Topic: 2007 Pontiac Wave 5 (hatchback)

[Knucklez]

some life choices and their numbers:

from Oct 2006 to march 2010, i drove near exactly 160,000km.  that's about 3800km a month.  i can drive average 450km per tank of gas (its very steady at this value be it city or highway seems to make no difference), that's 8 tanks of gas per month. 

in march 2010 i got a new job in the same city i live in.  and now its march 2015 and i'm at ~240,000km.  that's about 1300km a month or 3 tanks of gas. 

i'm saving 5 tanks of gas per month, or that's about 5*45$ = $225 per month or $2700 per year.  its been 5 years.. so i've saved nearly $15K by working local.  not to mention i got back 12 hours per week from no commuting and mean time before life expectancy went up by not having to drive on the highway 

all in all ... working local?  one of the top 5 best decisions of my life. 

[SeasideLass]

Working local is great. I always tried to do that when possible......within walking distance. But where I am is likely a much smaller place than where you are. 

[Knucklez]

wife came running in the house the other day "car won't start!".   we both cheered.  i went out side to confirm.. car started on first try.

not impressed..  will have to wait longer for a new jeep renegade 

[SeasideLass]

0h dear - never mind, more time to save! 

[Knucklez]

car wouldn't start again.. towed it to dealer ($60).  it started for them the next morning (of course).  inspection, battery no good.  oil change and new windshield wiper blade.. $300.  back on the road. 

darn. new car will have to wait

interestingly, the battery officially becomes the first original part forcefully repaired due to natural failure. 

[mrthompson]

 

[SeasideLass]

Mine is 2005, bought 'cheap' when the new models were coming in. I am still on the original battery. Almost can't believe it. It is now resting comfortably in the garage, so that should help generally with body and guts and tires of course!

There are loads of these cars zipping around Victoria - a goodly number seem to be owned by car-part, fast food delivery businesses.

Mine is due for it's annual oil change, check-up. Wondering if anything else should be done? Like coolant replacement? Only thing been replaced is wiper blades....seem to go through those quickly.

[Scaerio]

I love that your widely-hated cheap GM-DAT cars are serving you both so well.  Reminds me of my friend's Dad who had a Lada Signet wagon that refused to die.

[SeasideLass]

I love that your widely-hated cheap GM-DAT cars are serving you both so well.  Reminds me of my friend's Dad who had a Lada Signet wagon that refused to die.

We sure can't complain about them. I remember on a highway with my son.......Holy f. he shrieked - we on a highway, we're lost and we're in this tin can!

[johngenx]

These look to be amazing used buys.  For $3K or so, you can get a not too old version.  That's cheap driving.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/2009-pontiac-g3-wave-hatchback-with-two-sets-of-tires-and-rims/1090821528?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

[Scaerio]

These look to be amazing used buys.  For $3K or so, you can get a not too old version.  That's cheap driving.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/2009-pontiac-g3-wave-hatchback-with-two-sets-of-tires-and-rims/1090821528?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I can think of two well-maintained and cared-for units that might becone great used buys.   

[SeasideLass]

These look to be amazing used buys.  For $3K or so, you can get a not too old version.  That's cheap driving.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/2009-pontiac-g3-wave-hatchback-with-two-sets-of-tires-and-rims/1090821528?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I can think of two well-maintained and cared-for units that might becone great used buys.   

Thanks for that! The thing that interests me about these 'tin cans' on here is the they are owned by 2 folk who live in very different places with very different driving habits.........and both (people and cars) seem to be doing well! Amazing!

[Knucklez]

i'm complaining about my car now... i want a Jeep Renegade...  but this car won't die.   

i think i said this before, i get oil changes every 5k.  transmission flush every 100K.  i think i got a coolant flush and engine flush once.  that's it.  this car sits outside day/night.  winter, summer.  used like a pickup truck.  hatch is full of bagged cement at the moment as i was installing a patio all weekend long.  i think this car is around 246,000 KMs on it now. 

i may have to get some champagne at 250,000... 

[Scaerio]

i'm complaining about my car now... i want a Jeep Renegade...  but this car won't die.   

i think i said this before, i get oil changes every 5k.  transmission flush every 100K.  i think i got a coolant flush and engine flush once.  that's it.  this car sits outside day/night.  winter, summer.  used like a pickup truck.  hatch is full of bagged cement at the moment as i was installing a patio all weekend long.  i think this car is around 248,000 KMs on it now. 

i may have to get some champagne at 250,000... 

 

And fill the car with Ultra 94!

[SeasideLass]

i may have to get some champagne at 250,000... 

2 bottles of bubbly, one to smash on your car, and the other to drink! 

[Knucklez]

back wheel making a rrruuummbbllee "buy new car" kinda sound..  bearing is shot no doubt.  will try to ride it out (pun intended).

[SeasideLass]

back wheel making a rrruuummbbllee "buy new car" kinda sound..  bearing is shot no doubt.  will try to ride it out (pun intended).

Maybe it's time to "buy your new car"? Your Wave owes you nothing I reckon! It's like the Energizer Battery lol.......... Hope mine proves to me as hardy as your!

[mixmanmash]

back wheel making a rrruuummbbllee "buy new car" kinda sound..  bearing is shot no doubt.  will try to ride it out (pun intended).

Why not just buy the wheel hub and swap it out yourself?  Really not that difficult.

[Scaerio]

back wheel making a rrruuummbbllee "buy new car" kinda sound..  bearing is shot no doubt.  will try to ride it out (pun intended).

Why not just buy the wheel hub and swap it out yourself?  Really not that difficult.

He wants his Wave to die, so he can justify getting a new car, but the little econobox just keeps on truckin'! 

[SeasideLass]

back wheel making a rrruuummbbllee "buy new car" kinda sound..  bearing is shot no doubt.  will try to ride it out (pun intended).

Why not just buy the wheel hub and swap it out yourself?  Really not that difficult.

He wants his Wave to die, so he can justify getting a new car, but the little econobox just keeps on truckin'! 

Reminds me of the really old Beetle I had. It had about 200,000m on it, had been rolled over (so I was told), but I bought it for $800.00. It went and went forever, chugging its way over the Malahat. A Volkswagen salesman said I should trade it for a 'new' demonstrator Beetle.....ended up doing that. He gave me 900.00 for the Beetle!

Maybe Knucklez should get a brand new Sonic? I think he's got bigger and better on his mind! Likely never thought this little tin can would keep on truckin' despite what he did to it! Aaah, funny. Fingers crossed for mine!