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Automotive News & Views Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous
15333 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 2:24 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 24, 2009 7:26 pm) "I can add H&R mild springs that drop the car less than a inch and bump up the spring rate slightly, and put on some real shocks, and add sway bars and tires and wheels, but now I have a car that is unsellable, and I am out an additional $2k." That's pretty much the same reason I sold my Altima. Looking back, that was one of the better cars I've owned. It wasn't perfect (the heater never worked well--a common problem with the first couple of years of the 3rd generation), and it wasn't exciting, but it rode and accelerated well, handled okay, was invisible to speed traps, and was easy as pie to maintain. "Accept a lot of miles and try to pick up an inexpensive E36 M3 (or an E46 330i) and deal with the maintenance?" Do you have a nearby independent mechanic who specializes in European cars? If so, I'd consider going for it. If not, we're in a similar situation, and I'd consider something like an Acura TSX or Lexus, which shouldn't need much work, or buying the BMW as a second vehicle and wrenching on it yourself. "...apparently with an '07 Accord with 4k in equity doesn't get me very far towards a '07 Speed6 GT that is running 19k." I also know that feeling. I have "retail equity" on my G6 (if it were declared a total loss, I wouldn't be in the hole), but not "trade equity" (wholesale is less than I owe). This is probably good from a financial perspective since it makes me more reluctant to trade.
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Replying to: corvette (Jun 24, 2009 7:52 pm) The TSX was underwhelming to me when I got the Accord, I test drove it and it felt the same to me, except for a little more cramped. Its main attractions were the extra gear and better tire size. I decided it wasn't worth $10k to me at the time. That vehicle was never on the short list. The Lexus seems to be going in the opposite direction of where I want to be. I am pretty proficient as far as backyard mechanics go and I have a house with a garage, so that's another thumbs up. I feel comfortable with wrenching on the small BMWs through the end of the E46s and parts availability seems fine. I have also noticed a lot of 944s popping up lately, I am sure with "deferred maintenance" issues. That could be fun as well. I don't mind sweat equity.
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Yes, I have traded in too many times in past 20 years and now will stick with my 4 year old Sentra. Step 1 of "Carbuying Anonymous", admit you are powerless over new cars and ... Or, just simply realize it is not worth it and keep the buggy  running as my grandparents did in the Depression and WW2. And parents did in 70s/80s recessions.
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Keep the Accord and get something fun to play with on the side.. (wait, is this marriage counseling?). You'll never find something practical to commute in, that you'll love... unless you want to commute in an M5.. The Accord is perfect for that.. I'm guessing that you thought the stickshift would turn your commuter drone into a fun car... I made the same mistake..
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 24, 2009 8:20 pm) |
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Replying to: kyfdx (Jun 25, 2009 2:37 am) Or a Corvette - my 'practical commuter' for 2+ years. Quite reasonable gas mileage, even! Loved it. Or [ at a significantly lower price point ] a G8 GT = my current 'hobby' & Daily Driver... Love it. - Ray Dropped a couple of MPG moving to the G8 GT - oh, well... |
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 24, 2009 7:26 pm) Do I owe you an "I told you so"? ;b
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Replying to: kyfdx (Jun 25, 2009 2:37 am) I still think the manual helps; I can't imagine having an automatic to drive on that commute. I would fall asleep on my drive in and kill myself. I end up driving a lot of different cars for work and the Lexus ES350 took the cake. I think if they just turned down the bed a little and left a mint on my seat, I would be sleeping like a baby. At the same time, I know this can be taken to extremes. When I was doing a lot of HPDEs, I was pretty happy to get back into the Contour or the old Accord as opposed to driving the nervous, over-tired, rigid-suspended "weekend race vehicle" back to San Jose from Buttonwillow or Willow Springs. |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jun 25, 2009 8:05 am) Do I owe you an "I told you so"? ;b I think you might have still been in the honeymoon phase with yours when I got mine. Like I said, there really isn't anything wrong with it, its totally serviceable for its intended purpose, its just as interesting as a box of rocks to drive.
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 25, 2009 2:52 pm) |
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