots ? It seems to me I have been seeing the '08's around for at least 2 or 3 months.

Probably the best thing you could say about the old grill was that at least you knew it was a Subaru coming at you.

Nippon, how is the search for a WRX coming ? I guess we can say you are off the austerity program.

michaellno · August 2007

I took the wife's '04 VUE to the dealer for a trade evaluation.

Went pretty much as I expected .. we're buried. They offered around $13.5-14K in trade. Told me they could sell it retail for maybe $16K. Both numbers are less than the current outstanding balance.

So, I told them thanks, but no thanks, we're not rolling 1000's in negative equity into a new car.

They were very professional about it; used car manager told us that our VUE was in excellent condition. Ironically, they had an '04 VUE (same color and trim) on the used car lot already. UCM told us our car was in much better condition than the one they are trying to sell.

So, we're standing pat for now. Much as I'd love to trade in my L300, I only have 4 payments left on it and will be keeping it for another year or two.

I did take a look at the VUE we were hoping to buy. Very, very nice car. Much improved interior, in my opinion.

Perhaps next year, when the '08's are on clearance, we can look again.

fezo · August 2007

I always thought that front looked something like an early Saab or to some extent like the old Edsel mouth. Not examples you want to be copying.

british_rover · August 2007

It always said PT Cruiser to me...

jescue · August 2007

please tell me that is not a jag leaper on the hood of that PT cruiser...I feel sick...

british_rover · August 2007

Nah it is the goddess of speed.

fezo · August 2007

That's the 08 - isn't it?

I'm thinking this ugly bugly -

It's bad when you think something looks ugly for a Subaru....

Actually I like some Subaru designs but they are an acquired taste.

british_rover · August 2007

Oh yeah that one is beyond ugly and the new grill is an improvement for sure. I still think its looks a bit PT Crusierish.

jescue · August 2007

well that makes a lot more sense..hopefully at least its the turbo version.

qbrozen · August 2007

I'm with you. I think it looks like a Chrysler, although I was thinking more specifically like my wife's Pacifica.

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