Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

benjaminh · July 2021

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a30209598/2019-tesla-model-3-reliability-maintenance/

"One of the pitches we hear often on the switch to EV ownership is that electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain. But, as we close in on 40,000 miles in a Tesla Model 3, the actual savings in service costs is turning out to be quite minimal.

Sure, the Model 3 needs no oil changes, which in theory should save us significant cost. However, the Model 3's requirement that we lubricate the brake calipers every year or 12,500 miles—something specified for areas that use road salt in the winter months—has cost nearly as much, totaling $432 for three such services thus far, which often also include a tire rotation. Although that's less than the $539 we spent on maintenance for our BMW M340i....

By 30,000 miles, the original Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires were shot. We often get twice as many miles on all-season tires, but rapid tire wear is something that's a common topic on Model 3 owner's forums. At least part of the issue is that the Tesla version of these tires start with 1.5 32nds of an inch less tread depth than the off-the-shelf MXM4s. Although it might not sound like much, that's 20 percent less usable tread depth.

We have just replaced those with the other factory Model 3 fitment, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires, and we look forward to seeing how much these might improve braking and cornering performance during our final test session at 40,000 miles. A side benefit is that the summer tires were no more expensive than the all-seasons, but a still substantial $1157 has been added to our normal wear tally."

nyccarguy · July 2021

@corvette said:
Yikes, @nyccarguy! Is it a single unit for your whole house, or do you still have some cooling?

We’ve got one 4 ton unit cooling out home. Luckily, it rained a lot here today. We cranked open the windows and have ceiling fans in all 3 bedrooms. It’s not too bad in here right now.

nyccarguy · July 2021

@qbrozen said:

@nyccarguy said:
Returned from our trip to the NJ Shore. My parents rented a place in Seaside Park for 2 weeks. They invited us down to stay with them this past Monday through today. The weather Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday was absolutely perfect. We had a great time. Saw lots of cool cars & every possible permutation of Jeep Wrangler available. In the current JL Body Style, the Willys is still my favorite trim. I saw a Sarge Green with the power top and body colored hard top that looked great. There was also a 4XE Sahara in Sting Grey with body colored hard top & black wheels that I liked a lot.

I love the flat roads and bike lanes they have. I rode 12 miles with my wife on Tuesday and 20 miles with my Dad yesterday.

Seaside Park isn’t too far. Took us 2 hours 10 minutes to get there and about 2 1/2 hours to get back to CT this afternoon.

The Pilot did its job once again. We folded the 3rd row to maximize our cargo space and sat my kids (14, 12, 9) across the 2nd row. Bikes were on my 10 year old Thule hitch mounted bike rack. 3 nights we went out to dinner, I was able to put my 2 sons in the 3rd Row. My wife, mom, & daughter in the middle row. Dad rode shot gun.

I’m really going to have to think hard about replacing the Pilot. The kids have said they think 2nd row captain’s chairs might be the way to go since they are all getting older. That gives me a 6 seater. Granted I use the 7th seat a Total of 5 x a year max. We shall see what happens.

The not so good news. I came home and the house was hot. 80 degrees. Ugh. I can hear the air handler, but the compressor outside isn’t running. I go downstairs and check the breaker. It’s popped. I change the filter, reset the breaker, & still nothing. Going to call the AC company tomorrow AM.

I grew up just over the bridge from Seaside. Spent many high school summer evenings there. But now I just can’t bring myself to go. Last time had to be just before or just after that damned MTV show came along and ruined it. We take the kids to a different Jersey boardwalk that I won’t disclose for fear of someone making a show about it. Lol.

There is a certain element walking around on the boardwalk for sure. Great people watching. My parents rented this house that is a block & a half from the beach (30 Stockton Avenue). The people that own the home also run “Fun Town Beach” and they gave my parents a cabana as part of their rental. The beach is beautiful. The water was blue. They have fire works every Wednesday night. I’m sure there are different beaches and boardwalks that are nicer too. I can only imagine what The Jersey Shore fame has done to Seaside.

Was the place you took your Charger to off the GSP Exit 82A on the right?

qbrozen · July 2021

When I had work done on my Charger? No, that place was in Monroe, nowhere near the parkway.

tjc78 · July 2021

Sucks about the water pump Sandy.

My cars are both very sad right now. The XC is absolutely disgusting in and out (my standards, probably clean to some) from running back and forth to the shore moving out. It also has the wife damage I need to get fixed and I think the rotors are warped (5500 miles).

The S60 is due for yearly service, and is sitting in the garage with a cracked windshield.

I see light at the end of the tunnel at least. “Closed” on the trailer last night. New owner is in. What a nightmare. Campground had a new manager who was incompetent and really gave me a problem. Apparently I wasn’t the only one and now she is gone. New person fast tracked the lot transfer and all is good.

Just waiting on appraisal to come back for the shore house. If all goes well for that we close on the 30th, mortgage is approved. Had the home inspection done, no surprises except we are going after them for a new AC unit (which we knew when we put the offer in).

Looking forward to doing basically nothing this weekend (yeah, right)

sda · July 2021

The Pilot is a champ when it comes to roominess and usability. When we used to travel to FL to visit my SIL, our two golden doodles rested in the middle row and my daughter was comfortable in the third row, and we still had enough room for our luggage. It's nice that the third row has a/c vents as well.

jmonroe1 · July 2021

qbrozen said:
When I had work done on my Charger? No, that place was in Monroe, nowhere near the parkway.

I thought that town only had a Genesis dealership.

jmonroe

qbrozen · July 2021

jmonroe1 said:

I thought that town only had a Genesis dealership.

jmonroe

Sorry, actually Jamesburg. Platt's Performance. I'm sure your town has just the Genesis dealership. And maybe only 1 car in stock.

jmonroe1 · July 2021

qbrozen said:

jmonroe1 said:

I thought that town only had a Genesis dealership.

jmonroe
Sorry, actually Jamesburg. Platt's Performance. I'm sure your town has just the Genesis dealership. And maybe only 1 car in stock.

That explains why my dealer sends me more emails than before the pandemic that they WANT my car because there are lots of people wanting a low mileage well maintained car. I’ve even gotten emails from other dealerships than NEED my car. I’m beginning to think they’re not just blowing smoke this time.

jmonroe

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

https://www.autoweek.com/news/g37149329/used-car-prices-biggest-increases/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=073021&utm_campaign=nl24602678&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

oldfarmer50 · July 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
https://www.autoweek.com/news/g37149329/used-car-prices-biggest-increases/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=073021&utm_campaign=nl24602678&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

I bought my last used car in June of 2020 and since then prices have been on the uptick. I have a couple of vehicles I’d like to replace sometime in the future but not in this market. Fortunately, I don’t need to buy soon.

au1994 · July 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
https://www.autoweek.com/news/g37149329/used-car-prices-biggest-increases/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=073021&utm_campaign=nl24602678&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

Train keep a rollin’.

At least till my Jeep comes in and I sell the LC.

sda · July 2021

The increase in price/% is incredible. When I bought the Passat last Oct, I was hesitant as prices were already increasing yet the net difference between my trade (Accord) and the Passat was reasonable. I'm glad I pulled the trigger.

roadburner · July 2021

I’m only looking at coupes with at least 400 hp and I’m finding that prices of 1 or 2 year old used models are usually going for a few thousand more than the equivalent new model.

au1994 · July 2021

Pop over to BaT. 95 Supra Turbo 6 spd 7k miles is at 185k

explorerx4 · July 2021

The F & F movie car sold for about 500k, so probably a lot of upside and that real Supra.

au1994 · July 2021

Just broke 200k

Edit: sold for 201k.

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

@au1994 - still in awaiting parts on both 4xe

au1994 · July 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
@au1994 - still in awaiting parts on both 4xe

Me too…Gotta be soon I would think.

oldfarmer50 · July 2021

roadburner said:
I’m only looking at coupes with at least 400 hp and I’m finding that prices of 1 or 2 year old used models are usually going for a few thousand more than the equivalent new model.

Used more than new? I can’t figure that. Could it be there’s such a shortage of new that people are willing to pay more to get something?

jmonroe1 · July 2021

au1994 said:
Just broke 200k

Edit: sold for 201k.

DAMN, I thought for sure I was gonna get it when I bid 195K at 2:25 PM. :@

jmonroe

au1994 · July 2021

Well maybe the winning bidder won’t follow through

explorerx4 · July 2021

Speaking of rear wings.

corvette · July 2021

Installed a Battery Tender quick connect on the Prius this afternoon and have the 12v battery charging right now. As you'd expect in a high-performance, driver-oriented vehicle, the 12v battery is in the trunk for better weight distribution. I attached the quick connect to the jump terminal under the hood.

sda · July 2021

"As you'd expect in a high-performance, driver-oriented vehicle, the 12v battery is in the trunk for better weight distribution." Very convincing.

jmonroe1 · July 2021

au1994 said:
Well maybe the winning bidder won’t follow through

How I wish.

jmonroe

jpp75 · July 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:
I’m only looking at coupes with at least 400 hp and I’m finding that prices of 1 or 2 year old used models are usually going for a few thousand more than the equivalent new model.

Used more than new? I can’t figure that. Could it be there’s such a shortage of new that people are willing to pay more to get something?

When I traded in my Model3 for the Defender they had it on their used car lot two days later and priced it $3,500 over the original MSRP. A week later it was sold.

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

@corvette said:
Installed a Battery Tender quick connect on the Prius this afternoon and have the 12v battery charging right now. As you'd expect in a high-performance, driver-oriented vehicle, the 12v battery is in the trunk for better weight distribution. I attached the quick connect to the jump terminal under the hood.

That explains the torque steer

roadburner · July 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:
I’m only looking at coupes with at least 400 hp and I’m finding that prices of 1 or 2 year old used models are usually going for a few thousand more than the equivalent new model.

Used more than new? I can’t figure that. Could it be there’s such a shortage of new that people are willing to pay more to get something?

It's insane. I've found that to be the case with Bullitt Mustangs, M2 Comps, and Supras.

oldfarmer50 · July 2021

jmonroe1 said:

au1994 said:
Just broke 200k

Edit: sold for 201k.
DAMN, I thought for sure I was gonna get it when I bid 195K at 2:25 PM. :@

jmonroe

Don’t worry, there’s a bridge down in Brooklyn you can still bid on.

explorerx4 · July 2021

Review after a year of owning a ZL1 ILE. 1LE doesn't have magneride suspension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u4cnIRIZf4

jmonroe1 · July 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe1 said:

au1994 said:
Just broke 200k

Edit: sold for 201k.
DAMN, I thought for sure I was gonna get it when I bid 195K at 2:25 PM. :@

jmonroe
Don’t worry, there’s a bridge down in Brooklyn you can still bid on.

I know. Problem is that every time I decide to buy it when it’s up for sale there has to be over a thousand folks who claim they are the real owner and they have the papers to prove it. Thanks for the suggestion but I’ll stick to cars.

jmonroe

imidazol97 · July 2021

Well, there's always the prototype Brooklyn bridge in Covington (KY), the Roebling Bridge.
EDITED: misspelled Roebling.

kyfdx · July 2021

Roebling

It's pretty, too!

imidazol97 · July 2021

Thanks. It is Roebling. I typed that wrong, knowing it was an umlaut Röbling Americanized as Roebling. John Augustus Roebling (born Johann August Röbling
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Roebling

I always wanted to walk across that bridge. Guess that's on my bucket list.

mjfloyd1 · July 2021

@Sandman6472 what came of the A3 repair?

benjaminh · July 2021

imidazol97 said:
Well, there's always the prototype Brooklyn bridge in Covington (KY), the Roebling Bridge.
EDITED: misspelled Roebling.

Nice pic!

I have walked across that bridge. In fact, I don't think they've allowed cars or trucks to go on it for at least a few years.

corvette · July 2021

Finished the last of several quick mechanical glances on the Prius. CV boots are bone dry, couldn't get a look at the entire undercarriage because of the low ground clearance, but didn't see any leaks. Shocks are dry, front brakes about 50%, tires about 50%. The only issue I found is that the rubber boot on one of the sway bar end links is torn and leaking. I'm assuming from the looks of it that's something that will start to make noise before it completely fails? Any thoughts? I think it's about a $12 part, I may go on and replace it if I get a set of jack stands and a hydraulic jack.

roadburner · July 2021

I emailed a friend who works at BMW NA asking if there is any chance the 128ti will make it stateside. In Europe it's priced under the GTI, and some writers like it better. Hope springs eternal...

corvette · July 2021

roadburner said:
In Europe it's priced under the GTI...

It looks great, but that part would never happen in the US.

corvette · July 2021

From a Ford Maverick preview event:

Communicato
r

I really hope they fix that before launch. The photos look like you lose some of the storage area under the rear seat with the hybrid powertrain--have to put the batteries somewhere. The orange stitching on the fabric of the XLT looks really snazzy.

roadburner · July 2021

corvette said:

roadburner said:
In Europe it's priced under the GTI...
It looks great, but that part would never happen in the US.

Here's the thing that gripes me; BMW NA imports the 2 Series Gran Coupe and both the media and the public find it less than desirable. The 128ti would compete in a segment that still has a little life in it(Civic Si/Type R, GTI, Veloster N) and has been ignored by the other luxury/premium automakers.

qbrozen · July 2021

@roadburner said:
Here's the thing that gripes me; BMW NA imports the 2 Series Gran Coupe and both the media and the public find it less than desirable. The 128ti would compete in a segment that still has a little life in it(Civic Si/Type R, GTI, Veloster N) and has been ignored by the other luxury/premium automakers.

Both they and MB have done it before and overpriced them to where they fail. Then claim it is our fault and americans don’t want hatchbacks.

jmonroe1 · July 2021

@imidazol97 said:
Thanks. It is Roebling. I typed that wrong, knowing it was an umlaut Röbling Americanized as Roebling. John Augustus Roebling (born Johann August Röbling
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Roebling

I always wanted to walk across that bridge. Guess that's on my bucket list.

That ain’t gonna happen. I bought that bridge when the Brooklyn Bridge deal didn’t work and I don’t allow foot traffic.

jmonroe

Michaell · July 2021

qbrozen said:

@roadburner said:

Here's the thing that gripes me; BMW NA imports the 2 Series Gran Coupe and both the media and the public find it less than desirable. The 128ti would compete in a segment that still has a little life in it(Civic Si/Type R, GTI, Veloster N) and has been ignored by the other luxury/premium automakers.

Both they and MB have done it before and overpriced them to where they fail. Then claim it is our fault and americans don’t want hatchbacks.

Fiesta
Focus
Cruze

The list of failed hatchbacks in the last 5-7 years is probably longer than that.

Kinda like the folks who incessantly whinge for a brown, diesel, manual wagon. Seems like there are 10,000 of them on the interwebs, but probably only a few hundred sales.

Of course, you can always move somewhere where it's available!

jmonroe1 · July 2021

@corvette said:
Finished the last of several quick mechanical glances on the Prius. CV boots are bone dry, couldn't get a look at the entire undercarriage because of the low ground clearance, but didn't see any leaks. Shocks are dry, front brakes about 50%, tires about 50%. The only issue I found is that the rubber boot on one of the sway bar end links is torn and leaking. I'm assuming from the looks of it that's something that will start to make noise before it completely fails? Any thoughts? I think it's about a $12 part, I may go on and replace it if I get a set of jack stands and a hydraulic jack.

Suggestion:

My experience with those link bushings on GM cars back in the 60’s through 80’s is that when one side goes bad the other side isn’t too far behind. Therefore, since those parts are relatively cheap, while you’re under there, you might as well get yourself comfortable and do both sides.

jmonroe

nyccarguy · July 2021

@corvette said:
It looks great, but that part would never happen in the US.

If it isn’t an SUV, SAV, or CUV, BMW isn’t going to spend the money to bring it to this market no matter how well it competes with the cars you mentioned. Never mind the fact that it won’t compete price wise with the Civic Type R, GTI, or Veloster N

nyccarguy · July 2021

I had a little time this morning. I dropped my 12 year old at baseball practice, my wife at the beach, then went to get the Pilot washed. After I got the Pilot washed, I gassed it up. The gas station was right across from the Mazda Dealer which is down the street from the Toyota dealer. I took a look on the Mazda lot. The CX9 is way smaller than our Pilot. Next it was off to the Toyota dealer. I’m walking the lot, checking out the used (Automatic) 2005ish Boxster S, and the Highlander. I’m approached by a very attractive sales woman who asks if there is anything she can do for me. “Sure, can you open up a Highlander for me to see how much room is inside?” No problem. She grabs the keys and I open the hatch. That’s a no go too. The 3rd row and cargo area are just too small for our uses.

I’m going to have to re-evaluate my needs for the eventual Pilot replacement.

Just as a side note, the Toyota Dealer had (3) RAV 4 Prime SE. $41K sticker price. LED headlights, Heated Cloth Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, power tailgate and moonroof as well as adaptive cruise. The gas engine is rated at 38 mpg by itself. I overheard another salesperson talking to a customer about it. Rated for 40 miles of electric only (depending on how you drive). Charges in 5 hours on a standard 120 volt outlet. Impressive.

qbrozen · July 2021

@Michaell said:
Fiesta
Focus
Cruze

The list of failed hatchbacks in the last 5-7 years is probably longer than that.

Kinda like the folks who incessantly whinge for a brown, diesel, manual wagon. Seems like there are 10,000 of them on the interwebs, but probably only a few hundred sales.

Of course, you can always move somewhere where it's available!

Sure. But when they are GOOD and reasonable, it works. Golf is still here, mazda3 hatch has always done well, the Prius has never had an issue. So if it is garbage or expensive, it fails. Not because it is a hatch.

Michaell · July 2021

qbrozen said:

@Michaell said:

Fiesta

Focus

Cruze

The list of failed hatchbacks in the last 5-7 years is probably longer than that.

Kinda like the folks who incessantly whinge for a brown, diesel, manual wagon. Seems like there are 10,000 of them on the interwebs, but probably only a few hundred sales.

Of course, you can always move somewhere where it's available!

Sure. But when they are GOOD and reasonable, it works. Golf is still here, mazda3 hatch has always done well, the Prius has never had an issue. So if it is garbage or expensive, it fails. Not because it is a hatch.

Golf is gone - just the GTI and R for the next iteration.

Agree with you on the 3, but I prefer the sedan.

I remember when the hatch body style was the loss leader - Toyota Starlet, Renault Le Car, etc.

I really enjoyed the ‘03 Focus hatch we had - 3 pedals and the better engine.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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