When is it time to "let go"...??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vwbuge · #1 12-13-2008, 12:12 AM

There alot of us that are sentimental about our cars. You get a little more attached the longer you own them or the more you work on them. I am not talking just money spent, but time invested and pride in ownership.

I have an old Subaru that is nearing the end of the road. I have been putting it off because I just can't let her go.

I remember the exact day I picked her up. It was the first Saturday in January of 1997. She is/was a '91. I bought her with 112,xxx on the odometer. The body was in great shape and she ran like a top. Nobody believes me but I used to baby her on the highway back and forth from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on the turnpike and get 31 MPG! Not bad for a 5-spd with AWD. We have been through alot together. Countless trips across the state, hunting, fishing, camping. Not to mention the use of the rear area. The seats fold down nice and flat and I always had a nice blanket in the back. She is a wagon of course, with DARK tinted windows.

Anyway, fast forward 11 years and almost 150,000 miles. I replaced the tranny once, went through a couple of sets of tires, a set of timing belts, quite a few spark plugs, brakes and rotors here and there. Nothing major and she never left me stranded. Over 260,000 miles now and the motor has never been apart or out of the car. She doesn't smoke except for the little bit of oil that drips onto the exhaust from a little leak I have. She starts everyday for me without hesitation. Her body is starting to look a little rough. I did some sorry ass bodywork on her last year, you know, enough to pass inspection. Well, now she is starting to get tired. The roof leaks somewhere around the roof rack, I have to hang a cum rag over the steering wheel when it rains or my seat will get wet. The windshield has developed a crack reminiscent of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. I have an odd knock in the front end somewhere only when I make a left. Now the steering wheel vibrates in my hand when I apply the brake. This is due to the amount of rust on the caliper pistons that I have cleaned and sanded 2 times over the past 3 years. It just keep coming back.

When do I put her out to pasture? I don't think I could stand to see her in the hands of someone else. I don't think I could give her up just for that fact she needs a little TLC. I don't think I could part with the car unless there is a catastrophic event like a motor seizure or a wreck. I am lost and don't know what to do. My cars have sentimental value.

Honus · #2 12-13-2008, 12:17 AM

Our 1997 Impreza was totaled about 4 years ago when a lady ran a stop sign in front of me. I still mourn the loss of that car. It had a Prodrive suspension kit and a nice set of Bridgestone Pole Position tires. One of the sweetest cars I've had.

Botnst · #3 12-13-2008, 12:36 AM

Enjoyment is < PITA.

t walgamuth · #4 12-13-2008, 08:17 AM

Just park it on the side of the driveway until it rusts away.

You sound like my brother. He always cried when dad traded one of our cars, and still does on occasion.

I'm not like that at all......103 vehicles and counting.

tankdriver · #5 12-13-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Enjoyment is < PITA.

Exactly what I was going to say.

When you don't look forward to driving it, and have to remind yourself how much you used to like it in order to put up with it, it's time to go.

vwbuge · #6 12-13-2008, 01:28 PM

It is not that I don't enjoy driving her. It kind of gets some looks with my new rattle can paint job and custom pinstriping. It is also kind of nice to have a vehicle that is strictly utility based. The rear seats are constantly folded down (for other reasons now that I'm married). I can fit 3 55 gallon barrels back there.....yes, THREE! I take it hunting and throw my bloody deer back there. I take my large dog for car rides. I park it at Walmart with the keys in it and don't even begin to worry about someone stealing it or backing into it. It is starts everytime and it is AWD so I don't EVER worry about getting around in the winter.

Larry Delor · #7 12-13-2008, 01:35 PM

In that case, keep it until the frame rusts so much that you have to junk it for safety's sake.

vwbuge · #8 12-13-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

In that case, keep it until the frame rusts so much that you have to junk it for safety's sake.

That is another issue. My 5 year old son has been unanimously banned from ever riding in the car. The fuel lines rusted at some point and I replaced them with rubber lines that run partially inside the car.

I have a good friend that I used to work for and he "inspects" the car for me. I guess he will be the deciding factor when it comes down to it.

Carleton Hughes · #9 12-13-2008, 02:06 PM

My '98 E300 I let 2 friends drive,as well as the '84 300 Turbodiesel which is practically off the road due mostly to lack of use.

My "real"cars nobody is allowed to drive,let alone touch since most people wouldn't know how to even start them in the first place.

A264172 · #10 12-13-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Just park it on the side of the driveway until ...

...the price of scrap goes back up.

A264172 · #11 12-13-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

...

My "real"cars nobody is allowed to drive,let alone touch ...

Surely you can make an exception for yourself.

Is that beast in your sig yours?

Snappy.

LUVMBDiesels · #12 12-13-2008, 04:50 PM

Ummm first things first -- fix the fuel lines before you blow yourself up!

I had my 1992 Subbie Legacy Wagon until two years ago and put 280,000 on her. Never had an issue with it not starting or being left stranded. I even left it on the side of the house for 8 months and when I turned the key she fired right up. I eventually gave her away when I moved out of state.

What I would do if you have $$ to spend is FIX THE FUEL LINES, then do the brake rotors and calipers - the factory brakes are crap and go through rotors. There are upgraded parts available that will last for years.
Get a new windshield or pull one at the bone yard. Have somebody check the suspension and see what is broken. It might be as simple as a bad strut.

If you out $500 into the car it can last another ten years.

Carleton Hughes · #13 12-13-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A264172

Surely you can make an exception for yourself.

Is that beast in your sig yours?

Snappy.

The green-silver one is the 30-98 Vauxhall,the white one is the '12 Hispano my Gramps got in the '30's.Here's what it looks like now.

Pete Geither · #14 12-14-2008, 07:50 AM

I am to that point with my wagon. I just bought another wagon to upgrade, but I REALLY like the 95. If I do sell it I want it to go to a Mercedes enthusiast who will care for it as I have done for the last 6 years. It is crazy getting attached to a mechanical object, but my wagon has served me through thick and thin and has become part of the family, so to speak.