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So, it's been a nuts day. Painter arrived first thing to deal with the damage from a leak we had a while back. However, unlike we'd been told, he wasn't going to just touch up the damaged area over the kitchen table, he was going to paint the entire ceiling of the kitchen and lounge area. So much moving of crap had to take place in a very short space of time. That knocked me around a fair bit.
Then I had to take my car down to the mechanic's for roadworthy looksee and a major service. And brain-damaged cripple-old-man had to walk an hour to get home. Think that didn't take a toll?
And I've just had a call from the mechanic... He doesn't think the car can possibly pass ACT standards to get a roadworthy. We were warned about this before we moved up here - ACT regs on cars are exceptionally strict, way harder than the regs in the various states - so even with tonnes of work done to it, it may be impossible to get it to pass a roadworthy here. The mechanic suggested I try to keep it registered in Victoria, that way I bypass the problem.
Of course, it causes other issues, and opens a can of worms if I have an accident.
I love my old car, as anyone who has read my 100 Days Post on The Belwood would know. I've been driving it... well, bits of it... on and off... for twenty years. It is a large part of my identity, my past - droving, my dad, etc.
At the same time it's just a car.
So, do we throw money at it and hope to get it to a point where the ACT would let me have it registered here? If so, how much do we spend before it's a case of diminishing returns? And what if we spend the money and it still won't pass muster? Do we simply leave it registered in Victoria? With all the potential for problems down the track? Do we get rid of it (could possibly get between $1500 and $2500 for it, depending on buyer) and purchase another car? I could look for a similar one, but unless I find one already in the ACT, and roadworthy, I'm likely to strike the same problem. We would only ever be likely to buy a second hand car of any type, old or new, and even with a roadworthy and a check-out you don't know what you're going to get. So do we buy a new car that may be reliable, would likely be more environmentally friendly, but also may not be any of these things?
I love my car, I get happy just walking out and seeing the damned thing on the street. I love that it's been driven by people who I love, admire, and who are important to me. I enjoy driving it, even if it's just down the road.
The biggest problem is, my car, rough though it is, works. It can run when it's low on oil, it's still not too hard to get parts for, and it can be fixed by any mechanic around, without the need for a computer or specialised parts. Plus, it's a tough old thing, it's literally done thousands of kilometres on dirt tracks and corrugated roads. It's been through potholes that drove my head down through my pelvis. Other cars hit it and they get dented.
It makes me feel, in some small way, like I'm still out and about droving with my dad.
But it's still just a car.
There's a point where I have to be practical, and this may well be it.
Then I had to take my car down to the mechanic's for roadworthy looksee and a major service. And brain-damaged cripple-old-man had to walk an hour to get home. Think that didn't take a toll?
And I've just had a call from the mechanic... He doesn't think the car can possibly pass ACT standards to get a roadworthy. We were warned about this before we moved up here - ACT regs on cars are exceptionally strict, way harder than the regs in the various states - so even with tonnes of work done to it, it may be impossible to get it to pass a roadworthy here. The mechanic suggested I try to keep it registered in Victoria, that way I bypass the problem.
Of course, it causes other issues, and opens a can of worms if I have an accident.
I love my old car, as anyone who has read my 100 Days Post on The Belwood would know. I've been driving it... well, bits of it... on and off... for twenty years. It is a large part of my identity, my past - droving, my dad, etc.
At the same time it's just a car.
So, do we throw money at it and hope to get it to a point where the ACT would let me have it registered here? If so, how much do we spend before it's a case of diminishing returns? And what if we spend the money and it still won't pass muster? Do we simply leave it registered in Victoria? With all the potential for problems down the track? Do we get rid of it (could possibly get between $1500 and $2500 for it, depending on buyer) and purchase another car? I could look for a similar one, but unless I find one already in the ACT, and roadworthy, I'm likely to strike the same problem. We would only ever be likely to buy a second hand car of any type, old or new, and even with a roadworthy and a check-out you don't know what you're going to get. So do we buy a new car that may be reliable, would likely be more environmentally friendly, but also may not be any of these things?
I love my car, I get happy just walking out and seeing the damned thing on the street. I love that it's been driven by people who I love, admire, and who are important to me. I enjoy driving it, even if it's just down the road.
The biggest problem is, my car, rough though it is, works. It can run when it's low on oil, it's still not too hard to get parts for, and it can be fixed by any mechanic around, without the need for a computer or specialised parts. Plus, it's a tough old thing, it's literally done thousands of kilometres on dirt tracks and corrugated roads. It's been through potholes that drove my head down through my pelvis. Other cars hit it and they get dented.
It makes me feel, in some small way, like I'm still out and about droving with my dad.
But it's still just a car.
There's a point where I have to be practical, and this may well be it.
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From:
no subject
I vote keep the car. It's too you. Spend some of this dead time you have now learning car mechanics, take over the driveway and shed space and annoy Sharon by doing the Aussie male thing and spending every spare minute working on the car so that if she wants to find you, she has to bend down under the car and fish you out on your skateboard. Make sure she's wearing a short skirt at the time. And once you've buggerised around with the engine as much as you can, start adding Dalekanium panels to the doors.
If you need an address to keep it registered in Vic, you're always welcome to use mine (though I know you have two of your own to play with as well). That way you get to keep the Type 40 plates as well...
From:
no subject
I may take you up on your offer of the address, or ask Saron's dad, or Richard. Thank you.
From:
no subject
We could say "Keep the car, dude" but if they say "it needs a catylitic converter and it needs airbags" then theres no way that you can do that.
From:
no subject
And it's not "just a car" - it's the Belwood! (and I suspect you'd end up heartbroken if you did part with it)
See what you need to do, and reserve any decision making until then. You've got to have a few mechanically minded LJ contacts ;)
From:
no subject
First thing on my list would be a new engine. A secondhand 186 will probably cost $500, a reconditioned $2000-$2500... So lots of thought to go into it. Currently considering ringing Automasters in Perth, the best mechanics I know, and asking them what they could source before I come over. Assuming I make it.
From:
no subject
The rust is harder - perhaps someone knows a friend of a friend who might do it for you for a slab? I got the Renault done by a guy working out of his backyard (on recommendation from a professional) - took longer than a pro, but the job was just as good, and cost me less.
As for the engine, I rebuilt the one I had (and was without a car for 2 weeks) but it was well worth it. Go with a reconditioned one if you can make ends meet, it'll save you money in the long run.
All up I've spent about $10k over 5 years on a car that I paid $400 for and would get $400 for if I sold it (nobody knows what they are). It's a "love job". I love my car, so in the end the money doesn't matter (though it always hurts when the bill comes =P )
From:
no subject
If the steering is the show-stopper then get that done first. Rare Spares had change-over steering boxes for $400+ so it doesn't look cheap but the rebuild kits were around $60 so a local specialist could still do the job. There are a couple of Australian magazines that cater to older cars and they usually have lots of ads for specialist mechanics.
Once you have a change over motor there won't be much left to go wrong given the simplicity of a 60's Holden. In my experience the big killer for older cars is blown head gaskets due to faulty cooling systems. A broken diff or a stuffed gearbox just gets unbolted and replaced for not much money. Worn out parts are just a fact of life, you would still need to replace brakes pads and discs, bushes and shocks, water pumps and fan belts etc. etc. etc. on a newer car at some point anyway.
I can't see the point in replacing the Belwood with another HK as it won't be the car that figures in your memories. In any case you would just be starting from scratch with another car full or nearly worn parts that will need replacing. Better to fix the one you have (and love).
As for buying a newer secondhand car, well I wouldn't recommend anything much older than 10 years. Anything from the 80's will be a complete lottery and I wouldn't recommend a small four cylinder if you drive on bad roads. The mid 90's are where the useful stuff like ABS became common and the bigger cars are now only worth $5000 - $6000 and if you can get one with LPG they will be cheaper to run than a mid size four cylinder car. If you want a bench seat in the front the Ford Falcon will be your only chance.
So, you might spend $4000 fixing the Belwood, or you could spend $5000 getting a secondhand car that would be nicer to drive but will be starting to wear out. The Belwood may still be the cheaper option and given the sentiment involved probably the better option.
From:
no subject
They tried to make a law out here where if there had been any modifications done to a car's suspension it would be considered unroadworthy and not allowed to be driven. It doesn't matter if it was a safety upgrade. The big problem I face is exhaust emissions. My Camaro is highly modified. The thing is when it's hooked up to the emissions tester it does fine. But that doesn't matter. It will fail because it doesn't have this, or that, or whatever. I am required to have a smog pump and those are expensive little buggars.
From:
no subject
Regarding the engine, I'd be happy with any good engine in there. Hell, if they had decent electric engines that could do 600 miles a day, I throw one of those in. I'm not a purist :)
From:
no subject
Out here I have two of my cars registered under a different type of license. My 1929 Dodge is a Street Rod, which is exempt from a lot of safety and emissions regulations, and the Camaro is a classic which means no emissions.
From:
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From:
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I think the car and I are inseparable in people's minds *grin*
From:
no subject
And if you keep it registered in Victoria, you get to keep the type 40 plates, yes? That's a reason in itself, never mind the rest of it.
And *hugs* for your bad day.
From:
no subject
I don't mind admitting, losing Dingo, Tracy, the ability to easily write fiction, my balance, the Type 40 plates and possibly the Belwood itself makes me feel a little like the Year of Hell has decided on a sequel!
Thank you for hugs. Much needed. When I woke up this morning, I wanted to curl into a ball with my head on somebody's lap... then the day really got going!
From:
no subject
It is always better to transfer registration and license to the place your living. And you're right, it would be a pain in the arse. But somehow, I think it would be a very worthy pain in the arse.
Keep the car.
From:
no subject
Ta mate.
Good honeymoon?
From:
no subject
The only trouble I had was with a couple of car accidents. At the first one the cops kind of asked me why I had Vic plates, and I said I'd just moved to Brisbane and hadn't got around to changing them over yet (which was pretty much true), the second accident my car was written off anyway so it didn't really matter.
From:
no subject
Fortunately he didn't push it, and just took it as me answering on auto-pilot, which I was.
From: (Anonymous)
no subject
-phil
From:
no subject
From:
What do you want? and how much do you want to spend?
With option 1) you have the additional cost of rego for the car you have on bricks, unless you let the rego lapse. But to keep the number plates you would need to keep paying the rego so that is at least $400+/year that you could save by not having to do that
By the sounds of it and looking at the car recently, the minimum that would need to be done would be:
- New or reco engine, anything up to $2500
- New suspension and steering rack or parts , maybe $1000 or a bit over
- Transmission? If you are doing everything else then you might as well get that fixed or replaced. who knows could be another $1000
So for around $4500 you would have the beast back and roadworthy.
Could you get another car for that money?
As much as I am a revhead I know that a car is not much more than a financial arrangement. What can you afford, what can you afford to run etc.... Are you just going to be throwing good money after bad. There are lots of resources on the web oldholden.com etc... that have a lot of information to help make your decision but in the end it is down to you and Shaz as to what you can do financially.
I and by the looks of it a lot of your friends would like to see it saved and res erected but it is whether you could a) find someone reasonably local to do a good job of it and b) does it make good financial sense?
From:
Re: What do you want? and how much do you want to spend?
Yep, no doubt about that. That's one of the issues I have, we could just buy another car and forego any of the hassles. Of course with many a secondhand car you're buying potentially a whole new bunch of hassles :)
As much as I am a revhead I know that a car is not much more than a financial arrangement.
I'm pretty much the same. If something is not working, can't be easily saved, and is going to cost more than a new(-ish) one, then piff the old one. And with any other car, I'd have no reluctance at all in doing it. But 20 odd years of driving it around, the links it has with my droving past and my dad, make it much harder for me to want to let go of it.
Which is partially why on this score I'm tending to give 75% of the decision over to Sharon. Not because I want her to take the blame, but because while she likes the car also, she doesn't have the undying love that I have so she can view things a little more rationally.
I have decided that, well, if we decide to keep it, I'd just better kick the business into overdrive and start bringing in as much extra cash as possible.
The annoying thing is that if I'd been able to start the job I was going to start last year (the stroke stopped me), most of this would have been dealt with well before now because I was wanting to get work done to the car anyway, I just couldn't justify the cash when I couldn't earn any.
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Re: What do you want? and how much do you want to spend?
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Re the car, for many years I drove 2nd hand ones until the repair costs exceeded the value but our last one was shiny and new. If you can afford it get a new one, it's like going from biplanes to jets, remember you're driving an old bomb, not the Cutty Sark. An old car is only worth having if it's a restored classic (and I'd kill for a '57 Chevrolet or the Holden knock off of it) that you can look after and maintain yourself, otherwise it's a money pit.