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Is a classic car right for me?

178 messages,  Last post on Jan 10, 2013 at 2:37 PM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Sedan

Messages Page 18 of 18

#171 of 178 Re: Sort-of on this topic: [uplanderguy] by fintail

Jan 05, 2013 (9:43 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jan 05, 2013 7:14 am)
Yeah, the author is pessimistic. When I was younger, I took my old car on many road trips, with few incidents. Back in the 90s, my dad had a few old cars, all of which were taken on trips - no big problems either. Just keep up on the maintenance and be prepared.

#172 of 178 Re: Sort-of on this topic: [uplanderguy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 05, 2013 (10:41 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jan 05, 2013 7:14 am)
yeah it'll probably break down but so what? These old cars are pretty easy to fix. Usually with old cars that have been sitting such a long time, it's the little stuff that'll get you---belts, hoses, tires, wheel bearings, batteries, stuck thermostat, etc.
 
What he should do is the Shiftright 5-50-500 test. What you do with the old car is take it on a 5 mile round trip and drive it HARD. If it makes that, look everything over that evening and then do a 50 miler. Then, back home, same thorough exam, then take your 500 mile trip.

#173 of 178 Re: Sort-of on this topic: [Mr_Shiftright] by uplanderguy

Jan 05, 2013 (11:35 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 05, 2013 10:41 am)
I agree, shifty. Before going to South Bend, I'd always try a 50-60 mile trip on the interstate. If everything looks OK before, during, and after, I'd feel a lot better, for sure.
 
This past summer I mostly (not always) stayed off the interstate going to South Bend...I enjoyed the drive much better, although it did take me longer of course.
 
It sounds like the kid's Dad is mechanically handy...unlike me. I have AAA's best towing plan available, although luckily haven't had to use it....yet.

#174 of 178 Re: Sort-of on this topic: [uplanderguy] by andre1969

Jan 06, 2013 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jan 05, 2013 7:14 am)
I'd guess that the biggest risk I take regularly in an old car is when I drive to the "Das Awkscht Feschst" car show in Macungie, PA every August. It's about 400 miles round trip.
 
I've been going to that show since 2002, but at first, only as a spectator. The first time I put a car in the show was 2008. That year, I registered my 1976 LeMans. At the time, my '67 Catalina wasn't fit to make the trip, neither was my '57 DeSoto, and, well, the LeMans is a much nicer car than either of my two '79 New Yorkers.
 
But, about 3-4 days before the show, I couldn't get the LeMans to start. And, it was blocking my '79 5th Ave, which I would trust to drive almost anywhere. On the morning of the show, I gave the LeMans one last try, but no luck. So, I started up my '79 New Yorker base model, a car that has a bad habit of staring up just fine first thing in the morning, but would then tend to leave me stranded at work.
 
Well, it started just fine, and I drove it to the grocery store to get some ice for the beer cooler. And, wouldn't you know it, damn thing refused to re-start in the grocery store parking lot! I finally got it to fire up, then went to the gas station to fill up. I didn't trust it enough to turn it off again, so I just let it run while I filled up.
 
Then, I drove up to Macungie...met Lemko at a Burger King parking lot, and then went to the show. Made sure to NOT turn off the car again until I was on the show field.
 
I was sweating bullets when it was time to turn the car on when the show was over, but thankfully it started up. We went back to the Burger King for dinner, and I remember the car starting back up on maybe the 3rd or 4th try after that. On the way back home, I fillled up at a gas station about 95-100 miles from home, but again, left it running, just in case. And got the rest of the way home without incident.
 
In 2009-2010, I took the Catalina to that show. In 2009 it was fine, but in 2010 it had developed some kind of issue with the transmission linkage, where it would hold second gear for way too long. But it still made the trip okay, and when I finally had it looked at, thankfully just needed a minor adjustment.
 
In 2011, I drove the LeMans to that show, and it didn't do too bad, except that it rained at the show, and the moisture seemed to make it a bit cranky.
 
In 2012, I drove the Catalina again, and it did fine.
 
Also in 2011, I drove my '79 5th Ave to the Mopar show in Carlisle, and while I saw up there, the power steering pump started to leak, and fast. It wasn't too ornery in most driving, but parallel parking would have been a chore. And in 2012, it started leaking fuel...again, naturally while I was up there. Got that fixed, so for 2013 it should be fine.
 
With luck though, my mechanic will have my DeSoto ready, so I might run that to the Mopar show. Not gonna hold my breath on it really being road ready, though...

#175 of 178 Re: Sort-of on this topic: [andre1969] by keystonecarfan

Jan 09, 2013 (2:44 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 06, 2013 3:59 pm)
Andre, the gas leak from your Fifth Avenue is still evident on the street in front of our (soon-to-be-former) house.

#176 of 178 Re: Sort-of on this topic: [keystonecarfan] by andre1969

Jan 09, 2013 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: keystonecarfan (Jan 09, 2013 2:44 pm)
Sorry about that! I got it fixed a few months ago, so it should behave itself and not christen the new place!

#177 of 178 Re: Sort-of on this topic: [andre1969] by berri

Jan 09, 2013 (8:59 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 09, 2013 6:01 pm)
Oops, I gassed my pants - I know, bad pun!

#178 of 178 Re: Sort-of on this topic: [andre1969] by keystonecarfan

Jan 10, 2013 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 09, 2013 6:01 pm)
Don't apologize! Now I'll look for that mark on the street when I drive by the old place.

Messages Page 18 of 18

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