I've about had it with my car

[jostenmeat]

Yeah Adam, I know you know, but dude change the oil! There are a lot of people who know way more about cars than I do (not saying much) but conventional oil breaks down over time. So even if there was "enough" oil, it won't be doing so well. The oil actually absorbs a great proportion of the heat of the engine AFAIK, besides its usage for lubrication.

My Ford Ranger is also a '98, but I happen to change the fluids at recommended mileage. Finally replaced my front brake pads, battery, rack & pinion, besides the other typical stuff, oil & filters. $505 last week.

I am just guessing but I think average yearly expenditures are about $600 ish. Last year I think the priciest thing mighta been the AC recharge. It would be nice to have a car with power windows, or power anything really (well I got PS and PB), working interior lights, unrusted paint, a healthy bumper...

Ooohhh, almost forgot to add for MDS or others. I recently talked with my AAA insurance guy, and he said that he had bought his daughter a Corolla or Tercel a long time ago. After many years, she upgraded to a TL. He realized in hindsight that they would have saved money if they kept the old car even just sitting on the street, as AAA gives 25% discount on insurance with two cars (as the trade-in hardly amounted to anything). Its just how the math would've worked in that situation; something to look into. Im almost certain I'll keep my truck whenever I get a new car. Shoot, Kelly trade in is maybe $2k for me... I've played with the idea of new upholstery and paint... but what's the point I guess... although I still have a bit of pride over it.

 

[Sheep]

Oil cleans, lubricates, and cools. 3 things. Adam, start taking the bus.

SheepStar

 

[Adam]

Thanks, fellas. I appreciate the advice and humor. As dumb as I can come across, I am pretty risk averse and only take what I consider to be reasonable chances. When I first got the car, I had the oil changed around 4k miles. That crept up to 7k, then 10k, then 15k, and then 20k+, with the dealer always telling me that it looked just fine. So, I gained confidence that it didn't need more regular oil changes. With over 10 years and 120k+ miles on it (longer than I expected to have it), it's faired extremely well even with my approach. The time it was down three quarts was at about 24k, so that clearly was pushing it too far. The way that I see it, I've saved myself time and money by not changing the oil every 3k miles like some of my friends do - because it has clearly been unnecessary in my car.

Thanks, again. Now, back to MDS's thread...

 

[jostenmeat]

but Adam, our esteemed audioholic, preludes are nice cars and Tucson is a really really really hot environment! but yeah, it must be nice to take gross advantage of honda reliability... you can switch to synthetic to make the return trips much less frequent. ok back to regularly scheduled programming

 

[MDS]

Thanks, fellas. I appreciate the advice and humor. As dumb as I can come across, I am pretty risk averse and only take what I consider to be reasonable chances.

Self-effacing humour is one thing but now you're pushing it.

'Dumb' is not even remotely close to accurate when describing yourself.

 

[Adam]

but yeah, it must be nice to take gross advantage of honda reliability...

Oh, it is soooo nice. I highly recommend giving Honda a look the next time you all go car shopping.

'Dumb' is not even remotely close to accurate when describing yourself.

Thanks, man! I actually don't think that I'm dumb, but common sense does sometimes elude me.

 

[Sheep]

but Adam, our esteemed audioholic, preludes are nice cars and Tucson is a really really really hot environment! but yeah, it must be nice to take gross advantage of honda reliability... you can switch to synthetic to make the return trips much less frequent. ok back to regularly scheduled programming

Never 'switch" to synthetic, esp when you destroy your engine like Adam here does (truth hurts, sorry). I didn't read back to what car he has exactly, but if it's a prelude, prepare for future headaches. The H series engine in those cars has different cylinder walls compared to all the other Honda engines. Changing to synthetic will not help the car in any way. Synthetic oil cleans better, and is thinner then normal oil. So take an engine like that, with damage done, and add synthetic, and you will most likely be burning oil, like crazy. Oil sludge can plug up holes where a clean engine would normally burn. Synthetic will open these holes up, and burning can start.

SheepStar

 

[Adam]

...esp when you destroy your engine like Adam here does (truth hurts, sorry).

It's cool, Sheep. I'll only care if my engine gives out while I still own it. I never planned on having the car this long, anyway. Plus, it seems like the engine is going to outlast other parts of the car, so I don't regret it.

 

[Alex2507]

What an eye opener this thread has been. I drive a '93 Ford F150 with 293,000 miles on it. Had it for about 5 years now. I've done most of my own work on it and some of it has been challenging. At least now I won't have to change the oil as often.

I don't think I'm ever going to change it ever again.
I mean, how many more miles can I expect to get out of it anyways?
I think I'll just drive her 'till she blows.
I might add oil if she gets real low but think of all the time and money I'll save on filters!

Adam,

When you sell this car, make sure it's not to a family member. That would kind of F-up Thanksgiving Dinner.

PS: Dude, I hope you're not thin skinned. A little friendly ribbing is all.