98 Eldorado in junkyard
Re: 98 Eldorado in junkyard
I mean it's not worth much but again, unless scrap value is over $1000 (I don't see how it could possibly be anywhere near $1000) I still think the private sale value is a higher. But it is where it is obviously.
Re: 98 Eldorado in junkyard
The easiest way to get experience with big repairs is to do them. The easiest way to do that is to not have any backup cars. That way you have to fix it if you want to drive.billgiacheri wrote:I wish I had more experience with bigger car repairs.
However, that is more practical when you are of a younger age with less things going on.
Re: 98 Eldorado in junkyard
As far as buying and fixing to drive a car for cheap I think I have done well buying toward the bottom of the market and finding above average examples.
CTS-V
STS
Roadmaster
Even the Ranger
Oh yeah, my Fleetwood!
Instead of major work they need minor work and TLC. At least for me this works well.
That doesn't help when faced with a major repair on a car you already own.
CTS-V
STS
Roadmaster
Even the Ranger
Oh yeah, my Fleetwood!
Instead of major work they need minor work and TLC. At least for me this works well.
That doesn't help when faced with a major repair on a car you already own.
Re: 98 Eldorado in junkyard
Some other points:
- Buy the FSM for your car if you ever plan on fixing anything. The Haynes/Chiltons manual is a very distant second, only acceptable if you can't find an FSM.
- Buy tools. Nice ones if you can afford it. Having a shitty tool is almost better than not having the right tool for the job. This will pay off in the long term (if you are in it for the long term).
- Don't be scared to take extra stuff apart to gain access to the part you are replacing. Spending an extra 5 minutes at the start and end of the job to gain more access is worth not having the frustration and cut up hands that come with not doing that. Leave the shortcuts and flat-rate tricks to the professional mechanics.
- Be involved with other people's big projects on their cars. Even if you are just handing them wrenches. This is, again, something that's easier when you are younger.
- Err on the side of having additional replacement parts (like H/W or harness pigtails, etc...). In many cases you can return them if you don't need them, but not having them will typically delay job completion until the next weekend (since we all have M-F jobs). Pre-repair inspection can really help with this.
- Buy the FSM for your car if you ever plan on fixing anything. The Haynes/Chiltons manual is a very distant second, only acceptable if you can't find an FSM.
- Buy tools. Nice ones if you can afford it. Having a shitty tool is almost better than not having the right tool for the job. This will pay off in the long term (if you are in it for the long term).
- Don't be scared to take extra stuff apart to gain access to the part you are replacing. Spending an extra 5 minutes at the start and end of the job to gain more access is worth not having the frustration and cut up hands that come with not doing that. Leave the shortcuts and flat-rate tricks to the professional mechanics.
- Be involved with other people's big projects on their cars. Even if you are just handing them wrenches. This is, again, something that's easier when you are younger.
- Err on the side of having additional replacement parts (like H/W or harness pigtails, etc...). In many cases you can return them if you don't need them, but not having them will typically delay job completion until the next weekend (since we all have M-F jobs). Pre-repair inspection can really help with this.
Re: 98 Eldorado in junkyard
I'm going to contradict a point you made earlier: have a backup car (or more than one even). It turns a "this is totally unacceptable, time for a new car" job into a "I can tackle this, even if it is not finished for Monday."
Re: 98 Eldorado in junkyard
Yeah, there are pros and cons to both approaches. I used to only have one car, so I had to fix it to be able to drive places (or buy a replacement car). Now I have several, so it does make it less stressful, but I find myself being less motivated to fix stuff now a days (lazy). Like right now, I am posting to the forum instead of installing the exhaust system on the Fleetwood. If the Fleetwood was my only car, that job would have been done two weeks ago.kevm14 wrote:I'm going to contradict a point you made earlier: have a backup car (or more than one even). It turns a "this is totally unacceptable, time for a new car" job into a "I can tackle this, even if it is not finished for Monday."
Re: 98 Eldorado in junkyard
This is all good advice. I am somewhere in between you guys on having an extra beater car. If the transmission goes on the Mazda, I kind of want to replace it myself, so I can see what is involved. If I don't have a car to get to work while I am trying to do that, I am afraid I will try to rush, and screw something up, or have to take it somewhere so I can get to work. If I had another car, I would definitely do it myself and not worry about what I am going to do if I do mess something up and have to have it towed somewhere...Some other points:
- Buy the FSM for your car if you ever plan on fixing anything. The Haynes/Chiltons manual is a very distant second, only acceptable if you can't find an FSM.
- Buy tools. Nice ones if you can afford it. Having a shitty tool is almost better than not having the right tool for the job. This will pay off in the long term (if you are in it for the long term).
- Don't be scared to take extra stuff apart to gain access to the part you are replacing. Spending an extra 5 minutes at the start and end of the job to gain more access is worth not having the frustration and cut up hands that come with not doing that. Leave the shortcuts and flat-rate tricks to the professional mechanics.
- Be involved with other people's big projects on their cars. Even if you are just handing them wrenches. This is, again, something that's easier when you are younger.
- Err on the side of having additional replacement parts (like H/W or harness pigtails, etc...). In many cases you can return them if you don't need them, but not having them will typically delay job completion until the next weekend (since we all have M-F jobs). Pre-repair inspection can really help with this.