Don't fall in love with a creampuff

Jay Tea January 1, 2005 Personal 58 Comments

I recently realized that my car was almost paid off, and I started thinking of upgrading again.

But first a bit of a backstory.

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I’ve bought my last four cars off the same dealer, and he’s been pretty good to me. I fell in love with the first car (a baby-blue Taurus wagon — so sue me, I have odd tastes). I bought the thing outright, and was thrilled.

It lasted 18 months. Within a year, I’d blown both head gaskets. I somehow recovered from that, and 3,000 miles later the water pump went out and took out the entire engine.

(Lesson 1: do NOT trust Ford 3.8L V-6 engines.)

The dealer took sympathy with me, and steered me to a P.O.S. on his lot — an old, beat-up Buick LeSabre 2-door. Naturally, it had a history — 173,000 miles, and had been totaled at 68,000. It was ugly, uncomfortable, and the climate-control system was cranky.

I got 18 months out of that beast. Maintenance was less than $200 and when I traded it back in, it was up to 198,000 miles and needed a new blower motor — otherwise, it was still going strong. He sold it off to a guy for junking, who saw it still had plenty of life, fixed it up, and gave it to his son. As far as I know, it’s still soldiering on.

(Lesson 2: trust GM 3.8L V-6s. They are BULLETPROOF.)

I stepped up to a Dodge Intrepid. Goldish color, top-of-the-line engine and trim, all the toys and gadgets. Rode like a dream, was gorgeous, only problem was it needed an antenna. I was in love again.

Six months later, the engine melted down and totaled the car.

Once more in a jam, I went back to the dealer. He told me I could have my pick (he trusted me on the financing), but recommended this P.O.S. Cavalier. He said it didn’t look like much, but it was cheap and he’d just done some major work on it — it oughta last a while.

I sneered at it and oriented on a beautiful Pontiac Bonneville. Forest green, great shape, comfy and powerful as hell. I WANTED it. I didn’t care how long I’d be in debt over it, I loved the cats-eye look of the headlights, the general styling, all the power toys, the power and handling. It even had the GM V-6 I’d learned to trust in the Buick. This was THE car for me.

So I took the Cavalier. I’d learned my lesson about loving cars. It was small and rough-riding and looked like crap, but the dealer swore up and down it’d last.

It’s been a year, and so far I’ve spent barely a hundred dollars on servicing. Wiper motor, some brake and exhaust work — that’s it. I’m not all that fond or proud of her, but she’s never let me down. I think I’ll keep her a bit longer, maybe even see if I can run her into the ground.

She ain’t much, but at least I know she won’t break my heart.

About The Author

Jay Tea

58 Comments

Purr January 4, 2005

I have a 98 3.8L V-6 Ford Mustang. It has 80,000 miles on it and is in mint condition. It’s never left me stranded…I’m very happy with it. When this car dies….I’m buying another Mustang :o)
Dad January 4, 2005

Purr,

That’s great! Nothing like a Mustang, and judging by how good the 2005 models look, I don’t think I’d wait until my old one died! I want one!
James F March 8, 2005

I was reading all these comments about how the older cars are rough looking but still have alot of life in them. Right now I’m driving a 1953 Oldsmobile with a Rocket V8 engine. I owned a 01 Pontiac Sunfire and the thing died at 80,000 miles so I spent $500.00 on the old Oldsmobile and put another $500.00 worth of parts and work into it and had it up and running in no time. I had it up and running in no time. I’ve put almost 60,000 on this old car and the only trouble I’ve had with it in that time was a clogged fuel filter. But like all of you have said, the quality of American cars has really gone down hill in the past 10 to 15 years and if I were going to buy a new car, it would probably be a foreign car. But I will hang on to my old girl though.
Joan L. April 26, 2005

Bought 2000 Mustang. and in 4 years Transmission and gone out 2 times. Am I being foolis to buy andother Mustang?Posted by Joan L , april25,2005 at 11:00 PM
Dad April 30, 2005

It’s unlikely that your experiences will be repeated with another Mustang.

My experience with Ford RWD (rear-wheel-drive) vehicles is that they are normally rock solid.

Sounds like you truly had a lemon. It happens… or a poor repair on the first tranny could have easily led to the second failure, too.
Jack November 14, 2005

Hondas are certainly NOT bullet proof.
Our 93 Accord, which my wife bought new, just died at 135k. My 82 Escort wagon died at the same mileage.
It blew a main seal, and something about the interference engines…
Talk about catastrophic failure.

And the car is now on it’s was to the Ebay Parts section.

Honda Accord- My FOOT!

You should be able to get 135 out of any Plymouth Acclaim.
Mel P April 9, 2006

I cannot believe what I am hearing….I have had two Ford Taurus’, my experience: 1986 at 174,000 miles was broad sided-ran smooth with ice cold air still. Drunk driver hit me car wastotaled, but still run. Got $1,000.00, and sold the car for $500.00. Where the guy bought it drove it from Columbus , Ohio to Cinncinnati….it had the 3.0 motor in it. All I ever did was keep the oil changed. So, then I bought an identical car 1988, with the same motor with 90,000 miles drove it until 204,000 miles…..the only fix was the starter. Now, I in the mean time married my wife whos parents retired from GM. So, I bought a Beretta with 56k, at 87k the freeze plugs blew, and we traded that for a 2002 new Cevy Cavalier Sport…..the fix it list never ended…..Ecotec motor ran good, but everything from the sensors to the power door motors, to the fuwl pump, struts, strut plates kept going out repeatidly…..We kept that car in 2003 bought an 03 Malibu new-no problems, we also bought a 94 Ranger 4.0 with 58k -no problems-have had a year now with 74k…..and I have just purchased a 06 Mazda Tribute with the 3.0 again….Im headed back to Ford Products….always had good luck with them. I detest Hondas, I live in Marysville, Ohio where a majority of them are built-worked for Honda and was hurt on the job-Honda does everything they can to not pay you workers comp. So, I went back to school and earned my Bachelors….If I did work for a Union Shop, they would have paid for the 30k worth of shoulder surgery. Instead of Honda doctors saying it is work conditioning. Always get a second opinion before you quit. At Honda you are merely a number making there bland cars…bitter not anymore, but I would like the 30k owed to me from lying internal doctors!!!!! AJapanese owned company making profits here-my eyes are opened-wide…and dont you think everytime my Honda driving neighbord ask to use my tools or jack I give em hell…its mostly how you treat a car, yes there are lemons. But compare a car maker that makes 9 or 7 million cars a year to one that makes one or 2 million……Toyota is more compaable of a company. They claim to be a full line automaker (lived in Japan while I was there owned 2 celicas, nissan). No Jpanese companies make full size vans……business really use vans, as well as trucks@ Stop Helping Our Nation Destroy America….Buy from American Owned American made companies. If GM does go under we will all feel the effects…..Dont be fooled……Peace Mel
Aaron N May 21, 2006

Driven fords all my life, great products. As with any vehicle, you should keep them serviced regular. Most problems with your automobiles derive from your own abuse and neglect. But if you are the type who doesnt keep maintenance on your mind…the old dodge slant 6’s or maybe a jeep cherokee would be best for you. Take care of your vehicle and it will last longer than 18 months….geez.

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About The Author

Jay Tea

58 Comments