Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

corvette · July 2021

Michaell said:

corvette said:
Can confirm the previous owner did use it as a farm truck/work truck on occasion. Also, it's a one owner vehicle. Recently had a major repair of a common failure item.
Tacoma

Good guess, but, I only said it was used as a truck.

28firefighter · July 2021

Subaru Baja with a now-repaired blown headgasket.

corvette · July 2021

28firefighter said:
Subaru Baja with a now-repaired blown headgasket.

Didn't they make an XT of that model? I'd probably like that. My conquest doesn't have a truck bed and is considered a car by conventional nomenclature, although some in the peanut gallery here may insist they'd rather walk.

Michaell · July 2021

corvette said:

28firefighter said:
Subaru Baja with a now-repaired blown headgasket.

Didn't they make an XT of that model? I'd probably like that. My conquest doesn't have a truck bed and is considered a car by conventional nomenclature, although some in the peanut gallery here may insist they'd rather walk.

Malaise era GM intermediate

28firefighter · July 2021

I really hope it’s not a Pontiac aztek or something.

henryn · July 2021

mjfloyd1 said:

@benjaminh said:

Perhaps no one would cross-shop the Corolla hybrid with Ford's upcoming Maverick hybrid, but maybe they should.

With destination a 2022 Corolla hybrid has an msrp of $24,645, and goes 0-60 in a "painfully slow" 10.7 seconds:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a28442604/2020-toyota-corolla-hybrid-by-the-numbers/

With destination a 2022 base Maverick hybrid has an msrp of $21,490. The Maverick hybrid is more powerful than the Corolla and should go about two seconds faster 0-60.

At msrp the Maverick hybrid costs $3155 less than the Corolla hybrid.

The standard steel wheels on the Maverick look old school in a good way to me. I could probably live with a manual seat, but I'm used to adaptive cruise control now, and I think even a base Corolla or Civic get that.

I never thought I would see someone happy that their vehicle is more powerful than a Corolla

We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

corvette · July 2021

Michaell said:

corvette said:

28firefighter said:
Subaru Baja with a now-repaired blown headgasket.

Didn't they make an XT of that model? I'd probably like that. My conquest doesn't have a truck bed and is considered a car by conventional nomenclature, although some in the peanut gallery here may insist they'd rather walk.
Malaise era GM intermediate

Good guess. No, but it did seem to have a surprising amount of torque steer on the test drive.

28firefighter · July 2021

So FWD. quick. but something serviceable with parts from auto zone?

corvette · July 2021

28firefighter said:
So FWD. quick. but something serviceable with parts from auto zone?

Yes, no (but has torque steer), yes (mostly).

stickguy · July 2021

Maxima?

corvette · July 2021

stickguy said:
Maxima?

I consider the Maxima quick... The conquest definitely is not. The torque steer really threw me off--might have been exacerbated by some wheel spin due to mediocre tires, but still surprising.

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

Saab with GM V6

stickguy · July 2021

so not quick? A toyota maybe? Older Corolla hatch? A Honda Fit? Though a Fit doesn't have enough torque to steer it...

qbrozen · July 2021

hmmm... How about a 2.slow Golf?
But you did say some would rather walk.
Maybe like a Focus hatch or Fiesta? Fiesta seems too new, though.
Ok, Focus hatch/wagon ORRRRR even a Taurus wagon.

jmonroe1 · July 2021

corvette said:

stickguy said:
Maxima?
I consider the Maxima quick... The conquest definitely is not. The torque steer really threw me off--might have been exacerbated by some wheel spin due to mediocre tires, but still surprising.

I can’t believe @oldfarmer50 talked you into taking one of his rusted out farm hoopties off his hands!

jmonroe

jpp75 · July 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
Saab with GM V6

This is my guess as well, in wagon form.

qbrozen · July 2021

Couldn’t be a PT or HHR, could it?
Fits the description so far.
I don’t think anyone here would say “walk rather than Saab.”

28firefighter · July 2021

@qbrozen said:
Couldn’t be a PT or HHR, could it?
Fits the description so far.
I don’t think anyone here would say “walk rather than Saab.

Agree re: Saab

oldfarmer50 · July 2021

28firefighter said:
I really hope it’s not a Pontiac aztek or something.

I still plan on buying a dozen of those and holding them until they become collectible.

oldfarmer50 · July 2021

jmonroe1 said:

corvette said:

stickguy said:
Maxima?
I consider the Maxima quick... The conquest definitely is not. The torque steer really threw me off--might have been exacerbated by some wheel spin due to mediocre tires, but still surprising.
I can’t believe @oldfarmer50 talked you into taking one of his rusted out farm hoopties off his hands!

jmonroe

I consider them unrestored classics.

Sandman6472 · July 2021

Woke up today and in a lot of pain, was in and out of the Camry a lot yesterday it seems. Luckily I like the way they drive. Really need to re-evaluate my time line of staying as a shuttle driver. Today is really the worst I've felt after a shift. Not sure I'll even wait till years end to stay but taking it one day at a time. It is fun and have met some interesting folks though some have been downright rude! But over all, mostly nice folks who appreciate the service. Even get a few tips each time I'm there, nothing to write home about. But, still nice to get!
Well, off to Enterprise.

kyfdx · July 2021

Seems like a Saab wagon would be relatively quick. Plus, I can't really see anyone using one as a farm truck.

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

I’m thinking Saab hatchback - throw those hay bales in the back

stickguy · July 2021

Saab turbo would provide plenty of torque steer. I think anHHR SS would too.

28firefighter · July 2021

PT GT Cruiser?

corvette · July 2021

It is a hatchback and not a wagon... Went to the bank to get cash for the seller and just printed the insurance card to give to the DMV.

jmonroe1 · July 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:
I really hope it’s not a Pontiac aztek or something.

I still plan on buying a dozen of those and holding them until they become collectible.

“Collectible”? You meant “totally worthless”, right?

jmonroe

jmonroe1 · July 2021

28firefighter said:
PT GT Cruiser?

Wow, wait till @oldfarmer50’s wife hears hears about why he told her to allow him to ditch her old car.

jmonroe

qbrozen · July 2021

He said it isn't powerful, so the torque steer is likely an issue with tires. No need to keep thinking hi-po models. lol.

Not a wagon ... so I'm back to just Focus hatch.
ORRRR... oooo... how about Malibu Maxx!

I'm assuming PT and HHR are out since most consider those wagons, no?

oldfarmer50 · July 2021

jmonroe1 said:

28firefighter said:
PT GT Cruiser?

Wow, wait till @oldfarmer50’s wife hears hears about why he told her to allow him to ditch her old car.

jmonroe

If he bought a PT Cruiser he has my condolences.

28firefighter · July 2021

Focus ZX5 or ZX3.

jpp75 · July 2021

qbrozen said:
He said it isn't powerful, so the torque steer is likely an issue with tires. No need to keep thinking hi-po models. lol.

Not a wagon ... so I'm back to just Focus hatch.
ORRRR... oooo... how about Malibu Maxx!

I'm assuming PT and HHR are out since most consider those wagons, no?

I actually thought about a Focus hatchback, the transmission issues would fit the "recently fixed known problem" part. I don't know that most would rather walk than drive one though? They weren't the best but outside the Power Shift issues they seemed to be fairly decent cars for what they were.

The rather walk than drive certainly points towards the PT Cruiser/HHR or as you said the Malibu Maxx.

sda · July 2021

The HHR with the 2.4 isn't bad. The SS even better. They were surprisingly versatile and rode well. Depending on your height, outward visibility could be compromised. I had an 08 2LT fully loaded, leather, sunroof. I enjoyed that car. The little engine that could.

qbrozen · July 2021

sda said:
The HHR with the 2.4 isn't bad. The SS even better. They were surprisingly versatile and rode well. Depending on your height, outward visibility could be compromised. I had an 08 2LT fully loaded, leather, sunroof. I enjoyed that car. The little engine that could.

I'm sure not bad. Just ugly as sin.
Would be fun to weld the back doors, chop off the rear roof, and replace those awful bumpers. Would look like an old farm truck, for sure.

EDIT: couldn't help myself. Very rough, but I ain't got a lot of time here. haha.

au1994 · July 2021

Saabaru 92x? Although the AWD should counteract the torque steer.

oldfarmer50 · July 2021

I had a farmer acquaintance who used a conversion van as a farm truck. With the captain’s chairs and shag carpeting removed it had a lot of cargo space.

laurasdada · July 2021

The '18 MB 450SL and '18 AM DB11 have both sold. Phew, not having a lot of money is saving me a lot of money!

corvette · July 2021

Presenting my new beater.

stickguy · July 2021

Nice color. Should get better MPG than the truck!

stickguy · July 2021

And I did guess Toyota 1st!

oldfarmer50 · July 2021

corvette said:

Presenting my new beater.

What was the common defect that was fixed?

au1994 · July 2021

corvette said:

Presenting my new beater.

Hey, why not. Some spit and polish and in this market, you could probable flip for a profit.

corvette · July 2021

Well, I had been toying with replacing the Tundra with something smaller like the Maverick or a midsize CUV, but the lease end is over a year away if I take the six month extension typically offered by US Bank.

Was messing around on Craigslist and just typed in "Prius," found several, as well as on FB Marketplace. Lots of junk. People wanting thousands for ones with bad hybrid batteries. Found this one miscategorized in the parts category, but the description made it clear that it ran and drove just fine. Met the owner last night.

Unlike 90%+ of the ones you would find for sale, it's a one owner car. The edge of the hood is dented from a low speed deer hit, but it has decent cosmetics for having 222,000 miles. Which brings us to the common/expensive repair, the hybrid battery. She replaced it four years ago, and it died again recently. She resigned herself at that point to sell the car to a junkyard and buy a new one. She bought a new Prius Prime and was ready to junk this one. Someone told her to see a guy up in Indiana, and he was able to rebuild the pack very inexpensively so she could get more than junk value for the car.

Asking price was $2,900, I offered $2,500, and we agreed on $2,700. I'm going to give the car a good Italian tuneup to try to shake out any mechanical issues before I sink a lot of time or money into fixing cosmetics. The interior has some scratches and stains, but the materials have held up amazingly considering the age and mileage--nothing has disintegrated.

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

Must have been one of those illiterate Hoosiers that fixed the Prius battery ones that only mispronounce words -ones that @kyfdx knows

kyfdx · July 2021

au1994 said:
Saabaru 92x? Although the AWD should counteract the torque steer.

No torque steer in a Subaru

kyfdx · July 2021

corvette said:

Presenting my new beater.

Congrats!

qbrozen · July 2021

never ever would have come up with that one. Pretty sure your local auto parts giant isn't going to have new batteries nor electric motor for it. lol.

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

That’s what I thought - Autozone has parts for that?

corvette · July 2021

Lol, I meant maintenance parts. Transmission fluid, oil filters, cabin filters, etc. It needs some of those black plastic push pins that secure trim pieces. I’m going to have to check my stash to see whether I already have any.

Also, whomever last filled the oil overfilled it by about a quart. Going to have to bust out the Topsider to suck some of it out.

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

So that one is not full electric but is a hybrid Prius?

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