fightingbee

The Majorette cars were really well detailed. Plus they were the only one making models of the super sexy FWD Olds Omega. I haven't seen new Majorette cars for years now, Target used to carry a lot of them years ago.

Love the El Camino/Caballero, but no separate cab/box = not truly a truck IMO. More a pioneer in the "multi-purpose vehicle" class before such names existed. Of course I could be wrong. If you believe Goldfinger that little Ranchero could haul like ~4000 Lbs. in its cargo box no sweat. :AH-HA_wink:

I still have a ton of Hot Wheels/Matchbox/etc. stored away in my attic. I probably ruined the collectable value of many by "customizing" many of them with those paint markers used for models.

Very True. Still there is just somthing about the old school simplicity of the previous style truck that makes it a modern classic as well. My Dad had a beautiful black '86 C-10 Silvarado for a few years when I was a kid. It's 4.3/4Bbl. setup always ran kinda lousy but it would have been awesome to still have today and drop a V-8 into.

It jumped off an overpass onto I-394 in the Twin Cities area. I was emailed that a few years back.

I'll see that and raise you my '95 Achieva. BOOYAH

A worn but solid looking black '58 Chevy 2dr. wagon.

I'll take mine in a '67 :AH-HA_wink: the ubiquitous G-body Cutlass Supreme (I grew up in the 80's) Not exciting, but the Cutlass Ciera. Everybody had one in their heyday.

'91-ish Z34 with a manual. Never even seen one in person but sounded like fun. The stillborn Beretta convert. Citation X-11, though it's gotta be a hatch IMO.

IMO about '99 was the first hint of decline at Saturn. The S needed a thorough update yesterday at the time as the '96-'97 updates were nice but too weak to keep them up to the level of the Japanese in reviews. GM/Saturn however was actually de-contenting the S in those years of little things like the 4 wheel disc option and the "performance" mode for the auto trannies, not big deals but noticed by repeat buyers. The L was on the horizon about that time as well, and the fact that it would only be partially plastic skinned and equipped with an imported and timing belt equipped V-6 gave a mixed message to S owners who were heavily sold on how superior the plastic panels and timing chain equipped engines were supposed to be. Early problems with the L that led to the recall of many examples of the then unproven 2.2 Ecotec and ongoing electrical issues hurt as well. Remember, this was only the 2nd new model from a brand that liked to brag about previously buying back a batch of early S cars just becuase of bad antifreeze. This was the start of their slide, the VTi, the Relay, and then trying to go "upscale" while not improving at the core business (S, ION) finished them off.

Any salvage auctions in the area as well?

I'd bet the one w/ the fuel pump was an L. When I was a Saturn parts guy, my store stocked 5-6 L pumps at a time but had to order one for anything else if that says anything. As for the Malibu, hopefully it's just a fluke. Statistically it at least used to be anything w/ a PCB in it usually goes out quickly or will likely last it's normal lifespan. The Mfrs. (not just GM, but everyone) constantly chasing cheaper labor and unit costs may have changed the game anymore though.

I know Saturn L81's were still needing oil cooler re-seals done into the '03 range, which were the same parts as the Caddy. That repair alone can go over $1K depending on the cooler itself needs replacing or not.

It is believed that the Dexcool may help speed the breakdown of the Nylon framed LIM gaskets. One of Dexcool's corrosion inhibitors, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, has potential to soften plastics including Nylon. One major difference between Dexcool and the G-05 spec. extended life coolants used by Ford and Chrysler is that 2-EHA is not used in G-05 and a small amount of silica is added (much like traditional green coolants) in its place.

If you open up a 3.0L Camry engine, and it often looks like its covered in poop inside. :wink: I'd call that one even. Toyota advocates TRD racing, but only Ford can produce a steamin' Lincoln. Ford +1

I also love my '03 "crap"

The parts stores can also order a Dorman knock-off of the OE handle as well. i.e. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,...3,parttype,1024 $72+ shipping there.

You can cut the ends off and use the butt connectors so long as the wires are needed, but they may not be. The ones w/ the sleeves like that are often "optional" wires, i.e. nightime illumination dimming (usually orange), a power antenna relay trigger (one of the blues), muting the receiver, to trigger an amplifier, etc. Since they are often not used, the sleeving is just there to keep the wires from being shorted. If there are corresponding leads in the adapter you can connect them but if not neccessary they can be just tied in a bundle or even removed from the harness if you please.

Well, I bet all the petitioning and what not has ate up all of the cost savings expected by making the already lousy tempa-spare tire cost extra. :rotflmao:

I miss the old Gateway. I still have an old 500S (IIRC) desktop from '02 that has never missed a beat. But as the saying goes, they sure don't make tham like they used to.

Umm... The Regal was produced through 2004. I didn't know that's considered an ancient car now.

Looks too much like a heartworm specimen for me.

One thing I do recall from growing up in IA is that the road salt would sometimes eat up a G's rear bumper mounting area pretty bad. Might be somthing to check if you go look at it.