Author Topic: "New Cars" (Read 1864 times)

wannabe4x4ing · « **on:** November 03, 2006, 12:30:44 pm »

I was browsing through the used car listings and noticed there's a lot of Tempo/Topaz vehicles in there. Lucy is currently sitting at my room-mates farm, after being side swiped. The drunk driver just gave me $2G (and paid for my towing cost to get her out to the farm) so insurance was not involved. Since I just replaced all her brakes, rotors (drums, I think, on the back) and the front end; can I use parts from her on another Tempo/Topaz if I buy one? Also, if she's a GL, and I buy, say, a GS - are the parts compatable? How about if she's a 94 and I buy a 92?

Oh, and I also found this:

http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=24469896&pgno=2&srt=1

nowcar · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2006, 12:40:57 pm »

This "drunk driver" who gave you $2,000, and avoided the insurance being involved... did they also avoid the Police being involved?

locutusx · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2006, 01:07:27 pm »

Wow. If I got side-swiped by a *drunk driver* I would most certainly try to get insurance/police involved. They're a TRUE danger to society and should be removed from the roads... although normally I am someone who likes to keep things away from insurance if it's "minor" or a fender-bender... would not do that for drunks!

nowcar · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2006, 01:11:22 pm »

That is what I was getting at. If the insurance people were not involved doesn't that mean that the Police weren't either? Accepting cash may not have been the smartest thing to do...but I don't have all the facts and apologize if my assumptions are wrong.

haris · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2006, 01:37:25 pm »

Most, if not all, parts should be interchangable, if the body/engine are the same...

mrthompson · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2006, 01:52:59 pm »

If you HAVE to buy a car, pick something up for a grand....that way you have some $$$ left for the inevitable repairs.

As long as the Tempo/Topaz has the same engine & tranny (4 cyl., auto) then the parts should interchange.

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2006, 04:47:07 pm »

Wow, bad luck follows you everywhere doesn't it. I would've reported it to the police and the insurance companies.

mwqa · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2006, 05:29:10 pm »

Quote from: Bullet Blue on November 03, 2006, 04:47:07 pm

Wow, bad luck follows you everywhere doesn't it. I would've reported it to the police and the insurance companies.

I seem to remember Wanna saying she's 21 (aren't all women?). Perhaps this is just a case of inexperience. Luck has nothing to do with it.

<<sheesh>> You guys are going to give Wanna a complex.

Julie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2006, 06:27:34 pm »

Well, I really like that Acura Legend.

dr_spock · « **Reply #9 on:** November 03, 2006, 06:30:24 pm »

Are there any laws requiring that particular type of accident to be reported in your jurisdiction? How much property damage was involved? How much of the car can be reused in another similiar model?

wannabe4x4ing · « **Reply #10 on:** November 03, 2006, 07:42:17 pm »

The police were certainly involved! The guy hit my car, pulled up on the sidewalk, and promptly fell asleep. The neighbours came in, woke us up and called the police. The guy was hauled away in a police car (after the police made sure I had his contact information) and his truck was towed. Mine was still driveable (barely) so I pulled it into our driveway (just to get it off the street). I have no idea if he was charged, but I'm assuming he was. This all happened almost a month ago and I already told you guys about it! The police don't phone your insurance company, though. And even if they did, the guy was drunk so his insurance likely would not have covered any damage. He gave me the money to avoid me sueing him.

dorin · « **Reply #11 on:** November 03, 2006, 10:08:38 pm »

To get back on topic, that Acura Legend looks pretty good Wanna. I'd check it out if I could.

johngenx · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2006, 10:34:36 pm »

Hey, that Legend looks like it's a serious contender for $2K! It's the "good" Legend (the 91- models were more complex and didn't age quite as well) and might be a great car. Beware parts prices and I bet the V-6 isn't super-cheap on gas, but overall those are very good cars and should be pretty reliable.

wannabe4x4ing · « **Reply #13 on:** November 06, 2006, 01:31:27 am »

It was sold.

Oh well.

Anyways, I called on a Civic this afternoon that was in the paper. It was listed as a "good runabout car". So I went ahead and called the lady. It's a 1985 with 215 000km on it, hatch back, 5spd, 4cyl and has an after market CD player in it (not really necessary, because I have my own. But whatever...). She bought it in the spring for her daughter, put a new front end in, new front brakes, new clutch and new all-season tires. It does not have a/c and the daughter decided she didn't want the car anymore. So her mother bought her a new car (spoiled brat) and is selling the old one for $850.00. The heater and everything else works fine, and she's got receipts from all the work.

What questions should I be asking, and what should I be looking for when I test drive this car tomorrow afternoon? I called my roomy's boyfriend and he's going to make time at the shop tomorrow to get me in for a mechanical (the lady agreed). But while driving....any suggestions? Thanks, folks!

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #14 on:** November 06, 2006, 03:22:43 am »

Ask if it has been in any accidents. When driving make sure it tracks straight. That's one thing I didn't check for when I got my first beater car, and a bent frame (car veers) is dangerous and a difficult/impossible beater fix.

initial_D · « **Reply #15 on:** November 06, 2006, 06:39:05 am »

For $850, if it drives OK, and nothing much visibly damaged, it would be a good deal.

Do have a mechanic to put it up on a hoist to check it out tho, well worth the $50-$80. You know someone who is a mechanic, right? If he is not available, you can use Express Automotive on Gaetze, close to the Canadian Tire gasbar just off downtown.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2006, 07:39:01 am »

An 85 Civic, they still have the manual chokes on those old beasts.....

Is this the car you will also be commuting from RD to GP and back?

johngenx · « **Reply #17 on:** November 06, 2006, 08:57:52 am »

The toughest car we've ever owned was our 1988 Mazda 626. The 1988-1992 626's are really old now, but if you find one, they're amazing cars. The FI system is flawless, the non-turbo engine is durable, and even the AT versions last. The manual trans is super tough and I've seen ones with 500K on them.

Late 80's to early 90's 626s and 323s are worthy of your attention...

nowcar · « **Reply #18 on:** November 06, 2006, 10:06:01 am »

When I was learning to drive, we had a 1994 626 with a manual transmission and the 4 cyl engine. I still think it was a fantastic car, and still looks good IMO. Stay away from the automatic I heard, but overall I would recommend them as a now cheap buy.

wannabe4x4ing · « **Reply #19 on:** November 06, 2006, 01:39:12 pm »

Quote from: MdX5 on November 06, 2006, 07:39:01 am

An 85 Civic, they still have the manual chokes on those old beasts.....

Is this the car you will also be commuting from RD to GP and back?

No, it's pretty cheap for me to rent a car (like $300 for the whole weekend, including gas and extra insurance) and I have a friend that comes with me to GP when I go so we split the costs. It saves us each about a hundred dollars when we travel. So its just a puts-around-RD car.

Author Topic: "New Cars" (Read 1864 times)

mdxtasy