Progress

[filkertom]

First things first: The planetary gear did something or other, and it damaged the gear case. Replacing the old transmission with a rebuilt one will cost $2,960 plus tax, which is more than I paid for the van originally

Comments

[shockwave77598]

Whoa, whoa, time out!!

Get a USED tranny from someplace instead. A rebuilt. Cheaper and easily accomplished.

[filkertom]

With all due respect, m'friend, NO. This is a 1998 van, which cost me $2,600 at the outset. I've replaced both sets of brakes, got a new windshield, put in a water pump, got a couple of sets of tires, and already fixed the A/C once and have to do it again. There are problems with the electrical system, and the radio doesn't play on the front speakers.

The baby has given me six very good years, but the time has come to move on to something where I don't have to wonder what's the next thing to go.

[shockwave77598]

ack! Okay, so it's on its last legs. *sighs* Sorry to hear that Tom.

[denali1]

If Tom has the transmission I think he has, that is a horribad idea. See my comment below for my reasoning.

[sdelmonte]

Hooray for the fannish community!

[filkertom]

Truly. I love all of you so much.

[filkertom]

Taken under advisement. I'll likely ask about everyone's make/model recommendations this weekend. I got Garnet on a superb deal from a dealership where a friend works, and I have to check there, but I'm open to all opinions, except those involving compact cars and 197x Pintos.

[robin_june]

The ONLY major problem with my 2003 "first edition" Element, is that Honda, in their infinite wisdom, quit making new ones RIGHT when I was ready to buy again. The back seats are theater-height, which means that when there's 3 people in the car, I put my mother-in-law in a front seat and I climb in the back on my knees, but in terms of storage and acoustic instrument cargo, I cannot think of a better car.

Tom, are you still in town?

[robin_june]

About the back seats of Casey the Bass Case: if you don't have a third person, you can put both seats up and out of the way. Or, you can lay the seatbacks flat, pull out some headrests, and it sleeps up to two.

Its name is Casey (instead of something from the Periodic Table) because it fits both the Spousal Unit and me, as well as his upright bass violin, and still has room for the guitar cases, mandolin cases, suitcases, and the Rolling File Cabinet of Filk, all without invoking the roof rack.
Or, you can transport a bicycle INSIDE it and upright, without disassembly.

I better stop now; I've gotten gushy about it.

[thistlethorn]

Oh, I'm so glad things are looking a bit better. Our friends are such a treasure.

[scifantasy]

Hellfire--I missed the post last night. Oy!