1995 LTD to go on or depart

[bluntltd]

My local mechanic says enough. 234 000 kms and an array of problems. Auto trans leakage, power sterring probs, new exhaust, brakes, pulleys and idler pulleys,
But I love this car. Will it keep breaking down or are they not ford fans. I am getting a second opinion. Give me some advice

[[Sterling]]

Burn it, claim insurance then buy a better car.

[bluntltd]

Gee thanks. Thanks for the positives. Is that what you did with your E series.

[pHaT`eL]

LOL!

Those are common problems. Most will get done at the same time. Fix it if you like the car Just means you can upgrade some stuff while your there

[TUFED6]

The auto is potentially expensive to fix (eg probably 50% of the value of the car if a mechanic does it) and the rest of it will all add up quickly if you pay someone to do it. He may be right.

[[Sterling]]

Nah, I smartened up and sold mine for cash and B-Series stuff.
I also spend most of that cash on strippers.

[Phoenix]

yeah mate, depends on how much the car means to you. could be a chance to upgrade to AU engine and a manual/stronger auto.

depends on what you want from the car. general shitter, or pride and joy that you'll keep for a long ass time.

[[D1SCNT]]

one of the best way to empty a wallet is to get sentimentally attached to a car.... or in sterling's case strippers.

think about it logically, seam's like you cant do the work your self so on top of the parts you have to replace there's labor cost to factor in, its got high k's so once you replace the stuff thats wrong atm other shit will give out

for a car that atm is worth what 5-6k max resale and thats for one in excellent condition, the numbers dont add up.
run it in to the ground. dont spend a doller on it, replace it when catastrophic failure acurse.

thats me n e ways

[Dumpsta]

Auto should be around $300, I had a leak around the rear seal iirc and it was about $270. Allow about the same again for a new exhaust.. and as for the pulleys etc.. wreckers are your friends. But its never ending maintenance.

If you're not buying new cars and losing $20-30,000 in depeciation, you're buying older cars that require a few bucks here and there spent to keep em running. I know which I wish I could afford, and also which is cheaper.

[pHaT`eL]

Remember its a V8 Dumpsta.. Parts arent as easy to find..

[vegabass]

let me know if you part it. ill grab some parts

[Allen]

I had the same dillema with my NF Ghia 5.0... it had done around 250,000 and in the space of a couple of months it blew the trans, harmonic balancer, water pump, BEM and other minor shit... I'd spent a bit on this thing, so I decided to keep fixing it. I did all the mechanical stuff, but I have no idea when it comes to the electronic smartlock shit, so I cracked it and sold it.

I still regret it...

Buy a nice set of tools and a good workshop manual.
Because if you are attached to the car, paying someone to fix it will cost more than it really has to. There is no reason why a well maintained stockish windsor shouldn't do at least another 100,000 before needing a rebuild or anything.

[Punisher]

234,000kms? HA! My NC 5.0 has just had it's 20 birthday... and with over 417,000kms! It's NEVER been opened (not even a rocker cover) and regularly maintained! I've seen some of these motors with over 700,000kms! I hope to be one of them.

The auto can be a pain in the ass, but if it's just a pan seal, you shouldn't be charges more than 2 hours labour (can range from $60-$100 an hour - rip off merchants, I know!!)

The wreckers, ebay and forums are your best friend in this scenario (if you wanna give it a go yourself to save $$$$).

This really grind my gears! Your mechanic saying things like "enough"? Just go somewhere else. Get a quote and go to another shop. It doesn't hurt to shop around. After all, you're not buying a loaf of bread of them... you're entrusting them with your car. No car, No income!
I'm so sick of these so-called "mechanics" with their "I don't give a ****" attitudes. If he was any good, he would have fixed everything and properly, in the first place!
I see it all too often and it's become the biggest discouragement for car enthusiasts, especially for these fords.

Sorry for the rant.

[bluntltd]

234,000kms? HA! My NC 5.0 has just had it's 20 birthday... and with over 417,000kms! It's NEVER been opened (not even a rocker cover) and regularly maintained! I've seen some of these motors with over 700,000kms! I hope to be one of them.

The auto can be a pain in the ass, but if it's just a pan seal, you shouldn't be charges more than 2 hours labour (can range from $60-$100 an hour - rip off merchants, I know!!)

The wreckers, ebay and forums are your best friend in this scenario (if you wanna give it a go yourself to save $$$$).

This really grind my gears! Your mechanic saying things like "enough"? Just go somewhere else. Get a quote and go to another shop. It doesn't hurt to shop around. After all, you're not buying a loaf of bread of them... you're entrusting them with your car. No car, No income!
I'm so sick of these so-called "mechanics" with their "I don't give a ****" attitudes. If he was any good, he would have fixed everything and properly, in the first place!
I see it all too often and it's become the biggest discouragement for car enthusiasts, especially for these fords.

Sorry for the rant.

Man you feel like I feel. I am not saying the 1995 LTd is a classic but the car means a lot to me. I spent some money on rims and a stereo when I bought it 4 years ago for $6000. I am a big guy just over 6 ft, I like a big car. It has the leather seats etc, I just like the car. Its nice to have a V8 cruiser. I am a car enthusiast I want to see this car continue for many years and if I get enough money mod it. Is that wrong. It was like V8 ford you are a loser attitude from this mechanic. Sure if i could afford a late model ford or commordore fine but I can't. Its like I don't want your business which was really weird. Thanks for the encouraging words and I have it booked in tomorrow at an old mechanic I used to go to. Keep you posted.

[EFFalcon]

yep, fix things as they break.

even newer cars like BA's/BF's that are now out of warrenty have issues so theres no escaping it.

[bluntltd]

Its in the shop. $1800. That includes 2 new tyres, 18 inch, brakes which need to be done, water pump, power steering hose, rear crank seals, etc, A lot more than i anticipated. Other stuff as required which just adds up. My sons love this car as do i. You buy a car for $6000 and then it bites you in the arse.
But then I think I am in a cruiser that I love and its all OK. A V8 that will be part of history. Never mind the $900 I spent on the stereo. I am in on this car. It is a little bit sad, but I do love the car.
A car becomes more then just a machine. It represents many good memories and events. I just cannot let this car go at this moment.
Let you know dudes and thanks for the responses. This is a great community.

[bluntltd]

I need to get a manual and doing some of this shit myself.

[SNR]

Wow. Spend some of that cash on a good socket set and a set of ratchet spanners, and you could probably do a lot of that yourself!

[Punisher]

I completely understand what you're goin through. A few years ago, I was put in the unfortunate position of having to sell my first car. I had spent so much time and money on it, "she" was part of the family. Well giving it away felt like I was giving away one of my kids. I used to play Queen's "I'm in love with my car!" while I'd work on it. Now hearing it, brings a tear to my eye.

Keep up the hard work!

[bluntltd]

Wow. Spend some of that cash on a good socket set and a set of ratchet spanners, and you could probably do a lot of that yourself!

I intend to.

[AaronEF8]

A rear main seal is either an engine or trans out job, that's why it cost so much.
If you sold the car, you'd probably get 2-3k for it, then add the $1800 you spent fixing this one towards a new car, you'd have 5k tops, that won't buy much, plus you'll have to start all over again with the problems.

You don't need to put up with shit from a mechanic when you have money. He would have given you attitude because he either knows nothing about your car, or CBF doing it, because he has fleets of cars coming in for regular servicing that he makes enough money from.

Buy a tool kit, someone organise a mod day, I'll teach you how to change window regulators and mirrors on an (my) EL Fairmont while I drink beer. Win/win.