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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,146
    Congrats! And thanks so much for taking the time to respond to our request and talk to the reporter.

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  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    If memory serves me correctly sir, you were the first I've seen published from our group in here. I just followed your lead...and I do like the compact and sub compact segments the best but that's probably because they are what we can afford. As much as I lust for the MB, Lexus or BMW, I don't think we'd buy any of them unless we get a big windfall. Ah...but it's nice to dream!

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    You are correct. Lets agree to exchange autographed head shots then? Don't sell yourself short though when it comes to cars Sandy. #1 there is absolutely nothing wrong with economy cars. It doesn't equal crap box like it used to.

    Like you've said though, some really nice cars can be had (either used or CPO) for the price of a new "mid sized" car. Look at the 2009 328i Roadburner got for his wife. I think it cost the same money as a higher level Camry or Accord.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    edited January 2013
    Like you've said though, some really nice cars can be had (either used or CPO) for the price of a new "mid sized" car. Look at the 2009 328i Roadburner got for his wife. I think it cost the same money as a higher level Camry or Accord.

    Should the time ever come when I'm able to get another punch, I'll be very interested in my options regarding CPO vs. new.

    However, I think my budget will be around $20K, so many of the 'premium' CPO vehicles may be out of reach.
  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    Absolutely, I forgot about that car...and I did like it...a lot! I could go for a CPO car but the wife would make my life nuts if I did that as she views them all as appliances while I, on the other hand, love 'em. I'd be so happy to own something that I really lust after but time will tell. Once my middle kid finishes pharmacy school in 4 years, things will look a bit different and since we purchase our own vehicles, then might be the time. Living in South Florida, there are so many really nice vehicles everywhere and it just seems like my 3 top brands in the lux market, Lexus, MB and BMW, seem to have the market well saturated. There's even a new MB within walking distance from our subdivision with the other 2 guys just a bit farther.

    Maybe someday but I am satisfied with what I've got now truth be told. Minimal upkeep and only one major problem in the years I've owned it so i have nothing to complain about really. And the a/c issue I had, Honda at least paid for 1/2 which I was happy to get though they really should've paid the whole bill. But one must move forward on such things and I have. Got her washed yesterday and she looks great sitting in the garage.

    One of these days, I need to meet up with Abacomike as he lives only about 10 minutes from here. He appears to be a nice, knowledgeable man with many stories to tell. I know that when we do decide to purchase, i might pick his brain just a bit.

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Toyota will be Furia to read that.

    Furia is plural. One person is Furious, two people are Furia. :D
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 17,312
    edited January 2013
    Additions...

    7/22/12 Roadburner 2009 328i

    Punch guess: 37

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive

  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Thanks, rb!

    Updated:

    2012 Punch List (total 22):
    01/12/12 corvette 2003 BMW 540i 85K
    01/29/12 anon 2007 Toyota RAV4 72K
    02/12/12 tifighter 2007 Mazda Miata PRHT 14K
    02/15/12 breld 2012 BMW X3
    02/15/12 stickguy 2007 Volvo S40 91K
    02/28/12 breld 2009 Honda Odyssey 45K
    03/22/12 nyccarguy 2011 BMW 328xi (lease)
    05/02/12 anon 2012 Toyota Prius
    07/22/12 roadburner 2009 BMW 328i
    07/31/12 breld 2011 Audi A5 17K
    08/05/12 qbrozen 1998 Volvo S70
    08/20/12 breld 2007 VW Beetle 56K
    08/23/12 xwesx 2012 Ford Fiesta 14K
    08/31/12 stickguy 2013 Acura RDX AWD
    09/14/12 steine13 1995 Toyota Camry 123K
    09/23/12 andre1969 2012 Dodge Ram
    09/25/12 anon 2008 Honda Odyssey 57K
    10/30/12 jpp5862 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE 135K
    11/xx/12 jayrider 2012 Buick LaCrosse AWD
    12/17/12 mark156 2013 Honda CR-V EXL w/ nav
    12/21/12 stickguy 2000 Acura Integra LS 166K
    12/23/12 anon 2013 Honda Accord

    2013 Punch List (total 5):
    01/08/13 breld 2011 BMW 335xi 27K
    01/11/13 steine13 2013 Chevrolet Cruze LT (lease)
    01/15/13 breld 2010 BMW 328xi wagon 21K
    01/18/13 qbrozen 2013 Nissan Leaf (lease)
    01/19/13 anon 2013 Toyota Sienna (lease)

    Punch guesses for 2013:
    Michaell 15-17
    Xwesx 22
    Stickguy 25
    Qbrozen 28
    Au1994 30
    Anon 31
    Tifighter 34
    Jpp5862 35
    Steve 36
    Roadburner 37
    Nyccarguy 38
    Rayainsw 39
    Ateixeira 40
    Kyfdx 45
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 17,312
    I test drove a 2012. Black with red mirror caps/stripes and red seats. My wife and I really liked it, but it didn't have heated seats. The dealer has a new 2013 that is identical to the 2012(but with the heated seats) for $2000 off MSRP. Another car is similarly equipped, but minus the 17" wheels, and I can get it for only $1,500 more than the used car. My wife thinks I should have something different and fun to drive for my last two or so years of work related travel-bless her heart-and it is tempting. After that I would flip it for a Z4 M Coupe or maybe even an E92 M3.
    Still thinking... ;)

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    is there any way to do Disney, sort of "on the cheap?" I know any way to go it is expensive, but I'm wondering if I could swing 3 or 4 days there in late July without breaking the bank. I'll be driving, not flying. Any suggestions on where to stay? Tips from those who have gone in the past?

    if you don't want to clog up the board with this completely off topic posts, you can drop me a gmail. (l)arry(c)harlie(s)am1347

    Thanks!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited January 2013
    You may have to find a place to park the summary sheet - you're going to be over-flowing into two posts soon. :-)

    Nyccarguy, you could take it to the Road Trips discussion or the Vacation Travel Plans, Suggestions, Advice one.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    pretty much need to be off park. and something with a kitchen for making meals is a must. Maybe some sort of time share rental or the like?

    actually, find someone you know with a place down there that won't be using it!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    You may have to find a place to park the summary sheet - you're going to be over-flowing into two posts soon.

    Steve - I figured that was going to happen .. is the posting length based on # of characters?

    I'll drop the posting of the 2012 punches in the next month or two. I'll hang onto them in my master document so I can post it if someone asks a question about it.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,236
    "You may have to find a place to park the summary sheet - you're going to be over-flowing into two posts soon."

    Google Docs might be a good way to share it. If he can get that set up, is there a way a host can put a link at the top of the discussion?
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,236
    edited January 2013
    After a year of ownership, I think I've had nearly every common E39 problem, and a few less common ones. I just got my car back from an indy in Louisville and had the thrust rod bushings and front brakes replaced. They also diagnosed a valley pan gasket leak. My regular shop will perform this repair much less expensively, so I declined to let the new place repair it. Other issues they noted:
    *Engine oil leakage from valve cover (I just had these done, what the heck?) and upper timing cover gaskets. Vanos solenoid seals and oil dipstick seal also leaking.
    *Transmission pan gasket leaking (I just had the transmission fluid changed a few months ago, but do notice something that appears to be an oily fluid on the garage floor coming from that area--again, what the heck?)
    *Idler arm slightly loose.

    Kind of thinking about replacing it with a 2008-2011 335i--surely that would have a few years of low maintenance before it starts vomiting all its fluids on my concrete. It seems like the more things I fix on the E39, the more things break.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited January 2013
    There is a character limit and after all these years, I still don't know what it is. Hardly ever see posts too long to fit in one post. And yeah, I think we could park a link up top.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,652
    There is a character limit and after all these years, I still don't know what it is. Hardly ever see posts too long to fit in one post.

    Hmm, that surprises me...I know I can get pretty long-winded sometimes, but I don't remember any of my posts getting truncated.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    About the only time I've seen it is when people try to cut and paste entire articles. It's a pretty big number.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 17,312
    I absolutely love the power and torque of the V8, but the inline six is definitely a better long term proposition. The most I've ever done to a post 1985 BMW six is R&R the water pump, the VC gasket, the t-stat, or the oil filter housing gasket. At over 140k miles the X3 has only needed the filter housing gasket, while my wife's E39 528i only required a water pump and a t-stat in over 130k miles.
    I'd still be sorely tempted by a 2001-up 530i with SP, CWP, and three pedals.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive

  • jpp75jpp75 Member Posts: 1,535
    Correct, it's an 18 month lease, ends January 14, 2014 and it's the G37x, so AWD.

    I do like the car, for me it's the right mix of comfortable, powerful, sporty, etc. It's not the driver's car nyc's 328xi is for sure, and after 10k miles I can already tell the steering has loosened up more than I like. The engine is also a bit noisy for my likes, but I can live with it. Overall I'm pretty pleased with it, enough to where keeping it at the end of the lease is an option if nothing else out there really strikes me and is in my price range.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Google Docs might be a good way to share it. If he can get that set up, is there a way a host can put a link at the top of the discussion?

    OK, I've copied my MS Word document on my laptop to a Google document that is in the cloud.

    Just need to know who to share it with. Here is my email address; please send me your email address so I can add to the 'share' list:

    mlogue dot 1263 at gmail dot com
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    The engine is also a bit noisy for my likes, but I can live with it.

    I test drove a late model G coupe and agree with you about the noise. I think it was an "S" model, so the ride was a bit stiffer than I think I could live with.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    My 328xi thanks you for the compliment:)

    17,550 + miles and it is still (as it should be) rock solid.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    Driving is half the savings. There are a billion hotels, so competition is stiff and rates are low. last month, we used a timeshare, but when the wife and I went many years ago, the Amerisuites right on International Drive was a great location and quite cheap.

    If you are going to the parks, buying the tickets in advance from undercovertourist was the best option I found.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    If you have a high enough pain threshold, go to a timeshare sales pitch to get some of the free tickets!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Stay near old town Kissimee when they have the car show there.

    Let the family go to Disney while you check out cars. :shades:

    For a firmly of 4 that is 25% off!

    With 3 of you even more, 33% off!

    Unbelievable savings!!!1111eleven!
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    short term gain... but after your wife divorces you and takes half of everything ...

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    We could make you my stepbrother and I could get the government rate for a hotel though AAA always seems to be cheaper than the government rate. We're both landsman so it could work...lol! We stayed at a nice place once right off the I-4 and 535 I think...an Embassy Suites as i recall. Great hotel with a nice pool. My kid was an intern at Epcot back in '09, so we'd go up frequently. just remember, even in July there's lots of traffic which can be very annoying.

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    Just got home from my 2nd day on the job. We were at Hertz today driving cars to the airport from their outer lot. The group moved 110 cars and just got home...exhausted to say the least! This job is gonna be great! Like I died and went to car heaven!!

    Drove some interesting iron today. Was very surprised with the Dodge Dart...extremely comfortable drivers seat with good lumbar support and the fabric was very soft. The dash layout left me cold but they definitely got the size right. The engine isn't as smooth as some of the others, a bit thrashy under medium to hard acceleration but the engine note at cruise was very acceptable. For anyone looking for a comfortable, energetic and affordable midsizer, I'd have to say go with the Optima...yes, Kia Optima. It must've been a mid grade car as it was equipped just the way I'd do it and it had the Sirius radio. Outstanding vehicle which looks good and will give the Accord a run for it's money.

    I snatched up a Passat SE with just under 300 miles on it and it is a nice car though I was expecting so much more actually. It was a dark blue over black with power chairs so I got real comfortable. But compared to the Optima, I don't really think the price premium is really worth it. I tried to get a Jetta but someone else snagged it from me. The Cuze was a total disappointment and I've definitely crossed it off our short list. Felt cheap with mediocre appointments and a crappy ride where I was jarred over the railroad tracks and numerous rattles and noises over all roads. this car only had about 4k on it so I'd hate to see one at 44k! Just a poor showing from GM compared to the Verano, a much better driver.

    Drove what I thought was an Equinox but turned out to be a Captiva after I got out and looked at the badging. Uninspiring to say the least but one did sit a bit higher up...about the only positive thing I could say about it. Why can't GM compete in the cute ute segment is beyond me and what's with the cheapo switch gear folks? GM, I know y'all can do this...study what the Koreans, Japenese and Germans are doing with their interiors and follow suit!

    But the best of the day, and I drove several of these, was the...Hyundai Elantra!!! This car is just outstanding in so many ways. Great visuals through all windows, switch gear that felt very luxo, at least to me, power at the ready with no harsh noises and ergonomically, everything was right where my hands needed it to be...it was just so intuitive for me and very "Hondaesque" for lack of a better term! The dash layout is very cool and the lighting really pleased my eyes. Once it got dark and the dash was all lit up, I felt like I was on a really cool ride. The cars i drove all had about 5k or a bit under on them but at this point, the best car in the compact class, one I might seriously consider trading my beloved Civic for in the near future and the one I know my wife should buy without question...our winner...put your hands together for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The Sandman's choice for the best econocar of the year...right now! Am very exciting to drive a Jetta next time.

    Was told that we will be doing trips to Orlando, Key West and the Tampa area within a few weeks which will be very cool! It'll be nice to drive these cars for a few hours at a time to really see how they all perform...I can't wait! Another bonus, I got my 1st paycheck in over a year and a half and it's a great feeling! Tired and my spine aches a bit so it's off to the showers for this dude. Later all!

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    Awesome write up Sandy! I can hear the excitement through your words. I'm glad you are happy with your new gig;)

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,698
    Like others have shared, we found staying off the park was a fraction of the cost. We stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Villages and took advantage of the kitchen for breakfasts and a couple dinners. Also took a bunch of snacks to the park to avoid buying too much food all day. Check out mousesavers.com for other tips.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,698
    I'm only at 75k miles on the 530i, but haven't had any issues to speak of. A coworker has an '02 525i with 135k miles and doesn't seem to have had major issues. Seems to be part of the price of the 540i.

    I wholeheartedly endorse your idea of replacing it with a 335i. :)

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,698
    Sounds like a great day Sandy. I'm with you on the Elantra - we had a rental of the new model a couple years ago and I was very impressed. I remember remarking to my wife throughout the trip how much I enjoyed driving it. I recall it being surprisingly peppy, quiet and comfortable. And we hardly used any gas tooling around Austin.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    My daughter lived on I Drive right near that place you mentioned...over by the Walgreens and Publix. Her place was called Discovery Palms. It's gone condo but we got her a nice 2 bedroom for a very reasonable price and it's very close to Epcot employee parking. She did her gig back in the Winter/Spring of '09 but still talks about the fun she had working there in the greenhouse...a life experience she'll never forget. And she still loves all things Disney which is why she and the wife return twice a year. I, on the other hand, enjoy the quiet, empty house when the wife is gone.

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,698
    Yup - we made use of the Publix and Walgreens a number of times for snacks, cold medicine, pop tarts.... Everything to keep four kids happy. :)

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    Yes sir...I drove 3 different Elantra's and they were all the same...peppy, quiet and comfortable. Hyundai has taken the Civic goodness from Honda and put it all, and then some, into this new Elantra. The other drivers in my team must also agree as a few of us made beelines to the available Elantras need to be transported. I really feel like I've gone to car heaven here and just wish this was a full time job. Being part time, I only will get called when needed and most times my chief told me he doesn't get much notice at all. He called me at 9:59 for an 11:30 meet at the designated area which takes me a good 1/2 hour to get to...and that's with not much traffic. It will take longer depending on the hour and the accident rate on I-95 and I-595 and trust me, with all the construction still going on, some days I could be in real trouble! A shame that he doesn't know about most jobs the night before. But since I am retired, my schedule is extremely flexible and I can be out of the house within 20 minutes if need be.

    This is going to be sooooo cool!!! ;)

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,591
    Good write-up.

    I had a 13 Cruze LTZ w/1500 miles as a rental last week. Boring gold color, but it was loaded with push button start, leather, the new touchscreen with apps, etc. I surprisingly liked it a lot; quiet, smooth, comfortable. Seats were decent, heated but manual rake. The little 1.4T seemed torquey enough for the real world, trip computer showed 31 mpg after about 500 miles, but it may have been optimistic, I don't know, and it wasn't broken in obviously. Makes me think a Verano would probably be a pretty nice car.

    23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    The Verano I sat in was so much more comfortable than the Cruze...great seats. Also drove an Altima today...push button start. Nice ride!

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    Drove a couple of these today...nice cars, the 2012's, but not a fan of the push button start system. The Captiva had this also as did the Passat. I'm just not a fan of this technology...I guess it's pretty cool but just used to the old regular key system. Granted, I think this is the way tech in cars is going so will get used to it when the time comes but still believe some things should not be changed or messed with. The Quest also had this starting system which once one learns how to use it, it does work as intended. This van is large though and feels bigger than the Caravans I used to pilot at work. But those were the regular models and I suspect the Quest, Sienna and Odyssey are all sized like the current Caravans.

    Very curious to drive the brand new 2013 Altima and Sentra...both very attractive rides that are not to far out there.

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    I don't really care about the smart key/push button start. I always keep my keys in my pants pocket, and fishing out the fob was 2nd nature.

    but my wife loves it, and will never give it up (good thing she is good for another 10 years with her new Acura!). She likes it because her keys get lost in her mess of a pocketbook. And mostly, when I am driving, she does not have to wait for me to open the car (and sometimes the 2nd push didn't catch, and I did not realize right away she was still standing outside, waiting for a door to open!). Now, she walks up, car opens.

    that part is fine, but the button can be a pain in the buns. if you don't do things just right (foot on brake to stop engine) it gets all cranky, displays messages, and half the time I end up starting it unintentionally just so I can turn it back off!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Sandman, congratulations on the new job!!! Getting to drive so many different cars is a blast for sure. I'll be look'n forward to your reviews as I enjoyed the previous ones! :D

    Mark156
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    I really appreciate and enjoyed your posts.
    Do please continue - and congrats on the job!
    - Ray
    Not likely to drive any car but mine for a while .....
    2022 X3 M40i
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    Low mileage E39s are out there. This Oxford Green 530i is just one of them. Looks to be in fantastic shape, under 60K miles, but the color combo is just a killer for me. I'd even consider the Oxford Green (yuck, I'd rather have black which I've sworn off) over Sand (Black is so much easier to keep clean) if it had the Sport Package. Even though these seem to be commanding a high price for a 10 year old car, what else can you buy for $12K?

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,095
    New Altima is all over the rental fleets out here, should just be a matter of time before they are everywhere.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,236
    Cool, maybe I'll get some extended seat time in one--I reserved a full size car with Enterprise when I go to Austin in April for the MotoGP race. Probably either that, or a Charger or Taurus. I'm seeing quite a few of the new Altimas on the road.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 17,312
    A friend has a 2003 525i Touring for sale. Really, REALLY nice. He only wants $6000 for it. Boston Green/Tan, 109k, all options except Navigation. As he describes it:

    Recently done: rear-subframe bushings (big [non-permissible content removed] job, probably wasn't
    needed but a bunch of us bought the tool so..), all-around Bilstein
    shocks/struts for the sport suspension about 6,000 miles ago, new sway-bar
    links front and rear, new water pump, new hoses, new radiator, new
    alternator (all in the past 2,000 miles), new oil filter housing gasket
    (PITA job..) and a bunch of other stuff, this is just off the top of my
    head. It's gotten periodic front track-arms (the ones that go bad), and the
    ball joints are all replaced or OK. Did auto-transmission filter/flush at
    around 90k miles. Transmission is smooth and no slipping. Battery is within
    the past year.
    - Brakes were done sometime in the last 10,000 miles.. all BMW parts used.
    - There are no leaks.


    About all it needs is the CVS and the VANOS seals replaced.

    The owner is a CCA member with perfectionist attitude towards maintenance and repair. He's selling it because he has too many cars(Imagine that!). I'm half tempted to buy it myself...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    touring, as in Wagon? Oh, I love those. Not sure what Boston green is, but I love the color of the one Bradd posted up higher.

    Based on this description, if it was local, I would probably be real interested. Not that much more than my Integra, and certainly something I would rather get into a long term relationship with!

    Not that I have any clue how big (or expensive) a job the CVS or VANOS seals are.

    certainly does sound like the type of car you want, if you are getting a budget BMW.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Best job ever for a car guy? Glad you're having fun!

    Passat isn't as nice as the previous one. Everyone else is improving, too.

    I liked the Optima minus the clutch (I found a unicorn, a base manual) and the visibility. I suspected the auto would be a better car.

    Is the Elantra really that good? I have the GT model with the panoramic moonroof on my short list. I need to drive one, I guess.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 17,312
    Not that I have any clue how big (or expensive) a job the CVS or VANOS seals are.

    The VANOS seals are a relatively easy DIY.

    The CCV? Not so much.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    What's your job, vehicle transport? Sounds like fun!

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

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