Tired Of This

[Mike_Windsor]

Things work on an inverse bell curve for cost of ownership. New cars cost a certain amount per month for payments and maintenance to keep up the warranty. After its paid for, the cost of ownership drops quite a bit and stays there until you get enough years or miles for things to start wearing out. From that point it just goes up as more things need fixing. 5-15 or so years old seems to be a fairly happy place as far as being cheap to own and keep reliable.

That changes quite a bit if you're doing your own work. Most people fixing their own cars tend to do a better job at keeping things right, so the car breaks less. Also, you're not paying labor. Even if you're paying someone, if you get a really good mechanic, he'll save you money in the long run by fixing the car the right way and telling you what to expect for things failing in the future. Whoever the mechanic is, the real secret is they have to be good at it. Without someone that knows what they're doing, you may want to start keeping a bike in the trunk as emergency transportation.

I debated briefly the wisdom of keeping a good mechanic in the trunk, but apparently that won't work out for me.

[gadget73]

yeah you'd have to make sure he has no cell phone. Cops tend to frown on people being locked up against their will.

[DerekTheGreat]

As for what tristar said,
That 2003 is an old car already, we're talkin' 12 years here! That is no better than the Town Car you have but it sure is harder to work on and has more complicated electronics. Plus, if it hasn't missed a winter its rotten. Newer cars are great at hiding just how rusty they are. Judging from all of the Focuses, Grand Prixs and Grand Ams I see in the yards the rockers go first then anywhere suspension components meet up with the body. That's why I laugh at car ads where the guy says, minimal rust. Yeah, its not what you can see that matters. Also, your woes are what keeps me from doing some of that stuff! I went to swap Ashley's thermostat but one of the housing bolts didn't want to budge so I tightened the other one back up and said nope to that haha. That's the last time I attempt it on my cars again. I'd rather pay a shop because if its bad, I just take it back. I've been going to the same guy for over 5 years now and I like his work. He likes my Fords because he says Ford keeps him employed haha. J&J Auto and Truck Center in Ferndale in case anyone local cares. Good prices too.

[Rodentkiller]

Own a 1990 Ford Crown Victoria and yes it sucks when it breaks down and my credit card suffers but I look at the fact that its paid for and the Inshurance is cheap for full coverage. Old card will always need repairs but the trick is finding a good shop that won't rip you off to repair it.

[Mike_Windsor]

In the end, I love my 1986. One day, perhaps, the engine will catastrophically fail or the alternator will die, and that'll be game over.

Until that day, I shall ride on.

[LithiumCobalt]

Own a 1990 Ford Crown Victoria and yes it sucks when it breaks down and my credit card suffers but I look at the fact that its paid for and the Inshurance is cheap for full coverage. Old card will always need repairs but the trick is finding a good shop that won't rip you off to repair it.

You have full coverage on a '90? That must be a really nice car...

[DerekTheGreat]

You have full coverage on a '90? That must be a really nice car...

I have full coverage on my '88 and Ashley has it on her '89 and her rusty clapped out '90 F-150. I can't understand why people give us such funny looks when I tell them this. It's not even $20 more a month to do it so I don't understand what the logic is, you save what, $240 a year? Well when we went to Columbus to see Joe Bonamassa some ass hat tore up my door trim and scuffed up my bumper fillers and quarter panel. Estimate was for $1,500 and some change. My bank account now has that amount in it. Had I just had basic insurance that would have to come out of my pocket and based on your logic that's over 6 years of ownership I insurance "savings". I haven't even had the car 6 months.

It's funny too because Ashley and I were talking to her sister and her husband, they just finished paying off their '03 Grand Am and were relieved because now they could drop full coverage. I did a mental face palm but am tired of that argument with people, doesn't matter what you say.

[miamibob]

At least down here, the full coverage would be "a lot more than $20 a month" and they would value my cars as "scrap value only". They would total the cars and I would lose them even for "minor" work so there is NO way I would get full coverage on 2 '87's and a '95. It's all relative.....

[DerekTheGreat]

^^^See! This, this is what I'm talking about. I shouldn't have even opened my mouth. These are the things I hear. Have you checked with your insurance company? How about others? There is Haggerty insurance that allows you to set your own coverage amounts. For my fury, it's insured for $5,500 for roughly 150 a year.. Of course if you live in a crappy neighborhood like my dad that could be an exception. The difference for him I think is roughly $150 ao that ads up fast.

[miamibob]

^^^See! This, this is what I'm talking about. I shouldn't have even opened my mouth. These are the things I hear. Have you checked with your insurance company? How about others? There is Haggerty insurance that allows you to set your own coverage amounts. For my fury, it's insured for $5,500 for roughly 150 a year.. Of course if you live in a crappy neighborhood like my dad that could be an exception. The difference for him I think is roughly $150 ao that ads up fast.

Wasn't trying to start a "war" - just recounting how it is here and perhaps elsewhere??? You have to do what works for you!

[DerekTheGreat]

Your '87 is just too nice to not be fully insured Bob!

[miamibob]

Your '87 is just too nice to not be fully insured Bob!

Agreed but down here I would have to use a classic insurance, with all their restrictions, or pay bucks and then a fender bender would total it. Just have to take my chances and blow torch anyone that hits it. Thanks for the compliment!! Bobby

[DerekTheGreat]

Yeah, no problem, the thing looks factory fresh.

When I talked to Haggerty they didn't say anything about restrictions or limited driving. They just wanted photos and someone to look at it. Maybe the restrictions are later revealed to you?? I'd still look into it because again, that thing is very nice.

[LithiumCobalt]

I have full coverage on my '88 and Ashley has it on her '89 and her rusty clapped out '90 F-150. I can't understand why people give us such funny looks when I tell them this. It's not even $20 more a month to do it so I don't understand what the logic is, you save what, $240 a year? Well when we went to Columbus to see Joe Bonamassa some ass hat tore up my door trim and scuffed up my bumper fillers and quarter panel. Estimate was for $1,500 and some change. My bank account now has that amount in it. Had I just had basic insurance that would have to come out of my pocket and based on your logic that's over 6 years of ownership I insurance "savings". I haven't even had the car 6 months.

It's funny too because Ashley and I were talking to her sister and her husband, they just finished paying off their '03 Grand Am and were relieved because now they could drop full coverage. I did a mental face palm but am tired of that argument with people, doesn't matter what you say.

Didnt know that your insurance coverage was such a sensitive topic. You should untwist your underwear. All I was saying is that its unusual to carry full coverage on a 25 year old car. If used as a daily driver or one in less than show condition, rarely is one able to recover the extra cost. As Bob touched on, values on these cars are shit even if in exceptional condition. Insurance companies will balk at paying $1,500 on a car that's barely worth $3k on a good day. I have no idea what you drive so maybe you have something special. Just saying.

[miamibob]

Yeah, no problem, the thing looks factory fresh.

When I talked to Haggerty they didn't say anything about restrictions or limited driving. They just wanted photos and someone to look at it. Maybe the restrictions are later revealed to you?? I'd still look into it because again, that thing is very nice.

I'll be looking at classis insurance as long as the restrictions are not redic!