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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

32418 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 6:14 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

Messages Page 3020 of 3243

#30183 of 32418 Re: Orlando [ateixeira] by fintail

Feb 13, 2013 (8:16 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 12, 2013 8:45 pm)
The later one is the one to get - the later cars also had better quality.

#30184 of 32418 Re: Orlando [breld] by xwesx

Feb 13, 2013 (11:09 am)

Replying to: breld (Feb 12, 2013 10:18 pm)
Welcome back! I imagine you and your wife needed that vacation after all that car buying!

#30185 of 32418 Re: Orlando [fintail] by boomchek

Feb 13, 2013 (11:11 am)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 13, 2013 8:13 am)
Yeah we paid what was to us a decent price for our condo 3 years ago. Regardless of what the market does our mortgage is still cheaper than if we were renting, and that's with minimal cash out of our pocket. So either way since we have to pay to live somewhere and we're not stretching our budget or paying more than if were to rent we're not worried right now.
 
It would be nice to get into a townhouse or house though so if prices to drop significantly we'd definetly start looking but would keep the condo as well I think.

#30186 of 32418 Re: Orlando [boomchek] by fintail

Feb 13, 2013 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: boomchek (Feb 13, 2013 11:11 am)
What do you do about garage space?
 
In my immediate area, carrying costs of a mortgage seem to be twice rent or more - and that's for condos that won't appreciate like houses. Makes it hard for me to want to buy. There are deals to be had in lesser locations, but hour + one way commutes don't endear me.

#30187 of 32418 Re: Orlando [fintail] by boomchek

Feb 13, 2013 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 13, 2013 12:10 pm)
Yeah we're central to everything and only 15 minute drive to the border where we get gas and buy groceries (meats and cheeses and dairy are much cheaper).
 
We only have 1 parking stall and sometimes you can get away with parking in visitors for a night.
 
Otherwise street parking is free, there's lots of space, and no city permits are required to park on the street.
 
It helps living in a not too congested neighbourhood because I have 2 cars out on the street right now, the MDX I bought for winter/new years, and my daily driver Echo RS 5 speed 4 dr hatch. Wife's BMW sits in the garage.
 
I'm trying to sell both the MDX as we don't need it anymore and the Echo and get something more interesting for my dd duties but it's hard to beat the Echo's superb fuel economy.
 
By the way I sold the Accord Wagon I had. It wasn't giving me very good fuel economy and I got offered a lot of money for it so although I miss it, it's gone. If I can find one like that in stick I'd buy it immediately.
 
I went through a lot of cars lately, my Echo and MDX are #27 and #28 since 1994 when I got my license.

#30188 of 32418 Re: Orlando [boomchek] by fintail

Feb 13, 2013 (3:52 pm)

Replying to: boomchek (Feb 13, 2013 1:38 pm)
I have one garage spot too - I have to rent a second for the fintail, and anything else, I am out of luck. Might be a good thing, keeps the herd small. I am generally OCD clean with my cars, so parking them outside doesn't appeal to me.
 
I haven't bought a car since 2006. Maybe it's coming time to look again.
 
What do you want to replace the Accord with? Sell the MDX first, at least - you don't want to appear on "Hoarders"

#30189 of 32418 Re: Orlando [fintail] by stickguy

Feb 13, 2013 (3:55 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 13, 2013 8:15 am)
My main TV (waste of) time is car shows on speed/velocity, and house shows on HGTV. Was watching property virgins last night (instead of the potus!) and there was a woman shopping on the edge of Atlanta. Big houses, for a depressingly low price!
 
one real nice place, about 3K SF, nice neighborhood, was ~$399,000. Agent said that the last time it was sold (2007 I think) it sold for 700 or 800 (can't remember the exact number, but it was a shockingly large depreciation some sucker took!)

#30190 of 32418 Re: Orlando [boomchek] by ateixeira

Feb 13, 2013 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: boomchek (Feb 13, 2013 1:38 pm)
To replace the Echo I suggest:
 
Honda Fit
Mazda3 SkyActiv
Golf TDI
Focus
 
With manuals they should be at least as fun and come close in fuel economy.

#30191 of 32418 Re: Orlando [fintail] by boomchek

Feb 13, 2013 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 13, 2013 3:52 pm)
What do you want to replace the Accord with?
 
Oh the Accord wagon is gone, I sold it in October. I was asking $2700 for it because I reluctantly listed it and did not want to sell it but I thought I'd get a feel for the market to see if there was any interest in it. I would have been happy driving it for years. I ended up getting $2600 from the first person that saw it. It was immaculate for a 200k mile car but I did have all the service records from the previous owners totalling about $15k since the mid 90s. I picked it up for about $1300 with taxes and everything, drove it for a bit and made money so I can't complain. When I bought it I though I overpaid for it but I guess not.
 
Yeah the MDX needs to go first as it's a bit of a pig on gas. $50 in gas lasts me 3-4 days. $50 in the Echo gives me a full tank and lasts about 2 weeks.
 
I don't know what I'll get yet. The bottom line is it's gotta be interesting to me, a good deal that I can sell and brake even or make money on, hence I'll probably get it at the car auction, and something I don't have to sink a lot of money into.
 
The 300 TE wagon and the 190E I posted in another thread look interesting. If I sell the MDX I might go take a look at one or both of them if they're still available. I also wouldn't mind a manual 4 door BMW E46. I had the AWD wagon but it was a bit too beat up.

#30192 of 32418 Re: Orlando [ateixeira] by boomchek

Feb 13, 2013 (5:43 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 13, 2013 4:01 pm)
Since I worked for Honda and driven the Fit a gazillion times I don't think I'd buy one. Not because they're bad cars but because I know what they're like. Since I'm a car guy my goal is to experience as many different cars as possible so if I worked for the brand chances are I won't buy that brand because I experienced the car(s) already. Unless a smoking deal comes along.
 
I'm not keen on the looks of the new Mazda3's, the TDI's are a bit overpriced, and not keen on the Focus either, unless it's the current generation.
 
I'm all over the map as to what to get so I might end up with a RWD german car, early 90s Japanese car, or some old american iron from the 70s if it catches my eye.
 
Right now one vehicle I've been craving lately is the Mercedes G Class (G550/G55) but since most here are priced at $50k+ I'll have to leave it off my list.

Messages Page 3020 of 3243

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