First car!!! :D

[3991v]

1995 Ford Taurus GL. 3.0L 4-speed automatic.

Needs a wee bit of work to pass inspection (brakes, rear driver's side spring, strut mount, strut), and a passenger side window motor. The rocker panels were rotted out but my uncle's friend helped fix that. He's gonna be showing me how to work on it when we put the parts in.

I'm pretty excited lol, although it is a Taurus, it's my Taurus :). Wish it could be a SHO though.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001196.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001197.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001198.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001199.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001205.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001200.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001201.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001202.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001203.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001204.jpg

[JC316]

Good first car TBH. The 3.0L taurus is bullet proof once it blows a headgasket and it gets fixed. Oh, you don't wish is was a SHO, that Yamaha engine is complex and the interior is always shot. The 3.0L vulcan engine has been used forever.

My first car was a beat up chevrolet truck, but it was MINE.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs184.snc1/6160_95956492886_528987886_2154543_3258415_n.jpg

[DirectorC]

I have to vouch for that 3.0L Vulcan. I just got rid of my B3000 (it's a Ranger but with Mazda logos on it) and I am kind of mad at myself for doing it. You simply cannot kill those engines. The Mazda manual transmission, however, is an entirely different story.

And my first car was an 86 Volvo 240DL station wagon so you're pretty well off.

[JC316]

I have to vouch for that 3.0L Vulcan. I just got rid of my B3000 (it's a Ranger but with Mazda logos on it) and I am kind of mad at myself for doing it. You simply cannot kill those engines. The Mazda manual transmission, however, is an entirely different story.

And my first car was an 86 Volvo 240DL station wagon so you're pretty well off.


My dad had a 3.0 ranger. Went 400K on the stock engine, never had a rebuild. Went through 4 transmissions though.

[1Kurgan1]

Actually, he would wish it was a SHO for the motor, interior usually for me was in great shape, even the one I got with 240k has a mint interior, but anyone around $500 is usually a trashed interior. The SHO motors are very reliable though, change the rod bearings every 60k and they will run forever, theres one guy over on shoforum.com getting close to 500k miles on a motor thats never had anything changed but valve lash adjustment and rod bearings. And he tracks it normally, so it sees 7300rpms quite often and has that many miles :O

The problem is the eat differentials for lunch :( I know this for learning the hard way. But anyways back on topic :p Yeah the vulcans a good motor, once again kinda crappy trannys so don't abuse it and do neutral drops or anything that I would have done when I was 16 (lol). Good starter car.

[WhiteNoise]

We need pictures dude! I too owned a '86 Taurus at one point in my life. The engine caught fire though and I had to lay it to rest. lol

[DirectorC]

neutral drops

Explain this.

[DaMulta]

Explain this.

What would be the fun in that?

[JC316]

Actually, he would wish it was a SHO for the motor, interior usually for me was in great shape, even the one I got with 240k has a mint interior, but anyone around $500 is usually a trashed interior. The SHO motors are very reliable though, change the rod bearings every 60k and they will run forever, theres one guy over on shoforum.com getting close to 500k miles on a motor thats never had anything changed but valve lash adjustment and rod bearings. And he tracks it normally, so it sees 7300rpms quite often and has that many miles :O

The problem is the eat differentials for lunch :( I know this for learning the hard way. But anyways back on topic :p Yeah the vulcans a good motor, once again kinda crappy trannys so don't abuse it and do neutral drops or anything that I would have done when I was 16 (lol). Good starter car.

I have looked at about 5 first gen SHO's and the seats are always cracked up. Same goes for the dash. I know they are reliable, but man that is a complicated motor to try and learn on. Better to stick with the simpler OHV engine.

Explain this.

Put it in neutral, rev to around 3K rpm and drop it into gear. All that power gets transferred and the tires spin. VERY bad for a stock transmission.

[1Kurgan1]

I have looked at about 5 first gen SHO's and the seats are always cracked up. Same goes for the dash. I know they are reliable, but man that is a complicated motor to try and learn on. Better to stick with the simpler OHV engine.

Yeah, any of the cheaper ones will have a ratty interior, it could also be the fact that your in Texas, blistering hot down there. I have owned 4 SHO's and every single one had black leather interior and not one of them had a single crack in the dash. Only one with some damage on the seat was the one with 240k, the driver seat was a bit torn up, the rest was mint though. But yeah, popping the hood on those things makes people eyes large. That little 3.0 is taller from top to bottom than a 5.0L. And learning on it can be a bit harsh, it's a lot of tight spaces, thats the first motor I really worked on, glad it was that, everything else looks simple now, lol.



Put it in neutral, rev to around 3K rpm and drop it into gear. All that power gets transferred and the tires spin. VERY bad for a stock transmission.

(toast) To be 16 again, my poor Duster got a lot of this.

[JC316]

Yeah, any of the cheaper ones will have a ratty interior, it could also be the fact that your in Texas, blistering hot down there. I have owned 4 SHO's and every single one had black leather interior and not one of them had a single crack in the dash. Only one with some damage on the seat was the one with 240k, the driver seat was a bit torn up, the rest was mint though. But yeah, popping the hood on those things makes people eyes large. That little 3.0 is taller from top to bottom than a 5.0L. And learning on it can be a bit harsh, it's a lot of tight spaces, thats the first motor I really worked on, glad it was that, everything else looks simple now, lol.





(toast) To be 16 again, my poor Duster got a lot of this.

Must be the Texas heat. It plays hell on most interiors. Eye popping is an understatement. First time you seen that plenum you want to run and hide. Not the most complicated/PITA I have ever seen (That honor goes to the VG30DE in the 300zx), but a close second.

That Silverado got many a neutral drop. 5.7L + Built 700R4 + 4.10's = many a 50 foot one wheel peel.

[DirectorC]

Oh dumping the clutch. = Fun :D

[1Kurgan1]

Must be the Texas heat. It plays hell on most interiors. Eye popping is an understatement. First time you seen that plenum you want to run and hide. Not the most complicated/PITA I have ever seen (That honor goes to the VG30DE in the 300zx), but a close second.

That Silverado got many a neutral drop. 5.7L + Built 700R4 + 4.10's = many a 50 foot one wheel peel.

Yeah, up here I rarely see a cracked dash on a Taurus, granted if you were looking at 89's, the 86 - 89 Taurus's are more prone to it. Is the 300ZX plenum more crazy? I wish more motors came with nice metal plenums now days, the SHO motor is a work of art, now days everything is shroud in plastic, just makes me sad.

[DaMulta]

O how I remember my first car! 1982 z28 cameo with a 7.5L carburetor on the 305ho. O the fun I had in that car!

[JC316]

Yeah, up here I rarely see a cracked dash on a Taurus, granted if you were looking at 89's, the 86 - 89 Taurus's are more prone to it. Is the 300ZX plenum more crazy? I wish more motors came with nice metal plenums now days, the SHO motor is a work of art, now days everything is shroud in plastic, just makes me sad.

http://www.carspace.com/fairlady300zx/Albums/fairlady300zx%27s%20Album/300zxTTengine.jpg/photo/v./photo.jpg

That entire upper metal piece is ONE piece. It has to be removed to get to the fuel injectors, which is a common problem on those cars. You are basically one step away from pulling the heads once you get that off. Oh and it's an interference engine with a timing belt and to time it, you have to count the teeth on the belt. Did I mention that it's one large belt for a DOHC engine?

[3991v]

When I get my backup HDD in, I can get a few pictures :)

Dead computer + laptop w/ fresh install + no thumb drive = all pics on backup IDE HDD

[Wile E]

http://www.carspace.com/fairlady300zx/Albums/fairlady300zx%27s%20Album/300zxTTengine.jpg/photo/v./photo.jpg

That entire upper metal piece is ONE piece. It has to be removed to get to the fuel injectors, which is a common problem on those cars. You are basically one step away from pulling the heads once you get that off. Oh and it's an interference engine with a timing belt and to time it, you have to count the teeth on the belt. Did I mention that it's one large belt for a DOHC engine?

Not to mention, it's so crammed into the bay of the Z, that you have to practically remove the engine to do just about any work to it.

[JC316]

Not to mention, it's so crammed into the bay of the Z, that you have to practically remove the engine to do just about any work to it.

Yep, pretty much. Getting the EGR tubes off was the biggest pain in the ass that I have ever done.

[1Kurgan1]

Interesting, I actually like that it's one piece, I want to say there is 11 pieces to the SHO intake. But I will say the 300zx having turbos jammed in there, the man who thought of that was crazy.

[JC316]

That one piece design is a BITCH and a half to work with. Especially getting the intake gasket to stay put when you set the plenum back on it.

[Kreij]

Oh dumping the clutch. = Fun :D
Yeah, a nuetral drop is to an automatic tranny what dumping the clutch is to a stick.

My first vehicle was a 1962 Whilte Volkwagon Beetle.
The engine and tranny mounts were shot, so if you weren't careful the shifter would beat your knuckles bloody. lol
Fun little car.

[Solaris17]

Yeah, a nuetral drop is to an automatic tranny what dumping the clutch is to a stick.

My first vehicle was a 1962 Whilte Volkwagon Beetle.
The engine and tranny mounts were shot, so if you weren't careful the shifter would beat your knuckles bloody. lol
Fun little car.

I was about to say lol....but imo it is far worse to do in an auto. the same with driving an auto like a standard.

[Kreij]

We used to do neutral drops all the time.
JC saying take it to 3K and unload is a wee bit consevative though.
We usually had them at about 6K rpm.

"What Dad? Oh, I was just testing the MTBF of the tranny on your new car." :D

[1Kurgan1]

Yeah, a nuetral drop is to an automatic tranny what dumping the clutch is to a stick.

My first vehicle was a 1962 Whilte Volkwagon Beetle.
The engine and tranny mounts were shot, so if you weren't careful the shifter would beat your knuckles bloody. lol
Fun little car.

Mounts going are always fun, I had my AC bracket snap in half on one of my SHO's, and thats what the front motor mount is connected to. If I did anything over 10% throttle the engine would literally start opening the hood. Leaving some stoplights along side my friend in his Camaro he had this look :O He said the side of the hood was open literally like 3 inches. Since that bracket is rare, I had to order it, so for the meantime I picked up a massive towing chain and chained the motor down to the subframe, looked pretty sweet.

[@RaXxaa@]

By the way anyone who posts athier first car, you guys should atleast post 1 pic? would be good

[Buck Nasty]

1st car was a 1976 Triumph Spitfire Mark IV 1500cc in "British Racing" green. It was a bitch to find parts for, but it handled well and got me lots of poon in High School;).

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/uploads/cars/triumph/210849.jpg

[Kurosagi]

My 1st car when i pass is probably going be my brothers 04 1.1 litre 206 Standard Model.

[3991v]

I got it on the road today! :D

Going to take some pics of it tomorrow for ya'll

[3991v]

Uploading pics right now will update OP in a few minutes

[DirectorC]

Good stuff

[Shadowdust]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Mazda-323-sedan.jpg/800px-Mazda-323-sedan.jpg

Ah, that car brings back some memories. I bought one of these for $50. I learned how to drive a stick in one of these. It was great, when it would rain, my car would flood in the trunk and backseat. It was pretty bad so I used to have to have my friends scoop up the water while I was driving and throw it out the window. Not to mention I removed all of the carpet from the trunk and unplugged the drains and then cut a pallet to fit in the trunk to keep my stuff from getting wet. I finally had to let the car go when the radiator cracked. I couldn't afford to replace it at the time. :(

[Wile E]

Any updates Seth? How is the driving life treating you? :D

[3991v]

It's going good! I wish gas wasn't so expensive tho. lol.

However, I think I need to have it checked out, because there is something hanging out that shouldn't be up front. It's out of my front wheel on the passenger's side, I think it's a support arm or something. :eek:

[Polaris573]

Get a picture of the hanging thingy and someone here can probably tell you what it is.

[JC316]

If it's still drivable, the only thing it can be is a sway bar end link. If it's part of the suspension anyway.

[Wile E]

Yep, was just about to say sway bar. The part is usually only around $10-15.

[3991v]

After school, I'll get a picture of it. Don't have to work tonight so I actually have time for something :eek:

[DaMulta]

Where's the pics????

I miss my first car. My dad bought it off the inside showroom floor even. White Z28, and I was in love with it till the day my dad handed over the keys to me.

[3991v]

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/x3991/1995%20Taurus%20GL%20first%20car/S5001210.jpg There we go

[sujo1]

My first car was a real beast known as the 1964 Triumph Herald.:D

1200 cc. Inline 4
A monster at 32 horse power ( so ok I rounded up):o
4 on the floor
0-60 in a blazing 31.? seconds
top speed of 70 mph
10 gal. gas tank
And 36 mpg

I only filled up every 2 weeks.

[3991v]

Oh yeah, I think the mount for that thing is broke, too. Are they cheap?

[JC316]

Yep, that is your sway bar.

[3991v]

I got to my mechanic the other day and he told me it wasn't the sway bar, and something along the lines of a stabilizer bar end link. No auto parts store can even get one in.:mad:

[Wile E]

I got to my mechanic the other day and he told me it wasn't the sway bar, and something along the lines of a stabilizer bar end link. No auto parts store can even get one in.:mad:

Same thing. Stabilizer bar = sway bar = anti-roll bar

You just need a sway bar end link. Usually around $15 or $30 for a pair. (Good idea to replace both at the same time. If one is worn, the other is likely worn as well)

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?displayName=Sway+Bar+Repair+Kit&itemId=197-0&navValue=14600197&parentId=46-0&productId=120271&fromString=&itemIdentifier=120271_3214_0_2940&filterByKeyWord=&categoryNValue=&isSearchByPartNumber=&categoryDisplayName=Suspension&store=1811&skuDescription=Duralast/SwayBarRepairKit&fromWhere=&searchText=&_requestid=1340877

[3991v]

Ahh, okay. That makes it a little clearer :) Thanks dude

[JC316]

If it's still drivable, the only thing it can be is a sway bar end link. If it's part of the suspension anyway.

I got to my mechanic the other day and he told me it wasn't the sway bar, and something along the lines of a stabilizer bar end link. No auto parts store can even get one in.:mad:

Sigh, typical mechanic, confusing people. I don't know how many that I run into that fire off a more technical name for something, even when it can be referred to as multiple things. Probably a product of the local tech school. Stabilizer bar and sway bar are the same thing and any mechanic worth his salt would know that.

Same thing. Stabilizer bar = sway bar = anti-roll bar

You just need a sway bar end link. Usually around $15 or $30 for a pair. (Good idea to replace both at the same time. If one is worn, the other is likely worn as well)

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?displayName=Sway+Bar+Repair+Kit&itemId=197-0&navValue=14600197&parentId=46-0&productId=120271&fromString=&itemIdentifier=120271_3214_0_2940&filterByKeyWord=&categoryNValue=&isSearchByPartNumber=&categoryDisplayName=Suspension&store=1811&skuDescription=Duralast/SwayBarRepairKit&fromWhere=&searchText=&_requestid=1340877

See, a mechanic that IS worth his salt. $30 for a pair on anything not made by Cadillac. I had to replace em on my 95 seville, something to the tune of $80 a side.

[Polaris573]

Taurus was a popular car, I bet you can find some cheap at a salvage yard too. Just don't pick one that's rusty.

[A Cheese Danish]

My first and current car is my 2000 Ford Taurus SE FFV 3.0L V6.
I'll have to post picks up later. Very nice looking for having 226,200 miles on it

[TechnicalFreak]

My first car was an ol' Volvo 240 automatic from way back.. Almost 28 years back if I'm not mistaken..

It was a good car, no computers to tell me what-to-do-what-is-happening, just a basic simple engine. Could run it on old oil if you wanted to..
Gave it away to a friend at the end, he completely destroyed the engine. Thought he could mount a turbo in it, as I said to him "You do know, that the oil needs to cool it and to return somehow, right?".

Last time I ever saw that car..

Today, I have to borrow a car from different friends. Trying to borrow a VW Passat (modern) kombi/stationwagon. Otherwise I have been driving around in a Volvo 940.
But the coolest car I have ever driven? An Audi A6, v6 engine, Tiptronic gearbox.. it was like a freaking dream!!! Could change gears at the steering wheel...


EDIT: Me and a friend is going to borrow a Lambo for a day in June (during our crownprincess wedding), it costs like 200$ excl. petrol for one of them. She (my friend, not the princess) is paying for it, I'll be driving - now that i will show you all pictures from!