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29 Apr 00 - 02:21 PM (#220064) Subject: cars to avoid From: kendall This thread is clearly marked BS, so, I'll have no grief from purists...please.>br> Last January I headed for Florida to make music with friends, and, as some of you know, I had car trouble and turned back. I got grabbed for $400.00, and, still had the same problem. Now, another has popped up. I have a gig tonight 40 miles away, and I dont dare chance it so, I borrowed a car from a friend. In reading up on cars in the Consumer Reports, I find that my car, a 1992 Dodge Dynasty, is among those to avoid. There is NOTHING good about them, and, their resale value is right down there with Hyundai. I believe in supporting American industry, but, no more Chrysler products for me. If you need a car which you know will get you to your gig, it aint a Dodge,babe. There, I feel better. |
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29 Apr 00 - 02:58 PM (#220074) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: wysiwyg Step away from the dealer, Leave at your own chosen speed. That ain't the car you want babe, And it ain't the one you need. You need some wheels that will always roll, You need a car that will work. You need to get to gigs to play, A no-show's just a jerk.
It ain't Dodge, babe... no no no, ~Susan
FROM HARDIMAN THE FIDDLER-- |
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29 Apr 00 - 03:16 PM (#220080) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: canoer Having had some little experience with mechanicking & suchlike -- for maximum reliability, get you a Corolla or Camry or any Honda. Period. I work for Dodge, I drive a Dodge, but I also know the chances I'm taking. In my experience, the Consumer Reports has been very accurate. It's good to use it. "You can call me crazy, you can call me sick; I got to get to where I'm goin' to, quick." |
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29 Apr 00 - 04:04 PM (#220092) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Mark Cohen Cars to avoid? Any one that's heading towards you, especially if you're walking. I've had two cars in which everything worked from day one. Both were Hondas. I'll second the Chrysler-bashing. My Jeep's air conditioner stopped working 4 years before I got rid of it. In Hawaii that's no joke -- either it's too hot or it's raining in the open window. Remember Tom Paxton's song, "I Am Changing My Name to Chrysler?" |
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29 Apr 00 - 04:12 PM (#220093) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Rick Fielding Kendall, oh do I relate! I know beans about cars, and next to my Guitar and banjo they're my most important working tool. Two hours before leaving for Ct. last month, I paid the grage 1500 bucks! You can guess who came out ahead after those two gigs. Before buying, I get a copy of "Lemon-aide", memorize it and slink off to the dealer. No real problems with the 95 Ford Escort though (other than the tires, springs and brakes..see above) Rick |
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29 Apr 00 - 04:24 PM (#220099) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: MK I've driven nothing but Chryslers for the last 15 years. Mind you I lease them, and dump 'em and get a new one every three years (before anything can go wrong with them, and, allowing me to basically just worry about gas and oil, lubes and filters.) The only problems I've ever had were with defective transmissions in late 80s/early 90s minivans, but a trip to my dealer replaced the trannies, and resolved any problems. I deal with the dealership I frequenet because of their service department. They happen to be straight and up front (somewhat of a rarity in the automotive business, from what I've seen on TV and read in the media.) When I used to own and keep vehicles, I had take a few to this place for servicing and was so impressed with the service department, I eventually became a leasing customer. Granted, not everyone can afford to lease a new vehicle every few years, but I figure it's a good trade off, when you consider what you would spend in repairs and maintainance of a vehicle you own, compared to just putting in gas and changing the oil every three years. And if you're self employed you should be able to write off about 75- 80% of the lease costs, instead of giving it to Revenue Canada or the IRS. My salesguy can lease me anything I want (Chrysler or other)...but I just happen to like North American and of the "Big 3" prefer Chrylser's designs, especially since the invent of cab forward. I also read the consumer reports and Car and Track's ratings before getting anything. Looking forward to getting rid of my Cirrus and getting a 300M in the Fall. A good, reputable mechanic is like finding a good guitar teacher. Tedious path, but when you find a good one, hang on to it. |
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29 Apr 00 - 05:27 PM (#220109) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: McGrath of Harlow There's a song I once heard abnourt a "Rubber Car" - the idea being if it hit anything it just bounced off, and so did the thing it hit, and noone got hurt.
I want one of those...(And I'd like the song too, if anyone knows it.) |
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29 Apr 00 - 06:15 PM (#220125) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: JenEllen Pre-Forester Subarus are GREAT! I've had my little gem "RubySue the Subaru" since '85 when she came off the line. No one can seem to explain why a little tin can from across the sea can hold up better than the sedans, trucks, and vans (foreign and domestic) that I've also owned. She's 200K and still plugging along. It gets a little cramped at times with folks, instruments, and critters, but if I ever am in a spot like Kendall, there's no question as to which wheels we're taking. *come to find out later that they are also some of the safest cars on the road! front-wheel drive is great, and the engine rests at an angle so that in the event of a head-on, it gets pushed under the driver instead of into their lap. and ya can't beat the mileage on them either* |
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29 Apr 00 - 06:40 PM (#220134) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Dave (the ancient mariner) My 95 Saturn SL1 has 225000 thousand kilometres and is still under an extended warranty.(240000)I enjoy the car and especially the excellent service I get from the dealer. Yours, Aye. Dave |
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29 Apr 00 - 06:47 PM (#220137) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Tony Burns When I saw the title I thought "Here's a place to blast Chrysler" and what do you know, Kendal had a Dodge. I only had one Chrysler and the day after I bought it my boss said to watch out for transmission problems. Boy was he right! 180,000 Km and 7!!! transmissions. I wouldn't buy a Chrysler product for anything. btw - I had lots of other problems too but the trasmissions took the cake. Tony Burns who is now the happy owner of his second Saturn. |
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29 Apr 00 - 06:51 PM (#220138) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Jon Freeman The cars to avoid are the ones that try to run you over. Jon |
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29 Apr 00 - 07:23 PM (#220145) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: The Beanster From 1974 through 1976 (when it got stolen in Boston), I had a red, 1968 Dodge Dart. I loved that car--the way it smelled, the way the engine tick-tick-ticked, the way the rear view mirror would fall off if I went over a bump, the way the turn signals went "kerplunk, kerplunk," the way the passenger door would fly open if I took a left-hand turn too fast... It was hilarious watching my passenger's reaction to that. I never put oil or steering fluid in this thing--only gasoline--that was the only thing that was important to me. It had tires so bald you could see the threads and faithfully carried me all over the East Coast. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Sorry, all this talk about cars made me sentimental... (sigh) |
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29 Apr 00 - 07:27 PM (#220146) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Jeri Well, I love my Mitsubishi Eclipse. I haven't had any problems with it other than the engine seizing up when it was less than 3,000 miles old. The engine was made by Chrysler. |
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29 Apr 00 - 07:48 PM (#220159) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: skarpi Hmmmmmmm , avoid all japanise cars and cars from korea, just drive an american FORD TAURUS .Jabb thats my car folks 88´ model and still running fine, the meter is in miles and the car has been driven 159.689 thousands miles.This car came here to Iceland through the Naval Airforce base in Keflavík by an millitery woman.I wish I coult get a new Taurus but I cant becouse the dealer for Ford in Iceland wont ship Taurus or Sable Into Iceland, dont know why. Keep on driven on Ford.All the best skarpi Iceland. |
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29 Apr 00 - 08:09 PM (#220164) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Bugsy How about a nice.........SKODA! Cheers Bugsy |
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29 Apr 00 - 08:20 PM (#220171) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: rangeroger The single best vehicle I've ever owned is my "85 Chevy Suburban.Yes it's huge.Yes it's a gas hog. But 15 years and 300,000 miles later,it runs stronger than new and has never had the valve covers or oil pan off.Not bad for $16,500 brand new. I will admit that most of my driving right now is done in my 1970 VW Karmann Ghia.$995 last year and I'm getting 30-32 mpg.And great fun to boot. rr |
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29 Apr 00 - 08:27 PM (#220175) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Bugsy Rangeroger, Bring that VW to Australia and you'll get up to AUS$15,000.00 for it, it it's in mint condition. Cheers Bugsy |
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29 Apr 00 - 08:46 PM (#220179) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Abby Sale Historically, journeyman folk & blues artists used Cadddys. They felt both that they (even very old ones) were reliable enough to be sure to get to the gig - maybe 4 or 5 towns a week and that the ride was comfortable enough that their kidneys & back would allow them to work. I wouldn't know, I bought my Japanese Dodge (ie, Colt) November 16, 1977 and it still starts first flip of the key. A/c still works & gets 28 mpg. It's ammortized well, I think. |
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29 Apr 00 - 08:48 PM (#220180) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Lonesome EJ My two worst cars were an English Ford, and a Triumph Vitesse. Coincidence or...something more? I've had great luck with Toyota (Land Cruiser, Celica, Four-Runner), but had two Pontiac Bonnevilles that were great cars, as well. |
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29 Apr 00 - 10:04 PM (#220196) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: MichaelM Yesterday I passed on my 1992 Volvo 240 to my brother. He needs it as a second car with a new family. It's got 190,000 km. on (a substantial amount of it city driving) and has had nothing at all done to the engine (save oil changes). No transmission work, valve work, zero. The body is still immaculate save for a couple of scratches where somebody keyed her (Grrrr). Because of its weight it eats brake pads. I am going to miss that car. |
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29 Apr 00 - 10:26 PM (#220200) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Kelida I used to drive a 1989 Ford Probe, which I loved. Unfortunately, it was 10 years old and had almost 150,000 miles on it. It also needed a new motor, which I couldn't afford. Then stuff started going wrong with it, I took it to a big chain store called Pep Boys to get it fixed, and 15 minutes later I was in a ditch on a hillside because something else went wrong--and believe it or not, it wasn't my driving. I ended up having to trade it in on another car. Now I drive a 1995 Dodge Neon with about 60,000 miles on it. No power steering, no AC, no working tapeplayer--just windows rolled down and a good radio station. The only bad thing that happened was the week after the 30 day warranty ran out, I was putting $400 of repairs into it. Other than that, the car's been fine. Nice 4-cylinder stick shift. . . Peace--Keli |
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29 Apr 00 - 10:35 PM (#220203) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Mooh Hands down my best and most loved vehicle was a 1984 Dodge pickup truck. I regret selling it, but I know it is still running, and I'm using the computer it bought to write this now. It had character, was reliable, was pretty economical (straight 6 engine, instead of an 8) and would haul like crazy. I miss it. Drove it through a tornadoe once where the wipers were torn off but my canoe stayed on top. I felt it was divinely guided. Great for camping and fishing and moving p.a. equipment, top soil, fire wood, and for sleeping under the stars. Geez, I think I'm gonna cry... For 5 years been driving a Plymouth Voyageur. No problems. Worst vehicle: Ford Bronco II, closely followed by a Suzuki 4x4. Other favourite: 1974 Volvo sedan that required no work of any real significance over 200,000 miles or so. Comfy too. My second car right now is an '89 Ford Escort which was likely okay in its day but is now pretty crappy, but what the hell, I can't ask much for $1500 certified. How 'bout, what's your best pair of shoes? Peace, and long may she run. Mooh. |
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29 Apr 00 - 10:52 PM (#220208) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: kendall thanks all you good folks..I've had them all, and the one I miss the most is a 1960 Mercedes Benz 220. I remember when Chrysler built some of the best engines in the world, and, imo THE best auto transmission, the torque flight. Since then, they have really gone down hill. A SKODA you say? they were better than the YUGO..you could double the value of the YUGO just by filling the gas tank. |
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29 Apr 00 - 10:52 PM (#220209) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: MarkS Best car was a Chevy sedan, running great with 127000 miles on it before it was stolen in Montreal. Got it after dumping a Dodge with 60000 miles on it. If you buy a Chrysler product, you are just starting a lifelong relationship with the service department at the dealership. Oh - IF you buy a Chrysler, be careful how you wash it. You could get dents from the stream of water from your garden hose. |
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29 Apr 00 - 11:09 PM (#220219) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: catspaw49 Every mark has a story and every one has had problems. I spent my entire professional life in the auto repair business in one way or another and its the truth folks. From Suburban to Escort to Eclipse to whatever.......Sure, some are generally better than others and some have "bad times" as well. Check both the consumer and the enthusiast mags before you buy, and even then you're likely to excuse away negatives on the ones you really like. Then there are the masochist types like Leej........Was it an Anglia or a Cortina? Geeziz, I have never figured out why the Brits complain about the cost of "petrol." Most English cars never run long enough to use any. The only thing dumber than English engineers are the fools who try to repair the cars they design. Spaw---Former English car specialist and Lotus racer(BRM/Elan+2S) |
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29 Apr 00 - 11:54 PM (#220248) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Jon Freeman Naw spaw, Want British cars, try the Morris Minor... they will last for ever, or how about the Mini? One of my brothers was a mechanic until he got out to work for a landscape gardener but he still rated the Citroens that he spent most of his time working on very highly - my mum bought an old BX through his garage with 100,000 on the clock for £100 - It went on to do another 100,000 before going to Mark for Spares - great car although I must say, he knew the "pipework" and maintained it for my parents for free. They now have a ZX which has proved to be very reliable. As for Mark, although he was "headhunted" by a couple of garages, he is much happier playing in soil than in oil these days and the wages (at least when he quit) were not much different. Just garrages these days seem to be able to charge say £30 per hour - the mechanics do not get any of the share. Jon |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:04 AM (#220254) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: catspaw49 Hi Jon.....Truth is, I wouldn't have repaired them if I didn't love them, although Joe Lucas does say, "Don't go out after dark." For many years the Minis dominated their class here in SCCA racing and they were fun to watch. Generally the most competitive class with a large field having lap times within half a second of each other, a lot of us would stop whatever we were doing (if we possobly could) to watch the "Mini Mob" in action. Spaw |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:15 AM (#220259) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: sophocleese Spaw, did you ever see the movie The Italian Job. One of my favourites when I was a kid just to watch the cars. |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:17 AM (#220262) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: rangeroger Spaw, the reason the British like warm beer is they have Lucas refrigerators.Having owned a 1275 Sprite for 20 years I have determined that British engines are porous.You could weld the engine shut and it would still leak oil. rr Also former Lotus racer (FP Lotus 7) |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:25 AM (#220264) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Jon Freeman The theory I heard about the oil leak was to sto the fron subframe from rusting - not sure about the rear. Jon |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:26 AM (#220265) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: catspaw49 LOL....you're right on the mark rr....I think they developed the technology on bikes (Beezer, Trumpets, Snortin' Nortons) and then shared it across the board. I think the original engineering on this was done by BP.....and I love the 7's. Hey Soph!! That film is highly underrated by many, but "Motorheads" love it. Just fantastic work. Spaw |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:29 AM (#220266) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: catspaw49 Yeah Jon......But how can it be any good for a Morgan? Then again, I suppose it might kill the termites. Spaw |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:32 AM (#220269) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Jon Freeman Try again, this time looking at what I type: The theory I heard about the oil leak was to stop the front subframe from rusting - not sure about the rear. Why is it I only see it after I post? Jon
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30 Apr 00 - 12:39 AM (#220270) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Escamillo May I introduce a little off-topic ? (As usual, I´m posting the crap of the BS): Against all my friends' opinions, I still own a Chevy Malibu V8 Classic 1978 with 65000 miles (it looks new) which I bought from a lot of discontinued cars from the local US Embassy. While everybody drive small and modern VW, Focus, Astras, and Hondas, I still drive my whale (only for a ride on weekends, because driving downtown on workdays is suicidal). With some internal repairs and paint touches, my monster could live 10 years more, provided I get parts from USA by mail at two times the cost of local parts. Do you think there is a moment in the life of the car, that it should be retired, regardless of its condition? Perhaps some time comes when parts are unavailable in USA ? If I sell it, I could hardly obtain 1500. A new, small, vulnerable car would cost me 12000, while a reasonable "pre-owned" - euphemism for "used"-, would be 8000. (Damn, how could I make this more musical?.. mmh, oh yes) Should I write a song for the beast ? :)) Un abrazo V8 - Andrés |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:39 AM (#220271) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: SINSULL Ich Liebe Meinen Volkswagon. Poor baby died when I let my father borrow it. 54 miles to the gallon in city driving. All I ever did was change the oil. May she rest in peace. |
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30 Apr 00 - 01:30 AM (#220279) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Ely Hmm, Skarpi--a high-school friend of mine had a Taurus (not sure what year, oldest body style) with 56,000 miles on it that barely made it around the block. I was raised on Toyotas and I'm sorry--I believe in them. We got rid of our 1982 Tercel wagon two years ago because the frame was loose (had been in an accident before we bought it), but it *always* started, ran fine, never balked, even at 225,000 miles. The only things we ever had to replace on it were the ignition and the tailgate lock, both of which wore out (yes, _wore out_). They hauled it away on a truck and it was painful to watch because it was the first time we'd ever seen it looking crippled. |
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30 Apr 00 - 03:21 AM (#220298) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: BlueJay LEJ- Enlish Ford??? Are you talking about those accursed little cars with the rear windshield cut back inward so the snow wouldn't accumulate? Mine was a '67 "Anglia". Constantly breaking down! I never understood why either Ford or England allowed their names to be associated with those things. (No offence to our British friends). Fortunately, I wrecked mine. I'm still driving a '73 Olds Cutlass, given to me by my mother. Ugly, yes. Gas hog, yes. But it sure does shine on road trips. |
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30 Apr 00 - 03:49 AM (#220302) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Mark Cohen Here, I'll add some music to the discussion, especially for 'Spaw and Jon. I heard Bob Kotta do this about 15 years ago; I think he wrote it. Oh, damn -- the late Bob Kotta. The Bug-Eye (tune: The Hog-Eye Man) Oh the bug-eyed Sprite is the car for me Goes 0 to 60 in three point three In a Bug-Eye, where's the heater in a Bug-Eye? Steady on the clutch of a Bug-Eye, O, I want the bug-eyed Sprite Well it's fast and straight and steadyin the curve If you've got the guts it's got the nerve, in your Bug-Eye... I though I heard my girlfriend say That she'd go for a ride most any day, in a Bug-Eye... In a bug-eyed Sprite you can have great fun But there's not enough room to get in on, in a Bug-eye... I stripped the gears and I popped the clutch At the end of the night she thanked me much,in my Bug-Eye... Well nine long months had just passed by When she came to me with a little Bug-Eye, in a Bug-Eye... And now the saddest part I'll tell My little Bug-Eye I had to sell, and a Bug-Eye... So now I'm married, I'm a family man And I drive around in a beat-up van, not a Bug-Eye... Aloha, Mark |
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30 Apr 00 - 07:06 AM (#220321) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: skarpi Well Eli, your friend might have a bad luck with his car, if we dont watch to change the oil, oilfilter and air filter than it wont work for a long time . Here in Iceland we have cold winters and longones to and we take our cars to the carage and ask them to look over everything that might matter in the Engine.And there are more thing to watch. So I take mine Ford Taurus to oil change every 3000 miles, I change oil on the shift every 6000 miles baybe thats why it´s still running????????. Taurus is a great strong car, before I had volvo,volvo volvo volvo and more volvo´s but today Volvo in Iceland is so Expensive that I cannot get one. All the best skarpi Iceland. |
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30 Apr 00 - 08:52 AM (#220331) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: kendall Lets not knock British engineers too hard, after all, they designed the Rolls Royce. I had the pleasure of driving a brand new Rolls Royce in 1960, and, I tell you what..it is still the most impressive car I have ever driven. |
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30 Apr 00 - 09:02 AM (#220333) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: McGrath of Harlow "The reason the British like warm beer" - never warm, but British beers (apart from British lager, which it is wisest to avoid) are brewed to be drunk at room temperature, (or a little below on a hot day or in a beer tent), rather than chilled. And that goes for Irish beer as well. (I know they sometimes try to sell you chilled Guinness these days, but it kills the flavour. And give Irish lager a wide berth.) |
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30 Apr 00 - 12:12 PM (#220389) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: catspaw49 Yeah Kendall, but then again, you're easily impressed. And McGrath.....What a load of processed warm beer!!! Folks, McGrath is just going through a long winded excuse based on pseudo-facts because he still HAS a Lucas 'fridge!!! LOVE the song Mark!!! My most "harrowing" but fortunately non-productive, close encounter came in a Lotus Europa. My girlfriend at that time owned one (it was how we met--it was broke!!) and wanted to try rallying. We wound up hopelessly lost in the backwoods outside of Zanesville and decided we'd fool around a bit before cruising to the after-rally party. It was all I could do to wedge my fat ass into the damn thing (not one of Colin's better efforts ergonomically) let alone do anything else. But it was a cold Fall day so..........I have some strong, graphic, mental pictures still of that day. And I also attribute my later back surgeries to the experience. Spaw
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30 Apr 00 - 01:06 PM (#220411) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: McGrath of Harlow Let's hear it for The Trabi - " a fun car for those with a sense of humour and no real need to hurry".
Beer? Well I can see why some beers are better chilled, it kills the flavour, and that can be a good idea... |
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30 Apr 00 - 01:32 PM (#220418) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: thosp hmmmmm cars to avoid? ----- well any and all with BAD breath! peace (Y) thosp |
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30 Apr 00 - 06:47 PM (#220489) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: kendall Spaw, I can see it now..you and she are fooling around, and, realizing that there is no room in the car for what follows, she gets out, and stands there with the blanket waiting for you. Finally, she says, "If you dont hurry up and get out, I'm going to be out of the mood." And you say "Hell, I have to get out of the mood to get out of the car!!!" |
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30 Apr 00 - 07:04 PM (#220499) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Ely Um, yeah, Skarpi--she DID maintain that Taurus. That's why she was so disgusted with it. |
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30 Apr 00 - 07:27 PM (#220511) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: catspaw49 Kendall, not only is that a good line, it was about the damn truth! We did end up (so to speak) outside, but we didn't have a blanket.......... Spaw |
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30 Apr 00 - 09:35 PM (#220543) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Hagbardr My first car was a 1989 Mercury Sable station wagon. When I got it from my parents it already had over 100,000 miles on it. The rear seat wouldn't fold up, the tailgate wouldn't open with the key, you had to use the release by the driver's seat, and it would stall when you put it in reverse. The tranny died a couple thousand miles later and I sold it to my mechanic rather than fix it. It's all fixed up now and he uses it as a loaner car while customer's cars are being repaired. My current car is a 1995 Honda Civic. I bought it with 37,000 and it now has close to 60,000 miles on it with no problems ever. Hagbard Three surgeons are on a golf course discussing their favorite types of patients to operate on. The first says, "I like to operate on accountants, everything inside is numbered." The second says, "I like to operate on electricians, everything inside is color coded." The third says, "I like to operate on British mechanics, they're always so understanding when you have a couple parts left over when you're finished." |
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30 Apr 00 - 10:06 PM (#220558) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: GUEST,Allan S. DONT ever buy a Dodge Extended body mini van.... I ignored consumers and boughtt a new 1996 Dodge heater died. gas gage didn't work finally blew the tranny and the computer, and water pump at 18,000- miles had it repared under waranty and it blew the 2nd tranny at 40,000 miles. Just dumped it and bought a 2000 chev. venture and am happy as a pig in S---. Ill never buy an other Dodge |
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30 Apr 00 - 10:25 PM (#220567) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: canoer Hi Escamillo, To respond to your question about "does a time come in the life" – yes, it does, and it is when YOU JUST CAN"T TAKE IT ANY MORE. Until then, try to hang onto that Malibu, it's got a good V8 and it should last you another 60,000 without needing many major repairs. But then, I don't know the situation outside the US, I imagine there are things you have to take into account that I can't even guess at. Best of luck! – Larry C. in the Motor City.
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30 Apr 00 - 11:29 PM (#220592) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Escamillo Thanks for your comments, Larry, in fact if someone tells me that the car is absolutely condemned to death, I would fall into such a depression that I would have to book a place in the NYCFTS ! Though 50% of parts are unavailable in Argentina, my hope is that they will be available in USA for some years more, so I can get them by mail or someone travelling. Two years ago a thief broke my right rear window, and a local dealer asked me 400 $ for the replacement. I cut a piece of fine plexiglass and installed it and kept it for one year, until my son went to Miami last year. Then he brought my window, for $ 22 ! (Then I helped him to change his own car, and it costed me 2000, but that's another story..) Un abrazo - Andrés
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30 Apr 00 - 11:39 PM (#220596) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: rangeroger Hagbard, I always felt that when I had parts left over after working on my British cars, it was because I had done such a good job that I had actually reengineered the car.Better than the original engineers. rr |
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30 Apr 00 - 11:47 PM (#220597) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Bugsy 1971 VW Kombi Camper. 1600cc motor. Had it since 1987. just Been around Aus in it and in 30000kms, apart from petrol, had to replace 2 tyres and one litre of oil. Not even a service. neat eh? Also great for going to gigs. Just park in the carpark and move on the next day. Cheers Bugsy |
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01 May 00 - 12:14 AM (#220610) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Cap't Bob Two of the most memorable cars I've owned were made by the British. One was an MG and the other was an Austin Healey 3000. Great cars and fun to drive. If I could afford it today I'd most likely be driving a Morgan. Nothing to do with cars but the boat that I sail is a Westerly Nomad (English made) very sturdy, comfortable, who needs to go to weather anyway? Cap't Bob |
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01 May 00 - 10:38 AM (#220759) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Bert Probably the best vehicle I had was an old Ford truck. Drove that thing back and forth up gravel roads in the Colorado Mountains for years. When something wore out it was really easy to fix. The worst was a '76 Volvo 242. That car was so poorly engineered it was laughable. If I'd turned out crappy designs like that when I was an apprentice I'd have got my ass kicked. I will NEVER EVER buy another Volvo. I'm driving a Nissan at the moment, gets very good mileage, seems pretty good, I'll wait to see how it lasts. Bert. |
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01 May 00 - 01:42 PM (#220883) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: M Escamillo--KEEP IT!! If you love it, keep it until it dies (like a pet). I have a 1969 Chevy Camaro, V8 350, which was (basically) totaled when it came into my life over 15 years ago. Nobody believed it was worth the effort, and it still isn't totally restored even today, but he's my baby. Everything's been replaced body-wise and mechanically, except the rocker panels, trunk lid and one door. Living in New York, where they keep the road salt companies in business, hasn't helped, though I don't drive it in the winter anyway. I have been offered money (not much) but I will not part with this car, EVER. With access to the web, you should be able to find used parts. Most Chevy stuff is stock, interchangeable, and still available. Also, there's a company in California, Classic Industries, that has orignal and NOS stuff, anything you want. Good luck. Keep it running. Besides that wonderful piece of machinery, I've had a 1965 Bug, that wouldn't quit, until the floors rotted out in 1986. And my 1986 Toyota pick-up, which I got from a friend 7 years ago. 266.000 miles and still the most reliable, problem-free vehicle around. The bed is shot (same NY winter/over- salting problem), but check this out--the water pump went at 170,000, and I decided maybe it was time to change the (ORIGINAL) belts. Aah...I love my vehicles, regardless of gas mileage or what they look like. My solution to the high cost of repairs is to do all the work myself (I'm a girl), and I have been since, probably, 1984. I don't think I'll ever get a new vehicle. It seems that older ones are more durable and reliable. (My latest is a 1959 Nash Metropolitan, which is at the beginning of a ground-up restoration.) So I guess I don't really know what cars to avoid--I've been pretty fortunate in my driving history. Don't overheat 'em and change the oil every 3000 miles, that's all I can add. M |
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01 May 00 - 02:21 PM (#220905) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: GUEST,Steve Latimer You've been a girl since 1984, what were you prior to that? BG |
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01 May 00 - 02:55 PM (#220924) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: M Smartie. It being in parenthesis, the proceeding referred to the main subject--car work. I was a slightly smaller girl...wait, no I'm probably smaller now. You figure it out. |
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01 May 00 - 03:41 PM (#220958) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: kendall Bert, I have never heard anyone bitch about Volvos before, can you be more specific? Some years ago, I had an antique Chevvy, and, I could get any part I wanted for it. I remember ordering motor mounts, and they were made in South America!! |
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01 May 00 - 04:05 PM (#220979) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Bert Just about everything I touched on the Volvo was poorly designed. It was a whole weekend's work just to change the blower on the heater. On my old Hillman Minx it was a ten minute job (lift the hood undo three nuts unplug the heater, replace do up the nuts and plug the new one in). On the Volvo, you had to take the front cover from the console, then you removed the side panels on the console, then you removed the Radio, then you removed the supporting corners for the console, the you removed the glove compartment, then you unhooked the ducting that was behind it. Then you removed the instrument panel and the ducting behind that. Then you lie down on the floor and unscrew the housing then you pull the housing forward so you can get to it then you unbolt the blower fan, Then you take a file and file out the housing because the new fan doesn't fit. Then you reverse the whole procedure to put it all back. AND when you switch it on it makes a godawful noise so you have to start again. The water pump doesn't have any bolts in the direction of the sealing face so you have to 'half tighten' the bolts on the front but leave one out so that you can get a pry bar in the bolt hole to compress the seal on one side then you put that bolt in and remove a bolt from the other side and do the same thing. The power steering rack is the same diameter as the seals so that when you replace the seals the rack tears up the new seals when you pu it back in. The air filter is wedged down under the bodywork so you can't replace it without squashing your new filter and then you have to straighetn it out again. The 'O' ring is too big for the groove and is held in place by a floppy plastic cover which pushes the 'O' ring out of it's groove when you try to replace it. The brakes.... the oil filter, the voltage regulator..... and so on, and so on. Oh! and you couldn't trust the local dealer to fix it. He returned it from a routine service one time without any oil in it. Bert - Well you did ask. |
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01 May 00 - 04:15 PM (#220989) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Escamillo YEEESSS! I´ve got the replies I expected. If that Malibu doesn't die soon, it will probably survive me. (I´m 53 and it is in its 40s, for the life of a car). Un abrazo - Andrés |
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01 May 00 - 06:41 PM (#221072) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Scotsbard I put 163000 miles on my '77 Gremlin AMX, and collected a shelf-full of trophies from several years of SCCA timetrial racing. Apart from wearing out clutches and transmission syncros, only the standard stuff such as belts, hoses, and seals needed replacement. The bright red paint with a racing stripe made it a ticket magnet for the local constabulary, and I paid quite a bit in traffic fines. It was still buzzing around town 5 years later. My '84 Mustang GT made 187000 enthusiastic miles before the oil pump cratered during a road trip, and I just signed the title over to the mechanic rather than pay for the repairs. The transmission and waterpump were replaced at around 120k, and the Texas heat kept loosening the headliner glue. I carried a staple gun around to tack the cloth back up when stopped at train crossings. Great fun to drive, and the maroon paint didn't seem to attract so many troupers. My '92 Lil' Jimmy has recurrent AC problems, but other than that has been reliable so far. The only time it's stopped in transit the mechanic had intalled the wrong sparkplugs, and eventually the electrodes burned down. At 160000 miles it still seems to be running strong. (So far, nothing but parking tickets ;) All of my cars have run OK so far, but the heat here seems to take a toll on the interiors. From other folks I've known, the Taurus and Dynasty series have been among the worst of the Detroit tincans during the last decade or so. Most of those little furrin' cars just don't seem to have enough elbow room for me, so I apart from a few years of racing a MG Midget (also tremendous fun!) all of my comments would be at least 2nd hand info. ~S~ |
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01 May 00 - 07:36 PM (#221099) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: catspaw49 Scots...I assume that by time trials you are referring to Solo I & II events? On non-race weekends, I used to love running the pylons. We had access to a local oval track that was closed down ... 1/2 mile oval with a 1/4 mile oval inside, sharing a frontstretch. It made for some great course layouts and lots of good places to watch. Meets were held about once a month. The most memorable one to me was the Sunday that the Mercedes Club showed up as part of their "outting" that month. All kinds of Mercedes turned out....including a stretch limo!!!! The course was fairly tight since the Solomaster drove a TVR and we all got a kick out of watching the Benz folks go through. When the limo lined up, damn near everybody went to the hill where the grandstands used to be to get a good view and have room to laugh like hell. What happened instead was a completely AMAZING run by this guy. Never TOUCHED a pylon and was third fastest of all the Mercedes there!!! The comments were generally under breath and ran along the lines of "Gawddamn," "Holy shit," and "Geeziz this f****r can DRIVE!" As I recall, he ended up after three runs still in third place, but drivig a car that most of us agreed that we couldn't leave the line with without taking out the "Start" pylons. Simply amazing.
AND I WANT TO SAY THAT THERE ARE SOME SICK PUPPIES OUT THERE IN THE VILLAGE OF MUDCAT!!!!!!!!!!!! Satisfied now? Y'all some horny folks......... Spaw |
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01 May 00 - 08:36 PM (#221128) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: MK One thing I forgot to mention earlier. When my cell phone rings while I'm driving, I usually let it ring a few times before answering. That way, people will think I have a bigger car. *BG* |
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01 May 00 - 11:22 PM (#221232) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: GUEST,Jimmy Those crazy guys from NPR's "Car Talk" recently came out with their ten worst cars of the Millennium. Hillarious! http://cartalk.cars.com/About/Worst-Cars/results1.html |
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02 May 00 - 09:12 AM (#221412) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: kendall Spaw..you sure started my day with a "bang" LOL.. A couple of years ago, I had a problem with my knee, and a neighbor gave me a magnetic bandage to wear for a while. Forgetting that I had it on, I walked into a store in a rural Maine town, and a woman whom I bearly knew asked what I did to my knee. I always have trouble with people who ask personal questions, so, I replied "My wife and I were doing it dog style, and, she ran up under the porch." Instead of being shocked, she wet herself.. |
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02 May 00 - 10:17 AM (#221445) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: catspaw49 LOLLOL....Well kendall, you certainly returned the favor with that story! Spaw |
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02 May 00 - 11:36 AM (#221486) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Rick Fielding Most laughed at car I've ever owned? AMC Pacer! Most reliable? The dull Ford Escort I've got now. Most attractive to women car? Too long ago to remember...but folkie women tend to not be impressed with flash cars. Reasons for not buying a Volvo? Too late to become a vegetarian, and I don't have kids! Rick |
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02 May 00 - 12:20 PM (#221504) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: GUEST,JulieF The worst car must have been the Ford Siera. It just wouln't go without a push. Towards the end we were even pushing it out of petrol stations because it didn't like being filled up. We had to park it facing down the hill ( fortunately we live up at the top of a large hill) and it was heavy. Once it even got a jump start from a Reliant Robin ( little 3 wheel car). It met its end when some one came the wrong way round the roundabout and drove into it. Then there was the flying pig - so named because the person who sold us it sold us a full MOT - oh yes - There's a flying pig. It has a tendency for all the lights going out. We have a Citron ZX now which is fine. I must say though , it probably has a lot to with the fact we can afford a newer car now. Julie |
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02 May 00 - 12:31 PM (#221509) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: kendall flying pig? MOT?? what is all that? |
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02 May 00 - 01:09 PM (#221529) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Scotsbard ... LOL @ 'Spaw's stretch limo story ... We had some events up at Texas A&M where some guy always turned up with a crew-cab Ford Pickup. The fun part was wagering on how many pylons he'd have stuck between the dual rear wheels when crossing the finish line. One of our family vehicles was a VW van, with a notoriously balky starter. Some mornings the whole clan would wind up pushing it halfway down the street before getting it bump-started. One gusty day we actually managed to point it downwind, open the doors and get it rolling fast enough to start. I dunno about *performance* in the VW van, but we had kittens littered under the back seat on the way to school one morning. One of those cats grew up to be a regular Tounces, riding straddled on the steering wheel or helping the driver turn. ~S~ |
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02 May 00 - 11:35 PM (#221880) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Bugsy Kendall, All cars have to go through the MOT Test (Stands for Ministry Of Transport) for roadworhtiness. You've surely heard the saying with regard to outragous claims, " Oh sure, and if pigs had wings they'd fly". Well Julie's car was a "Flying Pig" CHeers bugsy |
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03 May 00 - 01:54 AM (#221998) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Lonesome EJ Ever drive a Landcruiser in a snowstorm? The defroster is able to keep a three inch fan-shaped section of your windshield defrosted, dead center, so you have to lean over the stick shift to see out of it. I always kept a bandanna tied around the rearview mirror.In case of inclement weather, you could achieve a semi-transparent glaze of greasy mist across the inside of the windshield by constant wiping. |
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03 May 00 - 02:06 AM (#222002) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: canoer Rick, if you have a Ford Escort that is reliable, all I can say is, you are leading an extremely charmed life. You mean you have not yet encountered the dreaded Timing Belt Separation at 70,000 miles and 70 MPH? |
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03 May 00 - 06:16 AM (#222087) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: kendall It's amazing how many people buy a car, then totally ignore the owners manual. (See timing belt replacement) According to Click & Clack, the tappet brothers, the Escort is one of the better cars now. Perhaps its because they are now Mazdas under a different name. |
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03 May 00 - 07:39 AM (#222100) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: GUEST,JulieF Sorry about not explaining myself properly - as I'm relatively new around here I tend to forget that I'm talking globally. I did think that Flying Pigs were universal. My favourite version is the Office Joke All Deadlines Met All Staff Happy All Pigs Loaded and ready to fly Pink Floyed were very into flying pigs as well. On a music note there is a sea shanty - 100 years that mentions flying pigs - or is that just the version that Sheaf Knot do in Sheffield Julie |
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03 May 00 - 08:46 AM (#222119) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: GUEST,Skarpi Iceland well Ely , I think somethings was wrong with the Engine? it must be, why can I have a car witch is driven 160.000 miles today and she not ?.Well anyway if a car what ever his name is can get me from A to B then I am glad. Thats it. Three wheels under the car and on we go from here- up the road, down the road and on we go again. This is a lyric for a song here in Iceland about cars and roads. there are more verses but I cant remember them at the moment. Any way Ely I wish you luck with cars in the future. All the best skarpi Iceland, from work. |
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03 May 00 - 10:52 AM (#222196) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: kendall We also have the saying, "When pigs fly" Just didnt make the connection. In the states, each state handles inspection of motor vehicles. Just as an aside. the US Marshals who fly on commercial flights are called "Sky Pigs" |
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03 May 00 - 03:10 PM (#222379) Subject: RE: BS: cars to avoid From: Popular Halfwit A CAR TO AVOID. Whereas many females have wanted to kill me for one reason or another over the years, nobody has come closer to removing me from the world than Miss Karen Kilpatrick. If you are riding your motor cycle in the wilds of Wiltshire and concider life precious, avoid her dark blue PEUGEOT 205 at all costs. |