One Less TBird

[jerrym3]

Re: One Less TBird

I haven't bought a used car since 1981, but it's nice to know that some things never change.

Staring price was X.

Dealer said "X minus 1K and your car".

Well, I found a very similar car at 3K less.

So, I did nothing. Dealer calls me two days later, "how we doin'?"

Told him price was too high.

"Come on in, we can work with you".

OK, so, I go in, take the car for a ride (nice vehicle), and we sit down to "work together".

Dealer says X minus 2K.

I said X minus 2.5 K. (motor vehicle fees are one big rip off)

Dealer goes into manager to get approval, and comes out with this beaut, "we have to get X".

So, I threw a trashcan at a new MKZ in their showroom, went outside, started my 94, and then drove through their front plate glass window.....in my mind.

We parted ways, still friendly as ever, but, as I said, it's nice to know some things never change..............

[jerrym3]

Re: One Less TBird

Looking seriously at a 2010 Merc Mountaineer, Premiere, 21,000 miles.

But, dealer doesn't want the 94 TBird, so, I'm really looking forward to selling her privately (joke), assuming I spring for the Merc.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: One Less TBird

I can't imagine how 152,000 miles would be a problem with a '94 Bird unless it just wasn't maintained properly. I've never had a car that didn't make at least 210,000 miles before I traded it.

[islandtime]

Re: One Less TBird

I can't imagine how 152,000 miles would be a problem with a '94 Bird unless it just wasn't maintained properly. I've never had a car that didn't make at least 210,000 miles before I traded it.

Bless your heart.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: One Less TBird

That is the most condescending and patronizing statement to come out of the White House in a long time.

[SixPac]

Re: One Less TBird

I can't imagine how 152,000 miles would be a problem with a '94 Bird unless it just wasn't maintained properly. I've never had a car that didn't make at least 210,000 miles before I traded it.

Bet you accumulated a lot of pocket change keeping a vehicle for that many miles.

[V8 Cat]

Re: One Less TBird

................... I've never had a car that didn't make at least 210,000 miles before I traded it.

WOW! I thought I kept vehicles a long time which is usually 10 years - sometimes over that. I'm going on 17 years on one right now and 27 years on the motorcycle.That said, I have only put about 1/3 of the mileage you have on any car I have ever owned. I've never hit 100,000 miles; not even on company cars. I'm impressed. I don't know how you do it.

[Treken]

Re: One Less TBird

My better half's 96 Thunderbird now has a whopping 58,000 Kilometers (36,000 Miles) on her. Still working great and the only major repairs has been Ball Joints, Rad, Water Pump, and Break Lines other than the regular oil changes and tires, ect...

And may I do point out that it is Canadian Thunderbird that is driven in Winter as well, every one of those salty Ontario years (undercoated though)...

I just finished putting 2 coats of wax, (paste and liquid) on the Pearl paint and you need sunglasses on to look at her now...

[jerrym3]

Re: One Less TBird

I can't imagine how 152,000 miles would be a problem with a '94 Bird unless it just wasn't maintained properly. I've never had a car that didn't make at least 210,000 miles before I traded it.

What dealer in his right mind would accept a car with over 200,000 miles on a trade in? Who's going to buy that car? Would you? They just plan to trash it or auction it off anyway.

It's the little stiff that piled up. Just not worth fixing.

Radio antenna
Driver's window motor
Heater blend door (that's $1,000 plus right there; dash has to come out; maintenance? don't think so)
NJ rust; never garaged
Poor transmissions (yes, it's been maintained); dropping out of gear, even after two rebuilds
Check engine light (haven't had it diagnosed yet; not fixing it, no matter what; probably just a sensor)
Brake lines rusted through...IN MY DRIVEWAY, (fortunately, I replaced them in my garage) (tell me how you maintain that?)
Suspension needs work.
Needs front brakes.

How much money should I spend on a car that's worth peanuts?

Dealers don't even want it on a trade, and they don't know half the stuff that's wrong. No market for a 152,000 94 TBird. (They'd auction it out anyway.)

I personally have changed the oil and filter myself every 3,000 miles since I bought the car in 1994, so, maintenance is not the issue.

Over 200,000 miles per car?

Well, either you are one lucky son of a gun, or you're throwing money into clunkers just to keep them running.

When repair costs add up to more than a car is worth, it's time to dump it.

[yelobird2002]

Re: One Less TBird

Same as Gobird, wish I had my 88 Tbird Turbo Coupe. But that is impossible, the girl I sold it to totaled it out a year later.

[jerrym3]

Re: One Less TBird

Done deal.

Bought a 2010 Explorer Limited (22K miles) with some bumper/bumper left on the warranty. Loaded, nice shape.

The 94 is part of the deal, so tomorrow I'll be cleaning her out for the swap Thursday morning.

Didn't get a lot on the trade, but I've got no complaints. Got my money's worth out of the car. (It looks like I'll be pulling in the dealer's driveway exactly at the 152,000 mile mark.)

I look back, and I wonder, where the heck did those 18 years go? Did I really buy that car at the ripe old age of 51? Was I really employed as a Telecommunications Manager for a major property/casualty insurance company at that time?

SInce I keep my cars for a l-o-n-g time, it's like trading in a piece of my personal history.

I'll be sad to see her go, even though it's "just a car".

So, now I'm down to one Bird when, a few short years ago, I had three.

And, here's the tough nut to crack, when considering the miles I drive now that I'm retired, this could be my last vehicle purchase, period.

[jerrym3]

Re: One Less TBird

Well, she's gone. Did the trade this morning, and not one day too soon.

The other day, the combination of the heat and running the A/C must have pushed the trans over the edge. Trans starting slipping like crazy. Fluid level checked out fine.

This morning, driving to the dealer without the A/C on and with a comfortable outside temp, the car wouldn't hold gear on the highway. I had to take the side streets and use mostly D2.

As soon as I got to the dealer, I removed the plates so the car couldn't be driven.

I didn't get a lot for her on trade, but something's better than nothing.

Still, it hurts to see her go. Almost gave her a last wash last evening.

So far, the 2010 Explorer feels great. Lot's of nice features (Limited Edition).

Fits the bill. I now have a performance sedan (04 LS8), a cruiser convert (03 retro), a classic (64 Galaxie), and now, a Home Depot/Lowes vehicle.

Plate's full.

[007Cruiser]

Re: One Less TBird

Good luck with the new Explorer. Glad it all worked out.

[V8 Cat]

Re: One Less TBird

Well, she's gone. Did the trade this morning, and not one day too soon.............................................. ...............................
I now have a performance sedan (04 LS8), a cruiser convert (03 retro), a classic (64 Galaxie), and now, a Home Depot/Lowes vehicle.
Plate's full.

I need one of those Home Depot/Lowes vehicles because, as you can see, we can barely get any pasengers in ours much less anything substantial that Home Depot or Lowes sells.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: One Less TBird

I need one of those Home Depot/Lowes vehicles because, as you can see, we can barely get any pasengers in ours much less anything substantial that Home Depot or Lowes sells.