Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy · April 2008

you ever look at the selection at Cherry Hill? That is close to me, and I know the boss from past dealings. Can't vouch for their prices (list or sale), but they are very nice to deal with.

qbrozen · April 2008

I was there briefly years ago when I was shopping for my T5 (they had just sold the 1 they had). But they are too far for me to visit on any kind of regular basis.

fezo · April 2008

Cherry Hill I haven't dealt with. I actually haven't dealt with Red Bank. My experience with Garden State Volvo was hideous but it was maybe 18 years ago so I'll reserve judgment but haven't heard anything to change that perception.

Overall Cherry Hill seems to have some more reasonable people to deal with.

The worst thing is trying to buy a Honda in Ocean County. I think next time I'm thinking about that I'll go up into Monmouth which is better or go up by my dad's in Morris County. The Honda dealer in town is a crook as is the one 20 miles up the road.

qbrozen · April 2008

Yeah, I tried Garden State on 2 different occassions. Once was even a guy who turned out to be the father of my brother's ex-girlfriend .... and even with that "strong" bond, he piled a bunch of BS on me and tried to make a killing. I posted that story on Edmunds long ago. One of my funnier shopping experiences, really.

woodyww · April 2008

BMW 1-Series: The car mags are going bonkers over the 1-Series; esp. the Roundel.

Mini Cooper Clubman: Ditto. No diesel model for USA. How could anyone resist an ultra-cool little wagon like that???? I wish there were more Mini dealers in more locations. If I suddenly had $30K to blow, new, that could be the one.....

roadburner · April 2008

BMW 1-Series: The car mags are going bonkers over the 1-Series; esp. the Roundel

Yes, I've been hearing Satch and Mark Jon wax ecstatic over the 1 Series for a few months now. Nice car, but it just doesn't do it for me. A 1er equipped the way I'd want it is pushing $40K, and I'd still have to pay upwards of $3K more to fit a real LSD. I think I'd rather have an '03-'04 CPO M3 for the same money. I'm seriously considering dropping a Metric Mechanic 2.2 stroker motor into my E36/5, fitting a Dinan or UUC suspension, Hella Celis headlamps, and Bavarian Sound Werks speakers. For a tick over $10K I'll have a light, fast and extremely nimble track toy that I can still drive on a daily basis if I so choose. And unlike the 1er, it has an oil dipstick, AND a spare tire... :surprise:

andre1969 · April 2008

He had been driving an '04 Tundra, but a few weeks ago, traded it on an '09 Corolla. He loved the fuel economy, but decided it just wasn't him. So yesterday, he traded it on a new Tundra! If he complains about the fuel economy, I'm gonna slap him. :P

fezo · April 2008

I can't believe he did that! How the heck much gas could you buy for the bath he took on that transaction?

It would be one thing to realize he needed the truck but "it's not me?" Oy!

Well, at least someone is stimulating the economy....

michaellno · April 2008

I've never owned a BMW (heck, I've only driven a friends 5-series around the block one time about 6 years ago), so would you say that a 1-series would be a good introduction into the brand?

My BIL has had 2 BMW's - one 5-series (leased) and now an '04 330i ZHP CPO. He swears by them, but, he's a bit more status-conscious than I am.

I'm several years away from my next purchase, so I'm hoping that the transaction prices for a 1-series move away from MSRP.

roadburner · April 2008

I've never owned a BMW (heck, I've only driven a friends 5-series around the block one time about 6 years ago), so would you say that a 1-series would be a good introduction into the brand?

I'd think so. A CPO 3 Series would also be nice. That E46 ZHP is a terrific car; I almost bought one last year. The CPO route is a great deal IF you have a good dealer. For example, my wife bought a CPO 2004 X3 2.5 with 16K back in November 2005. The purchase price was about the same as the cost of a new 2005 Odyssey. The new car warranty/free service expired last year, but the CPO warranty won't run out until 2010. An SRS sensor has been the only warranty issue. At 60K it is still tight and rattle free.

I'm several years away from my next purchase, so I'm hoping that the transaction prices for a 1-series move away from MSRP.

They should move a little bit lower. In any case, consider joining the BMW Car Club @18 months prior to your expected purchase date. If you have been a CCA member for at least 12 full months you will get a $500-$1500 membership reward with the purchase of most every new and CPO BMW.

qbrozen · April 2008

In any case, consider joining the BMW Car Club @18 months prior to your expected purchase date. If you have been a CCA member for at least 12 full months you will get a $500-$1500 membership reward with the purchase of most every new and CPO BMW.

Right now, no such discount on the 1-series, though.

My next car will be before 12 months have passed, though, so I haven't joined, figuring it won't do me much good.

andre1969 · April 2008

I can't believe he did that! How the heck much gas could you buy for the bath he took on that transaction?

It would be one thing to realize he needed the truck but "it's not me?" Oy!

Yeah, I'm dying to know how much of a bath he took trading in a 3 week old Corolla, but I wouldn't dare ask him...I know it's gotta be a touchy subject! He's admitting now that the Corolla was a mistake, and that he never should have bought it to begin with, but still...I think I'd learn to live with it, and then just go buy another cheap used truck if I found out that I couldn't live without one.

It's kinda funny how he loved the car at first, especially the first time he filled it up, and discovered it burned about half the fuel that his '04 Tundra did. But I guess for some people, once a pickup truck gets into your blood, it's hard to get it out of your system. I have to admit that if I've been driving my old Silverado for awhile, and then get behind the wheel of a car, it just feels odd...at first, at least.

He probably would've been better off just keeping the '04 Tundra and picking up a cheap used economy car for commuting. But he's chalking it up as a lesson learned.

tifighter · April 2008

I need to nominate my co-worker...

Yikes. What exactly were you going to nominate him for? I can think of a few choice titles...

andre1969 · April 2008

Yikes. What exactly were you going to nominate him for? I can think of a few choice titles...

Well yeah, but I'm trying to be nice. :P Now if you want real compulsion, how about this. Back in 1998, I worked with a guy who had a Dodge Ram pickup. He had a stay-at-home wife, and that Ram was their only vehicle. Well, one nice Friday in April, I drove my '67 Catalina convertible to work, and we went out to lunch in it. I guess the idea of a convertible struck a chord with him, because on Monday he showed up with a Sebring. Traded the truck. Didn't consult the wifey first, who was really attached to the truck. Needless to say, he got put in the doghouse.

Then there was one of my cow-irkers who bought a used '02 Mercury Mountaineer. I think this was in early '04, but my mind's getting foggy now. By that fall, gas prices were through the roof (but nothing compared to today), and she was desperately trying to sell it. But when she asked me if I knew anybody who wanted a "good used car", I told her that most of the people I know are trying to unload those gas guzzlers. Naturally, that put her on the defensive, and she started lying about how economical it was. Umm, then why are you trying to unload it? :confuse:

guss · April 2008

My next car will be before 12 months have passed, though, so I haven't joined, figuring it won't do me much good.

Well, what about the one after that in less than 24 months ? :P

qbrozen · April 2008

good point.
But, then again, in such a distant future, I may have moved on from BMW to yet another manufacturer. ;b

michaellno · April 2008

Thanks for the reply.

I don't have a lot of experience with German cars ... we did own a '99 New Beetle for a few years, and wasn't terribly happy with its reliability. Glad to hear that you've had so little problems with your cars.

I've not been to either of the local BMW dealers - one of them is opening a new ~~palace~~ showroom pretty soon that is a bit closer to where I live. Neither one of them is what I would call convenient; but, then again, neither is the Saturn dealer.

However, that could be mitigated by having a loaner car available when service is being done.

I've occasionally looked at what's for sale via CPO ... if the stars ever aligned, I could see getting a CPO Z4 as a weekend toy and continue to use the L-series as a daily driver. But, it's hard for me to justify $20K+ for something that I wouldn't drive every day.

That's why I think a 1-series (or 3-series coupe CPO) would be better for me.

tifighter · April 2008

Yeah, no doubt.

Since I think I am the last one here to actually acquire anything (end of Feb.), I wonder how long one should wait before considering its replacement?

Actually, I'm quite pleased with this Honda. I just put in an ipod adapter a few weeks ago. Works pretty well; integrates nicely with the factory system, charges the ipod, can use the steering wheels controls, etc. Jolie may have found some sort of CCBA-kryptonite with these darn Pilots...

See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com">

woodyww · April 2008

I've never owned a BMW (heck, I've only driven a friends 5-series around the block one time about 6 years ago)......My BIL .....swears by them, but, he's a bit more status-conscious than I am.

If you haven't driven many bmw's, well......that's the whole point, really, is the driving experience + the build quality. Whenever I hear people dismissing bmw's as being "status cars" I know they don't "get it".

Not criticizing, just saying if I had a BIL with a 330i ZHP, I'd be trying to drive it, checking it out, etc. at every opportunity....

roadburner · April 2008

Whenever I hear people dismissing bmw's as being "status cars" I know they don't "get it".

Those folks usually have an extra helping of sour grapes thrown in as well.

michaellno · April 2008

Whoa, whoa, whoa ...

My BIL, as previously noted, has had 2 BMW's ... he's the one who leased / bought them for status purposes. My sister has even confirmed this. Since he is a comptroller at his company, he feels it would be 'beneath' him to drive something as pedestrian as a Honda.

(My sister, for the record, drives a leased Pilot, the preferred vehicle of those who wish to get off the CCBA carousel).

I've been a car nut since I was 13 and got my first subscription to Car & Driver in 1976. A classmate in HS got a new 320i in 1982 and I lusted after it.

It was not my intention to paint everybody who drives a BMW with the 'status' brush. I'm sure there are many folks who appreciate the driving dynamics of a BMW.

Oh, and BTW, the sister and BIL live in San Diego. Since I'm in Denver, it's tough for me to drop by and take it for a quick test drive....

And, FWIW, his 330i ZHP is an automatic.

Note: A quick search of the BMW website turned up 3 3-series coupes under $30K within 100 miles of my work zipcode. All of them automatics.

When I get back in the market, I'll swing by the BMW dealer and evaluate them.

nippononly · April 2008

is the vehicle of choice for permanently curing CCBS?

I dunno if it will work for me - it's a largeish SUV (for reduced driving fun) and I would be lucky to average 22 mpg in it. :sick:

andre1969 · April 2008

Maybe the Pilot is becoming the new Jack of All Trades, sort of like how the Explorer used to be back in its prime? Not the best at any one task, perhaps, but still versatile enough overall to do most of what you need it to?

nippononly · April 2008

would weigh under 2500 pounds, have four doors and seating for four, make 40 mpg most of the time, have AWD, and have the reflexes of a Mini Cooper. 0-60 times would be a lot less important than slalom times, but a 0-60 under 10 secs would be a nice bonus. ;-)

Edit...oh yeah, and OF COURSE it would have to have a stick!

roadburner · April 2008

No offense intended; my comment wasn't aimed at you or yours...

roadburner · April 2008

would weigh under 2500 pounds, have four doors and seating for four, make 40 mpg most of the time, have AWD, and have the reflexes of a Mini Cooper. 0-60 times would be a lot less important than slalom times, but a 0-60 under 10 secs would be a nice bonus.

My 318ti Club Sport comes close enough for me; 2700 pounds, two doors, four seats, RWD w/LSD, a 26 mpg average, and slalom numbers that run close to an MCS. Right now the 0-60 times hover in the high sevens/low eights, but the aforementioned stroker motor will drop that to about six flat. Best of all, the only electronic driver aid is ABS!

stickguy · April 2008

for something like this for the kids first car (looked nice in a picture), and what do you think a realistic price is?

From the ad:

Car is in good working condition.

I have replaced recently rear brakes, Power steering belt, tires.

Specification:

Make- Toyota
Model- Corolla DX
Year - 1997
White color
Mileage  130 K
Automatic transmission

VIN No 2T1BB02E5VC205144

Other specification:
Power Steering, Power Windows , Power door locks , Cruise Control , AM/FM radio and Cassette player, Dual Front Air Bags.

Price 3100 $

tifighter · April 2008

would weigh under 2500 pounds, have four doors and seating for four, make 40 mpg most of the time, have AWD, and have the reflexes of a Mini Cooper. 0-60 times would be a lot less important than slalom times, but a 0-60 under 10 secs would be a nice bonus.

The upcoming Crossman might be the closest match yet...

tifighter · April 2008

As some may remember from last winter, I had a pretty specific set of goals in mind for the 'then' next car. AWD for skiing, seat four adults comfortably, 6ft cargo length with seats down, long roof rails and tie downs for a canoe on top, etc. The Pilot was a pretty good choice, and Honda was pretty aggressive with dealing on them. It feels like a S-class after the Subaru.

With all this BMW talk, its funny to think my car before the Subie was a Z3 2.5. Premium pack, leather, power top, winter pack, etc. It was a fun car and never gave me any real trouble, but every time it made the slightest unexpected noise (and there were a few), I would cringe at what it might be. Slightly nerve-racking; must be that Audi upbringing of mine.

Anyway, I'm sure a lot of people buy them for the prestige thing. But I used to HATE telling people I had a BMW; people get all funny about it. They make assumptions who you are, what you are all about, what you are trying to compensate for, etc. And I've never been cut off more in any other car. Like Mr. Horse used to say on Ren & Stimpy, "No sir, I didn't like it..."

guss · April 2008

For a few dollars more and half the miles, how about this?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/car/629820237.html

stickguy · April 2008

that looks pretty clean, but I really don't want to go that high on an 11 YO stripper Corolla. Should be able to get a nice Camry or Accord for that money!

I would be more tempted to go with the higher mile one, if they come down close to 2K. It should be fine for a HS kid, since he won't be putting that many miles on it (at least he shouldn't be!)

lemmer · April 2008

Our Pilot might have cured my wife. After buying brand new cars with model years 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004, I think my wife is going to make it past the 2008 model year with her 2006 Pilot. It seats eight, carries tons of crap, gets decent gas mileage (2wd EX-L), is safe, comfortable, fairly luxurious, and it drives better than a lot of cars. It also helps that she drives my BMW convertible when she wants something different.

bumpy · April 2008

Suzuki Wagon R Plus, but you can't buy one here.

guss · April 2008

If you can get it closer to $2K that I agree with you, roll the dice and try to get 3 or 4 years out of it and sell it for $1k.

If you plan on it getting him thru college , an extra $1500 to $2000 now might be worth another 40-50,000 miles.

akangl · April 2008

Could the Pilot really be the cure?? LOL I've had mine going on 9 months and nearly 21k miles, still love it, still enjoy the heck out of driving it.

I doubt I'll be in the market for a new car for a long time, although I have glanced at small cars, might buy an old beater that gets 30+ mpg, then again probably not, lol. For me a car just doesn't work.......unless its Zippy......should have kept that one!

I must get the oil changed in my Pilot today, its constant whining is driving me nuts!!! :sick:

nippononly · April 2008

With my preference set, the best ones are NEVER available in the States. Believe me, I'm used to it.

If memory serves there have been AWD models of the Swift in other markets that would have perhaps come closest to my wishes. The other thing is that in the mid-80s Toyota actually sold models of the Tercel 5-door with proper truck-style 4WD - handling was crap but it met all my other specs I think - how about that? If, in 2003, Toyota had offered the Matrix AWD with a stick shift and that little 1.8L, they would have come close to repeating that feat, but of course it only came with the gas-sucking 4-speed auto, so it was slow AND got crappy fuel economy. It had much improved handling from the 4WD Tercel of the 80s though. :-P

I took a look at the Crossman: first they are going to raise it higher than the suspension on the Clubman, so handling will suffer, and secondly I strongly doubt they will stay anywhere near 2500 pounds in weight or 40 mpg once they are through designing it.

But then, I never said meeting my dream car specs would be easy! ;-)

woodyww · April 2008

michaell, yeah, I know, as I said I didn't mean to criticize. Just that bmw nuts have "drunk the cool-aid", so are passionate. Sometimes just owning one, or taking a few test drives is all it takes. But obviously not everybody wants a bmw, nothin' wrong with that.

San Diego: I had an experience there once, in the early '70's, delivering an Olds with a lot of body damage thru a "drive-away" service on the East Coast to a guy who had moved to San Diego. But seemed his car had no body damage when he gave it to the "drive-away" company, & they had wrecked it I guess (we didn't), so he became very, very unhappy when he saw his car. Very tense situation......hey, road trips in the '60's, 70's.....

sandman46 · April 2008

Had this car from mid 1997 till May of 2003 and was very happy with it. Had 17k when I became the 2nd owner and sold it with close to 59k in '03. The DX has the nicer features plus the bigger 1.8 engine and it could get out of it's own way.
I was very happy with it and the mileage was quite good as I recall. Can't go wrong with this puppy!!!

The Sandman

mark156 · April 2008

Akangl,

I like my CR-V just as much as you like your Pilot. I have had the Lil' Honda a year and a few days. I have 12,000 miles on it plus an additional 10,000 of towing (22,000 on the tires). The tires look showroom fresh!

I'm getting 20 city, 28 hwy and I'm really enjoying my first Honda.

I'm keeping my 2006 Land Rover as I really only use it when I have company going out to restaurants, etc. So, at a little over 2.5 yrs of ownership, I have 22,000 miles. I have not had one problem with the LR3. But, I'm getting about 12 city, 18 hwy.

Now, the motorhome is frightening at the pump... if it was totally empty, it would cost $600 to fill it up at $4.00 a gallon. Getting ready to go on a 2,000 mile trip from CA, to NV, AZ, NM, TX, LA, AL, GA and to TN. Can't wait to get back on the road!

I'm getting about 7.0-7.5 mpg with my 425 hp Cummins. Not too bad really when you think about hauling 40,000 lbs down the road plus the toad.

Mark156

bumpy · April 2008

in the mid-80s Toyota actually sold models of the Tercel 5-door with proper truck-style 4WD

Someone around here has one of those 4WD Tercel wagons; they use it to haul their boat. Sounds like it runs about 1,000 rpm below redline the whole time. :surprise:

stever · April 2008

They were classics - lots of boaters drove them and I lived across the street from one for ~10 years. That neighbor's Toyota was a bit newer than my '82 Tercel FWD sedan, and she always gave me grief if I called her car a Tercel wagon - it was one of the ones with the Corolla nameplate on it. Then I'd point out that my '82 was technically a Corolla Tercel and she'd start in on the 4WD I didn't have.

I thought about buying it after she moved to Seattle a few years back and got a new Corolla sedan. But I'm not a CCB'er, so ....

nippononly · April 2008

I believe they were also a couple of years ahead of all the other Corollas, and certainly ahead of the Tercels, in getting EFI. If I could find one of those today in well-kept condition and without a million miles on it, I think I would pick it up...

akangl · April 2008

A 2008 Civic EX today. We are thinking about downsizing the dually to a car. Truely the Civic is the only one we would consider. Absolutely LOVED how it drove, BUT, I would still take my Pilot any day over the Civic.

Pilot got its oil changed today..........$42.95!!! OUCH!!! At least it quit whining at me everytime I started it!

corvette · April 2008

$42.95 sounds steep for just an oil change. I hope they also rotated the wheels for that price?

woodyww · April 2008

Pilot got its oil changed today..........$42.95!!!

On a fairly premium car--with new filter too?--I'd pay that in a second. Or, you could take it to one of those chain-store oil change places for $29.95 where 19 y.o. stoners who can't get a job as a real mechanic will be working on your prize, $30K vehicle.

Or spend the afternoon in your driveway DIY, with you, the driveway, & everything else covered in used oil, for maybe $12.........

(Just trying to cheer you up!)

akangl · April 2008

It used to be $31.95 I think that's what I paid a couple months ago. My hubby changes the oil in his Ram and the Ford, but he refuses to touch the Honda, lol. He said its too tight and too much of a pain in the butt. Its easy, just drop by the dealer, wait 30 mins, pay the bill, and pick the car up, lol. I use the dealer, would NEVER use one of those chain stores, I did years ago..........until they put water in my Jeep's engine, after that I kinda figured it wasn't a good idea.

woodyww · April 2008

But I used to HATE telling people I had a BMW; people get all funny about it. They make assumptions who you are, what you are all about.....

Around the Boston area, I don't have that problem. I think--if you own or like a certain car--you just have to "own it", & to Hell with what anyone else thinks. I must admit tho, I might have an attitude towards someone who has a brand new 7-series (not an older one!), or new S-Class.

I live in an area where, "prestige" is all about: How huge your income is, & How Big your McMansion is. Cars are the least of it........

woodyww · April 2008

just drop by the dealer, wait 30 mins, pay the bill, and pick the car up

Convenience, awesome. I once waited for hours at the Boston bmw dealer for an oil change.......then they couldn't "find" the car, etc., a real pain.

Now I have an indie bmw place a mile away that does Synthetic oil & filter changes for $50. Great deal, altho you have to leave it for the day or overnight.

Good thing with most Hondas: oil changes are usually the biggest expense, until at least 5 years, probably more.....

andre1969 · April 2008

Lately I've been just letting my mechanic change the oil in my vehicles. In the Intrepid it's actually really easy to do. The filter's right up front, and so is the drain plug. There's a spot in my grandmother's driveway where I can park the car with the front hanging over the edge, and I can squeeze up under there and change it without jacking it up.

Only problem is, after that, I still have to dispose of the oil. You can't just use it as flea dip for your pets like they used to back in the day! :surprise:

All of my older cars have the suspensions where all the joints need to be lubed, and I hate doing that myself, so it's worth it just to take it in and have the mechanic do it!

lilengineerboy · April 2008

I have had several bad experiences with getting my oil changed at a dealer. At this point, I prefer doing it myself. The Accord comes with "free" oil changes as long as I let them tack on their "preferred services" ever other oil change or so. It is usually something like a tire rotation, but that too is something I would rather do myself. That way I know the lug nuts are on there and torqued correctly.
I have been relatively happy with the local Honda and Subaru dealers in terms of not screwing things up. I also feel they try to be accommodating when I am waiting for the vehicle, etc. I still rather do it myself on my schedule.
Our township has a recycling center for automotive fluids so that helps with the disposal issue, I just wish it was curbside pick-up like it was in California.

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