Might be looking for a new car

Shane731

Shane731

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So here's the scoop. I was driving the other day and heard a pop. I wasn't sure what it was and nothing seemed out of the ordinary so I kept driving to my destination (first mistake). Everything seemed fine until I got to where I was going and went to back into a parking spot and realized that my steering wheel was really hard to turn. Decided to forego the errands I was going to do and just drive straight to my mechanic. So I'm driving and lights start coming on (battery, temperature, service engine). Temperature gauge is buried in the hot zone and keeps flicking around. Now I'm freaking out and getting really pissed, so I did the dumb thing and just decided to keep going rather than stop and pull over (second really stupid mistake - really wasn't thinking straight at the moment).

I managed to get there (drove 15-20 miles - really don't know how I made it), the engine is smoking and the coolant is boiling like crazy. Turns out, the pulley for the power steering belt broke and fell off and threw the power steering belt off (so neither the alternator nor the water pump was working). Needless to say, my engine is toast and the car is sitting at the mechanic right now and is not drivable.

So, I am borrowing my dad's car right now and figuring out what to do. It's really not worth fixing (probably $2500 - $2800 for a new engine) just to hope it gets me a few more years down the road. So, I may be either borrowing some money from my parents or a bank, and looking for a nice used car either private party or a dealership. Been feeling bummed since yesterday, as I was kinda afraid of this. Pray everything works out and maybe I can find a nice used car for a decent price. Guess a forum name change may be in order, huh?
 
What are the details? How many miles on your car, what year etc? What kind of vehicle would you be looking for (truck, compact, midsize...)
 
Not the immaculate car show winning Ciera SL! Keep the forum name, it will be your cars legacy.
 
JHL88 said:
What are the details? How many miles on your car, what year etc? What kind of vehicle would you be looking for (truck, compact, midsize...)
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My car is a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL, 3.1L V6 with 165,5xx on the odometer. I've had the car for over 8 years and it's been great until recently. This was my first car, so there's a good amount of sentimental value here as well. Looking to stay with a car, hopefully a sedan, maybe a Honda, Toyota, Mazda, or something along those lines.
 
I get my cars from my family, my white car, I got it from my brother.

I know you guys cringe when you hear auto body, but they do know what they are talking about. (They can walk circles)

If this were me, I would get some capital and buy a car from them. Dealerships are really in it for the money.

Give your local one a call and see what they have to say, maybe they can direct you to a seller.

I am looking for a 55' or older 54, 53 etc...
 
IMO lol

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGs-T5FNAyc]Pick up man by joe diffie (the original video!!!) - YouTube[/video]
 
CieraSL said:
My car is a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL, 3.1L V6 with 165,5xx on the odometer. I've had the car for over 8 years and it's been great until recently. This was my first car, so there's a good amount of sentimental value here as well. Looking to stay with a car, hopefully a sedan, maybe a Honda, Toyota, Mazda, or something along those lines.
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Well, i would say go ahead and find a good used car but since it has sentimental value to you, then thats a different story. It also depends on how much you'd be willing to spend on a used car for it to be worth it.

Good luck!
 
RedXray said:
IMO lol

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGs-T5FNAyc]Pick up man by joe diffie (the original video!!!) - YouTube[/video]
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Who is that? This was a great video my first vehicle was a 1988 Chevy Blazer

Lol... I have owned a lot of vehicles lol

OP car looks in the 99 range or younger, IMO not worth the 2K+, can't tell on my tiny iPhone screen

I am going to share the heck out of this video lol!
 
I know the feeling when you want to just get home or to a repair place, but once you get a temp or oil light you need to shut it down.

No chance of them cutting you a deal where you work? Maybe on a sweet trade-in?
 
just got my new pick em up. chevy and love it like Diffie. had not seen that video but sure agree. good luck choosing a new car it is a big deal to a detailer.
 
Sorry to hear that Shane.

I'll never forget the day the timing chain on my 1986 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight slipped and trashed the motor. It too was my first car and I couldn't afford to have the motor replaced (entire engine was trashed after that - I ripped it apart and the push rods were bent, camshaft had chunks taken out of it, etc.)

Take your time and do some research on finding a good used car that's in your price range.
 
Shane,

Sorry to hear the Ciera ended it's life. :( However, I would NOT spend the money and fix it. Find a nice used car and start fresh.

Good luck. :dblthumb2:
 
erichaley said:
Aren't pretty much all businesses in it for the money? Excluding, of course, non-profits.
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I can't really comment on Auto Body's because they are family and I guess i've just been very fortunate, to grow up with them in the business. And we always have each others back.

But yes it does seem like a lot of business are in it for the money, which is good for them.

But Detailing for free really burns you out (fast) I was fortunate to be taught "hands on" but now I have been learning to run my skills as a business. Especially because of AGO.

^ Note this was a friendly response :D

I am thinking about going to WYO Tech, but it's an hour drive to Long Beach, might move out there (but doubt it)
 
CieraSL said:
Pray everything works out and maybe I can find a nice used car for a decent price.
Click to expand...

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

You stressing over the situation is going to do ZERO about it, so instead cast that on the Lord to handle and pray over it.

I recommend Honda.
 
Painful day today. I sold my Ciera to my mechanic. It would have cost me too much to repair it. A used engine would have run about $2300, a new engine closer to $3500-$3800. Only got $350 for it, but I'm out from under it. Apparently he knows somebody who knows a young couple in their church who is struggling to make it, so they are trying to find a cheap car to give them. So if that works out and my mechanic makes a couple hundred bucks, that'll be good. Maybe my car can be of use to somebody else. Guess it's time to go car shopping!


:cruisin:
 
perhaps you can swap in a new 2.0 turbo setup from the ATS. Or perhaps the twin turbo from the upcoming Grand National (shhh ...)
 
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