M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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When it rains it pours!! Ok...some of you know that we have car problems. A few months ago we were able to get our van fixed only to have our cavalier break down (AGAIN) a few days later. NOW the van is starting to have problems again...I'm not sure how much longer it will last! I get so sick and tired of pouring money into these cars (at least they are paid off..so that is good) only to have them break down again a few months later. The van is a 95 caravan and the car is a 97 cavalier..sort of a little sports car.
I would love nothing more than to trade one in and get something dependable but there is just no money for that at this time. How much longer do you keep pouring money into vehicles that only last a few months before the next break down? It's going to cost us over $500 to fix the car and I'm not sure how much it will cost to fix the van. It sucks having to depend on my mom or brother to get me to work if my DH can't. I mean really! I'm going crazy!
It seems like once we get one problem solved..another pops up....or more accurately...one problem pops up and 20 others soon follow it before we solve the first one. How do you deal?
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Buckeye
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 12/08/05
Posts: 7857
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BTDT - finally had to bite the bullet and buy a new one. But our situation is a lot different from yours as we didn't have CS.
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matart1
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 09/01/05
Posts: 2798
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we bought a "used" vehicle in Sept because the blue value on the van I was driving was basically nil compared to the repairs that were needed.
the "used" was current year, 7k miles and I now have a job otherwise I probably would have went for something far older than what I got or done without.
when it rains it seems to pour a hurricane though so I know what you mean.
hopefully your able to find some relief in your nexxt court date that might help with the vehicles....
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Life is a long lesson in humility.
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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were do I find the value of our cars? They are 95 grande caravan and 97 chevy cavalier
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LeAnne
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/05
Posts: 10232
Loc: missouri
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www.kellybluebook.com
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Empty Nesting
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Dee78
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 11820
Loc: TN
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That sucks. I hated driving used vehicles for that reason, our cars were always breaking down, luckily ex was pretty good at working on them so our repart costs were minimal.
I hope the van doesn't cost that much to fix.
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LeAnne
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/05
Posts: 10232
Loc: missouri
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People always ask H how much one of their old cars are worth? He always tells them that if it's 10 years old or so, has 4 wheels, passes state safety and emissions, it's worth about a 1000.00 Vehicles are the worst investment you can make as far as an everyday driver. Over the past year or so, we have seen the small cars come out of the woodwork, mainly due to the high gas prices. ALL CARS BREAK and need maintenance. Here's how we tell people they need to look for another car. Add up what you spent last year as far as repairs, plus insurance on the vehicle, divide that by 12, giving you a monthly cost. Then price a new one, plus the full coverage insurance that you will need. Don't forget to add in sales tax on the new one(big cost here) then divide by 12 and come up with the monthly cost. If you are spending way more on the clunker, it might be time for a new one. Last year we have had a bunch of peple replacing engines and tranmissions in their cars, much cheaper than buying a new one. We always try to push our customers away from buy here pay here(basically high priced junk). We have a 40.00 checkout that we do for our customers looking to purchase a used car(well worth the 40 bucks) before you buy. Just because it has been inspected for license, doesn't mean that it is not a oil leaking pig from h#ll, that the brakes aren't weeks away from going metal to metal or the antifreeze leaking from the head was spillage. Never trust a used car lot, most are junk they bought at an auction. If both of your cars are under 150,000 miles, they are probably worth fixing engine wise, just depends on what is wrong with them.
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Empty Nesting
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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Thanks! I checked and if our van was in excellent condition (which it's not) it would only be worth less than $3,745. Trade in value is less than 2K though lol. Our car is worth 2840 and trade in is only 1K. We pour more money that that in both cars just with repairs.
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Gecko
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 19802
Loc: Third rock from the sun
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I know that it's difficult to see having a car payment given your current financial situation, but then again...how much much have you spent in the last year on auto repairs? If you spent more than $2,000, then you could be driving a GOOD used vehicle.
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If you air your dirty linen in public, expect people to comment on the skid marks!
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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Last year when we got our car fixed it was transmition and something else (I know nothing about cars). I think this time its the water pump and something else. The van...DH thinks its the oxygen censor and something to do with the starter or crank or something. Heck I don't know. It's just getting crazy...One car gets fixed and the other breaks down. At one time they were both broken down at the same time and DH had to us my mom's old truck.
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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DH keeps talking about wanting to at least trade the van in for something better..more dependable since it's the only thing big enough to fit all 7 of us in. That would mean another minivan at least. I just don't want another car payment...but I do want the new vehicle lol. Need to win the lottery or something. I guess we will see where we stand after court stuff is over and after all the major bills are paid off next month. If DH can get that job he is looking into then we may be able to do it.
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Gecko
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 19802
Loc: Third rock from the sun
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Don't feel bad...went to start the truck this morning and no-go. It's like it WANTS to start, but it can't. So I call BIL and he says it the fuel injectors and unfortunately...he only works on old cars...ones with carburators. So we through some STP in it and I'm taking it on the back roads every couple of hours to see if I can't get the injectors cleared out. I do NOT want to have to replace the damn things...looking at $50 per injector, 8 injectors...if I do the work. Otherwise...I'm looking at $500 bill.
Last month it was the alternator...$120 JUST for the alternator. Last spring...$1,600 for a [second] new transmisson.
BTW...it's Dad's truck and he never been good about maintanence, always waits until somethings breaks and then he fixes it.
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If you air your dirty linen in public, expect people to comment on the skid marks!
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Gecko
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 19802
Loc: Third rock from the sun
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I used to have a '84 Ford Exp...Ford's idea of "sports car". I used to say it was their "special" car because it had "special" wheels that took "special" tires and "special" this and "special" that. I paid $1,000...after I put another $2,000 in it I said the hell with it and bought Sara...'89 Ford Mustang 5.0 LX. I spent an extra $800 for the "extended warranty" and it was the best $800 I had ever invested.
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If you air your dirty linen in public, expect people to comment on the skid marks!
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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That's how DH is..waits until it breaks and then fixes it lol. Granted, he doesn't have much time to fix things anyway..and he's not a mechanic...and I would totally mess everything up if I tried to fix anything.
My car..nothing seems to work anymore. The lighter wont work, the air conditioning won't work (never could get it to work), etc. etc. etc. We've had it for about 4 years now and we have not went 3 months without it breaking down. The van ran great for the first 2 years...nothing went wrong or anything...then it starts. It is breaking down more than the car now.
I really want to win the lottery lol. I wanna hummer. :P
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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I love Fords. I was looking at a Ford hybrid in the paper the other day. Would love to have one..or something like it. DH wants a mustang...he used to have alot of sports cars growing up (he was spoiled) and would love to have some of the cars he had back in the day.
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jil_stevens
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/31/06
Posts: 3893
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We have a 1970 firebird in our garage that is in the midst or a major restoration. BF is definitely a car guy. Once he gets this one finished, I am sure he will find another one he needs to rebuild!!
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Gecko
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 19802
Loc: Third rock from the sun
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Outside of the Mustang and the older T-birds...don't like Fords at all. I'm going to end up with Dad's truck...'98 Chevy Silverado; ext cab, tow pakg, V-8 Vortex, auto/pwr everything. It's in sad shape...he's pretty much trashed the interior...don't know if I'll ever be able to get the carpet cleaned and it needs a new headliner. Needs a new windshield, the driver's side door doesn't open, the fan doesn't work, going to need brakes soon, sadly in need of a tune-up and oil change and I needs some body work. Several years ago, Dad put a dent in it, then I popped his out when I put one it it. Then ex-fiance I guess decided to "help" dad out and now it looks like someone used it for target practice. BIL says I can't just pull the fender off like older vehicles where they're bolted on. So I've got my work cut out with fiberglass and bondo this summer.
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If you air your dirty linen in public, expect people to comment on the skid marks!
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Gecko
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 19802
Loc: Third rock from the sun
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That's what my BIL does for a living, though it didn't start out that way. He's always worked on cars...older cars...pre-1970's...had quite a collection that he sold on eBay a couple of years back. So anyhoo...he "retired" early and someone came to him with a junked-out '39 Ford that he turned into a work of art. He's got work for the next three years and more coming in.
He sold his construction about 10 years ago though still worked here and there and invested in a laundrymat. Then la
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If you air your dirty linen in public, expect people to comment on the skid marks!
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Buckeye
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 12/08/05
Posts: 7857
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We had a Comet, can't remember the year. It really should have been a FORD - fix or repair daily. It was ALWAYS something.
Decided to get rid of it and a guy at my Dad's work wanted it for his daughter. My father told him to back away - it would nickel, dime and dollar you to death. The guy said no, he wanted that car. Before he could even take it out of the driveway, he had to put in a water pump.
Several months later, he was getting rid of it too - he told my Dad, you were right, it nickels, dimes and dollars you to death. It is ALWAYS something.
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katiefedup
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 10/26/05
Posts: 11669
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I remember that saying about Fords/ I once had a Fiat: Fix it again Tony!
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Runswithscissors
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 05/29/04
Posts: 13381
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OR
FORD
Found on road dead
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katiefedup
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 10/26/05
Posts: 11669
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I can't say anything good about Fords. My husband has one
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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one of my ex bf's used to say "I'd rather push my ford that drive your chevy" lol
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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My brother has had his ford truck for about 10 years and it just now started having major problems. I like fords..but that's really not saying much since I know ZILCH about cars...I just know what's PURTY and what's not lol.
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matilda
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/11/04
Posts: 2087
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I had a Ford Explorer and the transmission died at 22,000 miles. I don't drive much so it was out of warranty by date not miles. I started calling it a Ford Exploder. I will never buy a Ford again. I know 4 people that had their transmissions go out on a Ford Explorer without many miles on it.
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katiefedup
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 10/26/05
Posts: 11669
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my h has a 2003 Ford Expedition, and had sooooo much work done to it and they still can't fix the seatbelt sensor!
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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Alls I know is I wanna hummer...a black one with black tinted windows. They need to make some hybrid hummers or something, cause I wanna hybrid too. :P
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rocketgirl
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/24/04
Posts: 8562
Loc: On the beach in 14 years...
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Toyota all the way! I've got 140,000 miles on my 4 Runner and it still runs like a charm!
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Lisa
Diplomacy - the art of telling someone to go to hell, and them looking forward to the trip.
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Miranda
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 20822
Loc: North of Mexico
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[quote]my h has a 2003 Ford Expedition, and had sooooo much work done to it and they still can't fix the seatbelt sensor! [/quote]
I thought he had an Excursion? (because I have the same truck)
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13.1...because I am only half crazy!
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katiefedup
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 10/26/05
Posts: 11669
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my bad,it ia an excursion
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Runswithscissors
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 05/29/04
Posts: 13381
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I've had an explorer that had 180K miles on it.. never had any trouble.... never took it in to be serviced..... I had an excursion that I sold 4 years ago with 100K... again.. no troubles...... My family is a ford family... my dad always drove the biggest ford van for the airstream, my mother always drove a lincoln town car..... I had a ford mustang in HS.. (after the corvair) and my ex drove mustangs, F150s and bronco's.. my hubby drives a bronco... NONE of which ever had trouble...
I made the first leap over to a Honda 4 years ago.. and it's a good car.. no troubles on it.. it's approaching 100K now.
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Debi
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/03/05
Posts: 7135
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Kelly blue book will give you a retail value but don't expect to get that much. A private person can rarely sell their vechile for retail price and it's worth even less as a trade in unless the dealer is going to make a good buck on the back end with financing. Then he can make it look like he's giving you a lot more on paper.
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When we were together, you said you'd die for me. Now, I think it's time you kept your promise.
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gr8Dad
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 30195
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...the last five cars O have had were dodges, NOTHING goes wrong, less expensive, sit higher, and tell me that the new Nitro isn't the BADDEST looking SUV out there...
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Why give a "senior" discount, they have had plenty of time to raise the money...
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Miranda
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 20822
Loc: North of Mexico
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My neighbor's daughter just got one of those Nitro's and it is really cute. Like a smaller Cherokee...
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13.1...because I am only half crazy!
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katiefedup
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 10/26/05
Posts: 11669
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yeah they are cute not badddd asss looking
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jil_stevens
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/31/06
Posts: 3893
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It's just BF's hobby, thankfully:) It takes up enough space without being a career! He prefers just engine work, he has a friend with a machine shop and he does some side work building race engines, but does body work for his own restorations.
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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Well we have a dodge grand caravan and I would like nothing more than to go outside and shoot it full of holes :P Seriously, it was a good lil van for the first few years. Now anything and everything goes wrong with it and can't keep it from breaking down every few months. It totally sucks not to have anything dependable. Been having nightmares about being w/o a vehicle and DH having to hitch to work (faaaaaaaar away). ugh.
Cavaliers suck too. My first one I got when I was 19 and it blew a head (or something like that). This one hasn't done that yet but I'm just waiting. Everything else has went wrong with it. My mom has one and it's always got one problem or another.
I've heard saturns were pretty good..anyone know anything about saturns?
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almostheaven
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/13/04
Posts: 10468
Loc: West Virginia
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You know you say you put more than that in with repairs, so you're talking probably AT LEAST $100/mo. in repairs. There was a local dealer here that ran an add for push/pull in guaranteed trade-in, $77 down and $77/mo. I think these were used vehicles, but still...if you're spending over $100/mo. in repairs, it may be worth it to look into trading in on a more recent used vehicle. Plus...you getting anything back in taxes? It's close to that time and that could always help with a vehicle too.
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Char Fox
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almostheaven
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/13/04
Posts: 10468
Loc: West Virginia
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Found on road dead. ;)
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Char Fox
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almostheaven
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/13/04
Posts: 10468
Loc: West Virginia
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that's what rearended me. Ripped my car to shreds. Didn't even scratch the bastid's bumber. :(
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Char Fox
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almostheaven
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/13/04
Posts: 10468
Loc: West Virginia
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.
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Char Fox
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almostheaven
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/13/04
Posts: 10468
Loc: West Virginia
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I'm not seeing Subaru's mentioned. Am I the only one likes em?
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Char Fox
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PhoenixRising
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 01/05/07
Posts: 3681
Loc: New York
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Do they still make Subaru's :)
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almostheaven
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/13/04
Posts: 10468
Loc: West Virginia
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Oh heck yeah. You can even preview the upcoming 2008 Outbacks and Legacys at their site.
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Char Fox
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M5M5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/05
Posts: 11722
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Isn't the Baja (sp) a subaru?
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jil_stevens
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/31/06
Posts: 3893
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I've heard Subaru's are good.
I have a Dodge and love it. I have power, grrrr. Plus, I got rearended and it tore his car all up and I just have a little bitty scratch on my bumper. I like being the big guy, LOL. Plus, it has four wheel drive and, for a truck is a must in the snow I think. Esp this winter when it seems we are going to have a huge storm every Friday <<sigh>>.
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Gecko
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 19802
Loc: Third rock from the sun
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But of course...it's a TRUCK! LOL
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If you air your dirty linen in public, expect people to comment on the skid marks!
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jil_stevens
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/31/06
Posts: 3893
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One would think you would want to drive the car that tears up the others without getting damaged:)
I will never drive a Saturn because another time I was rear-ended (why does that keep happening???) I was in an Oldsmobile, no damage, Saturn, major, major damage, and he barely hit me. I was at red light and if he had five more feet to stop he wouldn't have hit me.
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almostheaven
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/13/04
Posts: 10468
Loc: West Virginia
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It's a bulldozer, disguised as a truck.
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Char Fox
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gr8Dad
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 30195
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...CXT...mmmmm MAN truck...
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Why give a "senior" discount, they have had plenty of time to raise the money...
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Gecko
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 19802
Loc: Third rock from the sun
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That's the idea. LOL
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If you air your dirty linen in public, expect people to comment on the skid marks!
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