Most folks who know me have never seen me drive anything else, (including my children). We traded for Old Red in 1998 when it had about 30,000 miles and being that it was a 4cyl 2.5L 5 speed manual that would get great gas mileage, we made it our parts truck at Westside Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Mocksville, NC, and also my driver. Since then I have driven it nearly everyday, raised three children and never wanted for more. In fact I have said for years I want to be buried in it, (a six foot bed and I’m 6’5″ so they will have to let the tailgate down, no worries).
Although I have put two engines in it neither were Old Red’s fault. The first our parts driver didn’t notice the heat gauge when it threw a belt and drove it till it cracked the head. So we just put a crate engine in it at about 110,000 miles. That engine had bad crank bearings and we got it replaced under warranty at about 150,000. That was the only clutch we have ever replaced when we had the engine out at 150,000. It’s wasn’t worn out but since we had the engine out we replaced it. So the current clutch has gone over 220,000 miles.
It still has it’s original transmission, and rear axle, front suspension, and rear suspension. No work has ever been done to those components to my knowledge. We have changed the gear lube a couple times, the last time with Amsoil. I have replaced the alternator a couple times, the starter once, three batteries, brakes about every 50,0000 miles. One radiator, a couple water pumps, a few bulbs but all in all a remarkably few problems.
So my original investment was about $8,000 and tires maintenance and repairs over the next 340,000 miles I have invested another about $9,000. A total investment of $17,000 over 17 years, even if I can average that to about $1,000 a year. So if I have to buy an Engine or Transmission or who knows over the next 376,000? I figure I’ll spend a hole lot less than anyone I know per year for transportation, that is for those who have to furnish their own.
Let’s see, I’ll be 60 this year and another 20 years I’ll be 80, so me and Old Red still have miles and miles to go before we sleep.
Tags: #christiancarguy, #OldRed
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