Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

rayainsw · May 2021

" Let’s see if prices fall as fast as they went up. "
LOL
- Ray
Heading [ driving ] to Maine next week . . .

nyccarguy · May 2021

The plot thickens: AlGo just offered me $24,500 for our Pilot

sda · May 2021

I just received this from the VW dealer I've dealt with multiple times and where we bought the Q5. Hungry for vehicles. Dear Steve

Please see below for an important message regarding your current vehicle from our Managing Owner, Mark Cohen. Mr. Cohen is very interested in purchasing your vehicle. Because the demand for pre-owned vehicles is at an all-time high, he’s willing to pay up to $4,000 more for your trade

28firefighter · May 2021

roadburner said:

@28firefighter said:

Question. I got an email from BMW about 3 years of service for $199 if over 6 years and 60k miles. Even if that’s only 3 oil changes, $66 a pop is a solid deal. So my question is, do we think this applies to vehicles as old as my ZHP?

I received the same email. It references the CBS system so it may exclude the E46. I plan to sign my wife’s X1 up and possibly the M235i as well(since I’m having trouble finding a car that I like better for anywhere close to a price I’m willing to pay).

I do have some sort of a mileage/time based system, but definitely not condition based. I'll call them - seems like a good deal if I can use it there. I pay around that much per oil change to do it myself with LiquiMoly.

corvette · May 2021

One thing I really liked about the 540i I had was that, between the dipstick and the top mounted oil filter, you could easily change the oil without ramps by using a Topsider or similar suction device.

ab348 · May 2021

Somebody locally was apparently really hot to trot to get into the new Audi E-tron GT. They stole it from the Autoport lot where they are taken off the transatlantic car carriers for shipment across North America. How they got to it I do not know since that area is pretty secure.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/high-end-cars-stolen-from-eastern-passage-business-1.6023787?fbclid=IwAR1e2SF67MfvOgBWPoLlBERs_xUjOXI1ss-vJ62dZgJQpyG7zpfN8BaUoA4

tifighter · May 2021

ab348 said:
Somebody locally was apparently really hot to trot to get into the new Audi E-tron GT. They stole it from the Autoport lot where they are taken off the transatlantic car carriers for shipment across North America. How they got to it I do not know since that area is pretty secure.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/high-end-cars-stolen-from-eastern-passage-business-1.6023787?fbclid=IwAR1e2SF67MfvOgBWPoLlBERs_xUjOXI1ss-vJ62dZgJQpyG7zpfN8BaUoA4

GIven how few there are, it doesn't seem like it will be hard to find. It will have to charge publically somewhere at some point.

ab348 · May 2021

As the story notes, they were already found (probably via GPS) in a sketchy area of town known for such activity.

xwesx · May 2021

sda said:
I just received this from the VW dealer I've dealt with multiple times and where we bought the Q5. Hungry for vehicles. Dear Steve

Please see below for an important message regarding your current vehicle from our Managing Owner, Mark Cohen. Mr. Cohen is very interested in purchasing your vehicle. Because the demand for pre-owned vehicles is at an all-time high, he’s willing to pay up to $4,000 more for your trade

Even though it is the "new" car, it might be worth considering a divestment of the Passat and just sit on things a while with the other two vehicles (if you don't strictly *need* three!).

henryn · May 2021

xwesx said:

sda said:
I just received this from the VW dealer I've dealt with multiple times and where we bought the Q5. Hungry for vehicles. Dear Steve

Please see below for an important message regarding your current vehicle from our Managing Owner, Mark Cohen. Mr. Cohen is very interested in purchasing your vehicle. Because the demand for pre-owned vehicles is at an all-time high, he’s willing to pay up to $4,000 more for your trade
Even though it is the "new" car, it might be worth considering a divestment of the Passat and just sit on things a while with the other two vehicles (if you don't strictly *need* three!).

The prices on new Passat's doesn't seem to be crazy. Local dealers have the SE starting $24.5 and the S for around $22.5. The stock is fairly low, so you might not get the color you want. One dealer has 2 SE's and 3 R-Line. The other dealer I looked at has 8 Passat's, 5 of the the S model, the other 3 being SE.

You might consider trading up to a new one, if the difference isn't too bad.

ab348 · May 2021

Most of the 3-row SUV comparos I've read place the H/K twins at the top of the heap, the domestics at the bottom. This is the only recent one I found that had the Pilot and Highlander in the mix.
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/honda/pilot/2020/honda-pilot-ford-explorer-toyota-highlander-3-row-suv-comparison-test/

I might be tempted to keep the Pilot and wait for whatever new models are coming.

au1994 · May 2021

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/reviews/tested-2022-volkswagen-golf-gti-still-defines-the-hot-hatch/ar-BB1gGVf7?li=BBnb4R5

Since it’s practically the mascot around here

sda · May 2021

@xwesx , @henryn, I've had the same thoughts. Yet, the Passat has less than 22k on it, warranty is good to 8/1/25, 84k mi. But never say never...

stickguy · May 2021

au1994 said:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/reviews/tested-2022-volkswagen-golf-gti-still-defines-the-hot-hatch/ar-BB1gGVf7?li=BBnb4R5

Since it’s practically the mascot around here

Sounds really nice! But not cheap...

corvette · May 2021

ab348 said:

I might be tempted to keep the Pilot and wait for whatever new models are coming.

Or, trade the Pilot with the questionable oil consumption history in on a brand new one... I'm pretty sure that wouldn't even rank in the top 10 of crazy things that we've done in this group!

au1994 · May 2021

Or, perish the thought, monitor it weekly and if it doesn’t consume any oil in 30-45 days, just keep it.

I’ll see myself out now.

28firefighter · May 2021

au1994 said:
Or, perish the thought, monitor it weekly and if it doesn’t consume any oil in 30-45 days, just keep it.

I’ll see myself out now.

Who let you into this palace?

xwesx · May 2021

sda said:
@xwesx , @henryn, I've had the same thoughts. Yet, the Passat has less than 22k on it, warranty is good to 8/1/25, 84k mi. But never say never...

I had a struggle with my '13 Passat TDI during the diesel scandal. I specifically bought it as an investment vehicle, but I had second thoughts about going through with the buyback and thought strongly about keeping it due to the additional warranty and it being such a wonderful car.
I did go through with it, which was the right decision, yet I still miss that car. A 50% ROI softened the blow a bit.

xwesx · May 2021

28firefighter said:

au1994 said:
Or, perish the thought, monitor it weekly and if it doesn’t consume any oil in 30-45 days, just keep it.

I’ll see myself out now.
Who let you into this palace?

He entered through the servant's corridor.

ab348 · May 2021

xwesx said:

28firefighter said:

au1994 said:
Or, perish the thought, monitor it weekly and if it doesn’t consume any oil in 30-45 days, just keep it.

I’ll see myself out now.
Who let you into this palace?
He entered through the servant's corridor.

stickguy · May 2021

nyccarguy said:
The plot thickens: AlGo just offered me $24,500 for our Pilot

that hold the pilot, monitor the oil, and wait for prices to become normal plan didn't last long!

Sounds like so far the Pilot is fine, so maybe it was just a 1 time fluke? Still, a nice ROI on it. But not if you can't find a replacement you like better for a reasonable price.

nyccarguy · May 2021

@stickguy said:
that hold the pilot, monitor the oil, and wait for prices to become normal plan didn't last long!

Sounds like so far the Pilot is fine, so maybe it was just a 1 time fluke? Still, a nice ROI on it. But not if you can't find a replacement you like better for a reasonable price.

I’m most likely going to end up holding on to it. I’m not planning on overpaying for it’s replacement.

qbrozen · May 2021

There is a nice blue 2021 XT4 at a nearby dealer. Trying to get wife’s input before I cast a line. I’m a little sketchy on what is even possible with these, but I’m thinking $1k at signing and $395/mo ain’t outside the realm of possibility.

Oh, she poo-poo’d the black/black V60. However, I located a brown/tan V60 CC cpo for $22k. It is like 2000 miles away, and it is a 2015, so a couple strikes. I’m curious to know how they CPO a car already older than 5 yrs. also found a white/tan V60 CPO that is closer. We’ll see what she says to those. She does like the looks of the Ghibli. Likes the F Pace too, but that’s a budget pusher for sure.

roadburner · May 2021

au1994 said:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/reviews/tested-2022-volkswagen-golf-gti-still-defines-the-hot-hatch/ar-BB1gGVf7?li=BBnb4R5

Since it’s practically the mascot around here

When the GTI was finally launched in the US it was considered to be something of a bargain; not so today; there are a lot of used cars I'd rather have at that price point.

henryn · May 2021

xwesx said:

sda said:
@xwesx , @henryn, I've had the same thoughts. Yet, the Passat has less than 22k on it, warranty is good to 8/1/25, 84k mi. But never say never...
I had a struggle with my '13 Passat TDI during the diesel scandal. I specifically bought it as an investment vehicle, but I had second thoughts about going through with the buyback and thought strongly about keeping it due to the additional warranty and it being such a wonderful car.
I did go through with it, which was the right decision, yet I still miss that car. A 50% ROI softened the blow a bit.

At the time that I sold back my Passat TDI, I didn't have any doubts at all. Take the money and run, as they say. But later on, I did kind of miss it, which led me to buying the new Passat R-Line. Which was not at all the same car as the TDI. If somebody offered me a good deal on a nice Passat TDI, I would most likely buy it.

Which inspired me to spend a few minutes looking online, and I found this:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/841467543/overview/

$9,000 isn’t bad, but there is a $500 hitch in the fine print:

Advertised price does not include tag, tax, title, registration, $499 Protection Shield

I might actually go look at it though.

corvette · May 2021

Minor ding on the Carfax, but that is a decent high MPG commuter car for the price. Carfax says the transmission fluid and filter were changed at 40k, as well, but at 75k, it's almost due for it again.

sda · May 2021

I like my 18 Passat SE w/tech. It is very nicely equipped, comfortable, drives well. Could use more power but certainly adequate. Good build quality and good gas mileage. A practical solid car but nothing special. My 06 Passat 2.0T was fun to drive, better power and handling. It had a more premium feel, richer interior materials.

henryn · May 2021

sda said:
I like my 18 Passat SE w/tech. It is very nicely equipped, comfortable, drives well. Could use more power but certainly adequate. Good build quality and good gas mileage. A practical solid car but nothing special. My 06 Passat 2.0T was fun to drive, better power and handling. It had a more premium feel, richer interior materials.

I know exactly what you're talking about. My wife bought a new 2008 Passat 2.0T, and that was a really nice car. Fast, fun to drive, great road car. Somewhere around 2010, Volkswagen decided to cheapen the Passat to compete with the Japanese imports, and it hasn't been the same since. Now I hear they're about to stop making Passat's.

nyccarguy · May 2021

@henryn said:
I know exactly what you're talking about. My wife bought a new 2008 Passat 2.0T, and that was a really nice car. Fast, fun to drive, great road car. Somewhere around 2010, Volkswagen decided to cheapen the Passat to compete with the Japanese imports, and it hasn't been the same since. Now I hear they're about to stop making Passat's.

I literally came within a day of leasing a 2007 Passat 2.0T Wagon for my wife. I didn’t get the credit app in before the end of the month. By the time they opened the next day, the program had changed and the monthly lease payment had gone up significantly.

nyccarguy · May 2021

@au1994 said:
That is a nice, sound approach. Not necessarily the favored approach of a CCBA’er

I never stop window shopping but we won’t be making a move till the end of the year. Let this craziness play itself out. While I hate to miss out on the crazy used prices, the lack of inventory and new prices make it a zero sum game. Plus we (read my wife) need to decide what we really want.

I wouldn’t hesitate to extend your truck. That’s such a good deal on a nice, functional vehicle that you have come to love, or at least like!

I really have come to love my truck.

au1994 · May 2021

nyccarguy said:

@henryn said:

I know exactly what you're talking about. My wife bought a new 2008 Passat 2.0T, and that was a really nice car. Fast, fun to drive, great road car. Somewhere around 2010, Volkswagen decided to cheapen the Passat to compete with the Japanese imports, and it hasn't been the same since. Now I hear they're about to stop making Passat's.

I literally came within a day of leasing a 2007 Passat 2.0T Wagon for my wife. I didn’t get the credit app in before the end of the month. By the time they opened the next day, the program had changed and the monthly lease payment had gone up significantly.

I did lease a wagon for my ex wife and that thing was wonderful. The Passat, not her. Fast, smooth and very well equipped. As mentioned a great road car and with the wagon utility, it was handy as a pocket on a shirt. Really a shame they quit brining them here but US drivers just keep rejecting wagons.

venture · May 2021

Last evening I went to pick up the girls at gymnastics. While backing up into a parking spot I noticed the SUV behind me had it's rear lights blinking. BUT it didn't. It was only when looking at the screen.

I looked in the mirror and they weren't blinking. I even pulled forward, backed up again, and just looked out the back window and they weren't blinking. Weird.

au1994 · May 2021

venture said:
Last evening I went to pick up the girls at gymnastics. While backing up into a parking spot I noticed the SUV behind me had it's rear lights blinking. BUT it didn't. It was only when looking at the screen.

I looked in the mirror and they weren't blinking. I even pulled forward, backed up again, and just looked out the back window and they weren't blinking. Weird.

LED’s? They can do that when viewed on a screen.

venture · May 2021

au1994 said:

venture said:
Last evening I went to pick up the girls at gymnastics. While backing up into a parking spot I noticed the SUV behind me had it's rear lights blinking. BUT it didn't. It was only when looking at the screen.

I looked in the mirror and they weren't blinking. I even pulled forward, backed up again, and just looked out the back window and they weren't blinking. Weird.
LED’s? They can do that when viewed on a screen.

Yes. It creeped me out a little at first.

qbrozen · May 2021

This is a new one on me!

corvette · May 2021

qbrozen said:
This is a new one on me!

Not a fan of the chrome wheels nor the muffler delete.

tjc78 · May 2021

@qbrozen said:
This is a new one on me!

That’s probably one of five they made. I didn’t even know it was available then.

oldfarmer50 · May 2021

au1994 said:
Or, perish the thought, monitor it weekly and if it doesn’t consume any oil in 30-45 days, just keep it.

I’ll see myself out now.

A car that comes up 5 quarts short between oil changes but now doesn’t use any? That sounds like the fault lies somewhere other than the engine.

oldfarmer50 · May 2021

qbrozen said:
This is a new one on me!

So a manual tranny on anything will get it a spot on C&B?

stickguy · May 2021

I like that MB. just not the color combo. I assume it is fairly loud with just the cats for an exhaust!

fintail · May 2021

Note they are "AMG Style" - they resemble period AMG wheels, but I believe are knock-offs. Car definitely needs OEM wheels and a proper exhaust, getting close to becoming a BMW bro kind of thing as it sits. Also amusing how turbos and tech added well over 100 hp to the 3.0 a decade later.

One could also find a 5-speed in the prior (W204) generation C.

corvette said:

qbrozen said:
This is a new one on me!
Not a fan of the chrome wheels nor the muffler delete.

Michaell · May 2021

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

@henryn said:

I know exactly what you're talking about. My wife bought a new 2008 Passat 2.0T, and that was a really nice car. Fast, fun to drive, great road car. Somewhere around 2010, Volkswagen decided to cheapen the Passat to compete with the Japanese imports, and it hasn't been the same since. Now I hear they're about to stop making Passat's.

I literally came within a day of leasing a 2007 Passat 2.0T Wagon for my wife. I didn’t get the credit app in before the end of the month. By the time they opened the next day, the program had changed and the monthly lease payment had gone up significantly.

I did lease a wagon for my ex wife and that thing was wonderful. The Passat, not her. Fast, smooth and very well equipped. As mentioned a great road car and with the wagon utility, it was handy as a pocket on a shirt. Really a shame they quit brining them here but US drivers just keep rejecting wagons.

Saw pictures of the new Genesis G70 wagon. Gorgeous!

Of course, Europe only. We can’t have nice things in the US.

fintail · May 2021

Passats of that era are getting a little thin on the ground now . Can't recall when I last saw/noticed a wagon variant.

I think that Genesis is more of a 5 door hatch (I know they have the gall to call it a shooting brake, IMO it is as much a "wagon" as a GLE coupe is a "coupe"). But it's a functional form and isn't yet another bloatling CUV, so I approve.

Michaell said:

I did lease a wagon for my ex wife and that thing was wonderful. The Passat, not her. Fast, smooth and very well equipped. As mentioned a great road car and with the wagon utility, it was handy as a pocket on a shirt. Really a shame they quit brining them here but US drivers just keep rejecting wagons.

Saw pictures of the new Genesis G70 wagon. Gorgeous!

Of course, Europe only. We can’t have nice things in the US.

henryn · May 2021

au1994 said:

I did lease a wagon for my ex wife and that thing was wonderful. The Passat, not her. Fast, smooth and very well equipped. As mentioned a great road car and with the wagon utility, it was handy as a pocket on a shirt. Really a shame they quit brining them here but US drivers just keep rejecting wagons.

The first time I read this, I missed part of it, and it looked like this was intended for your wife:

Fast, smooth and very well equipped.

Which started me thinking how most men would find that to be a fine compliment if said about a woman, but most women would definitely not agree.

henryn · May 2021

Okay, gentlemen, here you go. A Passat wagon, complete with V6 and 5 speed manual transmission. And very cheap!

Only problem? It's 17 years old, with 235k miles.

https://www.gillmansubaru.com/used/Volkswagen/2004-Volkswagen-Passat-houston-tx-561b94840a0e0a1710ad6907e94c0489.htm

oldfarmer50 · May 2021

henryn said:
Okay, gentlemen, here you go. A Passat wagon, complete with V6 and 5 speed manual transmission. And very cheap!

Only problem? It's 17 years old, with 235k miles.

https://www.gillmansubaru.com/used/Volkswagen/2004-Volkswagen-Passat-houston-tx-561b94840a0e0a1710ad6907e94c0489.htm

I like cheap cars but 235k miles? Yikes! I’d need to know a lot about the history before I’d take a chance. One thing I’d want to know is and failure points on that 2.8L motor. Maybe if you knew it was all highway miles. That’s about 14k miles a year, not usually the way high miles build up on constant roadway diving.

What would you use that car for? My 2004 only has 121k miles but I wouldn’t trust it to drive across the country.

henryn · May 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:
Okay, gentlemen, here you go. A Passat wagon, complete with V6 and 5 speed manual transmission. And very cheap!

Only problem? It's 17 years old, with 235k miles.

https://www.gillmansubaru.com/used/Volkswagen/2004-Volkswagen-Passat-houston-tx-561b94840a0e0a1710ad6907e94c0489.htm
I like cheap cars but 235k miles? Yikes! I’d need to know a lot about the history before I’d take a chance. One thing I’d want to know is and failure points on that 2.8L motor. Maybe if you knew it was all highway miles. That’s about 14k miles a year, not usually the way high miles build up on constant roadway diving.

What would you use that car for? My 2004 only has 121k miles but I wouldn’t trust it to drive across the country.

I wouldn't use it, end of story. Several posters had mentioned the Passat wagon, which hasn't been sold in the USA for a number of years, and I checked for used ones. I would not touch any used Volkswagen that old and that many miles. If I were in the market for a beater or a "hooptie", I would look for a Honda, or maybe an old Crown Vic / Grand Marquis. Old pickups used to make good beaters, but the market for old used pickups went crazy several years ago.

Michaell · May 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:
Okay, gentlemen, here you go. A Passat wagon, complete with V6 and 5 speed manual transmission. And very cheap!

Only problem? It's 17 years old, with 235k miles.

https://www.gillmansubaru.com/used/Volkswagen/2004-Volkswagen-Passat-houston-tx-561b94840a0e0a1710ad6907e94c0489.htm
I like cheap cars but 235k miles? Yikes! I’d need to know a lot about the history before I’d take a chance. One thing I’d want to know is and failure points on that 2.8L motor. Maybe if you knew it was all highway miles. That’s about 14k miles a year, not usually the way high miles build up on constant roadway diving.

What would you use that car for? My 2004 only has 121k miles but I wouldn’t trust it to drive across the country.

In 2007 I took my late father-in-laws 1993 Subaru Legacy wagon, with around 140K on it, from Colorado to California to present as a high school graduation gift to my son. My only prep was an oil change. Averaged 30+ MPG for the 1100 mile trip.

sda · May 2021

henryn said:

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:
Okay, gentlemen, here you go. A Passat wagon, complete with V6 and 5 speed manual transmission. And very cheap!

Only problem? It's 17 years old, with 235k miles.

https://www.gillmansubaru.com/used/Volkswagen/2004-Volkswagen-Passat-houston-tx-561b94840a0e0a1710ad6907e94c0489.htm
I like cheap cars but 235k miles? Yikes! I’d need to know a lot about the history before I’d take a chance. One thing I’d want to know is and failure points on that 2.8L motor. Maybe if you knew it was all highway miles. That’s about 14k miles a year, not usually the way high miles build up on constant roadway diving.

What would you use that car for? My 2004 only has 121k miles but I wouldn’t trust it to drive across the country.
I wouldn't use it, end of story. Several posters had mentioned the Passat wagon, which hasn't been sold in the USA for a number of years, and I checked for used ones. I would not touch any used Volkswagen that old and that many miles. If I were in the market for a beater or a "hooptie", I would look for a Honda, or maybe an old Crown Vic / Grand Marquis. Old pickups used to make good beaters, but the market for old used pickups went crazy several years ago.

As much as I like VWs, and my wife had a 99 Passat 1.8t, lovely car, hard pass on any with that kind of mileage unless it was totally rebuilt and documented. Even then I would be hesitant.

stickguy · May 2021

at my age and stage of life, I have zero interest in owning or driving something that old and used up. I deserve better!

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