To sell or not to sell - that is the question...

Discussion in 'Technical' started by klynam, Mar 19, 2012.

  1. sportyfamilycar

    sportyfamilycar ElMaverick

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    If you was to drive my Maverick that I drive back and forth to class, you'd keep yours in a heartbeat :rofl:.

    Mine makes so many squeaks up front for every pebble I hit that its not even funny.

    The last owner cracked the head, ripped the entire cluster out, ragged the interior out, and drove the transmission to its grave :drive:. Theres some bad spots in the floors needing replaced and the pass quarter needs swapped out.

    Yet with a little work I made it road worthy for around town and it should last until I pull it into the garage for its long awaited overhaul (y)
     
  2. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

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    Hard to say why or what is causing the noise that's making ur son leary abt driving the car. I wud think if u have replaced most of the major parts in the suspension the shop ur using wud have probably noticed any faults there.
    It cud be some body parts squeaking. It's hard to believe ur not going to get some noise/rattles/squeaks frm a car that's been in service the light side of 4 decades. As far as the dash lights flashing, it cud be as Bryant stated abt the wiring or senders. I wud just go w/ some AM units and see what is really happening.
    I agree w/ those who suggest - If the car is a daily driver and the drive train is at best questionable - I wud upgrade/rebuild or consider selling.
    Only the owner/s can make the call on whether to go past a certain point w/ a project/hobby when they no longer feel it's fun or to expensive. Old cars are money pits - No 2 ways abt it.
     
  3. Pony Express

    Pony Express Haul'in @**

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    I can relate to this; I was told one of my cars had sat for a few years and only needed a tune-up. :16suspect This turned out to be a complete rebuild.

    Had I just been only told it had sat for a few years, then I'd have anticipated worst-case scenario on rebuild. But when what I was told :disagree: failed to correspond with what I had to do, I was a bit irritated.

    However, while not wealthy, I have the $$$ set aside to do what I desire, when that desire is upon me. I purchased what I have knowing with full expectations that I will need to spend the $$$ from time to time. (I don't even want to talk about what my '96 Bronco has cost and your jaw would probably hit the floor. But it will last me the remainder of my life and most definitely less expensive than a brand-new SUV.)

    We all know that it goes hand-in-hand with aging vehicles; I am willing to deal with it. :tiphat:
     
  4. klynam

    klynam Member

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    I really REALLY appreciate everyone's input and perspective. If nothing else, it's good to know we're not alone.

    I'm not expecting anything near perfection, and while I'm reasonably competent working on older cars, my son isn't. His heart is for the Lord and at 16 is already taking classes leading into seminary. Cars are just a "necessity of life" for him, but he is a "cut against the grain" sort of kid and really does like his Maverick. In that regard, we thought we were getting something more than we really did. So at this point, all things considered, the thought of him getting stuck somewhere with a car problem is our main concern. Unfortunately, we can't afford another car. It's either this one, or sell it and get something else.

    Guess we'll just eat the elephant one bite at a time: We're going back to the shop today for the front end, and we'll take it from there. If we do have to sell it, I want it to be as right as possible for the next person...
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2012
  5. yellow75

    yellow75 MCCI Oregon State Rep Supporting Member

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    With what you have just stated in this post I have changed my mind on what I think I would do if I was in you or your sons situation, I would sell the car :(.

    The car will always be one of those kind that worries you about what is going to go wrong now since it has started out that way and your son needs to keep up with his studies, not to mention financial obligations, gas, insurance, upkeep. I have a feeling in your heart you would love to keep the car but know that it is not the best vehicle for your son and he would be much better off with a car that gets better gas mileage and is much safer to drive.

    In a perfect world the best thing that could happen is for you to keep the car and work on it as time and money would allow and get your son another car. You are already into the car for too much money to recoup your costs so you are going to take a loss selling it but at least you will not be putting more money into it.

    Good luck whichever way you decide to go
     
  6. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    I was 17 when I started driving my Comet to school. I lived in north GA went off to school in Savannah, GA. I drove that car and the 73 Maverick I had after it around Savannah and back to visit home about 2x a month. I was a newbie from the mechanic standpoint and the cars were definitely learning experiences. My Dad helped quite a bit and provided a place to work on it when necessary and now that he's gone, I wouldn't trade those days for a million bucks! That said, it really depends on what you really want and how hard you want to work to figure it out when it breaks that you should base your decision on. My kids are different than I was. I wouldn't put either of the older 2 in an old car just for the reasons you stated and because they really don't have the interest to spur their creativity. All old cars are works in progress if they are actually driven especially daily and you can expect when you get done with your current issues, you will have more.

    The suspension clanging: If it happens just when you go over bumps, look at the idler arm. Hit the center link with a rubber hammer and see if you can recreate the noise. Another thing is the calipers. The caliper's weight is supported on the anti rattle spring which is installed between the anchor bracket and the key and the caliper itself. This spring will allow the caliper to "bounce" when you hit potholes and rough pavement creating a rattle that almost sounds just like a suspension noise. A new anti rattle spring on each side may take care of it.

    The engine light could be simple and might not be. Bryant's post covers that one.

    Good luck whichever way you go.:thumbs2:
     
  7. Ryan

    Ryan Ford Addict

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    Maybe your son will have just as much fun but have a little better reliability and slightly better mpg in a Fox body mustang. Still simple to work on and parts are cheap. But not quite as worn out as the maverick.
     
  8. klynam

    klynam Member

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    I agree. Just a matter of finding one in our price range that hasn't been HACKED to pieces by Fast-n-Furious wanna-be's...
     
  9. Ryan

    Ryan Ford Addict

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    Id sell you mine but I doubt youd want to mess with shipping a car again, would be overpriced by the time it got there. But I use it everyday, even deliver pizzas in it.
     
  10. klynam

    klynam Member

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    Just fixed the brakes and now the engine is missing pretty badly. If a basic tune up w/ cap, rotor kit, plugs, and wires doesn't fix it I may be throwing in the towel...
     
  11. driftwood

    driftwood Member

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    hate to say i told ya so.they're expensive to have around specially if a young guy is driving it no matter if hes godly or not(which i was at his age and beat the tar out of my cars) unless you rebuild pretty much everything they are just money pits,alot like boats (which i have three of and stuff alot of the money in that i would like to put in my maverick)there holes you throw money in till you do it right.sell it to someone that doesnt need it for basic transportation or take out a loan to do to it what you need to to make it a daily driver you dont have to worry about..sorry needed said....matt
     
  12. klynam

    klynam Member

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    You're right - as were many others - and definitely no hard feelings for saying "told you so." We hoped for something better, but facts is facts...
     
  13. klynam

    klynam Member

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    Sold to a proud new owner. We had a great time working father/son on the car. Now it's time to get the young man something he can just jump in and drive anytime he wants. Maybe another Mav will be in our future - Mavericks rock!!!
     
  14. yellow75

    yellow75 MCCI Oregon State Rep Supporting Member

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    I guess that is good :huh: at least you can quit worrying about what is next. It has been great having you here but bad that the reason you have been here was to figure out problems. All Mavericks and Comets dont have all these problems but I bet it will make you leery if you ever decide to get another one, you have a good background on what to look out for now

    Hopefully you told new owner about the forum so we can help him :)
     
  15. rwbrooks50

    rwbrooks50 Member

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    Quote: "Maybe another Mav will be in our future - Mavericks rock!!!"

    :sorry: to hear you sold it. But, if you have a place to store and work on another one, I have a couple of cheap project car. Start with a good body and build it the way you want. And, you know I have parts when you need them.

    Rick
     

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