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What's the best vehicle for my needs?

1145 messages,  Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying


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#991 of 1145
Re: 1996 Olds 88 LS questions [lhy] by corvette
Jul 10, 2009 (7:01 am)
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Replying to: lhy (Jul 09, 2009 9:40 pm)

I think GM had fully transitioned to Dex-Cool by 1996. Peak Global makes a "universal lifetime" antifreeze that can be mixed with other antifreeze and is pretty well regarded, even if you choose to change it more frequently than "never."
 
You'll only be able to see some of the rubber components on the car.
#992 of 1145
Re: 1996 Olds 88 LS questions [lhy] by imidazol97
Jul 10, 2009 (7:10 am)
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Replying to: lhy (Jul 09, 2009 4:16 am)

To iterate my point. At most you're at risk for deterioration of the certain seals in the Upper intake manifold. Some had those problems, some didn't. Somehow the focus seems to be this is a major problem, but that's only if you ignore small drops in coolant level continuing as the seeps increase.
 
Other cars from that period can have engine sludge and tranmission failures which are fatal compared to the repairable UIM servicing.
 
I see loads of that era H-bodies being driven by people who've bought them at the lower pricing due their miles typically over 100,000 miles and age and having a durable, reliable car with easy cheap repair parts in the event of a problem.
 
I might offer a lower cash price but I'd buy it, do the services I'd suggested and then drive it an enjoy it.
#993 of 1145
Re: 1996 Olds 88 LS questions [imidazol97] by lhy
Jul 10, 2009 (9:30 pm)
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am)

So repairing the upper intake manifold problem is not a big expense?
 
And in terms of the EGR tube/UIM problem, what symptoms should I be looking for when I inspect the engine?
#994 of 1145
Re: 1996 Olds 88 LS questions [lhy] by imidazol97
Jul 11, 2009 (7:52 am)
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Replying to: lhy (Jul 10, 2009 9:30 pm)

If the upper is leaking any amount, after the car is thoroughly hot and the radiator is at full pressure you might, might get a stumble or a slight miss from coolant going into the cylinders. After driving for a good period of time hot and pressurized, check the oil for a milky look rather than the normal clear with black particles suspended like a colloid in the oil. Look on the inside of the filler cap for a substantial amount of moisture left behind, more than the usual short trip driving leaves. Look on the edges of the upper intake manifold around the throttle body end, front and back, for coolant trails which are rusty brown if it has DexCool.
 
If it's leaking, sometimes a lot of moisture comes out the exhaust after the motor is started and revved and coolant is sucked into the engine from the pressurized shutdown the last time driven hot pushed coolant out into the motor.
 
Comparing coolant level either fully hot and fully cool from day to day are one way to suspect UIM leaks. But water pumps, orings, heater and radiator hoses also can seep.
#995 of 1145
Re: 1996 Olds 88 LS questions [imidazol97] by lhy
Jul 13, 2009 (1:21 pm)
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Jul 11, 2009 7:52 am)

I test drove the 1996 Olds 88 the other day. It does use the DexCool coolant I believe. It was pink-orangish in color.
 
How much would it usually cost to flush out the DexCool coolant and replace it with something else?
 
Are there any suggested coolants that are better than DexCool?
#996 of 1145
Re: I need help finding a car that my daughter can afford [plekto] by asafonov
Jul 13, 2009 (1:50 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 04, 2009 10:44 am)

The average person spends half a million dollars in their lifetime if they do nothing but buy new cars all the time. I won't likely spend 1/5th that.
 
That's a pretty general statement (in "final" dollars?) but I still think that, with reasonable assumptions below, your math is way off. A 20k (ignoring inflation) car every 5 years over 50 years of driving would be 200k, not 500k. Sure, some buy much more expensive cars, but others buy cheaper ones and/or keep them longer.
 
BTW, I am not disputing your thesis that buying used (for most, not all cars) is (much) cheaper in the long run - I mostly follow it.
#997 of 1145
Re: I need help finding a car that my daughter can afford [asafonov] by tidester HOST
Jul 13, 2009 (7:40 pm)
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Replying to: asafonov (Jul 13, 2009 1:50 pm)

I still think that, with reasonable assumptions below, your math is way off
 
I don't think so. It costs about 30 cents per mile (conservatively) to run a car so at 14,000 miles per year you're up to $4,200 a year on top of your $5,000 per year just for the price of the car. 50×$9,200 = $450,000 then add a few more frills or expenses and you're easily up to a half million. That's why a lot of people drive their cars into the ground or stick with "preowned."
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
#998 of 1145
Re: I need help finding a car that my daughter can afford [tidester] by jeffyscott
Jul 13, 2009 (8:06 pm)
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Replying to: tidester (Jul 13, 2009 7:40 pm)

On a newish car how do you figure 30 cents per mile, on top of depreciation (which is covered by the $5000 per year)? In any case, the per mile cost of an older car would be higher, in general. The savings for an older car is in having less depreciation, which normally is enough to more than make up for the higher repair costs. The only other savings might be in insurance cost, as you may not bother with collision/comprehensive coverage on an older car.
 
On older cars, I've typically spent 8-13 cents per mile on repairs and maintenance, while when they are new (the first 40-50,000 miles or so) it is more like 2-4 cents per mile for that.
#999 of 1145
Re: I need help finding a car that my daughter can afford [jeffyscott] by tidester HOST
Jul 13, 2009 (9:14 pm)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Jul 13, 2009 8:06 pm)

On a newish car how do you figure 30 cents per mile ...?
 
I don't figure it. That's from published data. Depending on the source, 30 cents per mile is on the low side. The IRS has numbers as high as 55 cents per mile and many businesses will reimburse employees at about the same rate for driving expenses related to business trips when using their private cars.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
#1000 of 1145
Re: 1996 Olds 88 LS questions [lhy] by imidazol97
Jul 14, 2009 (7:06 am)
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Replying to: lhy (Jul 13, 2009 1:21 pm)

In my opinion the new Mixes with Any Color by Prestone is similar to DexCool. A lot of people put it in and feel better, but it has the same 4 long life chemicals as DexCool. Read the labels. Suit yourself.
 
My method to flush is take off the lower radiator hose. Drain. Refill with water completely. Run till warm and fully circulating (lower radiator hose starts to be warm). Drain. Refill and run. Drain. Refill with 6 quarts of new coolant to get a 50/50 mixture (I believe the system holds 13 quarts.
 
There also is a plastic drain plug low on the radiator that can be opened. I prefer easy access and use the lower radiator hose.

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