Does this make any sense to you?

"Denver Is Stuck In The 90s" (denver80222)
04/13/2015 at 12:35 • Filed to: None

Last night's !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Got me thinking.... My truck has needed quite a bit of repairs since I bought it. Now, I love to wrench, but I hate spending money. I cant tell if I like needing repairs because that means I get to wrench on my truck or I hate it because Its bleeding my wallet dry. Here's a list of the repairs I have done so far:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Tires: $400

Power Steering Hose: $23

Topper Locks: $19

Serpentine Belt: $34

Temp Sender: : $14

Heater Hose: $25

Topper Clamps: $22

Miscellaneous Fluids, Tools and Parts: $245

That totals out to $782 (and also includes oil changes btw). Now considering most of those parts failed due to age and once replaced, they should last another 21 years I think that cost isnt that bad really. But for an art student working a minimum wage job with no set work schedule, it can make things financially stressful.

This puts me in a difficult position: How can I enjoy wrenching if I know its gonna cost me money?

DISCUSSION (33)

505Turbeaux > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:38

dont ever assume parts you get these days are going to last another 21 years, especially if they are not OE!

crowmolly > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:38

All of that is general wear and tear. You will be paying for things like that with ANY car you care about.

Car ownership is going to cost you money.

Jonathan Harper > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:40

How do you enjoy eating food when you know it's going to cost you money? How do you enjoy going to the movies when you know it's going to cost you money? How do you enjoy drinking beer when you know it's going to cost you money?

The same ways you enjoy anything...try to forget about the expense and enjoy the experience itself.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > crowmolly
04/13/2015 at 12:40

I realize that. But I have 2 different mindsets about this stuff. A financial one and a hobbiest one. They are clashing at the moment

extraspecialbitter > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:40

Get paid for it.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > 505Turbeaux
04/13/2015 at 12:41

Oh I dont expect anything new to last that long. I was just trying to illustrate that these parts, once replaced should last a while.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Jonathan Harper
04/13/2015 at 12:42

Now, thats some good advice

Rainbow > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:43

I'm planning to get an electric DD when I get the chance. That way, as long as I avoid potholes, I'll only need to wrench when I feel like it. A low-maintenance road car opens the possibility of a second project car/bike/boat/whatever.

crowmolly > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:44

In a lot of ways you are learning valuable skills that you can't put a dollar amount on.

Assuming you will eventually own a home, being able to swing tools and diagnose problems will be a leg up. Or, if you have to take the truck in to get fixed, you will have some idea of labor involved to tell if you get hosed.

You are getting an education with everything you do. As long as you don't go crazy (attempt a Coyote swap in your backyard) I wouldn't obsess about it.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > crowmolly
04/13/2015 at 12:45

Well, a coyote swap would be nice, But I wouldnt even think about doing that until my truck is over 200k miles. Its currently hovering below 108k. Eventually I do want to do a V8 swap though.

Jonathan Harper > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:46

Too many people get too hung up on buying "things" they think will make them happy or make them feel fulfilled in their life. What they don't understand is that "things" will not really do anything for them, but the experiences often afforded by those "things" are what they're really after.

More often than not, the experience they are looking for can be had at much less of an expense than full-on buying the "thing" in the first place.

Hence; I have never owned a car.

crowmolly > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:47

But you get my point. Dip your toe in bit by bit and get comfortable with the truck. You'll get better with tools and technique and you'll have an expanded mechanical skillset. Think of parts costs as tuition. As long as there's some type of justifiable need beyond "I need long tube headers for gas mileage".

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:50

I got to breaking point with the Panda and got rid of it. But that had deeper routed engine issues that could've ended up getting really pricey. The stuff on yours just seems like standard maintenance stuff, any car is going to cost you.

The car I just bought is due a timing belt soon for example, a pretty pricey job at the dealer (I'll likely do it myself though). That's only a 4 and a half year old car and it's still costing money.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > crowmolly
04/13/2015 at 12:52

Ya I get your point. Think of maintenance costs to be the tuition for school and a V8 swap to be my Final project for graduation. Slowly build my skillset and eventually get to the point where I can do pretty much anything. It snot about the cost, its about what knowledge the cost buys me.

JGrabowMSt > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 12:52

Here's another take on the financial mindset:

You own your car. Your method of ownership was a single payment. There's no lease, there's no lease return, damages removed from the value, or any other sort of monthly cost associated with simply having ownership of the vehicle. Sure you have insurance, but that's part of driving it, not insuring it.

I own both of my cars, and did so for about the cost of a single, well optioned new car, if you consider all repairs to date, and there will be more, along with maintenance.

As crowmolly said, it's general wear and tear. You're not doing U joints and the rear diff because you decided you were just going to wail on the car 8 days of the week, you're doing little things that any car that age and mileage would need to have done regardless.

I have a coworker who is glad about not having to make car payments, but is car has 200k miles on it, and he doesn't want to buy a new one because of car payments. Why he wont find a good condition pre-owned car in a price range he can afford to own is beyond me. He doesn't have to sell his car to buy a new one, but it took him several years to pay off his car. It's just a situation that's beyond me. I don't want to have to make any payments or owe anyone money on my cars. I own them, it's as simple as that. Something happens? My responsibility to fix it as I can afford to. When you get into things like tires, brakes or oil changes, you have to do that on anything, new or used.

Also, buying tools is not an expense, it's an investment. You don't buy the tools to use once and get rid of with the car, you keep them to use again and again. You may not use it often, but having that tool when you do need it again is a lot easier than having to find it and buy it again. Some of my tools have never been used before because I needed one size wrench and that was it. It doesn't make them a waste of money, because I will eventually have a use for it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 13:12

First you gotta realize that you're driving a 22 year old Ford Ranger. Even at the relatively low mileage it has for its age it's going to need work just because it's old . Most of the stuff you listed are just normal wear items associated with any car, yours is just at that time where stuff is going to need changing. The Safari was getting to this point too when I was daily driving it, it just happens to cars eventually.

If it continues to cost you money and you're uncomfortable with how much it's costing, I'd recommend finding something newer, but really even then you can't guarantee that it's going to cost any less to upkeep and not need parts replaced.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/13/2015 at 13:20

I realize its an old pickup, but any car really is gonna have upkeep costs and TBH, I think this is the cheapest option for me right now. I can handle it financially, but given my current financial situation its a bit stressful. But what isnt nowadays? You would have to be pretty wealthy to be without financial stress. I think this is just me realizing adult responsibilities for the first time and its clashing with my passions. Thats just a little hard for me to accept right now

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/13/2015 at 13:26

I post stuff like this here hoping that someone who is less mature, experienced and/or younger than me is reading and that they can learn from my endeavors and correct in their situation what I did wrong so that they have a better go at it than me. I come from a family without automotive passion. I am the only one in my family to be a true gearhead, so I'm forging my own path without any real guidance (excluding Oppo). I know there are others who are passionate about cars and live in a household that isnt, So I want let let them know through posts like this that there is hope, you can explore your passions without any real mentors. And I want them to know the whole experience of going it alone.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 14:15

I have no current job, and a 31-year-old cutlass that needs some major work. Compared to me, I'd say you're as sound as a pound.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/13/2015 at 14:42

Coming from a Canadian, I'm not exactly sure if that's a good thing or bad thing

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 14:57

Trust me. Enjoy your truck.

Bouldaru > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 15:23

I've been spending more on my car than you but I value the experience it's giving me more than any dollar amount. I guess I'm lucky I have such a good University job

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/13/2015 at 15:34

I know what you meant, that was more of a joke than anything

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 15:47

jkm7680 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 15:59

You can't be stingy with car ownership, it's the truth. Any old car is going to be pricey to maintain and wear items will be expensive.

As far as that fluids tools and parts category goes, what exactly is included there? You can make working on a car cheaper, but you can't make it free.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > jkm7680
04/13/2015 at 16:03

that misc category is costs I logged but forgot exactly what they were

jkm7680 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 16:05

Uhhhh, that's probably not good if you're not keeping proper track of your expenses. Always keep track of anything you buy for the truck.

"I spent $500, but I don't know what I spent it on."

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > jkm7680
04/13/2015 at 16:18

I know what i spent, thats all that matters.

Mattbob > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 16:41

where do you go for parts usually? Amazon, autozone, rock auto?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Mattbob
04/13/2015 at 16:44

Amazon, autozone, oreillys, walmart

Mattbob > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 16:46

next time, check rockauto.com just for fun. Their prices are crazy good on most things. Seriously, check it now. For projects involving sensors and oddball stuff, this can be a lifesaver.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 19:33

If you want to wrench but have it cost nothing or next to nothing, I suggest you switch to bicycles.

Do What Now? > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
04/13/2015 at 22:52

You really think there is someone less mature and experienced than you on here that isn't like 10 years old?