Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

You ever see a car for sale you thought had basically ceased to exist? I'd never buy a car this old. They just become too hard to maintain. I like to buy cars around 8 years old (bottom of their depreciation curve) so I at least have a few years to buy whatever part it might need. In my Xfire's case, a NEW white steering wheel for just $203!!! Thanks Chrysler! Anyway, check out this survivor, a 1990 Audi Quattro Coupe. https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9a7...-coupe-quattro This sold for $12,700

What?? A 3k mile 2004 Chrysler 300M!!! I drove one of these NEW in the showroom and it surprised me how quick it felt. I much preferred the TAN interior, though.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-chrysler-300-2/ The winning bid was $17,250.

That's all folks!

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

I wanted a quattro back in the day but never found one in decent enough shape to buy back then. I ended up getting an audi 5000. Nice car in general but that cured me of my audi wants after a few power window issues (a cogged plastic belt to move the windows), clutch cylinder issues and cooling issues :)

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

I've never owned any VW Corporation product. I did own 3 different LOTUS (according to their corporate office, the plural of Lotus is Lotus!!!). They had a steel cable for their electric windows but a PLASTIC clip that looped under the window and supported its entire weight. I replaced 2 of those plastic clips!

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Thanks for posting this.

It brought back memories of my Audi days. Both one of my most hated and one of my most loved cars were Audis. I always felt they were German cars built with an English soul.

My Lotus Elite had a plastic ball attaching the shifter to the transmission. It gave out just as I pulled out in front of the a crowd attending a small town's high school graduation.
My car looked like it could do 200 mph but was stuck in first doing about 25 mph while the shifter hung loosely in my hand (as were all who had attended the ceremony until I pulled off and let them by) .

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

The ends of the shifter cables on my Lotus Elan M100 had plastic couplings. With my girlfriend in my car I was racing some other dude and was speed-shifting, which put too much stress on the plastic couplings and one broke. I no longer remember if it was on the shift-lever side or the side where it connected to the transmission, as it happened in the late 1990's. But I could no longer shift. Luckily it left the transmission in 3rd gear, and I was able to drive around 8 or 10 miles to a friend's house and get a ride. I had the car towed the 30-miles or so back to my house and ended up buying an aftermarket set of cables that some company in Indonesia made that had STEEL fittings on the ends instead of plastic!!!

One day, after I'm long dead, I'd like to think that in a moment of divine thought an engineer will design a car where the bean-counters allow him not to "cheap out" and save five-cents on every component!!!

P.S. I remember now it broke where the bottom of the metal shift-lever connected to the plastic-bit on the end of the shift-cable, about one foot below where my hand was gripping the gear-shift-knob. So when I moved the gear-lever really fast it just yanked the plastic-bit right off the end of the cable!

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

There are about 2 hours left in the bidding on this C55 AMG. https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9lQ...esbenz-c55-amg

Look how clean it is on the underside of the car. DAMN! It makes me want to get off work early because today is warm enough for me to raise the Crossfire up and clean the chassis in the driveway today.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Wow! Look at the condition of this '88 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z! I never really liked these but you HAVE TO ADMIRE the person who kept it in this condition. It just sold for $10,700. https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3qB...ytona-shelby-z That Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth 2.2L that they put into EVERYTHING was such a rough & uncivilized engine that would be totally unacceptable today. Accordingly they finally put twin balance-shafts in the 2.2L & 2.5L from model-year 1990 onwards which made those engines FAR more pleasant. It got rid of the 'angry hornet's nest under the hood' syndrome!
Anyone else remember the pneumatic driver's-seat fad of the late 1980's/early 1990's? On this one you have both left/right & thigh/back inflatable bolsters! You have to admit, it's something you just can't get anymore! Also unique (I've never seen it before, have you?) are the 2 REAR SUN VISORS for the back-seat passengers to block the sun coming through the hatchback!!!

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Back in 1992, I stopped counting how many of the 80's era "turbo-Dodge" cars I owned when I reached 100. These were literally everywhere, and being one of the first generations of computer controlled, fuel injected cars, they might suddenly die due to a failed hall effect pickup (HEP), which is the equivalent of a crank position sensor in the Crossfire, or a bad MAP sensor. People couldn't work on them, and I would pick these cars up for sometimes as little as $50 (the going rate on scrap cars at the time). Some of these cars were breathed on heavily by Shelby Automobiles, and I have had the privilege of owning many of these particular vehicles. Absolute missiles, and underrated by absolutely everyone, including the factory, which would frequently post HP and torque figures well below what they really made. Friday nights out cruising saw many Mustangs and Camaro IROC-Z's go home with their tails between their legs, after seeing my little GLHS disappearing in front of them!

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

I never owned one but my dad was really into them and I serviced all his cars, and he usually owned 4 or 5 cars at the same time, even though he only bought 2 brand new cars in his entire life. But he would drop off a car at my house saying it had problem "X", and say "keep it as long as you want", knowing I'd find & fix anything wrong with it! At various times he had an '88 LeBaron turbo convertible (2.2 T1), an '89 Chrysler TC by Maserati (2.2 TII), a 1990 Dodge sedan with a 2.5L turbo, and an earlier '85 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Mark Cross turbo Convertible.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

It's sad that there is ONLY ONE (brand new) regular-cab pickup truck for sale anymore, just extended-cabs, crew-cabs, etc. that are too long and large to have any sporting pretension at all.

Here's a really nice low-mileage 2007 Roush, 1 of 100 made, supercharged to over 500hp & 500lb-ft !!! https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rGN...roush-nitemare

(I doubt this posting-format will keep my spacing. Sorry about that!)
https://blog.consumerguide.com/regular-cab-pickups/ last REGULAR-CAB SHORT-BED pickup
still available- Ford F150
last year 2018 - Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra
last year 2018 - Ram 1500 (STILL AVAILABLE IN Ram 1500 Classic & Ram Heavy Duty 2500) Reg.Cab Short-Bed: 120"WB (1999 118.7") (2009 120.5")
last year 2013 - Toyota Tundra, Regular-cab 6.5' Short-box: 126.8"WB, 2007 was the 1st year for the 5.7L 3UR-FE V8
For the 2014 model year Toyota discontinued the regular-cab Tundra with the 6.5ft-box
For 2018 the regular-cab model with 8ft-bed was also discontinued, 145.7"WB
From 2009-2015 the Tundra TRD came with a 504hp@5500 550tq@3600 supercharged engine 4.4s 0-60 (with cat-back dual exhaust)
last year 2019 - Nissan Titan (last year of ANY regular-cab) Regular Cab was only ever available in a long-bed version

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

I agree. Primary reason I still have my 2006 Ford F150 STX 4x4 Flareside with Standard Regular Cab. Truck is a "head-turner" wherever I take it. Only has just over 78k on the ODO.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...1473866340.jpg

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

I still prefer my crew cab F250 for heavy stuff and serious offroading.

http://crowz.narmir.com/wp-content/u.../f250-head.jpg

I have an F150 I use for light work and offroading. Its an extended cab though ford calls it a 4 door but its really just the side parts that open after opening the front doors.

http://crowz.narmir.com/wp-content/u...d-1024x576.jpg

I have an F150 regular cab too but I prefer the room in the larger cabs personally since I can haul stuff in there to keep it out of the weather.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

My 2006 F150 actually has a small half door that functions like a "suicide door". Window Sticker called it a Regular Cab F150. But there isn't any seating behind the front seats; only small space for storage and/or toting small items. I've got the Ford storage bin for this area but I never drilled the mounting holes thru the floor board to secure it. It just sits back there. My F150 also has the "carpet delete" options, which makes cleaning it inside a breeze. The factory radio plays both CDs & cassette tapes, which I like due to the vast collection of tapes I bought back in the day. Manual crank windows, too! It really is just a truck - just looks good!

Truck came w/o Cruise, but I bought the OEM-like switches & steering wheel harness from a website (The Cruise Control Store). Then took the truck to the local Ford dealer & had them activate the cruise control feature since everthing was electronic. Complete cost for part purchase & activation by Ford was $172.90. System works great!

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Mine has the suicide doors but does have a full seat back there. No legroom to speak of but a full seat.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

This is an overwhelmingly Florida phenomenon. A 15 year old car with just 4,100 miles. This car is now being sold by a local car dealer and I guarantee you he bought this at an estate sale! In Florida, so many times used private vehicles are never listed in dedicated automotive sales outlets. Statistically husbands die before their spouses, and the wife knows very little about "his car collection." It just wasn't something she involved herself with. Probably this car was only listed as a line-item and at most, was granted a single picture within an overall estate sale.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...benz-sl550-10/

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Look how highly detailed the UNDERSIDE of this 48K mile 2011 S65 is!!!! He must have paid a pro to get it looking that nice. I used to keep my cars that clean underneath when I was a much younger man, but I don't relish having my shoulders (etc.) constantly in pain in my "Golden years!!"

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...nz-s65-amg-13/

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Maybe detailed using the dry ice method?

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Maybe. Do you know how much $$$$ is charged for that type of service??

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

https://www.pfafftuning.com/dry-ice-...0%242%2C000.00.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

There WAS a product that boaters used in Florida to stop corrosion, in fact they'd commonly buy a case of the stuff whenever they bought a new boat. All you had to do was make sure a surface was clean before spraying it on, and it could be sprayed on any surface (metals, plastics, wiring, etc.). I didn't know it was discontinued until I tried to find it just now. It has been superseded by a new product that I've never used, obviously.
The old product was called B'laster Corrosion Stop Protectant (I found B'laster's old company video here... https://www.toolsid.com/blaster/11-f...pn-16-csp.html)
The new product is called B'laster Surface Shield (https://blasterproducts.com/product/surface-shield/)

Both of these products are intended to stop corrosion before it ever gets a chance to start. Corrosion Stop Protectant dries clear. I don't know what Surface Shield will look like after it dries.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

This 2005 ML350 with 49K miles sold today for $16,250. It has the 3.7L version of the M112 engine. I wonder why Mercedes didn't call it the ML370???
Interesting to see the MAF sensor lying on it's side on the passenger-side of the engine bay instead of vertically behind the intake-manifold. As this 3.7L M112 would be be a direct bolt-in to the Crossfire I wonder if any ECU tweaks would be needed?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...des-benz-ml-6/

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Of course you could also go in the 'economy' direction and opt for a 2.6L M112 as found on this 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 currently for sale. The whole intake situation is very familiar (for us) this time. But again I scratch my head at Mercedes' numerical naming. 2.6L = C240???

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...c240-4matic-4/

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

19k-Mile 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG

So rarely are these red. It makes it look sharp!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...z-slk32-amg-7/

================================================== ==
UPDATE: Sold for $17,750 on 6/5/22

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

I should be impressed by how completely this BMW 2002 has been stripped down to it's naked skin & restored. And yet what impresses me is that this 2002 has actual factory AC!!! I can't remember ever seeing a 2002 with factory AC!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-bmw-2002-154/

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

We have reached the point in the used car market where a large percentage of 'Bring a Trailer' & 'Cars & Bids' auctions are no longer meeting the reserve-price and are going unsold.

EXAMPLE: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...nz-e55-amg-36/

Just a month or two ago people were still willing to pay nearly anything to acquire a car. Recession anyone? Remember how low used car prices dipped for a year or two after 'The Great Recession'?

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

2006 alabaster roadster on BAT https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-crossfire-13/

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Online Car Auction Slow down

https://youtu.be/NRCADR5klcA

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

43k-Mile 1998 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro

This car is phenomenal for its condition. Right down to the individual nuts & bolts on the exhaust system, it looks like it just rolled off the production line!!!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-audi-a8-4/

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

The fact that this PRISTINE example sold for just $10,000 got me to do some Audi A8 research, as I knew some Audi V8's had catastrophic engine problems. I don't believe in doing research twice, so I usually save anything I may need to know again. Links to all my research is below. Here's the nutshell report: A 1st-gen A8 ('96-'02) has a 75,000-mile timing-belt change with replacement costs from $600 to $2200 and takes 6-8 hours. The 2nd-gen A8 ('03-'09) has Timing-chain GUIDE/TENSIONER problems with $8K dealer replacement!!! That's because Audi took flak for still having a belt, so they(thought they had) redesigned a bullet-proof timing-chain engine, but it had bad Timing-chain GUIDES/TENSIONER, and as they were never designed with the thought of replacement the dealer charges $8,000 for the privilege (HINT: the chain is located at the BACK of the engine beside the firewall, making replacement an engine-out job!!!)

The 1st-gen A8 has normal springs & shocks, but the 2nd-gen A8 has an adaptive airbag suspension. All in all the 1st-gen A8 has a reputation of superior quality which Audi was never again able to replicate.

Audi A8:
https://autoreplacementcosts.com/aud...ng-belt-chain/ A8 Timing BELT or CHAIN?... find out which your engine has
https://jalopnik.com/here-s-why-the-...car-1676466510 SECOND-generation A8 ('03-'09) has Timing-chain GUIDE/TENSIONER problems with $8K dealer replacement!!!
First-gen Audi A8 ('96-'02):
First-gen Audi A8 ('96-'02) has a 75,000-mile timing-belt change (AUDI mfr recommended. Back when these were still BRAND NEW Audi recommended 100K)
Timing belt or chain - A8 Parts Forum (things you should ALSO DO when changing an A8 timing belt)
Audi A8 4.2L V8 Timing Belt replacement cost is $600 to $2200 and takes 6-8 hours:
https://www.blauparts.com/blog/audi-...-42l-v8-models

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

In February we talked about the fact that regular cab pickup trucks are nearly extinct in the USA. Would you buy one of these for $24,270?
(Chinese company) BAIC purchased all of the former SAAB tooling and technology patents except for the new-generation (2010) SAAB 9-5.

Beijing F40 pickup
wheelbase 96.5"
25mpg
8-speed automatic with HI/LOW differential (in-cabin control beside the shift-lever)
2.0L 221hp 280lb/ft direct-injected version of the SAAB B-engine
OR (optional for export models)
2.3L 246hp direct-injected version of the SAAB H-engine

Beijing is one of the brands owned by BAIC Group, which manufactures the following marques:
Beijing, BAW, Changhe, Foton Motor, Ruili Doda, Arcfox, as well as (joint ventures) Beijing-Benz and Beijing-Hyundai.


If that's not your speed how about an electric car that looks like a 4-door VW beetle, a brand new model for 2022?
GreatWall ORA Ballet Cat EV

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Non-USA compliant cars through 1998 can be legally imported now (AKA, the "25 year" rule). That's just beginning to get into "interesting car" territory.

This "non-compliant" car just sold minutes ago:
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3Ra...991-honda-beat

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Smart Car "off road" camper conversion. This guy has never heard the phrase, "the wrong tool for the job." However, it could be the type of "thing" which fetches a fortune on 'Bring a Trailer', since it's the only one.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

More moronic silly Smart Car mods by people with awful ideas but great execution which will sometimes make you laugh.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...enz-amg-gt-12/

This automobile is rolling art. It stuns me that they didn't take the time to vacuum it, remove lint from the fabric convertible top and polish all the water streaks off the paintwork. The AMG luggage is amazingly similar to what we discussed recently for the Crossfire: https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...crossfire.html

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

A former Mercedes-dealership mechanic fixes all the problems on a 2006 ML500 (M113 engine) then gives it to a veteran. I haven't watched much of it yet, but he performs almost every M113 "service procedure" there is!

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...omments-anchor

Here’s a great looking roadster somebody should buy.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

One-owner SLK32 AMG. 84K miles. 'Cars & Bids' Auction. At $6,000 with 1 hour to go.
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9lm...benz-slk32-amg

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...enz-slk32-amg/
Exceptionally well cared for. The owner reminds me of, well, me! At 61K miles most of the maintenance items appear to have been taken care of and normal appearance-related degradation has been addressed as well. I can only fault the car on one issue. When I retouched my Crossfires' interior vanilla paint I got a really great match such that you could not tell the few areas that I didn't paint. I used the Volico/VLC (German) paint which came in a little plastic bottle, while he bought their product which comes in a spray can. He removed & repainted parts, but he also ordered new parts from Mercedes-Benz because of broken mounting tabs, just as I did for the small horseshoe shaped trim-piece DIRECTLY below the Crossfire's steering wheel which is held in place be a single screw. You can tell from comparing the hue of grey in these various SLK32 parts that there is a noticeable inconsistency in the paint color even with the brand-new parts which came directly from Mercedes-Benz. If you'll remember I experienced that as well with the Crossfire part I just mentioned. I think ordering new interior trim pieces to correct the problem of paint scratching & chipping is not a wise course of action. Rather, repainting EVERYTHING with paint from the same production batch seems like the way to go. I'll include pictures which show this inconsistency. He purchased a brand new driver-side lower dash panel, cluster bezel and L+R door pull-handles from Mercedes.

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...369-scaled.jpg
https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...213-scaled.jpg
https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...221-scaled.jpg
https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...428-scaled.jpg

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Somewhere along the line this auction was changed to 'No Reserve'. Currently at $9,000 with 13 hours remaining.

Re: Cars for sale worth mentioning
 

Sold for $12,500. Someone got a really nice SLK32 AMG. Car looked well cared for.