I've about had it with my car

[Audioholics]

How many people are disciplined to save $475 bucks a month?

It's not impossible. The principle is to save your average payment amount.

Plus if you start investing now in the stock market. You will be very lucky to have your portfolio make 12%. Or you could lose 40% very fast.

Now is an EXCELLENT time to invest, assuming you're going to keep the money in for several years. Even 4% interest in a simple fund is better than paying out all that money each month to "the man", lol. Of course, if you're dead set against having anything but a new car every few years then you're not going to do this.

 

[niget2002]

You could go the route I did...

I bought a 98 stratus with 150,000 miles on it... paid $2k cash. 9 months later I had the engine blow on it (oil pump took a dive and the oil pressure sensor was shot too).

Instead of buying a new car, or another used one... I took it to a mechanic and asked what he could do, he shopped around and found another used engine with only 50k on the odomoter and did the entire engine swap for $2500. I used a credit card with 0% for a year to do the engine swap and payed out the card over the year.

While he was doing the swap, he had the radiator pulled and dipped, replaced the water pump, and put new belts and sensors on the entire engine.

I wasn't in a hurry, so I told him to take his time, which was good, because he charged me less labor for allowing him to work on my car around working on others. He had the car for almost a month, but now I have a car with a better engine then a similer sized/priced used car.

If you ask/shop around, you may be able to find something similar, the trick is to find a mechanic that's either a good 'ol boy, or a well-seasoned tinkerer... these types tend to care more about the job they do than anything else.

 

[Sheep]

take an basic economy car, "think" your souping it up but really your trashing the car and end up with a blown up trashed car that people actually laugh at, With a gasoline engine that smokes worse than a diesel, grey primer paint job, A few peices of imitation carbon fiber here, few stickers there.

Tada! Honda Civic. SUPERLEGERRAA!

Great idea!

You really should excuse yourself from conversations that you have no intimate knowledge in. You're post contains so many stereotypes regarding Honda's and how they can be built. Yes, there is MANY bad examples out there, but they're engines and ECU system are by far the easiest to work with and tune. The engine I am rebuilding right now can handle 200whp with stock internals, this is just a normal 88-91 Civic Si engine. The B series DOHC VTEC engines can handle upwards of 200WHP stock. When built, they can produce over 500Hp. The B18B1 is daily drivable with 300whp on stock internals. Search Honda-tech for the proof. The fact that you would make a comment like that means you really bought a much more expensive car, when you didn't need to. The New Civic Si features the K series engine, K20Z1 and RSX type S, K20Z3(both 197hp NA). The Japanese K's have even more power (K20A 225hp NA and K20A2 215hp NA) and are extremely boost friendly. I know someone with a Supercharged K20A3 (2004 Civic SiR) producing 250WHP(160bhp stock) with stock internals, daily driven.

But yeah, Honda's are cheap **** that clearly don't have a history for being good cars. Moron.

SheepStar

 

[MDS]

So the verdict is in: my distributor is bad but that is under warranty because they replaced it last November. The alternator is weak (putting out less than 10 volts under load) and that is likely the cause of the voltmeter showing discharge when I turn the lights on or run the AC.

Naturally they say that oil from the leaky valve cover gaskets is pouring over the alternator and that contributed to its demise. If I don't fix the gasket leak, they won't warranty the replacement alternator.

So it's another $700. This is the last straw. If I do all the repairs it should be fine for a long while and I can take my time test driving and researching new cars. I don't really have a choice because I need a car and don't want to just go to the dealer and buy one in a weekend. I just don't work that way.

I might even wash this POS after it's fixed.

 

[Alex2507]

Probe parts are expensive from what I understand and the cars are none to easy to work on which drives up the cost of labor. I did however go out with a girl who told me she like the name of the car.

 

[Haoleb]

You really should excuse yourself from conversations that you have no intimate knowledge in. You're post contains so many stereotypes regarding Honda's and how they can be built. Yes, there is MANY bad examples out there, but they're engines and ECU system are by far the easiest to work with and tune. The engine I am rebuilding right now can handle 200whp with stock internals, this is just a normal 88-91 Civic Si engine. The B series DOHC VTEC engines can handle upwards of 200WHP stock. When built, they can produce over 500Hp. The B18B1 is daily drivable with 300whp on stock internals. Search Honda-tech for the proof. The fact that you would make a comment like that means you really bought a much more expensive car, when you didn't need to. The New Civic Si features the K series engine, K20Z1 and RSX type S, K20Z3(both 197hp NA). The Japanese K's have even more power (K20A 225hp NA and K20A2 215hp NA) and are extremely boost friendly. I know someone with a Supercharged K20A3 (2004 Civic SiR) producing 250WHP(160bhp stock) with stock internals, daily driven.

But yeah, Honda's are cheap **** that clearly don't have a history for being good cars. Moron.

SheepStar

Just call it like i see it buddy

Honda makes a great car, They make a sh*t truck (because they call it a truck when really it isint), And no I dont have a much more expensive car, But i'll tell you. There may be 10 or less people around here (on this island) who might put actual performance mods on their cars and everybody else (literally, hundreds) are a bunch of immature posers who think they have a fast/cool car and really, I love to hate them but in the end they just make me feel better about myself because for one they are laughable, and secondly It reminds me of the amount of people on this planet that are so much stupider than myself. There's a shop that sells car audio and of course all kinds of ricer crap and my god, some of the stuff they have in there... And your calling me a moron? You cant deny theres alot of idiots out there that think changing out pedals, slapping on a muffler that sounds utterly retarted and sticking on a fake "type R" badge makes them the shiznit.

 

[gus6464]

Stock Civics look pretty good nowadays although too small for my tastes. Civics make pretty good first cars because they can last forever and can take a beating by first time drivers. My wife right now has an 06 Jetta (got it at the end of 05) and it has been running great. Just replaced the brakes at 50k miles and have yet to have any mechanical or any other problem than wear and tear.

 

[Sheep]

Just call it like i see it buddy

Honda makes a great car, They make a sh*t truck (because they call it a truck when really it isint), And no I dont have a much more expensive car, But i'll tell you. There may be 10 or less people around here (on this island) who might put actual performance mods on their cars and everybody else (literally, hundreds) are a bunch of immature posers who think they have a fast/cool car and really, I love to hate them but in the end they just make me feel better about myself because for one they are laughable, and secondly It reminds me of the amount of people on this planet that are so much stupider than myself. There's a shop that sells car audio and of course all kinds of ricer crap and my god, some of the stuff they have in there... And your calling me a moron? You cant deny theres alot of idiots out there that think changing out pedals, slapping on a muffler that sounds utterly retarted and sticking on a fake "type R" badge makes them the shiznit.

The only thing negative I can say about the Ridgeline is the gas consumption. But, ours sees mostly city driving. You don't even own one, yet you're the car expert. You want a shitty truck buy a Ta-coma, I drive at least 10 a day.

You've never seen a built Honda.

Local civic on the go about to be dyno'd.
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2284698

SheepStar

 

[mazersteven]

MDS,

If your interested I have 2--06 Hyundai Sonata's that I just took in trade. One is a Limited V6 with only 8K miles, and the other is a GLS 4 cyl with 9500 miles. PM me if interested, and I can give more details.

If this is a inappropriate post per the Audioholics administration. Please feel free to delete this post.

 

[Sheep]

MDS,

If your interested I have 2--06 Hyundai Sonata's that I just took in trade. One is a Limited V6 with only 8K miles, and the other is a GLS 4 cyl with 9500 miles. PM me if interested, and I can give more details.

If this is a inappropriate post per the Audioholics administration. Please feel free to delete this post.

Just U2U him, no one will know. Well, no one *would've* known.

SheepStar

 

[WmAx]

Stock Civics look pretty good nowadays although too small for my tastes. Civics make pretty good first cars because they can last forever and can take a beating by first time drivers. My wife right now has an 06 Jetta (got it at the end of 05) and it has been running great. Just replaced the brakes at 50k miles and have yet to have any mechanical or any other problem than wear and tear.

Might be a small car, but even I have been considering trading in for a Civic, with today's gas prices....

-Chris

 

[Haoleb]

As was demonstrated by the most recent episode of Top Gear (The new season is back YEAH!) its not about the car, but about how you drive it

In one of their tests a BMW M3 was more efficent then a prius. before that wouldnt have meant anything because M3's were only driven by cocks and was the only car ever to top out the cockometer but now they all have audi's so its ok to own an M3

 

[Alex2507]

If I don't fix the gasket leak, they won't warranty the replacement alternator.

So it's another $700.

I might even wash this POS after it's fixed.

It just occurred to me that if you're getting another vehicle anyway, you will never use the warranty. So you could skip the gasket job. I'm sure you know that there are no guaranties that something else won't go kabloo-ee right after you put the $700 in. You could put $700 into various rental vehicles to help you choose a new one for yourself.

Soap and water is always a good idea.

 

[MDS]

It just occurred to me that if you're getting another vehicle anyway, you will never use the warranty. So you could skip the gasket job. I'm sure you know that there are no guaranties that something else won't go kabloo-ee right after you put the $700 in. You could put $700 into various rental vehicles to help you choose a new one for yourself.

It occurred to me as well but I decided to do it because you never know when I will get around to actually looking at new cars. The final bill was actually $933 but since my car is a great source of revenue for them they didn't charge me the diagnostic fee or the labor for installing the alternator so I 'saved' about $200.

It's running well actually and I can run the AC without the voltmeter showing discharge anymore. Let's just hope it lasts for a few months. The inspection sticker expires in November and my registration next February, so I figure Sept-October is a good time to buy a new car.

 

[Adam]

MDS, I hope that it runs trouble free for you until you get a new one. My '98 Prelude is just starting to show some signs that it might be time to get a new one. Last thing that happened was the sensor that fed the speedometer went bad. There went $400, but put in another $200 for the leaky gasket that I also got replaced.

I can't complain about the 'lude, though. Excellent reliability. I typically go over 20k miles between oil changes or service of any kind, and even though I always expect the Honda dealer to call me up screaming that something is about to fall apart - they never do. Great car, but parts are beginning to reach the end of their natural lives, I think.

 

[Haoleb]

I typically go over 20k miles between oil changes or service of any kind

20k before even an oil change i hope your dealer is at least using synthetic!

 

[Adam]

20k before even an oil change i hope your dealer is at least using synthetic!

I don't think that they do. Another reason why I'm so impressed with my car! Yes, and so unimpressed with myself.

Last year, I was driving home and my oil pressure light came on when I had to brake suddenly for a light that turned red. It didn't stay on constantly, but it kept blinking at me. I thought, "hmmm, that can't be good." However, either as an eternal optimist or eternal moron, I proceeded to get on to the highway. At first I thought that a blinking light wasn't as bad as a constantly on light, but then I started to wonder if it was blinking to get my attention. So, I got off the highway and went through town, reading more and more of the owners manual at each stoplight. Turns out, blinking means that the oil pressure dropped too low, but then recovered. Whew. So, I bought a quart of oil on my way home. I had never had to put oil in this car before, so I figured that a quart would do it. I pulled out the dipstick after the engine cooled, and when I saw no oil on it (except for some spots of dark sludge), I knew that wasn't good. So, I poured the quart in (checking the stick along the way to avoid overfilling), but still no oil on the stick. Hmmm. Next day, I bought three more quarts (after driving to and from work). Long story shorter, that engine gulped down three quarts before I got the oil up to the right level, and the thing only holds four (or maybe five). Yeah, I took it in for service that weekend. The engine still runs like a champ, though!

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Please watch this video - it's not long:

http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/lms/drive_free/

Ignore the ridiculously high interest rates they quote - but the principle is sound.

9.6% average for financing?? Ok...I should ignore that...LOL WhoTF pays that?

I paid 0.0% financing for this 303hp sled.

This Chevy is nothing flashy, but I have fun driving it

Sheeesh...

 

[Mort Corey]

Note to self....do not buy a used car from Adam (nothing personal Adam)

Mort

 

[Adam]

Note to self....do not buy a used car from Adam (nothing personal Adam)

Mort

You are a wise, wise man.

EDIT: Hmmm. Maybe I should go to the AH get together, after all. I'm sure that Mazer's lot would love a nice Prelude. "Adam? I don't know who you're talking about. My name is Alfedo Gomez."

Twenty fictitious points to the person who knows what show used Alfredo Gomez as an alias. Hint: Tom Hanks was the guest star.