I want to hear your automotive close calls

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley) 12/12/2018 at 11:05 • Filed to: None

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In 2011, when I was 19, I nearly bought a Dodge Dart. For what it’s worth, I still think it is pretty attractive from some angles. Better than a Focus, that’s for sure. Hot take: Design/marketing has always been FCA’s strength. They do ads that pander to passion/heritage better than almost anyone else.

I also tried to buy a white Mazda2 a few months ago that I never posted about.  It had red flags all over it, and I bailed on it.  Seller said it was his grandmas (title search determined it had just been purchased), lots of story changing and weird things under the hood.

I have also had one or two dark days where I considered selling the truck. Mostly because I was in my early 20's struggling to pay bills and had nowhere to park it.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:07

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The Dart wasn’t a particularly bad  car. FCA just didn’t bother to do shit about marketing it while they still had the Journey right at its price range.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:12

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I tried reeeeally hard to buy a totally clapped out S13 coupe once. It was BAD, beat in ever sense of the word, rusty, the freaking sunroof glass was cracked, it had a terrible aftermarket exhaust, and the interior was gross.

But I did not car, I wanted a RWD Japanese car so bad, and i could “afford” it. Thankfully I wasn’t able to get the fund together in time because that car was a rolling death trap, that probably didn’t have any frame rails left to speak of and that would have been a huge money pit.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:15

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When I was 19, I almost bought a Dodge Dart. Luckily, the dealer service was unclear and not very service-like, and we went to the Ford dealer next door. Months later, I purchased a Focus ST.

fhrblig > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:15

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I almost bought a new Daewoo Nubira hatchback . They were only sold for one model year in the US. I mean, the Nubira was probably the least worst Daewoo, but still. It's kind of like getting to choose which hepatitis you going to be stuck with.

Spanfeller is a twat > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:16

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I almost got a Mini  4 door.

fintail > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:17

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Back in my late 20s when I finally felt gainfully employed and had a little extra money , I considered buying a used (but not old, yet, this was the mid 00s ) W220. It would have been a stretch, but somehow they appealed to me. Driving it, however, scared me away. The complex suspension set off my alarms, and the massaging seats were the last straw - all I could think was “this is going to break”. Instead I bought a C43, which was no doubt a better decision.

Stapleface > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:17

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Dodge makes some great looking cars. Too bad the mechanicals are usually the suspect part.

Pretty much every car I’ve ever bought has been some kind of compromise. I can’t say I’ve ever bought the car I wanted because I’m too pragmatic and will get the sensible option over the fun one. 

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > fhrblig 12/12/2018 at 11:18

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Could have been a collector! 

interstate366, now In The Industry > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:18

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My TL wasn’t the original car I was going to trade the TSX in on. The car I had initially called CarMax about was a gorgeous blue S2000. It sold in the 15 minutes or so between when I wanted to get a sales rep on the phone (I was browsing at home) and the time she actually called me. Now, an S2000 is by no means a bad car, but with the foot of snow we got here the  other day I wouldn't be nearly as confident driving it as I have been with the TL.

promoted by the color red > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:19

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I had the opportunity to swap my Integra GS-R for a ‘92 Supra Turbo. Didn’t go through with it. 

functionoverfashion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:19

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I nearly bought a manual V70R manual. Two, actually, just not at the same time. Timing wasn’t good for the first one, and the next one was too much money for the mileage and the test drive didn’t inspire confidence.

I also nearly bought a blue WRX with gold wheels but then a co-worker’s deadbeat drug dealing son bought one and I couldn’t bring myself to drive the same car.

I actually did own a brown wagon with a front bench seat, a 1981 Aries K wagon. It was awful and it cost me nothing so I sold it for a dollar to a friend. The close call there was every time I tried to drive it in modern Boston city traffic its handling was so appalling I’d nearly get into an accident.

Maxima Speed > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:20

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I nearly bought a 150,000 mile BMW 330xi with no service history. I was saved from this possibly expensive and definitely questionable decision by the owner who wrecked and totaled it while he was  on the way to get the title transfer notarized. This was the morning after I agreed to buy it.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:20

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I once thought about maybe possibly casually browsing for a Jaaaaag  XJS. I still get cold sweats when I think about it.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 12/12/2018 at 11:22

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Jag XJ’s are like, my first automotive love.  I will get one one day.

HoustonRunner > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:22

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For me it was the Audi S3 that I was *this* close to leasing in 2015 . It would have been fun for a while, but I was happier with the 328 I leased instead (real manual transmission), and it would have been at least $200 and month more for 3 years.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > functionoverfashion 12/12/2018 at 11:23

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Aries K wagon! Nice lol

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Stapleface 12/12/2018 at 11:24

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Ever car is some kind of compromise. Unless you’re spending over 150k 

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:24

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I almost got a 2002 Buick LeSabre for a first car. There was nothing wrong with it at all, it was a good running car that was in great condition, it was very comfortable, and the 3.8 ran like it was brand new. It looked exactly like this:

My parents were ready to sign off on it, but I was really hesitant. It didn’t move  me. I’m glad I didn’t go for it because I don’t think I’d be the same enthusiast today if I did.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:25

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Someone in my apartment complex has a Dart Ralleye with the MultiAir engine. It sounds pretty good. And I agree the car is attractive from most angles.

Before the WRX I had a ‘96 Toyota Tacoma. Like the one picture below but with out the hideous hubcaps (or any hubcaps really).

I really really really regret selling it, even th ough I really don’t have many practical uses for it. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:26

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Last year while shopping for my STi I had the Saab 92x Aero (Saabaru) that I nearly bought instead. I had the loan paperwork drafted and approved, I had a flight booked from NJ to San Francisco, and I scheduled a PPI as a sanity check. Based on the pictures and history, I almost didn't think a PPI would even be necessary. Basically a rubber stamp so that I would know do sure what I was facing. Well well well, that PPI sure saved my bacon! When they came back with $5k in repairs which included engine out servicing and lots of other stuff, I had to turn away. It was night and day with the PPI for the STi I bought instead. Absolutely nothing needed except for tires, which the owner had already indicated anyways. Crazy since they are essentially the same exact car except mine had double the mileage so clearly something fishy happened to the Saab. I was sad because the paint was even nicer on that car and it was a hatchback and saabs are neat. But yeah I dodged a bullet! 

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:30

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I would think the main reason you didn’t buy a Dart in 2011 is because they started production in May 2012 for 2013MY

E90M3 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:31

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When I was 23, I tried to buy an E90 M3 for 53k plus tax. The payments would have been something like 994 for 60 months. That would have been dumb.

I did, obviously , eventually get an E90 M3, but including tax and interest, I paid a total of 54k to get the title into my hand.

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:31

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Back in Edmonton I was at my first real job, living in an apartment, already dealing with a summer/winter Jettas.. I wanted an aircooled soo bad (still do) I came very close to buying a 71 Fastback like this- r ockers were gone, pans needed replacing, and it needed an engine..

I ended up deciding against it at the last minute and tried to be sensible.. darnit.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough 12/12/2018 at 11:32

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Hmm It must have been 2012 then? Jeez, I must have been 20... yikes.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:34

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I’ve had many, many close calls.

The most noteworthy was the time I nearly bought a ‘76 Cadillac Fleetwood Broughm as a daily driver. I would be broke and deceased by now.

DipodomysDeserti > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:34

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Five or so years ago I almost bought a 2005 Quatraporte. It had low miles and was cheap, but I knew that screwy transmission would take a shit and cost me a fortune.

Just Jeepin' > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:35

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With apologies to the Jalopnik author who loves his (Raph?) my worst almost-decision was a used Yugo. I decided instead for a Corolla FX, much smarter (although an idiot in a parking lot totaled it just 2 years later).

I probably would have felt less sense of loss about having the Yugo totaled, but I probably would have gotten $100 from the insurance company.

fhrblig > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:45

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People collect hepatitis?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 12/12/2018 at 11:48

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I still get lured in by ads for XK8s. Love that car.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 11:54

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I found myself contemplating a 1995 Bentley Brooklands on Facebook Marketplace a week ago for $10k . That’s a c lose enough brush with insanity for me; I stepped back from the brink .

412GTI > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 12:03

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When I was 19, I thought purchasing a 2005 Mini Coopers S with 25,000 and 5 owners would’ve been a good idea. After mulling over the forums and such and realizing their asking price was too much, I bought a much more sensible Honda Civic Si which performed flawlessly. Thank god. 

Tripper > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 12:08

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I have been a signature away from an S2000 twice. The first one I had a deposit on and was ready to trade my WRX on it. As I was leaving, an 6000 mile 2004 STi was traded in. I took it for a TD before I left, and bought it.

The second time, again I had a deposit on the S2k. I was looking for E46 M3's but couldn’t find one that ticked all the boxes. I was to head in that weekend to finalize everything. That Thursday night I found and called about a Phoneix Yellow M3 that was two hours away. Friday they called back and said they needed a deposit as they had another person interested. The rest is history and I still have that car.

Milky > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 12:08

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I inquired with the company importing it, got dates and everything, money figured out. But then I got the insurance quote, lol no.

Love my Miata and I’m sure the soarer would have gave me some headaches. But purple, twin turbo 6 and manual.

EDIT: I also almost bought this car instead of my original SC400 like 8 years ago.  That would have actually been a mistake.  

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 12:11

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Car: 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V.

Found this little gem at a local dealer. Had 48k miles and looked excellent ( from what I could see in the parking lot lights ). Took it for a drive, everything was going great. Told them I would be back the next afternoon when I got financing sorted.

Show up the next afternoon and they’ve kindly cleaned it all up and have it parked in their showroom so I can look it over closer in good light. I start going over it again and notice the paint on the passenger side looks a little off. I start looking closer and find the PS headlight and taillight have been replaced with TYC units ( not OEM ). This leads to opening doors and finding poor blending/tape lines from the passenger side structure being cut out and replaced along with both doors, front fender, and rear quarter.

I point this out to the sales manager ( whom I’m dealing with direct ) and he brings up the Carfax. I told them I don’t care what the Carfax says, this car has been totaled at some point. He looked at it with me and decided he didn’t want the dealership’s name on the line and told me he would prefer to take the car to auction.

I walked away from a poorly repaired/totaled car, the dealership dumped it at auction.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 12/12/2018 at 12:18

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But think of the #content for oppo!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 12:37

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I’m sure it would’ve followed a predictable arc. Horrifically reliable British motor blows up, is replaced by LSx - only to have horrifically complex hydraulic suspension blow up the following week.

It’s true, the best stories come from bad decisions.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > fhrblig 12/12/2018 at 12:39

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Gotta catch em all! 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 12:54

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I’ve always quite liked the Dart! My only dislike is that we never got a Dod ge-ified hatchback variant like the FIAT Viaggio.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 12:55

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The Dart wasn’t a bad car. It failed because it wasn’t good enough to get its name onto people’s lists. Nobody since the 19 70s had heard of the Dart name (unless you’re a bus driver in the UK ) , and those who knew the old ones would not have gone for this one.

By the time of the Dart’s release, Toyota had a significantly larger Corolla.  Same with the new 200 and its larger competitors.

jasmits > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 13:00

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Well, I almost bought this $600 Alfa Romeo.. Oh wait no I did actually buy that.

I also almost bought this crappy Range Rover Classic.. oh wait yea I did buy that too.

OH I almost bought a super clean E30 318i for $3500 and let my mom convince me to get something with airbags instead, lo and behold that exact car sells for $8000 on BAT three years later.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 12/12/2018 at 13:24

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So swap it, de-hydraulic the suspension and start enjoying it...

...until the power seat motors get stuck in the forward-most position.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 13:25

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I almost kept my B5 VW Passat.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 13:28

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I once almost bought an Alfa Romeo GTV as a daily driver while I was building the racecar . It would’ve been cool, but my 17 year old self wisely decided I wasn’t ready for I talian car ownership yet.

Mercedes Streeter > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 13:44

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Back when 15 year old me first proudly proclaimed that I loved smart cars, my mum told me they were either for gay people or women and that’s nothing for a man to be proud about.

Teenage me was hurt and set my sight on other cars...

First up, a first gen Scion tC. Thought I’d get it in a nice colour with a manual and black wheels.

Then I moved to...the second gen Focus coupe.

Then finally I settled on a Mustang convertible.

Out of the three I most desired the tC, but I kept opening up that smart brochure and falling in love again.

Had it not been for me standing up to my mum I could have been a very different type of hoarder...

BigBlock440 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/12/2018 at 13:51

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You’ve seen the details, but I assume the PPI was done by different shops, and it sounds like the first one may have been more stringent than the second, possible they thought they’d get your business.  Maybe figured it was a Saab, so expensive repairs and engine out service was expected?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 14:05

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RIP your wallet and sanity

BeaterGT > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 14:06

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Passed on a lemon title Spec B when looking for my Legacy GT. Stings a little. Passed on a few Elises when looking for a track car... no regrets there. Biggest regret was passing on a lower mileage B7 S4 Avant. The heart said yes, the brain said no. Oh well, onwards and upwards...

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > BigBlock440 12/12/2018 at 14:39

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Oh yeah the first one was definitely more stringent than the second. But more importantly, the most expensive things wrong with it were corrected in the car already anyways. There were some very red flag things though that definitely weren't present in my car as well. But yeah I kind of wish I could have that first shop inspect every car I buy. Too bad they aren't local though. 

Variance > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 22:06

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As I understand it, the Dart with the 1.4l turbo actually wasn’t a bad little car, though it certainly wasn’t a rocketship. It was the 2.0L and 2.4L Tigershark variants that you wanted to steer clear of, due to oil consumption issues and underwhelming fuel economy.

Grindintosecond > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/12/2018 at 22:15

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Mine was more of a what would have happened to such purchase instead of what was already wrong with it. Back in ‘99, 2000, I was a broke flight-instructor in the middle of the country making something like $1200 a month after taxes and driving a 20 year old Volvo with parts wearing out. 145k miles on a clutch (that I beat to hell over 100k miles) and eighteen years on an alternator (brushes used up). When what appeared was a rust free 83 RX-7 gsl, and a great shape Mazda 323 gtx. I thought about it. Called around for financing. Discovered a loan with a job change looming for not much more money plus a cross country drive? I said no. BUT, if I did buy one of them, it would have had to suffer through corrosive upstate New York winters , including Buffalo for six-years, and would have rottened up those awesome bodies.

It wasn’t a close call for me, but a close call for those cars having avoided me.