Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

kyfdx · May 10

Last Sunday, we got in my wife's car after an errand, and it stated RF tire was -4 PSI low. Started driving home, and it came up to -3, and then when it got to -2, it went out.

Next morning, my wife comes back from her coffee run, and says it's now at -6 PSI.

I go out to take it for air, and it is -6 PSI, but now it's the RR tire!

Get out my crappy air gauge, and all the tires are reading about -5 PSI low. (37/40 F/R is normal).
Sheesh.

Drove to my tire dealer and had them all correctly inflated. They were indeed all 5-7 PSI low.

kyfdx · May 10

So, while chatting with the tire tech, I'm walking around the car, and the tow hook cover is missing from the front bumper. It's plastic, just like the bumper, but it's painted body color.

Drive by the Porsche dealer on the way home. $78+tax. But, of course, it comes unpainted. I have the cover now, but haven't gotten a quote on painting it, yet.

stickguy · May 10

I understand not wanting to tackle major mechanical repairs but putting air in Your tires should be DIY for anybody!

And for that price I would drive around with a gap on the bumper. Or color matched duct tape. If it was a mainstream car could also track one down at a pick a part yard.

kyfdx · May 10

stickguy said:
I understand not wanting to tackle major mechanical repairs but putting air in Your tires should be DIY for anybody!

And for that price I would drive around with a gap on the bumper. Or color matched duct tape. If it was a mainstream car could also track one down at a pick a part yard.

It’s a soft gray, so it doesn’t jump out at you, but I’ll probably get it painted, at some point, since it’s her car.

My tire dealer is the only place around with free air, so there is that. 🤷‍♂️

oldfarmer50 · May 10

stickguy said:
I understand not wanting to tackle major mechanical repairs but putting air in Your tires should be DIY for anybody!

And for that price I would drive around with a gap on the bumper. Or color matched duct tape. If it was a mainstream car could also track one down at a pick a part yard.

I have my own air pump for tires. There is a big convenience store chain locally that still gives free air but I still prefer doing my own.

BTW, I found your cheap pickup truck and a nice little project for your spare time.

https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/d/rensselaer-1966-dodge-a100-pickup/7849132473.html

oldfarmer50 · May 10

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:
I understand not wanting to tackle major mechanical repairs but putting air in Your tires should be DIY for anybody!

And for that price I would drive around with a gap on the bumper. Or color matched duct tape. If it was a mainstream car could also track one down at a pick a part yard.

It’s a soft gray, so it doesn’t jump out at you, but I’ll probably get it painted, at some point, since it’s her car.

My tire dealer is the only place around with free air, so there is that. 🤷‍♂️

When I replaced a door handle on my Lincoln the shop had it repainted but they painted it the wrong shade. I went to the auto parts store and got a can of Chevy paint that was almost a perfect match and painted it myself.

kyfdx · May 10

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:
I understand not wanting to tackle major mechanical repairs but putting air in Your tires should be DIY for anybody!

And for that price I would drive around with a gap on the bumper. Or color matched duct tape. If it was a mainstream car could also track one down at a pick a part yard.

It’s a soft gray, so it doesn’t jump out at you, but I’ll probably get it painted, at some point, since it’s her car.

My tire dealer is the only place around with free air, so there is that. 🤷‍♂️
When I replaced a door handle on my Lincoln the shop had it repainted but they painted it the wrong shade. I went to the auto parts store and got a can of Chevy paint that was almost a perfect match and painted it myself.

This is Porsche and the color is Chalk. Guessing the current shade of gray would be better than I could do on my own. It's only about 3" X 4" thin plastic piece that just clips in the opening and fits flush.

stickguy · May 10

Sounds like Porsche asking $78 for that.

Get a 3D printer and start making your own.

stickguy · May 10

@oldfarmer50 said:
I have my own air pump for tires. There is a big convenience store chain locally that still gives free air but I still prefer doing my own.

BTW, I found your cheap pickup truck and a nice little project for your spare time.

https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/d/rensselaer-1966-dodge-a100-pickup/7849132473.html

I like it. Not the rust though. My wife would likely not appreciate it.

I would like a nice 68 or so El Camino. Or a 1980s version on the downsized platform.

jmonroe1 · May 10

kyfdx said:
So, while chatting with the tire tech, I'm walking around the car, and the tow hook cover is missing from the front bumper. It's plastic, just like the bumper, but it's painted body color.

Drive by the Porsche dealer on the way home. $78+tax. But, of course, it comes unpainted. I have the cover now, but haven't gotten a quote on painting it, yet.

————————————————
Do what happened to your cover. Go to a parking lot and see if you can find a Porsche the same color as yours. Don’t be surprised if you get your original cover back.

I’m pretty sure I told this tale once before on one of these forums but since I’m on the subject, here goes:

In around 1986 my ‘80 Park Ave. was stolen. The police found it the next morning, up on blocks with the wheels gone. Fortunately, only the ignition switch and radio had to be replaced along with the wheels. FWIW, it ran fine until I sold it in 1997 so obviously no mechanical damage was done to it. Anyway, when the Buick dealer put it back together they called me to come and get it. I refused to take the car because the rims (rally type rims) were in terrible shape. The dealer tells me since my car was more than 2 years old they were permitted to get used rims. I told them I understood that but what they found was not even close to the shape of the rest of the car, which was in great shape. I was told to fight it out with my insurance company. I called my agent and told him what was going on. Not to long after that I got a call from the adjuster handling my case. I told him what was going on and he told me he’d go look at the car. A couple hours later he called to tell me he agreed with me. He actually laughed a little while telling me how he understood why I was so irate with the rims that the dealer found. A couple days later the dealer calls and told me they found rims that should please me and they did.

Fast forward to the following Saturday when my Sons were cleaning my car. I was watching a college football game when Son #1 comes barging into the family room almost out of breath yelling, “Dad, Dad, you gotta come out and see your rims. They’re your old rims and tires, honest !!!” I told him he was nuts but he’d washed that car dozens of times so I was starting to think he was right. He takes me around the car and points out a couple rims saying, “there, see those little scratches on the painted surface of these rims? I know these are your old rims and these are your tires too”. I agreed that he was right but what can I do about it now? I’d say maybe 3 or 4 months later the junk yard where my rims were found was shut down for knowingly selling stolen parts.

A little more fast forward to when we hired a young engineer out of school who fit right in with our group because was a real car guy. Got around to talking about cars being stolen one day and the condition in which they were found. He worked at a body shop for a few Summers while going to school and tells us what happened to me is not at all uncommon. He goes on to say when a shop needs parts, especially rims, they call the junk yards to see if they have any. If not, the junk yard says they’ll call back if they can find any. So, the junk yards put word out on the street what they’re looking for and lo and behold the items show up within hours or a day at most. Gee, how did that happen?

So, cut out the middle man and find your own cover.

jmonroe

qbrozen · May 10

@stickguy said:
Sounds like Porsche asking $78 for that.

Get a 3D printer and start making your own.

Exactly what I would have done if I couldn’t find it online for $25 or less.

qbrozen · May 10

FINALLY got the cooling fan in the Alfa working. I’m honestly not sure how the heck this would be the case, but I found a random post somewhere on the interwebs that claimed the fan is looking for a pressure signal from the AC. Huh. What if I didn’t have AC? Well, anyway, I already tried everything else, so why not. AC was about 70 lbs light on the high side. Hooked up my gauges and a can of Freon, started the car, and the pressure slowly climbed. When it got to about 120 out of the 150 psi, the fan kicked on. Finished filling to 150 and the fan was cycling on and off as I did it. Put that in your brain bank of useless car info!

Meanwhile, I am also trying to fix the brakes on the Opel. His pedal went soft a few months ago and it eventually got unsafe to drive. Started with looking for leaks. Nothing. I figured let’s try bleeding. While doing that, found one of the rear wheel cylinders had an iffy bleeder. Ordered 2 cylinders. Waited for those, installed and tried again. Nope, that wasn’t it. Alrighty. Master cylinder didn’t look so hot. Ordered, waited, never came. Ordered elsewhere, waited, installed, along with new vacuum check valve. Bled again. Nope. Hmmmm…. Ok, I didn’t want to do it but let’s try the booster. Turns out they don’t make that anymore. Came upon an interesting website called B-parts that deals in used items. After much research, I was able to cross reference to a Delco part. Found one from a slightly newer Vauxhall. I just finished putting that in today, too. I’m not sure if it worked. Gotta wait on help to bleed again. If it doesn’t work, I have no clue what is next. The only other thing looking off to me is this really janky setup they designed for the rear brakes that serves as some sort of balancer. It is a valve with a spring. I suppose when you press hard enough, the spring prevents too much pressure in the rear. But I can’t figure out why that would affect the front brakes, too.

stickguy · May 10

I’ll remember that next time I buy an Alfa.

Actually I didn’t even realize you had an Alfa now.

jmonroe1 · May 10

qbrozen said:
FINALLY got the cooling fan in the Alfa working. I’m honestly not sure how the heck this would be the case, but I found a random post somewhere on the interwebs that claimed the fan is looking for a pressure signal from the AC. Huh. What if I didn’t have AC? Well, anyway, I already tried everything else, so why not. AC was about 70 lbs light on the high side. Hooked up my gauges and a can of Freon, started the car, and the pressure slowly climbed. When it got to about 120 out of the 150 psi, the fan kicked on. Finished filling to 150 and the fan was cycling on and off as I did it. Put that in your brain bank of useless car info!

————————————————
Good info. I wouldn’t call that “brain dead” info.

Thanks for sharing.

jmonroe

qbrozen · May 10

@stickguy said:
I’ll remember that next time I buy an Alfa.

Actually I didn’t even realize you had an Alfa now.

What? You forgot I imported a 156? Dang. It’s the coolest thing I own right now.

stickguy · May 10

Now I do.

xwesx · May 10

stickguy said:
<
I like it. Not the rust though. My wife would likely not appreciate it.

I would like a nice 68 or so El Camino. Or a 1980s version on the downsized platform.

Rust? Naw, that's just a New York patina. Seasoned like a nice cast iron skillet.

tjc78 · May 10

@kyfdx
There is an online company that can sell you a little spray can of any OEM color. May be just the ticket for the tow hook cover. I’m sure it won’t be 100% but better than unpainted

oldfarmer50 · May 10

stickguy said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

I have my own air pump for tires. There is a big convenience store chain locally that still gives free air but I still prefer doing my own.

BTW, I found your cheap pickup truck and a nice little project for your spare time.

https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/d/rensselaer-1966-dodge-a100-pickup/7849132473.html

I like it. Not the rust though. My wife would likely not appreciate it.

I would like a nice 68 or so El Camino. Or a 1980s version on the downsized platform.

Around here that level of rust is considered showroom new.😂

What I would really like is one of those Dakota convertibles from the late 80s early 90s.

jmonroe1 · May 10

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

I have my own air pump for tires. There is a big convenience store chain locally that still gives free air but I still prefer doing my own.

BTW, I found your cheap pickup truck and a nice little project for your spare time.

https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/d/rensselaer-1966-dodge-a100-pickup/7849132473.html

I like it. Not the rust though. My wife would likely not appreciate it.

I would like a nice 68 or so El Camino. Or a 1980s version on the downsized platform.

Around here that level of rust is considered showroom new.😂

What I would really like is one of those Dakota convertibles from the late 80s early 90s.

————————————————
That beauty would mess up my hair.

jmonroe

stickguy · May 10

I like that generation of Dakota. But would prefer a hard top for a truck

oldfarmer50 · May 11

stickguy said:
I like that generation of Dakota. But would prefer a hard top for a truck

For me it would check off two boxes that I currently have to fill separately. You used to find the occasional ones on CL for about $7500 which back then seems expensive for a 20 year old truck. Now, I bet you couldn’t touch one for under $20k.

stickguy · May 11

it would fill the convertible niche but not a sporty/fun to drive car. I also don't know how well they hold up and it there are inherent issues with the design. Mostly though, like you said, they are expensive now! At least the convertible might be in good shape being a collectible. I have not seen a regular Dakota of that vintage in years, and I imagine finding one not rotter out is impossible up here.

If our snowbird plan works out in the next couple of years I can do some shopping down south for a rust free creampuff to bring back home!

stickguy · May 11

I went out yesterday with my son and SIL to be to go to the driving range (first time swinging a club in at least 6 years. It was an adventure). For some reason cars came up in discussion and one of them made the comment that we really did not need 2 practical cars given our use (and the fact that my wife rarely even drives) and it would be smart to replace one with a fun car. Smart kids.

ab348 · May 11

stickguy said:
I’ll remember that next time I buy an Alfa.

Actually I didn’t even realize you had an Alfa now.

I didn't know he had an Opel either. Some people take in stray cats, others, stray obscure cars.

explorerx4 · May 11

@graphicguy,
Just back from a wedding in Chicago. Got in a lot of steps, the riverwalk area and the lakefront are great for that.
Madison area is fairly flat but does have noticalbe elevation changes.
With 3 adults out for the test drive, it didn't seem to be straining.
I wasn't sure if she would be ok with it because her Escape has way more HP and Torque.
The 8 speed trans vs 6 speeds really seems to help the driveability.
I noticed the same thing when my wife switched her MKC(2.3 turbo, 6 speed) to a Corsair(2.0 turbo, 8 speed).

corvette · May 11

@explorerx4 - Chicago is one of my favorite places. A close second to NOLA. Yes, I know they’re polar opposites in terms of cleanliness and culture.

corvette · May 11

For dinner, I walked to the taco place where @kyfdx and I had lunch when he picked up his wife’s car, and saw a Taycan in (I think) the same color on the way there. Happy Mother’s Day to the mothers here as well as any mothers in your lives!

oldfarmer50 · May 12

I know you’ve all been waiting for this:

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/05/yugo-is-back-and-its-bringing-a-manual-gearbox-along/

kyfdx · May 12

@corvette Sure looks like the same color.

stickguy · May 12

oldfarmer50 said:
I know you’ve all been waiting for this:

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/05/yugo-is-back-and-its-bringing-a-manual-gearbox-along/

Not that I want a Yugo, but I love the design and with a stick it could be fun. Plus we need more small, affordable cars (especially with a hatch). At least the USA does. The rest of the world still has them.

Sandman6472 · May 12

Stick, it'll get to stretch it's legs in a bit. Have to take the Sawgrass Expressway to go see my pain doc which is a good 45 minutes away so think it'll enjoy it. I'd hate to take it this weekend and have something go wrong so far from home. And we're only going up for 5 days as it stands now. They called this morning to make sure I'm going to keep the reservation and told me that even though I've requested a new Kona, a very good chance it'll be getting something else. I know last year when I rented, wanted a small SUV and they tried to give me a Honda Accord! I had to do some push back until they finally found a Rav4. Sometimes a customer has to push back a bit to get what they signed up for.

Feels funny calling you "Stick" as that's one of my nicknames at work. Gave it to me my first day when they saw me walking in with a cane. It was both that and "Citizen Cane".

jmonroe1 · May 12

oldfarmer50 said:
I know you’ve all been waiting for this:

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/05/yugo-is-back-and-its-bringing-a-manual-gearbox-along/

————————————————
They should have done this 2 years ago. The tariffs are going to kill it now. If not that, their good name will and good luck trying to find dealers.

jmonroe

jmonroe1 · May 12

Sandman6472 said:
Stick, it'll get to stretch it's legs in a bit. Have to take the Sawgrass Expressway to go see my pain doc which is a good 45 minutes away so think it'll enjoy it. I'd hate to take it this weekend and have something go wrong so far from home. And we're only going up for 5 days as it stands now. They called this morning to make sure I'm going to keep the reservation and told me that even though I've requested a new Kona, a very good chance it'll be getting something else. I know last year when I rented, wanted a small SUV and they tried to give me a Honda Accord! I had to do some push back until they finally found a Rav4. Sometimes a customer has to push back a bit to get what they signed up for.

Feels funny calling you "Stick" as that's one of my nicknames at work. Gave it to me my first day when they saw me walking in with a cane. It was both that and "Citizen Cane".

————————————————
Sounds like a law suit to me. Shoot for the moon. Enterprise should know better than to allow this smirking of a handicapped senior citizen.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 · May 12

jmonroe1 said:

Sandman6472 said:
Stick, it'll get to stretch it's legs in a bit. Have to take the Sawgrass Expressway to go see my pain doc which is a good 45 minutes away so think it'll enjoy it. I'd hate to take it this weekend and have something go wrong so far from home. And we're only going up for 5 days as it stands now. They called this morning to make sure I'm going to keep the reservation and told me that even though I've requested a new Kona, a very good chance it'll be getting something else. I know last year when I rented, wanted a small SUV and they tried to give me a Honda Accord! I had to do some push back until they finally found a Rav4. Sometimes a customer has to push back a bit to get what they signed up for.

Feels funny calling you "Stick" as that's one of my nicknames at work. Gave it to me my first day when they saw me walking in with a cane. It was both that and "Citizen Cane".
————————————————
Sounds like a law suit to me. Shoot for the moon. Enterprise should know better than to allow this smirking of a handicapped senior citizen.

jmonroe

You would never make it in an Enterprise driver’s van with those delicate feelings.😂 Actually nicknames are a token of affection and respect among the drivers.

Sandman6472 · May 12

Well, they always use the term "or similar vehicle" to cover their butts in cases like this. But thought it ridiculous to try and give a completely different kind of vehicle when I wanted a small SUV or subcompact SUV. So, as long as I get a small SUV, it'll be fine. But try to give me a Altima or Corolla, then we're going to have a problem! Especially since they've had the reservation for over a week. And being that they called this morning to make sure I still needed the rental, just shows me they have had plenty of time to get me what I requested. I'll hopefully be pleasantly surprised with what I do get but do hope it's a new Hyundai Kona. Luckily it's only a 5-day rental so will just suck it up if it's something else.

suydam · May 12

These days you’re lucky if they even have a vehicle for you at the rental places.

nyccarguy · May 12

I saw a gorgeous Black/Black Porsche 968 Coupe on my way home tonight. Such an awesome and very under appreciated Porsche.

This 2011 Lexus ES350 caught my attention. It’s at a Hyundai dealer here in town.

https://www.stamfordhyundai.com/used/LEXUS/2011-LEXUS-ES-350-Stamford-Connecticut-633ab047ac1852acbdefdfcbec30e8ad.htm

corvette · May 12

I like the ES350. If it's as clean as it seems, the cash price seems to be a hair above Edmunds' estimation of clean retail. It looks like it's had regular oil changes, and I think that engine has a timing chain, so it shouldn't need much.

stickguy · May 12

I always liked that generation of ES. Solid, solid cars. that one is pretty well loaded and maintenance looks strong with 5K oil change intervals mostly at the dealer. Didn't drive much the last few years though.

Michaell · May 12

@nyccarguy said:
I saw a gorgeous Black/Black Porsche 968 Coupe on my way home tonight. Such an awesome and very under appreciated Porsche.

This 2011 Lexus ES350 caught my attention. It’s at a Hyundai dealer here in town.

https://www.stamfordhyundai.com/used/LEXUS/2011-LEXUS-ES-350-Stamford-Connecticut-633ab047ac1852acbdefdfcbec30e8ad.htm

I’d jump on that ES, if you’re interested. I doubt it will last long.

oldfarmer50 · May 13

suydam said:
These days you’re lucky if they even have a vehicle for you at the rental places.

One guy at our office told me they have a 10% no-show rate so sometimes they overbook reservations. I guess the airlines do that too. Avis was running a promotion a few years ago where you got a deep discount if you prepaid for the rental and forfeited the payment if you didn’t show.

oldfarmer50 · May 13

nyccarguy said:
I saw a gorgeous Black/Black Porsche 968 Coupe on my way home tonight. Such an awesome and very under appreciated Porsche.

This 2011 Lexus ES350 caught my attention. It’s at a Hyundai dealer here in town.

https://www.stamfordhyundai.com/used/LEXUS/2011-LEXUS-ES-350-Stamford-Connecticut-633ab047ac1852acbdefdfcbec30e8ad.htm

Wow! A thousand bucks off if you finance? I can’t imagine what the interest rate is on the loan if they can afford to discount that much for borrowing from them.

Might be an easy way to get a cheaper price if there’s no prepayment penalty. Finance through them and then pay it off immediately.

When I bought my truck for a similar price I tossed out the option of financing as an incentive to meet my price but they seemed uninterested and rates were higher 15 months ago.

qbrozen · May 13

@oldfarmer50 said:
Wow! A thousand bucks off if you finance? I can’t imagine what the interest rate is on the loan if they can afford to discount that much for borrowing from them.

Might be an easy way to get a cheaper price if there’s no prepayment penalty. Finance through them and then pay it off immediately.

When I bought my truck for a similar price I tossed out the option of financing as an incentive to meet my price but they seemed uninterested and rates were higher 15 months ago.

I think that’s part of the problem. If rates are already high, it is much tougher to pad them.

nyccarguy · May 13

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:
I saw a gorgeous Black/Black Porsche 968 Coupe on my way home tonight. Such an awesome and very under appreciated Porsche.

This 2011 Lexus ES350 caught my attention. It’s at a Hyundai dealer here in town.

https://www.stamfordhyundai.com/used/LEXUS/2011-LEXUS-ES-350-Stamford-Connecticut-633ab047ac1852acbdefdfcbec30e8ad.htm

Wow! A thousand bucks off if you finance? I can’t imagine what the interest rate is on the loan if they can afford to discount that much for borrowing from them.

Might be an easy way to get a cheaper price if there’s no prepayment penalty. Finance through them and then pay it off immediately.

When I bought my truck for a similar price I tossed out the option of financing as an incentive to meet my price but they seemed uninterested and rates were higher 15 months ago.

I didn't even see that. I'll go and check it out, decide what I think it is worth, and make an offer. I don't plan on financing a 13 year old car. If they don't like my offer, terms, or only want to do business a certain way then I'll move on.

nyccarguy · May 13

Here is a 2010 Honda CRV. No interior photos. Headlights need a good polishing too. I think I dig the Lexus more.

kyfdx · May 13

Under 100K miles is shocking. EX-L has leather standard.

My least favorite CR-V look, but that shouldn't matter for your purposes

nyccarguy · May 13

I'm sure one of you has owned a GTI like this one at some point. Looks like 1 owner since new. Thoughts?

oldfarmer50 · May 13

nyccarguy said:
Here is a 2010 Honda CRV. No interior photos. Headlights need a good polishing too. I think I dig the Lexus more.

Unless you need a SUV I’d stick with the Lexus. As someone said, if you like it, jump on it. The good ones go fast.

We spend most of our time these days delivering sold cars to dealers which to me means they anticipate a lot of panic demand. It’s the Covid toilet paper mentality all over again.

oldfarmer50 · May 13

nyccarguy said:
I'm sure one of you has owned a GTI like this one at some point. Looks like 1 owner since new. Thoughts?

Looks like they were looking for a fan but the stick shift chased most of them away. Thus the big price drop. Personally I’d be nervous at the mileage.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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