The Car Care Thread

[Shanmac]

I think I'm going to bid adieu to my '89 Oldsmobile today. My dad gave it to me when I was a freshman in college, and it runs wonderfully. The problem? It's a rust bucket. The doors, the back end, everything is getting rusty, and I'm embarrassed to park it where people I know might see it.

Yesterday, my dad, who works for a car dealership, called me and told me to come over. He had a red '98 Pontiac Grand Prix sitting in his driveway that he wants me to buy. I'm not a big car person -- I don't see the point in shelling out big bucks for a status symbol, as I'd rather waste my money on things that are much less useful -- so I'm not picky when it comes to what I drive. It's cute and shiny and non-rusty, and my dad had it checked out mechanically and said it's in tip-top condition. It's in great shape -- it looks brand new. As a bonus, should anything go wrong, my dad can get me new parts super cheap, and his mechanic friends usually work on my family's cars for free. I would have preferred a 4-door, but my dad can get me a great deal on it, so I think it might be time to say farewell to Mr. Rusty.

I hate to get rid of a car that was so faithful to me for so long, but I guess that's life, kid. My boyfriend is so relieved. He's sick of looking at the eyesore that is my car, and my sister called me a said, "Seriously, you have to get a new car. You look like white trash driving that thing around."

[deadduck]

thesurlymermaid said:

jessba said:

Okay, a question for those of you more educated in the ways of the automobile:

How much should an alternator cost to fix? Mine's crapped out on me and I've been trying to find out what I should expect to pay to get my car up and running. I've heard around $275 for the alternator plus 1.5 hours labour.

That's a new alternator though, as far as I understand. I'm not sure how I can find out about getting a rebuilt one. The one place I called said they didn't do those. Are they a safe, viable option or should I pay more and go with a new one?

It's a 1989 Toyota Corolla, old but with only moderate kms on it.

The alternator went in my old Chevy many years ago, and that price sounds about right. I paid something like $250, maybe more.

Auto part shopping is hell. Check around, do not rely on one shop unless you only have one shop where you are. Ask the garage about rebuilt parts. They are usually safe, and not an issue. Often are cheaper. They can often search for them for you. Also remember that parts are not the bulk of the cost in most cases. Labour is. If you have Auto scrap lots in the area sometimes they have the parts you are looking for for much cheaper. All in all though the price for the alternator you were given sounds about right for a new one. But get a total quote, and do not let them tell you more work has to be done on the car, unless they can totally prove it. (IE they show you the bald tires with the steel belts showing through--yep it happened to me)

[Shanmac]

So. I am the proud owner of a red, non-rusty, 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GL. My dad is very glad he does not have to have my rustbucket parked in front of his house when I visit anymore. He referred to my old car as "junk," which actually hurt my feelings. That car served me well. The new one's nothing fancy, but it's cute, fun and runs well (knock on wood).

My boyfriend is going to get some guys he knows to take my stereo (which he bought me) from my old car and put it in the new one. When I had it installed in the new car, I was so embarrassed, because all I could think was, "This stereo is nicer than the car itself."

My dad has the hook up when it comes to parts. Not only does he work for an auto dealer, he always knows where to find the steals, and his buddies used to get parts for me in a scrap lot. It's a good deal.

[lpatrice]

My 1996 Pontiac Sunfire has finally had it. It is only valued at about $1,000 dollars, and needs almost $3000.00 worth of repairs, so I am in the market for a new car. I kind of like Focuses, and Jettas (although the latter may be out of my price range) anybody have any experiences with either of those cars, good or bad, please share.

ETA: All I really want is a fairly inexpensive car with about 50,000 miles on it, no older than 2000. Is that too hard to find. I just want something that is low maintenance, and that will be a good car for the next 5-10 years, because I am not the type to get a new car every 2,3,4,5 years.

[anne]

I've had my Honda Civic for 11 years now, and it's still kicking. (knocking on wood!) My mechanic told me about a year and a half ago that I was MAYBE half way through the life of it. For my money, you just can't go wrong with Hondas or Toyotas. You pay a bit more when you buy it, but you get that back over the years when you're avoiding repairs and replacement cars.

[Shanmac]

Holy. Shit.

So, I purchased this car yesterday. Tonight, I pull in the garage, and as I'm unloading some crap from the car, I hear this "Ping!" A f*ing bolt fell out of my garage door opener and put two huge nicks in the hood of the car. I just stood there, looking up at the ceiling in the general direction of whatever deity may have been looking down and snickering, going, "Are you SERIOUS? You can't be fucking serious."

ARGH!

[tinyshoes]

lpatrice said:

My 1996 Pontiac Sunfire has finally had it. It is only valued at about $1,000 dollars, and needs almost $3000.00 worth of repairs, so I am in the market for a new car. I kind of like Focuses, and Jettas (although the latter may be out of my price range) anybody have any experiences with either of those cars, good or bad, please share.

One of my friends had a Focus and she hated it. Sure, it had decent gas mileage, but don't get on the freeway with the A/C on. Plus the tranny has a reputation for going out after 50k miles (that's the rumor anyway, don't quote me on it).

Jettas seem to do a decent job, but like anne said, Hondas and Toyotas might serve you better. They seem to have better track records.

[mrpancake]

Take this for what it's worth, but I've heard the newer Jettas tend to be somewhat problematic, but not too bad. But apparently they aren't the same Jettas that were out 20 years ago which were affordable and very functional. Most people these days by them for the style aspect, and they aren't cheap either. So...yeah, I don't know a lot about cars, but that's what I've heard. But I like Jettas too, and when I bought my first car, I kinda wish I had bought a 1995 Jetta.

[pathtaken]

Anyone out there have a ScionXB? They look kind of like a rough ride being a box and all, but the mileage sure sounds good and the backseat looks big enough for 3 people to be comfortable.
We need a new ride desperately but money is stretched pretty thin around here.

[Sunnyhorse]

A woman my husband used to work with has a Scion box and loves it, Pathtaken.