Should I fix my Lude?

Hey all,

I know that many people post asking if they
should fix their old cars. I'll be naive and
say I think my situation is special...

1987 Prelude S (Dual Carburated) Manual Trans,
no air, no power steering. 217000kms, runs
good, gets about 10kms/Litre = 24 MPG (US Gallons)(could be a little
better, but its all
city driving) Done the clutch, alternator,
thermostat, and thinking about doing the water
pump soon. Timing belt replaced at 200000kms.

BUT, as I live in Winnipeg (or Winterpeg as it
is sometimes affectionately called), its rusty.
It hasn't been too bad, but this winter was not
good to it.

Got a quote from a body guy, $1500-2000 to cut
all the rust out (sunroof, roof, wheel wells,
doors, trunk, and filler neck, all are pretty
much surface rust, no perforation, except for
the filler neck, which is rusted right out, a
common problem on preludes and accords of this
vintage)

So the big question: Spend $2000 for another 2-
3 years outta the car, OR

we have the option to buy a 1990 Cavalier (2
door) with 103000kms and in really good shape
and saftied for $1000.

This is my girlfriend's car, I once said I would
break up with her if she drove a piece of
detroit junk, but its a hard sell to say she
should spend $2000 on her 18 year old honda
(which she loves).

Any opinions out there?

t

disallow wrote:

> So the big question: Spend $2000 for another 2-
> 3 years outta the car, OR
>
> we have the option to buy a 1990 Cavalier (2
> door) with 103000kms and in really good shape
> and saftied for $1000.

what if you just did nothing as far as the looks, and just drove it til
it fell apart? it should last another 2-3 years regardless, if the
mechanicals are sound. then take the money you saved, and put it toward
another honda.

I'd drive the Lude into the ground and use the savings to get a new Echo
Hatch. A 4k downpayment while taking advantage of the 2.9% financing
incentive, will result in finance payment of approximately $250/month for 4
years.

The 87 Lude is 4 generations behind the times, it's time for an upgrade. The
Automotive industry has been making huge progress with their automobiles.
The cost of an entry level model from 20 years is about the same as today's
entry level cars (which are better equipped) and will return significantly
better economy (not to mention emission). The 87 Lude is a great car (I
drove it for a bit, back in 87), but it's not worth keeping considering the
rust factor and the huge improvements in automobile industry over the last
few decades.

....Toyota will need to keep the Echo Hatch competitively priced, since the
new Korean products will tear a chunk out of their ass. So, the market for
entry level cars is bound to get better. If the Honda Fit comes to Canada,
the more the merrier...

Pars

"disallow" <loewen_t at yahoo.ca @> wrote in message
lkaboutautos.com...
> Hey all,
>
> I know that many people post asking if they
> should fix their old cars. I'll be naive and
> say I think my situation is special...
>
> 1987 Prelude S (Dual Carburated) Manual Trans,
> no air, no power steering. 217000kms, runs
> good, gets about 10kms/Litre = 24 MPG (US Gallons)(could be a little
> better, but its all
> city driving) Done the clutch, alternator,
> thermostat, and thinking about doing the water
> pump soon. Timing belt replaced at 200000kms.
>
> BUT, as I live in Winnipeg (or Winterpeg as it
> is sometimes affectionately called), its rusty.
> It hasn't been too bad, but this winter was not
> good to it.
>
> Got a quote from a body guy, $1500-2000 to cut
> all the rust out (sunroof, roof, wheel wells,
> doors, trunk, and filler neck, all are pretty
> much surface rust, no perforation, except for
> the filler neck, which is rusted right out, a
> common problem on preludes and accords of this
> vintage)
>
> So the big question: Spend $2000 for another 2-
> 3 years outta the car, OR
>
> we have the option to buy a 1990 Cavalier (2
> door) with 103000kms and in really good shape
> and saftied for $1000.
>
> This is my girlfriend's car, I once said I would
> break up with her if she drove a piece of
> detroit junk, but its a hard sell to say she
> should spend $2000 on her 18 year old honda
> (which she loves).
>
> Any opinions out there?
>
> t
>

Pars wrote:
> I'd drive the Lude into the ground and use the savings to get a new Echo
> Hatch.

dont they offer the scion line of cars up there? id rather have an xA
than an echo hatch. same engine/platform, but the xA has 4 doors,
standard A/C, power locks/windows, pioneer am/fm/cd/mp3 (over 100 songs
on one CD!, 15" wheels, and a whole complement of TRD approved goodies.
all for under $14k USD.

to replace a 'lude, id likely go with the Tc, which is a celica sized
hatch with a camry engine. thats bout $16kUSD. damn nice combo! im not
really into "sports" cars, tho. too bad honda cant make an integra with
the accord 4 cyl in it, badge it as a "cheaper" honda, and clean up.

id seriously go that route, but my 98 hatch runs/looks great, has been
"free" to drive since '01, and just turned 49k miles. i just cant
justify it.

"SoCalMike" > wrote in message
...
> Pars wrote:
>> I'd drive the Lude into the ground and use the savings to get a new Echo
>> Hatch.
>
> dont they offer the scion line of cars up there?

Nope.
But we get Smart cars!

Steve Bigelow wrote:
> "SoCalMike" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Pars wrote:
>>
>>>I'd drive the Lude into the ground and use the savings to get a new Echo
>>>Hatch.
>>
>>dont they offer the scion line of cars up there?
>
>
> Nope.
> But we get Smart cars!
>
>
were supposedly going to get em too, eventually. but by then the honda
jazz will be out. decisions, decisions...

the smart actually seems like a safe car... like youre riding in a roll
cage.

"SoCalMike" > wrote in message
...
> Steve Bigelow wrote:
>> "SoCalMike" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>Pars wrote:
>>>
>>>>I'd drive the Lude into the ground and use the savings to get a new Echo
>>>>Hatch.
>>>
>>>dont they offer the scion line of cars up there?
>>
>>
>> Nope.
>> But we get Smart cars!
> were supposedly going to get em too, eventually. but by then the honda
> jazz will be out. decisions, decisions...
>
> the smart actually seems like a safe car... like youre riding in a roll
> cage.

Yup. And 10 bucks worth of Diesel fills it.

Except if you're in california (s.f. bay area) where diesel fuel is
2.99 per gallon at the moment.

Yup It does...
But you can't open your mouth wide enough when you gasp for air should you
need to replace 1 single little tire. Imagine if you need to replace the 4
of them. You will need to accumulate a zillion miles to save enough in fuel
to justify the difference.

>
> Yup. And 10 bucks worth of Diesel fills it.
>
>

Uh are you asking should your girl friend drive a rusty 18 year old Honda she
loves or a 15 year old Chevy? (which I find hard to believe isn't rusty as
well.) The answer is easy, drive the HONDA! You'll end up spending more to
keep that Chevy on the road. The chevy is about due to have its transmission
replaced. And GM products in general are not very good cars. So if the Honda is
in good mechanical shape fix it other than the body fix it up. Or as someone
else said just let it rust in peace and save the money for a newer car latter.

I have the same dilemma with my 1991 Accord. Fix the rust or not? I think I've
decided to fix it. If I can get another 3 or 4 years out of the car that would
be great.

Dean

On Fri, 08 Apr 2005 22:13:44 -0400, "disallow" <loewen_t at yahoo.ca @> wrote:

>Hey all,
>
>I know that many people post asking if they
>should fix their old cars. I'll be naive and
>say I think my situation is special...
>
>1987 Prelude S (Dual Carburated) Manual Trans,
>no air, no power steering. 217000kms, runs
>good, gets about 10kms/Litre = 24 MPG (US Gallons)(could be a little
>better, but its all
>city driving) Done the clutch, alternator,
>thermostat, and thinking about doing the water
>pump soon. Timing belt replaced at 200000kms.
>
>BUT, as I live in Winnipeg (or Winterpeg as it
>is sometimes affectionately called), its rusty.
>It hasn't been too bad, but this winter was not
>good to it.
>
>Got a quote from a body guy, $1500-2000 to cut
> all the rust out (sunroof, roof, wheel wells,
>doors, trunk, and filler neck, all are pretty
>much surface rust, no perforation, except for
>the filler neck, which is rusted right out, a
>common problem on preludes and accords of this
>vintage)
>
>So the big question: Spend $2000 for another 2-
>3 years outta the car, OR
>
>we have the option to buy a 1990 Cavalier (2
>door) with 103000kms and in really good shape
>and saftied for $1000.
>
>This is my girlfriend's car, I once said I would
>break up with her if she drove a piece of
>detroit junk, but its a hard sell to say she
>should spend $2000 on her 18 year old honda
>(which she loves).
>
>Any opinions out there?
>
>t