WrenchHead

What a pita. lol

So I have my '96 coupe with 215k on it now. I've had it for a year. It was a pos when I bought it that needed a bit of love from someone who knew what they were doing with cars (because the kid I bought if from didn't know $#!+ and neither did his buddy that helped him hahaha). With the exception of yesterday's freak anomaly of erratic idle in stop-and-go traffic, the car has been bullet-proof. It's got it's quirks, but it starts, goes, turns and stops.

And then there's the '98 h/b "parts car" I bought with 235. Originally I was gonna fix it up and drive it, but then ruled that out because I figured it'd be a better candidate as a parts car. Now I don't know wtf to do.

Overall, the h/b is in better condition, I think, but if I look at any of the rear suspension bolts the wrong way they're shatter into dust - the coupe doesn't have that problem, especially since I replaced the stock shocks with Monroe Gasmatics right after I bought it. Then again the brake and fuel lines on the coupe are magically still working. I say magically because I don't know how a tube made of rust can still hold pressure - the h/b lines are new. I would like to think ... hope ... pray that swapping the brake master cylinder wouldn't be a bad job, along with rear suspension stuff, but ... I don't know. These little cars seem to have some really cheap a$$ $#!+ in them so I kinda think I need to invest in stocks for broken stud extractor sets before starting anything.

Windows and locks work great on the hatch, silver car shouldn't get as hot as a black one, the small holes in the rear quarters can be patched easily enough ...

Coupe needs ball-joints, tie-rod ends (yeah, still), a cluster that stays lit, shifter bushings ... (again, other then these issues it's been GREAT!)

I'm having one of those moments where i'm looking for input from those with experience to guide me. Where does one draw the line? I know it's different for everyone - tell me yours, please. I'm trying to figure out if it's time to move on from the coupe and start anew with the hatch or toss them both and get something else or ...

Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

WrenchHead

Sorry, one more thing - if I had a problem with broken bolts, then this thing below, with a cut-off wheel attached, should make short work of them, yes?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

I've got one here that's dying to be used, figured it should work.

Buddah

SWEET JESUS~! That's more than just a "few" issues bud. By the sounds of it, I'd say use the coupe as a parts car and drive the h/b. I used to have a 97 sedan and it was in mint condition - no rust on the body and maybe 10% on the underside and all original paint. And yes, all my bolts underneath would come out with ease and intact. Besides one of the doors not being able to open, that thing was mint. And then I got into an accident. Someone reversed into me on Hwy 7 in a brand new 2012 Mustang GT and it made short work of my front end. I know right?~! like WTF? lol. Anyways, I was so sad =(. I had that thing for 15 years. I loved that car but, was so sad cause I knew judging by the damage, it was gonna get writen off. Guess, what my insurance company gave me for the car? Just under 2400 bucks. I'm like, damn. So with that being said, judging by what needs to be done, I don't think it's cost effective to fix the coupe. Ditch the coupe and drive the h/b. After 15 years of owning that car, I realized I was keeping it for more sentimental reasons than practical reasons. That's just my 2 cents.

Cheers.

WrenchHead

Well, the h/b is at the shop now. For what it would have cost me to deal with the suspension and few other small bits dealt with on the coupe, then h/b will pass a safety. He says it should be ready for Monday, pending e-test.

Looks like the coupe is about to become a parts car. lol

Thanks for the input buddah. Fancy seeing you here and on GTAM too. Didn't know you had a Civic too.