Well im sposed to be on the road right now, but like usual, my car won't start... Its a 1990 olds delta 88 and only has 134000 on it, but it HATES the cold. Has a new battery and that jazz but seems like whenever it drops below 15degrees it refuses to start. So now i am sitting here waiting while the engine block warms up, plugged the heater in.

I think when i get back from basic/boot i may actually need to invest in new wheels. I am a car nut, but hate the idea of the wasted expense that a vehicle truly is....compared to a gun which holds its value so well in the current market lol

We have an 86 Park Avenue sitting out front right now. Its my MILs and waiting on me to find time to fix it yet again.

(You looking for a parts car or swapping out parts for a better one. Let me know, we've been looking for a good cause to give this one up.)

In the meantime, if I can ever give anyone any advice on cars is no matter who's car you buy Japanese or German, its not going to be a good financial investment.

We all have to make a decision in life either we are motor heads who enjoy our vehicles or are trying to save a dime. If everyone was trying to save a dime, we'd all be driving Honda Civics.

I long ago decided I'm a motor head and love driving. To me, it just doesn't make sense as much time as we all spend in our vehicles to buy something boring. Life is just too darn short for that. What I learned that works for me is buy them, buy fun that never goes out of style, and keep them till they drop which btw if you do a lot of your own repairs can be a lifetime. Like stocks in the stock market, you don't really lose until you sell them.

I just really don't care that my 89' Dakota Sport 4x4 with light bars that looks like it just came off the show room floor is worth X amount of dollar or Y. Its a fun little truck.

Not counting my MILs Olds or my motorcycles, I have five vehicles. I guess I'm one of those evil people the Tree Hugging liberals hate so much. The unintended consequence of this philosophy is heck none of them really have a lot mileage on them and when one breaks I don't have to be raped silly to get it fixed because I can drive another one. Its kind of neat really.

You're a young man and do something like this, you will make me look like an amateur by the time you're my age.

In the meantime, make do with what you have to till you can afford something fun. I drove a Ford Maverick for eight years at your age. Damn thing rode like a tank but got me there and back so it still has a fond place in my memories.

Tj

Check out the Honda CRV

whatever you do stay away from v.w.'s.worst p.o.s. on the road.having worked as a tech at a dealer,i would rather ride a unicycle with no seat.

Well, you get part of your sign on bonus after boot, aye? Might as well get something that isn't a pile.

My car was only like $2500. Works fine. I'm like you in that I don't want a huge car expense. I actually sold my nicer car for $4000 to buy this one so I would have extra money from the sale, lol.

Check out the Volkswagon Jetta. American cars suck ass. German made cars last forever.

#1 The car is a GM and that engine ALWAYS sucked.

#2 Batteries die in the cold and oil freezes. Use a 5w30 at least, sythetic would be best.

#3 75 degrees and sunny again here.

Be glad you have a car at all.

I had a ninety-something (93?) Ford Escort. I sold it and there was nothing wrong with it. You could drive the thing at 85 or 90 mph and still get 30(+) mpg. I sold it for $800... I wish I had it back...


TS

get a used tacoma.

bulletproof!

ETA: every man needs a truck.

This post has been edited by hsracer201: March 14th 2009 2:09 AM

At least it is not sitting there needs a lot of repairs.

I bought a 1998 Chevy Cheyenne for 2400$ with my sign on bonus last year, Definitely get a new vehicle when you get back.

I am kind of like Tj. I like having four vehicles for two drivers, if something breaks, I can wait until I find a deal on the parts to get it fixed. Everything I have is American made, and it will stay that way for the foreseeable future. I'm finally at a point in my life, I can buy something because I WANT it, rather than have to have it. I found a screaming deal on a 2002 Dodge Quad cab, and I couldn't be happier. Sure, it gets 11mpg, but until gas hits $4 again, I'll keep driving it as a commuter. After that, I have a V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee that gets 17-ish, so that will be my economy car.

If that car has the 3.8 engine in it, it is one of the best engines GM or any Domestic company ever made. It has won world wide awards year after year. If it cranks but wont start, more than likely it is a simple tune up issue. Plugs and\or fuel filter are more than likely what it needs. If you do the work, less than $50.00 will probably get it rolling again. Cold engines need hot spark and a good supply of fuel to start. Usually if an engine starts and runs well once started but have a hard time starting cold, it is because it is lacking fuel or a good spark. Not unlike a good weapon, it just needs a little attention\ cleaning, lube and basic tuning, to keep it running reliably.
But, I've been wrong before. Just what I have found in the past..... We run these engines in our patrol cars well past 150,000 miles(hard "drive it like you stole it miles). Plugs and fuel filters are the only issues I have run into as far as the engines go.

I have a subaru forester with the STi engine and a gun rack. I have never been disappointed or pulled over

Try one of these. I see them running all over Commiefornia.



ETA: the entire car WILL fit under the hood of my Peterbilt.



This post has been edited by Psywarrior: March 14th 2009 5:39 AM

not to dissapoint, i am all about American made and such, but as TJ said get something you like and is classic style. I dreamed of having a Infiniti G35 coupe one day and if it is attainable, which it very well could be, i have to have it. If i see that car in my garage i 46 years i can garuntee it would still put a smile on my face.

As far as trucks go been looking at that Honda Ridgeline, they seem to be a pretty sweet set up. Havent looke much at the Tacoma's though

I had trucks from age 18 to 36. I love them but, that 3 and 4 dollar gas crap has scared me away for the time being. No, my car can't go off road or plow through huge snow drifts. Got through two whole Wisconsin winters with no problem so I ain't missing much. The best part is it's paid for, and only 2 years old. 30 mpg suits me just fine. ZOOM ZOOM.

To the OP take Sarge's advice and run a lighter viscosity oil in the winter. It should help.

Think long and hard about that Ridgeline. Guy I know bought one, loved the thing. He told us how cool it was, how well it handled, etc. I asked him what he got for mileage. He told me 15-19, depending on city/highway. I was kind of surprised, as the Chevrolet Colorado crew cab will at least match that, haul more, and probably has more room. I know the small V8 in the current Chevrolet 1500's will get that kind of mileage too, and haul MUCH more, and have more interior room.

I just can't understand the desire for most of the smaller pickups, their full-size counterparts get the same mileage, but do so many more things.