Fiscal Realities Vs MM Repair.

[Pat]

I posted in October that my MM had developed a DS head tick and associated loss of some compression, expected cost of repair $2,500.00.

Since October the the car has been dormant, except for a weekly start up, tire rotation and drive around the block to keep things from rotting.

As previously posted, other maintenance requirements such as tires, brakes, paint, drive train issues add to the cost of ownership. This repair cost hovers around $6,500.00 give or take a grand.

The sale value of the car would be about $8,500 today, if everything was fixed. Not enough left over, 2K, to buy a truck.

But, an unexpected development has happened, the head tic is gone. Still, the compression on #6 remains about 2/3 of what the other cylinders are reading.

I've been driving the car around town for the past couple of weeks, less than 1,000 miles, with no ill affects (no WOT), gas economy normal, and spark plugs read normal.

This ushers in a new paradigm. Instead of pouring $6500.00 into the MM, all at once, why not make it a non-daily use second car. Obtain the reduced insurance rate for seldom used cars keep the MM and repair it piecemeal.

The family car needs work, about $1500.00 (paint hood and CAT replacement) but is reliable and uses regular gas. I really don't want to get into car payments again.

The up side is that I still keep the MM, drivable, repair cost as part of the scheduled monthly budget, insurance cost reduced, monthly gas bill cut in half and it still looks good in the driveway. The time line for complete repair without borrowing is thirteen months.

I say all this because I know others are in the same boat and may want some options.


Regards,

Pat

[BODYMAN]

Id say ur taking the right approach Pat! I think for most Americans it is the situation and reality of things these days. My whole life I literally have a bank acct just for car funds, Mods,newcar,reprs,etc there is no car fund anymore. As for myself it has been tough at times to accept that I cant just do something to my car cause I want it. Iam ok with it just happy I have what I do. It just took time to adjust to it. Being overlysafe & wisethese days is plain smart.

[TooManyFords]

Paint is a luxury. Not required maintenace.

Honestly, if I could make my car look like some of those distressed 50's and 60's card in the southwest, I would have that.

[wickedmerc]

I'd say that's a very wise approach Pat.

I'm in a similar position with my MM. I've got a few things that need attention and they'll add up to some $$ (brakes all around, suspension problems, possible rear issue, etc...). But, my MM is essentially a 2nd car for me and I hope to do something similar to you (get things done and pay cash over time) as opposed to "puttin' it on the card". Gotta stop the bleeding.

BTW You quoted about $2500 to fix the bum cylinder/head tick. I just replaced my entire long block for about that same price last April. And now I have a warranty on the motor. May want to look at some options? My :twocents:

Good luck!

[SC Cheesehead]

Sounds like a good plan, Pat.

I just spent some bucks getting axles, bearings, seals, and clutches replaced on my rear end, and am monitoring a possible tail shaft leak. My plan is to keep the car for the foreseeable future, but would like to take it out of DD status. Would be great if I could snag a pick up for me; also plan on keeping Terry's Escape for quite a while, runs great, no major issues with it to date at just over 105K on the clock.

Keep 'em both, fix up Patrica's car, and happy motoring!

[martyo]

Honestly, if I could make my car look like some of those distressed 50's and 60's card in the southwest, I would have that.

Let me have it for the weekend and i will deliver those results!!!

[TooManyFords]

Let me have it for the weekend and i will deliver those results!!!

You lawyers are so clever! Just how much will this service cost? :p

[tbone]

Sounds like a good plan, Pat.

I just spent some bucks getting axles, bearings, seals, and clutches replaced on my rear end, and am monitoring a possible tail shaft leak. My plan is to keep the car for the foreseeable future, but would like to take it out of DD status. Would be great if I could snag a pick up for me; also plan on keeping Terry's Escape for quite a while, runs great, no major issues with it to date at just over 105K on the clock.

Keep 'em both, fix up Patrica's car, and happy motoring!

Keep the car! Do what you have to, a little at a time!

Looks like I might have a tailshaft leak too. Small, but it's there.
Any idea how much to do this repair?

[guspech750]

You are doing the right thing. I took my MM out of DD serivce last summer when I was able to buy a 2002 F-250 from my work for only $800 with only 140,000.

But I miss it. I have not driven it in 6+weeks due to salt and snow :(

[eric jones]

Wow! You described the same thing that I am going through, tick and all. A very wise decision.
I posted in October that my MM had developed a DS head tick and associated loss of some compression, expected cost of repair $2,500.00.

Since October the the car has been dormant, except for a weekly start up, tire rotation and drive around the block to keep things from rotting.

As previously posted, other maintenance requirements such as tires, brakes, paint, drive train issues add to the cost of ownership. This repair cost hovers around $6,500.00 give or take a grand.

The sale value of the car would be about $8,500 today, if everything was fixed. Not enough left over, 2K, to buy a truck.

But, an unexpected development has happened, the head tic is gone. Still, the compression on #6 remains about 2/3 of what the other cylinders are reading.

I've been driving the car around town for the past couple of weeks, less than 1,000 miles, with no ill affects (no WOT), gas economy normal, and spark plugs read normal.

This ushers in a new paradigm. Instead of pouring $6500.00 into the MM, all at once, why not make it a non-daily use second car. Obtain the reduced insurance rate for seldom used cars keep the MM and repair it piecemeal.

The family car needs work, about $1500.00 (paint hood and CAT replacement) but is reliable and uses regular gas. I really don't want to get into car payments again.

The up side is that I still keep the MM, drivable, repair cost as part of the scheduled monthly budget, insurance cost reduced, monthly gas bill cut in half and it still looks good in the driveway. The time line for complete repair without borrowing is thirteen months.

I say all this because I know others are in the same boat and may want some options.


Regards,

Pat

[SC Cheesehead]

Keep the car! Do what you have to, a little at a time!

Looks like I might have a tailshaft leak too. Small, but it's there.
Any idea how much to do this repair?

I'm continuing to monitor mine. I'll keep you posted with info if I need to do repairs, will advise with work required as well as cost.

[Roadwarrior]

Pat, I would do the same thing in this situation. I also have a similar issue with tbone & SC Cheesehead in regarding the rear output shaft seal of the transmission weeping, in addition to the engine rear main seal needing replacement. Plus other things in my "list" of things to do to my Marauder, it can only be done as time & $$$ allows. I don't have the luxury of doing all that is needed to do everything at once, but eventually it would all get done. The car IS worth keeping in running condition, as we all know too well. It beats driving a microcar or a Prius :eek: that you're looking for a wind-up key to turn to get it going. Just my :twocents: worth.