Well, the time has finally come <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. The need of a reliable 4 door vehicle my aging parents can get into/out of, coupled with a lack of enthusiasm on my part for tearing the engine down again to see why the brand-new drivers-side head gasket breached means that today I allowed the State of California to refund me some tax $$$ and "retire" my '89 Raider.

For any of you local Bay Area folks, it's at the Pick-n-Pull on Commercial Court in San Jose. Brand new hoses/belts/clutch, reasonably new alternator, nearly new front crank bolt (the updated one), newly reconditioned heads, original steelies with decent tread left on the tires, an intact triple gauge console with mech. O/P gauge, working inclinometer (oil-damped and works like it did when new), and nice ISSPRO voltmeter. Tan interior, bouncy drivers-side seat. Owner's manual in the glove box. 225K on the odometer.

I've learned a huge amount about working on vehicles over the nearly seven years I've owned the truck, and I owe a big THANK YOU to everyone on here who has helped me out by patiently answering my questions.

It's been fun! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Eric W.

Eric, this is such a pity. The parts you 'donated' to nothing are now largely lost. I'm sorry for our vehicles each time I see one in a parts yard, but more so when one of the Mistu kinsman does this. I would have contributed toward a Gen II for you.

Whatever, I guess. Happy trails. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I need a few parts... How are the driver side fender and the hood? If they are straight, it might be worth a drive to San Jose...

I am a firm believer you can live where you want and do what you want with your property but its no wonder California is a dying state. They pay you money for your vehicle which in turn causes higher and higher taxes? At least you will have the hydrogen highway or whatever it was soon enough paid for with my federal tax money. If you keep turning in your cars my federal tax money is also going to have to bail out your state.
Thanks buddy...

What color was it, and did your parents have two of them?
I'm sorry for your loss.

Russell, I hear ya. It wasn't an easy decision, but in the end I have neither the time or space to part it out or keep it. Plus in its condition there's no way I could have sold it private party for the same amount.

The drivers side fender (in fact most of the body) is fine, hood is a little wrinkled on the back (previous owner had it come loose on the freeway due to the safety catch having been removed -- probably by a mechanic tired of hitting his or her head on it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />) but not too bad. I replaced the safety latch on it. The color is similar to LRJ4x4's old Gen 1 -- sort of a gold color.

WWFF -- let's be honest here. If the State of Georgia was offering you $1K to retire your vehicle and it didn't fit with your current driving needs, I'd bet dollars to donuts you'd take the offer <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Anyone looking for parts should probably should check with the Pick-n-Pull before making a trip -- I'm assuming they will put it on the lot but I don't know it for a fact...

Eric W.

Oh, and the truck was mine, not my parents. I am caring for my parents now, and the 2-door isn't really a practical vehicle for taking them places, nor is the Z3 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Here we go again, another rant by one who hasn't got his facts straight before posting.

No kidding. California has been supporting Georgia for many years with it's tax dollars. A, "thank you," would be nice.

Unfamiliar with this. How does work?

Not to take this discussion far off the junkyard Raider theme, but some states pay more in federal taxes than they receive in federal benefits. Some pay less than they receive in federal benefits. California pays more than it receives and Georgia takes more than it pays.

There are something like 20ish states that pay more federal taxes than they get from federal spending. The remaining 30ish states take more money than they pay in.