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How enthusiastic that is done depends on a lot of things; after the fall of the Wall in '89, for instance, there was a HUGE demand for used cars in East Germany, and I'm convinced the TÜV was advised to go a little easier for a while.
On the other hand, when the auto industry is in a slump... hey, we're all in this together, right?
Also, they take pedestrian safety seriously... absolutely NO driving around with rust holes in your car... bondo is fine, but those sharp jagged edges must be fixed.
For those of you in the SoCal: "Pedestrians" are like regular people, except they walk around. You've seen them in old movies, or maybe on News Reports from the East Coast.
BTW, a car without "TÜV" has basically zero trade-in value.... just to stay on topic.
-Mathias
anyway, just giving this post a bump up to the top:
i think i post this every 6 months or so, i just can't get myself to part with it, but let's try again.
'98 S70 T5 automatic
cowhides
slider
bun warmers
coral red out, tan in
94K miles
knee deep in rubber. has zero dings and dents, but has its share of rock chips and small surface scratches. Had $2k of front corner damage last year, but top-notch fix. Clean inside. So I guess it balances out to average condition?
As always, in NJ.
thanks, terry!
==================================
Just another day in paradise ... based on the last NOAA and all the other reports, it's tilting towards the gulf, could "maybe" slide towards Mobile and the pan handle area -or- it could do what Charley did and throw on the brakes and make a illegal right hand turn and smash the Tampa area, who knows ..
The biggest problems have been the clean-up efforts and we have people here from Montana, Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee you name it, for debris removal, power re-connects and much needed supplies .. I gotta give credit where credit belongs, they-are-on-it, God bless em' .... only in America will you see relief efforts of this magnitude, the next time some country says "we don't need your help or supplies" - fine, keep it at home, let "them" go to their closest Home Depot, Red Cross or the volunteers in the next State .. oh yeah, they won't have any ......
Anyway .. we have this 98 S70 T5 in my almost favorite color, we have the slider, moo seats and the bun warmers, it's the auto deal and we have almost 100k with a slight hit to the port side ... you know the drill by now: deep sneakers, service from yesterday, no Bonnie and Clyde interior .. if so, then someone somewhere will drop the mid/tall $5's, maybe the low low low low $6's - did I say low.?
Have a wonderful day in the neighborhood ................
Terry.
96 Dodge Dakota SLT 4wd
V8 (I plead ignorance here, but I think the only V8 avail then is 5.2L)
Red
96k mi
Auto
Standard options for SLT (power all, AC, cruise)
Haven't "seen" except on the miracle of science I'm using now, but assume "decent tires and condition" as it's on a lot. It does indeed appear to rust/dent/stain free with good shoes.
(Asking $5995)
99 Chrysler Sebring LXI Coupe
V6 (2.5L, I think--whatever the V6 was that year)
Dark Red/Black (hard to tell on screen and they don't say color)
67k mi
Leather, all power, hole, premium sound (which on this, I believe, is 4cd changer, bigger amp, couple more speakers)
(Asking $6450)
Thanks. And realizing you're on east coast, so it's not your turn till next week to evac, tie down the flamingos, just in case. (Translation: Stay safe).
Broke my own rules.... added updates for engine sizes.
===============================
Who cares about the price of gas.!?! The price of Flamingo's have skyrocketed.! .. you used to get 3 for $21 bucks, now it 2 for $21 .. at this rate I will have to cut back on all the bare neccesities like beer and chips ~ gots to have those Flamingo's ......
The SLT Dah-Kota V8 4wd probably has the super tall $2's, maybe the low/mid $3's on a good day and it's nice, I'm sure someone will take it home for that $4,5/$4,9ish range ...
The Sebring with 67k, it's probably sitting at the table on the super tall $4 side, maybe the low low low low low $5's because of some service or new stuff added .. $5,7/$5,9 sounds about right to me .. I'm sure the nice folks from Budapest aren't making a mad dash to buy one of these .....
Terry.
I've come close to buying a couple of used W124's, a 190 or two, (& other Benzes) in years past, but always wound up with BMW's instead, for various reasons. Do you follow bmw's also, & have opinions on which models are most reliable? (I have my own: avoid most 7's of almost any vintage, go for the I-6 over a V8, & I'm Guessing the new models with star-trek controls (i-drive) will not be fun when the warranty runs out. Amongst recent models, I like the E39 6 cyl. 5 series, assembled in Dingolfing, built like tanks for the most part). But I may be getting OT for this board.
Woody
>>As far as W124's... people are buying these up with high miles and in decent shapes, and off they go to Northern Africa or the Middle East, where they'll live and work another decade. Truly outstanding vehicles, and worth the money when new. As opposed to today's Benz's....
-Mathias
I'm shopping for a new(er) car and having some trouble figuring out what to buy. The used values seem (surprisingly?) close on these cars and I want the most I can get for a decent amount of money, so I'd appreciate your advice on the real values for these three when you get the chance:
All cars are in Columbia, South Carolina at a Ford dealership.
2003 Silver Ford Focus, SE Model, Gray Interior
Manual Transmission
15,322 miles
W/all standard features plus cruise control and tilt wheel
No visible dents/dings
Tread wear: ~80% remaining
2003 White Ford Focus ZX5, Gray Interior
Manual Transmission
14,509 miles
W/all standard features plus cruise control
No visible dents/dings
Tread wear: Two new tires, two ~50% remaining
2003 Silver Ford Taurus, SE Model (w/Vulcan Engine), Gray Interior
14,872 miles
W/all standard features, no extras
No visible dents/dings
Tread wear: ~70% remaining
My boyfriend, who will be handling the transactions, is a good negotiator, but we're wondering what our goals should be out-the-door with each car. No trade-in. Also any opinions you have on value between Taurus/Focus are welcome.
Thanks much, and I'm glad Floyd didn't have any dire effects on you!
and good to hear you're doing fine. yeah, i absolutely agree, the efforts of volunteers is an amazing thing.
so, regarding the volvo, i definitely think i'm sticking with my original plan and keeping this car. but i'd still like to pick up a cheap-o runnin' around car. So, anyway, lemme run something else by you because i have NO idea what it would be worth. There is this:
'90 Jag XJ6 with 78K miles. dark green over tan. Are there options on those? I dunno. This has got everything I'd expect in a luxo-sedan - slider, skins, etc. It is fairly clean. Got a few minor issues like ABS light on, worn shocks, sagging headliner. But, nothing that scares me. So, assuming it all checks out otherwise, what do you think this thing might be worth?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
BTW, although I'm glad that Ivan looks like it might/maybe bypass the Florida penninsula. I can't help but hope for it to die at sea before the brute finally strikes anywhere on US soil.
I also can't help but notice Ivan is taking a track very close to the one Camille followed back in '69. I was stationed at Keesler in Biloxi when she came ashore. I wouldn't wish that horror on anyone.
Yay!!! Ab-so-xxx-lutely! If you don't like what we give, great! We'll give to someone else.
BTW, thanks for the numbers, Terry. In all honesty, I thought the Dakota would go for more (4wd is a big deal around here), so I'll use that as a target price, it helps! As for the 'bring, I know they're not popular, but good to know the dealer ain't in outer space on the numher, either.
Latest NHC data tell me watch out panhandle. I don't what's worse:
All 3 storms hitting the same place (the "the other storm knocked my house down and I haven't rebuilt it yet" argumemt") or all 3 storms having its greatest impact on 3 different areas: (west coast, sparing heavy pop areas; the east coast; and the panhandle). Seems to me the latter is worse, frankly. As in, "great, now all 3 main areas of the state have been hit by a major hurricane".
My tip? Snowblowers in July in WI for use in January so I can vacation in FL in February are cheaper and less stressful than living in FL year round. Besides, this way, it's not so damned hot!
$11,750 ..? they were being "very fair" at that price, I would think most dealers would be in the low $10's if they checked the history, so I think you did super ..
I understand your position, but CarSmack is becoming a major player in the industry and if something shows up, it shows up and maybe not for the good ... me personally, I check every vehicle "before" I buy them, it might only be $700 of a little paint and sand work, or it can be $8,700 of "lets start at the core support", but even on the small stuff the dealer takes a big gamble .. lets just say a guy likes the vehicle, looks up the Carsmack, he takes it to his blind 80 year old shade tree mekanic and all of a sudden it needs $22,000 of repairs, it's more common than you would think .............................
Terry.
That would be a prayer answered ...
Terry.
Lookin at some Ferds, huh.? ..
2003 Silver Ford Focus, SE Model, Gray Interior
Manual Transmission
15,322 miles ......... the miles are semi-ok and it's SE handshaker .. dealer probably paid the mid/tall $7's, maybe the low low low $8's on a blind day, when all the smoke clears it might have the mid/tall $8's in it .. I'm sure you can pick this up for "around" $9,5ish, or less ..
The ZX5, they get a little more, you should be able to get one for the super tall $9's, or less ...
03 Taurus SE with the Vulcan and almost 15k .. if it's a base, no buckets, no leather, no roof, depending on where and when they got it .. might have the low low low $9's in it and I'm sure it can get an owner for $9,900, or less .......
Let me know ......
Terry.
========================
90 ..? .. as in 1990 ... ? .... you might as well just go sit on a Fire Ant hill, you will be much happier ..... ABS, trannys, injectors, electrical, barometric pressure, Solar flares, anything can makes these things go sideways .. it's a 1990, not a 2000, bbbbbig difference ...
EOW - $4,500 ............ too much at any price.!
Terry.
So... I guess this means the Jag is a maintenance nightmare? Is it moreso than, say, my Alfa Romeo? How about the Volvo? Geez, now that I think about it, what is it with me and electrically-challenged cars?
oh, by the way, that Jag is on Ebay. seemed pretty cheap (for now):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2- 489137240
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I would take an Alfa or Volvo over an old Jag if I was paying for repairs and dealing with downtime.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Also, my dad's Ram comes up clean and he had a head on with it ($3500 in damage to his truck, totalled the other car). Then 2 weeks after getting it back he rolled it, over $10k in damage that time.
I'm getting to where I can spot paintwork pretty good and my dad's Ram is a 50 foot job.
So let me run this by you, then. What would a dealer pay for that car on a trade, Terry? Would I be crazy to think that, if that car stayed within $2K, I could take it at that price and flip it for more money as a trade on a more reliable used car? Seems highly unlikely that I should be able to get it for less than wholesale, but I guess stranger things have happened.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
You would probably have a better chance of making a few bucks with a part time job as a lot boy at a local dealer. Plus, you get to drive nice cars, not bombed out old ones.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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actually, i did spend a couple months of friday nights parking cars at an upscale restaurant. That's precisely where I fell in love with XJ6s (and the big Benzs, but those never seem to fall into the "cheap" category). No matter how new or how old they were, every one of them was quiet and cushy (albeit some were quite smelly - could never figure out why so many well-off people coming to this restaurant had so much garbage strewn about their vehicles).
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I smoke an occasional cigar, and used to smoke them while driving my '95 Concorde. Geeze what a mistake, lol. Musta cost me $2k on the trade, not that it was worth much anyway. I've never smoked them in a car since.
Ahhh... the good old days.
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09/06/1996 PHILADELPHIA, PA Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
11/04/1996 UPPER DARBY, PA 45,771 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:42564401)
12/31/1996 UPPER DARBY, PA Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
03/03/1998 GLASSBORO, NJ 48,034 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
08/19/1998 EASTERN REGION 61,557 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION
09/04/1998 GREAT NECK, NY Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
11/09/1998 NY 61,613 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
04/22/1999 GREAT NECK, NY Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/24/1999 GREAT NECK, NY Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
09/12/2000 GREAT NECK, NY Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
08/30/2001 NY 66,253 Motor Vehicle Dept. PASSED EMISSION INSPECTION
PASSED SAFETY INSPECTION
08/19/2002 GREAT NECK, NY Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
===================================
The history "looks" ok and the ebay pics look good, it needs a headliner, no biggie and it's been detailed really well and I have a funny feelin' it's a repaint, awful shiny for 15 year old driver .. usually these older vehicles are done from stem to stern, the dirty engine compartment would make me a little suspicious .. a dealer would probably put $2 grand in it and $2,500 if he was a Brave Hiawatha, might maybe "could" see $3,000 at the block, -if- they find Jimmy Hoffa's body in the trunk - thats why I said $4,5 on the Retail side .... do you know a mechanic that lives very close and works cheeeeap.? ... it's got "eyes" and the low miles save it, if it was anything else it would be a $1,000 vehicle, maybe ..
Terry.
But, hey, if it stays that cheap, I think I'll have to take a shot. If nothing else, I can fix those few minor things and resell it. But hopefully I can enjoy it for a while first. Oh, and, yeah, i'm a bit of a mechanic, but my father is the real deal and lives 10 minutes away. Comes in quite handy.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
If you can get the Jag for little enough $$ that you could afford to write it off if too many things go wrong, hey, it would make a great conversation piece. Depending on it to be running at all times might be a different matter........And Terry mentioned the paint, it doesn't look like a real Jaguar dark green to me; it's a very odd color.
>>'90 Jag XJ6 with 78K miles. dark green over tan.
Or lawn ornament... The thing is, you could spend $2k on it, $3k repairing it, and then have something else expensive crap out. Did this model have the hydraulic adjustable suspension?
I definitely had mixed feelings about the deal. I could have stuck to the original $12500. I had the signed papers and everything. This was the only quote I had received apart from yours.
However, the dealer had been courteous and to the point. They have CARFAX stickers all over the dealership so they were clearly not jerking me around. Though an accident 4 year ago on a 5 year old car driven 40K since then should not be a big deal, I can understand why they would be concerned.
The car is in great shape (new Michelin tires, and new front brakes), with hardly any dings/scratches and is mechanically sound. The sales man who drove us back mentioned that Pathfinders with low miles and 4x4 are in good demand in this area, where Japanese vehicles do well. The Pathy is considered one of the most reliable vehicles out there, and our was loaded to the gill (side airbags, Pearl Metallic Paint, sunroof, Limited Slip Differential and what not). He felt that such a low mileage loaded 4x4 should be an easy sell thanks to the upcoming snow season. Even after the discounts, a new LE Plat is going for $28.5-$29K so they expect to get at least $15K for an old one of their lot.
Another interesting thing he observed was that most of their money is made in Used Car Sales. He claimed that though they did almost a third of what the areas biggest dealer does in New Car Sales, they make similar gross profits because they have a big used car business.
Offer is $28,827. Yea or Nay?
Raleigh, nice little town .. well the good thing is you have the Star Wars warranty, the color is good anywhere and you have the right stuff .. if we have no repaints, the rubber is deep and the service is finished, then the dealer probably has the $24,5/$25,0 range in it with the Star Wars stuff .. $28,827 .? they're not trying to hurt anybody, but I have a feeling that $27,9 will get it in your driveway ........
Let me know what happens.!
Terry.
Now, if it ends up on their front line then I would be a little po'd and I would be fire bombing their mens room ..................
Terry.
So, moving on, I stopped this morning at a car lot to check out a '90 Benz 190E that is listed at $1800. The busted windshield and interior that looks like it met with the business end of a rototiller was enough to turn me aside. BUT, I ran across something else on that lot:
An '88 Honda Accord coupe/hatchback with 114K miles and automatic (red over grey cloth). Amazingly clean for its age. Interior looks 6 years old rather than 16 and I could not find a spec of rust and I only found one dent in the rocker panel (and i don't believe its a repaint because the paint is very dull - unless they repainted it in flat red and no clearcoat). A hole where the stereo was. Engine compartment is as good as the rest. So, if it runs as good as it looks, am I crazy thinking that the $1200 pricetag on this gem is a good deal?
my wife already pointed out the strangeness of going from looking at a Jag to a Honda, but, hey, I'm just looking for a nice weekend runnin-around car. I'm not out to win any shows with it.
OR - how about this 190E:
1992 Gold over beige leather. 101K miles. automatic, moonroof, power everything. supposedly very clean and runs very well.
asking $3800.
If its real nice, think $3K might take it home?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Terry
Wait, isn't Egypt on the continent of Africa?
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Yeah, it's kinda like wearing two different color shoes at the same time ...
Benz - 2.3 or a 2.6 ....? or is this the special edition with the 500 cubic inch V12 ..?
If you can find a a good reliable Honda for $1,200 then thats a go ...
Terry.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Any thoughts on what I might get on as trade-in on a...
1997 Saab SE Turbo 4dr hatch
Black exterior - paint in glossy with one small scratch on passenger door
back logo has come off of hatch...just silver circle now.
Cream leather interior in very good shape (few minor cracks in drivers seat)
86,000 miles
newer tires all match with good tread
Serviced regularly, but don't have all receipts.
New clutch and transmission rotors (?) wife burned out the old clutch.
Now the not so good news....air blow cool...but not cold...thinking of having it looked at...check engine light comes on occasionally but not currently on.
Is $4500 doable for Tampa Bay area?
Thank you oh car buying god! lol
Brad