The things that have made me get rid of a car:

1. First car, 1973 Chrysler Newport Custom. I had driven this car for about a year. The motor mounts both broke, so the engine was pretty much just sitting on the K-member. I took a railroad crossing way too fast and caused an oil leak at the pan. The engine bled out on I-75, causing a connecting rod bearing failure. The fix was more than the car was worth, so I junked it.

2. Second car, 1972 Mercury Montego. I bought it for 400 bucks. I drove it for a while and the oil pump locked up, taking a camshaft with it. I paid to replace the camshaft and oil pump. It ran great for a while (130 on top end, never mind the blowby that blew oil out the dipstick tube), then ate another oil pump, which I replaced. It never ran quite right after that. When that oil pump locked, I was tired of dealing with the car, so I called the junk man to come get it.

3. 1963 Dodge Dart. I bought with no engine, and the tranny in the trunk. I installed a '79 360 engine and '73 904 trans. It was fast as all get out, but it was never reliable. I sold it after I joined the Navy (in 2001, after six years of ownership). Dad sold it for me as I was away. Got $500 for it.

4. 1976 Buick Century. Had a 350 2bbl. Wasn't all that fast, but sounded good with open exhaust. I can't believe I never got an equippment violation ticket in this thing. I went to college and couldn't take a car with me (no parking for freshmen). The 'rents wouldn't let me leave two cars at home, and I favored the Dart, so I let Dad sell this one for me in 1996. $250.

5. 1986 Lincoln Town Car. Bought in 2001 with 96,000 and some change miles. Drove for several years. Daily commuting on a dirt road caused various problems. I'm selling because I have a more suitable commuter vehicle, and a diesel Benz that I like better as a weekend car. Engine and trans still strong after 20 years and 155,000 miles. Body has seen better days.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.