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Car makes funny noise, not funny haha.

Feel free to suggest other options as they come to you.

  • Drive it into the ground.

    Votes: 15 45.5%

  • Sell to unsuspecting shlub and run like hell.

    Votes: 5 15.2%

  • Try to fix it with my bike tools.

    Votes: 10 30.3%

  • Pay for a qualified mechanic to fix it up like new.

    Votes: 3 9.1%
  • Total voters
    33
w00dy

w00dy

In heaven there is no beer
Jun 18, 2004
3,417
51
that's why we drink it here
As many of you know, I put a bit of hurt on my car this summer. It's starting to show it's age. (10 yrs, 180k miles)
The transmission is starting to slip, and I fear it'll need brakes and at least one u-joint before too long. It's putting out a bit of smoke when I really goose it, but doesn't seem to be consuming fluids too fast.
It has electrical bugs from time to time, but nothing fatal, just irritating.

So I put it to you, Ridemonkey, what do you e-experts recommend I do with my trusty old friend.


Edited for picture:
 
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binary visions

binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,100
1,150
NC
I wouldn't fix it "like new" but as someone who has an aging car, I've decided I'd have to spend a hell of a lot of money on it to break even on a car payment. So, when this or that needs repair, I groan a little and take it to the mechanic.

I do basic stuff myself, which helps - plugs, wires, brakes, stuff like that.
 
Wumpus

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
If it is standard, it is pretty easy to adjust the clutch and if you don't drive like an idiot it will last quite a while.


I doubt that car has u-joints*. Maybe CV joints?








*but I am far from a mechanic.
 
cannondalejunky

cannondalejunky

ease dropper
Jun 19, 2005
2,924
2
Arkansas
drive it until the catalytic converters go bad and you are spewing out all kinds of nasty exhaust into the atmosphere, then put a bunch of stickers on your car about how we need to save the environment
 
Sghost

Sghost

Turbo Monkey
Jul 13, 2008
1,038
0
NY
transmission is starting to slip - adjust clutch cable, dont abuse it => Bike tools

need brakes - Pads and/or rotors => cheap, bike tools

u-joint - CV joint/wheel bearing? cheap, bike tools/cheap at mechanic

bit of smoke - dont sweat it, that extra quart of oil a week is no big deal, cut out a big mack.
 
BikeMike

BikeMike

Monkey
Feb 24, 2006
784
0
splat said:
its another layer of insulation
Click to expand...
Just one of the many benefits of a green roof.

Like BV, I drive an old car that needs semi-regular work. It sucks, but I crunched some numbers and concluded that even with possible substantial gas savings, a new car wasn't economically sensible. The biggest value in a new car would have been missing out on the stress when the car needs work (had to drive to work, so it was important to have a car).
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,616
7,277
Colorado
Fix it yourself. It's not hard, and very cost effective.
Once you fix the problems, get out the manual and start looking into the preventative work. Fix thing before they have the opportunity to become probelms.
 
1

1453

Monkey
Aug 20, 2007
813
0
down the road from Pleasure Point
you are all idiots

the obvious solution is a full skirt and udner-body light kit, with a spoiler where the dismantled bike is now.

but seriously, take it to a mechanic and get it fixed. 1k or two would be small price to pay for another 50k of service from these econoboxes. My little wagon is at 200k right now and all it needed so far was a new used tranny at 185k and it was only 600 bucks. You should find tons of like-new transmissions in junk yards anywhere, just look for the civics with the body kits.
 
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BurlyShirley

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
19,180
17
TN
Yep, fix what ails her and drive the thing into the dirt.
If you spend for six months, what you'd pay in new car payments, just getting that thing fixed, it should last another two or so years... so in the end you save at least 18months of payments.
 
Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,080
5,999
borcester rhymes
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/pts/888316482.html

One weekend, 5 cases of beer, 5 buddies, a good set of tools, a garage, and a working car to get more. Bout tree-fiddy.

Seriously, do NOT take your car to a mechanic, it WILL NOT be worth it. It will cost you over 2gs to get the engine and trans fixed, and even then you're not left with much time before more electrics fail, the suspension claps out (even further) and the body rusts away.

If you're dead set on wasting more money, buy the swap and con us into fixing it. That will fix your eng and trans problems, and if you get a complete front end, fresh brakes and suspension as well. You might be able to find one in your area and trailer it to a friend's house to do the swap.

That being said, I really think you should invest in some grabber green spray paint, a nice welder, and some tube stock and make the ultimate bike mobile...then scrap it when it finally dies for good in a year. Even with a swap to a working engine and trans, you still have no AC, dead shocks, rusty fenders, and electrics that remind me of an old audi...it isn't worth over $1000 now and even with the swap it won't be worth more than 2gs.

The money you would have to invest simply wouldn't cover the cost of a fresh used car that will actually have some retail value.
 
W

wreckedrex

Monkey
Feb 8, 2007
137
0
Fremont, CA
Manual or auto? I replaced a manual in my old civic over a weekend, cost was ~$600 for a rebuilt hybrid setup. If it just needs a clutch I bet you could get what you need for <$100. If it's an auto I'm sorry. I've had 2 of them past 200k and both were smoged and sold running fine, they'll run for ever if you don't beat 'em too badly.
 
JustMtnB44

JustMtnB44

Monkey
Sep 13, 2006
840
114
Pittsburgh, PA
Since you're probably not in the best position to buy a better car right now I voted to fix it yourself. Just fix the minimum it needs to keep it going and passing inspection. Brakes and CV joints are easy to replace. The tranny slipping may or may not be easily fixable, but may not need to be fixed just yet. After all, the tranny in my car has been slipping on take-off for a year but it's still fine otherwise.
 
w00dy

w00dy

In heaven there is no beer
Jun 18, 2004
3,417
51
that's why we drink it here
It's a tie for fix it myself and drive it into the ground.
Hybrid decision, fix it into the ground.

Anyone know a good place to pick up an automatic transmission + cv joints in the NYC area?
 
brungeman

brungeman

I give a shirt
Jan 17, 2006
5,170
0
da Burgh
You all are missing the easiest solution...

woOdy, you have several rivers at your disposal... Or... For your disposal however you want to put it!



PS. Fix it, it will be a somewhat easy fix! and as they say if it aint broken, fix it till it is!
 
Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,080
5,999
borcester rhymes
hahaha, good call. was just an indicator...woody is always packed to the ceiling with crap and rarely carries more than a single passenger...a nice cheap old pickup would be the best thing going.
 
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