Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Sandman6472 · April 2013

In two days, we've moved 346 vehicles with 11 folks each time...we were doing two trips/hour today which ain't bad. The key is to have the vehicles lined up and waiting for us when we enter the airports rental parking. All we need to do is get in them, give the 1st driver the paperwork, and we're out the door. Even having periods of heavy rain today didn't slow us up too much as by the 3rd run, it gets to be pretty easy. My body gets tired of climbing in and out of the chase 12 pack but the other seniors are having the same problems...we're just not that nimble anymore. But I don't make it a point of sitting up front as hate to be given any special treatment due to my injury. I work and do what the rest of them do...just at a slightly slower rate. I want my crew chief to see that I can keep up so he'll keep me in the rotation so I can work. Told him I'm basically free for the next few months as we're planning a trip to Key West in July or August but during the week, possibly on a Tuesday through Thursday. We want to walk around the city and I especially want to get some pool/beach time in as I love to lounge by the water. But I am ready, willing & able to work until then. We shall see!

Still prefer doing a longer road trip where I can sit for three to five hours and just put the cruise on and listen to some tunes...the ultimate orgasm that doesn't include sex...lol! (Can I really say this in here?)

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

roadburner · April 2013

Well, the 33k mile 2008 135i Sport I found is no longer a player. A friend of mine ran the service history. While it is now "stock", at one time it was heavily modified(can you say methanol injection?)- so you can rest assured that while the miles may have been low, they were not in the least bit easy...

nyccarguy · April 2013

How'd be figure that out)

rae52 · April 2013

Hi Sandman,
Since I love to drive different cars all the time (such as yourself) how do I get a job doing what you do? I'm retired and don't live very far from you.

Thanks, Richard

qbrozen · April 2013

you ever figure out what was up with the climate control on that car? I've never seen another like that.

roadburner · April 2013

The car came into a BMW dealership's service department with all the mods still on it, and the info was duly entered into the car's service history- which my friend can access. As for the HVAC- your guess is as good as mine...

steine13 · April 2013

>> the one they have on display is $296,000, which isn't bad considering what you're getting.

For 300 large I'm getting...
.. a pretty car.

Just making sure we're all on the same page here :shades:

Cheers -Mathias

mark156 · April 2013

Actually, it's hard to find a RR Ghost for under $300K MSRP. I did see a new 2012 in California and it was about $296,000 list price. It didn't have the pano sunroof ($?) or the 'RR' stitching in the headrests which is a $1,500 option. I've also seen other Ghost's with sunroofs just under $300K so I'm not sure what options are missing. Most others are $335,000+. :confuse:

MM.

abacomike · May 2013

Actually, it's hard to find a RR Ghost for under $300K MSRP. I did see a new 2012 in California and it was about $296,000 list price. It didn't have the pano sunroof ($?) or the 'RR' stitching in the headrests which is a $1,500 option. I've also seen other Ghost's with sunroofs just under $300K so I'm not sure what options are missing. Most others are $335,000+.

The one they have on display had standard wheels (awful looking for a $300,000+) vehicle and the interior leather seemed rather plain. It's a diamond white with very light beige leather interior. But those wheels were so bland looking. I think that's where some $8000-$10,000 were missing. :mad:

tjc78 · May 2013

'RR' stitching in the headrests which is a $1,500 option

I just can't help but laugh at that. I'd love to know the profit margin on that option. :surprise:

ateixeira · May 2013

Do any of the cars you drive have Nav? I doubt it, but thought I'd ask.

I like the CNET reviews to get a feel for that stuff. Unfortunately, both the Accord and the Altima they tested were not so equipped.

They love Kia's system, saying it's the most responsive. Doesn't hurt to be flash memory powered rather than a spinning hard drive. UVO may be the only Microsoft powered system that leads its class.

Cooley said the Cadenza's system was perhaps the best he's ever sampled.

I may get more tech in my next car so I'm curious to compare the various systems. Accord has 2 screens, one touch and one big 8" map.

Nissan has a 7" touch screen. Other models got good reviews, FWIW.

Chrysler has a decent system, my dad has that, big screen, not wide format, though.

Ford I hear lots of complaints about.

VW is behind but Audi's system can be awesome, they're just in a different price class.

I've sampled BMW and Mercedes. BMW had the bigger screen, but the Benz was sharper and easier to read.

The Elantra GT had a really nice system, particularly for its price class. You can e-mail addresses to your car, unlock it, even honk the horn and flash the lights from a smart phone. Would be funny to play with.

ateixeira · May 2013

It costs $1500 because they had to build a time machine and bring Betsy Ross back from the past to sew it with her own bare hands.

Worth it.

tjc78 · May 2013

I've used Hyundai, GM, and Nissan's Nav systems. IMO they all aren't that great.

GM's greatly improved from the 08ish Denali I drove compared to my 12 LaCrosse. Nissan's drove me nuts in a 2011 Altima.

The 09 Genesis was OK, but I didn't like the controller (would rather have a TS) and so I didn't get my Genesis w/ Nav.

Overall, I love integrated NAV because of all the other goodies it includes and how the whole system is tied together, but Google Maps GPS on a smartphone blows any OEM system I've tried away.

ateixeira · May 2013

They're updated regularly, so I think some of the ones you mentioned have changed even since then.

What's nice is that this used to be a $2200 option. Now it's more like $1000, and even included on some high end models.

I believe the 2013 Altima's was updated, and it's only $590 on the SV. Seems like it would be a shame not to get it for that little.

mark156 · May 2013

It's hard for me to imagine that someone would buy a RR Ghost not really completely loaded. Why? What's another $30,000?? ... when you are buying a car of that caliber?

I want the 'RR' in the headrests! LOL! I want the picnic tables and auto opening rear doors, wool carpets and the whole ball of wax!

M156

abacomike · May 2013

It's hard for me to imagine that someone would buy a RR Ghost not really completely loaded. Why? What's another $30,000?? ... when you are buying a car of that caliber?

Remember, mark, there are always those who are "wannabes" but can't because of financial constraints. To those people, $40,000+ is a lot of money.

I went back to look at the displayed car in their showroom, and they had one there with only $5000 in total options - under $270,000. It was uglier than my new Benz, but to some people, it's like buying the cheapest house in a community - you have the address, but only 1-1/2 bathrooms, if you get my gist.

tjc78 · May 2013

It's hard for me to imagine that someone would buy a RR Ghost not really completely loaded. Why? What's another $30,000?? ... when you are buying a car of that caliber?

I think the options are there more or less to make the car unique to each buyer. I don't think someone who can truly afford a RR wants theirs to be a clone of someone elses.

I do certainly agree on your thinking. If you dropping 300k what's another 10% more? It's like stepping up to an Accord EX from an LX. :shades:

crkyolfrt · May 2013

it's like buying the cheapest house in a community - you have the address, but only 1-1/2 bathrooms

Well they do say location location..

My home only has 1 bathroom. It's been handling duties admirably for 25 years.
Although there are times I would have liked an extra 1/2. But to some an extra half is a lot of money.

I'm so outta my element on this board :sick:

I used to watch it a couple years ago and between one thing or the other, felt I didn't belong here. Maybe I came back to see if sandman finally bought himself a new car, as he was shopping with the same level of enthusiasm back then, lol
Some things never change...

At least my wheels has a picnic table though..after all, this is what is important in life..although its full time duty is to merely be a trunk floor.. :sick:

(yes, I am aware that Rolls Royce's idea of a picnic table probably differs from Honda's :sick: )

Sandman, JUST DO IT! You HAVE the money! When I come back in a couple of years I wanna see you have bought yourself a brand spankin' new C Class. Get the full-tilt boogie, man. You're here now and healthy. Who knows what tomorrow brings.. and remember, few cars do seats as well as MB (and BMW, although I don't see you in a BMW given your comments about the Chrysler 200).

ateixeira · May 2013

Went to dinner at the new Brio in Rockville yesterday, it's in a new complex that also has a Whole Foods and another upscale restaurant.

Saw a RR sedan parked right out front. Love those suicide style doors.

Behind it was a new Benz GL, behind that a 3 series convertible.

Funny thing is none of them used the valet parking. They were all in 15 minute parking spots for a whole lot more than 15 minutes, too. No tickets.

Love the food there but service was ssslloooooooow and the valets took a while too, so I doubt we'd go again.

imidazol97 · May 2013

>Love the food there but service was ssslloooooooow

Unless the restaurant was at capacity and that explains the slow service, call the headquarters here in Columbus (Goodale St) and comment. Or your order slip may have the website for comments.

We love Brio. We have one here in the Dayton region and also go to one i Columbus with our son at OSU when we have special occasions.

mark156 · May 2013

The dealership that came to our town for the little 'trunk' show said that they only buy black or white to keep in stock for the big sedans (RR or Bentley).

I went to the Bentley website to look at the color choices for the Muslanne. I counted 146 colors and some were not attractive at all. I really like the 'Ghost white pearlescent metallic' that we have on the GTC with Linen leather.

I always think of resale value when buying color but having a unique vehicle is nice too. I have some friends that ordered a new 2000 RR Corniche in Navy Blue with bright Burgundy leather. He ordered a new Phantom in the same color.... the combo is just not that attractive.

There is more to the story so I'll bore you guys just for a few more minutes. My friend decided he wanted a four door Phantom convertible which is not built or offered by RR. He went over to England and they said they would highly recommend NOT converting one for structural reasons.

So, my friend bought a new 2004 RR Phantom, sent it to the east coast for transformation. The guy doing the work went bankrupt after cutting the top off. So the car sat for a while. My friend had another guy continue the project, worked on it for over a year and when the car was shipped back to California for the interior to be installed, RR said there is no way the car was road worthy.

Being a glutton for punishment, my friend was determined to continue the project and found another company on the east coast to work on the car. This new guy said he had to 'undo' everything that was done to the car as he wouldn't put his name on it or warranty it. Three years later (this past November) the car is done and is road worthy. It's the only 4 door Phantom with a completely working automatic top. There was one Phantom where the top was removed but could only be driven on sunny days.

The car took 8 yrs. to complete and cost (including the car) around 2 million dollars (car was $340,000 new). So, he got his 8 yr. old car that had 75 miles on the odometer and is happy with it. All of the side windows had to be redesign and the inside of the doors rebuilt to accomadate a larger window. The B pillar was removed so the glass needed to touch the front door window when raised.

Originally, the top was supposed to sit in a boot but the gas tank was in the way. The first guy cut the gas tank in two pieces to make room. When the final guy got it, he said that the top would need to sit on the back like the old style Corniches. A new gas tank was ordered and reinstalled. The original guy lost a few pieces to the car (including the whole back seat) that had to be reordered. The tires dry rotted during that time so new tires all around too.

Personally, I like factory built units, no fancy custom jobs for me!

M156

rayainsw · May 2013

Wow - just wow...
- Ray
Cannot imagine such an amazing 'job'.......

ateixeira · May 2013

It was full, which is strange for a Wed night. They were understaffed. Maybe since it's new they haven't worked out the kinks. The one at Tysons is better for service.

Don't get me wrong, though, the food was great. Their marinara sauce is the best. Every sauce they make is excellent.

Good enough for the Rolls owner. :shades:

stever · May 2013

I understand the reliability and maintenance concerns, but y'all wouldn't hold on to one long anyway.

There should be plenty of late model ones available.

Seven Cars Most Likely to Be Dumped (247wallst.com)

ateixeira · May 2013

Funny about the tires...

I've replaced tires with plenty of tread left that were simply too old.

ateixeira · May 2013

Not too many surprises on that list.

The top ones are all cheap/small cars. You either outgrow them, or can afford something nicer, and trade up.

For Land Rover most people probably own it until the day before the warranty expires.

For Porsche it is until your wife catches you cheating, and her lawyer sues you for all you're worth and you lose the car in a court battle.

qbrozen · May 2013

Oh, believe me, 911s are always on my list, but the ones I could afford have the IMS bearing issue, and that's just not something I'm willing to knowingly get myself into.

nyccarguy · May 2013

Even regular maintenance on Porsches is killer. Forget if you have a major problem like the IMS bearing. My Mom has a 2011 Cayenne V6 (bought on 1/1/11). She's got close to 50K miles on it and it is at the dealer right now for and oil & filter change, brake fluid drain/fill, new spark plugs, front pads & rotors, rear pads & rotors.

tjc78 · May 2013

Sounds like every bit of $2000.

Sandman6472 · May 2013

Gonna keep the '06 Civic for 10 years so think I'll be purchasing in either 2016 or 2017 unless my boy takes possession earlier which is a distinct possibility now as he really wants a vehicle in Milwaukee. Figuring if he doesn't, I'd purchase something for $25k plus the Civic so we'll see what happens. And yes, I have a real automobile passion and I guess it shows!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

stickguy · May 2013

sandy, I was reading the new issue of motor Trend today, and they have a write-up on the new MB CLA. Made me want one. And sounds like something you probably would like, though not sure if the H point is quite high enough.

abacomike · May 2013

sandy, I was reading the new issue of motor Trend today, and they have a write-up on the new MB CLA. Made me want one. And sounds like something you probably would like, though not sure if the H point is quite high enough.

They advertise a price below $30,000, but that doesn't include $925 for transportation. By the time you add an option or two, you are at $35,000+, which is where the C Class used to be with a few options.

If Sandy is really interested, he knows I get MB's for great pricing and he lives 10 minutes from me.

Sandman6472 · May 2013

I do know this and will keep it in mind but don't think it's ever gonna happen. Probably will stay with a small ute that I can just slide over into when all is said and done as it's the most practical and logical thing for me to do. Initially I know I'd love the Benz but probably would have a tremendous case of buyers remorse soon afterwards as spending anything over $25k would make me uncomfortable and not sure if a cpo or off lease unit is the way to go. Driving rentals now for a living, I see what folks leave inside afterwards and can just imagine how poorly they treat these vehicles. With a new vehicle, I am always so careful about the break in procedures that I'm sure renters would give a rat's [non-permissible content removed] about when they get a brand new rental. I know back in '04 when I got a brand spanking new Chevy Impala LTZ, I was very careful braking and accelerating but I treated it as it was my own new car. Others I'm speculating wouldn't be as careful.

Luckily, I still have a few years to decide what I plan to do. Today, I was speaking with a co-worker who's also a car nut like us all in here and we reasoned that buying $10k beaters isn't such a bad thing after all as one could flip it every so often when boredom sets in and a new toy is desired. Sure this can be a risky proposition but can be fun at the same time...just look at Anony and Gee and the great vehicles they get to play with. It would just mean that I would have to settle for a ho hum sound system as I usually add an amp and new speakers to mine after a few months as I like my tunes loud with as much power as I can afford. Still am wavering with replacing the stock head unit in the Civic but I just can not commit yet to the cost they've quoted me. My fear is it won't give me the sound bump and quality that I am looking for. Sure, the aux and usb inputs are great and having Bluetooth would be wonderful but I do have cd's and can wait to pull over to make a call or text...this is just a want and not a need. So I sit on the sidelines, still, and weigh my options...is the cost worth the added satisfaction that I could get and altering the dash isn't something I'm too keen on. And also once I sell, it all has to be uninstalled again, another added cost.

Decisions, decisions! So in the meantime, I wait and ponder the choices before me! :confuse:

The Sandman :confuse: :sick: :shades:

Sandman6472 · May 2013

Did more lot to lot today with even more scheduled for the a m...moving those 300+ vehicles that we moved this past week back to where they came from and some to outer offices in the Ft. Lauderdale/Pompano Beach area. As I saw today, many of these outer stations are low on vehicle inventory and need to be increased. We have the vehicles sitting in 2 out parcels and it is our job to get them to the desired locations. Some are 10 minutes away while others are up to an hour away, just depends on who needs what. And since tomorrow is Saturday, it should be an easier day as there should be less vehicles on the road near the airport area, a big plus with I-95 being less congested since we use it all the time, like 90% of our time is spent dodging traffic. We start at 9, too late in my opinion as 6 a m would've been the better time to start. I did suggest this time but was immediately shot down by the rest of the crew who prefer a later start. Since I'm up very early, learned from my postal service days, I'd rather get going so we can quit that much earlier...working to 7 or 8 is just not my cup of tea. But the others didn't like my idea too much!

Whatever, I just would like to work more and make the $ while I am still able to and can still get around...eventually I'm going to need a walker full time and I couldn't do this job that way. So need to get going while I still can!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail · May 2013

I got an Impala with 4 miles on it at ATL a couple years ago. I was gentle with it, esp for the first couple hundred miles. I suspect most renters would thrash it on purpose. I am kind of meticulous, and return the cars cleaner than when I picked them up.

On the first night I had the car, it got hit and ran in the hotel parking lot :sick: - rental agent didn't seem to care though, and they never filed a claim.

Regarding new cars, remember what the youngsters say - YOLO :shades:

Sandman6472 · May 2013

YOLO? Sorry, don't get it, I was never the sharpest knife in the drawer...lol!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail · May 2013

"you only live once"

- it's a terrible cliche lately.

stever · May 2013

I had a rental Impala recently, newish but not brand new by any means. Got on the freeway and stuck my foot into it immediately.

tjc78 · May 2013

I drive rentals the same way I drive my personal cars....like I stole them

FWIW full throttle acceleration isn't necessarily a bad thing for new cars. Sustained speeds should be avoided for the first couple hundred miles.

stever · May 2013

And that's probably why you don't hear any more complaints from buyers of used rental cars than other used cars. Renters ignoring potholes and curbs are probably a bigger issue. But ordinarily I'm a go with the flow kind of driver; rentals do call my inner Andretti out for some reason.

kyfdx · May 2013

Finally got the X3, today... Seller had to payoff the lien and wait 10-20 days (!!) for release of lien letter from the bank, to get clear title...

Looks great.. lots of toys... wife loves it...

rayainsw · May 2013

Congrats!
Details coming ...?
- Ray
Still 3 or 4 months from a punch, at least...

kyfdx · May 2013

Oh... I probably gave those details about a month ago.. don't you check in here, every day?

Just kidding.. .here we go..

2011 X3 2.8 (inline-6, auto, AWD)
28K miles
Bluewater over black leather (silvery blue)
Premium Package (leather, pano roof, homelink, auto dimming mirrors, etc)
Cold Weather Package (heated front/rear seats, heated steering wheel, headlight washers)
Technology Package (NAV, top-view and backup cams, PDC, bluetooth)
Xenons

It's very nice..

abacomike · May 2013

Oh... I probably gave those details about a month ago.. don't you check in here, every day?

kyfdx, congrats on the new addition. From the details, sounds like a nicely loaded Bimmer! Many years of happiness with the new arrival.

rayainsw · May 2013

' don't you check in here, every day?'
Most days, when not traveling...
Just a poor memory!
Enjoy the BMW !
- Ray
Similar miles on my 3 ....

kyfdx · May 2013

It's a nice car, but it is for the wife. I get to drive her current Infiniti until the lease is up in 18 months. My 3-series is going to my son, until the Infiniti lease is up.

steine13 · May 2013

>> Many years of happiness with the new arrival.

Mike, I know you're new to CCBA, so I'm going to go easy on ya...
.. but around here, that kind of comment can get you sent to your room!

Many years my foot...
:shades:

Cheers -Mathias

roadburner · May 2013

Congrats!!!

abacomike · May 2013

Many years my foot...

Thanks - both for the good wishes and for going easy on me!

Sandman6472 · May 2013

All those rentals we moved last week, we cleared them all out between last night and today and it took all 3 teams. And guess what, tomorrow we start bringing different vehicles back there...it's a crazy cycle! The airport was crazy today with cruise ships returning in the early morning and folks needing vehicles...every time we brought vehicles to a location, they were gone within the hour! Crazy really but tomorrow more cruise ships come in so they'll need more vehicles. The logistics of this stuff is mind blowing and they know which vehicles are needed and where...so we move 'em. Then there are those that need to go to the shop so we take 'em there and return with fixed cars. Haven't done a long distance trip in a few weeks and really miss them but have been told that this is normal and they won't kick in until the end of may or early June.

Today was extremely tough on my poor spine and I was limping and just didn't have the energy. By the end of the day, other crew members were helping me in and out of the chase vehicle as it's a high life to get into them, the boss even asked me if I needed to sit a few runs out but I declined and asked to be treated like everyone else...no special treatment please. His heart was in the right place but I don't want to show any weakness at this time even though it's a bit rough doing lot to lot. Some of the older guys don't do it because it is tough on the body. I am pushing myself a bit much but am off Monday so I can rest.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

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