Why?

[cat 262460]

I have a love in my life, her name is Vivian. She came into my world a decade ago and has been a constant source of support for me. She never demands and she has never disappointed me. She has stood by me thru thick and thin, rich and poor, it never mattered to her. She gave me shelter from the elements when I had no where else to turn, kept me warm on cold nights and willing dragged my possessions where ever I need them to be. She never complained when I played the music that would let me release the tears. She just let me feel what I needed to and when it was over, she was there to take me to the next phase of my life. She has been a true friend. I have not always been as good to her as she was to me. Sometimes I didn't have time to tend to her issues, even tho I knew the problems would only get worse. Time is not kind and she is now needing attention and I have decided to step up to the plate and do everything in my power to put her right, regardless of cost even tho many consider her too old for such things.

 

Vivian is a 1990 Volvo 240. She isn't sexy or sleek. She doesn't have shapely fenders or fancy headlights and her trunk will hold more junk than can be imagined. Her interior is in excellent shape, tho simple and not luxurious. She isn't a hybrid or a diesel, she doesn't quite get all the emission hoopla. But she is solid, her body is relatively unmarred by the salt she has had to drive in, her belly is still rust free. Her engine purrs and she starts every time the key is turned no matter how long she has sat. She is a 5 speed and has spunk, enjoys a good drive up a mountain road and loves to get out on the highway and run. She has "stealth mode" which I cannot explain. I've never had a speeding ticket when I know I deserved many. I can drive down a highway topless (I hate air-conditioning) and no one notices. She attracts no attention, which in my opinion is a priceless quality to have.

 

So why is it every shop I have taken her to wants to talk me out of putting her right? Why is it better to replace her than fix her? I just don't get it, and it frustrates the hell out of me. I understand she is never going to be worth monetarily more than she is right now, but that isn't the point. I DON'T WANT A NEW CAR! I want MY car fixed! Why is it better to replace than repair? Mechanically, she is sound. I have never missed an oil change or maintenance. I've done the math, and with all the repairs done and what I paid for her, she will have cost me a grand total of $1 per day since I bought her, not including gas and insurance. Once she is restored, I know I will get another 10 years of driving out of her, maybe more! The sneers and snooty laughter ring in my ears still. The looks of "your a woman, and you have no idea what you're doing" are seared into my brain. Their ignorance made me want to scream at them, which made me realize how truly important it was to me to get her brought back to her original form. The light bulb moment was that it's easier for me to replace the man in my life than it is my car. Hmmmmm, food for thought.

 

In this day why is new better? I disagree fundementally and refuse to adopt this mentality. She may not have the curves worthy of restoration, but she is a great, solid ride and not yet ready for a wrecking yard. I will not abandon her for something with heated leather seats and a GPS. We need to spend a little more time honoring what is instead of coveting what we could have. I realize the day will come when I cannot find parts and she will have to retire, but now is not that time. Just a little rant that I thought you boys would understand...

 

cat

 

p.s. I found a wonderful restoration shop who did not laugh or snicker and by spring I will have her back ready to roll!

[Mister C 1725]

I'd love to see some pics of you with the love of your life.

[antlerman 17064]

This is a wonderful post.........do you have a name for her?

I have named all my vehicles.......and each vehicle I have owned has been at least 10 years old each time I pass her on to another person to cherish......

 

I haveput over 500,000 clicks on some of my vehicles..........

 

I admire your honesty and devotion to your vehicle.....

[Mister C 1725]

This is a wonderful post.........do you have a name for her?

I have named all my vehicles.......and each vehicle I have owned has been at least 10 years old each time I pass her on to another person to cherish......

 

I haveput over 500,000 clicks on some of my vehicles..........

 

I admire your honesty and devotion to your vehicle.....

 

I have a love in my life, her name is Vivian.

[cat 262460]

I'd love to see some pics of you with the love of your life.

 

When she's all done, I will get a picture taken for you...

 

cat

[Newton 714]

Cat, it's great to know that u found someone to bring her back to fitting form. Love to see a pic of her too.

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[Winnipegcub 21293]

Gotta love your devotion. That is in rare supply these days. For me the dedication to any of my vehicles isn't quite at your level. They hit X number of years and start needing $ - they're gone. I actually thought Vivian was a pet (cat or dog). Now then I'm a sucker and my affecton runs deep. But cars are nice too and as long we feel and care, we're good.

[Guest s******ecan****]

I keep my cars for at least 10 yrs, so long as rust doesen't become an issue I see no reason to replace them. Its funny how a 4 year old car is now considered "old". People think nothing of keeping appliances 10 and 15 years why are they so ready to give up on a vehicle after 4?

[antlerman 17064]

I have a love in my life, her name is Vivian.

 

 

DUH!!!

 

thanks....I blame lack of cofee

[Mutau 2516]

Cat,

You have encountered the bastion of why fix it when you can buy new!! To repair anything these days requires an individual who cares, an individual who has practical hands-on experinece and an individual who loves what they do.

[whatsup 11893]

Cat, you are doing a wonderful thing refurbishing the Volvo.

 

I had a GF and her parents had almost a million miles on their 240. How many of todays cars will see or actually be able to attain that many miles? I'd venture to say practically nil.

 

The Volvo may not be a real stunner in looks, but it sure is comfortable.

[bassnut 178]

My last truck had 567000 KM before I came to terms with it and needed to retire her.

 

Garages now do not repair vehicles they replace parts. If you go for a break jobe they just pull it all off and rplace the rotors and pads with new ones even if the old rotors can still be used. It's just simpler. The older your vehicle is the harder it is to get parts now and the harder thier job is. This effects thier bottom line / proffits so they do not want to repair the older vehicles. Toss in the fact that you drive an import which makes parts availability even harder. For a laugh just call a used parts dealer / wrecking yard and ask if they have an alternator for years old Volvo ....... I bet they don't and I am not a gambling man.

[Guest gagagaga]

I have no problem with either way of thinking...replace or restore...it is just a possession; an easily replaceable object be it brand new or old. Whatever you feel you should do is the right answer.

 

Have a blast in your car!!!

[Mister C 1725]

DUH!!!

 

thanks....I blame lack of cofee

 

Most definitely. My day can't start properly without one.:grin:

[mod 135639]

Cars like that must be restored and treasured. I am a huge car buff and I Know what it's like to have a car that you fall in love with. My summer car is now 53 years old and perfect!

 

I thought I would include a photo of my 57chev in my post...

 

[geo007 203]

I loved your intro CAT. I'm a sucker for a story. I love cars and still kick myself in the ass (it's hard to do) for retiring my 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340. Loved that car but the family requirements (kids) made it impossible to keep. Had no money. I still look up similar cars as the one I had on the web. How convenient now. Check it out on the link. It makes me cry... Mine was a brown color with a white stripe. http://www3.sympatico.ca/f.bevil/My1970Swinger340.html

[bassnut 178]

I loved your intro CAT. I'm a sucker for a story. I love cars and still kick myself in the ass (it's hard to do) for retiring my 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340. Loved that car but the family requirements (kids) made it impossible to keep. Had no money. I still look up similar cars as the one I had on the web. How convenient now. Check it out on the link. It makes me cry... Mine was a brown color with a white stripe. http://www3.sympatico.ca/f.bevil/My1970Swinger340.html

 

 

Yes sometimes you ahve to make a choice ...... I was in the same boat with my 74 Vett and couldn't keep up. Prices for parts were just crazy never mind the labour. Was like 750 to change 1 rear wheel bearing when they needed doing.

 

But the garages like the simple jobs nowadays where they can amke the quick and easy money. Just got a call from the garage with a quote for repairs to my truck ......:cry:. Justa little one .... 2600 for work that would take me an afternoon in the spring and summer in the driveway.

[Guest C****** K***e]

I know how you feel...I have a 96 Ford Escort (how fitting, right?) that I've hade for about 3 years now. That's not long, but Lurch and I have done a lot together. He's been my moving van approximately 9 million times, 4 of which involved going between Brandon and Banff, and he loves mountains, plains...pretty much everything, just like me. We travel together at the drop of a hat, and he loves it when I sleep in his backseat instead of paying for a cheap motel room.

Sure, Lurch is having a tough time these days. He finally got a side mirror replacement, after several months of dangling, and he's really loud and his driver's side window doesn't really go down. But Lurch has taken me through the weather of hell, he's kept me warm while sitting in a ditch in the middle of nowhere, and I don't plan on betraying him anytime soon!

[Two Thirty 1422]

Another thought provoking post -- thank you, Cat! Why indeed!!

 

You know what you want, which is the most important thing. Afterall, "Happiness is wanting what you have."

[VedaSloan 119179]

Oh man. I feel you. My parents had this '86 GMC van, that I lovingly referred to as "the Beast." It was brown and ugly and when the muffler fell off, it really did sound like a beast. But I put a cd player in it, and I would drive that piece of shit around town like I owned the place, blasting whatever anti-authoritarian punk music I was into that particular week. When they finally got rid of it, I was pretty crushed. In high school, I used to have sex in that van at the drive-in!

[Guest f***2f***]

Oh man. I feel you. My parents had this '86 GMC van, that I lovingly referred to as "the Beast." It was brown and ugly and when the muffler fell off, it really did sound like a beast. But I put a cd player in it, and I would drive that piece of shit around town like I owned the place, blasting whatever anti-authoritarian punk music I was into that particular week. When they finally got rid of it, I was pretty crushed. In high school, I used to have sex in that van at the drive-in!

 

Ha ha....I had a 61 VW van that served as "toke up central" and "shagging wagon" for my last two years in HS. The principal banned it from the lot in the final semester because none of us were attending class and the music was getting a little loud.....Jimi Hendrix!!!!

 

As Cat has pointed out to me before "I am trouble!"