Rjundi: I appreciate that. I am debt free thank God . I make a big effort to not go into debt. I was for 6 months. When I had my cavalier. My aunt lent me money and after that I said never again. Come to think about it I kinda miss my cavalier. It had every problem in the book but it didn't use oil. LOL. I am thinking of selling the Saturn and when we get school money buying my girlfriend a nice little car. Its just a though I kinda like the Saturn.
need advice
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01rangerxl: I don't disagree. But it isn't possible where I live to not have a car. And its not an option having two cars is a must right now. Believe me if the cost of the car was so much. I couldnt handle it we would have to make other arrangements. But I think some of the points by the previous posters. Are out of line and not even correct. I wonder if a week long piston soak would be beneficial
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
01rangerxl: I don't disagree. But it isn't possible where I live to not have a car. And its not an option having two cars is a must right now. Believe me if the cost of the car was so much. I couldnt handle it we would have to make other arrangements. But I think some of the points by the previous posters. Are out of line and not even correct. I wonder if a week long piston soak would be beneficial
I can understand that. Missouri isn't exactly set up for commuting on foot.
Being debt free, you are already ahead of a lot of people. Definitely try to stick with that as much as you can. I agree that some of the posts were pretty harsh and it sounds like you are doing the best you can given a lot of challenges early on.
A piston soak might be worth a shot. I'd try to wring all the life you can out of that Saturn before it needs major work. I see cars everyday that are billowing smoke, so like I said it's not dead yet. If you can get it to pass emissions for another year or two with another cat, I'd go that route first. It's much less of a risk than a different car with a new set of issues. Plus, you are already familiar with the Saturn and that can be a huge benefit if you end up having to do an emergency repair in the Auto Zone parking lot.
01rangerxl: I don't disagree. But it isn't possible where I live to not have a car. And its not an option having two cars is a must right now. Believe me if the cost of the car was so much. I couldnt handle it we would have to make other arrangements. But I think some of the points by the previous posters. Are out of line and not even correct. I wonder if a week long piston soak would be beneficial
I can understand that. Missouri isn't exactly set up for commuting on foot.
Being debt free, you are already ahead of a lot of people. Definitely try to stick with that as much as you can. I agree that some of the posts were pretty harsh and it sounds like you are doing the best you can given a lot of challenges early on.
A piston soak might be worth a shot. I'd try to wring all the life you can out of that Saturn before it needs major work. I see cars everyday that are billowing smoke, so like I said it's not dead yet. If you can get it to pass emissions for another year or two with another cat, I'd go that route first. It's much less of a risk than a different car with a new set of issues. Plus, you are already familiar with the Saturn and that can be a huge benefit if you end up having to do an emergency repair in the Auto Zone parking lot.
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Jhzr2: let me give you a realistic run down. I'm 20 years old have a 2yr old son and a fiance. I am starting school in August and working my fiance will be working only though she may do a couple classes. I have two vehicles so we can both do what we need to do. I also bought the truck to scrap with it and make money. I do not have 2300 laying around and it would take awhile to come up with that kind of money. But I am debt free and everything we need to do gets done. I am poor now because of my situation but after I get out of school that will change. We don't barrow money we don't mooch of the government or anyone else. So all in all we aren't doing to bad. Also I paid 2200 for the car why in the [censored] would I put 2300 into it? I'd rering it before that. But let me tell you something I live in America and I have every right to own 2 cars and have all the reasons to. not that I need a reason. I really think if you think people can just pull 2300 out of there dresser drawer your sadly mistaken and a little confused. If you can that's great your doing good. Maybe because of hard work and a little luck. Some of us didn't have luck. We made a dumb decision while in high school and because of that our parents kicked us out and she was pregnant. We are making it in the world and I'm proud of that. But I really don't think the majority of people have 2300 laying around.
Your doing fine. I think the poster had a similar upbringing to mine and luckily had parents pay for their engineering college and no hiccups between.
Makes a huge difference in the world to start out debt free and at the top.
You did not. I wish you the best of luck with everything.
Yeah that's true. It's easy to tell someone to be more frugal when you stepped out of college that was payed for by parents at 22 years old and into $50k+ year job. Not to mention the difference between growing up in a well-to-do household and having things vs not. I've seen both sides of the fence. It's easy to be debt free and "frugal" when your income exceeds a certain level. Sometimes it takes money to make money and time is money so a car makes you money. A phone and internet is also often required to be competitive in the work force.
Frugality is one thing but sometimes a person just needs more income. Anyone driving an old vehicle they are repairing themselves is being frugal enough. In a lot parts of the US not having a car would make you unemployable for jobs and basically as good as lacking transportation.
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Jhzr2: let me give you a realistic run down. I'm 20 years old have a 2yr old son and a fiance. I am starting school in August and working my fiance will be working only though she may do a couple classes. I have two vehicles so we can both do what we need to do. I also bought the truck to scrap with it and make money. I do not have 2300 laying around and it would take awhile to come up with that kind of money. But I am debt free and everything we need to do gets done. I am poor now because of my situation but after I get out of school that will change. We don't barrow money we don't mooch of the government or anyone else. So all in all we aren't doing to bad. Also I paid 2200 for the car why in the [censored] would I put 2300 into it? I'd rering it before that. But let me tell you something I live in America and I have every right to own 2 cars and have all the reasons to. not that I need a reason. I really think if you think people can just pull 2300 out of there dresser drawer your sadly mistaken and a little confused. If you can that's great your doing good. Maybe because of hard work and a little luck. Some of us didn't have luck. We made a dumb decision while in high school and because of that our parents kicked us out and she was pregnant. We are making it in the world and I'm proud of that. But I really don't think the majority of people have 2300 laying around.
Your doing fine. I think the poster had a similar upbringing to mine and luckily had parents pay for their engineering college and no hiccups between.
Makes a huge difference in the world to start out debt free and at the top.
You did not. I wish you the best of luck with everything.
Yeah that's true. It's easy to tell someone to be more frugal when you stepped out of college that was payed for by parents at 22 years old and into $50k+ year job. Not to mention the difference between growing up in a well-to-do household and having things vs not. I've seen both sides of the fence. It's easy to be debt free and "frugal" when your income exceeds a certain level. Sometimes it takes money to make money and time is money so a car makes you money. A phone and internet is also often required to be competitive in the work force.
Frugality is one thing but sometimes a person just needs more income. Anyone driving an old vehicle they are repairing themselves is being frugal enough. In a lot parts of the US not having a car would make you unemployable for jobs and basically as good as lacking transportation.
Check Missouri's emissions laws. In CT, if you spend $787 at a shop trying to get a car to pass emissions and it STILL doesn't pass, you get a waiver and the car doesn't need to be tested ever again. The repairs must be made at a certified emissions repair shop, and of course you have to pay $787, but it's still cheaper than $2k+ for an engine.
EDIT: Just checked Missouri's laws. If you spend $450, you can get a waiver. Also, if you drive less than 12k miles between biennial safety inspections, you can get an emissions waiver for that. http://dnr.mo.gov/gatewayvip/v-owner/failed-vehicles.htm#waivers
EDIT: Just checked Missouri's laws. If you spend $450, you can get a waiver. Also, if you drive less than 12k miles between biennial safety inspections, you can get an emissions waiver for that. http://dnr.mo.gov/gatewayvip/v-owner/failed-vehicles.htm#waivers
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Agreed. Its really sad if you guys rode in the car you would think its a nice car its in very good shape. Just uses oil doesn't smoke it nothing. Its been reliable its just a stupid issue that they all have. It'll probably run as long as I want it to as long as I keep oil in it. Although it may keep burning up emissions parts.
I think I will try a week long soak maybe it'll help.
You messed with the cat. Then you got a cat code. I'm not sure where the engine comes into this.
Sure burning two quarts of oil every thousand miles is a bunch. But the new spec from GM on a new saturn s series was 600 miles and we don't hear about them ALL needing cats, let alone cats in 4 months.
I think something is still wrong with this cat. You had a shop put it in, right? Make them fix it and don't pay another red cent until they do. They make aftermarket bolt in cats for well under $200 which go from the manifold flange to the resonator flange. They're real easy and cover problems with leaks at the flex pipes or bad welds or whatever. If the shop can't fix your universal cat, make them put one of these in for only the difference in price.
And to all the haters, OP is asking advice which is WAY MORE than many people I see. I foresee grand things in OPs mid-distant future.
Sure burning two quarts of oil every thousand miles is a bunch. But the new spec from GM on a new saturn s series was 600 miles and we don't hear about them ALL needing cats, let alone cats in 4 months.
I think something is still wrong with this cat. You had a shop put it in, right? Make them fix it and don't pay another red cent until they do. They make aftermarket bolt in cats for well under $200 which go from the manifold flange to the resonator flange. They're real easy and cover problems with leaks at the flex pipes or bad welds or whatever. If the shop can't fix your universal cat, make them put one of these in for only the difference in price.
And to all the haters, OP is asking advice which is WAY MORE than many people I see. I foresee grand things in OPs mid-distant future.
I would put a cat on it to get it through the emissions test, then pull that sucker off until it was due again! Years ago I bought a junkyard slant 6 ($40!) to rebuild for my DD, kept running the old one and swapped the new one in over a weekend. If you could get a good deal on another long block, that might be a good way to go.
I wonder if a low-mileage junk LS2 of that era would have a cat you could buy?
BTW: Hang in there chevy. There are still a lot of people that help first and judge 2nd, though the system we are in is geared toward putting people down first and offering 'actual' help 2nd.
Acquire heart. Fight against resentment. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Always good to ask questions, keep 'positive', though avoid arrogance or the resulting knowledge which may puff up ego.
Bottom line, find what it means to be balanced. It sounds like 'financially' you are doing things in a balanced way right now. Props to you.
BTW: Hang in there chevy. There are still a lot of people that help first and judge 2nd, though the system we are in is geared toward putting people down first and offering 'actual' help 2nd.
Acquire heart. Fight against resentment. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Always good to ask questions, keep 'positive', though avoid arrogance or the resulting knowledge which may puff up ego.
Bottom line, find what it means to be balanced. It sounds like 'financially' you are doing things in a balanced way right now. Props to you.
Thanks guys. The shop is doing the cat friday. The o2 sensors were working good they said. I am letting the car do a piston soak until then. Can't hurt I figure. I try to do things in a balanced rational way and I'm glad to hear some people think I'm doing just that. For those who don't understand I am glad you haven't been there. I'm glad you got a good start through good decisions hard work and a supportive family. I've made some dumb choices like having a kid so young in life. But I think most people have done the crime but didn't get caught if you understand what I mean. I also believe people who have supportive families tend to go farther and do better. But hard work is and will always be the key and that is exactly why I'm wear I am. And doing better each day. I'm sorry to those who don't understand or agree but believe me I'm doing the best and I think that deserves some credit. I appreciate a lot of you your kindness is great and keeps me positive.
I love bitog!!
Originally Posted By: exranger06
Check Missouri's emissions laws. In CT, if you spend $787 at a shop trying to get a car to pass emissions and it STILL doesn't pass, you get a waiver and the car doesn't need to be tested ever again. The repairs must be made at a certified emissions repair shop, and of course you have to pay $787, but it's still cheaper than $2k+ for an engine.
EDIT: Just checked Missouri's laws. If you spend $450, you can get a waiver. Also, if you drive less than 12k miles between biennial safety inspections, you can get an emissions waiver for that. http://dnr.mo.gov/gatewayvip/v-owner/failed-vehicles.htm#waivers
I forgot about this. NC has the same waiver. I can't remember how much you have to spend on repairs, but it's $500 or so. Save the receipts for the cat and O2 sensors!
My dad had an '86 Ranger that routinely failed emissions back when pre OBDII vehicles were tested. He would just dump some "guaranteed to pass" type stuff in the gas and that would usually do the trick. One year the truck failed the safety inspection because the horn wasn't working. My mom hit the horn while driving out of the dealer parking lot and it started working again, so they passed it. As reliable as it was, that truck was the only vehicle my parents have had that always failed the state inspection for something. I don't think more than a few dollars was ever spent on "fixing" it though, so it didn't qualify for the waiver.
Check Missouri's emissions laws. In CT, if you spend $787 at a shop trying to get a car to pass emissions and it STILL doesn't pass, you get a waiver and the car doesn't need to be tested ever again. The repairs must be made at a certified emissions repair shop, and of course you have to pay $787, but it's still cheaper than $2k+ for an engine.
EDIT: Just checked Missouri's laws. If you spend $450, you can get a waiver. Also, if you drive less than 12k miles between biennial safety inspections, you can get an emissions waiver for that. http://dnr.mo.gov/gatewayvip/v-owner/failed-vehicles.htm#waivers
I forgot about this. NC has the same waiver. I can't remember how much you have to spend on repairs, but it's $500 or so. Save the receipts for the cat and O2 sensors!
My dad had an '86 Ranger that routinely failed emissions back when pre OBDII vehicles were tested. He would just dump some "guaranteed to pass" type stuff in the gas and that would usually do the trick. One year the truck failed the safety inspection because the horn wasn't working. My mom hit the horn while driving out of the dealer parking lot and it started working again, so they passed it. As reliable as it was, that truck was the only vehicle my parents have had that always failed the state inspection for something. I don't think more than a few dollars was ever spent on "fixing" it though, so it didn't qualify for the waiver.
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