So what was the problem? Share, that way everybody learns something. ...and it might help someone in the future.
I absolutely HATE threads like this. Zero information about the engine/transmission/anything and then, quite miraculously, a simple fix that is also NOT revealed. Ought to be a law against it.
No, you probably won't get your money back out of it, old cars are rarely good investments. Especially something like a Maverick/Comet. You buy, care for and drive one of these cars out of love, not sound financial wisdom... I honestly think you've got the wrong car, but if you're going to keep it you've got to learn some patience with it. Some people can drive an old car every day, some can't. My car's a daily driver because I am stubborn and I want to drive a muscle car every day, but mostly because I have the skill to fix it and I have the patience to take it in stride when some new random thing blows up in my face. I love the car enough to accept everything that comes with it. There might be hope though. Does your kid show the spark of mechanical aptitude? When I was a kid, (not that long ago I'm only 32) my first car was a piece of junk. I bought it, I paid for the gas and I had to fix it when it broke because I couldn't afford a mechanic. Didn't have anyone in the family to help, didn't even have the resources we have today, like all these car forums. I just got some books, some tools, and when that damned Chevette didn't cooperate I figured out what I had to do and I fixed it. I found out I had a natural inclination towards it, having always been the kind of child who preferred a bucket a Legos over a football, and I discovered I really liked working on cars. That humble Chevette altered the course of my whole life. It made me a "Car Guy" which became a defining trait about me. It changed who I was, and because I had an impressionable little brother it changed who he was. When I had a son of my own it even affected him. He's a rabid car nut too and all because I got bit by that bug when I was 17. ...So maybe your kid's old car breaking down might be the best thing that ever happened to him, depending on how you feel about ending up with generations of "Car Guys" in your family. I regard it today as one of the best things that ever happened to me, but who knows? Maybe I would have found a better hobby, or devoted more time to studying and become an engineer or a doctor if I'd just got some reliable Japanese front wheel drive appliance for my first car. But I wouldn't have these cool scars, these stained hands and this bitchin' ride...
isnt it apparent the simple fix was putting a teens heavy foot up his rear so he leans lightly on the loud pedal, which in turn provides better fuel milage and less breakage. simple fix, come on guys . lol. my first car was a 68 dart gt 318 with 4 barrel. dang right i stayed in the back barrels of that holley every minute. miss that car
The simple fix was a loose connection. Thought it ended up being the coil that went out but it was just a loose connection. Still gets crappy gas mileage but it wasn't empty. I guess getting the gas guage to work is our next task. And of course I know that things are going to break on old cars...who doesn't. But you can't tell me that you don't get frustrated when you have to put money into something to fix it. Only a moron would be happy to spend their money on fixing crap and having one problem after another! Not trying to be rude but some of the coments were rather rude. I know you have to baby old cars but in my perfect world everything should work right We might sell it but we would want around $3000 for it.
Not to be rude... Never was my intention, but no, when it comes to my Maverick I don't get frustrated by problems like that. It's part of owning a car that old. On a car that's five, even ten years old I might. Like my wife's car, an '04 with 80k miles. I think I still have a reasonable expectation to just put gas in it, change the oil and drive with little or no trouble. I'd get pissed off if something broke right on the heels of something else. But my '73 Ranchero - Like your car, just an unrestored survivor in good shape that happens to run well after all these years - I drive it all the time, but I know on any given day it might pop a belt, blow a hose or even worse, much worse, and it's just part of it. I had to put a transmission in it a few weeks ago. My Maverick is not an "unrestored survivor." I'd hardly say it's fully restored, but there's nothing original about it. It's all been gone through or replaced. Mechanically speaking I'd say it's no worse than a five year old car, but still a five year old car in the 70's sure wasn't as reliable as what we've come to expect today. Just by the nature of 1970's technology it takes more maintenance. In my opinion, only a moron would have high expectations of reliability in a car that old, in any condition.
No question about frustration, I don't know of anyone who hasn't experienced that, nor in spending money working through the process of elimination in dealing with a neglected vehicle. With regard to repairs, this is a hobby for most, so it is taken in stride. I may have missed the posts containing rudeness, but as I understand, everyone is welcome to share their views. Have you started a search for another vehicle? Because clearly an older one is not to your liking...
You'll be hard pressed to find a thread where I get frustrated with my Maverick. Frustrated with parts or suppliers yes. The car itself, nope. I love it. Its simple and affordable. I just did a rear brake job on a 2009 Caravan to the tune of 700 dollars. Now that would be frustrating.
I went back and reread all the posts, but can't seem to find where anyone was rude. The post I made about teasers, was clearly not intended to be rude. It was done in good clean fun, hence the emoticons included with it. If she took that as being somehow rude, I'm sorry she feels that way.
