Hopefully this doesn't end up being too long...
So, I haven't really been on here in awhile. I bought a truck and a motorcycle, and the Thunderbird has been away for the winter, so I haven't really driven it since about last August.
As some may now, my car is really starting to show its age. The clearcoat has completely peeled off the roof and is starting to come off the trunk, and from the looks of it the hood isn't too far behind either.
The car sat for a few months, then my girlfriend's dad (who owns a radiator shop) offered to fix the heater core for me, since the heater hasn't worked in the car for 3 years. So I said yeah, and he had it for about 2 1/2 months since he was doing it as a side job for free (I didn't really care how long he had it, I wouldn't have been driving it anyway).
I get the car back today...somebody broke the tab off the glove box door, and there is a cut in the seatbelt, which means I will have to replace both of those things.
I just feel dissatisfied with this car. Despite all the work I've put into it, it still looks like a 22 year old beater. No matter what I do with it, it smokes at idle, and this is on a rebuilt engine with maybe 40K on it that I've already replaced the valve stem seals on and have tried numerous turbos (I had to pull the 57 trim off because it was leaking oil into the turbine). The tires are bald. Paint looks like hell, interior feels like it's falling apart sometimes. It has numerous squeaks and rattles coming from the suspension and I have no idea what's causing them.
The car goes pretty fast (when everything is working properly) and handles pretty well (when it's dry). It seems like that's about all it has going for it.
Today was probably the first time ever that I've seriously thought about selling it. The biggest problem I have with that is that I won't get for a car that I've invested quite a bit of time and money in.
Blah...I just don't know. I just don't "feel it" with this car anymore.
I know what your saying man, Heck even right now i am not "feeling" me car but it should wear off in a little while and you will go "Man what was i thinking", so just hang in there. It's worth the time and effort to see the fox-stang guys go "dude where did that come from" lol... good times, good times...
Don't smash it with a bat just yet.
This is true, but with all cars really. Unless your working on some antique classic there really is no way around this. I'm not judging your car, or anyone elses, but I'm sure (myself included) could not get the money back we've spent on these cars.
Don't feel bad, I literally gave my TC away. While not satisfied with it, I'm glad I don't have to work on it anymore. An engine, trans, 3 clutches, 2 turbos, and a blown rear, on top of numerous problems, IN ONE YEAR, will do that to you.
Before last week, I hadn't really taken the cat out since October. After shelling out for new brakes, spindles, shock, springs, struts, and various bushings along with a gear swap (and a custom cam that STILL hasn't bee installed -- when will this F-ing winter end?) I became despondent as well. A few weeks ago I got an unsolicited offer for the car. I almost took it.
Fast forward to this past Sunday.... Over 130 miles of not caring where I drove to; just enjoying the drive. Made me remember just how much fun this car is. :burnout:
You have a cut seatbelt and a broke glove box tab?Big deal,look what I started with....
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/100_1729-1.jpg)
.....and peeling paint.....merely a flesh wounde.Grab some sandpaper,a little filler,a lot of patience,and get after it.....
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/000_0993.jpg)
Talk about "feeling the love".It took a LOT of love to get through all of this.You just need to jump in and get your hands dirty again.You've been out of the loop too long.
Since some moron named "me" sunk $20k into this car over the past 10 years (prolly half of that wasted on replaced or broken parts), I got no choice but to love my biotch! At least I get to flog it at the racetrack from time to time. :D
You could be stuck with this......
don't give up on 'er just yet
man, do i feel that!
i ignored/neglected my car all winter. i had a list of things to do, but a lack of motivation kept me pushin things off. the only work i did was to install parts necessary to move forward with another project which required the old parts from the car.
last week the weather finally broke enough to get the car out, and WOW did i miss driving this thing! now ive actually got a few of the things on my winter list done too, just cause i got that motivation back.
i know whatcha mean... the feeling comes and goes, but then i take her out on a ride on a beautiful day, turn up the radio, and get sideways at every chance (safely), then i think to myself how i could never trade in my cougar.
I agree with what everyone else said! You just need some stick time in the car and you will be loving it all over again. I didn't drive my car much for a couple years and was uninterested in it...but once I just drove it a few places I started "feeling it" again. Just drive it and let your love grow. lol.
i couldnt agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out my "just the rear" thread, that is what my car looks like right now.... flat tire, halfway done with heater core, mismatched fenders, i still need to put my tranny in, and replace my heads, and replace my ball joints, and some other suspension bushings, is along list, and i still love my cat!!!!! id never get rid of it... youve just been out of reach....
For me, the journey is more fun than the destination's end.
Which is why mine takes forever to build, lol.
I've owned my Cougar since junior year of high school. I haven't really driven her really in the last 4 years. Every time I have wanted to drive her, something else goes wrong. I think this summer I maybe put 50 miles on.
A few months ago (when I asked about re-blacking my wheels), I went to start it up after sinking money into the brakes (which still don't work well) the car felt like it was shaking itself to pieces. About a month ago I was set on selling it in order to buy a 66 plymouth and when that turned out to be junk I was still set on selling the cougar.
Last weekend I bought the cheapest cap and rotor possible and installed them. Turning the key and having her run as sweetly as she did when I would drive back and forth to college really made me change my mind again.
Don't give up on your car, at least not for the reasons you gave.
My heater core was fixed... I still don't have heat. I go through at least a case of ATF a year (and that's without even getting to drive the car). Sometimes my passenger window will just break out of the tracks. Clear coat? My car hasn't known that since I got her, I was happy just to have some base coat left.
Think about the whole, not just the parts.
Well I AM thinking about the whole...
Honestly, I think if it wasn't for the fact that the paint looks like hell (along with it having a crease in the door and rear quarter from a fender bender about 4 years ago), I would feel a lot better about it. But peeling clearcoat looks like .
I just look at the car and sigh.
I really can't afford to lay out $2K+ for paint and body work on the car, and I can't paint it myself (in a rental unit, which has a garage, but it's only one car with a little room at the end).
Ah, I dunno. I've been thinking about it, and I know I couldn't get more than $1500 for the car "as-is." And I can't really "put it aside" for now and get something else because I don't have anywhere else to keep it.
Right now I'm thinking about building another engine for it (rebuilding the original engine from the car, actually) and doing it "right" this time...I felt like there were several flaws with the engine I originally built, because I was on a budget. It also leaks oil everywhere, which I would like to fix.
So I guess now I have to get an engine hoist and stand...
You're looking at the "right now" part of it.You have to be patient,and look ahead.You saw my Sport in those pics.I couldn't be depressed at all that ugly.I just started getting what I needed,one part at a time,took my time,and eventually,all the pieces fall together.patience.At the peak of ugliness,other than daminc,it would be hard to find an uglier car than the Sport,inside or out.The carpet was so nasty,it was like plywood in places....solid.No panel inside or out wasn't damaged in one way or the other.But,over time,I got the car back in shape.Just start with what is NEEDED the most.Appearance is easy.Make a list of what you need,and what you want,and go to it.
I think its called winter blues, put some pics up of it lets see what your talkin about. Everybody gets overwhelmed at one point.
At least you can drive yours. I've been borrowing my dads car because I can never keep a running car. The Trans-Am I've had for maybe a month, drove for maybe 100 miles, is broken down with a wiped cam.
My Dodge hasn't sold, and It's not drivable, and my red thunderbird is in a billion pieces.
The ball is in your court, all of these cars has made me truly hate working on cars. If I could 100% get out of cars, I would, and would be a much happier person.
How is it even possible you could have THE worst car luck EVER!?
his old car got wrecked in his driveway.
If I had more room, I'd probably just put my car to the side for now and pick up something else to play with.
I was just looking at the paper a couple days ago, somebody had an .85 5.0 bird in there for $1200- I'd love to play with something with a V8.
But, I don't have any room...and I have my truck (which is my daily right now). I'm selling my bike so I can upgrade to something better, I guess that will be my new vehicle fix.
I've been in that state for going on four years now, never driving it more than from one place to the next, moving. Now I finally have a budget to get it driving as my summer DD again, and I'm actually excited to tear into the thing. Like someone else said, you've just been out of it for too long.
I don't think I've been out of it too long...I think I just feel overwhelmed with everything the car "needs" to make it nice and this point, and disappointed that it looks and feels so rough.
Thats part of owning a car chief. You'll get that with everyhting at some point or another.
Thats how I am with the Ranger right now. Everything is all apart and then I broke a head bolt tearing the 2.3T apart to rebuild it. I just keep telling myself that I'll regret letting another project slip through the floor boards.
X1 :punchballs:
i've never owned a car or truck that doesnt need work here and there. its all about getting ahead of the hands of time. :ies:
The previous owner's care/neglect of a vehicle has a HUGE impact on how much work you'll have to do for a LOOOONG time...
Just start driving it. I drive my wifes neon to work every once in a while. I like hitting my knee on the steering wheel everytime I shut the door.
I sometimes hate driving a 22 year old car, but everytime I get back into I like it more then any other car I've driven. I hate that my window is off the track and that the car looks bad, compared to most of the people at my work, but after driving the neon, I would never go back.
Try being 6'5" and getting into a Neon......I HATE NEONS...
Not quite 6' 5" but its still a reason to hate small cars, ever try driving an 88 nissan 300zx???? man i would drive it into a wall if i owned it, but then id really be stuck!!!
Ever try to drive a Corvette? I have a hard time with most two door sports cars.
I did in a Silver Anniversary edition (1978 IIRC) that we fixed some years ago. I didn't like it then, and I don't think I'd like it now, lol.
Being tall is somewhat of a curse when most cars are made for people 6'0" and below. Good thing I fit quite fine in my Cougar (other than the sagging headliner)
Funny, my former boss is 6'4" and when I asked if he was cramped in his new Porsche Boxster, he said there was plenty of room in it.
When I worked at the Saturn dealership one of the salesmen had a Miata. He was about 6'6". He didn't sit in it, he wore it. And the Miata was his daily driver. His Triumph TR4 was even worse - I'm 6'3 and I could barely fit in that...
+1
Some motivational advice from someone in the same position (ymmv).
-
Make a list of what needs to be done:-
Pick your battles. Do what you can, get help with the rest.
Ask some friends over (have food and beer ready, but not
too much).
Sometimes a professional is the least expensive alternative, even if it costs the most.
- Before getting started,
visualize the win.-
When you're working, get some theme music going in the background (my personal fave is Stewart's '71 Tyrell at Monaco, but the Banana Car at Talladega is pretty good too)
-
Post your progress.
i'm 6'0" or 6'1" and yep, driving the miata is just like wearing a glove. its actually a quite comfortable fitted feeling. I have to get the seat position just right, take my PITA billfold out, and pull the seat belt tight. I've been looking through parts cats at accessories and other interior parts (mainly to find replacement parts and a oil filter relocation kit) they have pads for people who rest their knees on the doors and center console which makes me believe that taller people would be doing that.. sure I can use the brake or gas and steer with the same knee, but really im not restricted in anyway as far as function or comfort. a lot of people who dont modify their cars will even install a lumbar support inside the seat.. and they call the lower back pain "miata back." I know what it's like, but just getting the seat right and taking your billfold out completely changes the seating experience.
The thunderbird feels like a sporty Cadillac vs fighter jet go-kart. the thunderbird rolls big time through a corner giving you the feel of the front end being driven down into the road, and feels like a sport boat. the miata on the other hand feels like it pulls g's through the corners like a slot car, and that's why to me it feels better that im strapped in and dont go flying around the car.
I am 6'5". When I drive the car to work I wear my boots, which makes it even worse, both to get in, and to move my legs around. I actually turn my left foot onto its side and drive with my baby toe portion of my foot so i can shut the door and turn the steering wheel without any problems.
I find the T-bird is just as bad as any other car, when you're wearing work boots. I only wear one pair of shoes, and those are steel toed work shoes (the only other shoes I own are a pair of dress shoes, that come out for weddings and meetings with clients). I've only once slammed on the brakes trying to gear down, because my clod-hoppers were too wide for the pedals that close together, but it's a thing you have to be constantly aware of. Maybe it's the size 13, maybe it's lazy feet, but I find the car a bit tricky to do the footwork in with anything bigger than a sneaker.
Yeah I make do with 14-15's depending on the shoe. Being tall and finding a two door that is comfortable is impossible unless you start looking for land yachts. I decided I didn't like driving fox Mustangs because when I pry myself out of them it looks hilarious. Sad thing is I always wanted a 5.0 Miata, yeah........riiiiiiiiiight.
LaCrosse Ice Kings and a early 80's Chevette, FTW :hick:
Dude, I know exactly how you feel. After my third TC left me stranded with the kid in the car I gave up and got the S197 Mustang. Life happened and I had to let the Stang go. Then I got that :mad::mad::mad:
ed:mad::mad::mad: POS purple Saturn coupe!
Longest 4-months of my life. My god I was laughed at everywhere I went. Imagine a 6'-2" black dude driving around in that little purple clown car. lol (I can laugh now, not so much back then...). That thing burned through 4.5qts of oil faster than a tank of gasoline, the tranny slipped, it needed exhaust work, had electrical gremlins and the sunroof leaked right on my head. It was downright dangerous to drive on the highway, which I found out the hard way.
As much as I hate car payments I traded it in for a
minor DP on the Audi and I haven't been happier. I may do some minor suspension mods and maybe exhaust to make it feel like it's my car and that's it. I know Murphy is out there waiting... planning... something.
Do yourself a favor and save your pennies and get the most reliable car you can afford. Preferably something made during this decade. :)
He's too busy torturing ME. I just can't seem to bank any money this year so far....and I've already tightened up immensely on the spending.
I hate to break it to you but you better hope that gussied up VW of yours never has a break down. They cost a pretty penny. I used to work at a VW dealership, I know.
There's something new cars have that 20+ year old ones don't.....
A warranty. Many have roadside assistance as well.
When the wife and kid are off by themselves it's good to have that peace of mind....
This is true and alot of the new vehicles have pretty good warantees. I'm sure you're liking the Warantee on your Stang.
Nothing's broken yet...
I DID have a paint defect fixed. It was on the inside of the wheel well lip.
They are fully aware of the blower too. No issue yet.
LOL. I am well aware of how much they cost for repair/maintenance. I would not of purchased the car if I didn't research that info. I've probably wasted more money on 3 TCs to buy the Audi outright. The stealership will not see my car again unless it's for a recall or dealer only item. So far there is only one shop that gets to work on my car even for oil changes. And as soon as I get a garage again that will be a moot issue... but thanks for the tip. :)
I would love to get the wife a newer car, but to get a car payment and insurance with my driving record would cost me around $300 a month for less then a $5000 car...
These cars are so inexpensive to fix up. And when you're done, you have a great car. Why would you go to anything else.
I know exactly what ya mean. :o
We were going to replace the Catera but without a job who wants to really finance me? My wife can get financed but not with me, I told her lets just sell it for what we owe and let someone else fix it (It'd be a good car I'm just sick of it). I have a friend with a 98ish Grand Prix GTP with 140K on the body 40K on the motor selling it for 1k I told her its a good deal not to mention more fun!
Well, all I can add to this is....... At least you don't have to rebuild your car piece by piece, just to drive it again. ;) I think the dash, seats, and roof/glass are the only original parts of my car now. :hick:
[SIZE="1"]Hmmmm. maybe I should have bought another. LOL[/SIZE]
But it will be a work of art when its done so its all good.
I know exactly how you feel. I haven't driven my cat since last spring. When we visited my brother at Christmas, I went out to the barn pulled the cover off of it and blah. All I saw was an all but worn out old beater. Complete with faded paint, 280k miles on the clock, two caved in door skins (thanks daughter #2 :disappoin ), a broken driver's seat and a puddle of tranny fluid that I have no idea where it came from.
However, I do have a strong sentimental attachment to the poor old thing. It was the first new car that I ever bought. Not only that, but I brought both of my daughters home from the hospital in it after they were born, then years later they both learned to drive in it. It has hauled us all over the country, been SCCA parking lot raced, daily driven for years and years and was slowly relegated from our main car to the secondary car, to the spare care, and now retired sitting in a barn under a cover patiently waiting for me to "feel the love" again.
No I'm not going to sell it. I do have plans to restore it, complete with a V-8 stroker, IMSA style body mods and a four eye conversion. Don't ask me when though, I will need to "feel the love" again so that the mods will be more than just slapping parts on an old car.
I guess I'm fortunate in as much as I love the way beat down old cars look.
To me it says, "I may not be pretty, but I've seen some things". Can't replace the character of a car that has obviously been driven it's 20-30 years of life. A nick here, a ding there...a lifetime of stories.
My car must be mad at me.
Last night I was bringing it home (my girlfriend's dad runs a radiator shop and was replacing the heater core for me, he's had it for almost 3 months). I made it less than halfway back and it threw the serpentine belt. Had to park it at a mall along the highway...guess I gotta go down there tonight with a belt and hope it didn't throw the belt because something else is loose or came off.
Sigh...
My girlfriend was also bitching at me yesterday because every time we go somewhere we have to take her car (2007 Camry) because my truck doesn't get good enough mileage and my Thunderbird didn't have a heater all winter or was at her dad's shop. She thinks I should sell it and get something more "reliable."
BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! no way, once you start to have problems with somthing reliable........its going to be alot harder to fix, and probably more expensive..... just my two cents,.......
Agreed. Like when the rear passenger side wheel bearing almost completely failed on my family this weekend. The new style one piece hub bearings may last longer than the old spindle style, but when they fail, the wheel completely leaves the vehicle. Not to mention that they cost $228 with tax, and the old style, like we have on our foxes, might cost $40 and are much easier to get out. So you have to pack them. Big deal. The $180 in my pocket makes me ok with that.
Sounds like you are looking to us to give you a reason to buy something else. If thats the case you're barking up the wrong tree, we will always say your thunderbird/cougar is always a better idea because we love them. If you want out, get out its that simple, but know you are always welcome on here. At some point you are going to wish you had that car again. Trust me.
I have a 1993 SC2 Saturn w/brand new tires if ya wanna trade. :poke:
+1
i know my cat inside and out and wouldn't want to get another car with a whole new set of issues. i just about have the ones with the cat licked.
+ 2X Whatever. Great point!
I've got the opposite attitude of the OP. I'm actually really starting to feel the love for my car, and am actually starting to feel really optimistic about driving it this summer. It hasn't left the property since October 2006. Since then I've done the bodywork and paint (including TC front clip & hood), swapped out the red base interior for a customized black TC interior, installed the 3.55 TC rear, CHE rear control arms, all new shocks & struts, subframe connectors, 11" front brakes, and did the T5 conversion. The HO upgrade should be done by the end of April, just about the time the roads should be free of salt.
I have not driven the car since doing any of this work and am really looking forward to it. The only problem is it's been so long since I drove it I won't really have a baseline to compare for all of the mods...
drive it around with the s.o. and the stick. I would love to just have a t-5 thrown in mine. I was planning on a top loader, but everyone I find is the stupid srod toploader wanna be.
Well it feels good to drive it. I just wish I could find a turbo that wouldn't blow up on me. Gonna try an HX35 I guess.