Hey all... title says it all.

Locomigo is getting up there in age (100k & 4.5yrs) and I have a long weekend of maintenance planned for the first of April:
* Timing Belt/Water Pump/Tensioner Pulley
* Intake Manifold Gaskets
* Fuel Rail Cleaning
* EGR Cleaning
* Ball Joints (upper/lower R&L)
* Tie Rods (R&L)
* Wheel Bearings (inner/outer R&L)
* Vehicle Speed Sensor (no odo/speedo, use GPS)
* Fuel Pump (included sending unit, which is broke)
* Drivers Rear Upper Shock Mount (ease of access while fuel tank is out)
* Exhaust work (replace pipe/muffler aft of the "y-pipe", and collector/downpipe flange gaskets)
* Then I will have all gear boxes, engine, tranny, and anything else that has fluid/grease/oil flushed, exhanged, new filters done.

Do you see anything I have overlooked? Most of that stuff isnt broke, but they are the things that start to go wrong about now, and I figure, while I am at it, I may as well go full tilt boogie with it and do it right.

School me on DD, I have three options:
* Take $1-2k cash and buy a beater (may or may not need just as much if not more maintenance than the Amigo)
* Get a loan and finance a nearly new (02-04) commuter car say $6-10k.
* Get a loan and finance a new commuter car low teens $12-16k.

Either of the last two are where I am leaning towards. Since the Amigo note is over, there are funds available, although I would like to save at least 50% for savings.

Regardless the vehicle MUST be manual, and get >say 20-24MPG combination (city/highway) more is better obviously
May as well look for something fun in addition to economical. No reason I cant have my cake and eat it too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

So the things I am interested in on the B category...
Mazda6
WRX
A4
Open to other ideas... suggestions?

For the C catergory...
Spectra SX
Elantra GT
NOTE: With the Sorento, we have been EXCEPTIONALLY happy with the Korean builders improvements in quality/fit/finish/bang for the buck.
Cobalt
G6
open to others here as well...

That gives a flavor of whats on my mind and I appreciate your insights, thoughts, suggestions, and opinions...

It'll be great to get everything done. I'm looking forward to some vacation time to do some of the same once Spring kicks in.

I also look forward to the day when my Amigo can retire from the road. Dreaming of a commuter with a little kick like a WRX or a GTI. Then I get to thinking hey wouldn't it be great to pick up one of the older VW pickup trucks and drop something spicy in under the hood. Then I start thinking hey maybe you should buy a piece fo crap just fix what breaks and stop throwing money you don't have at depreciating assets.
--jeremy

I vote the WRX. Why? it was built at the same plant (maybe same people) as our trucks, indiana. Plus, they are sweet AWD turbo, fast cars. Then make your amigo into a serious wheeler

kevan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Are you saying that Locomigo is NOT a serious wheeler now? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />



If not, I REALLY want to know your definition... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />


The WRX seems to be a decent choice, but not buying new(which I couldnt afford right now) leaves me the concern of how it was driven (like it was stolen).

I just dont have the time to be concerned with buyin a POS that I have to throw time and money at... That is the reason for going with the piece of mind alternatives...

If you're asking for the most economical solution, I say keep the amigo for daily driver duties. 100k isn't enough miles to put it out to pasture (in my opinion).

Also, you listed changing your intake manifold gaskets. My philosophy is: "if it ain't broke-don't fix it". This applies especially to gasketed surfaces.

The gaskets are leaking somewhat, I have several minor issues and this is one that has an issue.

Not putting it out to pasture... just leaving it as an OCCASIONAL driver and moreso trail rig. The cost of 33s ($700/year), fuel and the wear and tear on 500-750 miles a week is taking its toll. And to be honest... the rig is still fun to drive, but it is more of a recreational vehicle than a daily driver. The soft top is no longer, and I am basically a no top kinda guy right now.

My definition of a serious wheeler?

sorry for the small pic, but you know who it is
plus you have a nice ride. let me know it you are selling it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

kevan

Gotcha... Corbin is more of an extremist these days... although he can and still does do milder trails.

Yeah, I have NO plans to sell my rig. just continue beatin the hell out of it... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

So anyway, to UN-hijack this thing... Are there any more suggestions to the maintenance on the Amigo or anything I forgot?

OR suggestions for the DD replacement?

Loco,

Coming from a few hobby cars, the Zu being sort of the latest, and numerous beaters as DD's, the most important thing you need to remember is that it's a Daily.

That means reliable. Reliable. Reliable.

Experience has shown me that anyting with too much complexity, power, or technology lends itself to being an expensive daily. Things can and still will go wrong on the daily, and you end up with repair bills you really hadn't wanted. On a liened vehicle, that just makes things worse.

I've known three owners of WRX's personally, and none of them really felt they were built or made to the cost of the car new. Had they paid used prices, they might have felt more comfortable for the quality vs cost ratio. They ALL ended up selling their car within a year feeling they could get more for their bucks spent. The 'allure' factor and popularity is really the WRX's ONLY selling point; there are cheaper, stronger, more nicely built cars in it's class all around.

As a daily, I would stress that Turbos/SC's, Continuous AWD, and any other major complexities can cost you IF they go down. (even if they're under warranty, it takes time to repair the more complex systems, and thus, your daily 'supposedly reliable' car sits in the shop for a week or more)

The god honest best beater I've ever had? A mid 90's POcrap Honda Civic. Something some adult drove to work for a few years, then decided to sell. Maintenance is an almost perfectly predictable $600 or so a year, spread out either on brakes one year, shocks the next, or timing belt/water pump the last. (repeat twice, and you've basically exhausted the life of the car after YOUR 6 years, ON TOP of the original owners 8 or 9 years) They won't be loaded on creature comforts, no power windows or door locks, maybe not even AC since it will die and not be rechargebable since it uses the older refrigerant, but they're damn reliable for normal stuff. Their HUGE population of existence means repair parts are uber cheap and plentiful to boot.

The best part? those 8-9 year old civics go for around 2500, and really do last and drive and drive and drive and drive....

YMMV, but these are my personal experiences. Good luck

E.

Given your abilities and the abilities of those around you Keith, I'm betting you could have the Tri-Magnum built in a few weeks and then u get it out on the road.

0-60 in under 6 seconds, and 35+ mpg. Total cost to build, under 5g's. Cheap to insure, fix, LOW COST Maintenance, and it sips gas.