OK, fair enough but I think people figure it out pretty quickly though. :) That point is a far cry from "used cars are stupid". They are just a risk trade - you accept some level of risk to save money.

$0.00 in repairs and your fine new automobiles (which ones?) depreciated not one cent last year, right? Yes, THIS PARTICULAR CAR has some risk associated with it and the worst case is really bad. Anyone with a 3rd grade education understands that the low buy-in reflects that risk. Believe it or not, there's a whole…

You were just bashing Tavarish for not making much playing with used cars but $1000 is "a lot of money"?

Since you put it that way, we'll stop forcing you to read Tavarish's posts. :)

The work done on this car was well within the reach of anyone willing to invest the time in learning.

This was a great one. The ultimate buyer got the best deal IMHO. He paid $1600 for you to do all that work! :)

I suspect pre delivery inspection is going to include removing rubber from wheel wells.

I don't know if this one is generally unpopular but I caused an Internet-warrior British ex-pat to come completely unhinged for suggesting that the Abarth 500 was not entitled to limitless reverence and admiration. It seems some people really like their stickered-up Fiats.

I offer some counterpoints:

FWIW, the local BMW dealer patched a tire for me on my 360. They have some insanely expensive doesn't-touch-anything tire machine (I imagine levitation) and charged me $35 IIRC. I brought it to them. I never put the receipt in the folder. :)

Huh? If value exceeds liability (outstanding loan) you have positive equity.

The rod bearing issue is the great "oh damn" with these cars to me because they really did look bulletproof. The local M-focused independent was lamenting that his business was suffering because they didn't have a bunch of foibles that demanded attention! I guess he was relieved when bearing issues came up. That's…

I thought the '91s were the scary ones but revisions in later years made them better. Way back when, a buddy found himself wheels-pointing-skywards with a '91.

My friend once bought an Evo XIIVE (whatever the hell it was) in <45 minutes. He told the guy "I have to be somewhere. If you can get me out of here in time, I'll buy the car for [some reasonable price]". The best part (I would not have believed it but I was sitting right there): he didn't even pay for it.

This is what I said: "Guys running true exotic shops...think they could make more money working on normal cars"

Yes, with stability control you are less likely to drive off the road, assuming you ever get moving in the first place. Does it snow where you live? I saw plenty of fancy electronics cars sitting motionless on minor grades last season.

Sure it's decent, but you said "rich".

Love the Atacama. Mine's a whole lot rougher than yours! There are various dings on the sides but the bumper covers are new as I said and the interior has just the right amount of "patina" so I don't stress about my 5yo daughter climbing all over it. 115k miles. I'm only the 2nd owner though, and managed to get…

Nice. Mine is titanium/gobi M66. It's been not-too-terrible (um...MAF, PCV system, strut mounts, LCAs, a couple engine mounts + routine timing belt & COPs + wheels & bumpers) over the 8 months I've owned it and I don't worry about taking long drives in it at all. Of course I now have a $15k car I paid $9k for…

Why did you have to say this? WHY!!??? I assumed all those cars were basket cases. Honestly, I drove a 6MT Coupe when new and didn't really love it but I'm sure an exhaust would change that right up.