Friday, September 26, 2014

Said Farewell to a Good Tool Today

Sold today my 1996 Escort Station Wagon. It was not an easy decision. I bought it with 114,000 miles on it, and sold it with 202,000.

This car has taken me, summer and winter, to points as far away as Aberdeen, SD, Marfa, TX, Albuquerque, NM, Dugway, UT, Omaha, NE, much of Western Kansas, and much of Wyoming and Colorado. It has pulled trailers, been used as a light truck, and allowed me to earn money.

As with any high mileage vehicle, I’ve spent some money on it. I needed to fix a few, to me, minor issues, while living with bad syncros in the tranny. Then it developed a peculiar engine problem. The oil wasn’t returning to the oil pan, wasn’t in the coolant, wasn’t in the valve train, and wasn’t leaking. WTF? This, coupled with the list of minor issues, made me question the value of spending up to $1,000 to make everything right. I might add, it doesn’t have a body panel without a dent (none put there by me). The syncros are the deal breaker. At some point the tranny is going to let go. Rebuild kit is around $180 plus labor, and as long as the tranny is out, might as well do a new clutch – more money.

At my age, and with my recent health issues, I didn't want to try to fix it myself.

Put it for sale on Craigslist and sold it in two days for $400. Filled an 18 gallon tote cleaning it out. Also, found a new pair of prescription glasses I’d forgotten was in the car. As my sister pointed out, that is like finding a $100 bill.


I’m not sentimental about my vehicles, don’t name them, and regard them as tools more than anything. That said I’m missing this reliable and useful tool.

6 comments:

Old NFO said...

But you'll 'miss' the convenience... Pickups are nice, until the rain/snow starts. Then it's nice to have a covered cargo area.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

The truck has a weather tight shell. It isn't as comfortable, and gets about 8 mpg less than the Escort.

Old NFO said...

Ah... Yeah, that works, and no, pickups aren't the most comfortable rides...

Well Seasoned Fool said...

I see salvage yard bucket seats in the truck's future.

Momma Fargo said...

LOL. You loved HER and you know it! I, myself, always preferred my trucks. Never was without one until now. HATE IT. I am not independent and I can't haul anything. I'm a hauler. I am saving for another. My car has been reliable, however, and I used to be spoiled with new vehicles. Now I have a 2005. My dad always said a vehicle is an expense and not to go crazy. I used to go crazy because I loved the fancy wheels. Now I just respect the fact they are a tool and they need to be reliable but not fancy schmancy.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Thirty years of selling them sort of ruined it for me. However, should I win the lottery, that could change. Let's see, a 48-50 Reo pickup. A Morgan Aero 8. A Roush Mustang (drove one when I worked for Roush). Of course, for a daily driver, an F-350 Extra Cab 4x4 diesel.