So the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem?
I just picked up another example of
the WORST CAR you can buy!
This one's a no-AC, no-options, appliance-white, Canadian poverty edition icon! AKA the lightest Mirage of this generation sold in North America at ~1950 lbs / 885 kg.
Assuming it checks out, this car will replace
Mirage #2,
The Even Fancier Metro.
And since I'm rapidly running out of parking spaces, I'm also selling the
$800 Honda Fit I just bought last month, which I had originally planned to keep to use as next winter's beatermobile.
Back story:
It's a base model 2014 with manual transmission. Also it's a no-accidents, one-owner car that lived in Ottawa, driven by a friendly & helpful homecare nurse. Visiting patients all over the city & countryside translated into higher than normal kms @ 174k = 108k miles. And thus also the higher than normal battle scars... it's a bit of a scratch 'n' dent special.
The good:
- paid $1800
- runs well, drives straight, clutch doesn't slip
- maintained by the book, mostly at the dealership. Regular documented oil changes. Recalls all done.
- came with a set of 1 year-old Pirelli winter tires on wheels; summers are stock Enasaves with plenty of tread
The bad:
- scratchy 'n' denty
- already has some rust spots coming through
- clutch is twice as stiff as it should be - possibly the pivot shaft, forks or release bearing is binding
- 2nd gear may be slightly worn - first couple of cold shifts feel "chunky", but it doesn't grind
- it was parked (outside) while the owner was on mat leave, so it probably needs rotors & pads
- ??? ... hopefully no surprises when I go through it in more detail soon
Fun fact:
It has power windows up front, but crank windows in the back. I don't know of any other car with that combination.
Next:
I really haven't had a chance go over it with a fine tooth comb because the $800 Fit was occupying my free time until today. But now that it's ready to sell, I'm going to dive into this Appliance Car and will report back with findings.
Next next:
Mods! 75 MPG!
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(Just a few of its myriad minor scars & blemishes.)