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Grr..."when are you going to say enough with this car?"

J

Jeb Hoge

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
Jul 23, 2001
Messages
667
Location
Midlothian, VA
OK, she didn't say EXACTLY that, but since I put new tires on two months ago and just today got an estimate of $400 to fix my A/C, my wife asked me this morning when we were going to stop spending money on a ten year old Contour and just replace it.

The problem is, replacing it means getting something bigger for family truckstering (at least she likes the Mazda5 and not something stupid like an SUV or a $40K minivan), and me taking the old Mazda 6i with the 4-speed auto. I like driving that car well enough, but it doesn't do anything as good as my Contour.
 
Jeb Hoge said:
OK, she didn't say EXACTLY that, but since I put new tires on two months ago and just today got an estimate of $400 to fix my A/C, my wife asked me this morning when we were going to stop spending money on a ten year old Contour and just replace it.

The problem is, replacing it means getting something bigger for family truckstering (at least she likes the Mazda5 and not something stupid like an SUV or a $40K minivan), and me taking the old Mazda 6i with the 4-speed auto. I like driving that car well enough, but it doesn't do anything as good as my Contour.
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what is wrong with the AC, you might be able to fix it yourself for alot less ...
 
My wife has said that over 100 times.
First time, it was like in late 2004, when I had the 3rd synchro problem. I convinced her by not replacing the car, the $2500 (Ford rebuilt tranny + brand new SVT clutch) was a much better investment than having payments.

Then in 2005 my eyes were set on the Saab 9-2X. She was very generous and said go ahead, with the mutual agreement that this would replace the CSVT. After I got the Saab, I found myself very difficult to part with the CSVT. So again I convinced her that the CSVT wouldn't sell for more than $3500, so it may be as well just keep it.

Then in late 2005, I started to join the bi-weekly meeting of local CEGers. Well, one common scene in the meeting was people selling parts to other people. It marked the very beginning of me modding the car (besides the stereo and speakers -- for obvious reason). One thing leads to another, now the car has fully built 3L from FastCougar, HMS tranny with all goodies, brand spanking new suspensions, new rims/tires, etc., and I am currently drooling on the Burrita Turbo kit.

This has gone way beyond just regular repair/maintenance, and my wife got so sick to mention that again. Well, the compromise I am making, is that I am not entitled to another new car in at least next 5 years. In that sense, it might be just able to justify the cost. Well, at least it keeps me feeling worthy. :laugh:
 
Well, I've been dealing w/ the same isssues since Thanksgiving. My wife is probably thinkin' the same thing as yours, esp. after I just spent $350 on a set of MSDS. :laugh:

Oh well, I did put a new motor in her truck for her, so I guess we're even.
 
Jeb Hoge said:
Freon leak...not something I want to fool with.
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well first its R134a but I see your point ...

it isn't that bad ... $50 gets you a cheap set of guages from autozone, put some r134a in it with UV die, get the $12 glasses and UV light from autozone and find the leak ... my be its the accumulator ... if you you can change that yourself, chances are if it is leaking the system is near empty anyway, get some AC line tools, and 4 new o-rings and replace the accumulator and use the guages to properly fill the system from r134a cans you can get at wal-mart for about $10 each, should need 2 of them, also add some oil which you can get at wal-mart and your done
 
well I have both sides of the story with my car, I mention the turbo kit to my parents and my mother is like you have spent more then the car is worth, but you know what I still haven't reached the original sticker price :laugh:


now when i talk about the turbo kit to my gf I have been back and forth alittle, get it now and hope I don't kill the engine or trans any time soon or wait a year and at least get a built trans ... her words get it so you don't regret not getting it later on :laugh:
 
I was in the same boat. The last two years, I put enough money into the tour that I could have bought a new car. So when the head gasket went. She said "That's enough!!". Sadly, I had to agree. So as you can see below, it's gone. What clinched it was, at the same time, the Geo's motor seized up. We went from a four car family down to two quickly. Instead of spending 3k on repairs for both cars, we put it down on the Chevy Aveo for my son. He'll be making the payments. The tour went to a fellow CEG'r. So it's in good hands.

Edit: My daughter's not too happy. she doesn't have a car anymore.
 
BrApple said:
well first its R134a but I see your point ...

it isn't that bad ... $50 gets you a cheap set of guages from autozone, put some r134a in it with UV die, get the $12 glasses and UV light from autozone and find the leak ... my be its the accumulator ... if you you can change that yourself, chances are if it is leaking the system is near empty anyway, get some AC line tools, and 4 new o-rings and replace the accumulator and use the guages to properly fill the system from r134a cans you can get at wal-mart for about $10 each, should need 2 of them, also add some oil which you can get at wal-mart and your done
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Aw shucks, is that all? :crazy:
 
Sell the Saab. Take the payment money & mod the Contour. For the big mods, rent a car. The savings on payments & insurance should more than pay for everything within a fairly short time.
 
TourDeForce said:
Sell the Saab. Take the payment money & mod the Contour. For the big mods, rent a car. The savings on payments & insurance should more than pay for everything within a fairly short time.
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Well, not likely --- the reason to start with the Saab was that it is actually a WRX wagon in Saab skin. Not like you in sunny FL, we still have some good snow in winter. The AWD is the main reason for me to get it. 2 weeks ago we had a very nasty snow, and the car got me into office with no drama. I couldn't say the same thing for the CSVT. Also, I need a car I am sure to be absolutely reliable. Can't say that with the CSVT either (but close enough!)

And every body knows how moddable the WRX is. I simply keep myself out of modding the car (well, it has 4 years warranty on it any way, so I should be modding it any time soon) and use the 'allocated mod money' on the CSVT. Well, to be honest, it's not enough. The WRX can be REALLY powerful for less than half the money to get CSVT in comparable condition. But I just enjoy so much with my CSVT. Oh, my wife doesn't know the turbo plan yet. :laugh:
 
Deweydw said:
I was in the same boat. The last two years, I put enough money into the tour that I could have bought a new car. So when the head gasket went. She said "That's enough!!". Sadly, I had to agree. So as you can see below, it's gone. What clinched it was, at the same time, the Geo's motor seized up. We went from a four car family down to two quickly. Instead of spending 3k on repairs for both cars, we put it down on the Chevy Aveo for my son. He'll be making the payments. The tour went to a fellow CEG'r. So it's in good hands.

Edit: My daughter's not too happy. she doesn't have a car anymore.
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I'm sorry your daughter isn't happy, but I couldn't be happier! It's running pretty well at the moment, and I'm evaluating it to see if the new gasket can wait until I reach Louisiana. If so, I'll drive it down rather than towing it (as I have no place to store a trailer/car), and then change the head gasket down there. I just drove it 120 miles round trip today to visit my father in the hospital. So far, it's looking quite positive! :) When I get a little free time, I'll spruce it up some. Some new paint for the wheels, find a working cup holder, put in a CD player!

On a side note Dewey, it's a good thing you left that multi-lug wrench in the trunk. I had a blow-out on the trailer about 20 miles South of College Station. I had to jury-rig it by jacking up the front axle (using the Contour's jack!), remove the wheel (using the t-wrench), jack the axle up as high as I could get it, then wrap a tow chain around the hub and trailer rail it to hold it up. I drove 20-25 miles on three wheels and a tow chain, pulled into the College Station WalMart tire center 7 minutes before they closed, and got a new tire for $40. It completely shredded the tire, ripping off the center section. It left two donut-shaped rings attached at the bead lip on the front and back side of the wheel. Crazy trip back!

To top it all off, when I was messing with the trailer (unhooking and hooking it back up - as I thought I was going to run into town to get the tire fixed then come back) I forgot to reconnect the lights. I drove 3 1/2 hours in the dark, and in heavy traffic sometimes, with no trailer lights! :troutslap: Over 800 miles round trip in a day, and I get pulled over 1 mile outside of town because of those lights. :nonono: Ended up with a ticket for expired inspection. He just gave me a warning on the lights, since I plugged them back in and they worked. :crazy:

[/threadjack]

As for when is enough enough? I love the Contours so much that there is no 'enough.' As long as the repairs can be done reasonably, it is still MUCH cheaper than a new car payment and the higher insurance payments that go with it. My new car bug has officially been replaced by a used Contour bug.
 
WOW!!! :crazy: That was a crazy trip. Too bad about the ticket. Not to worry about my daughter. She'll get over it. Good to hear it drove o.k.. Last time I drove it a long distance was back in October. About an hour northwest of San Antonio and back to Houston. I'm glad the car is making somebody happy. Tensions were high around here. :laugh:

Edit: Did the cooling fan work o.k.? Sometimes it tends to cut off and the temp goes up. Keep an eye on that and the collant level. (like I need to tell you that)
 
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Deweydw said:
WOW!!! :crazy: That was a crazy trip. Too bad about the ticket. Not to worry about my daughter. She'll get over it. Good to hear it drove o.k.. Last time I drove it a long distance was back in October. About an hour northwest of San Antonio and back to Houston. I'm glad the car is making somebody happy. Tensions were high around here. :laugh:

Edit: Did the cooling fan work o.k.? Sometimes it tends to cut off and the temp goes up. Keep an eye on that and the collant level. (like I need to tell you that)
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I noticed the first night (Sunday) that the temp was climbing on me. I remembered what you said about the fan. I turned on the A/C, and all was well (as best I remember, the A/C automatically triggers the fan). I've been checking the level pretty much each time I drive it. So far, it hasn't lost any that I can tell. I have had one or two times when I got out and smelled burned coolant. So there does appear to be some making it into the exhaust, but for now it seems to be a negligible amount. :) Further updates as events warrant!
 
my friends my parents my grandparents think im nuts. except for my dad whos a car nut and cant wait for me to get the turbo. ive put alot into the tour already and i cant wait to put more into it. im never getting rid of it. it has to be completely destroyed before i get rid of it.
 
yamaha racer 686 said:
my friends my parents my grandparents think im nuts........it has to be completely destroyed before i get rid of it.
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I get this A LOT from people. Especially now that I have four! (one is for sure a parts car, one is teetering on the edge of being parts) It's a sickness.

"Hello. My name is John, and I'm a Contour addict. It's been three days since I bought my last Contour."

:laugh:

I'll be driving my SE until the wheels fall off and they can't be put back on again. I'm sure the little Zetec will get the same honor too.

And for what it's worth, intolerant wives and girlfriends are a deal-hunter's best friend! :D When they say, "Enough!" then let the wheeling and dealing begin!
 
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Hey Iring, I have a mystique that could use a new home.

After 2000+ dollars in repair, I called it quits on my Mystique at 52k. Then I purchased my SVT.
 
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