How many here are like myself and drive a vehicle right to the grave, allowing problems to escalate until something major happens, often times making the vehicle worth very little? I know it's a bad question because I already know that this is probably very common here, but I figured it would be nice to see some stories from others.

Today, I destroyed the transfer-case in my pickup, due to lack of oil. I've known that the case has had an oil leak (out the tail-shaft) as it was pointed out to me by a mechanic, but it was a small issue that I had forgotten about. Admittedly, it's not one of those components that are on most driver's top priorities, but still. I was lucky to make it home, as I wasn't far away, at a whopping 20mph in 4wd low range (that's the only mode the truck would move at all!). Added to that, the truck has a half-broken leaf-spring (still holds up, though), a fuel pump that is about on it's last day (due to forgetting to change the filter regularly), a heavily damaged bumper (due to hitting a deer at 70mph), an oil pan that leaks oil (rust), etc.

This seems to be the typical pattern with me, before selling the vehicle, for next to nothing. Anyone else here the same way?

Yep, that happens to me as well. I just needed to have my transmission replaced because I kept putting off the necessary maintenance. I knew about the possible transmission problems long ago, but did nothing about it. Now I am out over 2 grand!

DH does that HF, much to my distress. Before I relocated I was blessed with a bunch of frinds I have had some 20+ years that could qualify as "backyard mechanics" and I never had a problem with any vehicle that could not at least be looked at over a case of beer :D.

Last year (or was it the year before?) I drove my little Saturn down here from PA. Paid a whole $600 cash for it but it was a tough little car. It started running hot and DH would never, ever remember to add fluid...and one day it quit and he had warped the heads :faint:. Its silly on both our parts since his uncle is a mechanic and there is this thing called a "phone".

Yep, that happens to me as well. I just needed to have my transmission replaced because I kept putting off the necessary maintenance. I knew about the possible transmission problems long ago, but did nothing about it. Now I am out over 2 grand!

That's probably next on the list for me! I bought the vehicle used with 110k mi, and now it's at 185k mi and I haven't ever changed the transmission fluid. :eek:

Yeah I worked on cars. I changed the
engine in my own car never checked
the oil till 5000 miles. As I was changing the oil about 1 cup of oil
came out. I felt stupid around my
co-workers.

That's probably next on the list for me! I bought the vehicle used with 110k mi, and now it's at 185k mi and I haven't ever changed the transmission fluid. :eek:But at least you had a vehicle with a bit of miles on it. Mine only had 50,000! :eek: Definitely a big fat oops there!

Do you also find that you put off and/or forget about any financial stuff as well?

...How many here are like myself and drive a vehicle right to the grave ... ?sure ... but why?
Always the SB with why???

So on the right side we have HF with the dumpytruck - and on the left - LF with shiny dumpertruck - brand new, gleaming ... always with the latest model ...

LF is emulated by many in society ... HF by a few ... steadily growing numbers though!

So ... why???

The answer may lie in 'evolutionary psychology' - the thread (perhaps) ... the discipline (for sure) ... ... ...

SB.

motorbike in pieces ... car in distress ... can't summon up the motivation to buy a new car - 'yawn'

We have nothing but car and motor cycle problems here. I t seems to even curse the visiting vehicles, loaner cars etc. So much that we've decided there must be something some antimechanic at work (like a field of energy or a gremlin (gnome)) around our house.

We can no longer drive cars into the ground as was our nature. They give out mysteriously first.

I would never buy a new car! it's a bum deal to boot. And that horrible plastic smell! but having spent more than 5000 big ones in auto repairs in a calendar year, (and never having a car to drive) something had to be done.

I will check out evolutionary psychology!

BTW we now lease one car. It hasn't stopped the odd malfunctions (keys reprogrammed 3 times in 6 months--electrical) and 5th door not locking (mechanical). And this on a brand new car! But at least it's not us who pay and we always have a ride.


We have phone problems too and watches and clocks never work right. It's probably j

Do you also find that you put off and/or forget about any financial stuff as well?

Yes, but it's not nearly as bad as this. As far as paying bills, there are only a couple that I manually pay, only one of those being through snail-mail. I can't set up automatic fluid-changes over the Internet! (though don't I wish)

I can't set up automatic fluid-changes over the Internet! (though don't I wish)HF. I am sure that can be arranged :D

I can't set up automatic fluid-changes over the Internet! (though don't I wish)
Are you SURE you can't? Some areas now have companies that will come out and change the oil at your workplace or home or whereever the car is sitting. You might be able to find one and schedule them to come out - all over the internet (or at least over the phone)!

I had a car 'die', because I constantly forgot to get it's oil changed, and also forgot to add oil.
I was driving it, one day, and it 'died'.

I had another car, of which I kept forgetting to change the air filter on it.
The mechanic showed me the air filter- which was the original one- that had a huge 'blowout' in it. He actually was so amused (or horrified-one and the same, according to him) that he placed it on the wall of his shop...as an example.

I don't know squat about cars.

All I know is that, if I take mine in, on regularly based 'checkups'- once every 3,000 miles- someone who does know about them, hopefully, will keep mine running properly.

I have to have the 'sticker' on my windshield, prompt me to do that, though.
Without it- more of my cars, will find their way to car graveyards.


Nova

I can't set up automatic fluid-changes over the Internet! (though don't I wish)

What an novel idea . . . . automatically schedule auto maintenance on-line for forgetful ADDers. It wouldn’t take a mechanic just someone who will profit a small sum and routinely come by a place they can find you (like work / your home a 2:00am he he he ) get keys check fluids tires ect and replace PRN (as needed) every so many months. . .they could remind you on-line to make sure you will be in bed sleeping at 2:00am or at work at ten, via e-mail a day or two early or you could e-mail them have them come out early.


Sorry six years ago I was thinking about grocery shopping on line with food deliveries because I soo hated grocery shopping. I mean I would love to pick out what I want from the internet pay by card have groceries delivered. . . .no checkers, items pre-paid, store up keep low, imagine . . .food shopping, auto maintenance all done on –line . . .all we would have to do is leave our computers long enough to go potty, and bathe (two things I can’t figure out how to have done via the internet)The mechanic thing is an easy thing to see set up and pay via internet = requisitioning showers and potty trips “on-line” *not*

(My bran keeps going on with) . . . . car uses similar type fluids special fluids desired on line specifications and price quotes. Need an early check up, oil change just get on mechanic WEB site and say when and where you and car will be guy does all the stuff and then returns car with new fluid and keys (after joy riding, picking up a couple of friends, having a few beers -just kidding) My meds are like way gone, hours ago, can ya tell? = now ya know why the “public at large” wants meadd823 on orange pills ~brain spills~

btw-I have to schedule mine car maintaince along with another thing like my first day off, Used to be payday but that along with my bills is done via the internet (but I still bathe the old fashion way)