Can I ask a serious question without being thrown off topic?

[USSEnterprise]

There's a woman down the street that has a 1981 Jaguar XJ6 for sale for $500. It has the following problems:

Rusty floor - passenger side front
Bad Battery
1 flat tire
bad gasket on trans pan.

It has a new starter, ignition coil, plugs, belts, ignition wires, and radiator hose. All of the power options work. AC works. Leather is in good condition. Is it worth $500?

[AtomSmasher]

I know nothing about that kind of car, but if the engine runs, then its probably worth $500.  Most of the problems you listed are easily fixed, but the rust is what concerns me.  Rust is like an iceberg, if you can see a little rust, then theres generally a lot more that you don't see.  Ask to put it on a ramp so you can get a good look at the undercarriage and see if you can spot anymore rust.

[missioncontrol]

if it runs it's worth $500... you need to see about borrowing a battery out of your dad's car so that you can test drive it... perhaps see if your parents mechanic can take a look at it also.....

[shmokes]

Did anyone here own an Atari Jaguar?  Man, that thing flopped.  There wasn't a single decent game for that system.

[NightGod]

Yeah, it's worth $500 if it runs worth a damn, especially as a first car. Trans gaskets usually aren't THAT bad to replace if you can get it up on ramps or (even better) a rack. And I would look into replacing that rusty floor, even if you just cut it out and get some sheet metal in there. More to prevent the spread than anything. How bad is the rust, though-we talking all the way through or just surface stuff? If it's surface, you might even get away with some of that Rustoleum rust killer paint.

[danny_galaga]

im not so sure itll be worth it. 80s jaguars had really bad quality control problems. this is probably why its sitting around getting rusty. on the plus side, jaguar twin cam sixes are a beautiful engine. you could always build a speed boat (",)

[shardian]

Expensive foreign car to maintain. Parts are out of this world, and unlike a volvo, fixing it doesn't ensure longevity.

Aside from that, I am in agreement that if it runs well, for $500 it is well worth it. If you get even just a year out of it you paid less than $50 a month for it. Just don't go investing money in it.

[danny_galaga]

 Just don't go investing money in it.

but:

Rusty floor - passenger side front  $
Bad Battery  $
1 flat tire $
bad gasket on trans pan.  $

 

[pointdablame]

I say its not worth it unless you buy it as is, get a battery and just drive it until it dies.  Then and ONLY then does it have a chance at being worth it.

Jaguars in that era are not very reliable and Jags as a whole are out of this world as far as repair costs go.  You do NOT want to have that as your first car IMHO.  Do not put a cent into that car as it will wind up costing you a small fortune.

Even if you just spend the money on a new battery and fixing the problems it has, you still could probalby find a better beater that will last longer and will actually be repairable.  Plus, do you know the full mechanical history of it?  You know what's been replaced, but are the tires good? brakes?  hoses? any leaks?

This kind of car can turn into a money pit in seconds flat.  I say avoid it like the plague.

[Dartful Dodger]

Don't forget title, taxes and other fun fees you'll get after buying a car.  Not to mention it's an 81, so you might have to spend money on making it emission friendly, plus the current price of gas...

If you've always wanted one of these cars and you can do the work yourself and you know how to use a welder, then you should buy it.

If not you'll end up spending a lot of money just to be able to sell it for $500 two years from now.

[RayB]

Let me ask you this: Would you consider buying the car for $500 if it was NOT a Jaguar?

[nostrebor]

Find yourself a $500 CVCC and forget about looking cool for your girlfriend. Jags=problems+cash+cash+cash. Go buy a Honda or a Toyota instead... a four door with rust. Add gas and drive, drive, drive.

[USSEnterprise]

Well, if I really don't give a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- about how I look in my car, I can go for that '92 Volvo Turbo wagon on CL for $900

[saint]

If your budget is $500, don't buy a car for looks. Hell, if your budget is less than $3000, don't buy a car for looks. It'll be a big mistake.

[shardian]

Is it a 740 turbo or a 940 turbo? Either way, book value is between $3000 and $4000 in fair condition.
...actually, if it's a turbo wagon, you could tune that thing out and it would be fairly fast...
Read Here:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1032990&page=1

Some nice volvo wagons:
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/uploads/1142472067/med_gallery_885_1_95053.jpg
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/uploads/1132622037/med_gallery_4089_1_5287.jpg
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/uploads/1153725906/med_gallery_8383_3_55900.jpg

[Dartful Dodger]

A running joke with the Jag owners in my sports car club is, a Jaguar is the prettiest thing you'll see on the side of the road.

$500 for an American or a Jap car with those problems is a deal, but for a Jag or a volvo you'll just end up getting raped.

I'm not saying don't buy the Jag, I'm just saying make sure you really want it before buying it.

...also don't by a Volvo.

Three people I know that had them had to get rid of them because they had different problems the mechanics couldn't fix or understand.

[AtomSmasher]

Is it a 740 turbo or a 940 turbo? Either way, book value is between $3000 and $4000 in fair condition.
...actually, if it's a turbo wagon, you could tune that thing out and it would be fairly fast...

Oddly enough earlier today I had to park behind a 740 turbo wagon that was for sale for $500.

[USSEnterprise]

Is it a 740 turbo or a 940 turbo? Either way, book value is between $3000 and $4000 in fair condition.
...actually, if it's a turbo wagon, you could tune that thing out and it would be fairly fast...

Its a 740 Turbo Wagon. The color is a faded red, but its got a 162HP Engine.

[shardian]

...also don't by a Volvo.

Three people I know that had them had to get rid of them because they had different problems the mechanics couldn't fix or understand.

This is common...because most redneck mechanics don't know about Volvo's. The one I just bought went thru the same thing. It has a slight oil leak. The owner took it to a mechanic, the mechanic charged them $200 and replaced a seal. It still leaked and the mechanic said he couldn't fix it. If the worthless mechanic would have had the foggiest idea about Volvo's, he would have known about the flame trap that is in the engine area. Blocked off air lines mean overpressurized crankcase, which means forced oil leaks. I just ordered a $120 kit to replace the entire crankcase ventilation system and my engine will be good as new.
There are hundreds of Volvo afficionado's over at www.brickboard.com that are more than happy to give you free advice and walk you thru troubleshooting issues. All it took was one quick internet search to tell me exactly what was wrong.
Pretty much all Volvo's are the same, and every single possible thing that can go wrong has been documented online.

[Dartful Dodger]

This is common...because most redneck mechanics don't know about Volvo's.

Not to get off topic, but I have never seen a white collar mechanic.

If you can afford to pay for the white collar mechanic shardian is speaking of, then you should buy the Jag.

Again, don't buy a Volvo.

[USSEnterprise]

I have only ever heard good things about volvos until now

[shardian]

Here is my final piece of advice to you USS:
Don't come to an arcade forum to ask for advice...you are wasting your time.

We are on a frikkin DIY board, I am an owner of 2 volvo's that I do my own work on. I am assuming that since USS has stated multiple times he isn't afraid to fix up a car, he wouldn't mind putting work into a car THAT WILL ACTUALLY LAST.

What other car in the world is there that is pretty much guaranteed to go 300,000+ miles if you maintain it? Please Dartful...let me know since you are an "expert" and are giving your "personal" experiences about a car to aid a young person in choosing his first car.

This poor guys previous thread wast sent to post hell because of people crapping all over his thread. This one is well on its way.

Good luck USSEnterprise. I'm out.

[nostrebor]

Volvo vs. Jag...

Buy the Volvo.

Either way, you will pay a premium for parts and service. Buy a 1979 Ford 2wd pickup. or a Civic. Or some other dime a dozen older Jap or domestic car. it'll be cheaper to insure, and cheaper to work on. In the world of cars, cheap and European do not mix.

[ChadTower]

What other car in the world is there that is pretty much guaranteed to go 300,000+ miles if you maintain it?

Depends highly on the part of the US you live in... no cars last 300k in MA.  They rust out in the undercarriage way before that.

But if you don't take that into account... Civics and Accords will, Ford trucks often do...

[shardian]

What other car in the world is there that is pretty much guaranteed to go 300,000+ miles if you maintain it?

Depends highly on the part of the US you live in... no cars last 300k in MA.  They rust out in the undercarriage way before that.

But if you don't take that into account... Civics and Accords will, Ford trucks often do...

I'm in WV...salt all over the place in the winter, and high humidity year 'round. My 1989 volvo has NO rust.  The 1994 850 turbo...no rust either. It was in Connneticut (sp?) until 2 years ago.The things simply do not rust as long as there is no exposed metal due to damage.

[AtomSmasher]

This poor guys previous thread wast sent to post hell because of people crapping all over his thread. This one is well on its way.

I was wondering what happened in that thread.  Everything was fine, then the next day I come back and its sent to post hell.  Anyways, lets assume both the jag and the volvo are in roughly the same condition and will require roughly the same amount of work to keep going.  I think everyone will agree that the volvo will be a lot cheaper to maintain and will probably be a lot easier to fix and find parts for.  There are a lot more old volvos in junk yards that you can strip for parts then there are old jags.  If the volvo is running, then I'd recommend to go with that instead of getting the jag.

[USSEnterprise]

I need to put some major thought into this. Another car just popped up on CL, a '93 Ford T-bird for $475. Bunch of new parts, and its got ABS. Its a ford, so I know it won't last too long, but it could get me started. I'm also still considering the Volvo wagon, but I just found out that it is all the way up in Albany New York, while I am down in central New Jersey

[ChadTower]

I'm in WV...salt all over the place in the winter, and high humidity year 'round. My 1989 volvo has NO rust.  The 1994 850 turbo...no rust either. It was in Connneticut (sp?) until 2 years ago.The things simply do not rust as long as there is no exposed metal due to damage.

Sure, now add salt in the air year round.  And probably about 300% more salt in winter.  Being on the seacoast makes a huge difference.

[USSEnterprise]

Additionally, I was talking with my father about the Jag. Apparently, in the 80's he was in the market for a car, and specifically didn't get a cheap old Jag because of the problems Pointdablame and others have pointed. Additionally, the floor on the Jag is rusted to the undercarriage, and I don't know how to weld. Everytime I try, I blow breakers left and right and set fire to things. The Jag is no longer being considered.

[shardian]

The t-bird will suck gas..if you are ok with it, then give it a test drive.

Also know this...when you buy an older used car directly from a person, you can always talk them down. Look the car over REAL good, then say something like, "what's the least you'll take for this?" This puts the ball in their court. If they panic and come back with a number less than the magic number in your head, then SCORE! If they say the price is set, then it was at least worth a try.
The Volvo had a $1250 sign on it, I used this line and got it for $850...their number, not mine.

[ChadTower]

My wife's 97 T Bird saved her life when she got broadsided by a 16 year old in a Pathfinder going 45.  Chick was too busy dialing her phone to notice that she was going twice the speed limit and that someone was pulling out.  After seeing what that T Bird took, if my wife had been in my Civic I have no doubt she'd be dead.

Something to think about.  Also a big selling point for the Volvos.

[USSEnterprise]

The t-bird will suck gas..if you are ok with it, then give it a test drive.

Its only a V6. According to MSN auto, it gets 18 city/26 highway.

Also know this...when you buy an older used car directly from a person, you can always talk them down. Look the car over REAL good, then say something like, "what's the least you'll take for this?" This puts the ball in their court. If they panic and come back with a number less than the magic number in your head, then SCORE! If they say the price is set, then it was at least worth a try.
The Volvo had a $1250 sign on it, I used this line and got it for $850...their number, not mine.

Oh, I know I can talk people down. Done it with pinball machines. Might be able to get the t-bird for $350-$400 if I decide on it.

[AtomSmasher]

Its a ford, so I know it won't last too long, but it could get me started.

sigh.  Not all domestic cars have bad quality.  Its very hit and miss.  We've been through this discussion in your last thread that got deleted, so I guess theres no point in doing it again.  I'm sure the next post will be domestic cars suck, japanese cars rule and ODoyle rules, and I'm not even going to bother getting into this discussion anymore.

As for the cars.  Go take a look at ALL of them and take them for a test drive if possible, then make your decision.  With cars this cheap, every one of them is going to be a piece of junk, until you go look at them in person you'll have no idea which one is the best for you.

[USSEnterprise]

another car just came into my sights, a 1988 Olds Delta 88 Royale. 166k miles, but she still runs strong according to the owner. He's asking $925 for it, with new brakes six months ago and new rear tires.

[NightGod]

If its a V6, conventional wisdom says you're hitting near the end of its lifespan at 166K (though my C1500 made it to 270K on a V6, sooo....). If its a V8, 250ish is typical.

[danny_galaga]

The Jag is no longer being considered.

im still thinking super freakin cool 50s/60s speedboat (",)

[USSEnterprise]

Just found an '85 Mercedes Benz, Dual Front Airbags, ABS, 130k, for $950. Someone, buy my stuff in the BST thread! I need cash!

[DrewKaree]

How many cars were you planning on buying, or are you just listing everything that comes up on Craigslist?

It appears the advice of "go LOOK at these things, because the price range you're looking at means you'll be the only person who can judge if it's worth it" isn't any good.  meh.

[USSEnterprise]

Anyone know of a cheap towing company in NJ? I need to get an estimate.

[TOK]

Don't buy any 10+ year old European car. Parts cost a fortune, and was was once a technological wonder is now an obsolete electronics nightmare.

Here is a simple but generic breakdown of the experience you'll have with a common replacement part on various cars... Starter.

Ford/Chevy: It'll cost under 50 bucks and you can get it anywhere.

Japanese car: It'll cost $250, take twice as long to remove and replace but it will last 4 years longer than the Ford/Chevy starter.

Mercedes/BMW: It'll cost $450, be on backorder, you'll have to replace some other $300 module with it, and you'll have to pull the engine to get to it.

If you're in the market for a 1000 car, get a domestic. Of the ones you mentioned, the T-Bird is the best. The Ford 3.8 is simple, lasts a long time and parts are cheap. The AOD auto tranny sucks balls, but works OK with the 3.8's meager power. If it's a 302 T-Bird, the trans is probably already slipping, but I think you said it was the V6.

[monkeybomb]

+1

everything TOK said

[danny_galaga]

and dont buy anything you need to call a towing company for! i dunno, cars in the US and Canada used to be so cheap. a backpackers dream!

[thebrownshow]

Dude, just get the cheapest damn thing you can find that actually RUNS already.  You're putting WAY too much thought into a $500 car.  Just think, if you had just bought something a month ago instead of discussing it on the internet and being indecisive, you could be driving around town tonight looking at REAL girls rather than downloading pictures of them.

Just joking around with you there, but seriously, just pick something.  It's a car.  Just get wheels.  Then get a job.  Then get new wheels later.

[missioncontrol]

yeah just pick a car... at $500 it's going to be craptacular anyways.... buy a domestic if you want to save on repair bills....

[Bones]

I think you should put more thought into this important purchase USS.

Maybe start a poll or something.

[pointdablame]

To be fair, I dont think USS has his license yet, so it's not absurd for him to be looking into so many vehicles.

I started looking at cars fairly seriously almost a year before I got my license just so I could get a feel for things.  I looked at dozens and dozens of cars before actually throwing some cash down, and I didn't have a lot to spend either

If I'm right and he doesn't have his license yet, its not like he's wasting time and could have already been driving... the car would just be sitting in his driveway.

[USSEnterprise]

I don't have my license, but I do have my permit. I want the car I learn to drive in to be my first car. Since I'm not getting either of my parent's cars, I want something I could learn in. I'm also considering getting my first car with a stick shift, for that same purpose, so as I'm learning, I'll also gain that skill, and be able to drive one later on if need be.

[pointdablame]

i wouldn't get a manual trans just because it will be a learning experience.  Anyone can learn to drive stick in 10 minutes, its one of those things that has an aura of being so difficult, but if you can't figure out how to shift gears, you shouldn't even be driving a car in the first place.

That's not to say DON'T get a manual for your first car.. they are lots of fun.  But don't get one just so you can learn "for the future."  It's not hard.  Plus, as a fellow New Jersey driver, I'll tell you this:  manuals are way more fun, and I like them more, but I never want to have a manual as my daily driver here in Jersey.

[TOK]

Sent you a PM, Enterprise.

[thebrownshow]

i wouldn't get a manual trans just because it will be a learning experience.  Anyone can learn to drive stick in 10 minutes, its one of those things that has an aura of being so difficult, but if you can't figure out how to shift gears, you shouldn't even be driving a car in the first place.

Apparently you've never tried to teach your wife how to drive a manual transmission. 

Seriously though, I completely disagree on this here.  Everyone should learn how to drive on a manual.  I learned on an '82 Ford Escort and I wouldn't have it any other way.  Once you learn how to drive, you start getting into habits, some bad, some good, and the longer you go on an automatic, the more difficult it is later.  You've got to unlearn all those habits.  Hell, I've even seen 40-year-old engineers have a hard time with it because they never learned.

Learning to drive is overwhelming enough for some people that adding in the whole clutch-shift thing isn't really all that much more difficult.  Do it all at once if you can.

[monkeybomb]

I learned on an automatic and then bought a stick.  It took 20 minutes to get a solid feel for it.  I think the big issue should be getting a car that won't break down that much and will be cheap to fix when it does.

[ChadTower]

I learned on an automatic and it took 15 minutes to become good at driving a standard.  It was a Tracker, so it's not like it had any power, but I was doing fine in stop and go traffic without stalling in less than a half hour.

[shardian]

I learned on an automatic and it took 15 minutes to become good at driving a standard.  It was a Tracker, so it's not like it had any power, but I was doing fine in stop and go traffic without stalling in less than a half hour.

A tracker has a VERY forgiving clutch. I had no idea what I was doing when I got mine and did fine. I learned on an S-10 manual stick, and it was definitely not that easy.

[saint]

Most annoying thing about switching to an automatic when you've been driving a stick for a while is when you accidentally try to push in the clutch to switch gears and the car screeches to a halt! 

[ChadTower]

Heh.  It gets worse.  Friend of mine was driving his sister's automatic and had only ever driven a standard.  He jammed the thing into reverse going 40 and dropped the transmission.

[AtomSmasher]

Heh.  It gets worse.  Friend of mine was driving his sister's automatic and had only ever driven a standard.  He jammed the thing into reverse going 40 and dropped the transmission.

Heh, my grandpa did that years ago in a police car.  The police had just switched from 3 on the tree manual transmission to automatic transmissions.  He got a call of a robbery or something, and he meant to put it from 3rd gear to 1st and then floor it, but he put it from drive to reverse and destroyed the tranny.

[NightGod]

I learned on an automatic and it took 15 minutes to become good at driving a standard.  It was a Tracker, so it's not like it had any power, but I was doing fine in stop and go traffic without stalling in less than a half hour.

A tracker has a VERY forgiving clutch. I had no idea what I was doing when I got mine and did fine. I learned on an S-10 manual stick, and it was definitely not that easy.

/seconded

I learned on a S-10 stick with power nothing...damn that was a nightmare to learn on, but I can get in anything short of a semi these days without any problem (and most semis are automatic anymore, so that would almost be a non-issue).

I remember in the Army when we were doing licensing-hopped in the duece-and-a-half and the guy was like "You ever driven manual before?" "Sure, I learned on one" "well, OK, so you have an idea, but this is a bit harder to drive than mo..." he cut off at the end there because I stopped listening to him and just drove away, smooth as can be. He didn't bother talking the rest of the time except to tell me where to turn.

For USS-manual trannies WILL last longer than an automatic, as a rule, but only if the people who drove it don't strip the clutch. If you're getting it for your first car, I would seriously find a mechanic you can trust to check it out before you buy, especially at the price ranger you're aiming for.

[ChadTower]

A tracker has a VERY forgiving clutch. I had no idea what I was doing when I got mine and did fine. I learned on an S-10 manual stick, and it was definitely not that easy.

Not surprising, considering that it's meant for 18 year old girls.

[DrewKaree]

A tracker has a VERY forgiving clutch. I had no idea what I was doing when I got mine and did fine. I learned on an S-10 manual stick, and it was definitely not that easy.

Not surprising, considering that it's meant for 18 year old girls.

Which explains why you bought it.

[Stingray]

Its a ford, so I know it won't last too long

You have no concept of reality do you? NOTHING you buy for $500 is going to last long without constant maintenance & repairs. How is it that you can buy a new computer every three months, piles of non-working pinballs, Pepsi machines etc, etc, but you only have $500 to spend on a car?

-S

[horseboy]

How is it that you can buy a new computer every three months, piles of non-working pinballs, Pepsi machines etc, etc, but you only have $500 to spend on a car?

-S

Because the chicks in his grade dig pinball and PCs. Who needs to drive somewhere for a date when you can have some chick hold your multimeter for you while you fix a pin? Don't you know anything about women.

[monkeybomb]

Its a ford, so I know it won't last too long

You have no concept of reality do you? NOTHING you buy for $500 is going to last long without constant maintenance & repairs.

But certainly a $500 honda civic is a better choice than a $500 jaguar along those lines.

[ChadTower]

Which explains why you bought it.

Wasn't mine, I was too poor to have a car in those days... I was the designated driver on some nights when we all piled into one and went to the beach.

[shardian]

A tracker has a VERY forgiving clutch. I had no idea what I was doing when I got mine and did fine. I learned on an S-10 manual stick, and it was definitely not that easy.

Not surprising, considering that it's meant for 18 year old girls.

I'll have you know mine is very manly, thank you very much...

[ChadTower]

It ain't manly but we sure did pick up lots of chicks in that car.  They'd just walk right up and go "oh it's so cuuuuuuute" and get in.

[DrewKaree]

Its a ford, so I know it won't last too long

You have no concept of reality do you? NOTHING you buy for $500 is going to last long without constant maintenance & repairs.

But certainly a $500 honda civic is a better choice than a $500 jaguar along those lines.

An even better choice for him is a $500 bicycle. 

The best choice is $500 worth of bus passes.

[Vigo]

about four years ago I bought a 1987 ford taurus for $500. It ran well...I had it for about 3 years and had to do about 150 dollars of repairs to it over the years. I sold it for a couple hundred after I was done and moved up to a better car...The car still ran well when I sold it....

It was a gamble, but just as much of a gamble as about any car for that price...and I know If i had to do the same repairs to a European car in the US, I would have spent well over 1000 dollars in repairs, not to mention the extra labor I would have to do....

[DrewKaree]

....must.....resist.....urge....to.....post 

can't do it.

Vigo, but did it look cool, did it work, and how much was free shipping?

Sounds like school has started in the Tulsa area. 

[horseboy]

....must.....resist.....urge....to.....post 

can't do it.

Vigo, but did it look cool, did it work, and how much was free shipping?

Sounds like school has started in the Tulsa area. 

What does Tulsa have to do with anything?

[missioncontrol]

what is the statute of limitations for keeping a post serious?

and will the statue fit in my basement?

[AtomSmasher]

what is the statute of limitations for keeping a post serious?

and will the statue fit in my basement?

Sorry, but I already have the statue in my basement.

[DrewKaree]

Sounds like school has started in the Tulsa area. 

What does Tulsa have to do with anything?

Ya really don't know?  Want a link?

[Stingray]

Sounds like school has started in the Tulsa area. 

Up yers, Karee! 

-S

[USSEnterprise]

Its a ford, so I know it won't last too long

You have no concept of reality do you? NOTHING you buy for $500 is going to last long without constant maintenance & repairs. How is it that you can buy a new computer every three months, piles of non-working pinballs, Pepsi machines etc, etc, but you only have $500 to spend on a car?

-S

I currently have two of my pinball machines and my new computer up on eBay.

[USSEnterprise]

I just came across an 1994 Infiniti G20 in an Auto Shopper for $600. Its got everything I need, and its driveable, but the engine knocks. Now, from what I've seen thanks to a google search, knocking can commonly be caused by something called the EGR Valve. The valve itself costs $100. Anyone have an idea on how difficult to replace?

[ChadTower]

Knocking is also commonly caused by the engine being 5 minutes from complete death.

[Vigo]

If it's a tap, you don't have to worry, but watch out for those rattles, thats a bad sign, unless of course it is coming from the mid section of the engine, but if it is more close to a thump, That means that you ran somebody over.

[shardian]

A big no to the tapping valve. I'll tell you from personal experience that the tapping that suddenly gets louder, followed by a loud clunk and the engine shutting off while cruising down the interstate is not a good thing.

[ChadTower]

Give it a little tappy.  Tap tap taperoo.

[thebrownshow]

My engine got the little tap tap taperoo once.  5 minutes later there was a cloud of white smoke and a trail of bits of metal behind me when it threw a rod.

[shardian]

My engine got the little tap tap taperoo once.  5 minutes later there was a cloud of white smoke and a trail of bits of metal behind me when it threw a rod.

hehe...I never knew oil could drain that fast...

[thebrownshow]

That wasn't even the worst part.  It was about 9pm in mid janurary, 12 degrees outside.  Waited TWO HOURS for a tow truck as I froze ---my bottom--- off and kept the insanity at bay by playing Tic-Tac-Toe with myself with the frost on the INSIDE of the car windows.

[shardian]

I was close to my interstate exit, so I coasted to the ramp, and then into a parking lot. I had picked up my new tracker the day before, so I proceded to strip everything of value, then called the junk yard and said it was all theirs. I didn't tell them the engine...and probably the transmission, was mangled.

[ChadTower]

And they probably didn't care, either. 

[shardian]

No, not this junk yard. They were in the process of clearing out their yard. They only took it because I told them it was fine and then just shut down all the sudden. They screwed me over on a previous deal, so I got them back on this one. They paid the towing bill, of course.