44 yrs old--time to stop working on cars?

[Carrameow]

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/snow7ice/BENZ.html

I have an 85 300D (Owner Rebuilt engine) 83 240D (owner rebuilt engine )91 Volvo 940 Turbo (owner rebuilt engine).
The last couple of weeks, all three cars were idle and needed major repairs:

2 Alternators (240D/300d)
2 MacPherson Struts (Volvo)
1 Exhaust System (240D)
1 set rebuilt brake calipers (85 300D)
1 ball joint (85 300D)
2 AC systems
1 Front End to be fixed--(240D)

I did all the work on my last vacation in 95 degree heat and 95% humidity. I feel like I am 95 years old this morning. I am surprised my wife didnt leave me. The neighbors think I am Nuts.

I watch the new generation of kids, they are going into business and Computers and healthcare. They dont work on cars. I feel like an old violin maker. I started working on cars when I was 23.

Is it time to hang this up and go out and buy a new car?

[TimFreeh]

Your newest car is 12 years old - your newest Benz is 19 years old. You have to expect to do repairs on cars this old - you are going to have some time periods where you have to do LOTS of repairs on your fleet. Its the nature of driving old cars....

I have gone thru periods where I have been bombarded with repairs and then have had nothing go wrong for a year. On the other hand its possible you may have to face a similar set of repair tasks next month.

Going thru periods of lots of failures can be stressfull for the home/hack mechanic - especially if you have lots of family/work commitments.

If you don't enjoy working on these old cars I would trade in one benz and the volvo and get a Camry or Honda that is a couple of years old. This way you will have one car that should not require any major work for at least a few years. Reducing the number of old vehicles should relieve your need for multiple repairs on multiple vehicles.

Tim

[jassz]

Congratulations, you started thread number 10,000 in this forum! I'm sure someone will be contacting you regarding your free trip!:p :p

Sorry, can't help you with your quandry, only you can do that. Maybe you just need to take a break for awhile?:p

[mplafleur]

Only if you don't feel self satifaction in doing those jobs yourself and/or if you can't afford (or don't want to) to pay someone else to do those jobs.

I always feel good after completing work on a car. I also feel good about saving the money in doing so.

[adamb]

I don't think you're too old to work on cars. Just think of all the years of experience you have gained over the years that enables you to assess and troubleshoot things? I bet that making a new car payment would get really old for you, or anybody, very fast. The new car feeling goes away in about a year, but then you still have the same payment for 4 more years or so. Your cars are all paid for and you are very familiar with them. Even a new car might give you trouble and take time to fix, and the frustration would be greater because you would expect everything to be perfect. I thought a few years back that a new car was the way to go, but I missed timkering and that payment got old fast!
Good luck, I would stick with the ones you just fixed up.
Adam Bush

[rickg]

Gotcha beat there. I'm 46 and started when I was about 10 or so helping dad work on cars.
Yes, I do feel about 90 after a day of repairs. Especially if they require crawling under them.
I had about given up working on my own cars awhile ago when cars just plain got too complicated. I won't touch my wifes '96 Chrysler Cirrus beyond an oil change. But this Benz has almost brought the fun back to working on cars. I always marvel at how well they are built. I sometimes will just stop and lay there on the ground under the thing and enjoy the view. For the most part, these cars were built to both last and be worked on. A rare thing anymore.
Should you stop? Dunno. That's your call. I plan on keeping it up until I just can't anymore.

[engatwork]

I'm 45 and started when I was around 13 and wonder the same thing sometimes. Right now the only thing that makes me feel 90 is the suspension work (ball joints, track rod mounts and such) and it is just my back that feels 90 . The thing that I think will eventually make me get away from messing with cars is my eyesite. I am getting to the point where I have to have alot of bright light to see when turning wrenches anymore. I still find it quite therapeutic right now though.

[R Leo]

At 47, I periodically ask myself this same question (ususally after being bent over for an hour or so, doing a valve adjustment on Lilly or Marlene). And then, I think of my 71 year old father who can and does (occasionally ;-) work me into the dirt and say, "why stop now?" Granted, I don't have the stamina that I did at 16, laying on the ground, bench-pressing 3-speed chevy transmissions into place in my '54 Chevy pickup but, I can still get the job done. It just takes some reading glasses, more time and more help than it used to. I've finally learned to pace myself and drink PLENTY of water too.

There are other things to consider. I spend my professional time behind a computer doing 'stuff' for a heartless corporate entity. There is little if any 'hands-on' physical activity and even less job satisfaction. Professionally, I'm like Dilbert: "My short term goal is to make it to 5:00; my long term goal is to make it to Friday."

Consequently, I'm of the opinion that my Benzos are my therapy...and considering the cost of a shrink, they're a bargain (plus, you get to drive them). I derive a HUGE measure of satisfaction from being able to say, " that car is 20 years old, has 230,000+ miles and I drive it every day! Oh, and by the way, I maintain it and another one like it, with even more miles, too."

SWMBO's praise goes a long way as well. She loves Lilly and likes 'bragging' about her 'in-house diesel mechanic.' Thusly, I have carte blanche status when it comes to needing tools ;-)

Before you throw in the shop towel, consider making your shop environment more hospitable. A small window air conditoner or industrial circulator fan would go a long way toward making a garage bearable in the summer heat. I've installed a swamp cooler in my shop and even in Austin's tropical summer, it's bearable in there (however, I may up-grade to an a/c this fall - I am an 'old' guy, after all).

[jerryyoung]

I'm almost 66 years old, been messing with bikes, cars, most anything since I was 8 years old. First bike I had, took almost 2 weeks before I had it scattered all over the back porch, just to see how the rear brake worked. Just kidding ya'll about being younger than me! I love to work on these old cars, as R Leo said, it gives me great pleasure knowing "I fixed that rascal"!! My neighbors ask me why I still get out in the shop in this heat (have BA fan) or cold (have a heater) and work on these cars. I say" because I want to and CAN"!!! One of my friends says he thinks I would rather stroke a good quality wrench than a lady's bosom (don't mean to offend anyone, I apologize if Ihave). It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't share the passion for working on these cars just how satisfying it is to complete a job and set back and say "did it again")! I'll keep working on them until I can't - period!!!! By the way, this forum is by far the best I have been a part of and I really appreciate all of you who freely give of your knowledge and wit!
Thanks

[JerryBro]

46 and I find working on the Benzs fun. Been working on cars for over 30 years and have hated a lot of it. I don't like working on our Lincoln and hate working on my sons Bimmer, but for some reason fixing the MBs doesn't feel like a chore. I think it is because they are mechanically simple and everything is easy to get at. I have not had to do anything heater or AC related in the dash yet, maybe that will change my mind.

Jerry

[capedoryus]

I have given up working on my Benzes at least 10 times. You will come back even if you do quit and you know you wont but your brain need to know that this craziness wont last forever. So trick your brain for a few days and then as you are looking over the craftsman ad in Sundays paper and you just know how fast you can get a job done that would take a garage 1day and 300 bucks you will find your self getting back in the saddle again. Do you really want to pay $100 for an oil change. How many people do you know who have gotten bills for over $400 for brake work? And that is not even on a Benz.
I am working in Key West in the street outside where i live. This is how I was taught by my dad in Phila. To say it is hot down here is an understatement. By I can say that neither my bike or car has been to repair station.
JOhn

[Zoonhollis]

I'm 108 and have been wrenching since gestating in my mother's womb. There, I beat you all!

[pdxman]

Not sure if you have any kid's, but look at it this way...Knowing and fixing cars is one of the best ways to becoming a hero in the mind of a money strapped, college age daughter. Thats the way I look at these cars as they get passed on to the next generation.

[kerry]

I'm 50 and know exactly what you mean. But the choices aren't just either/or (as Kierkegaard would have us think). I still work on my vehicles ( a person would be nuts to have a sailboat with a 30 yr old inboard if they couldn't work on it), but I gave up exhaust work a long time ago. Too much of a pain and not rewarding enough. Same for suspension work, although I might still consider it on the Benz. So, pick and choose your jobs. The hard jobs in the dead of winter or during summer heat can always be pawned off to someone else.

[BrierS]

I'm 48 and recently purchased my '87 300TD, in part, because I missed working on "unique" and "rewarding" vehicles. I now look at my new addition as my hobby. If I get tired, I can drive it or if the problem is still in the solution stage I'll drive one of my ho hum vehicles (ones I don't enjoy working on).

With your experience, it is only a matter of time before I and other MB newbies will benefit from your wisdom. Don't give up. Take a break!