Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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Yeah, the paint looks like it'll shine up just fine. I wet my fingers and rubbed at a spot on the hood and the decklid, and once the oxydization came off, the paint underneath still looked deep, with plenty of lustre.
As for fuel economy, I'm sure it's going to guzzle just like my other '79 NYer. But it didn't seem to do too bad coming back from PA. It had just over a half-tank when we started it up on Saturday. Between test driving, goofing around up there, bringing it home, and driving it a bit down here, I've probably put at least 150 miles on it. But now the gas gauge is down to a little over a quarter-tank. These things have 21 gallon tanks, so on the surface that sounds like it would be pretty economical. But I have yet to see a gas gauge that's actually linear, in true correlation to what's actually in the tank! I've been able to get my other '79 down into the single digits, and never broke 14-15 on the highway, so I'm not expecting this "new" one to do any better. About the only real difference I can think of between the two is the tires. My 5th Ave has 235/70/R15 Firestone Firehawks that are pretty grippy (and pretty worn-down), and mounted on 15x7 copcar rims. This new one just has generic big-car whitewall tires, a 225/75/R15, and they look like they're mounted on narrower rims, like maybe a 6" rim? I wonder how much of a friction/resistance difference there might be between the tires?
I would like to put myself up for adoption - and I would like a MazdaSpeed6, Civic SI or Subaru WRX.
Thanks :P
Except akangl, who is still looking at your post and scratching her blond head, wondering what alleged problem you're talking about
Easy there buddy, lol. There's other addictions in my life besides just cars, that's why I own 4 horses, 6 saddles, and who knows how much other junk that's cluttering up my tack room. I think buying cars is cheaper than the horse addiction! :sick:
I know there's a Nav board on edmunds but not much activity there recently, & I remember some discussion about this here at one point.......
TIA!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I realize the new iPhone will have Google Maps built in, but it won't provide turn-by-turn navigation like some of the Verizon phones... Got to leave something for the second edition, I guess!
I've been lurking the past few weeks--I see akangl is looking again!
I have heard, and it's only a rumour, that version 2.0 will allow the user to make telephone calls.
Mark156
Nice! Looks bigger than my previous house!
I forgot to put another view showing the dining table. It will expand to seat four people.
Here is the exterior again.
Mark
We also looked at the Altima, he liked that a lot, was very comfortable. However, the hard seats got to my back with an extended test drive. So, slid back into the Durango, realized how comfy the seats were and said heck with it.
I still miss my Titan.......... :sick:
When you fold the extendable sides in, does it push all the furniture into the middle, or do you have to move all the chairs before you can slim down the RV. How does that work?
Do you know what I'm trying to ask?
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I just make sure everything is out of the way. As you can see in the picture, there is not a lot of stuff in there as I have it parked in an RV park for storage while I go to Europe.
The sofa sticks out a little more than most units because there is a credenza behind the sofa. Inside the credenza is a flat panel TV that electrically lowers for outside entertainment. There is a DVD player in one of the exterior compartments for that TV.
Mark156
I am taking them on their first camping trip this summer in a tent. A friend offered his pop up but I did not want to go thru the trouble and expense of adding a hitch for one weekend. I want to see how they like true camping first before I spoil them anyway.
First of all, my wife and I recently completed the adoption of our two children. They had been in our home as foster children since April of 2004. The funny thing is that it took less time in court to finalize the adoption than it does to buy a new vehicle. However, the paperwork just keeps coming.
Anyway, since I last posted here we've had major changes in the automotive scene at our house. In January we traded the Passat for an Odyssey EX-L with RES. I used to be adamantly opposed to having a minivan, but now that we have one, I'm hooked. How does anyone live without one? The Ody is silky-smooth, whisper quiet, and Beth loves it.
Trade #2 for 2007 came last month. With rising gas prices, I decided to trade the F-150 SuperCrew for an 07 Civic. I was in really good shape on the truck so I paid no money down and lowered my monthly payment by $100. I also cut my fuel costs by more than half. I kinda wish I'd have gone with the Si, but I didn't want another black interior, and Beth loathes driving a stick, so I got the EX in Tango Red Pearl. With gas at over $3 a gallon Beth has been driving the car a lot more, and I've been driving...
Vehicle #3. After trading the truck I needed something to knock around in, pull a small utility trailer, go get gas for the mower, haul the kids to ballgames, etc. I found a 1994 Explorer XLT with 120,000 miles on it. Super clean, leather interior, quite a few dings in the paint but nothing major, and I was able to get it at a reasonable price. A/C had been reworked about 2 years ago and it has brand new tires and shocks. A friend of mine fixed the rear power windows for me, and I put a new stereo head-unit in it. So far it's doing great, but time will tell.
Anyway, three vehicles in less than five months is a new record for me.
Yall have a great day!
We were anit-minivan too, but couldn't live without it now either. I loved our 4Runner, but three infant seats barely fit in it so although I fought hard, it's one of the best decisions we made!
And lilengineerboy, I test drove a Civic SI when I was shopping for the Civic. What a blast! Also, do you have a shorter nickname we can use here? It takes forever to type lil....
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
LEB
It was my nickname from my first job out of college, somehow it stuck with me.
Yeah, I dug on the Civic SI, liked the exhaust note and the power but I am not so sure I am liking the revs to get to the power. I am used to it somewhat, I have done HPDEs in an ITR, regular GSRs and previous Civic SIs. On a track its easy to keep the revs up, on the street its a little more challenging.
I am also looking at the Speed6 (my first choice but I cant afford it) and the WRX (lacks the refinement of the Honda, but the turbo is a hoot, I like AWD, and the aftermarket has already embraced it). I think in reality, I am going to end up with a Civic LX/EX or Mazda3/Focus ST.
I think the anti-minivan sediment is funny. I would definitely rather have a minivan than a station wagon on stilts (SUV). Of course, I would rather have a regular station wagon than a minivan so we have an awd/5spd wagon.
What about the rest of you? Can anybody beat $49? And I'm talking about a legit purchase, not a you can have it if you'll just get it out of my yard kind of deal.
And congrats Andre on your $500 NY.
I took a little Saturn Coupe with a manual tranny and the better DOHC 4 cylinder in trade about 8 months ago. I only put 25 dollars on it and was planning to buy it but at the last minute changed my mind. They did trade it in but it just went away to junker heaven.
Now I really wish I had bought it as I kind of need a little beater/junker/rat.
$500 of debugging later (new radiator, new t-stat, new exhaust, new battery, replacing every bulb on the entire car...even the dome lamp) that car was phenomenal. 40+ MPG on a 40 mile commute down 23 to Toledo every day for 2 years.
Nothing wrong with missing vehicles you've sold, either. You can't hang on to every car, esp. if they're trouble-prone. Missing cars you've loved & sold is "just part of the experience".
P.S. What's really wrong with the Durango, once the suspension is fixed? Maybe it's still just some buyer's remorse/seller's remorse, ?????
I'm starting to get that impression. Heck, I spent $400 on my Valentine One radar detector, I guess I can spend $400 on a GPS device. Altho the windshield may get crowded.
I was originally gonna get a $100 portable GPS unit just to check out altitude or elevation whilst house-hunting in coastal areas.....but I've spent too much time lost in unfamilar areas not to get something more sophisticated.....
He's only 6', but for some reason if a car's seat/center console are in a certain position he's too uncomfortable to drive it. Its HARD to find something that he's comfy in, if his leg hits up against the center console its a no go, he'll be miserable in a matter of minutes. It bothers the heck out of his back.
Unfortunatly the only car we found that was comfortable for him was the Altima, but after an extended test drive my back said NO WAY!
The Durango is a comfy beast, the seats are great, can drive it for 12 hrs and not get sore. Last vehicle I had like that was the Titan.
Nothing's *wrong* with it, its just older and well, oh boy this is going to sound snobbish, but I don't like driving something old, lol. Ok, you guys can smack me now!
Once the Durango is fixed I'm sure it will be fine. It runs great, really great, its comfortable for me (and hubby) to drive, the kids LOVE it, and I don't have to worry about scratches and dings. What's not to like? Yes I repeat the above to myself daily!
Oh, I totally agree. That's the one measurement I make sure of when choosing a car. But that's not a problem with the power seat in the Accord. Or pretty much any power seat. Reason being that the power seat allows you to tilt the front of the bottom cushion up and the rear down, thereby supporty my thighs and keeping them from having the tilt to the sides and rest against the console and door.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The Mazda6 also is very comfortable because it has the telescoping steering wheel you ca go way back and angle the seat back and still reach the steering wheel. Fuel mileage is not as good as the Accord though.
Did you try the Civic when you were at the Honda dealer ? The way the center console is laid out I had plenty of room.
If comfort is what you want, it's really hard to beat the seating position in a minivan, Mid to large sized SUV, or a full-size pickup, especially if they have a power seat.
Honestly, of the vehicles I've owned, the 94 Explorer with power leather seats is one of the most comfortable I've experienced.
"No. office. I was too far back to read the speedometer>"......
While my wife and I are near the same height (she's a inch taller than I am) the height is in all different places. I've got an average torso and short legs. Her torso is shorter but legs are longer. Plus you have to account for what each considers comfortable. Have to do some serious adjusting....
Of course I'll probably be buying one of those flying cars they promised by teh time I do something about it....
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/1184_OwnersManual.pdf
I did get to buy my wife a new Odyssey last week, unfortunately it was because her old one was totaled. Luckily nobody was hurt.
In April I bought a 1994 Jeep Wrangler to have for the summer, and in May I bought a fixer 1994 S10 Blazer. Trying to sell the Blazer now. At first I thought of taking the Blazer's V6 for the Jeep but I decided now is not a good time. I'll wait till the winter if I still want to do it.
I figured I would post since this forum has been idle since May 28. I'm mostly just a lurker here.
Tom in Virginia
If you were me, would you:
A) pay it off and keep driving it? the Saturn has 60K on it
C) use the equity to start a lease and cash out the difference?
YOU, OTOH might be looking at a nice Aura......
With only 60K you can likely get another 60K or more of trouble free driving out of the Saturn. If you really like the car, keep it. If not, get what you can out of it.
I've leased before and didn't like it. It never felt like my vehicle. But if you are going to lease, I would negotiate the lowest price and payment with no money down. The idea with a lease is to "rent" a vehicle for a long term. Paying money down on a lease is prepaying rent.
But who am I to give advice here. I could be the poster child for CCBA!
You're asking advice on a CCBA forum whether to keep a vehicle?
I'd dump the thing and get something new. There are so many nice new cars out there right now. Are you looking to move up or stay in the same class of car?
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S