Members kwakatak Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 I f#ck!ng hate cars. I just put $1000 in it for new brake pads/rotors and a pair of tires and was looking at getting one more pair of tires before I put it on the block. Now I'm told that the bushings on the front lower control arms are shot - they'd run me about $800 to have replaced (the exact amount of my GAS fund) and the warranty ran out in January. Funny thing is that everybody I talk to raves about Subaru Outbacks. They must lease and exchange because at almost 4 years old I've put 6 new tires on it and it's even got low miles. It's quickly surpassing my first lemon in costs and I've got 2 more years to pay on it. Meanwhile, our other car has a pair of bad tires on it too. I have to check the air twice a week and every time I have to pump up both tires on the driver's side. I think my wife must've run over a nail or something. So there goes my dream of getting another acoustic this year. I'm fine with having two to play but wanted to retire one and upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members abluesguy Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Dude, that seriously sux. Sorry to hear it. Cars can really mess with your finances, I've had it happen also. So just do what I do, play the "Busted car, got no GAS bux blues". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rjoxyz Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 I f#ck!ng hate cars. I just put $1000 in it for new brake pads/rotors and a pair of tires and was looking at getting one more pair of tires before I put it on the block. Now I'm told that the bushings on the front lower control arms are shot - they'd run me about $800 to have replaced (the exact amount of my GAS fund) and the warranty ran out in January. Funny thing is that everybody I talk to raves about Subaru Outbacks. They must lease and exchange because at almost 4 years old I've put 6 new tires on it and it's even got low miles. It's quickly surpassing my first lemon in costs and I've got 2 more years to pay on it. Meanwhile, our other car has a pair of bad tires on it too. I have to check the air twice a week and every time I have to pump up both tires on the driver's side. I think my wife must've run over a nail or something. So there goes my dream of getting another acoustic this year. I'm fine with having two to play but wanted to retire one and upgrade. I have an '05 Outback with about 65,000. I just replaced struts (I run some really bad roads during hunting season) and unexpectedly, a left front bearing set for $1000. Apparently, I can expect the right to go soon, and our generation Outback is supposedly prone to eating up rear bearings. Previously had a coil go bad (not covered by warranty) for about $700. Last Winter, the main belt pulley sucked itself back into the engine after a rubber spacer disintegrated (that one got covered under warranty).All I ever read or heard was that Subarus were bullet-proof. Not mine. Can't really complain about the struts I guess. I would actually consider buying the current (new) generation Outback. I tend to jinx any car, regardless of its reliability record, and the Outback does just about exactly what I need a car to do. The all-wheel drive system works much better than any I've had in the past. Damn car is just about unstoppable, as long as it has ground clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Melodeous Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Jeep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rjoxyz Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Jeep. Man, I had a Grand Cherokee that was waaaay worse than the Outback. But again, there is that jinx factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Queequeg Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Sally has had an Outback for 4 years and she bought it used. It has been trouble-free so far. (it's a good thing since I think I helped talk her into it) But she isn't too hard on automobiles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 My son has a '90s Jeep Cherokee, one of the square ones (not the Grand Cherokee) and its been a good 4x4. Very tough and practical. Never had an Outback, maybe they are not made for off road, although I know they advertise them as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members totamus Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Honda Element. Best car ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alathea Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 That really sucks. I recently rebuilt an alternator in my 86 cavalier for the second time. I hate cars too-but I drive the paid for one and she gets the payment one since she has the kids during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted September 30, 2009 Author Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 FWIW I have one of those "new generation" Outbacks and I don't beat it except for riding the sport shifter during times of heavy traffic. I agree that in the winter the AWD is a Godsend (I live up on top of a big hill) but in the summer months all it does is help eat up the gas - no pun intended. We were hoping to trade it for an AWD Toyota Sienna (minivan) because the outback is too small for hauling two small boys who don't always get along but are forced to sit within swinging/kicking/poking/biting distance of each other. There's not even any leg room in the front. Put the stroller in the back and you might as well forget about stopping at the grocery store. Having two kid seats in the back also means that it can only hold 4, which means some (otherwise lucky bastard)'s gotta stay home if grandma comes to town. Hell, the damned thing is even too small to haul my electric guitar, amp, acoustic guitar, mic stand, etc. without having to leave the cover over the storage area pulled back. Gawd, I wish this POS were paid for because I'd junk it on principal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members larry50 Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Good mileage, low maintenance, seats a family of five. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted September 30, 2009 Author Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Nah - probably has high emissions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhythmguitar28 Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Aw man.......That sucks! Sorry to hear. I used to enjoy cars, working on them etc etc.... Now they're just a nuisance and a necessity. I have a 94 Cherokee that needs a lot of work on the front end. It's actually off the road at the moment. I've been doing a lot of walking and bike riding....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knockwood Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Man, that just really sucks. Sorry, Kwak. One of the few positives to living in this sewer of a town is that I don't have to have a car. What a constant pain in the ass. A couple years back when I was in FL for work, I got an Outback from the rental folks and absolutely loved it... Guess I won't ever be buying one for keeps, though. I'll get a Ford and complain to the H-man when {censored} goes wrong with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members larry50 Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Nah - probably has high emissions. But all you would need is a nice pitchfork and some large baggies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Misha Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Geez kwak! I hope you find a way to get both your car fixed and your new guitar! I don't have a car, I take the bus, the metro or a cab... Friends and colleagues often tell me that I should get a car but when I see what it costs them it makes me think twice... To me it's hobbies (computers, musical instruments, guitar lessons, sports) or a car... I could not get both, I think I would be too tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhythmguitar28 Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Geez kwak! I hope you find a way to get both your car fixed and your new guitar! I don't have a car, I take the bus, the metro or a cab... Friends and colleagues often tell me that I should get a car but when I see what it costs them it makes me think twice... To me it's hobbies (computers, musical instruments, guitar lessons, sports) or a car... I could not get both, I think I would be too tight. It's really gotten that way for a lot of us. I own some nice (but "affordable") guitars, but live in a small ranch and drive a junky old car, when it's drivable.... Luxuries are when I buy a bunch of new strings . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garthman Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Tough luck, Neil. Cars can be a real PITA - it always seems that lots of things go wrong at the same time .Now that I've passed the big 60 I have my bus pass (courtesy of the government) that allows me to travel free on buses so that's what I'm trying to do whenever I can - one of the few consolations of growing old:facepalm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members riffmeister Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Aw man, I hate it when life gets in the way of my music hobbies!Chin up, kwak, this too will pass! (pun intended) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted September 30, 2009 Author Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Yeah, I know. I pretty much need a car to shuttle the kiddies around though and don't want to cheap out. I'm gonna get a second opinion and probably change mechanics too. I've been going to the same place for 12 years now and lately I haven't been satisfied because none of the same people work there. I should've walked when they charged me $1K for brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 I'd definitely get a second opinion. $1000 for brake pads and rotors? The only way that can be that expensive is if the rotor comes in one huge assembly, which is doubtful, but possible. Or it's made of some sort of carbon fiber titanium gold alloy something-or-other. My brother used to be a service manager for KMart. The first thing the mechanics do is look for other things to fix. Go in for an oil change and *poof*, you need brakes. In CA, that's a popular one because a shop can't release your car if they know you've got dangerously worn brakes. Did you get a look at the bushings yourself? Those things are meant to last a lot longer than 40,000 miles. Your conditions may vary, but I'd want to look at them first. Sorry to hear of your troubles, Kwak. I hope everything turns out for the better and you can stay on track for the guitar you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C70man Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 I have owned any number of jeeps, cars, suv's and trucks. From Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Volvo, and a 60's "Jeep" jeep with the Willys' tailgate. And out of all of them, the Honda CRV was by far, the best and most reliable and just keeps on going. After 4 years and over 100k all I have done is put 1 set of tires and regular oil changes...that car is phenominal. I will buy another. It's all wheel drive and still gets 25mpg. Tons of room and a decent stereo system. I used to off road race my '63 Jeep. It had a Buick Hurricane engine in it, and produced some nasty rpms in the lower gears...top speed about 60. I had baffles installed in the oil pan and the block drilled out with extra holes for cooling. You could uphill at a 60degree incline and not starve the engine of oil. I did really well with it....it wasn't an everyday car, but I had more fun with it than even the Cuda I used to race up at Great Lakes Speedway. Teeter Automotive in Elgin, Illinois worked on my Jeep and also re-built my 'Cuda engine. They used to do builds for "Sox and Martin" at the time. It was a screamer...ah, the good ole days. But I'm off thread here......Sorry about the car stuff. There is nothing that pisses me off more than to have to spend money on a car. I currently have an '96 850 that needs the whole brake system replaced...I think I'm just going to dump it instead. Engine runs good, but everything else on it is falling apart...in its defense, I really didn't take care of it and it got vandalized pretty bad twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C70man Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Hey Kwak...I've been there too. Every time I got close to saving for my J45, one of the kids needed help or a car blew up or I lost a job, etc. It sucks. I have sold all my REAL guitars due to money situations over the years, and I hated it every time. I just try to enjoy what I have at the moment, knowing that tomorrow could bring disaster. I'll do my best to help you find that Martin when you're ready. If I run into a super deal I'll buy one and hold on to it for ya. I'm sure it wouldn't be a hardship...I get to play it while you saving up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Samilyn Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Awwww, Neil....I'm sooo sorry to hear that. Still, the safety of you and your family comes first, so your vehicles have to be kept in good condition. I know how ya feel, though. I recently had to re-hock my Guild in order to pay for some car repairs. Got the git back finally, but the whole time it was gone, every time I looked at that car, I felt very resentful and wanted to kick its mechanical ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LiFeStArTs@40 Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 "LOVE... That's what makes Subaru a Subaru". J/K, sorry to hear about your car troubles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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