My car. I'm done.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
Nothing wrong with Ford vehicles, even though they are assembled in Canada (so much for American Iron).


In 2006 all production for the Focus was moved to Wayne Assembly in Wayne Michigan. Up until 2006 hatchbacks were assembled in Hermosillo, Mexico and all Sedans and Wagons were assembled at Wayne Assembly.

The new 2012 model, both hatch and sedan, will also be built at Wayne Assembly.
 
Originally Posted By: Nayov
Wow, a new car at just 18 years of age.


I bought my first brand new car at the age of 18 as well. It was a 1988 Dodge Shadow ES Turbo, it cost me $13,500. After having bad luck with two used cars in a row (a 79 Mustang and an 84 Laser) I just wanted something new with a warranty so that I wasn't spending $500 a month on repairs anymore. That Shadow ended up being extremely reliable, in the three years I owned it I never had to take it into the dealer for any warranty work and the insurance and gas didn't cost me too much. So it was the perfect car for me for college.
 
I remember those Shadows and dad and I have rebuilt many engines from them.

Did you have the American or the Japanese turbo? You would know if you had to replace it.
56.gif
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I remember those Shadows and dad and I have rebuilt many engines from them.

Did you have the American or the Japanese turbo? You would know if you had to replace it.
56.gif




Not sure which one, as I never did replace it
grin2.gif


Although after I owned it, I sold it to my sister and she drove it four more years and the last year that she owned the car the turbo was making no boost whatsoever anymore. It had over 200,000 km on it at that point.

FWIW, the three years I owned the car I was changing the oil every 3000km with Castrol XLR 10w30 and a Fram filter. At one point I tried Mobil 1 but was getting a nasty valvetrain rattle on startup so I changed it out pretty quickly (in hindsight I bet the noise was due to a faulty oil filter ADBV!) When I sold the car to my sister I switched it back to Mobil 1 again because she was putting so many miles on it and I didn't want to have to change the oil every 3 weeks like I was doing when it was mine.
 
You had a Japanese Turbo then... Chrysler was using both at the time and the American Turbos were failing left/right/center. (Dad was working in the Warranty Department at Chyrco then)

It's not that it was American it was just the company making them didn't have good Q.C. measures and lots of them came back for replacement that is why I asked...

Brings back memories from my dad coming home and telling me in conversation how many they sent back today...
grin2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I remember those Shadows and dad and I have rebuilt many engines from them.

Did you have the American or the Japanese turbo? You would know if you had to replace it.
56.gif




Not sure which one, as I never did replace it
grin2.gif


Although after I owned it, I sold it to my sister and she drove it four more years and the last year that she owned the car the turbo was making no boost whatsoever anymore. It had over 200,000 km on it at that point.

FWIW, the three years I owned the car I was changing the oil every 3000km with Castrol XLR 10w30 and a Fram filter. At one point I tried Mobil 1 but was getting a nasty valvetrain rattle on startup so I changed it out pretty quickly (in hindsight I bet the noise was due to a faulty oil filter ADBV!) When I sold the car to my sister I switched it back to Mobil 1 again because she was putting so many miles on it and I didn't want to have to change the oil every 3 weeks like I was doing when it was mine.

In 88 you had the Mitsubishi Turbo as the ES car was Trubo I, the Turbo II had the Garrett as did the earlier 2.2 turbo cars.
I have owned no less than 7 Turbo Mopars. I loved everyone of them. I always chuck the mitsubishi turbo and put a Garrett on there when I picked one up.
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
You had a Japanese Turbo then... Chrysler was using both at the time and the American Turbos were failing left/right/center. (Dad was working in the Warranty Department at Chyrco then)

It's not that it was American it was just the company making them didn't have good Q.C. measures and lots of them came back for replacement that is why I asked...

Brings back memories from my dad coming home and telling me in conversation how many they sent back today...
grin2.gif





The Mitsubishi unit was [censored]. The Garrett was stellar. Infact I never had a Garrett fail even under high boost.
84 to 87 Turbo one cars, and intercooled cars all used the Garrett. The mitsubishi came along in 88, it was smaller so it built boost faseter but had a high failure rate as compared with the Garretts used in the intercooled cars.
http://www.thedodgegarage.com/turbo.html
The garret had larger oil passages and larger bearings as compared to the Mistubishi unit.
The amount of Mistubishi unit was sold almost 3 times more and had a higher failure rate.
 
Nick R,

Your vehicle is 13 years old. I'm convinced time takes a bigger toll on a car than mileage...

I wish you the best of luck in finding a new ride. Good luck at school.
11.gif
 
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Nick R,

Your vehicle is 13 years old. I'm convinced time takes a bigger toll on a car than mileage...

I wish you the best of luck in finding a new ride. Good luck at school.
11.gif



I would agree, I would also add location. My Buick is 12 and my truck is 21 both have not a spot of rust or rubber degradation. Washington state is good for that. Where I am at no salt is used and we have very few freeze and thaw cycles.
Plus the roads are nice and smooth compared to where I grew up in Upstate New York.
 
Because the body is in good shape on this car and I'm cheap and mechanically inclined I would take on the challenge and fix it and then have the security in knowing that the car won't break down because it has been fixed all over.

New cars don't equal reliability. They should because the parts are newer but there is the possibility of bad parts, assembly error etc.
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Because the body is in good shape on this car and I'm cheap and mechanically inclined I would take on the challenge and fix it and then have the security in knowing that the car won't break down because it has been fixed all over.

New cars don't equal reliability. They should because the parts are newer but there is the possibility of bad parts, assembly error etc.



Tell me about it. A 06 Ranger left a bad taste in my mouth. It had more rust in 3 years/30k than my almost 20 year old Festiva. Had a few other problems that I had take to a dealer since it was out of my ability to fix. Not so with the older car. Can't say the same for the Escape though.

At one time I believed newer is better and more reliable. Some are lemons I understand that I've had a few. Guess I'm to the point I'd that rather spend a few bucks a month for appearance or keep her going is still alot cheaper than a car payment. And unlike a payment I have a option if I want to spend the money. I'd never go back to payments don't care if I have to ride the old Snapper to work.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Nick R,

Your vehicle is 13 years old. I'm convinced time takes a bigger toll on a car than mileage...

I wish you the best of luck in finding a new ride. Good luck at school.
11.gif



I would agree, I would also add location. My Buick is 12 and my truck is 21 both have not a spot of rust or rubber degradation. Washington state is good for that. Where I am at no salt is used and we have very few freeze and thaw cycles.
Plus the roads are nice and smooth compared to where I grew up in Upstate New York.


I complete agree and I think the NY area is even worse then where I am. Where I am the salt and cold and temperature changes just seems to really beat cars up over time. You really don't see that many cars much over 10 years old in good condition around here regardless of make unless they were garaged and not driven much in the winter. High miles, lots of cleaning and fluid changes also help. Although in Nick's case I think he's had a lot of bad luck with his Cavalier, more than most that get maintanence.
 
you can only polish a .. so much. rudolphna, i know that you are very, very young and will change a great deal from one direction to another in the next eight years, but you will learn from your experiences and become a better, wiser man from it. that is life, my friend. cheers.
 
Yeah the dealer is sending a truck to pick it up tomorrow. A little sad to see it go (big of a pita as it is) I've been through a lot with that car. Oh well. Bye car.
 
You kick that GM to the curb and be proud of your FORD.

You need one of those decals of the kid peeing on the Chevy symbol for your Ford.
lol.gif


Good buy IMO that Focus was.
thumbsup2.gif


Gonna post a used oil analysis of that factory fill?
 
Nick, sorry to read of your plight, but good things come from them sometimes. Congrats on the Focus! Now you've got something fun and reliable (and new!). The only downside is you can't roll up on the kids anymore, scaring them with your "police car" parking lights :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

ls1mike
  • Locked
EFI car spark plugs cause a crank with no start!?
Replies
9
Views
2K
ls1mike
S
  • Locked
Cold Start idea after sitting for weeks
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
GenesisGuy70
I
  • Locked
Question on reusing rod bolts
Replies
11
Views
4K
1978elcamino
B
  • Locked
Car on jackstands -- safe to start?
2
Replies
25
Views
26K
bluemax1
L
  • Locked
Battery question
2
Replies
20
Views
4K
Durango
Back
Top Bottom