So it could probably be removed, assuming it hasn't started eating holes in the metal. Given you're trying to sell it, it's not worth the effort though.
And on my car hunt: turns out I have to keep it at $3000 or below, so the Civic (being right at $3000) might not be the most financially-feasible choice given taxes, tags, doc fees and the like. If that Saturn runs well, it might still be an option...
edit: Seems the infamous Saturn oil leaks only really seem to affect SOHC S-series engines (found in the lower end models: SC1, SL, SL1, SW, SW1); the leaks usually start because the SOHC version of Saturn's I4 engine had a defective cylinder head that, over time, would almost always crack between the fifth camshaft journal and fourth cylinder, resulting in coolant and oil leaks. The DOHC engine (found in the upper-end models: SC, SC2, SL2, SW2), however, has a completely different head design and thus is immune to the problem.
edited 11th Aug '13 11:24:31 AM by DemonSharkKisame
My aunt and uncle are going to buy the car. But not until they get their inheritance check. If I can get a day to myself, I'll go ahead and get the title of the new car transferred so I can actually start driving it.
However, tomorrow we're day tripping to Bloomington, the day after I'm helping my brother help a family friend set up for her wedding, and the day after that the wedding happens. And then it's the weekend.
Fresh-eyed movie blogTen worst cars of the 20th century.
(pointed out elsewhere on the webz)
All your safe space are belong to TrumpSo I finally got an up-close look at that Saturn SC2 today, since I got some extra time to kill: it's in beautiful shape, especially for something that's close to 180k miles. No leaks, creaks, squeaks, or blemishes. Even at this level of mileage, does $2,250 seem reasonable given that it's in great physical condition?
Decided against the Saturn again, 180k is just too much to risk for a used car. Now I'm looking at a '93 Ford Escort GT hatchback with about 140k miles. Only physical defect is a green rear bumper on a red car (it's a "Christmas car"
), but it's in otherwise great condition, and it's about $1500. Really tempted, since the GT hatchback is my favorite version of the Escort ever.
I think the foxy lady's advice is something you should give a lot of weight to on this issue, DSK. If there's frame damage you're just inviting trouble buy buying it, however much you may like that particular model.
All your safe space are belong to TrumpFortunately I had swallowed the sip of Coke I had taken a few moments before reading your post, Drunkie. Otherwise, you'd have owed me a new keyboard.
Finally got a day I could go to the license branch to register the new car, so I could get a temporary plate and actually drive it somewhere farther away than the end of the driveway since my mom's cousin took the plate off when he delivered it.
I need a death certificate before the BMV will accept that I own it.
I'd like to be able to drive this whizzbang new car that I'm $5k in debt for...
Fresh-eyed movie blogTook a closer look at that '93 Escort with a mechanically-inclined friend today, and the news so far is good: nothing appears to be seriously wrong with it. No frame damage/rust/rot or any real sort of evidence it was in a rear-end accident (if anything, it seems the original rear bumper simply came off somehow and was junkyard-replaced; as this thing still has a clean title, I'm inclined to believe it). It starts up and runs fine (no knocks or squeaks, and minimal vibration given it's an early-'90s hatchback), and surprisingly, I fit just fine in it, which I cannot say for the third-gen Escorts. My only real complaints of note are that the stick shift feels kinda notchy and has long-ish throws between gears, and I don't think the radio works (turns on, but wouldn't tune to my knowledge). All in all, not terrible for $1495 IMO.
We also took a look at a '98 Honda Civic EX coupe, and while it was mechanically sound (nothing special for a Honda), and I preferred how the stick felt compared to the Escort (smooth, short throws), there were a few issues that have me leaning towards the Escort: the windshield's cracked, there's a dent in the front-left quarter panel, the driver's door panel is loose (probably work done to replace the power window motor), and the radio will turn on, but the volume does not work (knob is loose). IMO, $2500 is a bit too much for a Civic in that condition ($2000 is the most I would pay for it).
Well, the news is good regarding the Escort: finally got a history on it, and it turns out the rear bumper is the result of a minor incident (previous owner backed into something just hard enough to mess up the original bumper, and replaced it with a junkyard rear bumper from an Escort LX). There seems to be no other problems otherwise, and apparently the mismatched-bumpers thing is particularly common amongst surviving Escort GTs since the LX model vastly outsold it (family-oriented models always outsell sport-oriented ones with almost any car, it's not surprising).
Last week: "Just come back with a death certificate and we can transfer the title."
Today: "Oooh, you've marked down in the payment section that it's an 'inheritance'. Technically we should ask to see inheritance papers. We told you last week you should just write $0 in that spot. We'll just write 'gift' in there so we can move on. Okay, we're going to go ahead and process it, but we're going to call you within 24 hours to ask for paperwork verifying that your cousin who signed the title over to you is in fact the administrator of the Trust."
But hey, I can finally drive the damn thing.
Fresh-eyed movie blog
Yay, legal snafus!
As soon as I get some pics taken of my Oldsmobile, it's being put up on Craigslist for about $800. Also, as much as I want to sell my van before I possibly move down near Fayetteville, I might have to hang on to it for a while longer. Gah. :/ Also, I found the reason for my driver-side door handle issues: there were two recalls involving the very same issue (handles can come loose, making the doors hard to open). At least that would explain why my van's title never mentioned anything about an accident.
And while I'm on the subject of car buying (when am I not, at least as of late): I'm somewhat torn between that Escort I've mentioned, and a '96 BMW 318ti the place has for $2495. I'm very much aware that BMWs, like most Germanic cars, are very expensive to fix if something breaks, but at the same time, they're built a lot better than most other cars to begin with (though the Escort holds together fine on account of it being mostly Mazda-built that generation). Notably, the 318ti will run just fine on regular-grade gasoline, I'm just worried about it being a money pit.
Finally
, a Honda CRX in my area that hasn't been totally molested (only modification is the swap for 14" Civic wheels vs. the stock 13"). $2200 seems a bit much IMO, but it is getting hard to find relatively-stock CRXs around here...
edit: Finally got my van back! Got a $30 used tire, and while the tread on it is very low, it was enough to get me home. Never thought I'd actually be happy to drive that thing.
edited 9th Sep '13 3:05:41 PM by DemonSharkKisame
DG and I changed the spark plugs in my car today. It won't fix all the problems but it does make the thing more drivable. Next up is an 02 sensor swap...hopefully that will fix the rest of the power problems my poor little Golf has been having. I might have to clean the fuel injectors but hopefully not.
One thing swapping out the spark plugs did seem to correct, however, was the misfiring piston. One problem down, one to go.
If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~Hnnnnnnnnng
, dat Ford Taurus SHO. It's the 3.2 liter automatic version, and apparently the seller's willing to trade for "a domestic minivan of similar mileage/value". Hmmmmmm...
Also, TParadox, ironically enough, there's a '93 Plymouth Acclaim for sale right down the street from me for about $900. I'd need to take a closer look at it, but in your experience, was the Acclaim any good?
edited 20th Sep '13 11:54:19 AM by DemonSharkKisame
That Acclaim isn't necessarily bad, but it's kinda mediocre. Also, early to mid 90s Mopar paint jobs are prone to serious bouts of paint cancer (fading, peeling, and flaking off), which could be a turn-off if it's for more than a temporary ride while saving for something less weaksauce.
edited 21st Sep '13 5:46:45 AM by Nohbody
All your safe space are belong to Trump

Also, I've come to the conclusion that, while I'd probably have a blast with a Miata, the Civic DX would probably be the safer choice both literally and financially (not that the Miata is unreliable at all, it's just that convertibles require more care than regular cars; also, the Miata is not the kind of car you want to have an accident in). Now if only I could get this van and the Oldsmobile sold...