You car ownership history thread.

[JC316]

I don't think we have one of these threads and if we do, it's not active. I want you to post up the cars that you have owned. Obviously I don't want you to post them all, but the ones that you had for a significant amount of time. If you have pics, please post em. So, I will start.

1988 Chevrolet Silverado. This was my first truck. My mom bought it for me when I got my learners permit at 15. Cost a whopping $500 and needed some work, but it was mine all mine. It was being used as an electrical delivery truck until it started running badly, then they parked it and turned it into a dumpster. A whole lot of cleaning and a few ignition components and it was running great. I drove it for 2 years, then I sold it when it had over 300K miles on it.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs184.snc1/6160_95956492886_528987886_2154543_3258415_n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs184.snc1/6160_95957072886_528987886_2154545_2944087_n.jpg

Next up was a 1995 Cadillac Seville SLS. Took the money that I got for my truck and got this. Bought it from some liar that said it was fine, come to find out it needed a transmission, but it was fast, cheap and comfortable. Drove it for 3 years and then sold it when the struts were going out.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Cadillac/100_5997.jpg?t=1265424827
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Cadillac/100_6002.jpg

Once I sold that Cadillac, I got a SMOKING deal on a 98 Seville with a blown head gasket. 2nd owner car on the rich side of town decided that he didn't want to pay $5000 to get it fixed. One thing about rich people is they usually keep their cars nice, this car looked like brand new. I drove it for around 2 years until my sister decided that she liked it and I decided that I didn't like 23MPG that it was getting, so I gave it to her.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Cadillac/100_8784.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Cadillac/100_7867.jpg?t=1265426617

My next car was a 95 Saturn SL2 5 speed. Got it with a bad motor and slapped in a 2001 engine with 40K miles on it. 40MPG in a sporty trim dried my eyes from giving up my Cadillac. Drove this one for a around 2 years and until my mom bought it from me. I still drive it from time to time. Damn nice little car.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Saturn%20SL2/100_9159.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Saturn%20FS/SDC12921.jpg

While I still had the saturn, I found my 93 300zx for a SONG. The guy thought it had a blown headgasket, but it turned out to be 2 fuel injectors. I loved this car, but the insurance was $80 a month for liability only and it got 17MPG. Some lady offered me an obscene amount of money for it and I sold it. I still get a tear in the corner of my eye when I see someone else driving it.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/300zx/100_9490.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/300zx/100_9507.jpg

Drove the Saturn till I got my Mustang GT. Also got it for a song because the owner thought it was a head gasket, which turned out to be a bad coil pack. I still have it for now, but I am eyeballing an F body Camaro. And that concludes my car history to date. As you can probably tell, I love change when it comes to my cars.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/Stripes/SDC14751.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/Mustang%208-3-09/SDC14010.jpg

[Steevo]

POS Ford fairmont station wagon with cracked blue vinyl seats, spark knocked like a motherfucker even on 91 octane.

1985 Chevy posi-lock 400 small block badass in frost white with luminesce and hand painted pin stripes.

1994 Oldsmobile Achieva "reliable car" still gets me to work and back every day.

1994 Toyota Celica modded, play toy.

2007 Toyota Highlander Sport.

2005 GMS Safari teabaggin wagon van. "family van" with balls, and getting a entertainment center next week so I can play GTA with my son.


I am planning on retiring the olds one of these years but it won't die. Took it out and locked in 2nd bounced the engine off the rev limiter for a few miles on the interstate. 210,000 miles and only tires, oil, and filters. Still gets 26MPG around town with the 3.2 and runs like a champ.

[mlee49]

Dude JC you went from a Caddy to a Saturn? What gives?


My official vehicle ownership:

1st Love
Dodge Ram 50
Stock photo:
http://autodata.ibsrv.net/images/?IMG=U3DTGEG1.jpg&WIDTH=425

No power steering, body rust, blown tires every 3 months, manual transmission ofcourse. I drove it till she died.

2nd 85 Nissan pickup

custom photo:

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2344/1/30857500005_large.jpg

I bought it for $500 cash from a mexican friend of mine. Had rims, 12" sub, and even St. Mary hangin from the rear view mirror. I loved it till some drunk guy smashed into the back and took out the gate. Got $1000 in insurance money and sold it for $300. :D

3rd 90 Buick Lesabre
Absolute beauty! Saw this for sale locally and knew I wanted it from the day I saw it. Paid $1400 for it with 150k miles on it in 2002. I loved it because it drove so smooth.
Very similar pic:

http://www.bonhamchrysler.com/information/vehicle_inventory/mediumphotos/BB10367B_001.jpg

Wish I still had it today, got $700 trade in value in 2006 when I bought my Envoy.

4th 2001 Pontiac Grand Am

Near identical picture:

http://www.bennettsautooutlet.com/pictures/Ad_552_1.jpg

Bought it for $5000 with 68k miles on it in 2005. Nice little car, not too many extras but held it's own for 80k miles when I sold it.

5th 2003 GMC Envoy XL

Stock model pic:

http://www.findmidsizesuv.com/includes/images/GMC_Envoy/2003_gmc_envoy.jpeg

I love my Envoy :D Paid $15000 in '06 and it had 60k miles. It's got 115k now and still goin strong. Tires were a bitch at nearly $750 for all four, that and new brakes set me back $600 just a few weeks ago.
Still a great vehicle, 3rd row seating, DVD player for the kids, decent gas mileage, great family car.

4th 2004 Honda Accord EX-L

Actual pic:

http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/Front pasenger.jpg

http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/Recovered_JPEG Digital Camera_2290.jpg

I love this car! :D :D It's been an excellent vehicle for the last 2.5 years. Great V6 mpg(26 avg), Leather heated seats, and quick little bastard.
I've been trying to sell it for the last 8 months and just found out it was wrecked before we bought it. Fuckin Frame damage! Absolutely no one will touch it now for $5000 less asking. :(

Future purchases will be a bike for me, probably a shitter car if/when we can sell one of our vehicles, another SUV or truck(if I'm lucky).

[JC316]

Dude JC you went from a Caddy to a Saturn? What gives?

Several things went into it. Firstly being it was getting 15 city and 23 highway and gasoline was $4.00 a gallon. Also, my sister being without a car of her own was driving it. So, lets envision this scenario. I put $20 in gas in it, it has 3/4 tank. My sister drives it, brings it back on empty consistently, fights ensue, life sucks. On top of that, not only is it on empty, but the volume on the stereo is at ear bleeding levels and Nsynch is playing.... AND there are ponytail holders on my turn signal stalk and a stick on logo for my sisters business, which just so happens to be a giant fairy. Picture coming into focus yet? (ch)

So, I have been wanting to learn to drive a stick shift car and my mom has a 98 Saturn 5 speed, I learn on it and decide that I like it. So now I get the 95 Saturn, it's fully loaded power windows, power locks, power mirrors, sun roof, 40MPG and has a 5 speed. Most importantly, my sister can't drive a stick shift.

[Wile E]

Bah, I'm too old to list them all. lol. List is too long. Currently an '04 Sentra SpecV and a 97 Civic daily driver, which is still stock, due to the cost of B series engines jumping back up to unreasonable.

Some of my most memorable are the Turboed 2000 Celica GTS, 90 240sx, various fox bodies (2 of the low 11sec on drag radials variety, 1 turbo, one vortec sc'ed).

[erocker]

1976 Dodge 1/2 ton Pickup
1979 Pontiac Bonneville
1983 Ford Van
1978 Datsun 210 Wagon
1983 Honda Prelude
1983 AMC SX/4
1967 Mustang Fastback
1976 Ford Mustang II
1985 Toyota Pickup
1988 Jeep Cherokee
1992 Jeep Cherokee
1993 Ford Escort GT
198? Harley Davidson Sportster
1989 Ford F150
1980 Honda Hawk 500
1985 Grand Marquis Wagon
1988 Pontiac 6000
1994 Mustang GT
1978 Honda CB750
1992 Acura 3.2L
1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2001 Honda Civic EX
1995 Ford Lightning (still have)
1963 Ford F100 Pickup (still have)
2006 Mazda 6s (drive daily)

I think that covers it.

[JC316]

1976 Dodge 1/2 ton Pickup
1979 Pontiac Bonneville
1983 Ford Van
1978 Datsun 210 Wagon
1983 Honda Prelude
1983 AMC SX/4
1967 Mustang Fastback
1976 Ford Mustang II
1985 Toyota Pickup
1988 Jeep Cherokee
1992 Jeep Cherokee
1993 Ford Escort GT
198? Harley Davidson Sportster
1989 Ford F150
1980 Honda Hawk 500
1985 Grand Marquis Wagon
1988 Pontiac 6000
1994 Mustang GT
1978 Honda CB750
1992 Acura 3.2L
1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2001 Honda Civic EX
1995 Ford Lightning (still have)
1963 Ford F100 Pickup (still have)
2006 Mazda 6s (drive daily)

I think that covers it.

Quite a few cars. Some really nice ones in there too. Bet you wish you still had the 67 Mustang Fastback.

[1Kurgan1]

Well time to start the SHO heavy list off...

First off was a 94 Plymouth Duster, got it for $150, had a bit of body damage, was a 2.5L, looked sporty, drove that for probably 15k and then sold it to my cousin for $500.

When I sold that I picked up my first SHO, got a 1990 White with Black Leather, had a ton of fun in this car, but it literally ate 2 spark plugs, sounded like a truck one day and I drove it home, finally made it to checking out the plug and the front center cylinder plug ceramic was completely gone... Put a new one in and it ran fine, I was pretty sure the plug weres old and I didn't know a ton then, 2 months later it ate the back center one, but the cermaic pinged around in the cylinder for a few hours and I was 120 miles away from home when it did it. Drove it home and it stopped, but started going through a quart of oil every 15 miles. Called it quits 2 weeks later, still ran and drove, but started making a lot of funny noises :(

Then I bought a 92 SHO Silver / Black Leather, got it for $600 someone hit a deer with it. Fixed the whole front end up, car was mint. But 2 weeks after I had started driving it it started slowly puffing blue smoke. Around this time I graduated, and got some money and found another great deal.

Thats when I bought my 91 SHO, had to drive to Iowa to get it. Started the drive home and it ran great, had tons of power, on the way home that ate a differential. I had been driving for 20 hours, took the 92 back home (since me and a friend drove down in that to get the 91) got a truck and trailer, brought it back home, I got an hour nap then went to work. Got a tranny for it and 1 day before the 91 is back together the 92's motor locked right up, right in the driveway at about 3mph. So I hurry get the 91 back together and something in that tranny seemed fubared, drove it like that for a few months and parked it.

Was hard up for a car now, my parents gave me their 88 Chevy Celebrity, all I had to do was put on new brake lines and register it, I didn't have a ton of money, but I had enough to do this. So I took it, fixed it, 4 days later I'm coming home from college and it starts missing like crazy and won't go over 35mph. I was in the middle of no where and had to leave it and run 4 miles on foot to a friends. Trouble shot it a bit, but in the end it was rusty and I didn't have the money to be guessing with on that old of a car.

Really down and out now my uncle working at a dealership gets me a sweet deal on a 92 Mazda 626 2.2L Auto for $75. I buy it and 2 days later I'm driving in the snow doing 35mph and I feel something smack off the floor of the car pretty hard. Figured it was a snow chunk, got to my friends and parked it for the night. Went out to it the next morning, warm it up, put it in reverse and WWOOOOOO, get out look under the car, tranny fluid everywhere, sweet another blown diff. So thats 3 diff cars in 1 week.

Down to literally no money my uncle feels bad and gets me a 84 Grand Marquis for $1 from the dealership. Crush velour interior, premium stereo system with an amp, power seats, was such a nice car. Was very high mileage, that lasted me 25,000 miles. Every once in a while the car would randomly stall out, but otherwise it ran great. Then one day coasting down my parents driveway it stalls out again, and after that it just turned over, dads friend took a look at it and said the 302 was done. But I wasn't upset with that for $1.

Then I did jumbling of the SHO's drive trains and put the 91's motor in the 92. I wanted to keep my 91 as a project and the 92 and my DD. So swapped the motors around and then that blew a diff 3 days later. (back on a bad luck streak....)

I drove my dads truck for a while and then bought a 91 Accord 2.2L 5psd with 170k on it. Drove that for quite a while, was a real nice car, rusty, but it ran great. At 210k though it tossed a rod bearing and it was really rusty so off it went to the JY. But that went at a very bad time since it was winter.

I needed a car fast since I drove 58 miles round trip to work. And I found a real nice deal on a 96 Lincoln Continental, was in great shape, ran great, for ony $1200...
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j301/SHOguy91/S4020158-1.jpg?t=1265450203
I bought it and really liked it, it had a few minor issues, but overall it was real nice. 2 months later the tranny seal inside the bellhousing goes and I'm once again screwed (still have this car).

Low on cash and with all the parts on had since I had bought a parts car with a great running motor and tranny from a friend I decide fixing the SHO is the only thing I can afford. The motor and tranny had 200k on them, but rod bearings, valve lash adjust, all new seals. So the swap began, I welded the diff while I was at it. No pictures of the 91 on the road, but here it is during the process of taking the drive train from rusty and putting it in the 91.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j301/SHOguy91/Swap.jpg?t=1265450364

Swapped it over and it had no power steering, all I can think is something crawled into the PS rack and died when the car had been sitting. I just kept driving it as it drove fine. Drove it to 250k on the motor/trans and then noticed the diff pin starting to poke through the tranny casing :( It made me quite sad, still have this car and yard drove it around my parents, but sooner or later that pin will pop :/

Then I picked up a 89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L Turbo for $250. It was rusty, it was risky, I probably should not have bought it, but a turbo van I had to. Gas tank started leaking soon, exhaust dropped down, fixed the exhaust, wasn't going to buy a new gas tank. Replaced all the coolant lines to the heat core, replaced the t-stat. It had been having heating issues, think it was a headgasket. But it seriously only had 97k miles on it and the tranny only had 30k on it. Found some guys who wanted it for $200, so I didn't loose too bad. The only picture I have of it is it parked behind my GTX (you can see the blue beast right there)
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/1410307/800/My-Car/Driver-Front---Day.jpg


And now we finally come to my GTX. I just couldn't take SHO trannys going anymore and needed something newer. I was going to take out a loan for 5k and buy something, but then I got my taxes back, first year with the kid and no loan was needed, so I bought my beefy GTX and it's been running great for 10k, and with a motor from an 04 and a bunch of new crap, I feel much better driving it.
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/2296457/800/My-Car/99-GP-GTX-Carwash.jpg

I've had horrible luck with vehicles, hopefully thats done

Also here's a recap list incase people want to skip the massive read...

-94 Plymouth Duster
-90 Taurus SHO
-92 Taurus SHO
-91 Taurus SHO
-88 Chevy Celebrity
-92 Mazda 626
-84 Grand Marquis
-90 Taurus SHO parts car
-91 Honda Accord
-96 Lincoln Continental
-89 Dodge Caravan SE Turbo
-99 Grand Prix GTX

[Wile E]

You should try to swap an MTX75 into the SHO.

[DirectorC]

I've had bad cars too. All too old and unmaintained. But I recently just had the worst luck ever. Here goes, there are STORIES about my car troubles.

Early 2000s I had a 86 Volvo 240 DL station wagon handed down to me. Yes, one of the blue ones. That beast developed a gnarly automatic transmission leak that would smoke everywhere and spray the whole back with fluid juice. Eventually it got this little-known Volvo starting problem where there was a bad ground or something and an electrician spend countless hours looking for the problem but couldn't find it. So we got rid of that one in late 2002 or early 03 I think.

After that I spent a couple of years swapping off between my dad's 96 Chevy Astro and 91 F150 Lariat. I liked both vehicles a lot, except for their gas chugging and lack of CD player in the F150. For a while there I had four 8 inch subs in an enclosure with a 2,000 watt amp in the back of the 96 Astro. Those were the days.

When I finally decided to go to college (mid 2004) we got me a 91 Celica ST. A white one, basic everything, automatic transmission. That one met an awful fate. I drove it around for a good year or so before I lost control of it in the rain and it sat for a few weeks before I got around to putting a new control arm and rim+tire on it. Less than a month later I let an angry drunk friend of mine take it for a spin and it ended up with a tree 2 feet into the engine bay.

After that (early 2005) we got me a 91 Golf. It was the biggest money pit ever. I think model names like 'GL' and 'GLS' stand for Good Luck and Good Luck Sucker. The best part about that car was the peppy torque-monster engine and the 5% tint, GTI rims, and the box with the two 12s, two 10s and 2,000 watt amp that I added to it. Yeah it was loud, in every way imaginable. It started overheating and the head gasket blew. I said fuck it after having replaced practically every other part and having never ending problems with the awful alternator belt and bracket. I donated it. It was worth $500 as a donation.

After that I got ANOTHER white 91 Celica ST (mid 2006). This time with a sunroof and stickshift. It was kind of poorly maintained though and had slight leaking, etc. We had to replace the valve cover gasket and after that it was a much better car. It got me around for a good year+ before it started overheating. I replaced the radiator and it seemed fine for a while. Then on a trip down to Jacksonville from Maryland it started overheating again. I got stuck with a sticky thermostat. We replaced it in North Carolina and made it to Jacksonville before it started overheating again. We found out the head gasket was blown and thankfully my friends' ex-girlfriend's step-dad was a mechanic so he helped us the replace the head gasket during a weekend. On the way back it overheated again when I was revving it up doing 90 and it went *POP!* in Frederickbsburg. We left that cocksucker on the side of the highway.

In early 2007 I got a 93 Sentra XE for cheap from one of those seedy buy here pay here dealerships. I had no credit and only enough money for a small down payment so it was the way I had to go. The Sentra was a decent little car, pretty peppy, with power rivaling that of the Celica ST's with a little bit more horse and torque. On a random night my 2nd day at Domino's delivering pizza, I had a lady in an SUV cut me off TWICE as I was trying to pass her. I locked my brakes and went off into the side of the road and the suspension was never straight again. After moving down here from Maryland in mid-07 I discovered that the car had a rear wheel well that was rusting away, I punched a hole into it easily and temporarily patched it. I kept limping in that car til the alternator pulley locked up and I said to hell with it. Never really had any mechanical problems with it except for the starter which was easy to replace, but once again under my hands it met a terrible fate and ended up in the junkyard.

In late 09 I got my 94 B3000 (a Mazda 'Ranger', built by Ford and all) with the 3L V6 Vulcan. Base model everything with a stick shift. The first thing that happened with that one was that I found out the mechanic who had just fixed it up got lazy when installing the clutch and rigged the clutch line after cutting it. He cut it, put some kind of valve in the hose and then used a hose clamp to patch it up. Of course it went on me in the middle of the road and I had no clutch. Wasn't good times, cost a bundle of money on top of its original cost to fix that. Then I had a problem where it would randomly shut off while driving and not let me turn it back on. We gave it a complete tune up and replaced a dozen fuel/electrical-related parts before someone told me to check the $11 fuel pressure regulator. That got me going pretty good for a while, but eventually the throwout bearing started to go and the transmission was making three kinds of different noise. Then it started having a cooling system leak so I said to hell with it.

So I traded that truck for a 91 Sentra SE-R around Christmas time and on the way home that car blew up on me and is sitting in the backyard waiting to go to the junkyard or the first builder with at least $300.

I've been taking the bus to school since then. Now I have $1,400 and I'm on my quest to get my next turd car. I'm thinking Corolla or Civic this time though.

[Wile E]

I've had bad cars too. All too old and unmaintained. But I recently just had the worst luck ever. Here goes, there are STORIES about my car troubles.

Early 2000s I had a 86 Volvo 240 DL station wagon handed down to me. Yes, one of the blue ones. That beast developed a gnarly automatic transmission leak that would smoke everywhere and spray the whole back with fluid juice. Eventually it got this little-known Volvo starting problem where there was a bad ground or something and an electrician spend countless hours looking for the problem but couldn't find it. So we got rid of that one in late 2002 or early 03 I think.

After that I spent a couple of years swapping off between my dad's 96 Chevy Astro and 91 F150 Lariat. I liked both vehicles a lot, except for their gas chugging and lack of CD player in the F150. For a while there I had four 8 inch subs in an enclosure with a 2,000 watt amp in the back of the 96 Astro. Those were the days.

When I finally decided to go to college (mid 2004) we got me a 91 Celica ST. A white one, basic everything, automatic transmission. That one met an awful fate. I drove it around for a good year or so before I lost control of it in the rain and it sat for a few weeks before I got around to putting a new control arm and rim+tire on it. Less than a month later I let an angry drunk friend of mine take it for a spin and it ended up with a tree 2 feet into the engine bay.

After that (late 2005) we got me a 91 Golf. It was the biggest money pit ever. I think model names like 'GL' and 'GLS' stand for Good Luck and Good Luck Sucker. The best part about that car was the peppy torque-monster engine and the 5% tint, GTI rims, and the box with the two 12s, two 10s and 2,000 watt amp that I added to it. Yeah it was loud, in every way imaginable. It started overheating and the head gasket blew. I said fuck it after having replaced practically every other part and having never ending problems with the awful alternator belt and bracket. I donated it. It was worth $500 as a donation.

After that I got ANOTHER white 91 Celica ST (mid 2006). This time with a sunroof and stickshift. It was kind of poorly maintained though and had slight leaking, etc. We had to replace the valve cover gasket and after that it was a much better car. It got me around for a good year+ before it started overheating. I replaced the radiator and it seemed fine for a while. Then on a trip down to Jacksonville from Maryland it started overheating again. I got stuck with a sticky thermostat. We replaced it in North Carolina and made it to Jacksonville before it started overheating again. We found out the head gasket was blown and thankfully my friends' ex-girlfriend's step-dad was a mechanic so he helped ups the replace the head gasket during a weekend. On the way back it overheated again when I was revving it up doing 90 and it went *POP!* in Frederickbsburg. We left that cocksucker on the side of the highway.

In early 2007 I got a 93 Sentra XE for cheap from one of those seedy buy here pay here dealerships. I had no credit and only enough money for a small down payment so it was the way I had to go. The Sentra was a decent little car, pretty peppy, with power rivaling that of the Celica ST's with a little bit more horse and torque. On a random night my 2nd day at Domino's delivering pizza, I had a lady in an SUV cut me off TWICE as I was trying to pass her. I locked my brakes and went off into the side of the road and the suspension was never straight again. After moving down here from Maryland in mid-07 I discovered that the car had a rear wheel well that was rusting away, I punched a hole into it easily and temporarily patched it. I kept limping in that car til the alternator pulley locked up and I said to hell with it. Never really had any mechanical problems with it except for the starter which was easy to replace, but once again under my hands it met a terrible fate and ended up in the junkyard.

In late 09 I got my 94 B3000 with the 3L V6 Vulcan. Base model everything with a stick shift. The first thing that happened with that one was that I found out the mechanic who had just fixed it up got lazy when installing the clutch and rigged the clutch hose after cutting it. He cut it, put some kind of valve in the hose and then used a hose clamp to patch it up. Of course it went on me in the middle of the road and I had no clutch. Wasn't good times, cost a bundle of money on top of its original cost to fix that. Then I had a problem where it would randomly shut off while driving and not let me turn it back up. We gave it a complete tune up and replaced a dozen parts before someone told me to check the $11 fuel pressure regulator. That got me going pretty good for a while, but eventually the throwout bearing started to go and the transmission was making three kinds of different noise. Then it started having a cooling system leak so I said to hell with it.

So I traded that truck for a 91 Sentra SE-R around Christmas time and on the way home that car blew up on me and is sitting in the backyard waiting to go to the junkyard or the first builder with at least $300.

I've been taking the bus to school since then. Now I have $1,400 though and I'm on my quest to get my next turd car. I'm thinking Corolla or Civic this time though.

You know what hilarious? In the summer of 06 I exploded the clutch (like, literally exploded into pieces) in my turboed 2000 Celica GTS racing a 93 RX-7 on I-95 just outside of Frederickbsburg, and had to stay there for 3 days for the clutch to come in and get replaced. lol.

[DirectorC]

You know what hilarious? In the summer of 06 I exploded the clutch (like, literally exploded into pieces) in my turboed 2000 Celica GTS racing a 93 RX-7 on I-95 just outside of Frederickbsburg, and had to stay there for 3 days for the clutch to come in and get replaced. lol.

Ouch that sucks! Getting stuck that long in F-burg is the worst! We had to walk about a mile up the street and wait in the cold outside a gas station for our friends to come and get us from over near Annapolis. That was a crappy day all around. 3 hours ain't as bad as 3 days though.

[Kreij]

I don't remember the years of all my vehicles, but it's something like.

1962 Volkswagon Beettle (lawnmower engine, 4 speed, I think they were) - Bought this for $200. Dad sold it when I went to Florida for a week because he was tired of looking at it in front of the house.

1974 Chevy Malibu Classic (350 V8, automatic) - Parents got this for me when I was going to school in Chicago. Traded it in to get ...

~1985 Ford Ranger (4 Cyl, 5 speed, 2x4) - No frills, no options. Payed $5300 for it, New. Drove it to death and the traded it in for ...

???? Ford Van (350 V8, automatic) - Used van, traded it in because it had problems a couple of years later for...

1995 Ford Van E-150 Conversion Van (302 V8, automatic) - Completely decked out. A steal at the time for $20K new. Moved to northern WI, took the seats out and used it to haul hay and lumber. Seats are buried outside in the snow now as is the Van. It's going the way of the dinosaurs next spring. Still runs well, but needs front end work.

2008 Jeep Wrangler X Series 4x4 (3.8 liter V6, 6 speed) - About $21K new. Most fun vehicle I've ever owned. The only thing I don't like is it seems to have some kind of automatic skid correction control (No, I didn't read the manual). Sucks when trying to do doughnuts in the snow.

[DirectorC]

2008 Jeep Wrangler X Series 4x4 (3.8 liter V6, 6 speed) - About $21K new. Most fun vehicle I've ever owned. The only thing I don't like is it seems to have some kind of automatic skid correction control (No, I didn't read the manual). Sucks when trying to do doughnuts in the snow.

Oh yeah you can forget about doing any sort of that cool stuff on these new cars with their ten different kinds of computerized traction control.

[Kreij]

I know. Some of the sensors leave a bit to be desired.

The Jeep has air pressure sensors in the tires. I thought this would be really useful, until the sensor went off one day and I realized it does not indicate which tire needs attention. (it could be the spare)
Just a nitpick, because it is helpful to at least know a tire is low.

When you start the vehicle it will tell you that it's time to change the oil and then beeps (Thankfully it only does this once when you start the car). Great, unless the dealer forgets to reset the message.
You can do it yourself but it's something like turn on the car (but don't start it) and press the accelorator 3 times. Pretty darn intuitive, no?

The outside temperature sensor is off by 3 degress (too warm), but that okay as in WI it's kind of nice thinking it is actually warmer than it is. :D

[DirectorC]

Wow that is a lot of potentially annoying stuff!

You can do it yourself but it's something like turn on the car (but don't start it) and press the accelorator 3 times. Pretty darn intuitive, no?

Sounds like the classic ECU reset on most cars, rev to >3K 3 times and it's supposed to reset the ECU, on most cars that is. Removing the + battery cable for 5 minutes also supposedly gets the job done, once again on most cars, at least.

[Kreij]

The little annoyances are quickly forgotten once you dump it into 4WD and head out to a muddy farm field after a lot of rain. :D

[MRCL]

Only owned two cars so far, but since the legal age for driving here is 18 (and I'm 22 soon), having already owned two cars at my age is considered much lol.

My first one was an 1998 Opel (Vauxhal) Corsa B Sport GSi. Bought it with 170000km for 4000 bucks (before you wonder: yes thats cheap). Had 106hp but it also had continuous motor problems, survived the first broken cylinder head gasket, but gave in to the second. Its a cube now after I have driven it over 50000km in two years.

http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/Foto0301.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/Foto0307.jpg

Next one is my current car. A 1999 Subaru Impreza GT pushing 250hp. Bought it for 16000 bucks at 135000km. It got a new clutch at 145000km. I really really love it. Despite that, I am playing with the thought of selling it and get me a newer Impreza. You know, a car that can actually handle its power would be nice.

http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/Foto0311.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/Foto0515.jpg

[DirectorC]

I am playing with the thought of selling it and get me a newer Impreza. You know, a car that can actually handle its power would be nice.

Do it! 04-06 WRX STi FTW! :D

[MRCL]

Do it! 04-06 WRX STi FTW! :D

I'm thinking a 2006 or 2007 WRX STi. The 08 is just plain fugly. But it HAS to be an STi (toast) A used one with about 40000km is around 30000 bucks which is very cheap considering how well made Subarus are and how powerful they are.

And once you've driven an AWD you never want to go back to FWD. Maybe one time if I have muchos dineros to throw away I get me a nice RWD American muscle car for the sunny days.

[Kreij]

Here's my take on the drive systems ...

RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) - Poor traction in snow with standard ASR tires, not bad with snow tires. Fantastic for doughnuts and bleach burnouts.
FWD (Front Wheel Drive) - Better in the snow, even better with snow tires. Lousy forward doughnuts, Great reverse doughnuts. Not bad for bleach burnouts in either direction.
AWD (All Wheel Drive) - Excellent in the snow, outstanding with snow tires. Lousy for doughnuts. Usually mediocre bleach burnouts at best.
4WD (4 Wheel Drive) - Excellent in snow, superb with very aggressive off-road tires (like mudders). Lousy four doughnuts. Always revert to RWD when doing doughnuts. Don't bother with bleach burnouts, get it off-road.
TWV (Tracked Wheeled Vehicles, like a tank or skid loader) - No doughnuts or bleach burnouts, but you can go absolutely anywhere that will support the weight of the vehicle. Best for getting the above four out when they get stuck :D

Did I forget anything?

[DaveK]

I'm thinking a 2006 or 2007 WRX STi. The 08 is just plain fugly. But it HAS to be an STi (toast) A used one with about 40000km is around 30000 bucks which is very cheap considering how well made Subarus are and how powerful they are.

And once you've driven an AWD you never want to go back to FWD. Maybe one time if I have muchos dineros to throw away I get me a nice RWD American muscle car for the sunny days.

The 2006/2007 model is my favorite but I also like the 2004/2005 model, but 2002 bug eye one isn't nice lol. I kinda like the 08 model though, it's grown on me but nowhere near as nice as the 2006/2007 model.

[erocker]

Quite a few cars. Some really nice ones in there too. Bet you wish you still had the 67 Mustang Fastback.

It was well beyond repair, and I was 17. Couldn't afford it. But yeah, I want that car.

[MRCL]

Here's my take on the drive systems ...

RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) - Poor traction in snow with standard ASR tires, not bad with snow tires. Fantastic for doughnuts and bleach burnouts.
FWD (Front Wheel Drive) - Better in the snow, even better with snow tires. Lousy forward doughnuts, Great reverse doughnuts. Not bad for bleach burnouts in either direction.
AWD (All Wheel Drive) - Excellent in the snow, outstanding with snow tires. Lousy for doughnuts. Usually mediocre bleach burnouts at best.
4WD (4 Wheel Drive) - Excellent in snow, superb with very aggressive off-road tires (like mudders). Lousy four doughnuts. Always revert to RWD when doing doughnuts. Don't bother with bleach burnouts, get it off-road.
TWV (Tracked Wheeled Vehicles, like a tank or skid loader) - No doughnuts or bleach burnouts, but you can go absolutely anywhere that will support the weight of the vehicle. Best for getting the above four out when they get stuck :D

Did I forget anything?

AWD with too much power isn't really that good in snow. I have to treat the gas pedal like its made out of very thin glass or I'm constantly drifting. I was very glad I have AWD tho when I flew off the road and my front tires were buried in deep snow, but the rear wheels had excellent traction. Pulled myself out as if nothing happened.

And... bleach burnout?:confused:

The 2006/2007 model is my favorite but I also like the 2004/2005 model, but 2002 bug eye one isn't nice lol. I kinda like the 08 model though, it's grown on me but nowhere near as nice as the 2006/2007 model.

98/99 (my model) is very cool, you really have the rallye car feeling. Mostly because the cupholders are the most luxurious things in the car lol.
and yeah both 04/05 and 06/07 are cool. 06/07 looks a bit cleaner tho. Hawkeyes > Blobeyes.
The Bugeye... meh. Its not ugly or anything, it has its own style... I think about it as the "mature" one of the Imprezas. But the 08 is flatout fugly. I mean hatchback! It looks agressive at the front, but looks like its crouching in fear or something. Theres no harmony.

[JC316]

Damn 1kurgan1, you have had some SHITTY luck. DirectorC has too, but damn. All of my cars had over 100K miles with the Chevy Truck being 300K and every one needed work of some kind, but after that, they ran ok.

Biggest pile of rat shit that I have ever owned was a 90 Honda accord. 220K miles, bad transmission, body damage, crappy interior, exhaust leaks, and a surging engine. Sold it within a week of changing the tranny, shockingly, the woman that bought it is STILL driving it over a year later.

[Kreij]

And... bleach burnout?

Dry road. Pour Chlorine bleach all over tires. Rev up to 3K to 6K and dump the clutch.

Lots of smoke :D

[mlee49]

Gosh I miss having a manual.

Cant count how many times I've had to pop the clutch to start my old ram.

[MRCL]

Dry road. Pour Chlorine bleach all over tires. Rev up to 3K to 6K and dump the clutch.

Lots of smoke :D

Ooooh, just for the show then.

[1Kurgan1]

You should try to swap an MTX75 into the SHO.

SHO's already have so many traction issues, better off just cutting it up for RWD or yanking the motor and putting it in something RWD. At stock levels the MTX 75 would be better off, but if I was spending the money to figure that all out it would most likely be blown and quiet a few guys out there pushing around 420 - 450whp on bone stock motors, I don't think a MTX75 could keep up with those power levels the best.

Damn 1kurgan1, you have had some SHITTY luck. DirectorC has too, but damn. All of my cars had over 100K miles with the Chevy Truck being 300K and every one needed work of some kind, but after that, they ran ok.

Shitty luck is saying it nicely, my lucks gotten better, but yeah it was pretty bad, now I make more money so hopefully won't ever have issues like that again. I really miss my SHO's though 4000 rpm secondaries just sounds so good...

[JC316]

SHO's already have so many traction issues, better off just cutting it up for RWD or yanking the motor and putting it in something RWD. At stock levels the MTX 75 would be better off, but if I was spending the money to figure that all out it would most likely be blown and quiet a few guys out there pushing around 420 - 450whp on bone stock motors, I don't think a MTX75 could keep up with those power levels the best.



Shitty luck is saying it nicely, my lucks gotten better, but yeah it was pretty bad, now I make more money so hopefully won't ever have issues like that again. I really miss my SHO's though 4000 rpm secondaries just sounds so good...

Get you a Mustang Cobra and you will hear that sound again.

[Black Panther]

My first car was a beige Ford Laser Hatchback.
(OMG I can't find it on google?) My parents bought it for me for €1900 16 years ago when I got my driving licence. It was a sturdy little piece of shit.

Then my second car was a Peugeot 405. Here is an identical pics:

http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/peu605silver.jpg

After that I got a Toyota Funcargo. It was the most comfortable car I've ever owned. And also the ugliest car I've ever owned......
http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/1001278_1.jpg

After that it is the LandRover Freelander. It's just as comfortable as the Toyota but looks much better...
http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/417_1006.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/Untitled.jpg

My real baby however is my 1979 Mercedes 123 (I got a penchant for old stuff p'haps that's why I also insist on keeping various old pc's running lol). It's with original engine, spray-paint and everything.
I'd never sell this not even if anyone offers me a million!

Here's an actual photo. It's immaculate:
http://img.techpowerup.org/100206/123182.jpg

As of todate, I'm using the LandRover, and occasionally the Merc.

[Wile E]

SHO's already have so many traction issues, better off just cutting it up for RWD or yanking the motor and putting it in something RWD. At stock levels the MTX 75 would be better off, but if I was spending the money to figure that all out it would most likely be blown and quiet a few guys out there pushing around 420 - 450whp on bone stock motors, I don't think a MTX75 could keep up with those power levels the best.



Shitty luck is saying it nicely, my lucks gotten better, but yeah it was pretty bad, now I make more money so hopefully won't ever have issues like that again. I really miss my SHO's though 4000 rpm secondaries just sounds so good...

This is what I've been telling you, the MTX75 does handle those power levels. Just ask the people with blown 3.0L Duratecs in their SVT Contours.

[1Kurgan1]

This is what I've been telling you, the MTX75 does handle those power levels. Just ask the people with blown 3.0L Duratecs in their SVT Contours.

I havent ever heard of a SVT Contour even with the 3.0L bottom end making over 400whp. Heck on the 2.5L bottom end with 7psi they don't even make over 300whp, usually barely over 250whp. Where as a completely stock SHO motor on 12psi will be looking right at 400whp. And on 7 be in the 320 - 350 range.

And the weak part of the MTX IV is the diff, which there is Quaifes made for them, they are just a bit expensive. Then once you crack 250 tq, 3rd gear is an issue, but I guess theres a few fixes for that. I only know of one SHO to crack 400tq, the DC'd car drop off right around 350 and the hp just keeps going, supposedly one of the SC'd guys in Texas will be unveiling his 700whp SHO soon, but I think he bought a custom gearset for it.

[Wile E]

I havent ever heard of a SVT Contour even with the 3.0L bottom end making over 400whp. Heck on the 2.5L bottom end with 7psi they don't even make over 300whp, usually barely over 250whp. Where as a completely stock SHO motor on 12psi will be looking right at 400whp. And on 7 be in the 320 - 350 range.

And the weak part of the MTX IV is the diff, which there is Quaifes made for them, they are just a bit expensive. Then once you crack 250 tq, 3rd gear is an issue, but I guess theres a few fixes for that. I only know of one SHO to crack 400tq, the DC'd car drop off right around 350 and the hp just keeps going, supposedly one of the SC'd guys in Texas will be unveiling his 700whp SHO soon, but I think he bought a custom gearset for it.

I've seen more than one 3.0 duratec making 400hp+. Never said anything about stock bottom ends, did I? lol.

I'm telling you, you are very much underrating the MTX75. It's much stronger than the IV on all levels.

[Kreij]

Ooooh, just for the show then.

Yes. It's easiest with an automatic tranny. You hold the brakes on just enough to keep the car from moving forward and floor it so the rear tires spin.
A little harder in a stick.

Here's an example ...
http://img.techpowerup.org/100207/bleachburnout.jpg

[DirectorC]

Went with the Corolla (I know it's a Prizm, same thing, even looks better):

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/1584596343.html
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/1701/3n53m93l15o95t05pca23f6.jpg

Needs a couple things done, only paid 1400. Got the 1.8L too. She is a quick one.

The only thing is, I am 90% sure there isn't a sunroof LOL. I'll have to check when it's light out.

[JC316]

Nice. My dad has one sitting in the driveway right now. A 2000 Corolla with the 1.8L VVT-I engine. Quick little SOB and an overall nice car.

[DirectorC]

I found pics of the truck, the last vehicle I was driving, and the Sentra before it:

Sentra:
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/540/s5300021.jpg

Sentra 'wit reeyumz':
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5273/s5300025.jpg

My truck:
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7237/0212091524.jpg

[1Kurgan1]

You could have gone off-roading with that Sentra after you put those rims on, lol.

[ProgressiveTokyo]

1992 Grand Am
1997 Toyota Camry
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Subaru WRX (not the sti unfortunately)

Haven't owned a car since I moved to Tokyo, its completely unnecessary.

[DirectorC]

1992 Grand Am
1997 Toyota Camry
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Subaru WRX (not the sti unfortunately)

Haven't owned a car since I moved to Tokyo, its completely unnecessary.

Yeah you travel in magical boxes from living cube to living cube.

[Polaris573]

1994 Mercury Cougar 3.8L V6

http://img.techpowerup.org/100222/DSC00736.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/100222/DSC00719.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/100222/DSC00713.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/100222/DSC00726.jpg

1998 Acura CL 3.0L V6

http://img.techpowerup.org/100222/_DSC2034%20copy.jpg

[cdawall]

1990 honda civic with a B16 drop
2005 pontiac sunfire 2.2L ecotec
2005 ford ranger FX4 lvl2

[JC316]

That was a clean Cougar Polaris. Shame it wasn't the 4.6L.

[Polaris573]

Thanks. I agree, every time I drove it I wished it was the 4.6L especially since the gas mileage wasn't that much worse for the V8. It was a great first car, I paid $1000 for it and sold it for $700 after driving it for seven years. The main reason I got rid of it was because the A/C was dead and the "new" car was my graduation gift to myself. Paid $2500 for the CL, hopefully It doesn't depreciate too fast and I can sell it for a good price too. It's already in better condition then when I bought it despite hitting a deer.

[JC316]

Thanks. It was a great first car, I paid $1000 for it and sold it for $700 after driving it for seven years. The main reason I got rid of it was because the A/C was dead and the "new" car was my graduation gift to myself. Paid $2500 for the CL, hopefully It doesn't depreciate too fast and I can sell it for a good price too. It's already in better condition then when I bought it despite hitting a deer.

Great price for both. Acura's usually hold their value very well.

[Polaris573]

This is kind of amusing in a sad sort of way lol. I'm consistent when I hit dear.

http://img.techpowerup.org/100222/DSC00083.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/100222/_DSC1906843.jpg

[yogurt_21]

Black with Black Vinly 1973 Ford F250 Custom with utility bed, 360ci -- Was my fathers for 1.2mil miles (3 engines) then it threw a rod while I had only put 200 miles on it. lol

Green with White hood, black interior 1973 Ford Ranchero 500, 400ci -- put 25k miles (had 125k when I bought it) , 10 grand, and countless hours into it. Now sits driveshaft less needing a tranny rebuild and a new rear end.

White with tan interior 1991 Ford Ranger XLT, 4.0l -- put 50k miles on it (had 120k when I bought it) then tranny gave out. Sold it to a guy for 400$ who had another ranger with engine issues. He took the tranny out of that one threw it in mine and it's running great for him.

Silver with grey interior 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT Premium, 4.0l -- going strong only has 60k on it total and being newer it has a delay when you romp on the petal, a good feature considering how much drivetrain issues I had with the ranchero and ranger.

Also have/had but my wife drives:

Blue with grey interior 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, 2.2l -- got it slightly used with 9k miles on it put an additional 82k on it then traded it for 2006 G6, was still running great but was 2dr and we were planning for a family.

Metallic Midnight (a kind of bluish black with a hint of green) with charcoal/ grey interior 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP, 3.9l -- Got it new in 07 for a smoking deal because it was sitting on the lot so long. (pontiac buick delaer near "leisure world" sold a ton of bucks but oldies weren't took keen on the g6 gtp I guess). It had less than 300 miles on it, now has 65k on it. Runs great and has a sporty feel for a family sedan.

Cars my wife had prior:

Blue with an interior 1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT, 2.4l -- has 120k when she got it and she put 20k on it before trading it for the 04, wasn't running too bad when she traded it but it simply wasn't in as good of condition as the 04 was look wise or running wise.

Green with grey interior 1995 Ford Probe GT, 2.5l -- this thing was a pos when she got it and she nursed it along fo an additianl 25k miles (had 60k when she got it) and then got it into the dealer barely long enough to trade it for the 1997 sunfire. It had oil leaks, radiator leaks, valve issues, tranny engagement issues, etc. The dealer ship called after they dropped it off and asked how the heck to start it beacuse it wouldn't. My wifes dad replied that it started fine on the way over and asked then what the hell they did to it. lol After the all the crap dealers can pull I figure it's an even trade.

[Polaris573]

It's a shame that ranchero doesn't run.

[erocker]

I finally found a picture on the internet of the very 1st car I bought. a 1981 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Coupe. It was mint! I sold my entire comic book collection for $1200 dollars and bought it. I got it for a grand but only because the accelerator stuck but that was fixed in no time. It was a boat of a car, but it was ultra pimp luxury with a gutless 308 V8.:cool:

Looked exactly like this but dark blue:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/3857069842_89b2f47d84.jpg

[JC316]

I finally found a picture on the internet of the very 1st car I bought. a 1981 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Coupe. It was mint! I sold my entire comic book collection for $1200 dollars and bought it. I got it for a grand but only because the accelerator stuck but that was fixed in no time. It was a boat of a car, but it was ultra pimp luxury with a gutless 308 V8.:cool:

Looked exactly like this but dark blue:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/3857069842_89b2f47d84.jpg

My dad bought my mom an 84 Buick Park Avenue in 1986. She still has it, but it hasnt been driven regularly since 1997. Same gutless 307 olds engine with the 4bbl carb. It may be gutless, but I can throw a battery in that car right now and it will fire right up like a daily driver.

[Papahyooie]

My first *vehicle* was a 98 Honda 250 Nighthawk (motorcycle.) Then bought my first car, a 1975 plymouth duster with a 225 slant six. Eventually the engine went, and I'm still working up the money to get it restored. Next came "the brown bag" a toyota corolla that was so ugly you had to wear a brown bag over your head when you drove it so nobody would know it was you. Rust spots all over it, dented passenger side fender, paint stripped everywhere, the works. It was fun to drive though, because for a 200 dollar car, you simply didn't care if you broke it. Many days spent drifting around dirt roads in that one. It never did die until we gave it to my uncle, and the timing chain broke. My dad replaced that, and apparently it runs, but nobody wants to drive it, so it just sits in the backyard. Next came a 83 Kawasaki 750LTD, custom painted with red white and blue flames. Sold it to buy a Suzuki GS500. Next came a Green Chrysler LeBaron Convertible (had a nicely sized six cylinder) and a 95 Ford ranger (four banger). The Lebaron died of blown head gaskets, and got sold and donated to my mom's chevy cobalt fund. The Ford, still not sure what happened to it, but my mom was driving it and it just died. Never really asked my dad what happened, he just said the engine was shot. Blew the engine on the GS500, fixed it then traded it in for my current GSXR600 and bought a 98 Ford Escort, both of which I currently have.

I have pics of all of them, but they're all at my parents house. No telling when I'd be able to get hold of them.

[Polaris573]

I finally found a picture on the internet of the very 1st car I bought. a 1981 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Coupe. It was mint! I sold my entire comic book collection for $1200 dollars and bought it. I got it for a grand but only because the accelerator stuck but that was fixed in no time. It was a boat of a car, but it was ultra pimp luxury with a gutless 308 V8.:cool:

Looked exactly like this but dark blue:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/3857069842_89b2f47d84.jpg

I'm diggin' the whitewalls on that. I'd drive one if it had an engine swap and was in mint condition lol.

[big kumara]

Mine:
1973 Pinto
1985.5 Escort
1986 Taurus
1987 Buick Century
1988 Buick Century ltd
2001 Subaru Forester
2003 Pontiac Grand Am
2005 Pontiac G6
2003 Toyota Camry xle


Hubby's (since we've been married):
1986 Bronco II
1979 Wagoneer
1972 Chevette
1988 Buick Park Ave
1982 Dodge Powerwagon (?) pick up
2003 Dodge Dakota
2002 Chevy Tracker
2001 Suzuki Vitara
2004 PT Cruiser
2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GT
1998 Suzuki Sidekick
1985 Ford F150 4x4
2005 Chevy Trail Blazer
1998 Kia Sportage

I mostly drive the Camry, Hubby usually drives the Trail Blazer, and the Kia is the spare (which gets loaned out a lot, lol). We always have at least 3 vehicles...last summer we actually had 5, 'til Hubby decided to sell the F150 and the Sidekick.

I miss the Subaru something awful.

[yogurt_21]

It's a shame that ranchero doesn't run.

that all depends on your defenition of "run." I can fire it up all day long, it just won't go anywhere. lol

Mine:
1973 Pinto
1985.5 Escort
1986 Taurus
1987 Buick Century
1988 Buick Century ltd
2001 Subaru Forester
2003 Pontiac Grand Am
2005 Pontiac G6
2003 Toyota Camry xle



your history has me loling
from my experience
1973 Pinto - prone to mech issues
1985.5 Escort - prone to major mechanical issues
1986 Taurus - prone to be doa
1987 Buick Century - some mech issues
1988 Buick Century ltd - some mech issues
2001 Subaru Forester- should be strong performer but you did say you miss it specifically so that makes sense
2003 Pontiac Grand Am- window and other electronic issues, plus the grand am had the highest liklihood to be the car that a cat peed in
2005 Pontiac G6 - not many issues I'm aware other than dings way too easily and sucks far more gas than it should
2003 Toyota Camry xle - reliable, good gas mileage.

the irony is that you were almost all american until the camry which happens to be the most reliable vehicle on the list. You're a walking ad for toyota lol

[big kumara]

that all depends on your defenition of "run." I can fire it up all day long, it just won't go anywhere. lol



your history has me loling
from my experience
1973 Pinto - prone to mech issues
1985.5 Escort - prone to major mechanical issues
1986 Taurus - prone to be doa
1987 Buick Century - some mech issues
1988 Buick Century ltd - some mech issues
2001 Subaru Forester- should be strong performer but you did say you miss it specifically so that makes sense
2003 Pontiac Grand Am- window and other electronic issues, plus the grand am had the highest liklihood to be the car that a cat peed in
2005 Pontiac G6 - not many issues I'm aware other than dings way too easily and sucks far more gas than it should
2003 Toyota Camry xle - reliable, good gas mileage.

the irony is that you were almost all american until the camry which happens to be the most reliable vehicle on the list. You're a walking ad for toyota lol

The Pinto actually wasn't so bad. It lived to 180,000 miles and could carry about a third of a cord of wood (carefully stacked). But it had some serious cosmetic problems, aka rust. I stood up in the back seat and my feet went through the floor to the pavement. Every time I hit a puddle, my feet got wet (holes in the front floor). The front fenders flapped in the breeze, the bumper was attatched with coat hangers and the inside door handles had been replaced with toilet flushers.

The Escort had some issues, most of which were caused by the mechanics at the car dealership. They over-filled it with oil, they replaced the valve cover gasket 4 times before they got it right, and they totally missed the clogged carburetor jets. I took it in 6 times with the following symptoms: Shitty gas milage, hesitation with accelleration, stalling at stop signs and blue exhaust that smelled like pure gasoline. They kept telling me they adjusted the choke and throttle...pfff. Carb blew up on the interstate 20 miles from home--at night, in the pouring rain, during game 7 of the '87 World Series (I'm a Cardinals fan, Hubby's a Twins fan). I had words (most of them four letters, and very loud) with the service manager the next day.

The Taurus had a weird sensor problem that caused it to stall. A lot. Usually in heavy traffic. That only took 4 trips to get fixed. Oh yeah, in cold weather, if it didn't start right away the first try, you had to wait 15-20 minutes before trying again otherwise it would flood--without even touching the gas. Engine block heater didn't help.

The Buicks ate alternators and they all suffered from GM Morning Sickness. The ltd had it bad--in sub-zero weather, it had to warm up for 20 minutes before the steering would let go.

The Grand Am was okay, except for the headlights. No matter how they were adjusted, they left a black shadow right in the middle of the road. Total blind spot, very annoying. Ever since that car, I test drive at night.

The G6 had great headlights. I actually liked that car quite well. But the radio would randomly lock itself out (had to turn the car off to get it to unlock) and I detected the very early stages of GMMS, so I wasn't heartbroken when the lease ran out. And the gas mileage WAS disappointing--the best I could ever do during my normal commute was 30 mph and I had to keep an eye on the RPMs the whole time.

The Forester was my perfect car. I loved that car. Gas mileage wasn't that good, but it wasn't supposed to be. But I got rear-ended on an icy highway by an out of control, old Buick tank and that was that. Sniff.

The Camry has been pretty good so far. Except that the doors randomly lock themselves. That might be a problem with the remote, though.

[JC316]

The Pinto actually wasn't so bad. It lived to 180,000 miles and could carry about a third of a cord of wood (carefully stacked). But it had some serious cosmetic problems, aka rust. I stood up in the back seat and my feet went through the floor to the pavement. Every time I hit a puddle, my feet got wet (holes in the front floor). The front fenders flapped in the breeze, the bumper was attatched with coat hangers and the inside door handles had been replaced with toilet flushers.

The Escort had some issues, most of which were caused by the mechanics at the car dealership. They over-filled it with oil, they replaced the valve cover gasket 4 times before they got it right, and they totally missed the clogged carburetor jets. I took it in 6 times with the following symptoms: Shitty gas milage, hesitation with accelleration, stalling at stop signs and blue exhaust that smelled like pure gasoline. They kept telling me they adjusted the choke and throttle...pfff. Carb blew up on the interstate 20 miles from home--at night, in the pouring rain, during game 7 of the '87 World Series (I'm a Cardinals fan, Hubby's a Twins fan). I had words (most of them four letters, and very loud) with the service manager the next day.

The Taurus had a weird sensor problem that caused it to stall. A lot. Usually in heavy traffic. That only took 4 trips to get fixed. Oh yeah, in cold weather, if it didn't start right away the first try, you had to wait 15-20 minutes before trying again otherwise it would flood--without even touching the gas. Engine block heater didn't help.

The Buicks ate alternators and they all suffered from GM Morning Sickness. The ltd had it bad--in sub-zero weather, it had to warm up for 20 minutes before the steering would let go.

The Grand Am was okay, except for the headlights. No matter how they were adjusted, they left a black shadow right in the middle of the road. Total blind spot, very annoying. Ever since that car, I test drive at night.

The G6 had great headlights. I actually liked that car quite well. But the radio would randomly lock itself out (had to turn the car off to get it to unlock) and I detected the very early stages of GMMS, so I wasn't heartbroken when the lease ran out. And the gas mileage WAS disappointing--the best I could ever do during my normal commute was 30 mph and I had to keep an eye on the RPMs the whole time.

The Forester was my perfect car. I loved that car. Gas mileage wasn't that good, but it wasn't supposed to be. But I got rear-ended on an icy highway by an out of control, old Buick tank and that was that. Sniff.

The Camry has been pretty good so far. Except that the doors randomly lock themselves. That might be a problem with the remote, though.

You have had bad luck and really crappy mechanics. The blue smoke wouldn't have been gas, it was oil, which was likely bad piston rings, which probably caused it to blow up on you. Loads of gas burns black, oil burns blue.

[Wile E]

I finally found a picture on the internet of the very 1st car I bought. a 1981 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Coupe. It was mint! I sold my entire comic book collection for $1200 dollars and bought it. I got it for a grand but only because the accelerator stuck but that was fixed in no time. It was a boat of a car, but it was ultra pimp luxury with a gutless 308 V8.:cool:

Looked exactly like this but dark blue:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/3857069842_89b2f47d84.jpg

My very first car was a 1982 Olds 98.

Like this, only in shit brown. lol.

http://encyclopedia.classicoldsmobile.com/ninetyeight/82.jpg

[DirectorC]

I definitely love the big ass American slabs. I remember as a kid going in rides in my grandfather's Cadillac, and later on his Bronco. The Cadillac is still around, parked for years and covered with rust. The engine still starts.

When I have the money for toy cars I will definitely get one. An Oldsmobile would be great. I'm thinking Cutlass Supreme, check out this 72:

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/83/1347771972oldsmobilecut.jpg