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This is something I've known for quite some time, but it really got me thinking today. When I rescued my 245 from it's parking lot hell, I figured it needed $500 worth of DIY work. Now that I've been driving it for a few months, and have replaced the exhaust system ($95), 3 tires ($170), front turn signal lenses ($30), and probably $100 worth of other little stuff, I figure it still needs $500 worth of work. Don't get me wrong, it's a much better running and driving car, but that's the nature of the beast.
This theory applies to every car we own. My wife's 91 VW Cabriolet needed an exhaust system, blower motor, and a pair of tires when we got it a year ago. The blower motor is much easier to replace than a 240's, but it costs over $200 new. I got lucky and found an almost new one for $80, replaced the 2 tires, and worked out some assorted electrical gremlins. Now it runs and drives great, but the alternator bearings are howling, and the syncros in the transmission are crunchy shifting either up or down. I figure the alternator, a used transmission, and a clutch set will run me about the magic $500.
The same goes for my Dodge Caravan, except I don't drive it anymore for fear of it lunching another transmission, thereby killing my $500 theory.
I did look at a Toyota Tercel yesterday for my son. It's an 86, and that series of Tercel can give a 240 a run for it's money reliability-wise ( I've owned 5, each with over 200k miles). That car could kill the $500 theory, because at $600, besides a little work on the choke, it needed only a headliner, which I could replace for $10.
I guess it's part of the old adage, "A real hot rod is never finished". No, none of these are hot rods by any stretch of the imagination, but it's human nature to never be quite satisfied, just as it is to never quite fix everything all at once. At least this way I've always got something to look forward to repairing, and there can be quite a feeling of accomplishment in doing it yourself.
Besides, having a car I own outright that needs $500 in parts beats the heck out of having $500 in car payments every month.
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1991 245, 61k miles, looking for a 5 speed 92-93 245 cheap.
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