Incompacitated wagon found 3 hrs away (any ideas?)
doitdub
familEE
Ok, so a friend of mine sent me a heads up on a wagon he found for sale about 3 hours away. Here's the ad from the local paper...
Sounds like a smokin deal, and I'd be all over it in a heart beat, but it's not drivable and I really have no way to get it here. I don't have a truck, nor do I have anyone I could borrow one from to drive it 6 hours round trip and tow it back.
I DO have a front tow package that I took off the FWD one I just picked up that, in theory, I could install it back on and go tow the thing back. I don't think this would be safe at all though...especially since the brakes aren't all that great and I believe it's still on the original clutch, so that's probably out too.
So I guess my options are rent a UHAUL truck, and flat car dolly (4WD can't be towed with just 2 wheels up right?) or pay someone there to fix the timing belt, water pump and if anything is fucked internally (more than likely). So we'd be looking at first option tacking on another $300 at least on the price, and second more like $300-500. Maybe not worth it as much.
Any other options I'm not thinking of? Any way to see if anything is effed on the inside of the engine before doing this? Maybe if I replaced the timing belt on-site, it would be able to limp home?
Any other ideas?
She wants $350.1989 honda civic wagon 4wd, 90k!!!!! 350obo red, body in great condition very little rust! Has only had one previous owner. Inspection good till January, gets great gas mileage. was such a good car, always started, great in the snow, new battery, has working a/c and heat works phenomenally, radio, windows, and locks all work, interior is spotless. The car must have been kept in a garage during the winter because you'd never know it has been through 20 Maine winters! i need to sell this car because the timing belt just went and because hondas have an interference engine this may have caused damage to the engine. I dont have the money or time to try to fix it even though its been a great car. Would be great for someone who wanted to try to fix it, or for quality parts
Sounds like a smokin deal, and I'd be all over it in a heart beat, but it's not drivable and I really have no way to get it here. I don't have a truck, nor do I have anyone I could borrow one from to drive it 6 hours round trip and tow it back.
I DO have a front tow package that I took off the FWD one I just picked up that, in theory, I could install it back on and go tow the thing back. I don't think this would be safe at all though...especially since the brakes aren't all that great and I believe it's still on the original clutch, so that's probably out too.
So I guess my options are rent a UHAUL truck, and flat car dolly (4WD can't be towed with just 2 wheels up right?) or pay someone there to fix the timing belt, water pump and if anything is fucked internally (more than likely). So we'd be looking at first option tacking on another $300 at least on the price, and second more like $300-500. Maybe not worth it as much.
Any other options I'm not thinking of? Any way to see if anything is effed on the inside of the engine before doing this? Maybe if I replaced the timing belt on-site, it would be able to limp home?
Any other ideas?
Comments
Maybe rent a 1/2 ton truck for a day and find someone with a trailer?
It sure is nice to have a truck and a car hauler though. I used to hate having to ask to borrow other peoples stuff.
I think you might have to take out the driveshaft if you tow it with the rear wheels touching, but I am not certain.
A U-Haul with a 2-wheel dolly shouldn't run you $300 for a single day. I'd bet less than $100.
Thanks for the link.
Unfortunately I wouldn't just need the dolly, but also something to tow with. Truck rental = $19.95/day + $.59/mile x 350 miles round trip ($206.50) + $44.95 car dolly rental = $272.00 before taxes and gas.
Once I get it home, I'm already planning a Z6 head swap, so no big deal about busted valves. But damn, $300 just to get it home. Is it worth it?
I guess it's worth it if you love the wagons, or perhaps it's just another car to you.
Over here, to move a car from coast to coast (~3500kms) costs ~AU$800.
(and thats inside a cozy car carrier.. ie: no sun or dust)
Just found a couple other RT's a bit closer being sold for parts. I'm going to check them out this weekend and see if they are worth it.