Chadd,
I would keep what you have, and spend money to fix it up
like new/restore it.
You can actually replace everything that will wear out or fail yourself
for very little overall money.
Its quite interesting to ponder the options.
You could go out and buy a new or newer car, and spend say
$20,000.00 to 30,000.00.
You can also have your car like new for say $10,000.00, depending
on what it needs, what has been done, and how much of the work you
do yourself.
What! Spend $10,000.00 on an old car that is not worth $3000.00!
Sounds crazy, but if you bought a new car for $30,000.00,
after 2 or 3 years, it will loose at least $10,000.00 of value.
Of course, the big things are paint, trim, leather, wood.
If your paint is bad, it will cost a lot for a top quality
paint job. (its so much better to take care of the original paint!)
Part of the trick of keeping the car nice is the little things.
You need to replace trim items, wheels, etc as they get gnarly
looking.
All the little details add up to a nice car, or one that looks
rough…
Add to the rough car some leaks, some alarms, some bulbs out,
an odd noise, broken flaps, and its a dog…
If you want a newer car, a 1994 was a very good year.
Top quality car with 50,000 miles for about $13,000.00.
You can still get all the diagnostic info, all sorts
of used/aftermarket parts, and they did not have most
of the silly motorized very expensive nonsense yet.
I have thought about getting a newer car (if I came into money).
But I would have to start all over again, pulling all the
parts off and servicing them.
blowers,
fuel pump,
radiators,
shocks,
bushings,
hoses,
belts,
heater cores,
coolant,
thermostat,
head gasket,
water pump,
fuel lines,
etc…
I am not ready for that yet…
Brett
1990 XJ6>
What a great list this is! You guys have been helpful
everytime I post.
Hopefully someday I can return the favor.
I will give you a little history on my car…
It is a 1990 Sovereign. I bought it used for in 1994
with 60,000 miles
on it. I have had a few minor problems that are the norm
(central locking
system, SLS, ABS) Nothing major. In 1997 I drove the car
into my house.
The damage to my house ran $46,000. The damage to the
car…$250! I was
sold right then and there! There was a small dent on the
right fender.
What sturdy cars. Anyway I have put 100,000 miles on it
since I bought it
without major exspenses. How could one complain? It is time
now for a
newer one. Anybody have any suggestions on what year is best?
Chadd
1991 Sovereign
160,000 miles
Fort Worth, TX