More support for keeping my aging car.

[Mechanic]

My current fleet consists of:
‘10 Outback
‘16 Chevy Colorado
‘94 Chevy shorty K1500 4x4 not running
2 ‘60s Volkswagens.
Wife demands Subarus. We’ve bought 2 new Subie in our marriage of 15years. An ‘05 Leagacy GT I wish I still had. A ‘16 Crosstrek. A ‘19 Forester Sport. All with over 100k. The Forester was sold for financial reasones. No problems on any of the other Subies.
The Chevy Shorty has over 250K and got tore down for a clutch repair before health problems interrupted the repairs. The Colorado was bought after the realization came I can’t finish the Shorty. My VWs are a hobby.
All maintenance was performed by me. Oil change, belts, wiper blades, brake repair, trouble shooting.
The Colorado needed A/C repair. I didn’t have the tools to do the work but had a warranty. And I paid to have the auto tranny serviced. Started with 60 K and it now has 110K.
As my name here says I was a mechanic for 40 years. Don’t whine about nursing the old heap if you’re not willing to care for it. Learn something new. If you have pay for an oil change but can afford it, go ahead. If you can’t afford the oil change? Walk, bike, use public transit.
Sorry rant over.

 

[Toto'sDad]

It seems like a hundred years ago, but it was in about 1974, I was working on a John Deere tractor down in the middle of a field, when I realized that I just didn't want to do that anymore. I never worked as a professional mechanic from that day forward.

I wasn't quite through though; I did an in-frame engine overhaul on my pickup truck around 1981. Then I did the brakes, while working driving truck local every day. When I was all finished up, one day a short time later, I asked a guy down at the local garage how much to do a four-wheel brake job. He quoted me a price within 20 bucks of what I had paid for parts. I probably used better parts, but it probably wouldn't have mattered in the long run.

I occasionally fix something for myself, IF I can't get it done any other way, (it happens.) On the whole though, I absolutely hate working on anything other than a guitar, and I still kind of like doing that. (Subject to change on short notice.)

 

[MarkieMark]

but I'm smart enough to keep that private.

I don't believe that!

 

[MarkieMark]

I have a buyer who wants to fly in from the southwest to the mid-Atlantic coast, buy a 100k mile '16 Suburban sight-unseen and drive it home this weekend. All before I had even looked it over.
And yeah, this isn't any cheap used car deal either...
I told them it might not even be ready by then, and the answer was "we already got the plane tickets."

Well guess who showed up Thurs. AM:

The Suburban is in pretty good shape for its age/mileage. Since the original post I inspected it, fixed some minor issues, had the windshield replaced, replaced the cabin air filter, and so forth.
The biggest issue with it was that it had a warning light on for a problem with the electronic suspension. I discovered that the previous owner, upon having the front shocks replaced, opted to install aftermarket non-electronically controlled units to save money. And to make it more fun, the installer had hacked up the vehicle wiring harness in trying to override the self-diagnostic system.
Long story short, the decision had been made to restore the vehicle back to OE shocks and repair the wiring. The trouble is, I was still waiting on parts, and a determined customer has flown in (against my advice) to purchase the vehicle intending to drive it cross country back home.
I had OE shocks, and had the vehicle disassembled, but discovered the necessary top mounts, various hardware and nuts were all different than what was on the vehicle.
They did a walk around of the work in progress as I explained to them that I not only didn't have parts yet- but wasn't convinced there weren't other problems after I repaired the wiring and replaced the shocks. I suggested that "best case scenario" I would have the vehicle back together and ready to go by end of day Fri. (Today)
Needless to say, I would prefer to avoid such a discussion and was feeling some pressure...

The final parts (Upper spring seats didn't match the correct upper mounts) were delivered late yesterday afternoon. I assembled the new shock/springs, installed them and repaired the wiring to the vehicle. (The OE connectors that were previously lopped off aren't available, and the wiring insulation was cut/damaged in about 6 places.) I crossed my fingers, cleared the codes and tested...
Success. No codes and all is well!
The customers told me they would do a little sight-seeing today in a rental, and my detailing guys will have this thing all cleaned up by the time they do the paperwork this afternoon, and away it goes.

I am gonna need some rest this weekend.
Play a little music. Consume some anti-inflammatorys and relax a bit. Sciatica flare-up is on 9.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[39martind18]

At my wife's and my age, I don't envision EVER buying another new car, not even a new to me car. It would be cool if someone loaned me a new Silverado for the next ten years or so though.

TD, if I had a spare Silverado, I'd do it. However...

 

[Toto'sDad]

TD, if I had a spare Silverado, I'd do it. However...

Thank you so much Mr.18! I'm just gonna pretend like you did, and it's parked out there in my driveway. After breakfast, I'll take her out for a spin!

 

[MarkieMark]

I think I want whatever TD has for breakfast...

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I think someone has been trying to contact you regarding your car's extended warranty.

I am of the opinion now that I am going to drive them until they fall apart. New cars are so expensive and used even worse.

That's what I've always done. Drive it till it drops. Buy another one. Repeat.

 

[39martind18]

With the Mrs. facing possible knee and/or shoulder surgery in the near future, I've been toying with the idea of selling my '13 Subaru Forester with 83K miles on it (worth around $10-11K) and replace it with one around 2000- 2008 with a few more miles, maybe 100-120K, and priced around $5K, freeing up $5-6K for possible bills. Almost had one, but it sold before I could get to it. There'll be others, so I'm not very broken up about it. In these situations, patience is a major plus.

 

[Hey_you]

This is my 03 Explorer. built in 02. I just hit 200K miles last month. I can travel most anywhere. 80 mph in cruise control, only stopping for fuel. I am 2nd owner. Had some 45k miles when I bought it. I have routine work done on it. Or when I find something wrong. Car wash of the month club too. I have put a $$$ sound system in it too. Easy to drive car. And, I use the 4x4 drive.

 

[39martind18]

Thank you so much Mr.18! I'm just gonna pretend like you did, and it's parked out there in my driveway. After breakfast, I'll take her out for a spin!

Go to the golf course and shoot youe age! I do, but it's usually around the 13th hole.

 

[Censport]

I change the oil in my 22 year-old vehicle far more often than I wash it.
So far, so good

My truck turns 20 this year. I change the oil every 5,000 miles and wash it once a year.

 

[Toto'sDad]

Go to the golf course and shoot youe age! I do, but it's usually around the 13th hole.

Had a game lined up for this weekend. I've not played much golf this year for one reason or another. This morning my buddy from over in Lancaster Ca. called to say he was calling the game on account of rain. I think it's going to be clear this Sunday, but he keeps a trailer here in Bakersfield, and didn't feel inclined to sit in the rain in the trailer Friday and Saturday.

I've missed the weekly game with my wife, since she has been down about a month with her recent surgery. My son has been working too much to play, and my other golfing buddy blew out his shoulder lifting weights. Things are due to smooth out though, and I'll get in plenty of golf here shortly. The next two or three months are the best time of year to play here in B-Town.

 

[Toto'sDad]

Well guess who showed up Thurs. AM:

The Suburban is in pretty good shape for its age/mileage. Since the original post I inspected it, fixed some minor issues, had the windshield replaced, replaced the cabin air filter, and so forth.
The biggest issue with it was that it had a warning light on for a problem with the electronic suspension. I discovered that the previous owner, upon having the front shocks replaced, opted to install aftermarket non-electronically controlled units to save money. And to make it more fun, the installer had hacked up the vehicle wiring harness in trying to override the self-diagnostic system.
Long story short, the decision had been made to restore the vehicle back to OE shocks and repair the wiring. The trouble is, I was still waiting on parts, and a determined customer has flown in (against my advice) to purchase the vehicle intending to drive it cross country back home.
I had OE shocks, and had the vehicle disassembled, but discovered the necessary top mounts, various hardware and nuts were all different than what was on the vehicle.
They did a walk around of the work in progress as I explained to them that I not only didn't have parts yet- but wasn't convinced there weren't other problems after I repaired the wiring and replaced the shocks. I suggested that "best case scenario" I would have the vehicle back together and ready to go by end of day Fri. (Today)
Needless to say, I would prefer to avoid such a discussion and was feeling some pressure...

The final parts (Upper spring seats didn't match the correct upper mounts) were delivered late yesterday afternoon. I assembled the new shock/springs, installed them and repaired the wiring to the vehicle. (The OE connectors that were previously lopped off aren't available, and the wiring insulation was cut/damaged in about 6 places.) I crossed my fingers, cleared the codes and tested...
Success. No codes and all is well!
The customers told me they would do a little sight-seeing today in a rental, and my detailing guys will have this thing all cleaned up by the time they do the paperwork this afternoon, and away it goes.

I am gonna need some rest this weekend.
Play a little music. Consume some anti-inflammatorys and relax a bit. Sciatica flare-up is on 9.

Thanks for letting me vent.

There was a time in my life when I had to make things happen. I once had to take the company truck up north, pick up a new Case tractor I had sold, because the driver was off sick, and haul it back to Bakersfield. (I had a class one) I helped get the wheels set up and weights installed, loaded it all back up, and delivered it.

I don't think another salesman working at my place EVER got that involved in a sale. There was a bonus involved. That made my sixth tractor of that series I had sold that month, and I got an extra two hundred bucks a piece added to my bonus. Twelve hundred bucks was a lot of money back in 1972.

 

[39martind18]

Had a game lined up for this weekend. I've not played much golf this year for one reason or another. This morning my buddy from over in Lancaster Ca. called to say he was calling the game on account of rain. I think it's going to be clear this Sunday, but he keeps a trailer here in Bakersfield, and didn't feel inclined to sit in the rain in the trailer Friday and Saturday.

I've missed the weekly game with my wife, since she has been down about a month with her recent surgery. My son has been working too much to play, and my other golfing buddy blew out his shoulder lifting weights. Things are due to smooth out though, and I'll get in plenty of golf here shortly. The next two or three months are the best time of year to play here in B-Town.

Get to Houston, we'll play. I'm not great, but I have fun. I'll even buy your round!

 

[JPKmusicman]

I have a 2014 Toyota RAV4 AWD with only 19,000 miles on it. I had it about three months when I was diagnosed with the big C. I started to work from home when the treatments started, but things got so bad I had to "medically retire". The car has not been driven much since then. We take my wifes Jeep most of the time for getting around. She leases a new one every two years. I recently took it in to the Toyota dealership to have scheduled maintenance on it. It's had new brake pads, new tires, fuel injectors cleaned, and a few other minor adjustments. They really tried to get me to trade it in on a new car, but I didn't like the high prices. The new RAV4 Hybrid did look tempting though. I may never sell it.

I have a 2008 RAV4 Sport V6 AWD, almost 250,000 miles when I get back home end of March. Best vehicle I have ever owned. I drove it from Wisconsin to Arizona and it ran perfectly. I ordered a 2023 RAV4 Hybrid last August and still don't have it. Not in a hurry since mine is still pulling strong. If I were you I wouldn't even think of selling yours. It's got an entire lifetime of driving in front of it. Here's a pic of mine in front of my AirBnB in Tucson.

 

[Wyzsard]

Love my old S10. Parts are cheap and I can actually see the spark plugs lol.

 

[Toto'sDad]

Get to Houston, we'll play. I'm not great, but I have fun. I'll even buy your round!

I'd love that, I really would. Just checked the weather over there, and it would be a great day to be playing. Now I wish I had one of those Jetson mobiles, instead of the Silverado!

 

[stormsedge]

We bought Mrs a replacement vehicle (2yrs old/30k miles) a month or so ago. Her unglamorous, but solid, 12yo/160k vehicle goes to Granddaughter #3 this week.

I have pretty much committed to keeping my 20yo/160k pickup and 23yo/90k Mustang. Both need tires and some routine age-related maintenance before it gets too hot...but they suit me.

Vroom--Vroom!

 

[stephent2]

You didn't mention it's a Subaru in the first post,.. so heck ya, drive it. I planned on driving my '13 Legacy 10 years and just about made it, a few months shy. Wife wanted to use it as a trade in on her new Outback, happy wife (etc).

So we did. I got her "old" '17 green Outback Limited (still less than 100k). First time in my life I didn't choose my next car, but hey,..

Gotta say the new '23 OBTouring ain't a bad ride.