Reasons to drive an old car

[Jonathon]

So I a 2002 Toyota Tundra, I got a great deal on it and I refuse to give it up now, I will drive it until the wheels fall off! So, one thing with it is it has some issue with a battery. It drains them very slowly. In the 3 years I have had it I have replaced the battery 3 times. I JUST did it last week and I went out to start it this morning and it wouldn’t start. Out of annoyance I punched the steering wheel (because I am a mature adult) and the light for the open door and the battery light came right on. I went to start it and it almost started, so I punched it again, this time while laughing and I got it to start no problem.

Anyway, it must have an issue with some wiring in the steering column so I will look at it tonight. Anyway, it made me laugh!

[Ridley Acres]

I really enjoyed wrenching on cars when I was a teen and into my very early twenties. Those days are long gone and I’m entering the phase of life where I’d chalk this up as a reason NOT to drive an old car. That being said, I grew up in a house where we fixed everything ourselves, and so far my kids are as well.

Good luck and I hope you find the short, those buggers can be tough to track down.

[lkrfletcher]

Jonathon I like my toyota

[HerbcoFood]

In the first car I had as a 16 year old, when you would hit the reading lights it would lock the doors!

[ND Mike]

I love owning old cars. I still have a few but my old truck before I got married is probably my favorite. It is a 1979 Dodge PowerWagon. I love the fact that if you had a problem you could actually work on them and diagnose the problem without a code reader! Still have it but it needs a rear-end right now. My youngest brother wrecked that. But I have a spare that I need to put in so I can teach my kids how to drive a 4 speed.

[Jonathon]

ND Mike Oh my god how I would love that car! If I didn’t need to have a back seat for the transportation of large dogs I’d 100% pursue one of those! I love the look of them. No fancy back seat, no nonsense, just an awesome looking truck!

[Ridley Acres]

ND Mike Oh yeah, the good ole days when if your car didn’t start it was either the starter, battery, or you were out of gas.

[johnsbrewhouse]

Jonathon Check the ignition switch, they crimp the plastic to the metal housing and after many year those housing become loose and loose the connections or the screw can come loose as well. They are not hard to replace, just a couple of screws and standing on your head for a few minutes

[Tex_77]

Jonathon why hasn’t Austin got you a new truck with a Walton’s wrap on it?

[HerbcoFood]

Tex_77 Why not just wrap the current one, I mean besides the fact the wrap job probably costs more than the vehicle is worth… Jonathon Austin

[alanburkholder]

Too much electronics in the new stuff, I’ve got a 1963 Corvair Spyder Convertable (150 turbo) that occasionally hits the road. 52000 miles on the odometer (well that doesn’t work)… but the car drives fine. I’d even take Ralph Nader for a ride if he would dare. I even have seat belts in the back seat (not stock though) for those concerned with safety.

[johnsbrewhouse]

Jonathon Here’s one you might like. I’ve owned it since 1991, only 114,000 miles on it and new motor with no smog or electronics anymore.

[ND Mike]

Ridley Acres so true! And I could fix all of that except the gas on the side of the road. I got where I could swap out a starter in about 5 minutes!!!

[ND Mike]

Jonathon yep I have had 4 PowerWagons over the years. My absolute favorite was a 1974! That one was a beast!!!

[Grimpuppy]

I drive all my vehicles till the wheels fall off. I haven’t sold a vehicle in over 20 years and have never traded one in. I am partial to Suburbans. At the price of new ones anymore, I keep my 99 with 270,000 miles on a regular maint routine.

[PapaSop]

Used to like working on vehicles. Now I don’t. GET A NEW ONE!

[Chef]

Grimpuppy I agree. I have a 1998 2500 Ram Diesel with 420,000 miles. The old 12 valve cummings. Doesn’t look pretty, but it tows anything I want. Will likely drive it till it dies.

[ND Mike]

Chef my brother has a first generation Cummins. I think it is a 91. He is taking the drive train out and putting it in a 1985 Dodge Crew Cab that he has. The body on his Cummins truck was a ranchers so it is a little beat up. That Cummins just keeps going and gets fantastic mileage and will pull like nobody’s business!

[Chef]

ND Mike I remember my first car. A 1965 Dodge Dart with a Hemi slant 6. That thing was amazing. I rebuilt the engine at 197000 miles. and last time I heard, my cousin had 420,000 miles on it.

[ND Mike]

Chef those slant 6s were great motors. My first car was a 1973 Plymouth Duster but that had a 318 with a 3 speed on the floor. Got into lots of trouble with that car…especially when I put a 340 in it!!!