I had my dealer reform a search for the exact Mazdaspeed 3 color and model I wanted. My other new car was my wife's 1998 318ti. It was inbound to the dealer and the color combination and trim level was exactly what she wanted.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
We should all be so lucky to have such an uncle indeed.
Out for a jog today saw a street parked 87-91 Bonneville, and I had to think it is at least 34 years old. The equivalent of at the newest a 1957 car when it was new.
I've never special ordered a car, but I have put a deposit down to reserve an incoming unit.
Once for us (Outback), and once for the step-daughter (2nd MINI, the Countryman).
I did have a dealer trade for a black '91 Nissan Sentra SE, but when it arrived, it had pinstripes on it, so I rejected it and got the red one that was already on the lot.
Thinking back on my Intrepid again, I did have the dealer do a search and see if there were any green ones in the area they could swap for. Back then they had two greens. One was a nice, deep forest/sequoia type green, which is what I really wanted. The other was more of a washed-out light green, sort of like that "sage" green that seemed popular in the late 60s. But this green actually looked sort of gray in certain lights, and just didn't do anything for me. The sales manager ended up asking the typical "what can we do to get you in this car TODAY?" and I said "throw in the cd changer." The Intrepid had a fairly nice standard sound system, but only had a cassette player, and they had mentioned a 12 disc CD changer that they could mount in the trunk, for something like $500. So, they said yes, and I said "SOLD!"
Perhaps not the best pic, and a bit ironic that it looks like it's outside a junkyard, but this is the green I wanted...
Yesterday was my wife’s last day in her classroom of 34 years, with students. She drove the C8 and this is her getting home. I took a poor pic but she looks like a low rider, lol.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
@uplanderguy said:
Yesterday was my wife’s last day in her classroom of 34 years, with students. She drove the C8 and this is her getting home. I took a poor pic but she looks like a low rider, lol.
Congratulations!
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Thinking back on my Intrepid again, I did have the dealer do a search and see if there were any green ones in the area they could swap for. Back then they had two greens. One was a nice, deep forest/sequoia type green, which is what I really wanted. The other was more of a washed-out light green, sort of like that "sage" green that seemed popular in the late 60s. But this green actually looked sort of gray in certain lights, and just didn't do anything for me. The sales manager ended up asking the typical "what can we do to get you in this car TODAY?" and I said "throw in the cd changer." The Intrepid had a fairly nice standard sound system, but only had a cassette player, and they had mentioned a 12 disc CD changer that they could mount in the trunk, for something like $500. So, they said yes, and I said "SOLD!"
Perhaps not the best pic, and a bit ironic that it looks like it's outside a junkyard, but this is the green I wanted...
That got me thinking. I have technically never "bought" a new car. All 4 new cars were leases, and the current car was a bought out lease - maybe I can count that one as a technicality.
Also I am not sure if any new cars even have CD players anymore, I am skeptical.
Thinking back on my Intrepid again, I did have the dealer do a search and see if there were any green ones in the area they could swap for. Back then they had two greens. One was a nice, deep forest/sequoia type green, which is what I really wanted. The other was more of a washed-out light green, sort of like that "sage" green that seemed popular in the late 60s. But this green actually looked sort of gray in certain lights, and just didn't do anything for me. The sales manager ended up asking the typical "what can we do to get you in this car TODAY?" and I said "throw in the cd changer." The Intrepid had a fairly nice standard sound system, but only had a cassette player, and they had mentioned a 12 disc CD changer that they could mount in the trunk, for something like $500. So, they said yes, and I said "SOLD!"
Perhaps not the best pic, and a bit ironic that it looks like it's outside a junkyard, but this is the green I wanted...
That got me thinking. I have technically never "bought" a new car. All 4 new cars were leases, and the current car was a bought out lease - maybe I can count that one as a technicality.
Also I am not sure if any new cars even have CD players anymore, I am skeptical.
I've only "bought" one new one, a 1998 Olds 88 LS. It didn't last long in the stable at all due to chronic interior water leaks.
She is driver 2 and I’m driver 1 and the seats are pre-set (by us) memory seats. When the car is turned off, the driver’s seat automatically moves the whole way back to facilitate exit. I think that’s where it is in the pic.
Fin, both I and my parents had new ‘90 Corsicas. Mine was a four with 5-speed; my parents’ was a V6 with column shift automatic.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Thinking back on my Intrepid again, I did have the dealer do a search and see if there were any green ones in the area they could swap for. Back then they had two greens. One was a nice, deep forest/sequoia type green, which is what I really wanted. The other was more of a washed-out light green, sort of like that "sage" green that seemed popular in the late 60s. But this green actually looked sort of gray in certain lights, and just didn't do anything for me. The sales manager ended up asking the typical "what can we do to get you in this car TODAY?" and I said "throw in the cd changer." The Intrepid had a fairly nice standard sound system, but only had a cassette player, and they had mentioned a 12 disc CD changer that they could mount in the trunk, for something like $500. So, they said yes, and I said "SOLD!"
Perhaps not the best pic, and a bit ironic that it looks like it's outside a junkyard, but this is the green I wanted...
That got me thinking. I have technically never "bought" a new car. All 4 new cars were leases, and the current car was a bought out lease - maybe I can count that one as a technicality.
Also I am not sure if any new cars even have CD players anymore, I am skeptical.
I've only "bought" one new one, a 1998 Olds 88 LS. It didn't last long in the stable at all due to chronic interior water leaks.
Pretty young for a car like that? IIRC we are a similar age, in 1998 I was soon to graduate but still in college. I kept the fintail as a DD until just after Y2K when I did the sensible thing and bought a 10+ year old S-class (I was very anti-new car during that era).
@uplanderguy - did either of you have the liftback? I have only seen a few 5 door Corsicas over the years.
Thinking back on my Intrepid again, I did have the dealer do a search and see if there were any green ones in the area they could swap for. Back then they had two greens. One was a nice, deep forest/sequoia type green, which is what I really wanted. The other was more of a washed-out light green, sort of like that "sage" green that seemed popular in the late 60s. But this green actually looked sort of gray in certain lights, and just didn't do anything for me. The sales manager ended up asking the typical "what can we do to get you in this car TODAY?" and I said "throw in the cd changer." The Intrepid had a fairly nice standard sound system, but only had a cassette player, and they had mentioned a 12 disc CD changer that they could mount in the trunk, for something like $500. So, they said yes, and I said "SOLD!"
Perhaps not the best pic, and a bit ironic that it looks like it's outside a junkyard, but this is the green I wanted...
That got me thinking. I have technically never "bought" a new car. All 4 new cars were leases, and the current car was a bought out lease - maybe I can count that one as a technicality.
Also I am not sure if any new cars even have CD players anymore, I am skeptical.
I've only "bought" one new one, a 1998 Olds 88 LS. It didn't last long in the stable at all due to chronic interior water leaks.
Pretty young for a car like that? IIRC we are a similar age, in 1998 I was soon to graduate but still in college. I kept the fintail as a DD until just after Y2K when I did the sensible thing and bought a 10+ year old S-class (I was very anti-new car during that era).
@uplanderguy - did either of you have the liftback? I have only seen a few 5 door Corsicas over the years.
Yep, I was the ripe old age of 20. I've always been an "old man's car" type of guy as you all know. At the time I also had my 79 Continental (traded the 93 Taurus LX on the Olds). After the Olds was a 2000 Solara, by then I also had an 89 Town Car in the fleet. The 79 Conti got junked not long after I got the 89.
Young, foolish and still lived at home! At one point with three cars my Stepdad said anymore and I can sleep in one of them
Hahaha! You're somewhat lucky your folks were willing to humor that many vehicles! I was pretty skeptical when I got that call from my son last year about having bought a junked Crosstrek (probably had something to do with the fact that it was due to show up at the house less than twelve hours later....).
My two favorite cars, well into the late 90s, were the Lincoln Town Car and Geo Tracker. To this day, I've yet to own either model!
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
Thinking back on my Intrepid again, I did have the dealer do a search and see if there were any green ones in the area they could swap for. Back then they had two greens. One was a nice, deep forest/sequoia type green, which is what I really wanted. The other was more of a washed-out light green, sort of like that "sage" green that seemed popular in the late 60s. But this green actually looked sort of gray in certain lights, and just didn't do anything for me. The sales manager ended up asking the typical "what can we do to get you in this car TODAY?" and I said "throw in the cd changer." The Intrepid had a fairly nice standard sound system, but only had a cassette player, and they had mentioned a 12 disc CD changer that they could mount in the trunk, for something like $500. So, they said yes, and I said "SOLD!"
Perhaps not the best pic, and a bit ironic that it looks like it's outside a junkyard, but this is the green I wanted...
That got me thinking. I have technically never "bought" a new car. All 4 new cars were leases, and the current car was a bought out lease - maybe I can count that one as a technicality.
Also I am not sure if any new cars even have CD players anymore, I am skeptical.
I've only "bought" one new one, a 1998 Olds 88 LS. It didn't last long in the stable at all due to chronic interior water leaks.
Pretty young for a car like that? IIRC we are a similar age, in 1998 I was soon to graduate but still in college. I kept the fintail as a DD until just after Y2K when I did the sensible thing and bought a 10+ year old S-class (I was very anti-new car during that era).
@uplanderguy - did either of you have the liftback? I have only seen a few 5 door Corsicas over the years.
Yep, I was the ripe old age of 20. I've always been an "old man's car" type of guy as you all know. At the time I also had my 79 Continental (traded the 93 Taurus LX on the Olds). After the Olds was a 2000 Solara, by then I also had an 89 Town Car in the fleet. The 79 Conti got junked not long after I got the 89.
Young, foolish and still lived at home! At one point with three cars my Stepdad said anymore and I can sleep in one of them
Pretty ambitious! Reminds me of Lemko buying his Fleetwood at a young age. I wonder what the dealer thought of a youngin' buying that car, and if your friends/peers thought the same (they probably did about the Lincolns too, as some of mine have thought about some of my cars).
@fintail said:
Pretty ambitious! Reminds me of Lemko buying his Fleetwood at a young age. I wonder what the dealer thought of a youngin' buying that car, and if your friends/peers thought the same (they probably did about the Lincolns too, as some of mine have thought about some of my cars).
If I recall correctly my Mom co-signed the very small loan on the Taurus and that history was enough to get me approved for the 88 on my own. I also remember getting a Sears and JCPenney card right at 18 to help build credit. I think they had $250 limits at first.
Everyone knew I was part of the “yacht club”. Heck my first ride was an 89 Grand Marquis. I don’t remember much of buying that 88, other than the Taurus had a ton of problems and it had to go. When I leased the 2003 Avalon I did have a comment that I was the youngest guy they ever sold one to.
Pretty ambitious! Reminds me of Lemko buying his Fleetwood at a young age. I wonder what the dealer thought of a youngin' buying that car, and if your friends/peers thought the same (they probably did about the Lincolns too, as some of mine have thought about some of my cars).
If I recall correctly my Mom co-signed the very small loan on the Taurus and that history was enough to get me approved for the 88 on my own. I also remember getting a Sears and JCPenney card right at 18 to help build credit. I think they had $250 limits at first.
Everyone knew I was part of the “yacht club”. Heck my first ride was an 89 Grand Marquis. I don’t remember much of buying that 88, other than the Taurus had a ton of problems and it had to go. When I leased the 2003 Avalon I did have a comment that I was the youngest guy they ever sold one to.
I remember having a secured credit card and I think I had a JCP card too. I recall my parents co-signed for both my brother and sister to get car upgrades at age 18-19 (my brother went from a K-car to a Neon Expresso, my sister went from a Rampage that I think she wish she still had to a Contour) - both were 2-3 year old lease returns I think.
Did the Taurus vomit up a head gasket? I bought my 1989 S-class from a dealer, and I remember he thought it was unusual a 20-something guy was into that car. I am pretty sure it got a few grandpa car comments, and of course the fintail did when I bought it when I was still 18.
My first new car was a '77 Cobra II. $4700 MSRP and bought around $4300, I think. My mother loaned me $700 for a down payment and co-signed the loan. $108/mo for 48 months.
At the time, I was 18, making $2.30/hr, and had just been asked to leave college for the 2nd time.
I remember Lemko mentioning that it took him awhile to find a salesperson who would take him seriously, when he was shopping for his '89 Brougham. I have another friend who, fresh out of college, bought a brand new Dodge Dynasty. I think it was a '90. I'm sure someone that young buying a new Dynasty put a few salespeople into shock!
After the Dynasty, he bought a '95 Maxima with a stick. And by the time I knew him, he had a "2001.5" Passat, also a manual.
@fintail
The Taurus had already had a head gasket done under extended warranty. It was everything else on the car. The HVaC was all messed up and never blew out of the correct vents. The front suspension was worn (the 3.8 was heavy and tough on it) and it had various sensors acting up. It would idle at 3K for no reason.
I really liked that car but it was probably the most unreliable thing I ever owned.
As I've mentioned before, my first car was a 1974 Monte Carlo my dad helped me buy. I wanted something German, but most were out of my price range. The Monte Carlo had earned the grudging respect of Road & Track because it's high caster front suspension and relatively large rear anti-roll bar gave it near European handling characteristics. Next up was the SPL311 two years later and the Arrow 2.6 GT four years after that- at which point I held at three. After law school graduation the Arrow was sold and I bought the 1973 Bavaria my future wife found for me. After that every subsequent car has been a European sedan, coupe or SUV with the exception of a 1993 Pathfinder SE, the 2007 Mazdaspeed 3, and the Wranglers. I'd still like to own a Mustang someday- a Bullitt, a Mach 1 or -my holy grail- a Saleen Dan Gurney Signature Edition:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The Taurus had already had a head gasket done under extended warranty. It was everything else on the car. The HVaC was all messed up and never blew out of the correct vents. The front suspension was worn (the 3.8 was heavy and tough on it) and it had various sensors acting up. It would idle at 3K for no reason.
I really liked that car but it was probably the most unreliable thing I ever owned.
As I think I've mentioned, my mom also had a 93 Taurus (moderately optioned GL) - head gasket went at 80K but it was out of warranty by then (I think it took a decade to get those miles), her mechanic told her to cut her losses as it would likely happen again and wouldn't be a cheap repair, so she went to Toyota where she still is today.
I don't recall that car having sensor issues, but I do recall it had a quirk probably by 40K miles or so - a sloshing water sound ahead of the dashboard like in the firewall/heater core area. I remember telling her more than once to get it looked at, but I don't think she ever did as it didn't impact functionality. I was away at school then so I could only keep tabs so much on her car. I also remember the struts went quickly, maybe by 35K miles or so, definitely still in the 90s as I recall it was creaking when I visited from school and told her to take it in. Too bad, as she liked that car too, and I always thought the refreshed Taurus looked decent, sharpening it up a little made it look completely modern again. It also felt fast enough at least compared to what I was used to.
She's had her Camry for approaching 20 years now and is fine with it, probably has bonded with it although I don't know if she'll admit that. I doubt she'll buy another car as she never drives beyond the small town where she lives and it continues to run effectively like new, only real fault being the AC is lukewarm.
WARNING! Not car-related, other than the car in her carport is an Eighty-Eight of the vintage recently mentioned here.
I saw this CBS Evening News segment while sitting at a bar in 2012 and it moved me like no other TV news story I've ever seen. I look at it every June 6.
Hats off to this remarkable woman. She passed in 2020.
Those hood pins remind me of my high school '72 Duster, the prior owner installed them to contain all the HP from the screaming 198 CID slant 6!
They were pretty common during the late '60s early '70s musclecar era. The 1969 Mach 1 had hood pins as did the 1970 SS Chevelle and 1970 Cuda- to name a few. The 1969 Super Bee Six Pack had four hood pins because the hood was fiberglass.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine was exactly like this, same colors, even had theses stripes and the decorative hood scoops (but steel wheels with hubcaps). All show, no go:
Most of the domestic manufacturers offered trim packages like that so buyers could have musclecar looks without the insurance surcharges. In particular I remember the Heavy Chevy and Rally Nova.
As for me, I never understood why you would want a car that looked fast but was actually slower than molasses.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Came down to 'need a car now', brother got my '65 Mustang (170 cid, see a trend?), I needed something, this used Duster was available. Probably saved me an accident by having so little power on tap.
Came down to 'need a car now', brother got my '65 Mustang (170 cid, see a trend?), I needed something, this used Duster was available. Probably saved me an accident by having so little power on tap.
I was referencing new car buyers.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Why would people want something that looked fast, that wasn't? Well, to paraphrase Al Bundy, "A guy who drives a Dodge likes to pretend it's a Mercedes!" That was in response to peg asking why men fantasize about other women!
I could see the rationale, for something that looked a bit spiffier than the everyday mundane. Personally though, I like the idea of something that DOESN'T look fast, but actually is!
It wasn't just lower insurance that led to cars like the Heavy Chevy (sheesh, I hated that name even as a kid), it was low purchase price. The Heavy Chevy package was available only on the strippo base Chevelle Sport Coupe--rubber floor mat and all.
fin, one other thing that strikes me as odd on a lot of older Camrys I've seen is how the replacement exhaust (I assume) hangs way below the car. It's as ubiquitous as GM pickups of that era with a parking light out.
You'd mentioned timing chain vs. timing belt. I loathe timing belts. Never had one 'til I bought a cheap used PT for my older daughter on eBay, and I have one in the 2015 Cruze 1.8 I drive daily today (younger daughter's college car which came back to me). If we had a repair that cost as much as these do to replace, we'd all complain. Since the manufacturers say "required maintenance", we shrug our shoulders.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
fin, one other thing that strikes me as odd on a lot of older Camrys I've seen is how the replacement exhaust (I assume) hangs way below the car.
On mid-'00s Camrys, they came that way from the factory. Why, I do not know, but it always jumped out at me whenever I got behind even new ones. Very odd design choice.
Even Toyota does things weird, or gasp - wrong, now and then.
I am not a fan of timing belts either, I can't believe any efficiency gains are worth durability issues. The extreme low miles Avalon my friend picked up is a timing belt car, and the seller had it done prior to sale - I have to imagine it's a couple grand to do the change these days.
Why would people want something that looked fast, that wasn't? Well, to paraphrase Al Bundy, "A guy who drives a Dodge likes to pretend it's a Mercedes!" That was in response to peg asking why men fantasize about other women!
I could see the rationale, for something that looked a bit spiffier than the everyday mundane. Personally though, I like the idea of something that DOESN'T look fast, but actually is!
My Mom had two cars that were both all show and no go…the first one was a 96 Thunder(chicken)bird with the awful 3.8 and the other was a 2009 Camry SE cyl.
That 3.8 V6 Ford used across all makes didn’t enhance owner loyalty. My sister’s boss had a new Taurus based Lincoln with every option. It was dark metallic brown with dark brown leather interior. I thought it looked nice. He had problem after problem, including defective paint. It was repainted under warranty. He was always a Ford man but no longer. Lexus for him and his wife ever since.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
I think originally, the rationale behind timing belts was that with OHC engines they did better. With a pushrod engine, the camshaft isn't all that far from the crankshaft, so the chain doesn't have to be very long. But with OHC, the distance is much greater, and chains were prone to stretching over time. The rubber belt wouldn't stretch, although it would usually act fine right up until the point that it snapped, so that's why they have service intervals. With a chain, I think the theory is that the car is wrecked or junked long before it starts to fail. Or, if the car is still running, it's old and worthless enough that the chain failure simply ends up being the final nail in the coffin, and you get a new car.
But, these days a lot of OHC engines have timing chains as well. My 2000 Intrepid, with the 2.7 V6 had a chain. I used to think it had two chains, one for each camshaft, but I just looked up a schematic and nope, just one long chain that goes from the crankshaft to both camshafts, as well as the water pump. That thing looks like it would be nothing but trouble to me, although I had my car for 150,000 miles with no issues. I've heard in later years though that they WERE troublesome. Apparently, the guides would wear, and would allow the chain to stretch out.
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Out for a jog today saw a street parked 87-91 Bonneville, and I had to think it is at least 34 years old. The equivalent of at the newest a 1957 car when it was new.
Once for us (Outback), and once for the step-daughter (2nd MINI, the Countryman).
I did have a dealer trade for a black '91 Nissan Sentra SE, but when it arrived, it had pinstripes on it, so I rejected it and got the red one that was already on the lot.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Perhaps not the best pic, and a bit ironic that it looks like it's outside a junkyard, but this is the green I wanted...
Nice size, and imho the styling has aged pretty well.
Daughter is in Corsica now and today sent ths pic of a 2CV. Friend told me they built these til about 1990!
Who says the French were behind-the-times, automotive-wise? 😀
Yesterday was my wife’s last day in her classroom of 34 years, with students. She drove the C8 and this is her getting home. I took a poor pic but she looks like a low rider, lol.
Congratulations!
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.
And indeed the 2CV soldiered on into the 1990 model year.
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That got me thinking. I have technically never "bought" a new car. All 4 new cars were leases, and the current car was a bought out lease - maybe I can count that one as a technicality.
Also I am not sure if any new cars even have CD players anymore, I am skeptical.
They don’t help much to the sides and front.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
She is driver 2 and I’m driver 1 and the seats are pre-set (by us) memory seats. When the car is turned off, the driver’s seat automatically moves the whole way back to facilitate exit. I think that’s where it is in the pic.
Fin, both I and my parents had new ‘90 Corsicas. Mine was a four with 5-speed; my parents’ was a V6 with column shift automatic.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Those last Eighty-Eights were a nice size and styling I think. The Ninety-Eights, not so much.
@uplanderguy - did either of you have the liftback? I have only seen a few 5 door Corsicas over the years.
Young, foolish and still lived at home! At one point with three cars my Stepdad said anymore and I can sleep in one of them
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
My two favorite cars, well into the late 90s, were the Lincoln Town Car and Geo Tracker. To this day, I've yet to own either model!
Yesterday, saw an MGB-GT towing a small enclosed U-Haul trailer.
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If I recall correctly my Mom co-signed the very small loan on the Taurus and that history was enough to get me approved for the 88 on my own. I also remember getting a Sears and JCPenney card right at 18 to help build credit. I think they had $250 limits at first.
Everyone knew I was part of the “yacht club”. Heck my first ride was an 89 Grand Marquis. I don’t remember much of buying that 88, other than the Taurus had a ton of problems and it had to go. When I leased the 2003 Avalon I did have a comment that I was the youngest guy they ever sold one to.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Fin, neither of our Corsicas was the hatch.
I had a sears card at 18 too. Used to use it to gas up right before getting on the thruway to head up to college.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
If I recall correctly my Mom co-signed the very small loan on the Taurus and that history was enough to get me approved for the 88 on my own. I also remember getting a Sears and JCPenney card right at 18 to help build credit. I think they had $250 limits at first.
Everyone knew I was part of the “yacht club”. Heck my first ride was an 89 Grand Marquis. I don’t remember much of buying that 88, other than the Taurus had a ton of problems and it had to go. When I leased the 2003 Avalon I did have a comment that I was the youngest guy they ever sold one to.
I remember having a secured credit card and I think I had a JCP card too. I recall my parents co-signed for both my brother and sister to get car upgrades at age 18-19 (my brother went from a K-car to a Neon Expresso, my sister went from a Rampage that I think she wish she still had to a Contour) - both were 2-3 year old lease returns I think.
Did the Taurus vomit up a head gasket? I bought my 1989 S-class from a dealer, and I remember he thought it was unusual a 20-something guy was into that car. I am pretty sure it got a few grandpa car comments, and of course the fintail did when I bought it when I was still 18.
At the time, I was 18, making $2.30/hr, and had just been asked to leave college for the 2nd time.
What a time to be alive!
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After the Dynasty, he bought a '95 Maxima with a stick. And by the time I knew him, he had a "2001.5" Passat, also a manual.
@fintail
The Taurus had already had a head gasket done under extended warranty. It was everything else on the car. The HVaC was all messed up and never blew out of the correct vents. The front suspension was worn (the 3.8 was heavy and tough on it) and it had various sensors acting up. It would idle at 3K for no reason.
I really liked that car but it was probably the most unreliable thing I ever owned.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I'd still like to own a Mustang someday- a Bullitt, a Mach 1 or -my holy grail- a Saleen Dan Gurney Signature Edition:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I don't recall that car having sensor issues, but I do recall it had a quirk probably by 40K miles or so - a sloshing water sound ahead of the dashboard like in the firewall/heater core area. I remember telling her more than once to get it looked at, but I don't think she ever did as it didn't impact functionality. I was away at school then so I could only keep tabs so much on her car. I also remember the struts went quickly, maybe by 35K miles or so, definitely still in the 90s as I recall it was creaking when I visited from school and told her to take it in. Too bad, as she liked that car too, and I always thought the refreshed Taurus looked decent, sharpening it up a little made it look completely modern again. It also felt fast enough at least compared to what I was used to.
She's had her Camry for approaching 20 years now and is fine with it, probably has bonded with it although I don't know if she'll admit that. I doubt she'll buy another car as she never drives beyond the small town where she lives and it continues to run effectively like new, only real fault being the AC is lukewarm.
Has your mom had any oil consumption issues in her Camry? My late financial guy grumbled about that in the circa ‘07 or ‘08 one he bought new.
I saw this CBS Evening News segment while sitting at a bar in 2012 and it moved me like no other TV news story I've ever seen. I look at it every June 6.
Hats off to this remarkable woman. She passed in 2020.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Interestingly, 4 cyl Camrys of the generation she has are timing chain engines, while the V6 is a timing belt.
As for me, I never understood why you would want a car that looked fast but was actually slower than molasses.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I could see the rationale, for something that looked a bit spiffier than the everyday mundane. Personally though, I like the idea of something that DOESN'T look fast, but actually is!
fin, one other thing that strikes me as odd on a lot of older Camrys I've seen is how the replacement exhaust (I assume) hangs way below the car. It's as ubiquitous as GM pickups of that era with a parking light out.
You'd mentioned timing chain vs. timing belt. I loathe timing belts. Never had one 'til I bought a cheap used PT for my older daughter on eBay, and I have one in the 2015 Cruze 1.8 I drive daily today (younger daughter's college car which came back to me). If we had a repair that cost as much as these do to replace, we'd all complain. Since the manufacturers say "required maintenance", we shrug our shoulders.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Yeah that exhaust routing was alway suspect to me. Felt like an afterthought around the suspension. Not very Toyota like at all.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I am not a fan of timing belts either, I can't believe any efficiency gains are worth durability issues. The extreme low miles Avalon my friend picked up is a timing belt car, and the seller had it done prior to sale - I have to imagine it's a couple grand to do the change these days.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
But, these days a lot of OHC engines have timing chains as well. My 2000 Intrepid, with the 2.7 V6 had a chain. I used to think it had two chains, one for each camshaft, but I just looked up a schematic and nope, just one long chain that goes from the crankshaft to both camshafts, as well as the water pump.
That thing looks like it would be nothing but trouble to me, although I had my car for 150,000 miles with no issues. I've heard in later years though that they WERE troublesome. Apparently, the guides would wear, and would allow the chain to stretch out.