Long time ....and hello to all who remember me.
Got some bad news, I gotta get rid of this car:(
Its costing me sooooooooo much money. The water pump is almost shot, there are issues with the tensioner and so much more. Sweet car, but way to expensive to keep putting money into a 92 with over 200,000 kms on it.
The rust is happening around the wheel wells, under hood, the power steering fluid is leaking (mechanic seems to think its the rack?) I was quoted at around 600.00 canadian for the parts and I think that would include labour????
So I trust you guys, should I dump it?
I also just went through a breakup, so money is a huge issue right now.
Any comments , suggestions really appreciated.

Thanks guys/gals

Sorry to hear the bad new Kimmers...

You've been gone for a long time...we missed ya!! Any ideas what to do for a new car? Another Bonne or you gonna go smaller? Either way, let us know.

Good luck tryin to sell it, maybe some young guy or gal might pick it up...show your black Bonneville some love and join us on BC

Nice to see you back tho

Ive missed you all to. Just so busy now that I am working more and traveling more.

I think I payed too much for it in the first place, as for another one....I love them, but I think Im gonna go a bit smaller as I am traveling more now since the breakup...
Any suggestions on what I could pick up for around 4-5 thousand Canadian?????
Something that is reliable for me and a kid??? If anyone knows it will be you guys. What are the chances of resale and what do you think I could sell it for? I bought it for 5000 last fall, since then there are a few issues that have come along...visiable rust but not really really bad.
Whatcha all think? And to make it worse the only guy at the garage that deals with these cars, started hitting on me, now I dont want to deal with them anymore...kinda felt like he wanted more than to HELP me with my car....made me some nice offers though...but there had to be a catch....nope, I dont need that..........
Anyways, Hope you guys are all doing great..

I think you'd be able to score $3500 for it...how many kms on it?

As for a new(er) car...are you looking for domestic or import, cuz an older Japanese car will be less headaches then a older domestic, as you have experienced.

You might have to look for something in the 1994-1996 range

Like she says:

I suggest just giving it a _really_ good cleaning inside and out, or splurge a little on getting it detailed if you don't want to do it yourself. People will buy on appearance more than mechanical condition, especially if it looks really nice (i.e. if it'* grubby and high-mileage-looking, they'll either walk away at that point or give it an intense scrutiny, in which case all its flaws will be found).

Um... I dunno about that... Import parts can be just as horrendous to buy, depending on what they are, and the last thing you want to do is buy some older import with an interference engine that slams the pistons into the valves when its old timing belt breaks. (Notice how many more old Pontiacs than old Hondas are on the road?)

Agreed, and get it checked out.

As for the timing-belt issue, the smaller cars with smaller engines are more likely to have those; bigger cars and engines will use timing _chains_. If the car'* engine uses a timing belt (ask your mechanic or auto-parts guy), you want to find a receipt showing that it'* been replaced recently if there'* more than 50,000 miles (or, um... 80,500K?) on the car.

If not, at least find out if that model of car has an _interference_ or _free-running_ design of engine (auto-parts guys can look that up); on the latter, if the timing belt breaks, the pistons can't reach high enough to whack the valves and no harm to the engine will occur. An interference-design engine (e.g. some if not all Hondas, early Escorts) will grenade itself when the belt breaks; replacing bent valves will cost more than the car is worth.

Good points Andy...thanks!!

I just really don't trust smaller North American cars....you know whats a great deal is that Lumina...my aunt has one, the 3100 is no slouch and they resell for almost nothing. I'd stay away from Escorts, Cavaliers, Neons etc from the mid 90'*. I think a car like the Camry or something from 95 is more reliable then any of those I just listed....meh, thats my experience anyway.

What do you think about the Lumina?

Never had one, myself, but if your aunt has one and likes it, great. She will presumably also know where to get one serviced, and also what its problems are likely to be, etc. so I think I'd go ask her some more questions about how she likes owning one, etc.

how many miles is 200,000km??? my car has 231,000 miles and is still healthy! I don't spend a dime on it except for oil changes and stuff like that.

actually you could get some of those thigns repaired for not too much money. THe water pump is around $25 for parts, so if you could do it yourself, you would save more than double then if you had someone else do it.

girl, you were born with sex appeal, so use it. well...that dosn't sound right Listen, if that guy wants to give you a deal because he thinks you're cute, LET HIM. Don't promise him anything and don't go overboard leading him on but don't turn down a favor.
As for the car....too bad. Try out an Buick Regal maybe...they have the 3800 and are a bit smaller and lighter. You're going to have to go a bit older to get it for that price though.

good luck.