Car foo

[danaeris]

So the total cost of ownership of unseelie's car has reached the unacceptable level and its still getting worse:
-we never repaired the bumper from that accident months ago
-the alignment is way out
-the brake pads are being replaced as we speak
-There's something wrong with the starter such that every few days we have to jump start it... since he spent $30 on a portable jumper, this isn't a big nuisance, but still...

In good condition, selling his car privately would be worth $2000. We've already spent $1000 in repairs on it in the last 1.5 years.

If he and I were going to live together, I'd buy a car and we could share it. But he's going to move up to Sonoma State next fall if all goes according to plan. Which means he's going to need a car.

I don't think its right for me to buy him a car... I've already abused my finances enough. But something has to happen. I have no idea how much the above problems will cost to fix, whether we'd come out more ahead fixing it and then selling it, or selling as is and letting them fix it.

As for buying a replacement, we were thinking about frequenting police auctions until something comes along. Once he stops working in Palo Alto, we could even have a gap between the cars, so we could take our time. Anyone know where to find out where police auctions occur and when? Anyone have any advice on going to police auctions? I'm also tempted to look for myself while I'm there...

Comments

[bk2w.livejournal.com]

Gee. Go fig. A post about cars, and I can't help but perk up.

Anyways. I'm curious why the starter is considered the problem. Having to jump the car every few weeks seems to indicate that the battery is not retaining enough charge to turn the engine over. My first suspicions would be a dying battery and a dying alternator. have you had a more in depth diagnosis of this problem?

As for police auctions, someone at the SFPD's office should be able to tell you the details if you call. Just be sure you bid on the right car. My dad accidentally bought a late 70s Malibu with air shocks and chulaberries instead of the Camry he wanted by not paying enough attention to the lot number.

And in other news, a friend of mine that I think you know, Kirin, is trying to sell her '99 (I think) Saturn for < $2k, if you're interested.

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

um, No such assumptions are made. I'm just being a poor communicator. What we actually suspect is happening given that the alternator is about a year old, the battery is similarly recent, and this problem always acts up more when it is moist out is that there is some sort of short being exacerbated by moisture... perhaps some of the wiring lost its insulation. We're not sure. But people have looked at it and not found the solution. When it won't start, we still have dashboard lights, headlights, etc., the engine just won't quite turn over. The jumper kit we have supposedly only stores 3 jumps before it has to be recharged, but we have been able to jump the car about 9 times before it needs to be recharged.

Anyhow, I'd be very interested to talk to your friend. Can you put us in touch?

power drain detection

[rightsock.livejournal.com]

well, about 20 minutes with a multimeter and screwdriver will help figure out where your drain is. Pretty simple, just need to take the time. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town through the new years, so I won't be able to lend a hand. I'd be happy to check it out afterwards, if you'd like.

Note that with the battery draining very low multiple times is terrible on battery life. Expect to replace the battery again within 6 months. They just don't like to get drained!

Re: power drain detection

[http://users.livejournal.com/_duncan/]

Observations from Wednesday Dec 24, riding as a passenger:

As the starter ran the headlights and dome light were very dim. The engine barely turned. Thevanin/Norton/Ohm's Law related conclusions omitted.

Once the engine started the lights were bright. VERY bright. Headlights and dashboard lights went sharply dimmer very briefly every four (or so) seconds. The dip in brightness occurred very regularly.

Alternator(/regulator), starter, battery and cables have been replaced recently. At the same time? I don't know. All of the power cables? I doubt it.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

police auctions mean 1)bad karma and 2)having no idea what kind of mechanical condition a vehicle is in. most of those cars are there because City Tow got them for something, and you should have lived in town long enough to know that City Tow are fucking theives. (They were nearly investigated by the Feds, and you know how people get towed for no reason sometimes, or should.) that means you're buying the car of someone who either did something very illegal with it, or somebody too poor to buy it back themselves after City Tow demanded $400 to give back their supposedly illegally parked car (and that's about the lowest it would cost, it's often much higher, plus any unpaid parking tickets). so it's a total gamble mechanically speaking (you can't start the car, just look at it) and the pros get all the good ones. and then you've got to hire a locksmith to give you new keys for the vehicle... not to mention, as I said, bad karma. not a recommended source of vehicle.

[plymouth.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about out there, but at least in CT you can sometimes get ex-cruisers too. A friend of mine picked up a Police Package Crown Victoria that was in great shape. Fun car - big engine, cop shocks, cop brakes... not saying that isn't a gamble too, necessarily, but in this case he got one not from the city but from the swanky upscale suburb next door so it hadn't really been abused or driven hard.

[dazzlynn.livejournal.com]

If you're thinking about a new car, and have some time, spend time on craigslist. I got my little car which is great for $800. If you are able to sell his for *something* you could prolly get a new one for that amount.