Well, it's a postive thing that the option to have it declared "totaled" was not even mentioned.........

Go with the small thing. The going in debt is never really a good idea.

I'm not a mechanic or car savvy, so my advise isn't valid in this case. But if the care can wait to have the larger repairs done and NOT do more damage than good, wait.

By partner you mean after you get to near San Fransico?

I thought gay men weren't into fixing up cars?

Sorry, lost my train of thought after Q-Dub's comment! *Ha!!*

Oh, yes, do the small stuff now, so she still runs.

um.

i share in the group terror as we all let your new found gay pride settle in. good luck.

as far as the overhaul, treat your grease monkey right. whether a little or big fix, it's all about technique and quality workmanship. least, that's what they tell me.

now i get it.

I've been using this stuff for years and it works really well. I've brough back cars that were desinted for the junk yard.

http://xcelplus.com/catalogs/automotive.htm

Wow..QW really just derailed that train of thought!

But I gotta go with her on this one. I thought you guys were more into home improvements than mechanical. Of course, I could be off.

We look forward to seeing you at next years PrideFest down here in the sunny city! Will it be a rainbow wig or speedo for you?! I'll get the camera batteries charged up for that photo op!

*Holy crap! Serpentine, serpentine!*

well, I suppose this depends...

seems as if that ole 67 has been dependable, even with the neglect.

I would say, get a quick fix, and AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, get full diagnostics done.

Oh and let me know what the mechanic says.

You mean Liberace isn't gonna help you? I mean, he's got those cool socks and everything...

Oh, okay... I'd go with the small fix for now and don't go way into debt unless you MUST. Especially since you're talking a 3 month window. As long as the car isn't dangerous to drive that's not too long in the grand scheme of things (especially not for a '67 car) *grin*

smegma?

A tune-up (labor by owner)on a 67 shouldn't be much more than plugs/points/condenser, maybe rotor/cap, maybe plug wires, maybe $75 tops. Unless the carb needs an overhaul, rebuild kits go from $30 to maybe $70 for a comprehensive kit. Maybe you're referring to more than just a tune-up?

Maybe he means he's getting married in three months and she's gonna pay for the vehicle fix... maybe?

I AM a mechanic- though I don't play one on TV- and you need to be more specific. Email me if you'd like, mhardig at aol dot com.

Depends. If the quick fix will buy time, not do more damage, and help set the stage for the complete overhaul -- that's good. Do it, get the full diagnostics, and do the full package. If the quick fix will get you by but causes more damage or even the potential for same, don't do it. Just my two cents...

Debt is bad.

Cars are good.

Keep it ticking over - remember you own the car, it don't own you.

Unless it's a classic car that is - then spend spend spend!!!!

One more thought, on the potential partnership. Some people, if they find you've either done the cheap get-by or that you knew of problems in advance, won't partner. Or, will modify the partnership to exclude the repair costs. Think of it as being like a medical "pre-existing condition" clause -- if it pre-exists, they won't pay/won't pay for a certain number of years. Double-check this before making a decision.

Ah, yes, LW stole my comment - make sure that the new partner won't mind the advance fix, but for Goodness sake! Get the quick fix . . . And call me and let me know what the not so quick fix is - you know, sometimes I speak mechanic.

Um...weren't you born in '67?

Woah ... if the quick fix is part of the whole overhaul anyways - then start there. And then find out what the whole diagnostic/process needs to be. If the quick fix means you can't follow a longer/more expensive/long-term-better process - then we need more info!

I'm with LW and AWTM. I think my concern is if you can stave off the overhaul with the quick fix. If you can stave it off for 3 months and not do damage and not have any issues with potentially breaking down in that 3 months, then I'd go for the quick fix and then the overhaul when you have a partner to share the expenses. However... what LW says holds true. Partnership may be null and void if the '67 has serious issues that require overhaul. That is key as well.

..... Jesus, folks, can you not see a fucking metaphor?... good God.......

.... kick all of the Mustangs, Corvettes, etc, to the curb... what we have here is a pure meltdown with loads and loads of denial thrown in.....

.... Joe, go to the goddamn doctor.... and DO what he fucking SAYS.....

I'm agreeing with Eric, perhaps less forcefully, but agreeing nonetheless.

Might want to confer with the "mechanic" along with the new partner concerning the tune up. Sometimes less is more, but what has to be done, has to be done. It's always a shame to dump a classic just because of a little needed tuning.

Seriously T1G, time to talk to the future Mrs and the doc both.

Ah, so the gerbil got stuck huh?

I have found over the years that people do what they want to do - not what's best for them. Be it medical, car, job, whatever - if they really don't want to do something, they'll do whatever it takes to avoid it... even if it's extremely dangerous.

All the while, they will have reasons why they want to do things a certain way. So, I don't beat my head against a wall. People over the age of 21 can kill themselves in their own way - they know what they are doing and will do it regardless of what I have to say.

Thus, if I'm presented with a "lesser" alternative that the person actually will do - I'll simply agree with them that the "lesser" alternative is certainly okay (better than nothing). Most people get away with this for many years before it comes back to bite them. Others end up not making it and maybe taking out others along the way... not with any intention mind you, the others just happened to be the unlucky recipient of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So - If the car can get a quick fix - I'm all for that. At least it's something. Waiting may end up being okay or it may end up being disastrous - I have no way of knowing and neither does anyone else. However, nothing I say will change anyone's mind about what action they take which means I look for what clues they give on what they actually will do and encourage that. :-)

Uh... What Eric said. Really. What would you want your Mom or your sister to do given the same parameters?? Think about it...

Does partner = medical insurance at your new job?

If so, sit down and have a talk with your doctor, tell him your situation (that you will have insurance in X days/months) and can you wait, can it not wait, what can you do in the mean time, etc.

T1G,
At first glance I thought you really were talking about a car. I was thinking, "Funny, he never mentioned having another car. I wonder where he stores it. Hmmm." I'm sometimes a bit too literal.

Be that as it may. You really need to take care of this car. It's the only one you've got. As they say, everything after 40 is maintenance. So true, with, er, cars.

Maybe you need an epiphany like I had (I see a train comin' down the tracks!).

Seriously dude, get a tune-up. Pronto!

I was worried about you having a stroke, but now I am worried about Eric having a stroke!

Holy Moses!

... never fear, AWTM.... I'm going for a check-up in the next few weeks.....

Maaco.....

if the engine seems to be running prwetty good but takes more RPMs to get the same speed it ain't your engine. If it is an automatic you have some problems..bands slipping maybe or a bad torque converter. If it is a manua tranny you probably have a bad clutchl