Car lovers?

Chris Harris likened the current BMW grill design to a pair of butt cheeks back in season 28 of Top Gear, and I agree. Fitting for the typical BWM driver reputation.

I was going to say pig nose, but butt cheeks works too. And don't like all the headlight slits that everyone is doing now.

IMAGE(https://media0.giphy.com/media/LSoNpK43um2eKtunkU/giphy.gif)

I don't like either but the kidney grill I can kind of get. The sliver headlights I don't get at all - BMWs have recognizable headlights so why minimize it to almost nothing? It's like there's a grill <-> headlight slider and they dragged grill too far

It is pretty tough right now in regards to car hunting. My Focus ST is over 10 years now and even though it is still fine for daily driving some small things are starting to add up and my wife has been telling me I DESERVE a new car!

So doing some research and of course this time period prices are up, rates are up and dealers are killing people with market adjustments. Luckily a dealership group here in the Raleigh area sticks with MSRP pricing. I was looking forward to a 40th anniversary VW GTI BUT it is almost impossible to get even a normal trim GTI right now.

So I test drove a few other brands and my goal was to stick in the mid 30s and ended up putting a holding amount down on a Toyota Camry TRD that will arrive in 6 weeks. A youtuber said it best - a car for people that used to do work on cars but now just wants a cool looking car that is 300 hp and a good daily driver.

Yeah we had to do that back in summer 21, put down $500 to reserve a car from the factory as soon as it got to the lot. But at least interest rates week low so we got a 0% deal still.

karmajay wrote:

It is pretty tough right now in regards to car hunting. My Focus ST is over 10 years now and even though it is still fine for daily driving some small things are starting to add up and my wife has been telling me I DESERVE a new car!

So doing some research and of course this time period prices are up, rates are up and dealers are killing people with market adjustments.

I'm kind of in the same boat and noticing the same thing. Also been a Nissan owner for my last two cars and wouldn't mind getting another one, but also kind of want a hybrid which Nissan doesn't make. Want to start test driving stuff but the thought of dealing with the dealers again is really turning me off.

Ok, so my 20 year old Mercedes c200 is kind of falling apart.

Last check the exhaust values were wrong (and they MUST be good in Sweden), so I put in 50% ethanol and 50% petrol and it passed (haha!). But the fuel trim bank gives errors, the brakes are VERY loud when braking (kadukedukedukeduk), there is a dent in the windshield... is has served me well - but time to part.

For home-work I have a electric car which serves me well. The mercedes was kind of spare thing for long trips or when the kids needed a car.

Now I have the option to trade the Mercedes for a Chrysler Le Baron Convertible V6 3.0 - An oldie with a mitsubishi motor and around 220.000 kilometers on the clock. Garage will check and make the Chrysler nice, and for an additional 2500 euros it is mine. I have a garage so can stall it inside. And I think it would be so much FUN to drive a convertible these three months it is possible in Sweden.

Stupid - or should I do it?

Peoj Snamreh wrote:

Stupid - or should I do it?

Run away. Far away.

Old convertibles are great as long as you like mildew.

Jonman wrote:

Old convertibles are great as long as you like mildew.

My concern is these gen Chrysler cars are notoriously bad. I can't imagine trying to keep one on the road with parts in Sweden. Yes, the engine parts might be there, but everything else?

Plus, they're not exactly known for being fun to drive, other than maybe it being a convertible.

MannishBoy wrote:
Jonman wrote:

Old convertibles are great as long as you like mildew.

My concern is these gen Chrysler cars are notoriously bad. I can't imagine trying to keep one on the road with parts in Sweden. Yes, the engine parts might be there, but everything else?

Plus, they're not exactly known for being fun to drive, other than maybe it being a convertible.

Thanks for the input. Did a bit of research. According to websites it was the Sebring that was bad - LeBaron not... but I have no clue how thrustworthy these car-websites are. More input is welcome!

Sweden is kind of the classic car walhalla of the world. Loads of cars hidden in garages of here. But no clue if this car will be in it. Was thinking of driving it for like 2 summers and then offload it.

Peoj Snamreh wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:
Jonman wrote:

Old convertibles are great as long as you like mildew.

My concern is these gen Chrysler cars are notoriously bad. I can't imagine trying to keep one on the road with parts in Sweden. Yes, the engine parts might be there, but everything else?

Plus, they're not exactly known for being fun to drive, other than maybe it being a convertible.

Thanks for the input. Did a bit of research. According to websites it was the Sebring that was bad - LeBaron not... but I have no clue how thrustworthy these car-websites are. More input is welcome!

Sweden is kind of the classic car walhalla of the world. Loads of cars hidden in garages of here. But no clue if this car will be in it. Was thinking of driving it for like 2 summers and then offload it.

Just telling you, nearly ALL Chryslers in this era are less than optimal.

And I don't really know anybody in America that would call these classics. I'm sure are a few people, but it's not something that would be in any kind of "top 100" style list. I can't remember the last one I saw running that had been maintained to any degree. If it was a well loved model, that would not be true.

Sorry if this isn't what you're looking for information wise so I'll just let it drop.

If you want a convertible, buy a Miata.

If you want a convertible with a back seat (if back seat is not a requirement see above), I'd go for a VW Cabrio over anything Chrysler, and depending on the era VW isn't exactly considered reliable. At least VW has enthusiast and community knowledge about the inevitable issues. I'm not sure Chrysler has enthusiast for anything they have built since the 1970s.

MannishBoy wrote:
Peoj Snamreh wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:
Jonman wrote:

Old convertibles are great as long as you like mildew.

My concern is these gen Chrysler cars are notoriously bad. I can't imagine trying to keep one on the road with parts in Sweden. Yes, the engine parts might be there, but everything else?

Plus, they're not exactly known for being fun to drive, other than maybe it being a convertible.

Thanks for the input. Did a bit of research. According to websites it was the Sebring that was bad - LeBaron not... but I have no clue how thrustworthy these car-websites are. More input is welcome!

Sweden is kind of the classic car walhalla of the world. Loads of cars hidden in garages of here. But no clue if this car will be in it. Was thinking of driving it for like 2 summers and then offload it.

Just telling you, nearly ALL Chryslers in this era are less than optimal.

And I don't really know anybody in America that would call these classics. I'm sure are a few people, but it's not something that would be in any kind of "top 100" style list. I can't remember the last one I saw running that had been maintained to any degree. If it was a well loved model, that would not be true.

Sorry if this isn't what you're looking for information wise so I'll just let it drop.

No worries .- I greatly appreciate your info! I have the feeling that I am on the verge of something stupid, but it still itches. Probably because the summer is FINALLY starting over here and everybody gets out to the garden, grilling and cruising. I wanna cruise too in the sun, hahaha. Perhaps I should look up to hire a car for a few days, so I have fun and no concerns - best of both worlds!

Hey I never responded a year or so ago but I wanted to say I loved your post about all your cars

Peoj Snamreh wrote:

Would have loved to drive a volvo and saab to their deaths, though, Who know, when I change jobs again, hahah!

I had the rare pleasure of driving two 80s Saabs until they completely fell apart. One of them was a convertible. Not to pile on, but I swore I'd never own a convertible again. I swear I put the top down maybe five times, not even worth the trouble.

BuzzW wrote:
BuzzW wrote:

Also I found a new Car Problem to add to my list. There's a red light on the dashboard that says BRAKE. Now I'm assuming it's just the light to let you know the parking brake is on. The light's always on though. I reached under the dashboard and jiggled wires near the parking brake and the light went out for a few minutes but it's on again. Eh I'm probably just not going to worry about it.

I saw this thread pop up and I went reading back for fun and I forgot I posted this. Just wanted to update that I've been successfully ignoring this issue for almost two years now. The car still stops.

Another update: After some research (I found the original owner's manual) it turns out that brake light can either mean the parking brake is on, or a sensor is reading the brake fluid as low. The brake fluid is full and doesn't appear to be leaking anywhere, and the brakes still stop the car just fine, so I'm going to assume I broke the sensor or something when I fixed the brakes a few years back.

BuzzW wrote:

I had the rare pleasure of driving two 80s Saabs until they completely fell apart. One of them was a convertible. Not to pile on, but I swore I'd never own a convertible again. I swear I put the top down maybe five times, not even worth the trouble.

Counterpoint, I drove convertible Miatas for about 6 years. I would go suns out guns out March through November in the Pacific Northwest. Kept a warm hat, jacket and leather gloves in the trunk.

Buuut, they weren't old-ass cars and the tops didn't leak. Or at least one did, and i replaced it myself.

I’m three months into my 2001 Miata ownership and I’m already plotting how to replace my daily driver with a four seat convertible lol. I think ease of top operation and personal preference are the factors in how much you use it (besides weather).

I’ve put about 1200 miles on the Miata and 1000 or so are top-down.

ElectricPi wrote:

I'm not sure Chrysler has enthusiast for anything they have built since the 1970s.

To be fair, there's quite a lot of enthusiasm for the LX chassis that was originally shared with Mercedes. Chrysler 300's, Dodge Chargers, and Dodge Challengers. Not sure if you meant just the Chrysler brand, or Chrysler the parent corp before the current structure that is now Stellantis.

MannishBoy wrote:
ElectricPi wrote:

I'm not sure Chrysler has enthusiast for anything they have built since the 1970s.

To be fair, there's quite a lot of enthusiasm for the LX chassis that was originally shared with Mercedes. Chrysler 300's, Dodge Chargers, and Dodge Challengers. Not sure if you meant just the Chrysler brand, or Chrysler the parent corp before the current structure that is now Stellantis.

I don't know. There have to be folks ready to work themselves into a rich, Corinthian lather over the Cordoba.

WizKid wrote:

If you want a convertible, buy a Miata.

Sat in one of these - but my Big Body didn't fit. And with top on, my Big Head didn't fit.

Yeah if you’re more than 6’ they generally aren’t the answer. Except maybe the 2006-2015 models.

Update on the Chrysler LeBaron

MannishBoy wrote:
Peoj Snamreh wrote:

Stupid - or should I do it?

Run away. Far away.

In the end, I ran far away, hahaha.

I know the dealer and his way of work. He buys or trades, and sells or trade away sometimes without looking at the car. I usually pick a car at his dump, drive it around for 2 or 3 days and buy it, or not.

The Chrysler took 5 minutes to drive. Back windows motors didn't work. The top was worn out and incomplete, back mirror broken down, and when flooring the pedal for accelerating, it accelerated very, very slowly (probably the gas-pump).

Thanks for all the input! I will probably spent the money on something else, but less stupid.

Blind_Evil wrote:

I think ease of top operation and personal preference are the factors in how much you use it (besides weather).

I’ve put about 1200 miles on the Miata and 1000 or so are top-down.

I never really put thought into this, but I think even with perfect weather and a working top I'd prefer to listen to music and have a slightly more private space. Maybe I just never should have owned a convertible.

I just got a Mazda CX-50 and I think ... I really love it.

My preference is for small, light sporty vehicles (or larger and unavailable euro-sport wagons), but my kids had outgrown my Audi A3.

I did a lot of cross shopping of mid size SUVs and cross overs and nothing else came close to feeling as 'right' as the CX-50. I desperately wanted to like them, but the interior aesthetics on the Subarus are a disaster. I really wanted to like the RDX, but was just totally alienated by the ride and handling and the interior. All the American cars felt like the vehicle equivalent of stale fast food. The Toyotas and Hondas felt cheap, like they were gimping them to stay out of competition with their luxury lines. The Euro cars were overpriced and I really don't like some of BMW and Audi/Volkswagen's business practices.

I've had some nice cars over the years, but it feels a little weird to be this excited over a Mazda.

polq37 wrote:

I just got a Mazda CX-50 and I think ... I really love it.

My preference is for small, light sporty vehicles (or larger and unavailable euro-sport wagons), but my kids had outgrown my Audi A3.

I did a lot of cross shopping of mid size SUVs and cross overs and nothing else came close to feeling as 'right' as the CX-50. I desperately wanted to like them, but the interior aesthetics on the Subarus are a disaster. I really wanted to like the RDX, but was just totally alienated by the ride and handling and the interior. All the American cars felt like the vehicle equivalent of stale fast food. The Toyotas and Hondas felt cheap, like they were gimping them to stay out of competition with their luxury lines. The Euro cars were overpriced and I really don't like some of BMW and Audi/Volkswagen's business practices.

I've had some nice cars over the years, but it feels a little weird to be this excited over a Mazda.

Congrats. I heard Mazda was trying to get above the regular car segments to more like a Volvo. Their SUVs look great.

We're casually looking at the Kia and Hyundai 3 row SUV twins (Telluride and Palisade) to possibly replace my wife's Pathfinder that's getting a lot of miles on it. She's not sure she wants another 3 row since all the kids are gone now and we don't have travel softball needs for space anymore. If you have the 3 rows, you're going to get asked to drive a bunch by others, and I think she's a bit tired of that. But we haven't found a two row that's as nice until you get up into the more expensive brands. I did read up a bit on the Mazdas, but in the new CX90's, they seem a bit expensive for what you get, even though they may be more sporty in ride and handling.

She kind of likes the Santa Cruz, but if you're going to go to the optioned out model, you're spending $43K. To me, I'd spend another $5-7 to buy one of the mid-sized GM trucks in a mid trim level and have something you could do a bit of work in and I suspect would hold its value a bit better.

Just at the extreme early stages. I didn't realize I'd had my S4 for 5 years now. Doesn't seem like it. But hers definitely has accumulated a bunch of cross country miles.

Well.. instead of buying a fun cabriolet I completely turned it upside down and ended up with a 1998 Dodge Durango Magnum V8 with a beast of a motor (4.7 or 5.6 liters or something like that).

I just saw too many bald, middle-aged overweight men like me driving cabriolets - and for these few weeks of summer in Sweden it is fun. But timewise it is more fun to plough through the woods and snow during the months of winter with a Beast of a car.

God I love the sound of a 8 cylinder!

She guzzles gas like a maniac, she roars like a Hydra when floored, and she spits out fumes and smoke like there is no tomorrow. I call her Greta, and I am already in Love.