Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Sandman6472 · April 2009

Y'all have already done the Accord thing...why do it again? Just suck it and wait and you'll be happier in the long run. Save your $ and keep the older Accord. Guess I'm really a fiscal conservative at heart...would love a C class from 2005 until the present but just won't spend the money on such an unnecessary want. I'm really in love with the new C class... REALLY, but the thought of plunking down $30k + is something I just can't do. And in a few months I'll be getting enough to buy a couple of 'em but my conservative side is telling me to put it into retirement vehicles that I can draw on in about 8 years or so.

Maybe I don't really belong in this forum because I've never bought a car on impulse. It's always been a long, thought out process with a certain amount of $ the most important variable in the equation. Unfortunately, I live in a pretty affluent city in South Florida where Lexi, M-B's & Bimmers are the norm, many have multiples of them. But I suppose a lot of these folks are probably mortgaged to the hilt. Wasn't brought up that way and can't change that mindset.

But that's the reason I love this forum...find it quite interesting to see what people buy and how much some will spend on cars I can only dream of.

The Sandman :shades:

roadburner · April 2009

Should I jump or wait for my perfect montego blue 2007 BMW 328 with black interior, sport package, and manual transmission to come through for less than $22k ....

In my case I got tired of waiting for MY perfect CPO BMW to come along and decided to buy something different and a bit out of character for me- the Mazdaspeed3. I can't honestly say I hate the car-it's fun in its own hyper fashion-but I can't tell you how many times I have wished that I had waited and bought a car that I really wanted to keep for the long haul...

anonymousposts · April 2009

I have an appt tomorrow to buy the Accord. Have to decide whether to trade my 04 or sell it on my own....

qbrozen · April 2009

I have an appt tomorrow to buy the Accord.

Wow! just like that? An appt to BUY one? Don't think I've ever heard that before.

helluva difference between an Accord and 328. 2 COMPLETELY different sedans in every respect. Ok, they both have 6 cylinders? I think that's about it.

woodyww · April 2009

When I read your post, before I scrolled down to see the rest, I was going to write almost exactly what sandman said: "Y'all have already done the Accord thing...why do it again?"

And you're still jones-ing for a bmw, it sounds like.....plus what's the urgency, you just bought an IS??? Hold out for the bmw; a lot of guys/gals search for the perfect used bmw or porsche for years even.....

woodyww · April 2009

I'd get Anderson windows if I could afford it (I have one, it's excellent). I see a lot of Harvey windows in lower priced houses in MA (meaning $400K-ish maybe )-; ) & they seem fine. I've also read that "Window World" is good (?).

kyfdx · April 2009

Marvin makes a great window...

I'm surprised you couldn't get Gilkey.... They do a nice job..

anonymousposts · April 2009

THe Accord has it's own value-added. It is a known variable. It is roomy and has a great interior with all the features we are missing. That 2.4L engine with 190-ish HP is also a dream along with the manual transmission. THe only reason we are looking to upgrade from the 04 is that we regret not holding out for the NAV in it. The IS is Gee's car ... it started out to be mine but after I backed it into a wall and left a minor scratch ... I don't want to drive it anymore. It is tucked safely away in the garage only to see light on beautiful days or possibly for trips.

The BMW 3-series is probably the best driving "attainable" car made. There is no argument with that. But I do get a demo ... if the BMW jones gets that bad I can pick one up and drive it until my heart is content and not worry about the high maintenance costs or any repairs.

jimbres · April 2009

THe only reason we are looking to upgrade from the 04 is that we regret not holding out for the NAV in it.

Have you looked at the portable units from Garmin, TomTom & Magellan? They're every bit as good as the factory installed systems & a whole lot cheaper. My Garmin is at least as accurate as the factory system in my wife's Lexus & it's also easier to use. We can also bring it with us when our travel plans involve flying somewhere & then picking up a rental car.

gee35coupe · April 2009

Ya know, I thought the same thing. But that just doesn't beat the voice commands for the climate and stuff along with the traffic. Seeing all the XM radio info is cool too along with the Bluetooth.

I see now that I must have really not cared a hoot for my TSX. Not once did I actually sync my phone to it. I simply stopped driving it. I don't even miss it.

As opposed to the BMW that started this craze. I HAD to have my phone synced and learned a lot of the other features of the I-Drive system. No more cars without everything integrated into the car. I like just pushing a button on the steering wheel and talking to my car or on my phone. I am absolutely smitten by my Lexus that Anony seemed to have cast aside. It's the first car to actually make me make room in the garage for something other than crap.

It's a necessity. Like a 50" or bigger plasma screen. I mean shoot, my cellphone has NAV.

corvette · April 2009

The factory integrated NAV units are pretty slick. Not worth $2,000, but slick nonetheless. I've had a Garmin for a couple of years now, and it's great. Saved me from getting lost many times.

corvette · April 2009

I think I'd need my own personal bailout to get the really nice windows (Marvin, Andersen, Pella). I'd planned to wait a couple of years to replace the windows, but one of them started leaking during heavy rain.

gee35coupe · April 2009

That's why you set a price level that you think it's worth, and stick with it. I mean seriously, is watching TV really worth paying $1000 for a television? Yet I have 3 50"+ plasma screens all attached to HD satellite receivers and 2 surround setups. Some poeple buy expensive clothes, bags, or even plastic surgery, I like gadgets and cars.

kyfdx · April 2009

I mean seriously, is watching TV really worth paying $1000 for a television?

Evidently, it's worth $2658.. At least that's my Best Buy credit card balance.. :surprise:

roadburner · April 2009

Evidently, it's worth $2658.. At least that's my Best Buy credit card balance..

I finally jumped in as well; my Best Buy/Magnolia was unloading their remaining Pioneer Kuro Elite 50" plasmas for 50% off list. It's one of the very few time I've bought an A/V product and not felt the slightest twinge of buyer's remorse.

qbrozen · April 2009

Pioneer Elites are the best out there, IMHO.
Our 53" projection Elite still looks great compared to reasonably priced LCDs and Plasmas. We've had it 8 years now and I can't justify replacing it.

woodyww · April 2009

The prices of flat-screen TV's are a fraction of what they were a few years ago. They're even less than what similar size CRT behemoths cost 10 years ago, I think.

I was in Costco recently, of 30-40 different TV's,there were maybe 2 Plasmas. I know everybody says Plasma has the best picture quality, but are LCD's taking over: lighter, less energy usage, etc? (Not knocking plasma TV's! just asking....).

kyfdx · April 2009

Plasma negatives..

More problems with light/glare
Higher energy usage
Poorer compatibility with video game systems vs. LCD

Positives

Better picture than LCD, especially with fast motion (sports)
Lower end sets are amazingly cheap ($900 for 50")

At least, that's the simple version..

kyfdx · April 2009

The new thing seems to be LED screens....

I'm not up on the differences, though...

I bought a 52" Sony LCD... It was about $1700... Video game compatibility was a must for my 15-yr-old.. XBOX Live..

roadburner · April 2009

More problems with light/glare

That's the only thing that worried me about the Pioneer, but it turns out that the anti-reflective coating on the screen is very effective- I notice much less glare than with my old 32" Toshiba CRT.
And note that some of the top-line Samsung LCDs have extremely reflective screens- they are supposedly used to deepen the Black Level.

akangl · April 2009

I thought hard about trading the Pilot for something that could tow, came close but in the end the Pilot stayed in the garage. I'll pick up an older truck to tow the TT, course I think this summer the TT is going to go unused.

Will cross the 38k mark next week, it needs a few things, its late for its 30k service but will get it next week along with a brake job. The brake job comes with a lecture from hubby saying I'm too hard on the brakes.......I don't think so but well, maybe, lol. City driving takes it toll too I think. I'll toss a little bit of money at it and keep driving it.

I will have had the Pilot for 2 years in July, I still very much enjoy driving it, never get tired of it, which for me is very odd. Its needed nothing but gas and oil changes up to this point, I'm quite impressed with Honda quality.

Hubby's 09 Civic has about 15k on it now and has been flawless. Never did fix the bumper after the coyote incident, just put it back together with some blue duct tape and called it good.

Seems weird to me to not be the queen of the CCBA anymore, lol.

guss · April 2009

I must be cured

How many times have we heard that one. It seem like Honda must be the cure for CCBA. The Pilot is an excellent SUV and you got it for a great price when you bought it. I like the Civic too, I probably would have bought one if my company did not require a union made vehicle.

Glad to see you can at least make the CCBA meetings once in awhile.

nippononly · April 2009

for CCBS? I need the cure, I will check into that!

anonymousposts · April 2009

but we still rotated through the other spot in our garage.

The dealer called, they were able to trade for the EX-L manual with NAV. So hopefully we can pick it up soon. He didn't know if they would get it today or Monday. We are adding the splash guards, rear spoiler, fog lights, body-side molding, and cargo net. Ended up with silver with gray interior. Seems like a great deal as they are selling the car with accessories for close to the invoice price of the car alone.

It's not a BMW but a BMW isn't a Honda so we will call it even.

akangl · April 2009

Makes a really good car, I've been pleased with mine. I was worried about hubby going from a 1 ton dually to his Civic, but he adores his car. He likes it so much that he gets annoyed if I drive it, he thinks I'll hurt it, lol. I am glad he got the EX, he loves the sunroof and the neat little things it has like the ipod connection.

I personally don't care for the Civic too much, but then again its little and its a stick, neither of which I like. I like my Pilot, its big enough for me to feel safe but small enough that I can park it easily in most places. Not to mention I can haul my mountain bike around or skis or whatever else I feel like putting in there.

I do wish we had kept that 97 F-250 to pull the TT with, although I think our landlord would have had a fit at something that ugly sitting in the yard, lol.

anonymousposts · April 2009

picked it up tonight.

36 month lease/12k per year
$896 due at signing
$385 per month including taxes

There may have been a few hundred dollars worth of wiggle room but overall I am happy with the deal. The price included $1600 worth of installed accessories.

stickguy · April 2009

been running around the last few weeks looking at colleges, sandwiched around a quick vacation in Fla. I actually became attached to my rental car. of all things, a 2009 Taurus limited with only 2K on it (it qualified as a "premium" car at Alamo).

I was an easy mark for an upgrade (only $19/day) for the satellite radio and moonroof. Plus, the agent pointed out that it was unlikely that our 87 large suitcases would fit in a Corolla (heck, I had to take the minivan to the airport, since I didn't think the bags would fit in my Accord!)

Nice car. Humungous trunk, great highway car. A bit big for my tastes (especially the large, tall hood) so that took some getting used to, but I did.

Fantastic highway car. ANd no way would I get a Crown VIc over one of these.

Not that I am getting anything son given the cost of college for the boy (or as I like to put it, a new BMW. Every year.)

Just wait until he gets that high paying job after he graduates and I send him the bill!

stickguy · April 2009

I actually wish I was in the market. I did see an ad (on a marque-specific forum) for a 2006 Volvo S60. Very rare T5 model with a 6 speed stick and the sport seats from an R model. Only 35K on it too.

Not fond of white over charcoal, but it was loaded and ultra clean.

kyfdx · April 2009

Is he a junior or senior?

If senior, which school did he pick?

gee35coupe · April 2009

I agree. One of my plasmas is a Pioneer Elite. Absolutely stellar. I got it for half off from a place called Vann's out of Montana or something. It seems I'm the death knell for TV manufacturers. I have an HP plasma, then they quit selling them, and a Pioneer, and they just announced they were pulling out of the market as well. Keep an eye on Panasonic, I have a 58" made by them

stickguy · April 2009

KY, he is a senior, so our recent whirl wind tour of NE colleges was the final (or in some cases, first) look at his choices.

Did give me a chance to put about 1200 miles on my accord (and another 300 on the minivan) in about 10 days! So my new tires got a nice workout (and man, I was glad I didn't try to stretch the balding greasy slidy Michelins).

The winner was Cornell. So expect my purchases for the next 4 years to be of the bottome feeder (or at least used..) variety!

Although after being impressed by the Taurus, I wonder how cheap a 1 year old one with less than 20K on it would be? Hard to justify buying new on one of those (or something like it).

corvette · April 2009

Not sure about a 1-year-old Taurus, but the early models of the 500/Taurus are dirt cheap. Of course, the early ones also have the old 200-horsepower Duratec V6, which isn't quite enough steam for a car that big.

kyfdx · April 2009

Wow... he must have a stellar HS resume.. Congratulations!!

Or.. condolences.... lol..

I'm starting to get sticker shock.. We visited Vanderbilt, and naturally, my son loved it.. Getting in might be iffy... smart enough, but the rest of the resume isn't off to a top-notch start..

lemmer · April 2009

What is so wrong with state schools? If you pick the right one you get an equal education for maybe 25% of the price of a private school.

Clearly state schools are the best choice for a CCB.

qbrozen · April 2009

what was asking price?
6-speed T5. WOW! I can't imagine there are more than a handful of those.
It doesn't have the 4C chassis option, by any chance, does it?

kyfdx · April 2009

You can't really stereotype private schools any more than you can public ones.. Finding the right school is the important part..

I live in a fairly small state. There are only two state schools that offer the fields of study that my son is most interested in. While fine institutions, I'm sure there are better ones, public and private. If we decide to look out of state, then the price of public and private aren't really very far apart, once financial aid is figured in. That said, either is massively expensive.

I do agree that you would be hard-pressed to justify that the education from one school is four times better than another... But, I'm not really looking at averages or a strict cost/benefit analysis. He only gets one chance at college (hopefully..lol), and he has the intellectual capability to handle a demanding curriculum.

If our own state university turns out to be the right fit for him, I won't be disappointed, and I'll end up with a lot more money in the bank... (25% of the other options is a pretty good estimate). But, if he shows the potential and desire to get an Ivy League or equivalent education (and I put Vandy up there), then I'll suck it up and live with it..

That's just my view at the present time... He's just a freshman in high school.. If that big investment pays off (come on, PowerBall!), then it could all be a moot point...

regards,
kyfdx

stickguy · April 2009

QB, no 4C chassis, but the seats and 6 speed from the R. JRL has it, supposed to be ultra clean, under warrenty until 12/09. Asking $17,795 (including full service, new tires and new brakes). Only about 100 made for 2006, and supposed to be very fast. R performance without AWD issues.

As for colleges, there is "rack rate" and what you pay, and they are often very different numbers. You can easily pay less at a private school (out of pocket) than at a state one. Depnds on the kid, and family finances.

FOr instance, Cornell (as are all the ivies, and I believe the top privates like Vandy) are need blind for admissions, and they guarantee to meet defined need 100%. And at Cornell, if family income is LT 60K, the expected family contribution is 0. As in, free.

So for many people, even ones that make more than 100K, an Ivy can cost less than a state school. The hard part really is getting in, not paying for it. Although as KY says, no school is cheap. But, the kid did the work to get invited, so he sure earned it.

kyfdx · April 2009

That's true... the less family income, the more competitive the pricing.. A student from a lower income family can really get a great deal, assuming they can get in (and, I definitely don't begrudge them that..).

Vanderbilt does have the same policies that you stated... Unfortunately, though I'm not feeling particularly wealthy, my EFC is higher than I thought it would be... While we would receive aid, the cost to us is about 4 times higher than what we would pay at a state school, assuming the automatic scholarships for high test scores, etc..

So... if my wife loses her job, that is the silver lining! Free ride to the Ivy League!

stickguy · April 2009

yeah, the FAFSA is an interesting experience. And I could write a book about hwat happens when current and prior year situations aren't the same (it isn't pretty!)

woodyww · April 2009

He's just a freshman in high school

You're a good parent--taking the kid to visit colleges as a freshman in high school is certainly advanced planning!

If it were me--state school 25% the price of private--I know which way I'd be leaning. Unless I were an Investment Banker or high priced lawyer. And I don't know the state schools in KY, so......

It seems partly a prestige thing tho--parents love to brag about their kids going to Brown, or NYU, etc., & you never hear the end of it sometimes. And talented people graduate from IU, or UT, or one of the SUNY schools, etc., & become very successful. (just talking, it's not my kid or my $$.......good luck with it!)

kyfdx · April 2009

Maybe he'll start turning into a punk, and I won't have to worry about it? :P

Not likely... lol..

On another note... I bought a Legend from my uncle a few years ago... then sold it back to him, once I realized that it was in his garage more than it was at my house.... Last month, he suggested that it might make a good first car for my son.. (zooom.. back on topic). It was my aunt's car (died in '99), so it has sentimental value for both of us..

'92 Legend with 36K miles... Pretty mint condition for a car of that age..

Too nice for a first car? I sort of had a $1500 beater in mind.. We are still 15 months away from him getting his full license, where he can drive without an adult in the car..

Sandman6472 · April 2009

My two oldest went to a state school down here in South Florida. With the $ left in their college accounts, we were able to buy them both new cars with 6 months of insurance. Now my boy ended up at Wash U. in St. Louis after spending his last 2 years of high school at Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. Though he got nice scholarships to both institutions, he still has student loans that he'll have tp pay after graduation in 2010. And we'll just have enough in his college fund to last through this year, so senior year our portion will have to come out of our salaries. But that's the choice HE made even though U. of Michigan gave him a free ride for the 4 years.
He will not have the car & insurance money left over that his sisters did but again, that was his choice. He's looking into Teach America for post college work where he'll get a salary and a % taken off his student loan bill. Since he's an adventurer, this will be the perfect path post college for him. It all comes down to choices I guess.

I personally would've gone to a state school if I were him. But I also chose a private school years ago. Turned down UF and Vanderbuilt for Tulane. But luckily a trust fund paid for my college that my grandparents set up. I had to buy an older family car to take with me for sophmore year but was well worth it. Good luck with the college search.

The Sandman :shades:

corvette · April 2009

I got wait-listed at Vanderbilt's law school. They kept the "wait-list" going well into the summer. Past the time when you needed to have a lease signed on an apartment, if you were going there. That really irked me! Not sure whether their undergrad operates the same way.

corvette · April 2009

Everyone I know who went to UK (undergrad and graduate school) and got an academic scholarship got a deal where there was $X for the first year, and 1/2 of $X for each year after that. E.g., $1000 for freshman year, $500 per year for sophomore, junior, and senior years.

anonymousposts · April 2009

I am glad my son is only 5 ... so we have a while to worry about college. Although by then who knows what our economy will be and what the dollar will be worth ....

I'm happy with the Accord. The 4 cylinder engine is a big improvement over the already great engine that was in my 2004. The transmission is one of the smoothest I've driven and the manual in the Accord is light years better than the manual in Gee's IS250. The car is big, but it doesn't drive big and I love the way it looks fro 90% of angles. It has an appt Thursday to get the fog lights, spoiler, and body-side molding installed. After that it is off to Florida to get the windows tinted.

stever · April 2009

All the big screen talk ... UPS just delivered my new laptop to replace the ~6 year old Inspiron that died (well, it still sort of works if I prop it up just right or grab some duck tape for the broken hinges, and keep jiggling the power cord - I may mount it on a piece of plywood for grins). Now I can read all about the cars you guys are buying from my hammock again. :shades:

roadburner · April 2009

I'm still hoping my kid can land a basketball scholarship; he's in 8th grade and already 5'11'. A couple more growth spurts and he ought to be able to draw attention from a few Division II schools at the very least...

kyfdx · April 2009

9th grade... 6' 1.5"

But, the only athletic scholarship he'll be getting is for XBOX- Call of Duty... lol.. (don't tell him, though.. he thinks he is Bo Jackson... :surprise: )

I think we'll keep hoping for an academic scholarship or the PowerBall....

roadburner · April 2009

But, the only athletic scholarship he'll be getting is for XBOX- Call of Duty

Funny thing, last season after practice or a game my kid would come home and play Halo or CoD on XBox Live with most all of his team mates. He probably plays it a bit too much, but as he's bringing home very good grades and he also enjoys reading we don't complain...

guss · April 2009

has a 250 average on Wii bowling. I don't think they give scholarships in bowling though.

I may not need to worry about College with him, he says he wants to drive a trash truck for Waste Management. If he can live with the smell I am not about to talk him out of it.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy