Skinflints-Explain yourselfs - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Zacharias · #1 06-12-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Why exactly do Benz drivers-Diesl drivers decide thy are entitled to show such pennypinchyness as opposed to everyone else in the auto enthusiest world?

Not that I disagree with you... BUT, for perspective... go pull some Volvo 240 parts at the PnP and then try posting them for sale on a Volvo board.

You have NO IDEA what the words "unreasonable expectations" and "miserable cheap" and "complete whiner" mean in the same sentence, until you have tried to sell stuff to the OLD Volvo crowd (mainly 240 series). The NEW Volvo crowd, the FWD generation, are not that way.

I do have to say that I find the price expectations for prices in the Parts for Sale section of this list are the lowest I have ever seen on the Net. I have messaged a couple of vendors who had stuff for sale, at about half the price I would expect to pay, saying I would take their stuff at what they were asking and they have been insanely happy I wanted them at 'full' price.

I mean, haggle over $20 for a complete set of window switches??? Keeriiiist, people, get a flappin life.

Diesel911 · #2 06-12-2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

Not that I disagree with you... BUT, for perspective... go pull some Volvo 240 parts at the PnP and then try posting them for sale on a Volvo board.

You have NO IDEA what the words "unreasonable expectations" and "miserable cheap" and "complete whiner" mean in the same sentence, until you have tried to sell stuff to the OLD Volvo crowd (mainly 240 series). The NEW Volvo crowd, the FWD generation, are not that way.

I do have to say that I find the price expectations for prices in the Parts for Sale section of this list are the lowest I have ever seen on the Net. I have messaged a couple of vendors who had stuff for sale, at about half the price I would expect to pay, saying I would take their stuff at what they were asking and they have been insanely happy I wanted them at 'full' price.

I mean, haggle over $20 for a complete set of window switches??? Keeriiiist, people, get a flappin life.

The issue I see with parts is that the the cost of the same part made by the same maker varies quite a bit.

It is very easy to feel cheated when you spent $50+ on a Motor Mount and find out later you could have bouth the same Motor Mount by the same maker somewhere else for $22.

Then there are parts of the Car like the Staked In U-joint on the Drive Shaft that just piss you off because Mercedes did that.

rs899 · #3 06-13-2011, 07:21 AM

The issue I have is not with the cars or the wrenching, but insurance.

I don't feel comfortable driving a 30+ year old car as a daily driver unless I have multiple backups. For SWMBO and I , that's a minimum of 4 (since she can't drive a stick, and I will drive nothing else), and since 2 of the 4 are usulally needing attention, I feel even better with 6, minumum.

So why do I need to insure 6 vehicles if we can only possibly drive 2? Even Mr. Bean couldn't accomplish that feat. I don't understand this..

Drivers kill, not cars.

I wish we would go to a pay at the pump or insure the driver, not the car , scheme.

Stretch · #4 06-13-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

The issue I have is not with the cars or the wrenching, but insurance.

I don't feel comfortable driving a 30+ year old car as a daily driver unless I have multiple backups. For SWMBO and I , that's a minimum of 4 (since she can't drive a stick, and I will drive nothing else), and since 2 of the 4 are usulally needing attention, I feel even better with 6, minumum.

So why do I need to insure 6 vehicles if we can only possibly drive 2? Even Mr. Bean couldn't accomplish that feat. I don't understand this..

Drivers kill, not cars.

I wish we would go to a pay at the pump or license the driver, not the car scheme.

Can't you buy multi-car policies where you are?

They're quite common here... but if you have a "classic" it would probably work out cheaper here to have separate policies (depending on the vast number of cars you're trying to insure of course).

You might also find that you could get an any car policy like a trader...

Diesel911 · #5 06-12-2011, 11:34 PM

We are driving cars that can suddenly and expensively die on us no matter how much money and attention we pour into them.

For me that precludes major financial investments.

So it is a contest of trying to use my skills to keep the cost of having the car as low as possible.

But, I still try to spend enough money that the repair I do is a solid one that I will not have to do again.

rs899 · #6 06-13-2011, 09:56 AM

That's what we got.

The "classic" insurance policies are available, but the rules restrict them to "parades, events, and occasional use". I am sorely tempted to go that route for several, since they really only cover 3000 miles/yr. Not sure they would buy the " I was on my way to an event" excuse if I was be be pronged on a Tuesday night, or if my classic truck were hit while carrying a load of bricks.

Orv · #7 06-13-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

The "classic" insurance policies are available, but the rules restrict them to "parades, events, and occasional use". I am sorely tempted to go that route for several, since they really only cover 3000 miles/yr. Not sure they would buy the " I was on my way to an event" excuse if I was be be pronged on a Tuesday night, or if my classic truck were hit while carrying a load of bricks.

Depends on what their definition of "occasional use" is. 3000 miles/year seems pretty occasional to me. On the other hand a lot of these policies do prohibit using the vehicle to haul cargo, I think.

For me the biggest stumbling block was always the requirement for secure garage parking.

TheDon · #8 06-13-2011, 10:21 AM

there is a fine line between frugal and being a cheapskate.

When I had the cabrio I did not buy cheap anything for it, same thing goes for my SDL or the w123 I had. Also goes along with my new 300D. Spend money on good parts and they will last.

Heck, when I had my Delorean I almost spent $200 on a mirror switch(which I would have probably used once!) but I spend good money on good parts so I get a good return.

my83300cd · #9 06-13-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Well after driving these cars for a few yrs and dealing with people over used parts it amazes me the level of frugalness people insist on showing, Why exactly do Benz drivers-Diesl drivers decide thy are entitled to show such pennypinchyness as opposed to everyone else in the auto enthusiest world?

There are people who spend what I consider to be 'stupid money' in the auto enthusiast world. Then there are those that enjoy a hobby on a real budget and want to stretch their dollar.
If I'm buying used parts I want to make sure they work and fit right. Trying to haggle some guy on a $25 used original ignition switch with the right key code for the car and keys that has been tested and works? Not me. I cant count the numer of times I've bought something at a swap meet, and then see a minor item I really could use, and have the seller throw it in, because I paid him want he wanted on the the first thing.

Some people think they have gold in the parts car when its really silver and copper. If you have a parts car you are stripping off before junking the carcass,are you trying to get back the original purchase price? Some sellers have real prices, and others have fantasy prices. If you are in the business of selling used parts, I get it and move on to someone who has a realistic pricing. If the part is really unobtanium, you and I both know I will be back.

lutzTD · #10 06-13-2011, 12:46 PM

im cheap, this car works because the parts are designed to be worked on not replaced. there is an abundance of cheap parts at the PNP's. also, I figure I can drive it for 10 years and get the same low price I paid back out. I keep track of ingoing cash and miles per dollar. still way cheaper than a new car and the ride is better than my wifes 2011 Cruze. I will admit the Cruze is more peppy and has a lot more creature comforts, but it is also quite bland as far as style is concerned

winmutt · #11 06-13-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Well after driving these cars for a few yrs and dealing with people over used parts it amazes me the level of frugalness people insist on showing, Why exactly do Benz drivers-Diesl drivers decide thy are entitled to show such pennypinchyness as opposed to everyone else in the auto enthusiest world?

3 kids, 2 mortgages, a foreclosure en progress and I have to read asinine posts like this.

They are old cheap cars.

panZZer · #12 06-13-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

3 kids, 2 mortgages, a foreclosure en progress and I have to read asinine posts like this.

They are old cheap cars.

Sorry to hear about the housing trouble, No-you didn't have to read it.

winmutt · #13 06-13-2011, 01:10 PM

I think a better question is why do people think you shoukld pay an arm and a leg for car parts for cars that were made in over 2 million production and are virtually uncollectable. These are not SL's they are W123s.

panZZer · #14 06-13-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

I think a better question is why do people think you shoukld pay an arm and a leg for car parts for cars that were made in over 2 million production and are virtually uncollectable. These are not SL's they are W123s.

You know there are hard to find stuff for 123's though. I have seen the same frugalness from 450sl owners also.

compu_85 · #15 06-13-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

I think a better question is why do people think you shoukld pay an arm and a leg for car parts for cars that were made in over 2 million production and are virtually uncollectable. These are not SL's they are W123s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

We are driving cars that can suddenly and expensively die on us no matter how much money and attention we pour into them.
For me that precludes major financial investments.

My take: I hate broken things. If I wanted to drive a broken piece of crap I'd have a Geo Prisim. But when the seat sags, and sunroof doesn't work, and the air warms up when I come to a stop it annoys me. If I had a new car and it did those things I would take it back to the dealer and make them fix it. Well, with used cars you are your own warranty

My time is valuable, so I'm going to stick with quality parts so I don't have to do the repair a 2nd time.

In my experience the cost of making everything "right" is less than the cost of a car payment. So even if I'm spending quite a bit at first, it saves me $ overall. I just remind myself it took 15 years for the sunroof to break the first time, in another 15 I'm fine with another $250 in parts.

-J