Chewer Cars - Page 3

I've got a 2007 Scion tC. I've had it since August 2008 and LOVE it. Fun to drive, roomy, comfortable, very nicely priced.

This past Sunday, the boyfriend and I were walking out of the supermarket and across the parking lot to his car. As we did, we walked past a Cube - a white Cube, no less, which are even more ridiculous looking because they look like a giant toy ice cube or ice cream truck. So as we walked by, we started mocking it - "Those cube cars are so stupid looking! They don't even look like real cars!" Just then, the car's owner - who was walking just a few paces behind us - strolled over to unlock its door. D'oh!

So I got a new 2011 toyota Camry. Yes its a big honkin' daddy car, but I got the new color Spruce Mica (green) and it's turning a lot of heads. I love it..   still haven't seen another one like it on the road yet. 

 

Toyota has got 0%APR all month on the camry's and 1.9% APR on Corrolas for 60 months.  Can't beat it with a stick.

Coolio. I'm considering getting a Toyota Corrolla or Scion tC. They both seem to average out to be around the same price, for all the features I chose. Plus a sunroof is standard on the Scion. I'm currently really starting to hate my Grand Prix. I put $1,200 into it back in November, $1,200 in February and $1,300 this past June. All for services and repairs. Though the June one was because I hit something on the highway which put a hole in my oil pan. But geeze... looking at all that money to keep it going... that's a down payment! Ugh.

A big chunk of my upcoming Redundancy payout is going on replacing one of our cars. I'm thinking it my have to be my loyal steed as she is a 95 VW Golf with a leak somewhere (the garage can't find) that means I have to top the Raidator up every three days.

 

I prefer smaller cars so I'm probably going to go for a new Golf or prehaps one of the new Ford Fiestia's because they look pretty tidy.

Or that's just buying a quality used car outright...

 

In all fairness though, I could see a third of your expenses being for expected maintenance.

 

So... today... I purchased a 2010 Dodge Charger SXT. So happy to be rid of my Grand Prix. It's been nothing but a pain in the ass the past few years. I take possession next Wednesday.

 

I have a black 2010 Toyota Corolla LE, and I LOVE that car.  Roomy, smooth ride, great on gas, never given me a lick of trouble.

Brendan is clearly attempting to drag a big-ass safe around town!  Just to get that charming Dwayne Johnson coming after him.

 

Dat smile...

Proud owner of a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport for almost 10 years and not looking to upgrade anytime soon.

 

As an auto mechanic, the most important attribute for any car I have owned is whether or not I have to work on it regularly; fortunately, mine has been pretty much drama free since I have had it.  

 

 

I bought a 2011 Civic back in February and before I even had the permanent plates, some guy rear ended me and did like $4000 worth of damage to it.  His insurance covered everything (after I had to specifically request that they use OEM parts and not 'equivalent quality' parts) but it still annoys me.  I drive a crappy '99 Mustang for 6 years and no one will run into me.  3 weeks after I buy a new car and *bam*!

 

Still loving the Civic though.  Glad I bought it before the new models came out.  Although if I had waited, I'd definitely be considering the new Kia Optima.  Looks sharp, has good reviews, and the price is not bad.

 

Got the same car, but a 2009.  (assuming it's a 3.5 HO V6) 

I love the car, but the one thing I recommend doing right away is checking out the transmission fluid connector guide bushing.  It's on the front passenger side of the car and is super easy to replace, the part costs 9 bucks.  

 

The problem may have been resolved in the 2010, but it wasn't in the 2009-2006 models.  Basically, the Transmission Fluid leaks through the faulty bushing, and can cause serious problems in the fluid gets low (no duh).  It can be hard to spot if you park the car outside and not in a garage.  My car, I didn't notice it right away.  It started having issues reving up, and didn't shift properly.  I checked the TSBs and sure enough, there was the problem.  I replaced it, then took it back to the dealership to get the tranny fluid topped.  The major issue I have with the car, is how you can not check the transmission fluid level unless you have a 200 dollar tool.  All that's in the engine, is a plug.  There is no dip stick.  So you have to take it to the dealership to have them check the level.  

 

Other then that, it's a solid car.

 

Other car we own, is a 2006 Cadillac CTS.  Nice ride, specially in the winter. Heated seats are really nice when you wake up to 1 degree weather.  

I've had my 2000 Mustang for a year now. Not one problem since I bought it. Not even low tire pressure. It's built like a tank, and fast as shit.

 

I also have a 1998 KIA Sportage. It's okay as a chore buggy, but it's really just a slight step up from one of those pink Barbie Jeeps that runs on a battery.

I was looking at the CTS but the price and year wasn't worth it. I didn't want a car that was already three or four years old. This car has been "on the road" for 14 months. So that was a deciding factor. I'll look into that tranny fluid thing. The guy went over a very detailed history of the car and there's been absolutely no major or even minor work done to it aside from the usual services (oil changes, fluid flushes/changes etc). But I can't wait! Plans had to change so I get the car tomorrow. What song do I use as the first one played in it?! So much pressure!

Just keep an eye under the car.. if you spots of red liquid, switch out that part right away.  I read about people who didn't, and it ended up costing them over a thousand due to an 8 dollar part.  

Just curious if any Chewers have made modifications to their cars. I'm not huge into and I was going to do some very basic things.

 

I plan on removing the decals on my car that say "Charger" "AWD" "SXT" "3.5L High Output" and the side door bumper guards. Mainly I just want a cleaner look on the vehicle. I may also paint the Dodge emblem that's on the front and rear of the car black. I'll probably end up painting the chrome t-bar/grill black as well. I hate that it's chrome. It doesn't look right with the rest of the car. It's a more cost effective way of getting a black front grill.

 

My windows aren't tinted but I'll be getting that done soon.

 

I also will be adding a little push button on the center console that is attached to a little siren horn under the hood so I can 'chirp' it at people. I figure instead of honking at people I can chirp at them and if hold it down it makes a nice loud siren noise. And since I'm a creep, I'll chirp at girls on sidewalks in the summer time, ahahhaa!!

 

I'll probably paint the brake calipers red in the summer time as well, I may buy a cover for the third brake light (the interior one in the rear window) that is in the shape of the Batman Begins bat symbol.

 

Sadly a decent set of black rims will probably have to wait for now.

 

I've also looked at tail light covers but when I see them on other cars it can be pretty difficult to see when they're braking or when they're signalling ESPECIALLY in the day time. So I may not go that route.

Get ya some 22s and a ground effects package.

 

After that, go for a Turbo system.

Actually a body kit is something I'm slightly interested in. Though I generally hate the idea of adding a bunch of cheap plastic to the car. Though it would look cool.... ahahhaa!! We'll see...

 

My main priority is getting the damn windows tinted and getting a black grill. I may also get an interior trim kit since I'm not a fan of the gray/chrome inside. A guy I work with has a Dodge Magnum and he painted the gray/chrome bits black and it doesn't look all that bad. He didn't do this for the radio/AC control dash area trim as he found an actual insert for that that was black.

 

I might goto a wrecker in the city and see if they have any Chargers that match my cars generation and see what I can maybe take off of them. There's also an automotive place that specializes in all this kind of add-on/tuner stuff so I'll get prices from them for things.

I got off work early today and since it was gorgeous out, I decided to de-badge my car.

 

Before:

 

 

After:

 

 

I'll probably wait until Friday now to remove the side molding. The car also had "3.5L HIGH OUTPUT" badges near the two front tires. I removed those as well. Of all the badges on the car, those were the worst.

Nice de-badge, now it looks like a police cruiser!

 

2006 Mini Cooper S for me.  Ordered it new, and it's been as loyal as a hunting dog, and just as eager.  A few issues, all fixed under warranty.  Red, black, and chrome interrior, so it looks like a pinball machine inside, I love it, but I like gaudy cars.

 

I can't recommend any of the current generation (post 2007), as I dislike the turbo lag, which always felt like I was catching the car flat-footed.  The handling and steering feel are still great, but the ride is still harsh.  The cockpit is refined over the first generation (2002-2006), but feels cheaper in places, and lost some of it's charm, while still trying to hard.  Finally the base prices and options have gotten way too aspirational.

 

As I get older and flabbier I'm drawn to something more plush.  Used Cadillac DTS are relatively inexpensive, but I've read bad things about the Northstar's longterm reliability.  I really want a CTS wagon, but I'm afraid my parents would have problems getting into it, as the sills are very wide.  Not many used examples either.

So my Dodge is now completely badge free aside from this Batman emblem on the back. I removed the Dodge Ram logo that was where the Bat logo is now. I painted the Bat logo the same colour as the car because I wanted it to match.

 

 

So really, as it stands, there's no way to tell that I drive a Dodge Charger. The only emblem telling you it's a Dodge is the Ram logo on the hood. Which I removed and painted the colour of the car as well:

 

 

Now I just need to tint my windows and replace that shitty chrome grill on the front of the car with a black one and I'll be happy. Black rims can come at a later date, I'm no rush for those.

I'm going to need to get some tinting done in prep for an entire Texas summer. Ugh. Not sure how dark to go because I don't want to screw up my night driving. Hate getting in a super-hot car though.

I put a Ghostbusters logo on the Glove Box of my Golf does that count?  Still have it, got the radiator fixed had a few other issues but every time I think i'm going to have to give her up the Garage patches the car up for less than a £100, so she stays. 

 

I did replace the Mondeo however with this little beauty.... 

 

 

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?num=10&um=1&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=qwjfPJ3nQGuouM:&imgrefurl=http://sacramento.olx.com/2004-mazda-mazda3-sport-hatchback-clean-carfax-1-pre-loved-owner-moonroof-iid-291997934&docid=ijQCAALh2TlS7M&itg=1&imgurl=http://images01.olx.com/ui/17/83/34/f_291997934-784137239.jpeg&w=625&h=468&ei=vIKuT-myKsas0QXv1pyPCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=184&vpy=338&dur=821&hovh=194&hovw=260&tx=195&ty=119&sig=109601907473866372682&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=188&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0,i:96

 

And given I love sporty little cars she does me just fine

 

However I wish I could go down to one car but with my wife and i working in opposite directions, it aint practical.

I'm pushing a 2012 Tacoma, nothing amazing but I removed all the badges, changed the rims and went with a 3" lift. I wanted to go 6" but it's already hard enough for most of my friends to get in, let alone dates. My buddies and I built a dog pin to load in the back when we go hunting and I think I'm pretty much done with it outside a bull bar/wench and adjusting the window tint.

 

I've got a few bikes too. '89 Harley springer softail that's pretty mean looking but it's bobbed so there's no room for passengers. A '92 Fatboy I call Moby Dick, it's just a big, ugly, white behemoth and I just picked up a '02 Suzuki VZ800 from a buddy that owed me money for some paint I'd done on his truck. I'm not big on Japanese bikes but it was a good trade and now I've got a little toy I can completely destroy and not have to worry about keeping in working order.

 

Before my divorce I had a '05 BMW M5 so now I get to look at her every time my ex drops off the kids.

 

I go through vehicles like candy so this time next year the lineup will probably be different.

Sorta in/not in the market for something.  I like to buy 8-10 years old every five years or so, pay cash and flog the hell out of my vehicles.  Did everyone stop buying manuals in the early 2000's?  I have been looking at 2004 Acura TSX's and I have found roughly 5 six speeds out of almost 200 cars; all of them a plane ticket and two day drive home away might I add. 

 

Also, depreciation ain't what she used to be.  I'm used to finding beautiful cars with 80-100K on the clock and paying less than $5000 for them and selling them 4-5 years later and essentially keeping my initial investment and only "losing" maintenance costs.  If I were to buy the same kind of car I normally buy right now I would have to shell out nearly $10-13K.

Cash-for-Clunkers and the reduction of easy consumer credit ended cheap used cars.  

 

Give it 5 years and new cars with manual transmissions in the USDM will be incredibly rare.

 

What is your basis for stating the demise of the manual?

It's been a facet of the automotive press for a while, and thetruthaboutcars.com regularly mentions it, I'll find industry data when I'm less sleepy, but they have been in decline in the US for years.  There will still be standard transmission, but they will become very much a boutique item.  DSG's are coming into their own, and filling the enthusiast niche too.

 

WHEW!  I thought you meant that all forms of shifting would be gone.  However, double clutch systems(admittedly I have never driven one) but I get the feeling they aren't particularly well liked because they remove so much of the interaction with the car and reduce the actual fun of shifting.

 

I need to re-up my car mag subscriptions.  If you are up on the current crop of auto reading can you tell me if they have proper digital versions yet?  I might be swayed into a tablet for that very reason.

 

*EDIT*  Looks like Motor Trend has one but I cannot find if there is any difference between the digital and print versions.

Edited by TzuDohNihm - 5/16/12 at 5:56am

I don't know about the digital editions, since I've been getting the car mags for about $7 a year(!)  Just call them and ask for a deal, they're half WheatherTech ads now. 

 

Current reading is topgear.com and thetruthaboutcars.com

 

Other blogs of note: jalopnik.com, autoblog.com, hooniverse.com, autoextremist.com,  www.autopacific.com

 

I tried to follow former Autoblog editor David Thomas for a a while, but I don't think he's writing online any more.  Really liked his stuff.  

 

Motoringfile.com for all things mini, my brand of choice is depressing the hell out of me though.

 

Here's one article on the death of the traditional manual, the European marques are mostly behind the push to DSG's and obnoxiously geared slushboxes (eight gears? really?): http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/is-the-manual-transmission-dead/

 

There will always be holdouts.  The new Toyota/Scion/Subaru BR-ZFR-86-whatever is a good example.  I doubt BMW will ever drop standard manuals completely.

I thought the recent 1M was only available with "flappy paddles"? 

 

I love that phrase.

 

Nope!  No flappy paddles! 6-speed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_1_Series_M_Coupe#M_Coup.C3.A9

 

I wish I could have afforded one.  With only 700ish in the US, it's not like they'll be easy to come by.

 

Although BMW said they would never do front wheel drive, but after research showing their customers didn't know the difference, the next 1 series will be FWD.

When my father died in 2005 he left me his 1999 Chevy Cavalier 4-door. It had 25,000 miles on it when I received it and he bought it new. Old folks and cars. My wife drives a Buick Century old lady car even though she tried to pimp it out with tint and wheels it still screams AARP. I've been looking for a vehicle the past year but nothing jumps out at me.

Saw a Pontiac Aztec with a for sale sign in it yesterday.  Almost tempted, I need a 4-door, and I have a soft spot for awful cars.

 

Keep forgetting to say: BatDodge! looks awesome : )

 

Also Windingroad.com is a good, free, digital car magazine.

My grandparents have, within the past year, stopped driving.  My aunt now drives them everywhere.  They have a 2007 Ford Fusion sitting in their carport with less than 20K miles on it.  I offered them $8-10K for it but apparently they would rather take it to the local Ford dealer and have them try and sell it.  Not sure what the hell they are thinking.

 

Not that I would keep it mind you.  Hopefully I could turn around and sell it for 12.