I get emotionally attached to my vehicles

[RazBerryBeret]

My truck is past her prime and I may have to look for a replacement.

This makes me sad, but I just had $900 worth of brake work today and the service guy told me I will need to have the rear differential worked on real soon, if I plan to keep it.

I have a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser in yellow. Still love it, want to keep it, but don't think I can afford to have a car that isn't dependable. ugh.

What has been your favorite car in your lifetime?
Do you still have it? or why did you get rid of it?

[dflprincess]

1. At least you still call your "it", mine have always been "she".

I had a 1997 Honda Civic that I kept until I bought my 2009 Civic. Both cars were new when I got them. I passed the 2009 onto my niece, who eventually got a different car and her stepdad took the Civic. He had it for a few years and now my nephew is driving it. It still has the original clutch.

It appears that she may be getting ready to gasp her last - more from rust on the undercarriage than anything mechanical - and I'm going to hate to see her go.

[PJMcK]

3. See my post below!

I was writing it while you posted your comment. I've always referred to cars in the feminine gender, just as one does with boats and ships.

Enjoy your evening!

[Mister Ed]

12. Alas! Underbody rust. That's also the sad fate of Mabel, our beloved '97 Taurus wagon.

She carried our baby daughter around in a baby bucket. Carried her to Prom, and then off to college. But now, at 230,000 miles, the mechanic tells me that, although she's running perfectly, the underbody rust is making her unsafe to drive.

She's been out in the garage for four months since we got the sad news. I still can't bear to face the inevitable.

[PJMcK]

2. For me, it's musical keyboards

I've been a professional musician since high school in the 1970s and the gigging, recording, performing and writing I've done has resulted in my owning 23 keyboards. While not one of them is an acoustic piano, I have powerful emotions about each of them. We've been through a lot together and they've contributed immensely to my profession and well-being.

To your point, I currently drive a 2013 Hyundai Elantra that I bought new, (I paid cash), and I love this car! She's comfortable, drives and handles well, gets good gas mileage and looks spiffy enough. Although classics are wonderful for their history and unique designs, the improvements in technology and safety make newer cars far better for our world than older ones.

[The Figment]

4. I would think VERY hard about selling an FJ Cruiser

No matter what the cost of repairs!!
These have a very strong following among "4x4 gearheads" and are considered one of the best in the World!

Take the time to search the intertubes for 4x4 hot rodding sites and forums.

[RazBerryBeret]

6. oh, man I know!

I follow an FJ Cruiser board on Pinterest and the things I see on there are amazing!!
2007 is the first year they made them. I originally thought I would trade it in on a new one, but since they don't make them anymore, that's out of the question. Of course there are rumors about Toyota taking another stab at the FJ/Wrangler market... but with 165k miles I may not be able to wait that long!

[The Figment]

14. In Toyota speak 165k is only getting warmed up

In 2001 I bought a 1989 4runner with 189k on the odometer for $1800, spent $1100 on an upper end (cylinder head and new valve train, and upgraded electronic ignition) another $900 on tires and drove the crap outta of it.
In 2014 I sold it for $4600 with 436k on the odometer.

Any car is gonna need repairs once and awhile, but I really think you will regret selling this one. There are very few vehicles with the long term reliability of a 'Yota!

[Zorro]

5. I still have a 1993 Miata I bought new

It has required some (minor) maintenance over the years, but it still puts a smile on my face when driving with the top down on a nice sunny day.

[RazBerryBeret]

7. is the Miata your everyday car?

or do you keep her in the garage? I've considered buying a second car and just holding onto the FJ. not sure that makes sense, but I guess if it makes you happy, right?

[Zorro]

10. It was my everyday car for the first 10 years

but I have newer ones that are a bit more practical for hauling groceries and people.

[The Figment]

16. I also had a '93 miata!

Best year of the MX-5 A (first generation),before that they had a problem with a crankshaft keyway, they fixed that for '93 and in '94 they changed the engine (not for the better).
These are rapidly becoming a Classic, so I wish I never let mine go! Mine was red with a Black interior, but I really want a "Black and Tan"!

[Zorro]

17. Mine is red with the black interior

Not too many cars with manual transmissions around these days, but it adds to the joy of driving.

[sl8]

8. You and Roger Taylor, both.

[RazBerryBeret]

9. ha! LOVE that! n/t

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

11. My favorite was my first

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181131070#post85

My college car. Some girl slid backwards into it in the dorm lot and I really believe she my have knocked a dent or two out of it. It was my favorite despite gas mileage and parallel parking issues. Held a whole batch of friends and 2 nice sized speakers with 12" woofers.

Went through a lot of motor mounts but my uncle owned a shop.

I sold it back to my cousin after the crankshaft broke. I was still able to drive it but it was smoking, shaking and generally behaving badly. He had it up on a lift trying to figure out the problem with one hand holding on to the flywheel. His first clue was moving the flywheel a little not seeing the harmonic balancer move at all.

It was an absolute hoot to drive.

[fierywoman]

13. 1991 Honda Civic hatchback, manual, bare bones. Drove it to around 225,000 miles

gave it up only because it developed mildew inside. Gave it up in 2010.

[pansypoo53219]

15. i loved my 72 olds delta 88. bought in mid late 80's. had 56k on the odometer.

went to tenn, upnorth many times. VA once. my ss victoria. she cost me speeding tickets, but i did get to drive 100mph in indiana. she loved it to. tried to stay at 80. no, she wanted 90. brocade upholstery. cool dash. solid. was hit by a flying wheel + ran fine. she ran 4 years w/a sticking piston & finally the tranny got fried. had to sell. next car a 73 pea green delta 88. 52k and ran for another 4 yrs. every year their emissions got better & always passed w/ flying colors. i miss my driving couches.

[OriginalGeek]

18. 1968 Pontiac Firebird

I bought the body when I was 15 for 250 bucks and sanded and repainted as much as I could. Worked on it for a year and half before I got my license. Put an engine it (a 350 out of a Buick LeSabre) and had it running in time for my driving test and then totaled it a week after I got my license.

Underage drinking - I'm lucky I didn't kill anyone and I've never driven drunk again.


Just to push the needle in a little further I recently saw a 1968 Camaro go for over 100k at an auction.

[RazBerryBeret]

19. that's a great story!

I mean the fixing up of a classic, not to totalling part.
I hope you got a couple pics of the Firebird before it was gone.

My dad had an old '62 MGA Convertible stored in our garage, he told me I could have it if I could fix it. I was a college student at Ohio State at the time, I made friends with anyone I could for auto-repair information. it had a crank starter, in the front! I got the brakes fixed, the engine running, sanded and painted the body myself. Then I discovered the wooden floor boards---which needed repair. I sold it to buy something dependable and I completely regret getting rid of that car!

[OriginalGeek]

20. sadly, no pics

that was long before the days of ubiquitous phone cams. 79ish to some time in 81. A few years later I managed to get a 71 Firebird Formula and I loved that one almost as much the 68. I think I have one pic of the rear end of that - me and my sons leaning on it acting cool lol. (step-sons but who's counting?)
ha! found it

[raccoon]

21. I sure don't. I used to keep them too long, for the sake of economy.

I sure don’t. And used to keep them too long, for the sake of economy. Or so I thought.

But nowadays, if the car’s not reliable, it’s gone.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

22. A few major repairs a year is still cheaper than car payments.

So if you like the truck, keep doing what your mechanic says.