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47304 messages,  Last post on Nov 09, 2009 at 3:35 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying


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#42460 of 47304
Re: Gotta vent here.... [imidazol97] by graphicguy
Apr 30, 2009 (7:23 am)
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Apr 29, 2009 8:54 am)

Richard....that '66 Grand Prix was a neat car. Guy said it was garaged for it's entire life. Also was honest enough to tell me it was a "driver", not a trailer queen. Looked to be a pretty loaded example (for the time). It had pwer windows, brakes, steering. And, it had factory air. The radio was am/fm with the "wonderbar" option (electronic motor pushed the tuning dial up and down the frequencies until it found a signal). 389 engine with a 4bbl. 3-speed auto on the floor. Not sure of the HP or torque. Bucket seats (if you want to call them that. Chrome everywhere, inside and out. "Slit" tail lights (gotta see them to understand what they looked like). Not sure if it was a real wood dash, but it looked/felt like it.
 
It had a couple of sizable "dings" on either side But, not something that couldn't be fixed relatively easy. It was a cream color exterior. Paint looked original (and in surprisingly good shape). Some wear on trim pieces, but carpet looked good. For a 40+ year old car, it looked great. No bondo that I could ascertain. Panels were all straight. Obviously, tires, belts, battery, exhaust, radiator, etc had been replaced....carb and trans had been rebuilt at one point. But, the owner said everything else was original.
 
Again, don't know enough about these cars to know if he was being totally honest or not. But, it sure looked like he was telling the truth.
 
I have absolutely no idea what it's worth. It sounded like a good deal, but who knows? Not me, that's for certain. Clearly, it intrigued me because it could be had for what I thought was relatively "cheap" based on prices I've seen on old cars in good shape.
 
To drive it, you definitely have to "rethink" how you negotiate turns, give yourself plenty of time to bring it to a stop, and keep it pointed straight.
 
imid....If for nothing else, you could have dropped in to just while away an hour or two to enjoy the gorgeous weather. I lucked out on parking. A guy was pulling out about a 1/4 mile from where the main show was, and I snuck in to park for free (plenty of places that were charging for parking). A friend of mine who works for the Ford plant about a mile or two away said I could have parked their. They had a little shuttle set up that the UAW had sponsored (seems as if the UAW is being "kinder and gentler" these days).
 
The show in Lebanon is even bigger. If you go, you can't miss it. The town itself isn't that big and takes up the whole main drag. I think it's in July, maybe August.
#42461 of 47304
Re: We traded it for a big four door tank---Buick LeSabre [traindriver] by richard64
Apr 30, 2009 (7:31 am)
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Replying to: traindriver (Apr 29, 2009 8:54 pm)

Check your email again.
 
"Is it vain or uppity to spend the same money on a used premium brand when you could have bought something new that is down the ladder a notch or two?"
 
You brought up an interesting point. Being twice your age, allow me to give you my slant on it. When I was your age, I told my wife that I didn't want us to wait until we were old to have and do things in life. We borrowed money for our first trip to Europe and paid it back in monthly payments. We bought an MGB, a Lincoln, a Caddy, etc. when the payments were higher than we would have liked. We spent money on antiques when newer furniture would have been cheaper. I think that you get my drift. Do I regret any of it? Absolutely not! Now that we're older, everyone's dropped dead and left us money and property. While it is a secure feeling to have it, it doesn't mean the same thing that it did when we were younger. I'm very glad that we enjoyed our earlier years within reason. I was careful with the money but could have saved more. I don't know if saving more would have made us happier now. We are comfortable with good insurance and retirement benefits. Also, you can't count on what others may leave you. We've been surprised to tell you the truth. Still, we don't need it to live.
 
The bottom line is this: If a one or two year old luxury car is what you want, then you should buy it. It has nothing to do with being "vain or uppity". It's the enjoyment that you derive from it. I once bought a cheap Buick Skylark to be economical. I hated the car. After three years, I traded it for a Ford Bronco with everything on it. I was so much happier. Have what you want within reason. You won't be back this way again. BTW, some here won't agree with me. That's ok. This is just one man's opinion.
 
Richard
#42463 of 47304
Re: Gotta vent here.... [graphicguy] by richard64
Apr 30, 2009 (7:56 am)
Reply

Replying to: graphicguy (Apr 30, 2009 7:23 am)

You brought back a wonderful memory---the Wonderbar! I used to think that was the neatest thing. Yes, I can visualize the tail lights, the leather bucket seats and all of that chrome. I remember it well. It certainly sounds like a good deal, but I wouldn't know either. Also, if you drove it very much, I would imagine that right much money would be involved to maintain it. I know that you enjoyed driving it.
 
Richard
#42465 of 47304
Re: We traded it for a big four door tank---Buick LeSabre [imidazol97] by lrguy44
Apr 30, 2009 (8:12 am)
Reply

Replying to: imidazol97 (Apr 30, 2009 5:02 am)

Can one of the salespeople tell us if their dealership mines the information about visits to the websites listing their vehicles?
 
Cookies are not nearly as productive as the spy cam. A company cruises parking lots taking pictures of license plates. The dealer then can find out what you own, your payments and payoff, your credit score and income, children's names and activities, your mortgage, how old you were when you bought your first car, what tv shows you watch and your favorite foods. This guarantees you will be clubbed like a baby seal.
In truth, no, dealers do not get any info from cookies. Advertisers do and your surfing habits generate spam and pop-ups for different products. Not a local dealer thing.
#42467 of 47304
Re: We traded it for a big four door tank---Buick LeSabre [richard64] by verdugo
Apr 30, 2009 (8:27 am)
Reply

Replying to: richard64 (Apr 30, 2009 7:31 am)

Have what you want within reason
 
I think the "within reason" part is the key. Most people just hear the first part of that sentence. That's a big reason why we got into this current mess.
#42468 of 47304
Re: Gotta vent here.... [richard64] by verdugo
Apr 30, 2009 (8:29 am)
Reply

Replying to: richard64 (Apr 30, 2009 7:56 am)

You brought back a wonderful memory---the Wonderbar! I used to think that was the neatest thing.
 
I don't know what a Wonderbar is, but when I read the post the first time I read wonderBRA. That's also a neat thing, but don't visualize it pls. This is a family forum.
#42469 of 47304
Re: We traded it for a big four door tank---Buick LeSabre [richard64] by traindriver
Apr 30, 2009 (9:26 am)
Reply

Replying to: richard64 (Apr 30, 2009 7:31 am)

When I was your age, I told my wife that I didn't want us to wait until we were old to have and do things in life. I'm very glad that we enjoyed our earlier years within reason. I was careful with the money but could have saved more.
 
No need to cut and paste everything you said but I totally agree with your philosophy. You said it much better than I could. Thanks for sharing that with me. Now I will not feel guilty no matter what I choose. I am selective with what I splurge on and will not allow it to compromise my savings or get me too far in the hole. Within reason is key. Too many folks just don't understand how money "works."
 
I totally agree on the antiques as well. We've picked up a few nice things along the way. I especially treasure the family pieces; I have the bed that my great grandfather was born in circa 1890-something.
 
check your email.

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