I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car

"Elle" <honda.lioness.RemoveThis@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in
news:13m2t0k93p65k01@corp.supernews.com:

> "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpy.RemoveThis@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote
>> One has to admire those that continue to run their old
>> cars.
>>
>> No longer trapped in the "trade 'n pay" morass, they
>> maximize value and focus on spending money elsewhere
>> rather than feed the monetary squirrel cage.
>>
>> I only owned one new car in my life, a 1961 VW beetle.
>> That car held its value better than any other vehicle of
>> its time but still, it rusted away long ago.
>
> I think I am getting away from the thinking that, if driven
> into the ground, a new car is as economical as an old one. I
> have owned three cars. The last two were purchased spanking
> new. But now having done a great deal of work on my current
> wheels (1991 Civic) over the last several years and saving a
> pile of money, I wonder whether buying used and driving it
> into the ground is way more savings.



"Driving it into the ground" actually does work if you limit the
"ground" to ten years and no more.

If you intend on keeping it longer than that, maintain it properly and
forget the "into the ground" thing.

"Into the ground" implies "neglect". And we all know where that goes...



>
>> Besides, tinkering with your old heap of iron helps to
>> keep you from getting into other trouble...
>
> True here.
>
>



Keeps me out of the bingo hall, anyway...

And hey, I just went over 297,000 today. I celebrated with an oil
change, tightening the hose clamps that keep the (rusted) exhaust heat
shields from rattling, and replacing all the rubber exhaust hangers.

I'm such a wild and crazy guy!


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

Larry in AZ <usenet2 RemoveThis @DE.LETE.THISljvideo.com> wrote in
news:Xns9A058ACF93274thefrogprince@69.28.173.184:

> Waiving the right to remain silent, "Elle"
> <honda.lioness RemoveThis @nospam.earthlink.net> said:
>
>> "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpy RemoveThis @ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote
>>> One has to admire those that continue to run their old cars.
>>>
>>> No longer trapped in the "trade 'n pay" morass, they
>>> maximize value and focus on spending money elsewhere
>>> rather than feed the monetary squirrel cage.
>>>
>>> I only owned one new car in my life, a 1961 VW beetle.
>>> That car held its value better than any other vehicle of its time
>>> but still, it rusted away long ago.
>>
>> I think I am getting away from the thinking that, if driven
>> into the ground, a new car is as economical as an old one. I
>> have owned three cars. The last two were purchased spanking
>> new. But now having done a great deal of work on my current
>> wheels (1991 Civic) over the last several years and saving a
>> pile of money, I wonder whether buying used and driving it
>> into the ground is way more savings.
>
> The week you need it the most will be the week it fails to run and
> needs $2,500 in repairs, and you've got no warranty. The repairs will
> probably cost more than the value of the car, so you'll need to
> purchase another immediately.
>
> What kind of "savings" is that..?
>




Well, you can pay for that out of the money you saved not making payments
for five months.

And if you take care of the heap, that $2,500 repair will be a decided
rarity. Most repairs will be far, far less than that.

Maintenance, my friend, maintenance. Neglect is /very/ expensive. Neglect
leads to those $2,500 repairs.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

Larry in AZ wrote:
> Waiving the right to remain silent, "Elle"
> <honda.lioness RemoveThis @nospam.earthlink.net> said:
>
>
>>"Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpy RemoveThis @ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote
>>
>>>One has to admire those that continue to run their old cars.
>>>
>>>No longer trapped in the "trade 'n pay" morass, they
>>>maximize value and focus on spending money elsewhere
>>>rather than feed the monetary squirrel cage.
>>>
>>>I only owned one new car in my life, a 1961 VW beetle.
>>>That car held its value better than any other vehicle of its time but
>>>still, it rusted away long ago.
>>
>>I think I am getting away from the thinking that, if driven
>>into the ground, a new car is as economical as an old one. I
>>have owned three cars. The last two were purchased spanking
>>new. But now having done a great deal of work on my current
>>wheels (1991 Civic) over the last several years and saving a
>>pile of money, I wonder whether buying used and driving it
>>into the ground is way more savings.
>
>
> The week you need it the most will be the week it fails to run and needs
> $2,500 in repairs, and you've got no warranty. The repairs will probably
> cost more than the value of the car, so you'll need to purchase another
> immediately.
>
> What kind of "savings" is that..?
>



Now that's the mentality the new car dealers depend on...

JT
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

Tegger wrote:

> Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy DeleteThis @ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in
> news:jSd8j.253160$kj1.238379@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
>
>>>Personal experience;
>>>I USED to own an Integra GS-R. stolen June 29th of this year.
>>>
>>>I'd like Florida laws like Texas has concerning shooting people
>>>stealing your property.
>>>
>>
>>
>>Bang, bang, bang, <plop>... Bang, bang!
>>
>><G>
>>
>
>
> It is interesting that you'd only have gotten in trouble for performing the
> above action if you had done it within the last 40 years.
>
> Prior to that they'd have disregarded the excess roundage and pinned a
> medal on you for improving the country's gene pool and helping to lower the
> crime rate. This was true even in the now Communist republic of Kanada,
> where I am unfortunately forced to reside.
>


It's amazing on how far we've "come."

Just about anywhere on the east or west coast(s), they'd be pro, er
persecuting you for protecting your life, never mind your stuff.

Here in Texas, well it just ain't a healthy thing to trespass uninvited
especially at night. Very slim chance that you'd prosecuted here. Just a
couple of weeks ago, a neighbor (of an apparant burglary victim) called
911 that his neighbor's house was being broken into and that he was
about to go and shoot the perps. He shot 'em both dead and no charges
are pending...

JT
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

Tegger wrote:

> "Elle" <honda.lioness DeleteThis @nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in
> news:13m2t0k93p65k01@corp.supernews.com:
>
>
>>"Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpy DeleteThis @ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote
>>
>>>One has to admire those that continue to run their old
>>>cars.
>>>
>>>No longer trapped in the "trade 'n pay" morass, they
>>>maximize value and focus on spending money elsewhere
>>>rather than feed the monetary squirrel cage.
>>>
>>>I only owned one new car in my life, a 1961 VW beetle.
>>>That car held its value better than any other vehicle of
>>>its time but still, it rusted away long ago.
>>
>>I think I am getting away from the thinking that, if driven
>>into the ground, a new car is as economical as an old one. I
>>have owned three cars. The last two were purchased spanking
>>new. But now having done a great deal of work on my current
>>wheels (1991 Civic) over the last several years and saving a
>>pile of money, I wonder whether buying used and driving it
>>into the ground is way more savings.
>
>
>
>
> "Driving it into the ground" actually does work if you limit the
> "ground" to ten years and no more.
>
> If you intend on keeping it longer than that, maintain it properly and
> forget the "into the ground" thing.
>
> "Into the ground" implies "neglect". And we all know where that goes...
>

Even when one does not drive a great deal, the longer you keep your
vehicle the farther ahead of the curve you are. Most manufacturers don't
even expect the average car to last ten years. You can figure on a 10%
attrition rate yearly and by the time ten years comes along, way less
than 50% of that year's model have bit the dust.

The sheeple, most of whom subscribe to "Keepin' up with the Smiths,"
play an important role in the economy. Oddballs such as you and me/Elle
etc. reap the benefits of other people's investments, er, spending.


>
>>>Besides, tinkering with your old heap of iron helps to
>>>keep you from getting into other trouble...
>>
>>True here.
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
> Keeps me out of the bingo hall, anyway...
>
> And hey, I just went over 297,000 today. I celebrated with an oil
> change, tightening the hose clamps that keep the (rusted) exhaust heat
> shields from rattling, and replacing all the rubber exhaust hangers.
>
> I'm such a wild and crazy guy!
>

Maybe you should spring for a rattle can paint job on the old gal's 300K
anniversary...

<G>

JT
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:13:01 GMT, Grumpy AuContraire
<Grumpy.TakeThisOut@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote:

>

>>
>
>Maybe you should spring for a rattle can paint job on the old gal's 300K
>anniversary...
>
><G>
>
>JT
>
>
>


Can I just do that? My 91's roof does lack something in shinyness and,
well, consistency. I thought about having a paint job done but it's
expensive and if I were going to spend that amount ($700 or so I
think) I'd rather look into having the shocks done. But spray paint,
that I can handle.

Now that I think about it, there is some sort of paint sprayer in the
garage. I'll have to open the box and see what it is.
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy.TakeThisOut@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in
news:1xm8j.255497$kj1.39969@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:

>
>
> Tegger wrote:
>
>>
>
> Even when one does not drive a great deal, the longer you keep your
> vehicle the farther ahead of the curve you are. Most manufacturers
> don't even expect the average car to last ten years. You can figure on
> a 10% attrition rate yearly and by the time ten years comes along, way
> less than 50% of that year's model have bit the dust.




It's interesting that Honda will continue to make and stock parts as
long as there is demand. My local parts guy tells me he still orders
parts for Acuras from the '80s.

A few parts for my car are now discontinued, but most everything I'd
normally need to replace is still in stock.



>
> The sheeple, most of whom subscribe to "Keepin' up with the Smiths,"
> play an important role in the economy. Oddballs such as you and
> me/Elle etc. reap the benefits of other people's investments, er,
> spending.



I just like the old girl. I like knowing the car's history, and planning
new projects for her. In the spring it's timing belt time again. :^)

Plus, to me anyway, there's a certain coolness that derives from /not/
following the herd.




>>
>
> Maybe you should spring for a rattle can paint job on the old gal's
> 300K anniversary...
>
> <G>
>



And cover up all that original paint? No way José.

I did just spend $500 having the hood professionally repainted last
year. I need to have it done every five years or so on account of stone
chips.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

"Tegger" <tegger DeleteThis @tegger.c0m> wrote
> Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy DeleteThis @ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote
> It's interesting that Honda will continue to make and
> stock parts as
> long as there is demand. My local parts guy tells me he
> still orders
> parts for Acuras from the '80s.
>
> A few parts for my car are now discontinued, but most
> everything I'd
> normally need to replace is still in stock.

I was going to post that inability to get parts might be the
death knell for my 91 Civic. The fact that slhondaparts.com
stopped selling parts for cars 1991 and earlier is a bad
sign.

>> The sheeple, most of whom subscribe to "Keepin' up with
>> the Smiths,"
>> play an important role in the economy. Oddballs such as
>> you and
>> me/Elle etc. reap the benefits of other people's
>> investments, er,
>> spending.

Plus again all that fun. I apply the principles to stock
investing as well. Old companies purchased at a value;
nothing flashy just reliable and with high mileage from
dividends.

> I just like the old girl. I like knowing the car's
> history, and planning
> new projects for her. In the spring it's timing belt time
> again. :^)
>
> Plus, to me anyway, there's a certain coolness that
> derives from /not/
> following the herd.

.... a certain security, a certain je-ne-se-quoi, because the
herd seems increasingly broke. We're ahead of the game.
We're survivors for the long run.


>> Maybe you should spring for a rattle can paint job on the
>> old gal's
>> 300K anniversary...
>>
>> <G>
>>

Plea: Guilty (well for a bit of touchup especially around
those rear tire wells).
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

Tegger wrote:

> Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy.RemoveThis@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in
> news:1xm8j.255497$kj1.39969@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
>
>>
>>Tegger wrote:
>>
>>
>>Even when one does not drive a great deal, the longer you keep your
>>vehicle the farther ahead of the curve you are. Most manufacturers
>>don't even expect the average car to last ten years. You can figure on
>>a 10% attrition rate yearly and by the time ten years comes along, way
>>less than 50% of that year's model have bit the dust.
>
>
>
>
>
> It's interesting that Honda will continue to make and stock parts as
> long as there is demand. My local parts guy tells me he still orders
> parts for Acuras from the '80s.
>
> A few parts for my car are now discontinued, but most everything I'd
> normally need to replace is still in stock.
>

Yes, Honda almost appears alone in that regard. I can still order most
parts for the Gen 2 Civics although much better bargains can be had on
eBay for closeouts etc.



>>The sheeple, most of whom subscribe to "Keepin' up with the Smiths,"
>>play an important role in the economy. Oddballs such as you and
>>me/Elle etc. reap the benefits of other people's investments, er,
>>spending.
>
>
>
>
> I just like the old girl. I like knowing the car's history, and planning
> new projects for her. In the spring it's timing belt time again. :^)
>
> Plus, to me anyway, there's a certain coolness that derives from /not/
> following the herd.
>

Knowing what you have is half the battle. The other half is not having a
burning desire to keep up with style.



>>Maybe you should spring for a rattle can paint job on the old gal's
>>300K anniversary...
>>
>><G>
>>
>
>
>
> And cover up all that original paint? No way José.
>
> I did just spend $500 having the hood professionally repainted last
> year. I need to have it done every five years or so on account of stone
> chips.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

dgk wrote:

> On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:13:01 GMT, Grumpy AuContraire
> <Grumpy RemoveThis @ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>>Maybe you should spring for a rattle can paint job on the old gal's 300K
>>anniversary...
>>
>><G>
>>
>>JT
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> Can I just do that? My 91's roof does lack something in shinyness and,
> well, consistency. I thought about having a paint job done but it's
> expensive and if I were going to spend that amount ($700 or so I
> think) I'd rather look into having the shocks done. But spray paint,
> that I can handle.
>
> Now that I think about it, there is some sort of paint sprayer in the
> garage. I'll have to open the box and see what it is.


Just go down to Harbor Freight for the gun/compressor and eBay for cheap
single stage paint.

JT
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

"Elle" <honda.lioness.RemoveThis@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:13m59vjnrc0oid0
@corp.supernews.com:

>
> "Tegger" <tegger.RemoveThis@tegger.c0m> wrote

>>
>> A few parts for my car are now discontinued, but most
>> everything I'd
>> normally need to replace is still in stock.
>
> I was going to post that inability to get parts might be the
> death knell for my 91 Civic. The fact that slhondaparts.com
> stopped selling parts for cars 1991 and earlier is a bad
> sign.



They just won't carry them, that's all. Honda corporate still has most of
them somewhere. I suspect there's only so much work San Leandro is willing
to perform and still do business on the Internet.

Many parts for my car must now be shipped in from the various central
warehouses, usually the Vancouver one in British Columbia and the Montreal
one in Quebec. One part I ordered once had to be shipped directly from
Japan. In addition, Honda Canada will sometimes purchase parts from
American Honda, piggybacking on AH's greater stockpiles.

As long as demand exists, Honda will continue to commission a production
run until the newest car it's for is 20 years old, or even older. Sometimes
they will save up backorders until they figure they've got enough demand to
justify a new run, meaning it may take months for your brand-new part to
arrive.

Mechanical parts normally remain in good supply for a very long time. Honda
will help things along with "rationalization", where they will retool one
part so it fits more models than it originally was meant to fit, extending
parts availability. Distributor rotors and brake pads are good examples of
this phenomenon.

The kind of parts that are outright discontinued and no longer in stock are
usually the sort nobody ever replaces, like the heater intake cover inside
the cowl, and many trim and interior pieces. Body parts are also often
discontinued because there's usually a goodly stock of used parts in
wrecking yards, so nobody buys new ones.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

"Tegger" <tegger RemoveThis @tegger.c0m> wrote
Elle wrote
>> I was going to post that inability to get parts might be
>> the
>> death knell for my 91 Civic. The fact that
>> slhondaparts.com
>> stopped selling parts for cars 1991 and earlier is a bad
>> sign.
>
>
>
> They just won't carry them, that's all. Honda corporate
> still has most of
> them somewhere. I suspect there's only so much work San
> Leandro is willing
> to perform and still do business on the Internet.
>
> Many parts for my car must now be shipped in from the
> various central
> warehouses, usually the Vancouver one in British Columbia
> and the Montreal
> one in Quebec.

Similarly, Majestic Honda in Rhode Island U.S. has long
cautioned customers that occasionally it will have to have a
part shipped from some central warehouse before shipping to
the customer. So I tend to believe you're right.

> The kind of parts that are outright discontinued and no
> longer in stock are
> usually the sort nobody ever replaces, like the heater
> intake cover inside
> the cowl, and many trim and interior pieces. Body parts
> are also often
> discontinued because there's usually a goodly stock of
> used parts in
> wrecking yards, so nobody buys new ones.

Indeed, the local U-Pull-It in my former neck of the woods
has been a blast. I haven't had to rely on it for critical
repairs so far, but maybe this is because I have stayed on
top of things, for the most part. I do get to do a little
"investigatory work" there, when I am not sure how to get
something off my own car. IOW, the stripped down cars are a
great education. (I am one fun date?)
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car 

"Elle" <honda.lioness RemoveThis @nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:13m5qevct030he5
@corp.supernews.com:


>
> Indeed, the local U-Pull-It in my former neck of the woods
> has been a blast. I haven't had to rely on it for critical
> repairs so far, but maybe this is because I have stayed on
> top of things, for the most part. I do get to do a little
> "investigatory work" there, when I am not sure how to get
> something off my own car. IOW, the stripped down cars are a
> great education. (I am one fun date?)
>
>



I have a fantastic U-Pull type yard only a few miles from me. Lots of older
Integras, Accords and Civics in various states of disassembly. And like you
say, a great education in how stuff goes on and comes off.

And some of those crashed cars...Really sobering. The worst are those with
blood on the seats and no more driver's footwell left...

The only problem for me is that most of my parts are in better shape than
the ones on the wrecks, so I usually end up buying new anyway...

When the snow melts and the mud dries up, I should take some pics of this
place.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
 >> Stay informed about: I'm #2 !!! Most stolen car