"The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123" (mattp123)
11/09/2015 at 19:01 • Filed to: None
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"The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123" (mattp123)
11/09/2015 at 19:01 • Filed to: None | 7
| 13 |
So about a year and a half ago I decide to resurrect my 1992 Grand Marquis out of the garage after sitting for 4 years. Why you may ask? Well, my 201o Camaro SS is a toy (it only has 3400ish miles), and the 1972 Cutlass Supreme is too nice to daily. Plus Panther. So there is that.
As soon as I got it out of the garage I knew something was wrong. There was plenty wrong with the car before I decided to not put any more money into it and come back to it 4 years later. But now, rather than roll down the street, it would undulate. The tires had nasty flat spots/bulges. And the air bag light was now on so who knows if those will do anything.
So first things first, get new tires. Considering money was tight and it was just the begining of a potential money pit, I did the shameful thing and went to Pep Boys. New tires, front bearings, front shocks to start... Next, I replaced the wiper motor so I could drive in rain/snow. Considering the car has no A/C and the only window that worked was the front passenger window, it was time to fix the driver’s window using the old ball bearing trick.
Then the radio died. Whatever. My commute is short and morning radio is crap. Then the fuel pump died. To the shop! Then the air suspension switch crapped out so that the back end would drop. To the Ford dealer! They said the switch just needed to be remounted. No big deal, until it dropped on my halfway to work the next day. Now they tell me they can’t find the replacement switch for an air suspension system Ford used in everything and anything. Bullshit... Oh well, fuck it, regular coils it is!
Then the fuel lines corroded and leaked. Back to the shop!
I fixed the rough idle with some duct tape to patch a hole in a vacuum line, and carb cleaner on the EGR valve/lines. Oh and the trip odometer and regular odometer gave up a few months ago so who knows how many miles it has now. And who cares really... I just keep an eye on fluids regularly.
It also shakes at 60mph and up. So set the cruise to 58ish, strech them legs, lean back in the seat and let everybody pass you by. It’s probably U joints or drive shaft balance... I’ll get to it later...
So why do I keep it? Sentimental value really. Plus how much would I get if I sold it. And what is it like to drive an old heap daily? It’s nice actually. When things break it’s usually cheap. There isn’t much else to go wrong. You can park wherever you want. And if somebody parks to close to my heap, well... They should know better than to park that close to a beater if they care about their car.
And not too long ago, some middle aged broad in year or two old Hyundai Tucson hit me. It was an honest mistake on her part and I wasn’t even mad. Mainly cause all the damage was to her car. All I got was a barely noticeable scratch and a tiny scuff. I honestly laughed it off and didn’t bother making an insurance claim or police report. Just the bare minimum exchange of information.
Though when I’m driving, I do have to be vigilant when it comes to noises and smells. I wonder if it’s my car or the other one up ahead. The other day when I parked the car at work, I looked around and realized my car was the oldest one in sight. The next oldest was 6 years younger (and another Panther, of course).
But really, it is nice having a car you don’t have to worry about. Just get in and drive it. And cherish every moment until the thing finally dies for good.
Ike
> The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
11/09/2015 at 19:08 |
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Hey, didn’t I just read an article kinda like this...
Lol good job, i agree wholeheartedly its nice to drive something you can fix for penny's and aren't concerned about dings and what not
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
11/09/2015 at 19:09 |
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Yeah but you do have power steering. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a new S-class.
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Ike
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/09/2015 at 19:14 |
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No power steering = arm day everyday you drive, so that's a built in gym, sooooo fannnncy
Dunnik
> The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
11/09/2015 at 19:18 |
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I like your Panther tank
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Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> Ike
11/09/2015 at 19:20 |
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If you saw my arms you would reconsider that opinion.
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The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
> Ike
11/09/2015 at 19:23 |
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I believe you wrote it too. You’re my ikespiration.
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The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/09/2015 at 19:25 |
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Of course I do! What do you think I am? Some kind of peasant? This is a Mercury, damnit! And working power ABS. Cause I’m fancy.
dogisbadob
> The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
11/09/2015 at 19:26 |
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white letter tires are awesome
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Ike
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/09/2015 at 19:28 |
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We could have the worlds worst arm wrestling competition to settle this
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The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
> Dunnik
11/09/2015 at 19:28 |
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They’re pretty much the same, except mine is the civilian model. The only real difference is the alternator and exhaust.
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Ike
> The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
11/09/2015 at 19:29 |
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I lol’d at that good word play!
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Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> Ike
11/09/2015 at 19:43 |
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Make it thumb wrestling and you’re on.
ranwhenparked
> The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
11/09/2015 at 19:52 |
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I drive an ‘84 Lincoln not quite daily, but pretty frequently. My boss has actually asked me to use it for a business trip next week, since it’s big enough to accommodate our office’s whole staff and he doesn’t want to reimburse mileage on multiple vehicles if we’re all going to the same place. So far, its been holding up pretty well. I think I’ve put more miles on it in the past 3 months than it had seen in the prior 10 years.