Fixing Up Birdie

[Governor Megachris%Participant 3584]

Because of my drastically improved financial situation (I’ll have my debts paid off just about completely by the end of this year and I’m having the roommate pay $350 a month now, much to her disliking), I was considering saving for a newer vehicle.  My ADD mind is all over the place.

Another thing I’m considering is waiting until later to get the truck I’ve been wanting, and doing some long-needed fix-ups to my 1994 Ford Thunderbird.

I’ve had the car since November 2011, and bought it for $900.  It was a steal in my opinion.  It needs some work pretty severely:

– The front seats need replacement
– The seat motors don’t work
– The ceiling needs replacement as the fabrics were torn apart when I got it
– The AC compressor needs to be replaced and electrical system need reworking.  The air blows through the vents, but doesn’t turn off and blows air from the outside
– The window regulators on both doors need to be replaced (the windows don’t go up or down unless I push them myself)
– The AC vents need to be replaced, as they’ve fallen out

…That and just a little body work.  The paint is pretty good on it, but the roof is chipping a little and I accidentally scraped the front bumper on a column while backing out of my apartment parking garage.  There is one small, but noticeable, dent on the driver’s side.

All these problems, but the V8 engine still runs great in it and I have had ZERO issues with it.  I’ve only had to take it in the shop once, and it was for a problem I could have fixed myself (I didn’t know it was the mass airflow sensor until $400 later)…so I don’t really count that as an “issue.”

The things I’ve done so far are:

– Replaced the alternator (2012)
– Replaced the air filter with a K&N reusable one (2014, cleaned it about 2 months ago)
– Replaced the engine belt (2012)
– Replaced the fuel filter
– Replaced the mass airflow sensor
– Replaced the spark plug wiring

I’ll be changing the oil on it again this coming weekend.  I use Royal Purple synthetic oil.

So, would anyone recommend a fix or two to do first?  Also, any good tips on how to improve its performance?  I can do about two fix-ups a month on my budget and still have some for my savings account, and can do one fix-up a month if I have to take it to a mechanic.

[RoyDalParticipant]

An old friend told me in a similar context, grab the low hanging fruit first, and leave the little “don’t cares” for last. He meant, if there is something that is gut-wrenching annoying, do that one. Then, to the next one down on the annoying list. And so on, until the list is done.

Society asks MGTOWs: Why are you not making more tax-slaves?

[SteveParticipant 462]

Megachris if I may?

I drive a big old Jeep Grand Cherokee 2002. It cost me very little. Cars are a money pit and you can throw £ after £ into them.

As long as you take care of the engine and mechanical, don’t bother chucking money on cosmetic stuff or unnecessary stuff. Things like roof fabric or scrapes and bodywork dings… don’t bother.

Just keep up the basic servicing and listen closely to the sound of the engine. Don’t hammer (thrash) an old car like that too much and it will last you a long time. I always think that any major problems in car would happen / show themselves fairly early on and would have been fixed well before you come to have it.

The number one job on your list after you save your money and pay off your debts is… kick that c~~~ of a room mate out of your apartment. The feeling of peace and tranquility you’ll have after that will be priceless.

[Governor Megachris%Participant 3584]

Cosmetics were the last of my worries.  My car is like a wife: Demanding and fun to ride, but it’s definitely at least a plus to ride when it looks better.  The engine and all the stuff that make it run are definitely my priorities.  If I ever tune it or supe it up, it’s not to impress anyone but because it’s simply fun to work on.  I’m no fantastic mechanic with their big machinery and fancy tools, but I can certainly do some good work on it as I’ve grown to be more and more familiar with it.

[BeerParticipant 11832]

I wouldn’t put a dime into it if I were you…especially if you are already planning on an upgrade in the next year or two.  Limp it along for as long as you can while saving money for the next ride.  Whatever money you put into it you won’t get back out of it at this point…unless you are doing something essential for its safe operation don’t bother.  That is…unless of course you plan to keep the car long term as an antique and restore it, otherwise you’d just be dumping money into upgrades that will do little to improve the cars worth and probably end up in a crusher in a year or two if you get rid of the car.

[Governor Megachris%Participant 3584]

My goal is to save up for an SUV around the $6k range (I love the way they feel on the road, and how spacious they are).  I’d like to keep the ‘Bird as a “project car” if anything, while the SUV would be my “main” driver.  I definitely don’t need any of the fix-ups except the oil change and new tires…both of which are pricey after calculations.  Fixing the windows and AC would be great, but fixing the AC costs more than the oil I get and the tires combined. 🙁  I think you’re right.  Saving for the newer vehicle will be a more logical idea.  The ‘Bird won’t be going anywhere if anything, so I’ll have it to fix up later…that is, unless it completely totals itself like my 1990 one did in 2010.  That’s just the main thing I’m worried about right now.

[SteveParticipant 462]

Is the AC on all the time? Can you just pull the fuse on the AC and use the windows when it gets hot? (not sure how hot it is where you are?). Only my driver side window works on my Jeep!

I can recommend getting an older Jeep Grand Cherokee, loads of room for project work and carrying tools etc (I had a toilet and sink in there just today) and its really very comfortable to drive. I’ve even slept in it on camping trips and it was warmer than sleeping on the ground. The tailgate lifts right up so you can cook outside and still keep dry.

Only downside is fuel efficiency but I bought the 2.7 Diesel engine, 5 cylinder and it pulls like a train. It’s approaching 140,000 miles and still going strong. I’ll keep it until it s~~~s itself and something major mechanical goes. I figure the longer I keep it the more I save.

[Governor Megachris%Participant 3584]

It’s funny, when I first got the car, the AC didn’t work at all.

When my car broke down last January (before finding out it was only the Mass Air Flow Sensor), I had actually put a payment down on a Ford Excursion.  It was glorious.  I did have women asking me why I “needed something so big,” but I didn’t care.  I just loved the HUGE amounts of roominess, the way it felt incredibly safe, the engine’s pure strength, and that I was driving a friggin’ TANK!  It had about 180,000 miles, and still ran like new.  The leather seats hardly had any wear in it.  Unfortunately, the dealership told me they apparently didn’t realize they weren’t allowed to legally sell it…so I got my down payment back (I almost had it a month) and had to return the truck.  Biggest…tease…ever.  All I can say is I’d love another.

When I lost it, I took the ‘Bird in to diagnose and fix its issue (ended up being $400 for something I could do in 30 minutes for $100).  I asked how much it would be to fix the AC in it, and they quoted me at about $2,000!!  They said one thing they’d have to fix is the AC control/display on the inside of my car.  The rest is replacing the compressor and fixing some wiring issues behind the control.  They quoted that control part alone at $800!!  Funny enough, I found it on Ebay for $10.  I took the chance, bought it, and replaced it myself.  The AC started blowing, but even in the “off” position, it STILL blows the air from outside.  Quite annoying.  I can pull the AC fuse for the time being, I suppose.  The extra air is nice during the fall/winter (I like it cold), but during the summer, this Texas air is horrible.

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