Hello my name is Chris, My first ride was a flat4 in the form of a fuel infected 75 VW bug that caught on fire
since then I moved on the common Japanese cars - Hondas, Toyotas, Mitsubishis,
Last year I bought a 4cyl Jeep that left me wanting something with more room and better MPG - sold it in 3 months of ownership
Got a W124 wagon that was plush til the trans took a dump. I unloaded it to a Mechanic for $900
This past December for $800 I bought my 1987 GL 2WD 5spd wagon with 126K miles from a substitute teacher in Los Angeles who got it from the original owner who was a nun. When I first saw it, I was pretty unimpressed since it was only 2wd and looked pretty well used. I was in need of a car (this is L.A.!) Car was in good running shape mechanically no leaks (thats a first for me!) and I was able to peek at the maintenance records from the mechanic T-belts, clutch, alternator and mostly everything major has already been taken care of within the last 25K miles. I rode my bike back to the bus station, and after a long ride and a night to think it over I decided to pull the trigger.
First order of business I had to get it smogged. It failed the first time due to High NOx. After treating the carbon build up (decoke EGR, mopar combustion cleaner), new plugs, an oil change and a fresh tank of 89 Top Tier gas I got it to pass!!! Yay i wish all the tests in life were this simple!
I have been monitoring the fuel mileage and I can't seem to break into the 30s with my best recorded so far 29 which is still decent.
Still lots of cleaning to do on the inside, like rewraping the sundamaged door panels, but I kinda like little projects as they give me a greater sense of ownership.
the mechanicals seem very simple to work on
I love driving this thing and I hope I can take it to see 333,333.3miles
Look fwd to learning as much as I can about these cars.