Cars and Other Driving Machines

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Dude, we've had 2 Mercedes and won't make that mistake again. At least not for now. We had some really bizarre service issues with both cars (both new) and the dealership here in the Bay Area is a bunch of assholes. Plus, the service department is staffed with gaping assholes.

And I, unlike Flanders there, do not appreciate someone else's ass farts in my leather. New moo. It's all about the new moo. Not ass.

Plus, I have a very high standard for how the car was cared for. Most people treat their cars like shit. They're mostly filthy, door-dinged stink bombs. No. I'll pay the extra, unless I know the guy who owned the car.

The S is a clean Benz. They've been making the guts of the ride forever. Stay away from the Ms and the Cs, and the older E class 4matics.

I drove an M last week for a while and thought it was nice, but way to plasticky for a Benz. Something bad happened to the overall Benz line when they shifted from the boxy 99 bodies to the sleeker 2000 bodies.

I treat my cars like absolute shit inside, but keep change the oil religiously at 3000 miles and keeep them tuned, etc. My present ride haas never been washed. Grey is the way to go when you pick the color... I almost picked black. That would have ben a disaster.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
The S is a clean Benz. They've been making the guts of the ride forever. Stay away from the Ms and the Cs, and the older E class 4matics.

I drove an M last week for a while and thought it was nice, but way to plasticky for a Benz. Something bad happened to the overall Benz line when they shifted from the boxy 99 bodies to the sleeker 2000 bodies.

I treat my cars like absolute shit inside, but keep change the oil religiously at 3000 miles and keeep them tuned, etc. My present ride haas never been washed. Grey is the way to go when you pick the color... I almost picked black. That would have ben a disaster.

See. You're the reason I don't buy used cars.
You're kidding yourself if you think that gray or silver "hides the dirt." Have you looked at your wheels recently? Are they black? did they used to be?
Listen, all climate differences aside, you have to wash your car at least once a month - I do mine every other week. Back when I had the red car, every week. Wax it twice a year. The dirt is acidic and eats through your clear coat. This is especially important on your wheels. The brake dust is extremely acidic and will pit the clear coat on your wheels. Do you vacuum? Ever? Eat in the car? I'm not talking a q-tip detail, but at least wash the poor thing. You'd be surprised at how much better you can see through clean windows. And you car drives faster when it's clean. It's happier.

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
See. You're the reason I don't buy used cars.
You're kidding yourself if you think that gray or silver "hides the dirt." Have you looked at your wheels recently? Are they black? did they used to be?
Listen, all climate differences aside, you have to wash your car at least once a month - I do mine every other week. Back when I had the red car, every week. Wax it twice a year. The dirt is acidic and eats through your clear coat. This is especially important on your wheels. The brake dust is extremely acidic and will pit the clear coat on your wheels. Do you vacuum? Ever? Eat in the car? I'm not talking a q-tip detail, but at least wash the poor thing. You'd be surprised at how much better you can see through clean windows. And you car drives faster when it's clean. It's happier.

Have you tried Zaino yet? Awesome "wax", sometimes a bitch to put on, but a very wet look, lasts a real long time, makes maintenance washes really easy.

And also, you really need to lighten up on the farts/used cars thing--have you any idea what's floating around in your office this very second? You'll go insane.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Flinty_McFlint
Have you tried Zaino yet? Awesome "wax", sometimes a bitch to put on, but a very wet look, lasts a real long time, makes maintenance washes really easy.

And also, you really need to lighten up on the farts/used cars thing--have you any idea what's floating around in your office this very second? You'll go insane.

No. We used Zymol for years. But had to switch since it gets over 100 in the east bay and the shit just comes right off. I was getting about a month on a wax. This stuff is guaranteed well over 100 and we've had excellent success. I think it's called Black Fire? Why can't I remember?


But this stuff was the shit. Until we moved.

zymöl Estate Glazes: Glasur™

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[mmm3587]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
No. My credit is fine. Porsche and Mercedes have unusually bad lease programs. Typically the worst in the market. Compare a 3 year lease on an comparably equipped X5 for 36 months at under $600/month.
I'm no rube. Porsche would prefer that you buy. The resale value while high, is not high enough for them to offer decent lease programs.

Then just do a third party lease. It's not like doing dealer financing is ever the best deal for a luxury car.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Then just do a third party lease. It's not like doing dealer financing is ever the best deal for a luxury car.

Fuck it. I don't want something I have to beg for a loaner every couple months. I want something that starts when I turn the key and shifts when I want it to shift. Fuck roadside assistance - it's overrated.

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by Flanders
I have never owned a new car in my life. (Then again, I enjoy someone else’s 1-2 yr old ass smell in my leather)

Speaking of auctions: Attached is a sale list (LONG) from the BMW Financial Services auction near Chicago. Good way to save 5-7k on some of the cars. Great deals on the e46 M3's. Looks like the value is holding on the e39 5 series.

BMW Wholesale Auction Results - Manheim - November 10, 2004

Long list of dirt cheap bimmers

How do I get on that list?

[Flanders]

Originally posted by pony_trekker
How do I get on that list?

A couple people on www.Roadfly.com post the auction results every few months. Not sure what you have to do in order to attend the BMW Financial Services auction though.

[Flanders]

Originally posted by Flinty_McFlint
Have you tried Zaino yet? Awesome "wax", sometimes a bitch to put on, but a very wet look, lasts a real long time, makes maintenance washes really easy.

And also, you really need to lighten up on the farts/used cars thing--have you any idea what's floating around in your office this very second? You'll go insane.

Interesting, I am due for a wax. (my car, not my back) I have it narrowed down to www.pinnaclewax.com and www.zainostore.com

Flinty, I have heard great reviews re Zaino. I was thinking about trying it out, but I turned away after I went to their website and looked at the instructions. Looks like it is fairly labor intensive with several steps. Is it any more time consuming than using normal carnauba? How much longer does the finish last?

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Fuck it. I don't want something I have to beg for a loaner every couple months. I want something that starts when I turn the key and shifts when I want it to shift. Fuck roadside assistance - it's overrated.

What are you talking about? A third party lease is where you have another party buy the new car you're getting and lease it from them instead of the manufacturer. You get the benefits of a lease without getting screwed by the dealer on terms. It's transparent to the dealer. They'll treat you the same when you come in for service. I'm sick of trying to explain to you how auto financing works. It's not worth it.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by mmm3587
What are you talking about? A third party lease is where you have another party buy the new car you're getting and lease it from them instead of the manufacturer. You get the benefits of a lease without getting screwed by the dealer on terms. It's transparent to the dealer. They'll treat you the same when you come in for service. I'm sick of trying to explain to you how auto financing works. It's not worth it.

Quit being a dickhead. I know how financing works. I've had 4 cars since 98. I've done the paperwork. What I'm saying is why would I want to finance a car that I'm not going to be able to drive with any regularity?

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Quit being a dickhead. I know how financing works. I've had 4 cars since 98. I've done the paperwork. What I'm saying is why would I want to finance a car that I'm not going to be able to drive with any regularity?

Look, financing does not necessarily mean that you own something. If you get utility out of not owning the depreciating asset, but leasing it, all other costs being equal, fine. All I'm saying is that the fact that the Porsche dealer offers only horrendous and nonsensical lease rates is not sufficient to prevent you from leasing a Porsche on approximately the same terms that you could lease any other car, after considering the initial cost and depreciation.

I was trying to help you realize that you can take advantage of other financing options (including leasing) in order to drive a Porsche. You don't have to lease it from the dealer. If you don't understand that, then you are a fucking moron, and that's not just me being a dickhead.

[mmm3587]

This is mostly for Sebby, but I'm curious from anyone who knows. My former local "handle all the auction stuff for you" guy died, and, even though I'm not in the market right now, I'd like to have somebody I can reccommend or think about working with when the time comes. Or if I win the lottery. How should I find someone who will navigate all this auction stuff for me?

Also, is there an easy way to avoid paying cash? I suppose cash on hand is not necessary; perhaps the home equity approach is better. But can I generally find someone to write me an auto-loan type rate personal loan or a line of credit which can be drawn upon only if you promise to secure the loan with the asset immediately? My article (mumble? 9? 3? yikes...) is rusty, can you even perfect a security interest after the fact?

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Look, financing does not necessarily mean that you own something. If you get utility out of not owning the depreciating asset, but leasing it, all other costs being equal, fine. All I'm saying is that the fact that the Porsche dealer offers only horrendous and nonsensical lease rates is not sufficient to prevent you from leasing a Porsche on approximately the same terms that you could lease any other car, after considering the initial cost and depreciation.

I was trying to help you realize that you can take advantage of other financing options (including leasing) in order to drive a Porsche. You don't have to lease it from the dealer. If you don't understand that, then you are a fucking moron, and that's not just me being a dickhead.

Jesus Christ dude, you're talking to yourself again. Listen, for the last time - the financing was not the only reason not to buy the vehicle. Fucking A man. Learn to read. And being a dickhead is calling someone names for no fucking reason. You're still being a dickhead.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Jesus Christ dude, you're talking to yourself again. Listen, for the last time - the financing was not the only reason not to buy the vehicle. Fucking A man. Learn to read. And being a dickhead is calling someone names for no fucking reason. You're still being a dickhead.

Wow. If I were going only by avatars I'd say "catfight!"