Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

Michaell · September 2013

Thanks - I've got some large shoes to fill, since I've effectively replaced car_man over there.

And, I'm officially turning over the mantle to you with regards to the CCBA punch list and punch guess document maintenance.

michaell
Host, Prices Paid & Buying Experiences

nyccarguy · September 2013

Congrats on the new gig!

Wow! What happened to car_man?

rayainsw · September 2013

Congrats - and enjoy!
- Ray
On the CCBA punch list ....

Michaell · September 2013

Congrats on the new gig!

Wow! What happened to car_man?

As I understand it, car_man has moved on to new opportunities and relinquished his hosting duties.

michaell
Host, Prices Paid & Buying Experiences

tifighter · September 2013

Whoa, does that mean you'll be monitoring all the lease forums? You'll be a busy guy...

Michaell · September 2013

Whoa, does that mean you'll be monitoring all the lease forums? You'll be a busy guy...

Yep .. I've been watching most of the car-related discussions for years now. Just gotta add the truck/suv/cuv makes and models.

Fortunately, I've got great help with kyfdx.

michaell
Host, Prices Paid & Buying Experiences

Kirstie_H · September 2013

Yup, car_man had a big increase in responsibilities at his day job, and decided he couldn't give forums the attention he would like to give them, so he "retired."

We're thrilled that Michaell was available and willing!

stickguy · September 2013

congrats. This mean you are out of the pizza delivery business now?

Michaell · September 2013

congrats. This mean you are out of the pizza delivery business now?

Nope .. the instant gratification of walking out after every shift with cash in hand is something that neither my wife nor I are wanting to give up.

Sonic, Starbucks, etc. :-)

Since I work from home and am on-line with Edmunds every day, it won't be hard to add the hosting responsibilities. Plus, I'll still have time on evenings I don't deliver and weekends to host as well.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2013

As someone who took the cure (reluctantly, they had to do an intervention and send me away), I am no longer eligible for the CCBA, as my recent car-buying experiences are fairly limited and tame in nature by comparison to my glory days.

But all your posts motivated me to try and remember all the cars I've owned. I'm sure I've left out some.

Once a chronic car buyer, always a chronic car buyer. I must be constantly monitored. I wear a tracking bracklet in fact. :P My only consolation is that my nephew has taken up the fallen regimental colors, and he's on a tear to exceed my lifetime achievements.

From the No-Longer Hoarded Shiftright Collection

These are in no particular chronological order.

41 Oldsmobile (hydramatic!)
1955 Studebaker President 2D HT
51 Studebaker coupe
63 Buick Riviera
57 Morgan Plus 4
57 Jaguar XK 140 FHC
57 Jaguar XK 140 Roadster
59 Chevrolet 4D sedan
58 Ford 4D sedan
51 Mercedes 220a Cabriolet
61 Mercedes 220 Sb
56 Studebaker Golden Hawk
53 Studebaker Starliner Coupe
59 Chevy Impala convertible
49 Oldsmobile 88
71 Mercedes 280SL
Subaru FF1
53 International Pickup
63 Studebaker GT Hawk
71 Volvo 145 wagon
19?? Renault R16
1953 BMW R/67 motorcycle
55 Dodge Royal Lancer 2D HT
56 Buick 4D sedan
37 Terraplane (basket case)
49 Packard Convertible (basket case)
?? Fiat 124 convertible
?? Fiat 600 cpe
71 Honda 600 cpe
?? Honda CVCC cpe
83 Saab Turbo cpe
86 Saab Turbo convertible
?? Audi 100 LS
Yamaha 650 motorcycle
71 BMW R/75 motorcycle
?? Norton Atlas P11
Honda Trail 90
68 VW Squareback
71 Toyota Corolla
73 Dodge Dart
68 Pontiac Cpe
65 Valiant (4-speed!)
?? VW bug (early 60s)
71 VW bug
64 Cadillac DV
70 MGB
71 MGB
?? A-H Sprite
73 Mazda RX3 cpe
74 Mazda RX3 wagon (nice car!)
67 Volvo 122S
64 Volvo 544
2006 Scion xA
2003 Mini Cooper S
56 Chevy Wagon
81 Mercedes 380SL roadster
?? Morris Minor 2D coupe
69 Volvo 142
?? Saab 96 cpe
?? Saab 93 (2 stroke)
1969 Porsche 912
197? Porsche 914
1983 Porsche 928
1968 Porsche 911 (basket)
1963 Porsche 356 (basket)
1971 BMW 2002
197? BMW 3.0 CS coupe (basket)
1997 Subaru Outback wagon
1968 Triumph TR250 roadster
19?? Fiat X1/9
1966 Olds Toronado (awesome!)
1950 GMC Pickup (basket)
19?? Peugeot 504 diesel
19?? Peugeot convertible
19?? Simca Aronde
71 Chevy wagon
1985 Alfa Romeo Spider
198? Mercedes 300D diesel sedan
1988 BMW 735 sedan
1980 BMW 320i coupe
1964 Pontiac GTO 2D HT
1958 MGA
1962 Triump Herald

rayainsw · September 2013

Wow.
Wow.
'no longer eligible for the CCBA'.
I think that you should be extended some sort of
'CCBA Member Emeritus' status???
- Ray
Wow.
Piker by comparison.....

Mr_Shiftright · September 2013

No, no, you guys are operating in a much more difficult environment, with more complicated cars, probably costing more money, and with families to consider, etc.

I hit my home runs when the fences were in closer, when storage was cheap, and when a dollar was a dollar.

I was also on steroids

tifighter · September 2013

I'll go back 10 years only but will include spouse's cars. And I'll include a few bikes since Shifty did:

90 Honda Accord
91 Audi 90Q 20v
89 Audi 100 Avant
94 Isuzu Trooper
00 Honda Accord Coupe v6
02 Mazda Protege 5
00 BMW Z3
06 Subaru Forester
06 Suzuki DL650
06 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
06 Honda ST1300A
08 Honda Pilot
10 Nissan Versa
08 Acura RDX (current)
07 Mazda MX5 PRHT
13 Honda Accord (current)

With the latest addition, I seem to have come full circle.

corvette · September 2013

I'll try to keep it updated.

"...car_man had a big increase in responsibilities at his day job..."

The conspiracy theorist in me says there's some sort of secret, lucrative Edmunds forum host pension system he's cashing in on. :P He was very helpful to people in the lease forums. There are a lot of "one hit wonder" messages there, it seems like a lot of people don't come back to say thanks or at least provide feedback about what kind of deal they were offered.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2013

hey you just reminded me of another car I owned---an early 2-door Isuzu Trooper. I really like that truck. Shoulda kept it.

stickguy · September 2013

Impressive. My BIL had a Trooper II in the late 80s. I used it once. Kind of liked it.

I used to be more active, but that has come to an end more recently, mostly due to finances. Not sure what will happen when the kids are done college and moved out! I hope to move to a cheaper area with a bigger garage, that lets me have a rotating "junker" slot to feed my habit.

I do know that I had 3 in my 1 HS driving year, and I think 6? by the time I got out of college?

'67 camaro (rust bucket)
'73 Duster
'69 Nova (only one never registered)
'74 Gremlin
'75 Hornet
'75 Corolla
'75 Opel Manta (money pit)

Hmm, guess that was 7 before I even graduated and got a real job.

gouldn · September 2013

Stick: The rotating junker is a great way to do this on the cheap. One of my favorites was 1994 (bought in 2006) Ford Thunderbird LX V8 that I bought for $2250 and drove trouble free for two years and about 40k miles! I sold it for $1800 with 140k on it. The delta insurance on top of my primary was actualy negative ... it cost less to ensure both cars than just my primary (as I used the liability only Ford as the commute vehicle).

Claires · September 2013

Woop! The new tag looks good on you

qbrozen · September 2013

that's a hell of a partial list! And so many oddballs, to boot.

not 1, not 2, but 3 Studebakers.

Michaell · September 2013

Woop! The new tag looks good on you

Aw, shucks, ma'am.

I don't feel any different.

fintail · September 2013

Wow, what a list. You win

Wasn't your fintail an SE?

Mr_Shiftright · September 2013

No, c'mon, I don't "win"--this is mostly ancient history! And you know, some of these cars I just bought and flipped in a few weeks---I was quite the "curbstoner" for a while there.

Nope, my "fintail" was an Sb, twin carb, once owned by the exec officer on the submarine Nautilus---which could explain why it tended to dive when I braked hard.

Not three Studebakers, but FIVE -- 51, 53, 55, 56, 63.

The '51 Coupe was neat. It had an aluminum cylinder head and twin carbs! (not stock, obviously). How fast was it? Not very.

Cars were cheap in the 60s and 70s and through the early 80s. You could buy pretty interesting cars for mere hundreds of dollars. Or really nice ones for $3,000 to $5,000.

I'm SURE I left out some cars I had.....(thinking....thinking....)

AHA!

53 Ford 2D Sedan (hated that car)
63 Checker Marathon (no, not a taxi--loved that car)
62 Corvair Monza 2D coupe, 4-speed (t-boned by a drunk...sigh...)

maybe more will come to mind...this is fun, I never attempted this before

28firefighter · September 2013

Congrats on the new gig!

sb55 · September 2013

I am usually a lurker, and this is my list. It is roughly in order the past +/- 42 years and includes my spouse's and kid's cars. I may have missed something, but here it is:
My cars:
1964 U Chevy Pickup, white
1972 U Opel Manta, yellow
1974 N Mazda RX-4, silver
1976? U VW Sirocco, Green, then silver
1970 U Porsche 911E, silver
19xx U Ford Maverick, blue
1966? U Chevy pickup, green
1972? U Honda 600, blue
1974? U GMC pickup, red and white
1979 N Ford Mustang, Blue
1978 U Fiat Brava, yellow
1980 N Honda Prelude, silver
1964 U Porsche 356C, red
1974 VW Thing, camouflage
1980 U Mercedes 300 CD, anthracite
1984 N Honda CRX, white
1986 N Volvo 740 wagon, blue
1989 N Ford Explorer, silver
1988 N VW GTI, anthracite
1986 U Porsche 944s, white
1990 U Ford Explorer, black
1988 U Porsche 944T, black
1994 N GMC Suburban, green
1990? N Audi Coupe, red
1992 N Honda Accord wagon, maroon
1994 U Mercedes C280, anthracite
1999 U Porsche 911, silver
2002 N GMC Suburban, silver
2001 N Acura TL, gray
2002 N BMW 530i, anthracite
2003 U Mercedes SLK Amg, silver
2004 N Toyota Sequoia, green
2004 N Acura TL, silver
2004 U BMW 545i, silver
2006 N Subaru Legacy, blue
2006 U Porsche Cayenne, silver
2007 N Mazda Miata, galaxy grey
2008 N Infiniti G35x, blue
2010 N GMC Sierra, blue
2010 U BMW 535xiT, white

Mr_Shiftright · September 2013

Nice list! There are some fun vehicles in there. Oh, a camo "Thing". I'm jealous...

Lurker or not, you certainly seem to qualify for therapy in this topic.

jayrider · September 2013

I showed my wife of 44 years some of the lists of cars you folks have owned and she said " That makes all the money you have blown on cars through the years look like small change."

graphicguy · September 2013

Michaell...while I don't remember interfacing with you, congrats on the new gig...

I'm not even going to attempt to put a model year to my cars, so just the ones I've had (or just remember), in no particular order...

-Mercury Comet V8
-Plymouth Barracuda
-Ford Falcon (3 on the tree)
-Chevy Impala SS, Blazer, Tahoe
-Pontiac Grand Prix (3 of them, bought in different decades)
-Pontiac Trans Am
-Pontiac GTO covertible, 4 speed (late '60s, which I kick myself for letting an ex-spouse talk me into selling)
-Pontiac VIBE (how'd that get in there?)
-Saab 900 Turbo
-Ford Taurus
-Ford Mustang (3 of them, one of them a track car)
-MGB GT
-Datsun 240Z and a 260Z
-Mazda RX8
-Dodge Monaco (restoration project that never got off the ground)
-Toyota FX/16 (autox)
-Toyota Camry
-Honda Accord (2)
-Honda Civic
-Acura TL (2)
-BMW 3 (3)
-Audi S4

Probably others, but those are the ones that come immediately to mind...

roadburner · September 2013

No real exotics, but most all have been interesting. I tend to be attracted to cars that generate an enthusiastic or cult following(ti, 2002, Wrangler, Mazdaspeed)

Past Cars:
1974 Monte Carlo(seriously modded- really)
1969 Datsun SPL-311 Roadster
1967 Buick Riviera(bought for $5 in 1979)
1979 Plymouth Arrow GT 2.6(fast for it's day, four wheel disc brakes too!)
1972 BMW Bavaria(bought for $150 to supply parts for...)
1973 BMW Bavaria(... my first Bimmer; a rolling restoration,I even lapped the Glen with it)
1987 Merkur Scorpio(nice car, too bad about the servicing costs)
1987 BMW 535is(one of my all-time favorites)
1991 Volvo 740 Turbo(very fast brick)
1988 BMW M6(wish I'd never sold it)
1973 Ford Bronco V8(inherited from father, not for me)
1984 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe(5 spd. stick; a work beater to keep miles off the M6)
1993 Nissan Pathfinder SE(A nice truck, but the Jeep was more fun)
1998 BMW 318ti(hated to sell it, but we needed a bigger car)
1997 BMW 528i(still going strong with its third owner and over 225k miles)

Current Cars:
1975 BMW 2002A(eBay find, a fun project)
1995 BMW 318ti Club Sport(one of @400 made, a reliable and economical daily driver/track toy)
1999 Jeep Wrangler Sahara(bought for political reasons, but decided to keep it)
2004 BMW X3 2.5(long-lived and reasonably fun to drive)
2007 Mazdaspeed 3(about to get a set of Koni FSDs and perhaps a tune)
2009 BMW 328i(wife's car)

Current Bike:
1996 Triumph Speed Triple w/factory seat cowl, Alcon six-pot front calipers and Triumph/Sebring "Racing" 3-into-1 exhaust(scary fast -0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds- for my 56 year old bones)

Mr_Shiftright · September 2013

"I spent most of my money on cars, women and gambling, and the rest I just wasted"

stever · September 2013

Funny, the camo "Thing" was the first one I focused on. Gotta love a car you can field strip.

sb55 · September 2013

Of the whole list I wish I still had the Thing, the 1st 2 Porsches and the E39 BMW. I got nostalgic for another Thing and have been looking. They are still out there and fairly pricey:( Who knew they would be collectable when I sold it. I think that I bought and sold it for the mid 2k's in the mid 80's

Mr_Shiftright · September 2013

Here's one that looks fairly decent for $6800. Probably you could get it for 6.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/4024532536.html

jayrider · September 2013

Those Things are probably 10% better in a crash than a motorcycle.

stickguy · September 2013

well, browsing.

decided to take the son's TL in to the dealer today for an oil change. while we were at the complex, did some browsing. Even took an ILX for a ride, and liked it a lot. I think that might be the winner if we do end up getting something new.

wandered over to look at a new Corolla too. Could not sit in one (for some reason, none in the showroom) but saw one outside. Basically looked like a Corolla, with a goofy avalonish grille, and the dash out of a camry. Not at all impressed. I am sure they will sell a bazillion.

28firefighter · September 2013

The GLI I was looking at was sold - snooze you lose, I guess.

In the meantime, I drove a 2014 Mazda 6i Grand Touring - WOW - they did a great job with that. Soft touch plastic everywhere, tight interior with no rattles, quiet on the highway (impressive for a car with 19" wheels). The SkyActiv 2.5 Cylinder 4 is not a speed demon by any stretch, but still has impressive power for a car with 184 horsepower. The Grand Touring I drove comes with basically everything - Xenon, Nav, Bose, Roof, LED Daytime Running Lights, Rearview camera etc.

It definitely did not drive like a full size japanese sedan - it felt tighter and more put together than the GLI I was looking at. Similarly, I had driven a G37x because of the leases they were doing for $25 more a month. The G37x had a great engine but a mediocre transmission and an interior full of hard plastic -- I think the Mazda6 actually bests the G37 in terms of overall feel, but loses in terms of raw power. No surprise given the G37 has 328hp and the Mazda6 184hp.

Dealer is coming in at at $285/month (including 9.8% Seattle Tax) with 0 due at signing on a 36 month/10k mile a year lease -- really not bad at all, and I think I have some room to push on it. Strongly considering.

stickguy · September 2013

not a bad deal on that. Cheaper than the ILX I looked at today, and even better equipped. If I get serious on leasing something, might have to take a look.

Since you were looking at a GLI, did you look at the 2014 Mazda 3 while you were there? Almost stopped today to look at one, but did not have a chance.

nyccarguy · September 2013

The ILX you drove was a stick or automatic?

Sandman6472 · September 2013

Took the kid's Versa in for the same thing this morning and turns out she needed a new battery and since I had a $25 coupon they had sent me, glad I could use it. They said she also needed her rear brakes adjusted and an induction service but declined both at this time. Will do the brakes with her next oil change though. Both of the girls bring their vehicles to me, heck all 3 of the women here do, but I'd rather they all do. This way I know things are done on time.
I like the ILX myself but not sure I'd buy what is basically a Honda Civic which needs premium for an inflated price but since I haven't driven one yet, I can't really comment on how much better it would be. Just seems like there are better vehicles in the $26k price point. We are just more comfortable with vehicles down around that $20k price point. Time will tell and after speaking with the wife earlier today, seems that her Mazda will be sticking around for the forseeable future...she just is adamant about keeping it at least another year at least. I realize now that I'll just have to get the a/c fixed when it breaks completely and just hope it happens in the cooler months as she knows that she'll be driving it with no air until it gets fixed once it does crap out completely as I ain't giving her mine! I'd rather fix it now and be done with it but she's a tough cookie to break. Even after sending her that quote from in here about the system getting contaminated, she still won't let me take it now. Her choice!

The Sandman

28firefighter · September 2013

I sat in a 2014 Mazda 3 Touring Hatchback - it was really very nice, but smaller than the GLI -- or rather, it felt smaller.

Mazda is really stepping it up. Neither the new Mazda3 nor the Mazda6 look or feel at all like my Wife's 2011 Mazda3 s Sport, which comparatively speaking, feels like a tin can.

I would certainly look at the Mazda over an ILX.

Sandman6472 · September 2013

Saw one in red today and it is a real looker, probably one of the nicer looking mid sizers out there today! I haven't seen any in the rental fleets of Hertz and Dollar/Thrifty yet but it is a bit early yet...I suspect they will be showing up there in the next couple of months. Our Mazda has held up very well in the 8 + years that we've owned one and it still drives pretty much like new since we fixed a few things up on it recently!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

Michaell · September 2013

Finally!

A few weeks ago I posted about my best friend's sister needing to buy a new car, as her 10 year old Mazda Protege with 220K miles finally gave up the ghost.

Since then, I've been in constant contact with both of them regarding choices and opinions about various cars.

Given the great incentives on the 2013 Mazda 3, I really thought that was the direction she was going to go. Spent most of Labor Day weekend in discussions with several dealers in the greater LA area. She wanted a 3 i sedan grand touring with tech package. She just couldn't get the price and color she wanted, so she passed.

Today I get pinged about a 2011 Camry XLE V6, loaded to the gills, including nav & backup camera. 22K miles, priced at $21,800 (marked down from $23,800). The 21.8 is a grand under Edmunds TMV for the area, so I told them it was a good price.

Dealer threw in a 7/100 powertrain warranty for that price as well. They were negotiating on a 7/100 bumper to bumper warranty, and got the price down from $2495 to $995, but she ultimately decided to pass.

I know the dealer fees are capped in CA, but the sales tax is quite high. I also seem to remember that the dealer can add in the DMV fees to get the plates switched over.

All in, I think the total was somewhere in the neighborhood of $24K. She seems happy with her purchase, which should last her another 10 years.

stickguy · September 2013

the ILX was very nice. and no, it is NOT a Civic. much more upscale interior and features, quieter, etc. Better looking too. It is about as much of a Civic as the Audi A4 is a Golf.

I thought the same thing about the RDX vs. the CRV, and they are not going to be confused with each other!

I also would not be likely to buy one (certainly not new). That would be something considered if we decide to do a lease deal just 1 time.

Sandman6472 · September 2013

Have mentioned to the wife to just get another 3 since she likes hers so much and be done with it. I really wouldn't care and probably could get one with her trade for about $16k and change. Am hoping I can get her to do this come December or January and just be done with it already! I don't like it when something in any of our vehicles ain't working correctly...and I hate to throw anymore $ into her '05 as I have mentioned a few times! Sometimes it's just best to cash one's chips in and leave the table before one spends all their chips! I think this time she'd go for the "i" version since she doesn't really need a 2.5 engine for her commute...rather save a few bucks for down the road. And if she gets a 2014, we'd be set for another couple of years since I plan to wait til 2016 or 2017 before I trade the Civic at this point.

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · September 2013

I do plan on trying one in the near future just to see for myself and like you, I also like the looks of it to. And one never knows what the prices will be on one's coming off lease in a year or two. Who knows, since I like the Verano so much, I could also end up with one of these down the road. And since I've never considered a lease, it might be something to look into as a 1 time thing to get a more expensive vehicle than I normally would get. I must admit that I am a bit tired of the econocars I've always driven and would like that extra "lux" in my next one. Just depends if I could live with a monthly payment and then walk away with no wheels to show after a few years...that would be the harder part, walking away with nothing in the garage! But if I would ever do such a thing, this next vehicle would be the time to splurge and do it. I know the wife would be totally against it but since I've gone back to work on a part time basis, there is that extra income that I have every couple of weeks that could be put down on a lease. And the idea of not cashing out an investment of $20k is something to consider especially if I could find a lease with 0 down...just 1st month payment. It's the turn in fees that would make me a bit nervous and the wear and tear issues to consider.

The Sandman

stickguy · September 2013

I normally would not lease. I am only considering it at this point (or more likely, next summer) due to unique circumstances (and cash flow considerations). But not to get a more expensive car per se.

Also, you can run regular in the ILX. It may say recommended, but there is no real reason to. it is not different really than the RUG Honda. I even asked the salesguy, who bought one last year and said he has always put regular in it!

crkyolfrt · September 2013

Using 87 in it will throw the EPA rating outta whack. Engine mgmt will retard the timing to compensate. A math equation should be done testing both to see if the numbers work out in the end. Further, it will not feel quite as sprightly on the 87. Probably not a real noticeable difference, but it'll be there to any sensitive driver.

Depending on the premium to purchase if it was a LOT quieter than a Civic, I'd be tempted.

I am so done with road roar..My car though simply has nothing wrong with it. Not a single thing. Hard to justify dumping it.

breld · September 2013

If I hadn't just bought that 'vert, this would be tempting, just for its relatively rare nature and low miles.

ZHP Sedan Manual

breld · September 2013

Sounds like a pretty good lease deal for a Mazda6 GT. That's a great car - I'd be very interested to hear your impressions if you end up with one.

Also very intrigued with the new Mazda3 - new car mags came in the mail today and they have official reviews of it. Looking forward to reading them and checking out the car at some point.

Michaell · September 2013

breld, my brother-in-law has a ZHP in those colors, except his is a slushbox.

I think his is pushing 100K now.

But, I do like the low miles.

nyccarguy · September 2013

I agree with you stick (acuraguy), Acuras may be Hondas underneath, but they do a great job at differentiating the Acura from its platform twin. When I was shopping back in August 2009 & it looked like I wasn't going to get the TSX, I went for a test drive of an Accord EX-L V6 w/ Navigation. It was "nice," but I didn't love it. The Acura had sportier suspension bits, a much more driver focused interior, handled better, über comfy and supportive seats, nicer interior materials, Paddle Shifters & Sport mode automatic transmission, plus the Accord was being sold "at sticker" because of "cash for clunkers." That tipped the price delta in favor of the Acura for me. Now if I could've gotten the Accord for its normal invoice selling price along with my $3500 cash for clunkers trade, then I'd have snapped up the Accord in a heartbeat.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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