May be time...

[rayjay]

Greetings all, its been a while. Since Rex passed I haven't been here much. I still own my DTR, 14 years now, but I think it may be time to send her on.

I can no longer work on her due to a major back injury. Changing oil and even sparks plugs is a issue for me.

I am afraid to driver her here. Its a mine field here on the roads. With no parts available for body work I am afraid to take her out of the garage. Marty O did some work on her 2 years ago and quite frankly I have only put about 2300 miles on her since. Insurance is ridiculous here. You have to practice extreme defensive driving techniques or you will get wrecked out. YES it is that bad. Ireally need something as a 2nd car, not a garage queen.

So I am considering moving her on and going back to a Focus. Probably the ST with 252hp/270TQ. It has most of the upgrades my 2000 ZX3 was modded with from the factory. I have looked at the RS, but the prices, even used!!! If a ST gets wrecked it can be easily repaired. Not so sure on the RS. Friend who runs an Ford Asset program says the rs will be expesive to repair off warranty. He said go with a ST and tune it.

My DTR is in decent shape, couple nicks, one small dent. The usual bolt ons plus a 3200 TC. Adult driven. I rarely light them up anymore. Its a SC car now, no cats. Custom exhaust by Marty including SW headers. Forgot, exactly 103,000 miles.




So what y'all think? I have always valued opinions from here.

[martyo]

This us a very nice car.

[Mr. Man]

Hi Ray Long time no hear.

The ST sounds like a good compromise when it comes to tuning, but isn't the ride in a small car murder on your back?

I get the MM worries you to drive as I don't drive mine much anymore either because of the maniacs out there texting instead of driving, but when I do take it out I have a good time with it.
I use mine for cruise nights, the occasional car show and of course Carlisle.

Can you get antique/collectable car insurance on it down there? Get agreed value on it and if it gets wreaked, get a big check.

Shout out to the little ladies.

[rayjay]

Thanks Marty. Mr. Man, yes too long. Very good point about the ST and my back. Reality is I can't do long distance in the MM for that reason, it just is not that comfortable for me. Our SUV is excellent, but I don't need 2. I know before I started modding the suspension on my ZX3 it rode very well for a small car and the seat was quite comfortable. Ford is offering substantial savings and rebates on all Focus right now too. Almost $6K off. If I lease I can probably keep my DTR. I have a appointment for Wed to look at one. There is a RS at the southend in a color I would want, but $48K for a Focus... OUCH

[Davesvt2000]

Sorry to hear about your back, but if it’s bothering you that much now, I would not even consider an RS.

[jerrym3]

Age takes it's toll.

My wife has trouble getting into my Explorer, and I have trouble getting into her Lincoln LS. Biggest challenge for me is getting into my 03 TBird with the top up.

Once we're in, we're OK.

[tbone]

Drive the thing. If it gets wrecked it gets wrecked. Life goes on.
Your selling it because you're afraid of losing it to a crash? Either way the car is going away from your life.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of CV and GM for parts scrounging.
And if you crash in a Marauder the chances are you will walk away. A Focus? Not so much.

[SGT_MERC]

Drive the thing. If it gets wrecked it gets wrecked. Life goes on.
Your selling it because you're afraid of losing it to a crash? Either way the car is going away from your life.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of CV and GM for parts scrounging.
And if you crash in a Marauder the chances are you will walk away. A Focus? Not so much.

I agree with ^^^^^^^ 100%........

[Big Black Beast]

We all get to that point. Good luck with the sale, or whatever you decide to do.

[rayjay]

Thanks everyone. I have decided to keep the DTR. I have too much into her to just let it go. It still runs great other than a CEL for small evap leak. MartyO did a really good job on it, and I put quite a bit into front end repairs before it went to him. I will never get out of it what I put in. I'll just driver when I can and have fun. Thanks!

[justbob]

Glad to hear Ray!


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[Marauderman]

Age takes it's toll.

Biggest challenge for me is getting into my 03 TBird with the top up.

Once we're in, we're OK.

Not to de-rail--but we have an -04 PCR and you really sit down at 90 angle and turn (swivel) into seat all while placing head 45 degrees away from inside while swiveling.

try that --

[Invective]

Thanks everyone. I have decided to keep the DTR. I have too much into her to just let it go. It still runs great other than a CEL for small evap leak. MartyO did a really good job on it, and I put quite a bit into front end repairs before it went to him. I will never get out of it what I put in. I'll just driver when I can and have fun. Thanks!

Glad to read you're keeping your car. Like you, I can't walk well either due to back injury.

My final employer took responsibility for my lower back, right shoulder (rotator cuff) and separated tendons in my right forearm, then backed out on the day of the first surgery. As part of the legal settlement, my employer paid cash but denied responsibility despite being there 13 years.

Worker's Comp wouldn't pay as a result and my group insurance wouldn't pay because these were clearly worker's comp issues. I paid for the tendon reattachment surgery out of pocket but the back and shoulder surgery will have to wait until at least February, 2020 as my agreement states I can't seek a remedy through Medicare before then.

Thinking I'm done buying vehicles for now, keeping all of them for the time being. With the Mustang, I have to roll out of the car and pull myself up. I occasionally have issues getting my bikes off of their centerstands so I enlist a neighbor when available. Have both a cane and walker that I use around the house on rare occasions.

I seem to be the last family member in the Charlotte region; have children and grand children in the Aiken - Batesburg area. Hoping to finalize plans to move down there later this year.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

The mm is much more comfortable and if you have trouble changing oil and spark plugs how will you manage a manual only car for daily use?

[Dragcity]

Ray! How you been? You left me all alone here in Upstate!

You should see the x-rays of my neck. 7 cervical vertebrea are now only 4. Just one really big one!

To heck with it, I'm still drag racing, but gave up the motorcycle.