Let's talk about modern cars, and pickups.
I am a car guy, always have been. Once I own a vehicle, it will never see a dealership or shop again. I do all the maintenance, repairs, modifications, and even recalls.
I have so little trust in dealerships that I rather order the recalled parts, pay for them and install them on my time, then risking that the dealership will screw something up, or try to screw me over.
For the longest time I would buy new vehicles at steep discounts in a buyers market, nationwide, keep them for 1 to 4 years, and sell them at break-even point, usually in a sellers market.
This way I haven't "paid" for a vehicle in at least 15 years.
That being said, cars and trucks have become increasingly complex, and this fact adds more parts to the list that can and will fail eventually.
Also, with the inflation of the past years, vehicles have become MUCH more expensive. Even a big discount will not balance the price increases out, and who knows if we will have a proper sellers market again.
At this point I'm losing interest in owning and driving nice and new cars or trucks, due to these factors:
- good deals are harder to find
- quality is going down because brands are cutting corners for higher profit margins
- complexity and failures are going up due to EPA regulations and new / more tech
- repairs on complex vehicles take longer and cost more in parts
- modern vehicles are designed to break after the warranty period runs out
- I hate worrying about where I park my vehicles and seeing dings and scratches from strangers on my vehicles
I'm getting tired of feeding this greed ridden industry. I'm tired of playing the back-office games at dealerships.
Consequently I'm considering to sell all my nice vehicles, never buy a new one again, keep my old beater minivan camper, buy another one from the same year for around 2 grand, and be done with this entire chapter.
Owning 2 old minivans will allow me to always have one in running condition. I can borrow parts between them if needed. Somebody puts another scratch on it, on the supermarket parking lot? Who cares? I won't even realize it.
I know this model year extremely well due to all the work I have done, hence repairs are easy and quick. Parts are plenty and very cheap. A new radiator costs $70. New brake pads all around are only $45. Oil change cost me $19, with filter.
My desire to spend 50k or more on a new car, or 90k on a nice truck, is gone.
I own a sports car that goes 190 MPH and reaches 60 in below 3 seconds but I can't make use of that anywhere. Traffic has become horrible around here and the next race track is 4 hours away. That diesel pickup can pull a house, but I don't even own a 5th wheel trailer.
On the other hand, my minivan camper allows me to do everything I want, even stay over night at the beach, or pick up anything needed for my house and yard.
How do you guys feel about new cars and trucks, how much they cost these days, how likley they will have complex issues past the warranty? Are you still willing to keep running in this hamster-wheel of wasted money?
Evening Crockett, My skillset is more in the pc world, but my son-in-law is a mechanic, which is fine for my 2011 Ford Edge. As for my wife's new Edge, not nearly so much. I felt it important that she has something reliable, but with that comes a crazy price tag. Yes, I dislike spending that kind of money, but feel better that she's in a relatively safe vehicle that is less likely to just quit. We also know a skilled mechanic that is also our friend that has a large shop on his farm. He is substantially cheaper than the dealership and we trust him, so it works out pretty all around.
Well I too usually do my own maintenance for my vehicles. In fact, the two I have, a 2000 Chevy Impala 3.8L and a GMC 2002 Diesel 6.6L 3/4 ton 4x4 crew cab.
The Impala needs a new battery at the moment and some TLC...
Some things I have a good local mechanic that does some things, and I OK with his work.
I really don't see me purchasing a new vehicle anytime soon if I can keep these going.
However, I'm at the age where I will be required to take money out of my portfolio's so if the right deal presents itself I might buy another vehicle because mine are older.
Looks like the key is finding a trustworthy mechanic - if one doesn't want to do all the work.
Glad to see that you guys are not buying into the newest tech all the time, like so many do.
I guess I'm evolving after all. I came from a point in life where I spent most of my income on lifestyle. But what once made me happy, turned into shackles. And then its gotten to a point where my stuff owns me.
Time to get rid of the overhead and make things simple again. These days I don't mind wrenching on a car, at all. But throwing money out of the window does get old.
A set of new rear tires on my fast car is $1100. And that's just one example. I have been pushing this thing hard for over 20k miles - that engine won't last 200k miles, heck not even 50k.
Time to adjust. Now ya'll can call me an old, grumpy, man. ;D
We were fortunate with my wife's vehicle having only 24,000 miles on it. It knocked the price down significantly, but was still a ton of money :(
Quote from: Kenk on October 02 2025 07:31:52 PM MDTWe were fortunate with my wife's vehicle having only 24,000 miles on it. It knocked the price down significantly, but was still a ton of money :(
In 2019 I bought a new 2018 RAM 1500 single cab, long bed, HEMI, 4WD, lockable diff, for 27k out the door. The sticker price was 41k. It was sitting on the lot for 9 month and the dealership was desperate. Found it online, asked for signed buyers order via email so they won't pull any stunts on me when I show up, flew in early 2 states up North and drove it back home the same day.
While I managed to sell it in 2023 for the same 27k, this pile of Stelantis garbage had the HEMI lifter tick from day one. I managed to make it go away with expensive and thin motor oil, that had MUCH more additives in it.
The new owner will get to hear the lifter tick again, once he switches back to cheaper oil, and then I give it 30k miles until the lobes on the cam are down, and the bearings down South are shot.
Before that, I owned a 2016 C7 Corvette, that ate through 1 quart of oil every 900 miles, from day one. Had to sue GM in order to force them to buy it back. My 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Duramax had the chassis-bound death wobble that they couldn't get rid off. Sold it one year later for what I paid due to a 12k discount.
Those are the examples why I'm done with modern vehicles. Way to expensive for the drama they cause.
If I'd ever buy a new car again, it would be either the new Prius Prime or the Sienna.
I owned a 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid for 1.5 years and put over 30k miles on it. Flawless, and I saw up to 61 MPG with hypermiling. 30 dollars of gas got me 600 miles. But I will never again buy a new GM or Stelantis product.
I have never owned a "new" car in my life. Used every single time. The closest I have come was in spring 2012 when I picked up a 2011 suburban that was the "backup" vehicle to a car service in LV. Only driven when another vehicle was "down" and only driven buy professional chauffeurs who were being paid to provide a luxury ride around Las Vegas. It only had a touch over 3K miles and I got it at a steep discount. Still have that vehicle, drove it to the cabin Wednesday night.
But, I am a bit of a car-hound. My current stable inlcudes:
2015 Mercedes GLK 250 Bluetech (85K)
2011 Chevrolet Suburban LT (140K)
2008 BMW X5 4.8 (180K)
2001 Land Rover Discovery II LE7 (170K) - paid $400 for this one
Also at my house but owned by children:
2009 Hyundai Sonata GLE (90k)
1995 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0 (150K)
1993 Ford Bronco XLT 5.8 (160K)
I let a trusted (as much as you can) stealership do any warranty work on the vehicles. The M-B still has 4 more years on the diesel-gate updates. Other than that I do all my own wrenching on cars. And I am currently a bit behind. The MB is due an oil change that I will get to next week. The BMW needs a transmission and transfer case service, and I need to address the front prop shaft with an upgraded unit due to age. And it has a few leaking gaskets that I should address, and I need to inspect the rod bearings for it's 200K inspection.
As you can see from the mileages, high miles don't worry me. I keep on top of routine maintenance, get oil analysis and usually expect 300-400K miles from a pushrod V8 - after which I can do the rebuild for another 250 K miles. But that X5 engine will be an adventure if I need to rebuilt it. DOHC, VVT, all kinds of special tools.
My wife is starting to get a bit antsy for something a little newer than 10 years. But the current car market doesn't really excite me in any way.
Quote from: sqlbullet on October 03 2025 08:56:06 AM MDTI have never owned a "new" car in my life. Used every single time. The closest I have come was in spring 2012 when I picked up a 2011 suburban that was the "backup" vehicle to a car service in LV. Only driven when another vehicle was "down" and only driven buy professional chauffeurs who were being paid to provide a luxury ride around Las Vegas. It only had a touch over 3K miles and I got it at a steep discount. Still have that vehicle, drove it to the cabin Wednesday night.
But, I am a bit of a car-hound. My current stable inlcudes:
2015 Mercedes GLK 250 Bluetech (85K)
2011 Chevrolet Suburban LT (140K)
2008 BMW X5 4.8 (180K)
2001 Land Rover Discovery II LE7 (170K) - paid $400 for this one
Also at my house but owned by children:
2009 Hyundai Sonata GLE (90k)
1995 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0 (150K)
1993 Ford Bronco XLT 5.8 (160K)
I let a trusted (as much as you can) stealership do any warranty work on the vehicles. The M-B still has 4 more years on the diesel-gate updates. Other than that I do all my own wrenching on cars. And I am currently a bit behind. The MB is due an oil change that I will get to next week. The BMW needs a transmission and transfer case service, and I need to address the front prop shaft with an upgraded unit due to age. And it has a few leaking gaskets that I should address, and I need to inspect the rod bearings for it's 200K inspection.
As you can see from the mileages, high miles don't worry me. I keep on top of routine maintenance, get oil analysis and usually expect 300-400K miles from a pushrod V8 - after which I can do the rebuild for another 250 K miles. But that X5 engine will be an adventure if I need to rebuilt it. DOHC, VVT, all kinds of special tools.
My wife is starting to get a bit antsy for something a little newer than 10 years. But the current car market doesn't really excite me in any way.
You probably saved a fortune by never buying a new car.
When I grew up, I couldn't afford a new car at all, heck not even a nice used car. For a couple decades I was stuck with VW's or an old Honda, worth between a couple hundred bucks and 1500 max.
Once I made a decent income, I wanted to catch up and bought nice, new vehicles, at full MSRP.
I spent some time online window shopping the current market in recent days, because much like you, I didn't see anything exciting for a while.
Well, I found out that no brand makes a "perfect" car or truck anymore. They are all packed with compromises, making it really hard to make a decision.
Minivans for instance:
- The Honda is lacking any hybrid options, the model is super old and the tech is lacking.
- In the Toyota you can't remove the middle row seats anymore, they only offer a 4 banger with hybrid that is under-powdered, and a CVT doesn't match the high price. You can't walk from the driver seat to the back anymore - you have to exit the vehicle.
- The Chrysler looks good and offers options, but lacks reliability and Stelantis can't be trusted anymore at this point.
Why can't any of them build a minivan with all those features?
- V6 hybrid that still has enough power, but with a little better MPG
- a proper transmission and not a CVT
- removable seats or at least the Stow-N-Go cubbies for the middle and rear row
- New tech but no massive middle console that prevents you from walking to the back
- AWD as an option
Same issues with pickups.
I, like the majority of Americans, hate (loathe) newer vehicles that have sensors and other electronic bullshit all over them.
Someone spills a soft drink in the right rear floorboard from a drive thru and there's a sensor somewhere in the car that is transmitting that to the factory to let them know how many seconds it took to wipe it up off the floor. Tracking your every movement. Everywhere you go. How fast you accelerate. If your tires ever spin or lose traction. If you used your turn signal or not. Sensors that watch your face/eyes to see if you're "distracted". And "sharing" the info with outside "sources". Or, in other words, law enforcement and every ad agency that pays them to pirate your info.
That's not even related to how the cars are designed. Most older cars I started working on in the 70's (many including older 50's and 60's models), just about anybody could work on them. And did.
Now, you have to take half the car apart to change a wheel bearing that is built into the the A-arm assembly. Drop the whole engine out from underneath the frame to change a starter. The shit that engineers do is beyond retarded.
I'd rather buy a dozen "antique" cars as buy 1 new one.
I hate new cars.
If a car or truck manufacturer made a vehicle without all the electronic crap, I'd probably buy one. Until then, I'll never buy a new vehicle as long as I live. I'm getting old so that may not be much longer, but if anyone really knew me, you'd know I'm being serious and mean every word of what I say.
Quote from: John A. on October 04 2025 07:51:20 AM MDTI, like the majority of Americans, hate (loathe) newer vehicles that have sensors and other electronic bullshit all over them.
Someone spills a soft drink in the right rear floorboard from a drive thru and there's a sensor somewhere in the car that is transmitting that to the factory to let them know how many seconds it took to wipe it up off the floor. Tracking your every movement. Everywhere you go. How fast you accelerate. If your tires ever spin or lose traction. If you used your turn signal or not. Sensors that watch your face/eyes to see if you're "distracted". And "sharing" the info with outside "sources". Or, in other words, law enforcement and every ad agency that pays them to pirate your info.
That's not even related to how the cars are designed. Most older cars I started working on in the 70's (many including older 50's and 60's models), just about anybody could work on them. And did.
Now, you have to take half the car apart to change a wheel bearing that is built into the the A-arm assembly. Drop the whole engine out from underneath the frame to change a starter. The shit that engineers do is beyond retarded.
I'd rather buy a dozen "antique" cars as buy 1 new one.
I hate new cars.
If a car or truck manufacturer made a vehicle without all the electronic crap, I'd probably buy one. Until then, I'll never buy a new vehicle as long as I live. I'm getting old so that may not be much longer, but if anyone really knew me, you'd know I'm being serious and mean every word of what I say.
I remove the GSM / WiFi / Bluetooth module out of every vehicle I own. No more data sending / selling to anyone.
There's a reason why my insurance didn't go up even though I push my Vette hard.
GM just settled on a FTC case for sharing driving metrics to insurance companies. Not with me! Even if they build all that into the main computer, I will always be able to disable or remove any sending activity, even on a PCB level, thanks to my background in electronics and coding.
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-takes-action-against-general-motors-sharing-drivers-precise-location-driving-behavior-data (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-takes-action-against-general-motors-sharing-drivers-precise-location-driving-behavior-data)
I don't worry so much about bluetooth myself because I made the decision that I don't want a cell phone. So, I don't have to worry as much about that.
But if you could tell me how to disable all that other crap on my 2014 toyota corrola, I'm all ears.
I don't think it's just government motors that are doing the tracking stuff. I know for sure that ford has even recently gotten patents for some of how they are doing that junk.
example:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-patent-details-vehicles-detect-152010965.html?
(for the record, even that link above was full of tracking junk that I removed prior to posting).
And they want to listen to in car conversations as well.
https://www.climatedepot.com/2024/09/19/ford-files-patent-to-spy-on-drivers-ford-wants-to-listen-to-your-in-car-conversations/
Quote from: John A. on October 04 2025 03:30:30 PM MDTI don't worry so much about bluetooth myself because I made the decision that I don't want a cell phone. So, I don't have to worry as much about that.
But if you could tell me how to disable all that other crap on my 2014 toyota corrola, I'm all ears.
I don't think it's just government motors that are doing the tracking stuff. I know for sure that ford has even recently gotten patents for some of how they are doing that junk.
example:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-patent-details-vehicles-detect-152010965.html?
(for the record, even that link above was full of tracking junk that I removed prior to posting).
And they want to listen to in car conversations as well.
https://www.climatedepot.com/2024/09/19/ford-files-patent-to-spy-on-drivers-ford-wants-to-listen-to-your-in-car-conversations/
The real issue is GSM, not BT or Wifi. As far as I know, the 2014 Toyota Corolla does not have a built-in GSM system or antenna.
As long as you don't hook up the car to the hotspot on your phone, there won't be any data sharing.
WTF what's with all the paranoia who gives a rat's ass I'm half dead already
Quote from: 10 Round on October 04 2025 07:25:39 PM MDTWTF what's with all the paranoia who gives a rat's ass I'm half dead already
Ignorance is bliss. For some at least.
No paranoia is ignorance let's get back to firearms and ammo
Quote from: 10 Round on October 04 2025 08:10:41 PM MDTNo paranoia is ignorance let's get back to firearms and ammo
GM sold driver data to insurance companies, harvested through their OnStar system that is installed in EVERY GM vehicle, and then the insurance companies raised premiums on drivers, based on their driving style, without consent. The FEDERAL TC caught and fined GM, I linked it, and you call that paranoia?
I started this thread and the topic is "Today's cars" in the "Off topic" area of the forum, and not "firearms and ammo".
How about you f off from my topic?
I think it was progressive that "let" you drive around with their little gadget plugged into your cigarette lighter for a month to base your insurance rates on your driving.
That was voluntary though.
Lot different when you're being spied on involuntarily and even worse when the company is profiting from it. Sadly, I'd bet that even if they were fined, GM still made money from it. That's how it usually works.
Crockett, I remember reading a very good thread on akfiles from someone that formerly worked for the state department who detailed how to disconnect all the tracking crap in their GM vehicles because they would often be traveling or escorting dignitaries or other sensitive things and they would disconnect all of the onstar stuff because it was a security issue for them.
There is a downloadable pdf file that details the steps to be taken in the topic.
https://www.akfiles.com/forums/threads/disable-tracking-on-gm-vehicles-with-onstar.522468/
If they were concerned that their (governments) privacy was being compromised, why anyone would think it's OK for THEIR privacy to be compromised and was acceptable?
Quote from: John A. on October 05 2025 07:29:57 AM MDTI think it was progressive that "let" you drive around with their little gadget plugged into your cigarette lighter for a month to base your insurance rates on your driving.
That was voluntary though.
Lot different when you're being spied on involuntarily and even worse when the company is profiting from it. Sadly, I'd bet that even if they were fined, GM still made money from it. That's how it usually works.
Crockett, I remember reading a very good thread on akfiles from someone that formerly worked for the state department who detailed how to disconnect all the tracking crap in their GM vehicles because they would often be traveling or escorting dignitaries or other sensitive things and they would disconnect all of the onstar stuff because it was a security issue for them.
There is a downloadable pdf file that details the steps to be taken in the topic.
https://www.akfiles.com/forums/threads/disable-tracking-on-gm-vehicles-with-onstar.522468/
If they were concerned that their (governments) privacy was being compromised, why anyone would think it's OK for THEIR privacy to be compromised and was acceptable?
Yeah, its petty easy to locate the module and pull the GSM / WIFI / BT card out. Some just unplug the antennas but that doesn't cut it. When I GSM tower is close enough, it will still establish connection with the traces on the board that also act as an antenna.
They need to be careful with posting photos and details, because it will also eliminate the crash based auto 911 call. You will give up some safety that could save your life if nobody else sees your crash and call in for help.
GM for sure still made a profit, and I could care less about that. But I don't want my insurance rates to go up, just because some algorithm considers me a higher risk just because I pushed it a for a few seconds on a highway ramp with nobody being around, or being penalized for doing an evasive maneuver because somebody was about to hit me.
I'm sure my premium would be much higher based on GPS and location data. But the reality is, I have zero crashes or insurance claims on my record. My premium should be going down every year.
Quote from: 10 Round on October 04 2025 08:10:41 PM MDTNo paranoia is ignorance let's get back to firearms and ammo
In fairness, this is the "Off Topic - Anything but firearms" area. ;)
Quote from: crockett on October 05 2025 02:13:09 PM MDTI have zero crashes or insurance claims on my record. My premium should be going down every year.
Amen brother. I have never been "at fault" in an accident. I have been rear-ended twice, both times while stopped. No claims and only one ticket in 40 years of licensed driving (more like 45 years of actual driving - farm life). That ticket was 17-18 years ago and was unjust (cited for failure to stop, but the cop couldn't see the intersection clearly from his vantage - I stopped at the line, then crept forward past a hedge to be able to see if it was clear and then went, which he saw as a roll and go since he couldn't see the stop).
Insurance is set up to get money, not to actually insure people.
Quote from: sqlbullet on October 06 2025 06:51:06 AM MDTQuote from: crockett on October 05 2025 02:13:09 PM MDTI have zero crashes or insurance claims on my record. My premium should be going down every year.
Amen brother. I have never been "at fault" in an accident. I have been rear-ended twice, both times while stopped. No claims and only one ticket in 40 years of licensed driving (more like 45 years of actual driving - farm life). That ticket was 17-18 years ago and was unjust (cited for failure to stop, but the cop couldn't see the intersection clearly from his vantage - I stopped at the line, then crept forward past a hedge to be able to see if it was clear and then went, which he saw as a roll and go since he couldn't see the stop).
Insurance is set up to get money, not to actually insure people.
I was rear-ended too, sitting at a red light, by a black female. She didn't even make any effort to come out of her car too look at the damages she caused. I walk up to her window, and asked if she's ok. She never asked me in return. I had to call police in order to get a report for HER insurance.
Officer asked her for proof of insurance and she provided something in paper form.
Fast forward 3 weeks or so: her insurance calls me, and tells me that they won't cover the damages on my car, because the owner of the car only made the first installment payment in order to get the proof of insurance, and never paid the next 3 payments. They long dropped her.
I called her, she didn't expect my call, and she promised to send a check for the repair costs. I never got anything in the mail and she ghosted my phone number ever since.
Then I researched her online and this is what I found out:
- lives in the hood and doesn't work, hence nothing to get through a lawsuit
- posted every day on FaceBook that she can't wait for her boyfriend to come out of jail
- boyfriend was sentenced to 15 years
According to some sources, 20 to 25% drive around in FL without insurance.
And guess why my premium doesn't go down even though I have zero claims. I keep paying for all those that are under or not insured and cause crashes.
Now I pay even more, because I paid the repair out of my own pocket so I don't have a claim on me.
And guess who's tax money is being used to pay for her EBT card and her boyfriend's incarceration.
Needless to say, she never got a ticket either.
Zero consequences for her, but all her consequences for me.
That is the crooked reality we live in.
I guess I lucked out twice. First time I was sitting still waiting on a car in front to turn left, mid-block. I saw the guy coming behind me and saw him check to change lanes rather than slowing...Time he needed if we was going to have to stop. He couldn't change lanes and with the delay he couldn't stop. I locked down my brakes so I didn't hit the car in front of me, plus I had left a decent space. It didn't look bad, but was over 5k in damages. This was back in the early 90's, so the car was actually close to totaled. Other guy did have good insurance so it was paid for and I got a rental for two weeks while they fixed it.
Second time it was at a stop light and the teen behind me was not paying attention and hit the gas when the left turn lane next to us moved. She got a nice hole in her grill from my trailer hitch. My Suburban was undamaged. Poor girl was terrified to tell her dad.
Quote from: sqlbullet on October 07 2025 07:31:25 AM MDTI guess I lucked out twice. First time I was sitting still waiting on a car in front to turn left, mid-block. I saw the guy coming behind me and saw him check to change lanes rather than slowing...Time he needed if we was going to have to stop. He couldn't change lanes and with the delay he couldn't stop. I locked down my brakes so I didn't hit the car in front of me, plus I had left a decent space. It didn't look bad, but was over 5k in damages. This was back in the early 90's, so the car was actually close to totaled. Other guy did have good insurance so it was paid for and I got a rental for two weeks while they fixed it.
Second time it was at a stop light and the teen behind me was not paying attention and hit the gas when the left turn lane next to us moved. She got a nice hole in her grill from my trailer hitch. My Suburban was undamaged. Poor girl was terrified to tell her dad.
Things had been better in the 90s. And the 80s. That's at least my opinion. You could buy a new, simple, single cab truck for 6 grand. Much easier to work on, no computer, no computer needed to repair them. Nobody distracted with smartphones either.
If I could go back, this would be my last post on this forum...
As crazy as it sounds, I really don't mind OBD-1/Ford EEC-IV engine controls. They are simple enough to be worked on, add a fair bit of efficiency, are way better than mechanical injection systems and can be hot rodded fairly easily. Chevy TBI is in the same vein.
Two of my kids still have Bronco's with these engine control systems and they are dead nuts reliable.
Quote from: sqlbullet on October 07 2025 01:30:17 PM MDTAs crazy as it sounds, I really don't mind OBD-1/Ford EEC-IV engine controls. They are simple enough to be worked on, add a fair bit of efficiency, are way better than mechanical injection systems and can be hot rodded fairly easily. Chevy TBI is in the same vein.
Two of my kids still have Bronco's with these engine control systems and they are dead nuts reliable.
I grew up on carbs and chokes - easy to adjust.
And when you live in a state with 4 seasons of summer - like I do - a carb will be very happy to start the engine easily, year round.
One of my first cars was an 80s VW Polo, the smaller version of the Golf. An engine swap was a thing of 2.5 hours.
New cam? 1 hour. You remove the cylinder head cover, there are zero obstructions, you pull the lifters.
You could separate the engine from the trans enough to pull the clutch, without removing either.
They came in at 1300 pounds. Even a 75 HP engine made that car zippy enough to go 115 MPH.
Power steering? Doesn't need one.
Used engine from the yard that is working and comes with a warranty? 500 bucks.
Had more room in the back than many of today's crossovers.
(https://i.postimg.cc/6Qkn97YK/1.jpg)
Swapped engines in a barn...
(https://i.postimg.cc/V6XG1P9g/2.jpg)
I cut my teeth on a 1981 Toyota Tercel coupe with a four speed manual. All my friends in rural midwest America drove early 70's V8's. They could kill me in the 1/4 mile, but stood no chance on the twisty back country roads.
Well this is my first car that my dad gave me 1972 with 149K miles and it burned oil. My dad had me using it like a dump truck hauling dirt from in a big wooden box in the trunk from the back of the property. The drive was between the pine trees which the car barely fit between on the trail to and from.
It is the Chevy B210 4 dr with the 265 V8 2bbl carb 3 speed manual on the steering column. I pulled the motor and brought it to high school shop class and boiled the block in caustic soda, cut the ridge from the cylinders, worked the valves and then put it back together where I used it for some hard use for few years. Shifter linkage on the column was worn out and I put a Hurst floor shifter inn her. Also had to rebuild the standard transmission twice because the first was worn out and the second was from racing in reverse.
I wish I had pictures of it after I did some body work, cleaned sanded and painted it RED with a brush with Rust-oleum paint. It came out really well and is why I'm sad I don't have pictures of that. I had some Black interior from a 1957 that I reworked mine with.
Picture is me driving and my two brothers and two cousins on each outer sided.
(https://i.postimg.cc/x8sFkfBH/Wade1956-Chevyb.png) (https://postimages.org/)