Impact of the economy and the gas price.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

As for keeping my "garage car?" You'll have to pry it out of.....well, why would I ever, for any amount of savings, drive an appliance?

My sentiments exactly. We always had "appliance" types of cars when I was growing-up because that was what my father thought cars were - an appliance. Not that I haven't had a couple (but only a couple because I really did not need them since I had company cars most of my working career) of those types along the way, but there also has to be something "special" in the garage. Because I thought they were something special when I bought them, I tend to keep them a long time.

[Gobird]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

Fifteen years from now there should be a better parts aftermarket for collectors as there is now for earlier cars. Or I may have finally grown up and bought that Corolla.

Agreed, I have a 1973 MGB and have had it for around 25 years. I can, if needed, build a whole car out of a parts catalog I get for it. I did rebuild over 3/4's of the one I have about 15 years ago. The Birds will be the same way. Only problem I probably won't be able to do it myself 15 years from now.

[4Scargo]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

007 - "Turn around cars" .... those cars that when you park 'em, you turn around and look at them as you walk away. Funny, but true, huh? I watch myself do this almost every time I park my cars! (watch a big rig driver sometimes at a truck stop...does the same thing)

As for cars right now, and I know I am a sick puppy, I have a '93 BMW convertible that I just can't sell. Not that I couldn't, it is just too nice of a car. It has BMW's 4 cylinder (318i), get 35 MPG and goes like snot, also only worth about $5,000. I remember, I sat in the garage one day after I had had it for 8 years, and told myself that it was time for another car. So I bought a 2003 Porsche (big butt) C4S. But couldn't let the Bimmer go....gave that to my dad. This is all tied to the P-car I gave to my daughter. I was feeling 'Porshlessness' which is uncomfortable for Stu :) I had planned on the Porsche (it is AWD) to be a daily driver, but one trip on the highway in snow/slush/salt solved that. Plus it is running on performance tires that get like hockey pucks when they are cold. $1200 for new shoes for it! I bought a '98 Explorer for the same money. Problem solved. So those two. (no wait..3) cars is all. The Explorer, Pcar, BMW, T-Bird....I guess four cars. (Oh, Boy!)


I wonder if I should do a 12 step program for autoholics?

[Rondor]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

WOW ! I bought mine to SAVE gas, Had a Mercedes SL , but really gas is not an issue for me and never has been. The annual savings over a $1.00 a gallon difference and 10-20 m0re miles per gallon is not that much especially whem you consider what you give up to get it. I have had many cars that I got rid of and regretted, so this one stay's. Wife wouldn't part with it amd promised it to grandaughter. Grand son's want truck. We may build a retro rod in a year or so, when they are older.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

Thanks, Stu...I can't imagine running performance tires during a MN winter.

Ted....I wouldn't be so sure about that parts availability. Very limited options are available for my '75 Bird. Hopefully the retro will be a different story as I'm holding on to mine no matter what.

[Banar]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

The amount of miles and time that I get to put on my bird are limited due to my job, but it will stay in my stable for the rest of it's life. This car drinks less than my automatic 4x4 4.0 Ranger and gets the same mileage as my 5 speed 2.2 Ranger. Driving a pick up truck is okay, but I prefer my Fusion or the Bird for an every day driver- when home. Getting the Fusion away from Kim is difficult, and trying to keep her out of the Bird is equally as hard. Kim will average 11,00 miles per year, and I am only home 5 months in a year- I will drive the wheels off the Bird if given the chance when home. The cost of fuel is not really thought about in our house, it boils down to number of seats needed to haul who/what is wanting to go where.
As to the future T Bird plans: it will stay as stock as possible for as long as possible. Once, and IF, it can no longer be fixed or repaired- SUMMIT Racing is only a 30 minute drive. Then it may accidentally get a very large HP motor, and other goodies to make it a street legal GO KART! But I believe in time the replacement parts bin for this car will improve in availability and pricing.
2nd Mate Tom Banar

[RustyFrye]

Re: Impact of the economy anf the gas price.

I'll just have to worry about mechanical issues w/age:).

Yours or the Bird's?

[qruml23]

Re: Impact of the economy anf the gas price.

Yours or the Bird's?

What a joke! What about you Steven?

[BUCK ROGERS]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

What kinda MPG do we get in these things anyway ? ... I've never checked it in the last 10 years or so... & I run 93 Octane just for giggles~!

[jerrym3]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

Since we don't have trip computers in our Birds, and I'm too lazy to add/subtract or divide, I'll go by my Lincoln LS (same drivetrain).

The LS is good for the mid/upper 20's on the highway (with me driving), but overall, 18 mpg. (In defence of the car, it's my wife's, and she's a leadfoot and a gas/brake/gas/brake driver around town.)

Came close, but never hit 30.

[Rdlagray]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

We get 21/23 but haven't had it on a trip. Hope to make it to Nashville next year so we'll find then. Hope to find out before then.

[hayjulz]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

Mine is a daily driver, but I only drive about 11 miles daily round trip. If I'm careful I only fill the tank once a month. I've had it a year and put just under 5k miles on it. I plan to drive it and enjoy it as long as I can. Apparently Cali only sells 91 octane, the best mileage I get is when my husband doesn't touch it, I get 22 hwy, but only about 14 city, there are a LOT of stop signals in that 5.5 miles to work.

[NotU]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

As my wife has already told me, "We're never selling it. It can always be restored!" Our son is a mechanic with his own shop so keeping it going won't be an issue. With only about 4,000 miles (+ a drive to a Thunderbird convention once in a while) a year, gas is not an issue either.
Randy Mattson

[saj]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

The bird has been paid for since 2003 and the MPG is in line with my other vehicles so it really doesn't cost any more to drive. So top-down and a big grin for me!

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Impact of the economy and the gas price.

Rosetta and I are both retired (at least for the most part) and are fortunate enough to not have to worry about the difference in the cost of gas from one of our 4 vehicles to the other.

Would I prefer it if the T-bird ran on 87 octane - you bet. I'm not above saving a few bucks on a tankful and besides that I look at premium prices as just another way the oil companies pad their bottom line at the expense of the masses.

The car will be us as long as it and me are in one piece and able to go down the highway.