That seems to happen pretty often when someone buys something "off the grid" like that. I have done it a couple of times (the Scion tC comes to mind, and my Miata). Fun, unique, etc. but enough quirks of issues that you get tired of it fairly soon.
So, that 435i my wife and I looked at a couple weeks ago was at an independent broker/dealer shop. I ended up chatting quite a bit with the owner, who used to be a salesperson/manager for a BMW shop and wanted to try out his own thing.
My wife and I shared our propensity to switch out cars, and he said he could definitely help us out in finding cars at auction. I exchanged some e-mails with him to let him know that I'm zeroing in on the m235i as my next fun car and asked him how that might work if I give him the parameters I'm targeting as far as color and options.
He responded saying that we would agree on a margin over the auction price - he suggested $500 plus a $300 dealer handling.
Now, at auction price plus $800, I'm all giddy with excitement over the possibilities.
But has anyone else gone through such a process to purchase a car? I always thought it'd be great to have someone willing to search auctions for the car I want and then add a fair profit over that. The $800 seems a bit too good to be true to be honest - what's the potential catch or challenges in going such a route?
shill bidders to drive up the auction price on the cars you want would be my only worry.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Speaking of convertibles, what about this Blue Jag?
I’m certain the car is fine. But, anytime I see a luxury car parked near a fence with barbed wire attached, I think it’s tied up doing something illegal. That’s just me, though.
I also drove a 15 A3 cabriolet 2.0t quattro, and a 12 S5 cabriolet with the supercharged V6. I could get into the weeds about the test drives, but ultimately they weren't for me. The S5 looked nice in red, but had noticeable cowl shake, and the interior trim bits weren't aging so well on this example, with 39k miles. The A3 was likable, although the one I drove was missing some equipment. Biggest problem was they came out to the US in 2015, so the value wasn't there yet compared to other options on the market. Plus, the E350 drives really nicely. So there's that.
Haven’t seen a comment from world in a couple of days maybe I am missing reading over some comments did you buy another car we’re gonna find out about it later ha ha
I did go ahead and purchase a Level 2 charger for our garage though. For our normal work week, we have yet to get a full charge overnight, so each morning we're faced without the full range of the i3, which means we use it all up, which means we don't have enough time for a full charge, and so it goes.
I think being able to obtain a full charge in 4-6 hours will help tremendously for our use of the vehicle.
And...we were browsing Chevy Bolts online last night.
I wonder why it won’t fully charge overnight. My Volt has a 50 mile charge range and easily charges fully overnight just plugging it into the garage wall socket. As long as I make sure it’s set to 12 amps (for some reason the Volt default is 8 amps, which would take forever).
I'm not sure - I did check the setting on the i3 this morning for Level 1 charging, and it was set to "max."
I think I read somewhere that it was indeed a 20 hour timeframe for a full charge. We plug it in when we get home around 6:00, maybe 7:00, generally, and we're out of the house around 7:00 in the morning, so there's a good 12 hours or so. It gets to around 3/4 full, so around 60 mile range.
We're enjoying the electric vehicle concept enough that we felt okay making the investment in the Level 2 Charger. I decided on a nicer one than probably needed, but the difference in pricing wasn't all that much from the cheapest one to the nicest one. And we have a contractor doing some tile work in our house this week who can also install the 240v outlet in the garage. With the breaker box just being on the other side of the garage wall, I don't expect the install to be terribly expensive.
And I certainly thing that Jag XK vert is a beauty.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I’m sure that’s true. The Volt takes 12 hours on a Level 1. Unfortunately I’m in a condo so it’s a shared garage/common electric setup. Fortunately the plug is on my side! If I want to charge it in 4hours rather than 12, there’s a free public charging station less than a mile from me.
I think I mentioned this when I leased the C, but there were a few IOU items that needed to be dealt with. The service department had lost the second key to the car (which is apparently common for them), so they had to order me a second one from the motherland - that has to be a relatively expensive screw up to keep making. There were also a few nicks on the body that they agreed to clean up for me.
Lastly, I'm having them take a look at the brakes for me. They seem to be grinding/pulsing a bit, which seems a bit unusual for a car with 6000 miles (I've only driven 400 miles in the 3.5 weeks I've had it). I'm not sure if its just the personality of the larger AMG Sport brakes that are on it, but the loaner C300 I have definitely has a different brake feel to it without any pulsing/grinding. They suspect a warped rotor.
Hoping to get it back before Friday, but not sure how long the body shop needs with it.
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
Update - dealer has listed the 86 I traded at $21988. Given the 20k trade allowance, it seems like a pretty skinny deal. Car needed no reconditioning, but I’m still a little surprised.
Update - dealer has listed the 86 I traded at $21988. Given the 20k trade allowance, it seems like a pretty skinny deal. Car needed no reconditioning, but I’m still a little surprised.
Probably hoping for a quick turn.
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
Update - dealer has listed the 86 I traded at $21988. Given the 20k trade allowance, it seems like a pretty skinny deal. Car needed no reconditioning, but I’m still a little surprised.
Maybe, they made so much on the Mercedes, they can afford to let the 86 go for break even? (come on, you know you were thinking it... )
Update - dealer has listed the 86 I traded at $21988. Given the 20k trade allowance, it seems like a pretty skinny deal. Car needed no reconditioning, but I’m still a little surprised.
Maybe, they made so much on the Mercedes, they can afford to let the 86 go for break even? (come on, you know you were thinking it... )
Cruel.
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
Update - dealer has listed the 86 I traded at $21988. Given the 20k trade allowance, it seems like a pretty skinny deal. Car needed no reconditioning, but I’m still a little surprised.
Maybe, they made so much on the Mercedes, they can afford to let the 86 go for break even? (come on, you know you were thinking it... )
Update - dealer has listed the 86 I traded at $21988. Given the 20k trade allowance, it seems like a pretty skinny deal. Car needed no reconditioning, but I’m still a little surprised.
Maybe, they made so much on the Mercedes, they can afford to let the 86 go for break even?
(come on, you know you were thinking it... )
Maybe that’s why they were delivering that boat to the sales manager...
But really, I don’t think they made a ton in the Merc either; I never saw any Cabs here in the NW under $30k last summer. Who knows, I’m happy, and they did the deal so it must make sense somehow.
Update - dealer has listed the 86 I traded at $21988. Given the 20k trade allowance, it seems like a pretty skinny deal. Car needed no reconditioning, but I’m still a little surprised.
Maybe, they made so much on the Mercedes, they can afford to let the 86 go for break even? (come on, you know you were thinking it... )
Maybe that’s why they were delivering that boat to the sales manager...
But really, I don’t think they made a ton in the Merc either; I never saw any Cabs here in the NW under $30k last summer. Who knows, I’m happy, and they did the deal so it must make sense somehow.
It’s an awesome car... am I right about it being C-Class based? Seems smaller, relative to the sedan (that’s a good thing)
That school shooting is in the next town over. Chaotic scene on t v as I watch the news. Still have no clue on how many were killed or injured. So frickin' sad that this kind of nonsense is still going on!! G-d bless them all!!!
The Sandman
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)
I seem to recall that it is a mix of C and E. I haven’t looked it up yet; Fin can probably educate us. One of the primary metrics in convertible shopping was car length: this thing is 185” long, which JUST fits comfortably in my garage. Move up to Mustang/Camaro size, and forget it.
C207 shares a platform with the W204 C-class, but shares many interior components with a W212 E-class, along with many mechanical components, and styling themes.
The new E coupe (C238, not sure how they pick these numbers) is based on the W213 E.
Not yet bro on a Nother punch I know maybe next weekend presidents day you’ll get a Chevy bolt like you were looking at with the wife online last night if not next weekend Presidents weekend before the summer something will leave the fleet and something new will come in to it what not sure yet
20 fire fighter glad you finally got to bring your new ride back in to the dealer to have them fix the few issues that it has yes hopefully you get it back before the weekend
As the article concludes, and I agree, Dodge has done a good job keeping the Durango relevant and competitive in spite of its age. Having it be included in this comparison highlights one of the reasons I like it - particularly with the V8, it has a lot of the character and feel of the full-size SUVs, but in a package more the size of the Pilot/Highlander crowd.
All in all, Motor Trend picked the Durango a close second to the all-new Expedition.
As the article concludes, and I agree, Dodge has done a good job keeping the Durango relevant and competitive in spite of its age. Having it be included in this comparison highlights one of the reasons I like it - particularly with the V8, it has a lot of the character and feel of the full-size SUVs, but in a package more the size of the Pilot/Highlander crowd.
All in all, Motor Trend picked the Durango a close second to the all-new Expedition.
The Expedition is the newest and shiniest but I find it hard to justify the price premium over the Durango. And I would rather have the hemi V-8 than the turbo V6. The MT total cost of ownership chart seems to ignore their own fuel economy findings as well.
I liked that video review - it was humorous and practical.
If I used the Type R as a true daily driver, I'd probably switch out the 20" wheels for 19"s. The ride itself is surprisingly composed, but with such little rubber between the wheel and the road, it'd only take one bad pothole to ruin the expensive OEM wheel.
I was thinking of that very thing when I watch the profile shots of it rolling. I was trying to decide how I could make this fun car a little different, so I could live with it (to each his own, of course). I decided that maybe taking off the wing and painting it a dark color would tone it down considerably.
Which of course, negates the very reason Honda designed it!
Comments
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Nice car! Love the colors. And the depreciation.
Someday .....
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
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25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
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I did go ahead and purchase a Level 2 charger for our garage though. For our normal work week, we have yet to get a full charge overnight, so each morning we're faced without the full range of the i3, which means we use it all up, which means we don't have enough time for a full charge, and so it goes.
I think being able to obtain a full charge in 4-6 hours will help tremendously for our use of the vehicle.
And...we were browsing Chevy Bolts online last night.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
I think I read somewhere that it was indeed a 20 hour timeframe for a full charge. We plug it in when we get home around 6:00, maybe 7:00, generally, and we're out of the house around 7:00 in the morning, so there's a good 12 hours or so. It gets to around 3/4 full, so around 60 mile range.
We're enjoying the electric vehicle concept enough that we felt okay making the investment in the Level 2 Charger. I decided on a nicer one than probably needed, but the difference in pricing wasn't all that much from the cheapest one to the nicest one. And we have a contractor doing some tile work in our house this week who can also install the 240v outlet in the garage. With the breaker box just being on the other side of the garage wall, I don't expect the install to be terribly expensive.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
And I certainly thing that Jag XK vert is a beauty.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
I think I mentioned this when I leased the C, but there were a few IOU items that needed to be dealt with. The service department had lost the second key to the car (which is apparently common for them), so they had to order me a second one from the motherland - that has to be a relatively expensive screw up to keep making. There were also a few nicks on the body that they agreed to clean up for me.
Lastly, I'm having them take a look at the brakes for me. They seem to be grinding/pulsing a bit, which seems a bit unusual for a car with 6000 miles (I've only driven 400 miles in the 3.5 weeks I've had it). I'm not sure if its just the personality of the larger AMG Sport brakes that are on it, but the loaner C300 I have definitely has a different brake feel to it without any pulsing/grinding. They suspect a warped rotor.
Hoping to get it back before Friday, but not sure how long the body shop needs with it.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
(come on, you know you were thinking it... )
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25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
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The Sandman
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)
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
The new E coupe (C238, not sure how they pick these numbers) is based on the W213 E.
Motor Trend "Large SUV" comparison
As the article concludes, and I agree, Dodge has done a good job keeping the Durango relevant and competitive in spite of its age. Having it be included in this comparison highlights one of the reasons I like it - particularly with the V8, it has a lot of the character and feel of the full-size SUVs, but in a package more the size of the Pilot/Highlander crowd.
All in all, Motor Trend picked the Durango a close second to the all-new Expedition.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2018-honda-civic-type-r/review/?ftag=CAD13782fc&bhid=23296987479610025145942368791510
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
If I used the Type R as a true daily driver, I'd probably switch out the 20" wheels for 19"s. The ride itself is surprisingly composed, but with such little rubber between the wheel and the road, it'd only take one bad pothole to ruin the expensive OEM wheel.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Which of course, negates the very reason Honda designed it!