The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

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bedraggled
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by bedraggled » Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:01 pm

Re the paint job:

The car is like an adopted child, at this point. Any paint job and body work would fit nicely into a declining level of average annual maintenance expenditures.

Funny thing, the mechanic said my steel car would withstand a collision better than a current car. The chiropractor, while checking for aches and pains, and who knows cars, too, suggested the rear bumper performed as designed.

Guess I'll let you know within the week.

Thanks.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Mark Leavy » Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:28 pm

bedraggled wrote:
Tue Jul 28, 2020 11:53 am
If I were to buy a Camry tomorrow, I would skip the unnecessary paint job. I would like to keep it 4 more years.

To watch it fade is unpleasant. And those non-fading glass headlights!

There are two rust pockets behind the rear wheel wells that are still yet to break through to the surface.
The two areas are still solid and ignore the rap of my knuckles. I'm confused by this three year old condition. Body shop said they could cut it out and replace with new metal before the repaint but that will cost more.

Decisions, decisions. Just wanna get through 4 more years. The replacement car should be truly edgy.

BTW, maintaining an old car lessens environmental impact and reduces carbon footprint.
You have a really pleasing perspective on life, bedraggled.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Libertarian666 » Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:52 pm

We almost had to get rid of our 2001 Maxima.

It started stalling at idle and then racing other times.

I took it to my mechanic and he used his diagnostic computer to find out what the problem was.

He called me and said "I have bad news. You need a new Idle Air Control Valve. That's about $500 for the part, but the bad news is that it seems very likely that the engine computer has been damaged as a result of the failure of that part. If you need a new engine controller, that's going to be another big bill for the part and you'll have to get the car to the dealer to reprogram it (the dealer is 50 miles away)."

Altogether it looked like $1500 or so for a car that isn't worth $1000.

So I resigned myself to selling it for a couple of hundred dollars to my mechanic's helper who would fix it on his own dime and then try to resell it.

But my wife didn't want to let it go, so I said "Fine, do the research and if there is another option we'll see if it makes sense."

She found a company that reprograms the computer so you don't have to buy a new one and don't have to drive (or tow) it to the dealer. That would cut the maximum expense down to about $700. She also found the Idle Air Control Valve on Amazon for $130.

So I said okay, let's try changing that and hope that the engine computer is okay.

We got lucky. $300 later, the car is working again!
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by bedraggled » Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:05 pm

And that retained cash can be pretty handy. I can always get another new/newish car that requires collision coverage. I would like to get a new Tesla in 4 years. In the interim, I hope to have that solid 25% that Harry talked about. It won't be deep cash, though.

BTW, i believe that Harry Browne fans are in control of their money, as I feel about my current situation.

Thanks, folks. I'll decide soon.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Mark Leavy » Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:08 pm

Libertarian666 wrote:
Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:52 pm
...
But my wife didn't want to let it go ...
That's a great story. You really complement each other.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Libertarian666 » Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:42 pm

Mark Leavy wrote:
Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:08 pm
Libertarian666 wrote:
Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:52 pm
...
But my wife didn't want to let it go ...
That's a great story. You really complement each other.
Thanks. She appreciated the compliment!
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by vnatale » Tue Jul 28, 2020 10:06 pm

Libertarian666 wrote:
Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:52 pm
We almost had to get rid of our 2001 Maxima.

It started stalling at idle and then racing other times.

I took it to my mechanic and he used his diagnostic computer to find out what the problem was.

He called me and said "I have bad news. You need a new Idle Air Control Valve. That's about $500 for the part, but the bad news is that it seems very likely that the engine computer has been damaged as a result of the failure of that part. If you need a new engine controller, that's going to be another big bill for the part and you'll have to get the car to the dealer to reprogram it (the dealer is 50 miles away)."

Altogether it looked like $1500 or so for a car that isn't worth $1000.

So I resigned myself to selling it for a couple of hundred dollars to my mechanic's helper who would fix it on his own dime and then try to resell it.

But my wife didn't want to let it go, so I said "Fine, do the research and if there is another option we'll see if it makes sense."

She found a company that reprograms the computer so you don't have to buy a new one and don't have to drive (or tow) it to the dealer. That would cut the maximum expense down to about $700. She also found the Idle Air Control Valve on Amazon for $130.

So I said okay, let's try changing that and hope that the engine computer is okay.

We got lucky. $300 later, the car is working again!
Can't tell you enough how stories like this warm my "super frugal, repair the car" heart!

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by bedraggled » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:14 am

Looks like I will get the repaint on the 30 year old Accord.

Question: Is it worth spending an extra $500 to get rust cut out in two areas immediately beyond the rear wheel wells? The cost might be less. The car will look nice after the paint job. If I also get the rust cut out, the car will be welcomed at car shows. I'll have that" antique" license plate, too.

DW understands the value of this old car and I think, maybe, the car should look as good as possible for her. I'm on the fence re this significant remediation as I'll get a Tesla in 4 years.

Thoughts, please.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Mark Leavy » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:20 am

bedraggled wrote:
Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:14 am

DW understands the value of this old car and I think, maybe, the car should look as good as possible for her.
There's your answer right there.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Libertarian666 » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:34 am

bedraggled wrote:
Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:14 am
Looks like I will get the repaint on the 30 year old Accord.

Question: Is it worth spending an extra $500 to get rust cut out in two areas immediately beyond the rear wheel wells? The cost might be less. The car will look nice after the paint job. If I also get the rust cut out, the car will be welcomed at car shows. I'll have that" antique" license plate, too.

DW understands the value of this old car and I think, maybe, the car should look as good as possible for her. I'm on the fence re this significant remediation as I'll get a Tesla in 4 years.

Thoughts, please.
I would get the rust cut out.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Xan » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:36 am

Libertarian666 wrote:
Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:34 am
bedraggled wrote:
Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:14 am
Looks like I will get the repaint on the 30 year old Accord.

Question: Is it worth spending an extra $500 to get rust cut out in two areas immediately beyond the rear wheel wells? The cost might be less. The car will look nice after the paint job. If I also get the rust cut out, the car will be welcomed at car shows. I'll have that" antique" license plate, too.

DW understands the value of this old car and I think, maybe, the car should look as good as possible for her. I'm on the fence re this significant remediation as I'll get a Tesla in 4 years.

Thoughts, please.
I would get the rust cut out.
Me too. $500 is what fraction of the payment on a new car? Delay your Tesla purchase by two weeks and there you go. It's worth that to have your car really be taken care of, isn't it?
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by vnatale » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:37 am

bedraggled wrote:
Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:14 am
Looks like I will get the repaint on the 30 year old Accord.

Question: Is it worth spending an extra $500 to get rust cut out in two areas immediately beyond the rear wheel wells? The cost might be less. The car will look nice after the paint job. If I also get the rust cut out, the car will be welcomed at car shows. I'll have that" antique" license plate, too.

DW understands the value of this old car and I think, maybe, the car should look as good as possible for her. I'm on the fence re this significant remediation as I'll get a Tesla in 4 years.

Thoughts, please.
Are you in a state with inspections? In Massachusetts I had no choice. I had to take rust action so as to pass inspection. Absent that I would not have taken care of it.

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by WiseOne » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:47 am

To anyone who might be living in or visiting a city like NYC and parking a car on the street:

MAKE SURE IT'S NOT A HONDA.

Hondas have always been at the top of the list for car thieves, and that was confirmed recently by a NextDoor thread on a spike in car thefts & vandalism in my neighborhood. Posters reported that in the past month, 3 cars were stolen from one specific street, and 2 others had their exhaust systems including the catalytic converter removed - same location. All 5 cases involved Hondas, and the two that had their exhaust systems stolen were a Honda Element and a CRV. It seems that thieves look for cars that are high off the ground and easy to get underneath.

The police were 100% non-interested, which is a very big change from just a couple years ago when they would have started doing foot patrols to deal with the problem. That is ominous indeed.
Simonjester wrote:
this kind of crime has not been a crime for a few years or more in CA, if you call and report stuff stolen off of, or out of your car they tell you "we don't respond to or file reports on this type of incident any more, go online and file your own report"...
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by vnatale » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:14 am

WiseOne wrote:
Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:47 am
To anyone who might be living in or visiting a city like NYC and parking a car on the street:

MAKE SURE IT'S NOT A HONDA.

Hondas have always been at the top of the list for car thieves, and that was confirmed recently by a NextDoor thread on a spike in car thefts & vandalism in my neighborhood. Posters reported that in the past month, 3 cars were stolen from one specific street, and 2 others had their exhaust systems including the catalytic converter removed - same location. All 5 cases involved Hondas, and the two that had their exhaust systems stolen were a Honda Element and a CRV. It seems that thieves look for cars that are high off the ground and easy to get underneath.

The police were 100% non-interested, which is a very big change from just a couple years ago when they would have started doing foot patrols to deal with the problem. That is ominous indeed.
Does it matter how old the Honda is? Mine is a 2004 and about three years ago I had the entire muffler system (including catalytic converter) replaced with genuine Honda parts. It cost a shockingly $1,700. I guess I'm answering my own question? It'd still be a prime target?

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by WiseOne » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:14 pm

The Honda Element in question was a 2003. So, yes, your car is on the "Thieves Most Wanted" list.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by stuper1 » Fri Jul 31, 2020 8:09 pm

Is it in bad taste to refer to things like this as the Brazilification of the USA?

Maybe it's less offensive if we just call it the shithole-country-ification of the USA.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Kriegsspiel » Fri Jul 31, 2020 8:19 pm

stuper1 wrote:
Fri Jul 31, 2020 8:09 pm
Is it in bad taste to refer to things like this as the Brazilification of the USA?

Maybe it's less offensive if we just call it the shithole-country-ification of the USA.
Unless I'm mistaken, there used to be a lot of crime in NYC a few decades ago. As far as I can tell, urban crime and urban renewal go in cycles, and we seem to be entering an upswing in crime and violence in cities. That would begin reversing the past couple decades or so of gentrification and good times. Hipster millennials apparently have been leaving the cities in order to buy houses in the suburbs, so maybe that's a factor.
You there, Ephialtes. May you live forever.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Mark Leavy » Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:37 pm

The new plates finally showed up. Made an honest woman out of her. Time for a wash.

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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by vnatale » Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:44 pm

Mark Leavy wrote:
Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:37 pm
The new plates finally showed up. Made an honest woman out of her. Time for a wash.


roci.jpeg
Don't let your car talk to my car! I don't want it getting any ideas! Have owned it for 6 years and 8 months and it's NEVER been washed. It thinks that is the norm. I don't want your car putting any crazy ideas in its head!

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Mark Leavy » Wed Aug 05, 2020 10:10 pm

vnatale wrote:
Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:44 pm
Don't let your car talk to my car! I don't want it getting any ideas! Have owned it for 6 years and 8 months and it's NEVER been washed. It thinks that is the norm. I don't want your car putting any crazy ideas in its head!

Vinny
Ah... Vinny. Buy her a spa day and take her to the drive in. She'll treat you right.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by bedraggled » Wed Aug 05, 2020 10:52 pm

Vinny,

I imagine you have a ‘preservation of assets” mentality, so I am confused when you say you don’t wash your car.

Have a nice day.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Hal » Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:30 am

Just remembered! First car I recall my parents had...

Thats seems an eternity ago :D
https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/buye ... yers-guide

Whats the earliest car you can remember?
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Kriegsspiel » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:50 am

I love that, Hal. I wish carmakers would put that interior styling in cars with modern gas mileage.
You there, Ephialtes. May you live forever.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by bedraggled » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:57 am

earliest car?

parents: 1953 Belair, 2-door, 3-speed on the column,

grandparents: 1948 Dodge, 4-door, 3-speed on the column- huge and roomy. the front and back doors met and closed at the center column.
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Re: The cars we love/hate & the cars we may buy.

Post by Libertarian666 » Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:36 am

vnatale wrote:
Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:44 pm
Mark Leavy wrote:
Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:37 pm
The new plates finally showed up. Made an honest woman out of her. Time for a wash.


roci.jpeg
Don't let your car talk to my car! I don't want it getting any ideas! Have owned it for 6 years and 8 months and it's NEVER been washed. It thinks that is the norm. I don't want your car putting any crazy ideas in its head!

Vinny
You need a bumper sticker saying "Do not wash. This car is undergoing a scientific dirt test."
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