Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

stickguy · March 22

Not sure I have one that got away. I did sell a couple too soon. My 626 was one. But I never really had anything so special it would have been a keeper.

more like ones that I missed on entirely for some reason. A 1980s GTI when I didn't find a buyer for my Colt. The 5 series I backed out of the deal on when I got financial panic at the price. My BILs S2000, but only because he didn't offer it to me before my other BIL who took it. He also had an Integra. 2nd gen I think, the 4 door hot rod model. That I could have had and do kick myself over but the timing was bad. And I should have gotten the 2015 Civic Si. I am sure would still have that!

Nicest car I ever owned is actually the current RDX.

oldfarmer50 · March 22

stickguy said:
I actually have gotten fixated on having one though now as the best 2nd car option. Between getting the baby to Boston, wanting to divest some of our ~~crap~~ ~~Junk~~ Prized possessions to our son and elsewhere, while making an attempt to get the place eventually ready to sell, it seems really useful. Plus I need to get a new gas grill, which seems like enough justification to me!

The brief time I owned the Nissan in 1990, it was very useful. I bought it right as we were buying our first real house. Got lots of bulky and dirty stuff with that.

Too bad used ones are absurdly overpriced. A nice used one would be perfectly fine, if cheap leases aren’t happening.

Used trucks are beyond overpriced, they’re insane. I was looking at trucks under $10k and the junk offered was laughable.

At least it’s not rusted like in NY:

https://sarasota.craigslist.org/ctd/d/sarasota-4x-ford-supercab/7294692574.html

Have you ever thought about getting a cargo van? Pretty much the same hauling ability but cheaper because they aren’t as sexy.

stickguy · March 22

I agree about used PUs. Every time I get this idea, I go on cars. com to look, and immediately give up. Would probably have to get new, and since those are very pricey, that leaves leasing.

A FS cargo van is too big for my taste. And the wife would never go for that in the garage. But a Transit connect, that could work! But only if it can tow, which I doubt it really can.

pensfan83 · March 22

A family in one of our travelling Little League has a Ridgeline and they love it. Their oldest son plays hockey and as I'm sure @nyccarguy will attest it's a breeze just chucking all that gear in the bed. Same with dusty baseball gear. That cooler in the bed is also sure handy for chilling ~~adult beverages to have with other parents~~ drinks for the players after games and then just draining the water out the bottom.

ab348 · March 22

I like the current Ridgeline and think it seems like a good solution for lots of folks. But I don’t see many around. Don’t know if that is due to tight supply, price, or what.

pensfan83 · March 22

It's something I wish my Dad would consider in lieu of another F-150.

Michaell · March 22

Member wants help selecting an SUV

breld · March 22

My ‘02 530i sport manual is one I shouldn’t have let get away. It was so inexpensive I should have just held onto it. Paid $12k for it with 55k miles when it was about 10 years old. No way that would just be sitting on some small auto lot these days.

The Polestar too, but with some patience, those aren’t too hard to find and aren’t terribly overpriced.

explorerx4 · March 22

Everyone knows a Ridgeline is just a modified Odyssey underneath.
FWD basis is not great for carrying loads out back in the bed or using a trailer.

stickguy · March 22

what's the difference to any other AWD pickup? They are all nose heavy anyway. That I remember from cresting a hill on a wet road with mine!

stickguy · March 22

Saw this listing. thought I could become the next OldFarmer. This looked like a killer deal, until I realized it is just some empty land and the nice house and workshop weren't included! but 55 acres, should have room for one heck of a big garage!

Interesting location. Out in the country, and it is only 4 miles from my son's house in Albany and the University.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Krumkill+Rd,+STUYVSNT+PLZ,+NY+12203/54+Hawthorne+Avenue,+Albany,+NY/@42.6710801,-73.847845,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de753f0886e337:0xfc2cc4b2b159ecb!2m2!1d-73.8621854!2d42.6664358!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0b010835e977:0xa976019d500891b2!2m2!1d-73.798689!2d42.6728922

kyfdx · March 22

stickguy said:

28firefighter said:

au1994 said:

coldinohio said:
this should be the next topic since dishwashers if kaput...

1.favorite car owned

2. favorite car that 'got away'-- or which one of Breld car would we have kept

au1994 said:
It’s funny, we all have ‘the one that got away’ or ‘the one I should not have sold’. I think we need a new category: ‘The one of @breld’s that I would not have sold’. The Polestar would be it for me.

The ZHP is my favorite and the one I should not have sold. That still keeps me up at night when I see a good one pop up on BaT or the owners here mention them.
My 4 year old told me yesterday that he wants to drive the ZHP when he's older. I'm so proud.
I would be happy to drive your ZHP when I am older. Or at my current age. Hey, I am almost a senior citizen so I am sure I will baby it (though I am younger than RoadBurner, so maybe that isn't a good gauge)

@pensfan83 is now driving my ZHP. I had to wait for him to grow up, first, too.

explorerx4 · March 22

Pickups are RWD based, so weight out back increases traction on the drive axle.

qbrozen · March 22

Further proof that the BaT selection process is a complete sham

stickguy · March 22

explorerx4 said:
Pickups are RWD based, so weight out back increases traction on the drive axle.

but they are still nose heavy. And the Ridgeline is FT AWD, so the backend is going to be getting traction. For normal hauling duties it is just fine.

If you want to drop a ton+ of gravel in the bed, or tow a horse trailer, then yes you probably need an F250.

stickguy · March 22

qbrozen said:
Further proof that the BaT selection process is a complete sham

they have a ton of listings now. Need to take an assortment to keep the churn going! That is a pretty cool piece at least.

saw this one earlier (Dennis Collins has a YouTube channel for his Jeep business). A real time capsule piece. Already at a nose bleed price. Really curious to see how high this thing goes. 6 figures?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-chevrolet-blazer-4/

qbrozen · March 22

But it was not all that long ago I submitted my dad’s truck, which is a far more desirable combination than that Silverado.

andres3 · March 22

tjc78 said:

Michaell said:

oldfarmer50 said:
Just kidding, a low power A to B car is probably the best even if the kid hates you.
We bought my stepson a used Geo Tracker with all of 98HP when he turned 16. Owned by a retired GM executive, around 60,000 miles on it.

He had it 5 weeks before he totaled it, speeding on a dirt road.

Any car has enough HP for kids to do something stupid in.
This. I did some of my stupidest stuff in an 89 Grand Marquis with all of 160 HP.

I 99% agree, but both the S4 and TTS get going so fast so quickly that I wonder if the extra time it takes something like a 132 HP Neon to get up to speed is just enough to prevent "reckless" speeds absent a mile long or more runway.

andres3 · March 22

venture said:

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

xwesx said:

breld said:
Went shopping today for my son - probably not purchasing for another month or two, but figured he should start looking at options.

For today, we looked at a 2019 CRV EX-L, 2018 RDX Tech, 2020 VW Tiguan SE and a 2018 CX-5 Grand Touring.

Interesting to hear my son's thoughts, as he's not exactly a car enthusiast. I told him to focus on seating position (comfort) and just general driving feel.
Dang! I may end up posting a similar starting comment at some point, "we went shopping for my son," but then I'll be following that up with, "we looked at an assortment of '90s metal and a few '00s; everything in the $2-3K range..."

I wish my son was interested in cars but he views them simply as transportation. I use him as an excuse to go shopping for what I like because I know it won’t make any difference to him.
I have to friends who are dyed in the wool car nuts- but their sons couldn't care less. One of them picked up a new Cayman and offered to let his son drive it home- and the son declined. My son isn't as car-crazy as I am, but at least he's interested in them.
My son started out pretty interested in cars. His cars after college were: BMW 3 series coupe, Acura TSX, VW GTI. He bought the GTI right after getting married.

Then the kid came. He traded the GTI for a Land Rover.

Land Rover? Hmmm.... Might as well get a Minivan and be done with it.

corvette · March 22

qbrozen said:
But it was not all that long ago I submitted my dad’s truck, which is a far more desirable combination than that Silverado.

I just can't believe a K2500 stickered for $30k in 1998. I never looked at them at the time, but I can remember looking at K1500 extended cabs, and I could swear they were around $27k with cloth or $29k with leather. It's hard for me to fathom that the beefier K2500 with a 454 was priced so closely.

breld · March 22

@andres3 -

How has the Tiguan been for you? I was actually surprised when my son asked about VWs, and he ended up really liking the test drive of the Tiguan.

Seems like the main knock on it is the lack of grunt. But for day to day driving, and most certainly for a young driver, I assume it’s more than adequate.

andres3 · March 22

breld said:
@andres3 -

How has the Tiguan been for you? I was actually surprised when my son asked about VWs, and he ended up really liking the test drive of the Tiguan.

Seems like the main knock on it is the lack of grunt. But for day to day driving, and most certainly for a young driver, I assume it’s more than adequate.

Wife says she's "fine" with it. She gets some grunt out of it; you just have to rev and spin the engine and waste some fuel to get it, and you only "get it" in limited amounts due to the weight/size. For whatever reason she found the 4-Motion AWD more responsive off the line. I don't think CR thinks too highly of the Tiguan reliability, but ours hasn't been back to the dealership for any warranty work yet..... (knocking on wood).....

One annoying tweak is that even the pricier SEL line doesn't guarantee you Fender Audio anymore. The interior is both nice and roomy though; I particularly like the "gray" interior we chose. Gauge HD screen cluster in the SEL is a nice "luxury" tweak for a VW though. The size and space is right for passengers and cargo though. If it was mine I'd have to tune it, but my wife is OK with it. The other pro is it seemed quiet and stable on a long highway trip up to Monterey even at 85 MPH.

oldfarmer50 · March 22

stickguy said:
Saw this listing. thought I could become the next OldFarmer. This looked like a killer deal, until I realized it is just some empty land and the nice house and workshop weren't included! but 55 acres, should have room for one heck of a big garage!

Interesting location. Out in the country, and it is only 4 miles from my son's house in Albany and the University.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Krumkill+Rd,+STUYVSNT+PLZ,+NY+12203/54+Hawthorne+Avenue,+Albany,+NY/@42.6710801,-73.847845,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de753f0886e337:0xfc2cc4b2b159ecb!2m2!1d-73.8621854!2d42.6664358!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0b010835e977:0xa976019d500891b2!2m2!1d-73.798689!2d42.6728922

Does that parcel have any road frontage? Looks like it could be a bunch of ravine land backing up to the Normanskill. Depending on elevation it might be in the flood plain and therefore unbuildable.

The soil is pretty sandy over there so you should be ok with a septic system (I don’t think that area has sewers).

Have you asked yourself why land only 4 miles from the city was selling for about 25% of the going rate?

cdnpinhead · March 22

Favorite car(s): tie between my '65 MGB and my '73 240-Z

The one that got away: When I bought my first Miata in '91, there was a British Racing Green one on the floor with leather. I was being frugal, so carefully bought one without power steering and otherwise completely "normal." That '91 BRG Miata still haunts me, though these days I'd have trouble getting into it, let alone getting out.

28firefighter · March 22

Is the Colorado contingent of CCBAers all safe? Not sure who lives near Boulder.

Michaell · March 22

28firefighter said:
Is the Colorado contingent of CCBAers all safe? Not sure who lives near Boulder.

We're good - @breld and I are on the other side of town. @jpp75 is in downtown Denver.

I've got a cousin who lives about 10 miles from the scene - she and her family are OK.

28firefighter · March 22

Thank goodness.

au1994 · March 23

laurasdada said:
Baby did a bad, bad thing...

Give! I’m guessing A7.

au1994 · March 23

qbrozen said:
Further proof that the BaT selection process is a complete sham

There are some real head scratchers that they accept now. I guess its relatively low miles for a 98? That about all I can see as most would have been miled up as tow vehicles or worked to death when trucks were actually work vehicles.

au1994 · March 23

stickguy said:

qbrozen said:
Further proof that the BaT selection process is a complete sham
they have a ton of listings now. Need to take an assortment to keep the churn going! That is a pretty cool piece at least.

saw this one earlier (Dennis Collins has a YouTube channel for his Jeep business). A real time capsule piece. Already at a nose bleed price. Really curious to see how high this thing goes. 6 figures?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-chevrolet-blazer-4/

This is his thing now...super low mile SUV;s and trucks of this vintage that he restores and gets stratospheric prices on. Great work if you can get it and helps if you already own a Jeep business and have access to the tools and craftsmen needed to do it.

oldfarmer50 · March 23

stickguy said:

qbrozen said:
Further proof that the BaT selection process is a complete sham
they have a ton of listings now. Need to take an assortment to keep the churn going! That is a pretty cool piece at least.

saw this one earlier (Dennis Collins has a YouTube channel for his Jeep business). A real time capsule piece. Already at a nose bleed price. Really curious to see how high this thing goes. 6 figures?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-chevrolet-blazer-4/

You’re going to pay dearly for the flavor of the month and those things are the latest “in” collectible. From what I’ve seen of rust issues with those on restoration shows, I’d go over that with a magnet before bidding in case it’s more Bondo than truck.

Why not buy something less trendy like an Aztec and wait for it to become popular? WatchJrgo did that recently.

explorerx4 · March 23

The 400 was not a highly regarded engine.
I'm sure that Blazer is quite nice.
No reason for Dennis Collins to sell something with a junk body.

au1994 · March 23

I haven’t taken the time to watch the video to see if he addresses rust but Dennis Collins is pretty well known in the collector car world and runs a very successful Jeep aftermarket parts business so I’d like to THINK he wouldn’t risk his reputation on selling a bondo mobile at these prices but yes, at the end of the day its an old Blazer from Minnesota. Trust but verify.

oldfarmer50 · March 23

stickguy said:
I agree about used PUs. Every time I get this idea, I go on cars. com to look, and immediately give up. Would probably have to get new, and since those are very pricey, that leaves leasing.

A FS cargo van is too big for my taste. And the wife would never go for that in the garage. But a Transit connect, that could work! But only if it can tow, which I doubt it really can.

Just on quick perusal it seems the Transit connect can tow 2000lbs. while carrying about 1500lbs. of cargo. Cheapest new ones are about $25k.

https://albany.craigslist.org/ctd/d/coeymans-2016-ford-transit-connect-xlt/7280855942.html

venture · March 23

andres3 said:

venture said:

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

xwesx said:

breld said:
Went shopping today for my son - probably not purchasing for another month or two, but figured he should start looking at options.

For today, we looked at a 2019 CRV EX-L, 2018 RDX Tech, 2020 VW Tiguan SE and a 2018 CX-5 Grand Touring.

Interesting to hear my son's thoughts, as he's not exactly a car enthusiast. I told him to focus on seating position (comfort) and just general driving feel.
Dang! I may end up posting a similar starting comment at some point, "we went shopping for my son," but then I'll be following that up with, "we looked at an assortment of '90s metal and a few '00s; everything in the $2-3K range..."

I wish my son was interested in cars but he views them simply as transportation. I use him as an excuse to go shopping for what I like because I know it won’t make any difference to him.
I have to friends who are dyed in the wool car nuts- but their sons couldn't care less. One of them picked up a new Cayman and offered to let his son drive it home- and the son declined. My son isn't as car-crazy as I am, but at least he's interested in them.
My son started out pretty interested in cars. His cars after college were: BMW 3 series coupe, Acura TSX, VW GTI. He bought the GTI right after getting married.

Then the kid came. He traded the GTI for a Land Rover.
Land Rover? Hmmm.... Might as well get a Minivan and be done with it.

That was the point.

stickguy · March 23

He said the blazer had zero rust they also did a full high end repaint so know for sure. Came out of a collection so likely never saw salt, with only 28k miles on it.

graphicguy · March 23

@laurasdada ......We’re waiting......tick-tock!

stickguy · March 23

Just got latest car and driver and a Ezra Dyers column is about the new Pacifica hybrid he just bought to replace an MKX (or T, the one that looks like a hearse). And how much they love it.

explorerx4 · March 23

Honda's VTM4 system works if slippage is detected or if locked, works in 1 and 2 gear only.
It pretty much only works at low speeds, which is what it was designed for.

stickguy · March 23

Here’s a really good review/test on one. And these are hard core truck guys, who give it props. Given that if I ever towed it would be a utility trailer or small U haul box, it is more than up to the job. Plus 1,600# payload.

So like they say, for people that aren’t towing big loads frequently, or taking a new $$ truck out rock crawling, it’s a great package.

Actually sounds like it would do everything Bradd’s Tacoma does for him. But much more comfortable. Assuming his ego can take it!

roadburner · March 23

The Classic Cars article that I mentioned earlier has got me thinking about getting a V8 before the eco-weenies succeed in eradicating them. As newer cars go I like th Challenger SRT but I don’t want something so big and heavy. Mustangs leave me cold. A Camaro 2SS 1LE would work but they are thin on the ground. I know the BMW twin turbo V8s are maintenance intensive and are only installed in the big sleds.

Which leads me to today; I took the Clubman to my BMW dealer for a brake fluid flush and a coolant change. While I was there I asked my friend(and SA) about the S65 V8 found in the E9x M3s. He said that the rod bearing issue is completely overblown- the few times that he’s seen it the cause has been neglect or abuse. He thinks that the engine is solid.
So that’s got me thinking; an E92 M3 is a tick faster than the M235i, and it’s nearing the bottom of the depreciation curve. Find a nice one and I could probably drive it for several years without taking a depreciation hit. While enjoying that delicious V8 rumble all the time.
Food for thought...

28firefighter · March 23

roadburner said:
The Classic Cars article that I mentioned earlier has got me thinking about getting a V8 before the eco-weenies succeed in eradicating them. As newer cars go I like th Challenger SRT but I don’t want something so big and heavy. Mustangs leave me cold. A Camaro 2SS 1LE would work but they are thin on the ground. I know the BMW twin turbo V8s are maintenance intensive and are only installed in the big sleds.

Which leads me to today; I took the Clubman to my BMW dealer for a brake fluid flush and a coolant change. While I was there I asked my friend(and SA) about the S65 V8 found in the E9x M3s. He said that the rod bearing issue is completely overblown- the few times that he’s seen it the cause has been neglect or abuse. He thinks that the engine is solid.
So that’s got me thinking; an E92 M3 is a tick faster than the M235i, and it’s nearing the bottom of the depreciation curve. Find a nice one and I could probably drive it fo several years without taking a depreciation hit. And enjoying that delicious V8 rumble all the time.
Food for thought...

Why not go straight for an E60 M5 with the V10.

I don't necessarily agree that the rod bearings are overblown on those V8s or V10s as they will almost certainly grenade the engine if previous owners haven't been religious about keeping the car up and at this age, unfortunately, not everyone is doing that. I'd consider it a maintenance item to take care of as part of ownership of that kind of car - kind of like the IMS bearing on the Porsche 996/986.

explorerx4 · March 23

That is the lightest trailer test I have ever seen them do.
Basically a minivan test.
They were complaining about the Gladiator struggling, but that was towing 7,000 lbs.

tjc78 · March 23

explorerx4 said:
That is the lightest trailer test I have ever seen them do.
Basically a minivan test.
They were complaining about the Gladiator struggling, but that was towing 7,000 lbs.

@stickguy
How about a Gladiator? Lime green over black with some off road tires and a Life is Good sticker!

roadburner · March 23

My friend doesn’t have any reason to downplay any S65 issues. He’s been very good about warning me off from particular models or engines that have chronic problems. The V10 M5 never interested me that much. I never warmed up to the E60 styling.

breld · March 23

@roadburner - if you can find an E92 M3 with low miles and good maintenance history that'd be perfect. Seems more and more difficult to find one though, and the few I've seen are priced accordingly. But not telling you anything you don't already know.

I found this video interesting.

On a separate note, what do you think of the "M Performance Edition" M240i, like this:

https://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1808350

I know it's all cosmetics, but I like the look. As limited a run as they were, there are a few out there available and there doesn't seem to be much of a premium for them over a "standard" M240i.

sda · March 23

roadburner said:
The Classic Cars article that I mentioned earlier has got me thinking about getting a V8 before the eco-weenies succeed in eradicating them. As newer cars go I like th Challenger SRT but I don’t want something so big and heavy. Mustangs leave me cold. A Camaro 2SS 1LE would work but they are thin on the ground. I know the BMW twin turbo V8s are maintenance intensive and are only installed in the big sleds.

Which leads me to today; I took the Clubman to my BMW dealer for a brake fluid flush and a coolant change. While I was there I asked my friend(and SA) about the S65 V8 found in the E9x M3s. He said that the rod bearing issue is completely overblown- the few times that he’s seen it the cause has been neglect or abuse. He thinks that the engine is solid.
So that’s got me thinking; an E92 M3 is a tick faster than the M235i, and it’s nearing the bottom of the depreciation curve. Find a nice one and I could probably drive it fo several years without taking a depreciation hit. And enjoying that delicious V8 rumble all the time.
Food for thought...

I think the various forums will scare anyone to death professing the car they own or want to buy is a ticking time bomb. Some cars are truly problematic but I believe they really are the exception. Proper maintenance is a must.

stickguy · March 23

The problem is being positive about that prior maintenance. Even trickier if it’s something not really findable in a PPI.

stickguy · March 23

tjc78 said:

explorerx4 said:
That is the lightest trailer test I have ever seen them do.
Basically a minivan test.
They were complaining about the Gladiator struggling, but that was towing 7,000 lbs.
@stickguy
How about a Gladiator? Lime green over black with some off road tires and a Life is Good sticker!

Not my thing. Every review I have seen, outside of the “it’s cool” aspect, hasn’t really been complimentary. And most of the real negative aspects are things that would bother us the most. Plus they are expensive! If I was getting a Jeep, I’d do it right with a 2 door Wrangler. Which, really would not solve any of my problems!

roadburner · March 23

sda said:

roadburner said:
The Classic Cars article that I mentioned earlier has got me thinking about getting a V8 before the eco-weenies succeed in eradicating them. As newer cars go I like th Challenger SRT but I don’t want something so big and heavy. Mustangs leave me cold. A Camaro 2SS 1LE would work but they are thin on the ground. I know the BMW twin turbo V8s are maintenance intensive and are only installed in the big sleds.

Which leads me to today; I took the Clubman to my BMW dealer for a brake fluid flush and a coolant change. While I was there I asked my friend(and SA) about the S65 V8 found in the E9x M3s. He said that the rod bearing issue is completely overblown- the few times that he’s seen it the cause has been neglect or abuse. He thinks that the engine is solid.
So that’s got me thinking; an E92 M3 is a tick faster than the M235i, and it’s nearing the bottom of the depreciation curve. Find a nice one and I could probably drive it fo several years without taking a depreciation hit. And enjoying that delicious V8 rumble all the time.
Food for thought...
I think the various forums will scare anyone to death professing the car they own or want to buy is a ticking time bomb. Some cars are truly problematic but I believe they really are the exception. Proper maintenance is a must.

Everything I’ve heard/read indicates that the rod bearing issue affects a very small percentage of S65 motors. For me it’s worth the risk. I can almost certainly pick up a nice E92 for at least $10k-$15k less than an M2C or Supra 3.0 Premium- and replacing the rod bearings with upgraded parts should run less than $3.5k. And that’s not factoring in depreciation.
Again, I’m in no hurry- it’s just another intriguing option.

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