Looks like my van is kaput.

Post #265,482 by imqwerky 8/20/06 9:19:35 PM Reply	Looks like my van is kaput. 1998 Olds Silhouette, 88K miles, started draining water and antifreeze but no leaks on the ground. UH OH! Looked it up: blown intake manifold gasket. Mechanic confirms that there is water in the oil. The exterior has hail damage. Inside is crapped out: the leather is tearing, the driver's side window comes off track when rolling down, the captain's chairs are no longer functional due to crappy design of "dial knob". I can no longer unlock the doors from the inside and the key fob is inoperable. In essence, the car is trashed. I'm thinking I need a new car and everybody's telling me to get the Kia Sedona. But after what Box went through, I have my doubts. Feedback? Oh, and NADA shows I could get $6,600 low retail so I figure a few g's lower for trade in. Smile, Amy [link\|http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?Amy%20Rathman\|Pics of the Family]
Post #265,488 by static 8/20/06 9:51:23 PM Reply	Silhouette... 1998 Olds Silhouette, 88K miles, started draining water and antifreeze but no leaks on the ground. .... I'm sorry, but with a model name like that, I guess you could say it is a shadow of it's former self. :-) Wade. "Insert crowbar. Apply force."
Post #265,490 by boxley 8/20/06 9:59:29 PM Reply	NO KIA!!!!! Get a freestar Ford fixed a brake issue 14k after the warranty expired. Right now is the best time to bye between now and Sept 30. I would suggest the sprinter but I notice the price is now in the premium range. I guess people caught on it was a mercedes van. thanx, bill Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 50 years. meep
Post #265,496 by Ashton 8/20/06 10:28:13 PM Reply	Minor strategic point (from friend's several proxy purchases for others) Go in last day of the (whatever) month == there is Always a sales contest amongst the droids and One More on last day means that, whatever the virtuosity of your slimiest skillz: That's when the real lo-ball can happen. But if you haven't studied the peculiar rituals of car sellers (most people do this only rarely), best you bone up. You'll be paying self at least 50/hr. for the pain and suffering of learning this crap. (I played in this game when friend got her new car in '93 - for exactly what she planned to pay.. BUT she hadn't grokked the LAst-day drill - and bought early in next month. Coulda saven maybe another $200....) Note that their Real Cost is not the obv. subtractions; there are all kinds of 'flooring' interest and other sub-rosa breaks which simply can't be decoded in the popular manuals. Break a leg. It really IS show bizness, there. Watch the 'asides' and the crafted moues -
Post #265,498 by Steve Lowe 8/20/06 11:05:11 PM 8/20/06 11:07:34 PM Reply	We're on our third Chrysler 2 Dodge Grand Caravans and just bought a [link\|http://homepage.mac.com/toniajo/PhotoAlbum20.html\|Town & Country], the first had 192k when we traded for the second, and the second had 175k when we traded it a few weeks ago. I'd personally stay away from the Fords, especially with the 3.8l motor. The more recent ones may have been fixed, but from the late 80s to late 90s that engine had lots of problems and was the subject of multiple recalls in vans, mustangs, and tauruses. Oh, and spring for the carfax report, especially in your area - there could be lots of hurricane vehicles on the market in the south. -- Steve [link\|http://www.ubuntulinux.org\|Ubuntu] Edited by Steve Lowe Aug. 20, 2006, 11:07:34 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #265,499 by admin 8/20/06 11:14:55 PM Reply	We have a '99 3.8L Windstar The motor is still doing fine with 100K on it. That said, we'll be getting an Odyssey next, more than likely Regards, -scott anderson "Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."
Post #265,506 by pwhysall 8/21/06 1:53:58 AM Reply	BMW E36 320D Touring Will (reliably) go to the moon and back, whilst being cheap to own/operate and pleasant to drive. Peter [link\|http://www.no2id.net/\|Don't Let The Terrorists Win] [link\|http://www.kuro5hin.org\|There is no K5 Cabal] [link\|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org\|Home] Use P2P for legitimate purposes! [link\|http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?pwhysall\|A better terminal emulator]
Post #265,596 by Meerkat 8/21/06 9:58:00 PM Reply	Would like to see it seat 7 like the Olds though. Eek! Two out of three people wonder where the other one is.
Post #265,621 by imqwerky 8/22/06 11:22:33 AM Reply	Ha Ha! Clown car at the Circus! Thanks for the laugh, Meerkat! I can always depend on my friends to cheer me up :) Smile, Amy [link\|http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?Amy%20Rathman\|Pics of the Family]

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