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Vehicles / bikes 🏍 Car Talk

mendelman said:
No. But I can appreciate their time in history...which is where they should stay.
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After making a salesman's Christmas with a fat commission when I bought a truck at age 22, I have grown to like shopping for cars.
Back then I fell for all the old school textbook sales tactics:
  • "Oh we were just talking about this truck in our sales meeting this morning..."
  • "We only haggle on price if your paying cash"
  • "The cigarette smell faces over time"
  • "You better come down here and close the deal, I have another family coming to look at it in a hour..."
  • and the ultimate jerk move: "Filling up the gas tank is only for new vehicles..."

Anyways, the purchase of my truck in 2024 was great. I haggled a bit on my trade and the purchase, brought market aspects into it and let them know Im not averse to travelling to Portland or Seattle for a deal, but I'd like to stay local. The only qualm I had was asking for a lower price, but I also felt that it is business and I was asking for something reasonable. I got my price too. Good experience overall and I'd go back.

The thing I like about car buying is the research. I always go in knowing the specific vehicle on the lot I want, get the market prices. Even when Im not buying a car, some of my favorite youtube binges are on car buying tactics.
 
zman said:
After making a salesman's Christmas with a fat commission when I bought a truck at age 22, I have grown to like shopping for cars.
Back then I fell for all the old school textbook sales tactics:
  • "Oh we were just talking about this truck in our sales meeting this morning..."
  • "We only haggle on price if your paying cash"
  • "The cigarette smell faces over time"
  • "You better come down here and close the deal, I have another family coming to look at it in a hour..."
  • and the ultimate jerk move: "Filling up the gas tank is only for new vehicles..."

Anyways, the purchase of my truck in 2024 was great. I haggled a bit on my trade and the purchase, brought market aspects into it and let them know Im not averse to travelling to Portland or Seattle for a deal, but I'd like to stay local. The only qualm I had was asking for a lower price, but I also felt that it is business and I was asking for something reasonable. I got my price too. Good experience overall and I'd go back.

The thing I like about car buying is the research. I always go in knowing the specific vehicle on the lot I want, get the market prices. Even when Im not buying a car, some of my favorite youtube binges are on car buying tactics.
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^^^^
This right here. I am a very informed buyer and let them know it up front. I have no problem with them making a profit; they should, they're a business. But it's not going to be exorbitant. I have fun when I ask what the price of the car is and they "it depends, are you financing or paying cash?" Well no sir, HOW I pay for the car has no bearing on the intrinsic value of the car. If they can't answer that question I move along. (side note: never pay cash for a new car)

I will never understand why we have to haggle anyway. I can't negotiate when I buy a pair of sneakers. I know what the price is, I either pull the trigger then or wait until a sale.
 
I did two rounds of haggling on email, threw in a "show me your invoice so I know your price for the car and the holdback" and settled on a price out the door. Not talking with them about the balance of financing vs. cash and made sure not to commit to any of that.
 
One of the wiper blades on my Gladiator broke yesterday. It took my about 4 minutes to swap it out with a new one.

I am mechanically uninclined enough and it was such a PITA on some other vehicles I've owned where I would rather just trade it in than deal with that mess.
 
I hate changing wipers. I swear it's different for every car and they all have hidden switches you need to press to easily take them off.
 
WSU MUP Student said:
One of the wiper blades on my Gladiator broke yesterday. It took my about 4 minutes to swap it out with a new one.

I am mechanically uninclined enough and it was such a PITA on some other vehicles I've owned where I would rather just trade it in than deal with that mess.
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DVD said:
I hate changing wipers. I swear it's different for every car and they all have hidden switches you need to press to easily take them off.
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Confused Thinking GIF by JK
 
WSU MUP Student said:
One of the wiper blades on my Gladiator broke yesterday. It took my about 4 minutes to swap it out with a new one.

I am mechanically uninclined enough and it was such a PITA on some other vehicles I've owned where I would rather just trade it in than deal with that mess.
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I knew I should have bought two wiper blades last week. The other one gave up the ghost yesterday evening!
 
WSU MUP Student said:
Agreed.



Here's an old photo of me with my '87 Grand Waggy.

View attachment 66169


View attachment 66170

I miss it everyday.
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Once your girls are outta school, you really need to get yourself a project car! Another Wagoneer, maybe an XJ, a Diesel Benz, something of that sort! Wagoneer will probably cost you, but clean XJs and W123s can still be found in the 5-10k range. Not $1000 craigslist beaters like when I was in HS, but still not bad overall for classic cars, where you see E30s fetch 50k on Bringatrailer lolol
 
The Terminator said:
Once your girls are outta school, you really need to get yourself a project car! Another Wagoneer, maybe an XJ, a Diesel Benz, something of that sort! Wagoneer will probably cost you, but clean XJs and W123s can still be found in the 5-10k range. Not $1000 craigslist beaters like when I was in HS, but still not bad overall for classic cars, where you see E30s fetch 50k on Bringatrailer lolol
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There's an older guy at my club who drives an '85 Wagoneer this time of year. The paint is faded badly and the wood paneling has basically peeled away completely but there is very little rust, the frame looks pretty solid, and the interior has minimal wear. He's got my info in case he ever decides it's time to let it go. I told him I'd make sure it was well loved.

An XJ would pretty sweet too... I still see some later model ones around here that look to be in fantastic shape and, like a Wagoneer, they'd make a great project vehicle since they're so easy to work on. A buddy of mine has a guy on his street with a pretty clean looking one and he knows to keep an eye on it in case he ever sees a "For Sale" sign.

The other vehicle I keep an eye out for as a "project car" is a Land Rover Discovery or Disco 2. Not the most reliable things out there but they can be found relatively cheap on the secondary market and if you find one that's already had the engine cooling system replaced and the air suspension removed or replaced, they can be pretty reliable.

As much as I'd love one of those listed above, our oldest is going to turn 16 soon so I'll be putting a fun project vehicle on the back burner.

We live close enough to everything that our daughter definitely does not need a vehicle of her own - she can walk or bike everywhere. Plus, I know my wife would have issues with letting our daughter drive around in a 20+ year old project vehicle. However, if I see a good deal on a pretty new Volvo or Audi wagon with all the modern safety features, I can definitely justify that a bit easier! The local dealership had a 2025 A6 All Road with like 4,000 miles on in when I walked past back around Thanksgiving. I should have jumped on that when I had the chance! :rofl:
 
WSU MUP Student said:
There's an older guy at my club who drives an '85 Wagoneer this time of year. The paint is faded badly and the wood paneling has basically peeled away completely but there is very little rust, the frame looks pretty solid, and the interior has minimal wear. He's got my info in case he ever decides it's time to let it go. I told him I'd make sure it was well loved.

An XJ would pretty sweet too... I still see some later model ones around here that look to be in fantastic shape and, like a Wagoneer, they'd make a great project vehicle since they're so easy to work on. A buddy of mine has a guy on his street with a pretty clean looking one and he knows to keep an eye on it in case he ever sees a "For Sale" sign.

The other vehicle I keep an eye out for as a "project car" is a Land Rover Discovery or Disco 2. Not the most reliable things out there but they can be found relatively cheap on the secondary market and if you find one that's already had the engine cooling system replaced and the air suspension removed or replaced, they can be pretty reliable.

As much as I'd love one of those listed above, our oldest is going to turn 16 soon so I'll be putting a fun project vehicle on the back burner.

We live close enough to everything that our daughter definitely does not need a vehicle of her own - she can walk or bike everywhere. Plus, I know my wife would have issues with letting our daughter drive around in a 20+ year old project vehicle. However, if I see a good deal on a pretty new Volvo or Audi wagon with all the modern safety features, I can definitely justify that a bit easier! The local dealership had a 2025 A6 All Road with like 4,000 miles on in when I walked past back around Thanksgiving. I should have jumped on that when I had the chance! :rofl:
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Just get her a 1992-05 Era Civic or Accord, 93-08 Corolla or Camry, literally any 3800 Buick or like a clapped out F150. Bonus points if it is a manual.
 
SlaveToTheGrind said:
My car in high school when graduated on 1989; a 1978 Ford LTD. Known as the dragon wagon or grocery getter. Had 12 people in it one night. No fake wood on the outside but was included on the inside.


View attachment 66178
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'78 was the last year of the monstrosity full-size Fords with the 7.5l 460 Big Block available on the LTD. 1979 onwards, the LTD Crown Vic/Country Squire was downsized and topped out with the 351 Windsor, after '86, I think it was 5.0 and 4.6 only.

Thats a gorgeous wagon, how long did it survive after 89?
 
The Terminator said:
Once your girls are outta school, you really need to get yourself a project car! Another Wagoneer, maybe an XJ, a Diesel Benz, something of that sort! Wagoneer will probably cost you, but clean XJs and W123s can still be found in the 5-10k range. Not $1000 craigslist beaters like when I was in HS, but still not bad overall for classic cars, where you see E30s fetch 50k on Bringatrailer lolol
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Need some divine inspiration on the wiring in my old benz, I'm this close to selling it
 
The Terminator said:
'78 was the last year of the monstrosity full-size Fords with the 7.5l 460 Big Block available on the LTD. 1979 onwards, the LTD Crown Vic/Country Squire was downsized and topped out with the 351 Windsor, after '86, I think it was 5.0 and 4.6 only.

Thats a gorgeous wagon, how long did it survive after 89?
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Parents bought new in 1978 and traded in a brown 1976(?) LTD. The 1978 was used for several family trips. Six people and sometimes our dog. That meant the smallest, me, was most often in the back with all the luggage. Had to plan on the sun through the days travel so I could be on the more shady side. Turned 100,000 miles in San Diego in 1985 at Balboa Park. I swear it was Mission and Pacific but when I go to the map, there is no intersection of those streets in that area. Those geographical points stick in my brain. My parents used that car through 1991. Kept it because they knew it would go through four teenage drivers in its life. Gave it to a family in need in our church. Ours had the 400 6.6L. However, after they gave away the LTD, my dad picked up a black 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV. Black with plush red interior and that had the 460ci engine. It was a smooth ride.
 
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Bubba said:
Why is the ground white?
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That was before the storm! We got about a foot of very light fluff fun top of that. Easiest shoveling I've head in a while. We have nearly a week of single-digit temps ahead of us now so that salt's not doing much and I have four new studded Hakkapellitas on my back porch just aching to be put on.
 
The Terminator said:
Once your girls are outta school, you really need to get yourself a project car! Another Wagoneer, maybe an XJ, a Diesel Benz, something of that sort! Wagoneer will probably cost you, but clean XJs and W123s can still be found in the 5-10k range. Not $1000 craigslist beaters like when I was in HS, but still not bad overall for classic cars, where you see E30s fetch 50k on Bringatrailer lolol
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I sold my XJ for $250 with rust through the wheel wells to the back of the carpet, a slipping clutch, a right headlight that wouldn't come on, failed Cat, and close to 200k miles. They guy had it for sale on his lot the next week for 2k.

I was still happy because we just needed it gone.
 
Found out last night driving on some ice that my truck won't engage into four-wheel-drive (not that that would fix driving on ice but helps).

Thankfully most main roads are clear. Now I'll need to take care of that issue.
 
When you get home tonight you should watch this interesting 45 minute documentary on the Stanley Steamer automobile. I highly recommend it. Even if you're not into automotive stuff, the history alone concerning steam powered cars is fascinating.

One of the reasons Ford's Model T eclipsed Stanley Steamer sales is it offered the advantage of being able to use IMMEDIATELY. With steam powered cars, you had a kerosine-fired boiler that took at least a half hour to build up sufficient pressure to drive.
 
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