I've got to buy a different car...

[Barry]

But he's not looking for a beater....

[ErichZ26]

Well, I never said I needed to have the room of the Lumina or bigger, just that I'm not going to econobox it around.

A decent 4 cylinder with a manual will get the job done, I've just got to find the platform and find one priced right. I think I'm on the right track with Saabs, and Subarus.

Lumina car in question:


Bright red isn't my favorite color either, doesn't help its case.

Rare color on that 4dr. I dig it.

[MAD MARK]

Heres a LARGE shovel. Can YOU dig it like Erich?

[ErichZ26]

MAD Mark, isn't that what your old job was?

[MAD MARK]

Erich...quit watching what I do for a living...

[99GaGT3X00]

other than the mufflers what's wrong with the current car.

50 miles on $10 worth of gas isn't bad

[KFLO 93 GT]

Actually, in the last couple of days the cat has started to stink, so I think I've found the true culprit for the bad mileage. It's looking like I should order up a couple of mufflers and a catalytic converter. Then decide if I'm going to install them after I order a welder or just say hell with it and take them to the only exhaust shop within 30 miles...

I don't mind the car at all, it's got leather interior and it rides well. The best investment is going to be in the Lumina, exhaust work and new rear struts and mounts and it's good to clear 200k comfortably. It's at 177k currently.

[DTMAce]

Do the O2 while you are changing that stuff....

[ErichZ26]

Do the O2 while you are changing that stuff....

There are 2 expensive ones on that car. $300 at least.

[99GaGT3X00]

Actually, in the last couple of days the cat has started to stink, so I think I've found the true culprit for the bad mileage. It's looking like I should order up a couple of mufflers and a catalytic converter. Then decide if I'm going to install them after I order a welder or just say hell with it and take them to the only exhaust shop within 30 miles...

I don't mind the car at all, it's got leather interior and it rides well. The best investment is going to be in the Lumina, exhaust work and new rear struts and mounts and it's good to clear 200k comfortably. It's at 177k currently.

if it were me i'd fix those things and keep the car. if it's not going fall apart anytime soon then why buy another car unless that red one you posted has low miles and you could use this one as a parts car.

Do the O2 while you are changing that stuff....

There are 2 expensive ones on that car. $300 at least.

unless they aren't listing one or something these aren't that different in price from my car. from sparkplugs.com denso brand.

[woody90gtz]

I'm not a 4-door guy but I like the Lumina.

284 swap?

[KFLO 93 GT]

I've thought it would be fun to put a 5 speed in it, with a truck shifter. Then swap the top half of the engine for L67 goodies.

But that totally defeats the purpose of the car.

A lot of it boils down to dropping more money in an aging car, which I'm going to do. Or getting something newer and spiffier, which is going to cost more money than revamping the Lumina. As mentioned earlier, the Lumina is here for a while, so there's no reason not to keep up with maintenance. Fixing it's issues should help it's overall ranking in my head.

[michi]

How about a BMW? Like a E46? Very economical cars especially with diesel engine...

[Godlike]

In your predicament I would say maby a Jetta TDI and then hope you never have to fix anything on it.