fantomfan
Well-known member
For me...
1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, 1976 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1990 Lincoln Town Car.
1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, 1976 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1990 Lincoln Town Car.
What's your favorite car?
- Thread starter singerman
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I have to say though, my "favourite" car is definitely my 1996 Peugeot 405 1.9 Turbo Diesel. My mother owned two 405s when I was a child, and I always loved them.
It is getting to the stage now where the 405s are almost as rare here as they are in America, which is saying something. They were once one of the most popular cars, but failing rear axles and general wear and tear took the majority off the roads in the early 2000s.
The XUD9 turbo diesel engine in mine was the most popular, and was also fitted to Citroens of the same era. It came in a naturally aspirated version too, literally the same engine but without the turbocharger, and although that was critisised for the obvious lack of power, both versions were noted for their durability.
One thing you'll hardly ever see though is a rusty 405, as Peugeot had the foresight to galvanise the bodies so that they wouldn't corrode. Yes the undercarriage is still vulnerable, but the body should remain pristine so long as you keep it clean and free from dents/scrapes.
It is also at 134,000 miles, and like the C220 the engine is barely run in with that.
I did also own an estate (wagon) version of the 405, but sold it recently as it had too many problems and I had too little time and money to spend on it. I sort of regret that, but in all honesty I'd never have had the time to fix it up, at least not for a few years until things with work calm down.
Incidentally the 405 was the last Peugeot model to be sold in the USA before they pulled out in 1991.
It is getting to the stage now where the 405s are almost as rare here as they are in America, which is saying something. They were once one of the most popular cars, but failing rear axles and general wear and tear took the majority off the roads in the early 2000s.
The XUD9 turbo diesel engine in mine was the most popular, and was also fitted to Citroens of the same era. It came in a naturally aspirated version too, literally the same engine but without the turbocharger, and although that was critisised for the obvious lack of power, both versions were noted for their durability.
One thing you'll hardly ever see though is a rusty 405, as Peugeot had the foresight to galvanise the bodies so that they wouldn't corrode. Yes the undercarriage is still vulnerable, but the body should remain pristine so long as you keep it clean and free from dents/scrapes.
It is also at 134,000 miles, and like the C220 the engine is barely run in with that.
I did also own an estate (wagon) version of the 405, but sold it recently as it had too many problems and I had too little time and money to spend on it. I sort of regret that, but in all honesty I'd never have had the time to fix it up, at least not for a few years until things with work calm down.
Incidentally the 405 was the last Peugeot model to be sold in the USA before they pulled out in 1991.
vacerator
Well-known member
I've never
had a manifold issue with either of our GM 3800 series II engines.
Changing the coolant is crucial at the reccomended service interval, and never mix the orange Dex-Cool with green Prestone. That is when the chemical reaction takes place and corrosion eats the aluminum seals.
I did that, and caused the coolant pump to fail on our 2007 3.5 Impala.
Also, the series II has a metal EGR passage liner which keeps the plastic manifold from melting, which the series I did not have. Also, the heater hose tubes that run through the serpentine belt tensioner can leak on all of them, and is often mistaken for a manifold leak. It is best to change them with the new belt.
Some mechanics are out for the big buck, and tell customers their manifold is leaking when it is only those tubes. I bet some owners of the final series III 3800's with aluminum manifolds have discovered this by now.
I've never seen a Peugot 405 in the states myself. Most were likely sold in the north east. I think it is the first car to share mechanical design with Citroen. I've seen one C2 with Canadian plates on it.
Any Body by Fleetwood Cadillac is a work of art. All of them said back then, "body by Fleetwood interior by Fisher" on the rocker panel sill inside the door.
Most folks don't know that while all Cadillacs were not a "Fleetwood", even the DeVille and Calais models in fact had their body assembled at the Fleetwood body plant on Fort street in southwest Detroit. Then they were trucked in sets of 8 on special trucks about a mile and a half to the Clark street final assembly line where the body met the frame with the engine and drive train, and the front dog house with fenders, radiator, and grille and headlights.
had a manifold issue with either of our GM 3800 series II engines.
Changing the coolant is crucial at the reccomended service interval, and never mix the orange Dex-Cool with green Prestone. That is when the chemical reaction takes place and corrosion eats the aluminum seals.
I did that, and caused the coolant pump to fail on our 2007 3.5 Impala.
Also, the series II has a metal EGR passage liner which keeps the plastic manifold from melting, which the series I did not have. Also, the heater hose tubes that run through the serpentine belt tensioner can leak on all of them, and is often mistaken for a manifold leak. It is best to change them with the new belt.
Some mechanics are out for the big buck, and tell customers their manifold is leaking when it is only those tubes. I bet some owners of the final series III 3800's with aluminum manifolds have discovered this by now.
I've never seen a Peugot 405 in the states myself. Most were likely sold in the north east. I think it is the first car to share mechanical design with Citroen. I've seen one C2 with Canadian plates on it.
Any Body by Fleetwood Cadillac is a work of art. All of them said back then, "body by Fleetwood interior by Fisher" on the rocker panel sill inside the door.
Most folks don't know that while all Cadillacs were not a "Fleetwood", even the DeVille and Calais models in fact had their body assembled at the Fleetwood body plant on Fort street in southwest Detroit. Then they were trucked in sets of 8 on special trucks about a mile and a half to the Clark street final assembly line where the body met the frame with the engine and drive train, and the front dog house with fenders, radiator, and grille and headlights.
vacerator
Well-known member
Alloy wheels
seem to all leak when they get old. It's a nuisance so I have the tire shop put extra sealant around the tire bead. I'm not spending hundreds of dollars on a 2003 car with 155,000 miles on it. I can handle lugging the air compressor up from the basement occasionally.
seem to all leak when they get old. It's a nuisance so I have the tire shop put extra sealant around the tire bead. I'm not spending hundreds of dollars on a 2003 car with 155,000 miles on it. I can handle lugging the air compressor up from the basement occasionally.
suckolux
Well-known member
Mike, my series 2 did not have the steel insert, mechanic even said should be too new for that! Replacement one done 10 years ago didn't either! Last year, that one did. Never mixed any off coolants and the heater inserts were replaced with water pump and radiator 10 years ago when they were claiming mine was too new to have that problem. A week later service engine soon and running on 5 they ate their words
real1shep
Well-known member
My neighbor with the Park Ave is 83. There is no other place in town, indie or otherwise, that can match the experience the GM dealer here has working on old Buicks and Olds. Sure she's paying about three times what she should for service but it would be a virtual nightmare for an indie here to do the work and all the resulting trips back to fix the same thing. Now when those old Buick and Olds mechanics retire/die out at the dealer, it wouldn't matter where the car goes and the resulting crap shoot.
Regarding the Peugeot...we bought a 505 Estate around '86. Loved the car and the kids loved it too. I started fixing it myself to save what the indie was hammering us with in repair costs. Then the French did what they do best-retreated......from the NA market. The story I got was that they refused to follow US trends & wants for the designs of their cars.
BTW, Peugeot were not just an east coast car, they were extremely popular up & down the Pacific Corridor. That's were we were living when we bought it. They competed against Volvo admirably there. Their ride was immensely more refined than Volvo, especially for the passengers in the back.
In any event, I was finding parts only from some outfit in NJ and how long that would be available was up in the air. So...we bought a '92 Mercedes Estate 4Matic which I'm still driving today and raising my grandson in.
Kevin [this post was last edited: 11/1/2016-12:58]
Regarding the Peugeot...we bought a 505 Estate around '86. Loved the car and the kids loved it too. I started fixing it myself to save what the indie was hammering us with in repair costs. Then the French did what they do best-retreated......from the NA market. The story I got was that they refused to follow US trends & wants for the designs of their cars.
BTW, Peugeot were not just an east coast car, they were extremely popular up & down the Pacific Corridor. That's were we were living when we bought it. They competed against Volvo admirably there. Their ride was immensely more refined than Volvo, especially for the passengers in the back.
In any event, I was finding parts only from some outfit in NJ and how long that would be available was up in the air. So...we bought a '92 Mercedes Estate 4Matic which I'm still driving today and raising my grandson in.
Kevin [this post was last edited: 11/1/2016-12:58]
Yes, it was a very poor decision Peugeot made to cease operations in the States I think. But, I never thought they were that popular there, so a lack of sales was probably the cause. When the 405 also failed to sell they must have just thought "screw it!" and left.
By the way, what happened to your 505? It would be worth a lot now!
By the way, what happened to your 505? It would be worth a lot now!
vacerator
Well-known member
David,
what year is your Buick park ave.? They must have changed to the metal egr passage insert mid year.
Ford also had plastic intake manifold cracking issues with the Modular V8's.
You save a bit on fuel, then spend it on repairs.
what year is your Buick park ave.? They must have changed to the metal egr passage insert mid year.
Ford also had plastic intake manifold cracking issues with the Modular V8's.
You save a bit on fuel, then spend it on repairs.
suckolux
Well-known member
2000
vacerator
Well-known member
Ok,
our Bonneville was an'01, and other '03 Impala. It hasn't let me down yet.
I just realized our '07 is already 10 years old, built 10/'06.
Point A to B, not expensive to run, and insurance is affordable.
You know how it is on a fixed income, and the medicare supplemental, or even employer health insurance is expensive.
our Bonneville was an'01, and other '03 Impala. It hasn't let me down yet.
I just realized our '07 is already 10 years old, built 10/'06.
Point A to B, not expensive to run, and insurance is affordable.
You know how it is on a fixed income, and the medicare supplemental, or even employer health insurance is expensive.
suckolux
Well-known member
mine was may 2000 so almost a 2001. never figured I would have it 11 years, oh well, nothing wrong with it
vacerator
Well-known member
No David,
at our ages, who needs car payments?
at our ages, who needs car payments?
suckolux
Well-known member
Yeah, totally not possible
real1shep
Well-known member
By the way, what happened to your 505? It would be worth a lot now!
Interesting story on that 505. We traded it in on the Mercedes Estate. We had had a protective cloth cover put over the backseat to protect the leather from what small boys do to backseats. Pulled the cover off before we traded and the leather seat looked new! About four months after we traded, I got a call from a cop shop in St.Louis(we lived in Columbia,MO). They found the 505 apparently abandoned after a snowstorm, still titled in my name, do I want to come get it?? So I called around and learned about salvaged titles and the like, in case I wanted to do this. But....whomever "abandoned" the vehicle, picked it back up.
I found out that the Mercedes dealer just sent the car straight to the wholesale auction process and most likely, the new owner hadn't bothered to get a title transfer yet. I had the keys, could have picked up the car.....but my gut told me not to.
I can't believe it would actually be worth something here in the States today??? We loved the car, had a Peugeot diesel Estate before that. I wish I had kept the diesel car...it was amazingly economical, very solid...just a fun wagon. The gasser however, was very well appointed and served us well as the family truckster. If IIRC, the paint was perfect and no accidents.....about 117,00 miles or so.
Kevin
Interesting story on that 505. We traded it in on the Mercedes Estate. We had had a protective cloth cover put over the backseat to protect the leather from what small boys do to backseats. Pulled the cover off before we traded and the leather seat looked new! About four months after we traded, I got a call from a cop shop in St.Louis(we lived in Columbia,MO). They found the 505 apparently abandoned after a snowstorm, still titled in my name, do I want to come get it?? So I called around and learned about salvaged titles and the like, in case I wanted to do this. But....whomever "abandoned" the vehicle, picked it back up.
I found out that the Mercedes dealer just sent the car straight to the wholesale auction process and most likely, the new owner hadn't bothered to get a title transfer yet. I had the keys, could have picked up the car.....but my gut told me not to.
I can't believe it would actually be worth something here in the States today??? We loved the car, had a Peugeot diesel Estate before that. I wish I had kept the diesel car...it was amazingly economical, very solid...just a fun wagon. The gasser however, was very well appointed and served us well as the family truckster. If IIRC, the paint was perfect and no accidents.....about 117,00 miles or so.
Kevin
cocobird5
Active member
Favorite Car
I ran into a man parking a Studebaker Lark the other day and chatted with him for a while His still runs fine. That was the first car I ever owned, and I loved it.
I ran into a man parking a Studebaker Lark the other day and chatted with him for a while His still runs fine. That was the first car I ever owned, and I loved it.
thekirbylover
Well-known member
My favourite car would be a 60s convertible mustang.
but for now I have a 1998 ford fiesta LX, Zetec S 1.25. not the most power fullest but it is great for a new driver , his name is Freddie btw. do ignore the wheels in one of the pictures as you can tell by the rear view I have upgraded to alloys
but for now I have a 1998 ford fiesta LX, Zetec S 1.25. not the most power fullest but it is great for a new driver , his name is Freddie btw. do ignore the wheels in one of the pictures as you can tell by the rear view I have upgraded to alloys
vacerator
Well-known member
Very clean
Fiesta! Very Ford-ish 90's handsome styled interior. The USA did not get that generation, or the following one, but we do have the latest one. The original 70's Fiesta was a decent seller here. It's all about point A to B. Save you money while you are young. That will enable you to enjoy more as you age. A car depreciates. Money in the bank grows. Be smart, not that you aren't already.
Then when your savings and investments grow, you can afford real estate, and that usually also appreciates. Even just land.
Drive a cheap to operate daily driver for school, and work. Then later you can buy a luxury or a sports car or a nice SUV or crossover for the week ends and country trips.
Like a Range Rover, Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Jaguar, that fine machine from Coventry, or even an Aston Martin, or maybe a Noble.
Fiesta! Very Ford-ish 90's handsome styled interior. The USA did not get that generation, or the following one, but we do have the latest one. The original 70's Fiesta was a decent seller here. It's all about point A to B. Save you money while you are young. That will enable you to enjoy more as you age. A car depreciates. Money in the bank grows. Be smart, not that you aren't already.
Then when your savings and investments grow, you can afford real estate, and that usually also appreciates. Even just land.
Drive a cheap to operate daily driver for school, and work. Then later you can buy a luxury or a sports car or a nice SUV or crossover for the week ends and country trips.
Like a Range Rover, Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Jaguar, that fine machine from Coventry, or even an Aston Martin, or maybe a Noble.
dartman
Well-known member
Hey, somebody put your steering wheel on the wrong side, you put that back on the left where it belongs 
Kinda reminds me of Caddy Shack...
Kinda reminds me of Caddy Shack...
suckolux
Well-known member
I may have to make this choice in a year or so? Ex was home visiting his mom and sister, I used to work for his mom in the 70s/80s she owned the Nissan dealership. She cares for her things and garages them! Her bottom of the line 03 Century has 28,000 miles, where my 00 Park Ave has 132,000 and outdoors all of it's life. He caught up all the sitting too much stuff on mom's car, trans and coolant service, replaced the rotted tires and wheel cylinders. Asked, so David, do you want mom's car? Buying it of course. I said it rather depends on what shape it and mine are in when she stops driving! Like mine better, but would hate to pass up on one of Cookie's cars.Brad quasi grandson would jump on mine like crazy and take it. or the Century I am sure. Not fond of mom's old Civic, which never breaks.
