Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget: Buyer Beware

This is similar to the truck at the center of my buyer beware story

Author: B.Keeler


Buyer Beware:

If you are looking for a cheap car, you can be easily tempted by that deal that seems too good to be true. My personal advice is that if it seems too good to be true, it is best to shoot it just in case.

I have come across those types of deals several times just in my innocent perusal of craigslist and various vehicle-listing sites.

My Experience:

My experience was when I got my driver’s license. On craigslist, I found a very cheap Cadillac Escalade; it was about 2 years old and the seller only wanted about $8,000 for it.

If you know about the Cadillac Escalade, $8,000 for one that is two years old is incredibly cheap since usually they sell in the high $30, 000s. I pursued the seller via e-mail for about two weeks before I got wise.

The seller told me she was moving internationally and could not take the vehicle with her, and that she got the vehicle via employee pricing, so she did not want to make money selling it. That was red flags one and two.

The third red flag was when she said the truck was in a shipping container in Virginia which I thought was odd. Then, she wanted me to wire her the money, and she would arrange shipping. That was the final straw in my book, and I stopped all further communications.

Despite the fact, Escalade was cheap I could not in good consciousness give a stranger $8,000 without looking them in the eye and receiving the vehicle immediately upon transference of funds.

Ways to Spot a Scam:

•         Price is far cheaper than comparable vehicles

•         Seller will ship a vehicle across state lines

•         Seller refuses to meet in person

•         Seller will handle all the logistics in getting the vehicle to you

If two or more of these apply to any vehicle, you look at, walk away!

Pickup Trucks Part 2: The GMC Sierra and Silverado

Its Another Set of Twins!

The current Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have been with us since 2007, save for the addition of new 2500 and 3500 models, little much has changed. At this year's Detroit International, Autoshow General Motors unveiled the completely redesigned Silverado and Sierra.

First Impressions

During the design phase of these trucks, GM bosses said they would take measures to differentiate the two. According to press releases, found here , and here, the only difference between them is the exterior packaging, as far as I can see.

2014 GMC Sierra SLT

Overall, the first impression is not what many in automotive the communities were expecting. We were expecting fraternal twins like the GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave. The Enclave and Acadia are platform mates, sharing some components but overall feeling very different from each other.

Personally, I still do not care for the Silverado, but it has improved. The GMC remains my favorite with its single grille and new projector beam headlamps.

The Power!

For this generation gone are the fire-breathing Vortec V-8s replaced with brand new kinder, gentler Ecotec V-8s.

“Rather than adapting a V-6 intended for use in passenger cars, we built a new engine from the ground up based on the unique demands of a truck,” said Jordan Lee, Powertrain chief engineer. “Sierra’s 4.3L shares its basic design architecture with the latest iterations of the V-8 engines that GMC owners have trusted for generations.”

GM says the new 4.3L V-6 will provide enough power to pull a trailer and provide great fuel economy. If a V-6 does not work for you most models will come with or have the option of a 5.8L V-8. The 5.8L engine will see fuel economy gains over the current engine, which is the segment leader in that respect. This should be all the engine buyers will ever need.

Should you feel the need for even more power under the hood a 6.2L V-8 will be optional. I would expect to see it as standard on the Sierra Denali model.

Currently, EPA, horsepower and torque figures are unavailable. GM says to expect them around them just before production begins.

Improvements

2014 Chevy Silverado Review

Controls get the Range Rover treatment, which means they are big and chunky so you can use them with gloves on.

On the Crew cab trucks, the rear doors are larger for wider and easier entrance and exit. Similarly, on extended cab models back doors now hinge from the front. This allows for easier entrance and exit in tight parking spots as the front doors no longer have to be fully open to open the rear doors. 

2014 GMC Sierra/Chevrolet Silverado
LED Bed Lighting

For easier access to the box, both trucks will feature an integrated bumper step with handholds built into the bed rails. Available options for the bed include cargo tie-downs and LED lights.
a new electric assisted power steering replaces the older rack and pinion steering of older models. This saves weight, which saves fuel. GM also says that it will provide a crisper steering feel.

Safety

The new Silverado and Sierra feature several industry-leading safety features and some segment exclusive ones.

Both trucks will offer many standard safety features, including StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist. Hill descent control will be optional on all models.

They will also feature head curtain side airbags with rollover protection and OnStar.

New features include a Lane Departure Warning system alerts the driver if the vehicle starts to drift into another lane, via an audible warning or the available Safety Alert Seat. Forward Collision Alert is optional, which uses a camera to monitor the space in front of the vehicle, and warns the driver on any impending disasters.

The Verdict

2014 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ

For my personal tastes, I would have the GMC. Mainly, because I prefer leather trim. However, overall both I feel you could not go wrong with either truck.

Both trucks have seen significant improvements. Enough to make them competitive, but they could stand to stand to be more fraternal than identical twins. Toyota Tundra will see skin-deep improvements, which makes these completely redesigned trucks more appealing.  For more information check out part 1 of this series . Also the F-150 is planning for a serious overhaul next year.

Pickup Trucks Part 1: The New Toyota Tundra

2014 Toyota Tundra

Pickup Trucks

In January, Americans purchased 142,877 pick-up trucks, according to theWall Steet Journal. With gas prices hovering around the $4.00 mark. Why do Americans love them so much?
 

There are many different opinions about this subject. One, is that we buy them because we have so many people who work on in the construction and service industry. Those people need a vehicle to haul various tools and equipment. The second, is that we love outdoor activities so, we need a vehicle capable of pulling trailers or hauling dirt bikes.

I take a different view. Yes, there are people who need them in order to work. People whom use them for work generally purchase the base line or one up from the baseline. The majority of people  that purchase the top-shelf versions never really do activities that require a truck. All they want is the image that they do something.

 For the 2014 and 2015 model years, you will see new and improved pickup trucks leaving showrooms.

The Toyota Tundra

First, on the chopping block is the  2014 Toyota Tundra. This, in my opinion, is just re-designed because the only thing brand new about this truck is the body, and interior. The current power trains will carry over to the new model.

The current Tundra and its successor are the only true American Toyotas. The Tundra is engineered in Michigan. Designed in California, and is built in San Antonio, Texas.

“Toyota prides itself on listening to its customers and the development of the 2014 American-born Tundra is a perfect example,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. “Tundra’s new exterior design and all-new interior were inspired by customer feedback requesting a more chiseled exterior and refined interior with improved driver ergonomics, and easy-to-use technology, giving customers more of what they want instead, in addition to what they need.”

The Exterior

2014 Toyota Tundra Front

I never really cared for the look of the current Tunrda. I felt it was too sculpted and looked like a semi-truck that shrunk in the wash.

The new design, however, I actually like. Surprising since I am not a fan of Toyota’s current design language.

For the exterior, designers increased the size of the front fascia. They tightened up the surface and character lines. This, in turn removed the massive bulge in the middle of the hood. The new chrome grill is taller is connected visually to the air-intake in the lower bumper.

Should you ever have a head-on collision the bumper is a three pieces to reduce the cost of replacement parts. In addition, the fenders and wheel wells are now squared-off for a muscular stance.

The Interior

Like most of the new trucks, the Tundra receives upgrades to its ergonomic. Designers reduced the distance drivers will have to reach for the climate and radio controls. The large knobs from the last generation will carry over. The large knobs make it easier to grip the controls with or without work gloves.

If you are one of those people who only want the image of the truck, you will want to know about range topping Platinum and 1794 Editions.

Standard features for the Platinum and 1794 Editions include:

Interior 2014 Toyota Tundra

 • Lexus grade leather seats
• Automatic Climate Control
• 12-Speaker JBL audio system
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Navigation
• Blind spot monitoring (BLISS)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCT)

Interior choices for the Platinum are limited to black. If you want your interior in color, you will need to go with the Limited variation, which means you will pay more for the features that come standard on the Platinum.

The other option is to pay more for the 1794 edition with its western theme and saddle brown leather seats. Personally, I am imaging an interior designed by Roy Rodgers.

Safety

The 2014 Tundra will be the first truck to feature a standard backup camera across all ranges. BLISS and RCT will be standard on the range-toppers.

All models will feature 8-airbags, including the segment exclusive knee airbag for driver and front passenger.

In light of the unintended acceleration fiasco, the new Tundra will feature what Toyota is calling smart stop technology..

Smart Stop Technology is designed to reduce engine power when both brake and accelerator pedals are pressed at the same time, helping the driver to stop the vehicle.

The Verdict

Although for my tastes, the Toyota is much improved, it still has not swayed from the GMC Sierra, my favorite truck. We will examine the GM twins in part two of this series.

 For more information about the re-designed Tundra read the press release.

Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget: BMW M3

Current Generation BMW M3 Coupe

Author: B.Keeler

The Legend
 

For 20 years, the BMW 3-series has been the benchmark in the compact executive car segment. If you wanted a little more oomph under the hood, you could upgrade to the high-performance M3. The base model 3-series sedan is $32,550 to upgrade to the M3 you will need an additional $30,000.

On a Budget
 

In today’s economy that can seem like a lot for a vehicle, you will probably on use on the weekends. Even a three-year-old M3 is the better part of $50,000. What if you could find one for a lot less than that?

That is where this week’s champagne tastes on a beer budget find come in, a 1998 BMW M3 Sedan, with 185,000 miles for the low price of $8,975.

1998 BMW M3 for sale in Marlboro, NJ

For sale in Marlboro, NJ your money will get you a leather interior, aftermarket stereo unit and an electric sunroof. Power will not come from the fire breathing V8 of the current M3 but a straight six producing 240hp, at least when it was new.

Why you shouldn't....

This one appears to have been well cared for but things to watch out for include:

 

• Water-pumps and radiators, which last about 60,000 miles
• Head gaskets, which conk out between 100,000 to 150,000
• On this on higher mileage watch out for a faulty rear-differential

 

The other thing to watch out for is a previous owner whom molested the car. Typical “improvements” consist of super and turbo chargers, some of which were not added properly. Like any used car tread carefully, but if you have a longing for the ultimate driving machine, this might be your chance to have one in your drive way.

 

Sources:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&car_id=338951862&dealer_id=86399&car_year=1998&dealership_view_name=marlboromotors&address=&sort_type=make_modelASC&resultCar=338343965&cardist=5713

www.bmwusa.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M3

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/bmw-m3-buyers-guide

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/BMW_M3.jpg/1024px-BMW_M3.jpg