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jspbtown
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 5265
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 Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 3:09 pm Post subject: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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So a friend of mine has an Alfa Romeo Stelvio. 2019 with 44K miles. She bought it a few years ago. Its just barely out of warranty (certified). She gets a warning message that there was an "electronic throttle control malfunction". She calls the dealer and they can't get it in for a month. I tell her thats outrageous and she should contact Alpha HQ (Stellantis). She got a nice person there who immediately sent out a tow truck. Not a huge deal as she has a nice SLK55 she drives in the nice weather.
So they tow the car in and after a few days tell her she "needs a new engine" at a cost of $13k. There was no coolant in the engine". Of course there was no low coolant light and no overheating. She was getting random EVAP code and her gas tank would not fill correctly, but thats it
So I suggest she start making a stink to both the dealer (NOT the one she bought it rom but the local Alfa dealer) AND Corporate.
Long story short.....she follows some of my suggestions and this is the resolution they came to:
1. Free loaner (A Tonale) while the dealer replaces the engine
2. Stellantis and the Dealer with each contribute 50% towards the new engine (parts & labor)
3. They are paying the Stevio's loan payment (About $300 per month) while the repair is taking place.
Sure...a HUGE pain in the ass but not a bad outcome for a car out of warranty and not the sales or servicing dealership.
Totally a squeaky wheel success story. |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 80411
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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[img][/img]
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי
Last edited by Glenn on Tue Dec 02, 2025 4:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jspbtown
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 5265
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| Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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Hey Glenn. Nore sure if I was clear in my post but I listed the outcome.
And yes, it was out of warranty by time but not miles.
The terms of the agreement are in writing (my suggestion) and they are waiting for a complete motor (not s long or short block). They have already made two car payments and sent a $6000 check as partial payment for the motor (Not yet cashed).
The car was not neglected. Regular 5k mile oil changes. No warning lights present ignored. The car was running and not smoking or misfiring when it was towed. There was a periodic evap warning which often cleared itself. They know there were no warning signs because when they picked it up there were none and it was running fine.
No need for legal action as you can see by my post. Other than the hassle and the impact on trade in valuation she did quite well. She is also getting the evap issue fixed (unrelated to the engine failure) for $0 out of pocket.
She never made a scene, in fact she never even went to the dealership, it was all via phone followed up with emails (to be well documented). She was affirmative in her frustration and expressed it appropriately.
She will have a nice Tonale to drive from MA to NC for the holidays now. |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17949
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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I couldn't imagine a car loan on a 6 year old car  (or any car for that matter)
But, a sucker is born every minute I guess
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 24410
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 3:28 am Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I couldn't imagine a car loan on a 6 year old car (or any car for that matter)
But, a sucker is born every minute I guess |
In a bad economy you can get loans at 0% apr
In a good economy , you can get at 1/3 the rate if Vanguard.
Either way, using OPM to buy anything makes sense.
_________________
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 33452
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| I couldn't imagine a car loan |
I had a car loan once. I was so glad to get the car loan paid off on my 1970 VW back in 1974. That $31.41 a month was killin' me !!!!
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17949
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| Abscate wrote: |
Either way, using OPM to buy anything makes sense. |
if OPM means 'other peoples money' you're wrong
why the fuck would anyone with the $$ to buy outright want to be a slave and owe anyone anything? Especially on a depreciating asset like a some Italian junker?
and don't give me the "well the money I didn't spend is making X% in the market" because the "spread" you think you're making isn't worth the mental gymnastics of owing money to someone
You know what being debt free does? Gives you the ability to tell someone to fuck off if you don't want to deal with them. How many people go to work and feel like telling the boss to fuck off at least once a week but are so saddled by debt they 100% NEED the job. Once people realize this newfound freedom it will be life altering for them.
I'm 45. Plan on being 100% retired by 49-52. The next few years is going to be just stacking cash because being debt free allowed my wife and I to do so
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 4211
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I couldn't imagine a car loan on a 6 year old car (or any car for that matter)
But, a sucker is born every minute I guess |
In a bad economy you can get loans at 0% apr
In a good economy , you can get at 1/3 the rate if Vanguard.
Either way, using OPM to buy anything makes sense. |
It makes no sense to buy a depreciating asset however.
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Sorry About That Chief.
Give Peace a Chance.
Words to live by. |
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EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71897
Location: Phoenix 602
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jspbtown
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 5265
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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So if you had the opportunity for a 0% interest (or 1% or 2% or 3%) 4 year (or 5 year)loan and having a 4% APR High Yield Savings you would rather take the money out of the High Yield account than use someone else's money for 4 years?
Interesting. I'll take the investing in interest vs investing in a depreciating asset every day of the week
I keep my money where it works for me. I really don't follow the old school "I pay cash for everything" mentally.
I put EVERYTHING on my credit cards, gas, bills, shopping, dining etc. Everything. I am constantly trying to shift more expenses to my CC but many places now add in "fees" to pay by CC which obviously defeats the purpose.
Being "debt free" is a silly goal. Smart money management is FAR more important. Proper debt increases your credit score which allows you MORE financial freedom. Credit Bureaus reward good debt far more than they reward "debt free". And I am not a "slave" to any financial institution that I do business with. They treat me quite well. Their E Bill systems are fantastic.
Happily I have no one in my life I need to say "fuck off" to. I am sorry that you do have those people. It must make life pretty miserable for you.
But hey...to each there own.
And she wanted an Italian car...she got an Italian car. She enjoys driving things that are not boring transportation. She is an executive at an insurance company. She has done quite well on her own. She is highly educated and well respected. My wife and I consider her a good friend. But I am VERY jealous of her 1996 SLK55. That thing is a rocket ship. Great brakes too. |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17949
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 11:21 am Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| jspbtown wrote: |
| Proper debt |
you're one of those
| jspbtown wrote: |
but many places now add in "fees" to pay by CC which obviously defeats the purpose.
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fool
the cost of goods has the CC fees factored in across the board because of this. were everyone using cash, consumer products would drop about 3-5%
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/26/when-paying-with-cash-can-be-better-than-credit-card.html
so using your "zero interest" card is still costing you
But whatever. You seem to have it figured out so it's not worth having the conversation. Using a CC in some cases is necessary but it isn't doing as much for you as you think.
There is about a 0.15 swing in fuel prices here cash vs credit/debit. at 3.00/gal that's 5%. Doesn't seem like much...until it is.
People have some wild money habits. It took me a long time to figure it out, well into my 30's but I was glad to have it sorted before it was too late.
And I don't have people I have to say "fuck off" to because I come and go as I please because I'm finally at a point where I can be. My life is actually way better than most. I wish for everyone before they die to be able to live some of their life debt free. It's the best feeling in the world
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 36324
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| jspbtown wrote: |
| Credit Bureaus reward good debt far more than they reward "debt free". |
Old example of this:
When my folks moved to southern California from Wisconsin via Florida and Texas, they brought their midwestern values to handling debt: if you can't afford it today, don't buy it.
So they went to buy a car, and no lender would touch them. My folks were astonished that with "perfect credit" (meaning zero debt, ever), they would have any trouble. But as you state, being "invisible" scares lenders.
So they bought a TV on time, and paid it off in three months. Now they had payment history to go by, and the lenders would then make a loan for a car.
BTW, the TV seller was well-known to folks back then: "Mad Man Muntz."
Here is another L.A. celeb's take on him:
Link
Further BTW, the narrator was Ralph Story, the original host of what is now a common genre of news entertainment today, the short segment narrator to local attractions. He was the first (1964), and the best. His next TV stint was the precursor to Good Morning America. He was magnetic on the air.
Muntz was an electrical engineer focused on CHEAP. He removed components from other TV designs to get down to the most basic circuit using the cheapest tubes. That meant it didn't last as long, needed to be adjusted (whacked) more often to get a good picture, and the tuning (all analog back then) needed adjustment as it warmed up and maybe based on the phase of the moon. But he undersold all others with his designs.
He also sold the earliest car tape players, a 4-track (not 8) "Muntz Stereo Pak".
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback
Last edited by KTPhil on Wed Dec 03, 2025 12:55 pm; edited 6 times in total |
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 80411
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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I've only had 2 loans in my life, my house which was a 15 year and I paid it off in 11, and my wife's car because they gave 0% for 5 years.
My daughter has a higher FICO scour than I do.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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jspbtown
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 5265
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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"were everyone using cash, consumer products would drop about 3-5%"
Thanks for the chuckle
Just checked.....my "foolish" way of handling money has given me a FICO score of 838 (just checked it as part of my CC benefits.
Not bad for a "fool" I guess
You have a good holiday Skills not being a "slave" and now apparently not having to tell people to "F off".
Its sounds like a great life.  |
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jspbtown
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 5265
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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Another thing I did was get my kid his own credit card when he was in high school. It was on my account but in his name.
I did not know it at the time but as a result,  MY credit rating rolled over to him so he had a great start without it costing me a dime.
I can't see why any parent would not do the same. |
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jspbtown
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 5265
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 4:27 pm Post subject: I think we can lock this one...My original intent was |
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to show that options can still exist for out of warranty repairs.
That seems to have been sidelined. I say "Lock it up!
Happy holiday season everyone! |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 33452
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
You know what being debt free does? Gives you the ability to tell someone to fuck off if you don't want to deal with them. How many people go to work and feel like telling the boss to fuck off at least once a week but are so saddled by debt they 100% NEED the job. Once people realize this newfound freedom it will be life altering for them.
I'm 45. Plan on being 100% retired by 49-52. The next few years is going to be just stacking cash because being debt free allowed my wife and I to do so |
Good for you !!! You'll reach your goal earlier than I did.
I'm 100% debt-free. I worked for a corporation for 40+ years, my job was eliminated when I was 63.5, and I got 52 weeks severance pay (2 weeks per year, capped at 52 weeks, apparently that's not age discrimination); we had 401k and in my last 18 years I was eligible for bonus and a few stock options, depending on whether company made money. I cashed in my pension, belongs to my trust as does my 401k, all managed by Fidelity because I don't know sh*t about investing or finance. I own two homes outright, have never purchased a brand-new vehicle (my 1970 VW was only 2 years old when I bought it, that was my newest). I pay off our credit cards every month, so no fees. I do my own yard work (today trimmed two trees with my 120 VAC Harbor Freight pole saw) and do most of my home repairs (Saturday I diagnosed and replaced the upper thermostat on my water heater), as well as 98% of my vehicle repairs and service. And I play senior softball 2 or 3 days a week, and jump Mrs. Cusser whenever she lets me !
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17949
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| Cusser wrote: |
Good for you !!! You'll reach your goal earlier than I did.
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Thanks. My wife and I have done a pretty good job. And out kid who is in high school now is all set for college too (as long as she doesn't make being a professional student a thing)
| Cusser wrote: |
I'm 100% debt-free |
great feeling, huh?
I'll never understand people leveraging debt for some imaginary number that just shows they can't afford to bankroll their purchases, and they wear it like a badge of honor. And FWIW with income/net worth coming into play if we ever needed to borrow (which won't happen) it won't be a problem.
Other than the house I've never needed to borrow money for anything in my adult life after my first (and last) new car in 1998. Our net worth is such that we can self fund just about anything but it came at a cost, no doubt there.
| Quote: |
| Its sounds like a great life |
it is, and some of us have longer than others
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 24410
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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| Quote: |
| why the fuck would anyone with the $$ to buy outright want to be a slave and owe anyone anything? |
Because rich people play the long game.
If one buys a 30k used 2005 bmw for cash in 2009, in 2012 they have a used 2005 bmw.
If one buys it on time at 0% , in 2012 you have the same used bmw and $4800 in cash.
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shano63
Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2006
Posts: 3646
Location: Stormville NY
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| Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2025 11:47 am Post subject: Re: Helping a friend with a car repair.... |
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I will never get tired of this site. I love how it starts out innocently enough with someone helping out a friend with car trouble, then somehow it turns into credit card life lessons.
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63 T1 Ragtop Gulf Blue
20 Toyota Corolla 6spd
22 Wrangler 6spd
78 F250 4x4 4spd
Chris
Take it as it comes-- Morrison |
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