Are you a current Michigan-based car shopper? A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/2 for details.
Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"
I just saw an older car wizard video where he talked about the GM 3800. Called it the best engine ever I believe. definitely easy to work on, compared to a modern design!
Interesting, as this car has effectively the same engine (M127) as my fintail, and shares many bits along with the engine - the swing axle, the uniquely hinged chrome air vents and similar trim pieces, etc. My car even has the same Becker Europa TR radio.
On the topic of engines, probably the most disappointing was an early 90's 4Runner V6 from Toyota. It was reliable and not only bullet proof, but bazooka proof, but still a dud..
The 5-speed manual was buttery smooth though.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I still think of that estate sale pristine loaded 04 Grand Marquis from back in the spring, probably could have got it for $4500 - it was really immaculate and definitely worth that.
No matter how hard I try I’m always cleaning something in our Enclave. It’s particularly fun using a crevice tool and a screwdriver to get junk out of the tracks for the seats.
It's 1 owner since new so wonder how old those pics are? I can't make out the exp date sticker on the plate. No pic of the dash/odometer. The interior looks as nice as any similar van with half the miles. So maybe that's when the pics were taken?
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
An old co-worker had a Nissan Quest of the same year. She ditched it about 2 years ago (original owner) at around 200K, and even in this mild climate, it looked like it was dredged from the bottom of a lake compared to that Sienna. I'd wager the Sienna is a mature owner who never hauled devilspawn/sod etc in it.
No matter how hard I try I’m always cleaning something in our Enclave. It’s particularly fun using a crevice tool and a screwdriver to get junk out of the tracks for the seats.
I know; it's disgusting! I honestly have no idea how kids are so nasty. My father would have skinned us alive if we were like that. I remember a few irate times when we carried sand on us from the beach in to the car. But, he didn't get mad so much as got even. I vacuumed and scrubbed his cars more times than I care to remember....
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
It's 1 owner since new so wonder how old those pics are? I can't make out the exp date sticker on the plate. No pic of the dash/odometer. The interior looks as nice as any similar van with half the miles. So maybe that's when the pics were taken?
Hey, that's a fair point. Based on the melting snow in the surroundings, I will guess that they were taken in April of this year. It has 2021 tags on it, so the earliest it could be is from April of 2019.
Anyhow, I sent a copy of the link to a young lady who is currently using my 2008 Forester. She takes very good care of my car, so this might be a perfect fit for her, plus the price is actually quite reasonable (according to the price guides).
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
No matter how hard I try I’m always cleaning something in our Enclave. It’s particularly fun using a crevice tool and a screwdriver to get junk out of the tracks for the seats.
I know; it's disgusting! I honestly have no idea how kids are so nasty. My father would have skinned us alive if we were like that. I remember a few irate times when we carried sand on us from the beach in to the car. But, he didn't get mad so much as got even. I vacuumed and scrubbed his cars more times than I care to remember....
Mine really aren’t too bad. I’m just a little crazy about the cars.
We go to the beach nearly every weekend so my Sunday ritual when getting back to the house is to vacuum out the interior.
I don’t care how careful you are, there will always be some sand.
Had the old dear out today - fuel pump seems loud again, guess I am going to have to call my mechanic soon. Otherwise, ran fine - I set the idle speed faster by a minuscule amount, probably like 25rpm, which makes all kinds of difference - makes everything smoother, I think I had it set a tad slow. And when the weather gets cold, I'll have to adjust it just a little again. Had a few people come up to me with questions or compliments, and a fun thing, I visited a friend and his 90 year old grandfather, who bought a 190 Ponton new in 1959, and my friend thought he'd get a kick out of the fintail. The old guy showed up with a pile of original promo material, including the price of his car ($3559, IIRC). Looked good in the hazy sunshine today:
And a shot of the Coco mats material I had made for the rear shelf area - looks a lot better than the cheap completely incorrect vinyl I had there before:
Back then most MBs were just quality cars rather than fancy cars, and weren't wildly expensive. I think my fintail was in the low 5K range when new.
My friend's grandpa had a couple fun tales - he lived in Dallas at the time, and as AC was a dealer installed item, had one installed at purchase. He said it was not an ideal system, and the car also had a stint where it ate generators. He was also amused that he sold it 25 years later for $59 less than he paid for it.
I mended something (gratuitous pic from yesterday):
My turn signals had been blinking at different rates per side since they were "fixed", so I decided to dig a little. I first switched the blinker unit with a spare, no difference. I then noticed that one side wouldn't blink at all if the parking lights were on - so I suspected a defective or incorrect bulb. I inspected the bulbs and all appeared OK. I then played a game of guess and check, and figured it out. If the bulbs aren't aligned just-so, weird things happen. I learned that if they are aligned really wrong, the blinkers act like hazards (which this car, due to its age, doesn't have). So I re-installed them properly, and now have turn signs that blink right and left at the same rate
Someone I know on another forum, who lives in Oregon, is being evacuated due to the fires that seem to be everywhere right now. He wasn't going to leave his old dear behind:
I'm mystified by the latch mechanism in the roof in one of the later photos. I figured there was manual sunroof but there clearly isn't. What is behind the cover??
I'm mystified by the latch mechanism in the roof in one of the later photos. I figured there was manual sunroof but there clearly isn't. What is behind the cover??
Yep, per the owner anyway. Of course, these are 5 digit odometer cars. However, by the state of preservation of the interior, I don't doubt the claim - I am pretty sure that fabric is not being reproduced today.
1985 944 Porsche looks like a well kept non-turbo with 119K miles. Well kept 944 Turbo is a different story and the market still loves/respects them.
1984 Ford Mustang SVO. Speaking of turbo power... Car was sold on BaT last July for $15K and is now for sale at Krieger's used car lot on Morse Rd for $21K ask price.
Seller's ad: 1976 Chevrolet Other. It actually looks like the '77 Nova Rally below which replaced the discontinued '76 Nova SS. Seller's description: "76nova 350engine headers 4barrel hatchback automatic nice car." Also states "Driven 840 miles" Not enough pics but still could be my favorite thing that I wasn't looking for on FB today.
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
CL ads are annoying since they disappear fairly quickly, so for posterity's sake, here's the pitch text for this rust bucket:
"976 Jeep Wagoneer. This is a great project jeep for the right person. The floor boards have rusted out and need to be replaced. Engine ran great until 2 years ago but hasn't been started since. Most likely a bad fuel pump. With Jeep re-releasing the Wagoneer in 2021 this will be a collector's car."
Comments
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Interesting, as this car has effectively the same engine (M127) as my fintail, and shares many bits along with the engine - the swing axle, the uniquely hinged chrome air vents and similar trim pieces, etc. My car even has the same Becker Europa TR radio.
The 5-speed manual was buttery smooth though.
Back in the day, I knew a guy with an early 90s 4x4 V6 pickup, I think it had required some work.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I still think of that estate sale pristine loaded 04 Grand Marquis from back in the spring, probably could have got it for $4500 - it was really immaculate and definitely worth that.
https://fairbanks.craigslist.org/cto/d/fairbanks-toyota-sienna-xle-2005/7174091159.html
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I’d wager it never had kids in it.
No matter how hard I try I’m always cleaning something in our Enclave. It’s particularly fun using a crevice tool and a screwdriver to get junk out of the tracks for the seats.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Anyhow, I sent a copy of the link to a young lady who is currently using my 2008 Forester. She takes very good care of my car, so this might be a perfect fit for her, plus the price is actually quite reasonable (according to the price guides).
We go to the beach nearly every weekend so my Sunday ritual when getting back to the house is to vacuum out the interior.
I don’t care how careful you are, there will always be some sand.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
And a shot of the Coco mats material I had made for the rear shelf area - looks a lot better than the cheap completely incorrect vinyl I had there before:
My friend's grandpa had a couple fun tales - he lived in Dallas at the time, and as AC was a dealer installed item, had one installed at purchase. He said it was not an ideal system, and the car also had a stint where it ate generators. He was also amused that he sold it 25 years later for $59 less than he paid for it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
My turn signals had been blinking at different rates per side since they were "fixed", so I decided to dig a little. I first switched the blinker unit with a spare, no difference. I then noticed that one side wouldn't blink at all if the parking lights were on - so I suspected a defective or incorrect bulb. I inspected the bulbs and all appeared OK. I then played a game of guess and check, and figured it out. If the bulbs aren't aligned just-so, weird things happen. I learned that if they are aligned really wrong, the blinkers act like hazards (which this car, due to its age, doesn't have). So I re-installed them properly, and now have turn signs that blink right and left at the same rate
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Ah should have put this on the postwar Stude page.
Exchange rate is a little over 30K USD, in Europe, a fair asking price for one of these cars.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
To operate the sunroof, you pull down the handle, rotate it, and slide the roof back.
1984 Ford Mustang SVO. Speaking of turbo power... Car was sold on BaT last July for $15K and is now for sale at Krieger's used car lot on Morse Rd for $21K ask price.
2011 BMW 328i Convertible. Low miles, automatic, salvage title and seller ask is $12,300.
Seller's ad: 1976 Chevrolet Other. It actually looks like the '77 Nova Rally below which replaced the discontinued '76 Nova SS.
Seller's description: "76nova 350engine headers 4barrel hatchback automatic nice car." Also states "Driven 840 miles" Not enough pics but still could be my favorite thing that I wasn't looking for on FB today.
Of course, I always wanted a Ventura based GTO too.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
https://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/d/mason-project-jeep/7196112257.html
CL ads are annoying since they disappear fairly quickly, so for posterity's sake, here's the pitch text for this rust bucket:
"976 Jeep Wagoneer. This is a great project jeep for the right person. The floor boards have rusted out and need to be replaced. Engine ran great until 2 years ago but hasn't been started since. Most likely a bad fuel pump. With Jeep re-releasing the Wagoneer in 2021 this will be a collector's car."
Someone could probably put $50K into it, and have a $75K car..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
No interest in the Jeep, but I would love the garages that guy has!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
50K investment for 75K return is pretty awesome in the car world, I bet.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator