Unless running through 2-3 changes of transmission fluid and cleaning out my shift solenoids makes things better, ol Stan's transmission may be on the poop-out route.
I am not going to pay for a rebuild. I'm still kicking myself for getting an automatic in the first place, so I'm not going to put hundreds/over a thousand dollars into a transmission I don't like.
What I'm debating here is whether to get rid of the car if the transmission really starts behaving intolerably (slamming gears, blinking "D4" light and whatnot) or to undertake a conversion to a 5-speed transmission. Supposedly, if one hunts right, the transmission, clutch cylinders, pedal assembles, and whatnot can be had for around $500.
Here's a Honda-Tech thread that visually details the whole process:
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1237137
Given the time, I'm fairly sure I could do this. However, the whole problem is time and whether or not I actually could do so. If I had a friend out here that knew Accords or just Hondas in general, I'm sure I could blow through the whole thing in 2-3 solid days. However, I know no such person.
I may be able to get away with transportation by arranging rides with my girl's car depending on where she needs to go. I'd be undertaking this during some kind of a break, either this summer or next spring, depending on how my current transmission revival attempts go and how well the thing holds up.
I'm also in quite a conundrum when it comes to keeping this car. My girlfriend's dad lent me some money to buy it, and I still owe him on it. If I sell it, I'll still owe some on the car (probably quite a bit if it has a slippydickens trans). I'd really love to have an NA Miata. I would poop myself. I want one badly. At the same time, I'm only 22 and have plenty of car-owning time left in my life.
If I were to get a five-speed into this car, I'd really enjoy it. The engine seems unfazed by the last 180,000 miles (lord it loves to get on the cam past 3000RPM, doesn't burn a drop of oil) and the chassis is surprisingly rust-free except for the left rear panel (few spots I can sand and touch up if I unmount the corner of the bumper)
At the same time, there's the question of can I actually find a 5-speed trans, the clutch lines and cylinders, flywheel, clutch+pressure plate, etc etc (that whole laundry list at the top of the Honda-Tech thread seems like an assload of parts to be had for $400-500). And time. This is an old car, things are stuck. I have my trusty Milwaukee blammergun, but still.
Hell, maybe I could throw all of the parts in the back of the car and join one of my midwest Spinner friends for a project? You help me swap my trans, I help you drop in your engine, something like that.
Believe me, I would love to put a 5 speed in this thing, throw on a Progress rear bar and some non-baller springs and shocks. It'd be a fun car (just ask sportyaccordy). I just ask the advice of you all, because I can't figure out how I could possibly locate those parts for that amount of money, and then how I could do that job without working 12 hours a day for a week.
Do it.
If I were in your situation, I'd try to nurse the auto transmission back to health now, and then sell the car if that didn't work. How much could you get for the car? If you wait until the transmission has totally died, you'd obviously get a lot less for it. My experience has been that, with projects of that magnitude, things become unfun and expensive. You can get a good NA Miata for under four grand. I'd look at it by adding what a mechanic would charge for a rebuilt transmission to what you could sell the car for, and if you can get an NA Miata for that, that's what I'd do.
Quote from: Psilos on February 24, 2008, 04:55:20 PM
If I were in your situation, I'd try to nurse the auto transmission back to health now, and then sell the car if that didn't work. How much could you get for the car? If you wait until the transmission has totally died, you'd obviously get a lot less for it. My experience has been that, with projects of that magnitude, things become unfun and expensive. You can get a good NA Miata for under four grand. I'd look at it by adding what a mechanic would charge for a rebuilt transmission to what you could sell the car for, and if you can get an NA Miata for that, that's what I'd do.
According to KBB, an Accord with 185,000 miles in fair condition ("Poor" describes all of the rusted-out GM hoopties people on the west side drive) is worth $3,300 private-party value for my zip code. $3,300. Trade-in value is $1,800. I have no idea what that means in terms of what to expect. I picked up the car with 168,000 for around $2,700 from a wholesaler guy.
I'm on the plus-side in that this is a rather common conversion as far as Accord modifications go. If I owned a Protege or a Camry nobody would be there to help me, but there are plenty of people who know the ins and outs of what I'm considering here.
Check out the local craigslist for more accurate prices, at least as far as what people are asking...
Quote from: Psilos on February 24, 2008, 05:15:25 PM
Check out the local craigslist for more accurate prices, at least as far as what people are asking...
My local craigslist is almost indecipherable. Some cars going for $3500 have 100k miles, other have 170k, pieces of crap are going for $1500-$2000 or whatnot. I might be better off putting up a feeler ad without any pictures to see how many serious inquiries I get if I make the price firm, then relist with different text and pictures when I have a new car picked out (Miatas seem to run around $5,000 around here unless they're in awful shape or have automatics)
This is just a bad idea, right? Fart tip, cheapie drop... but it's cheap... and has more miles than my car. arg
http://columbus.craigslist.org/car/582035382.html
OK now this is delicious
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/car/582259255.html
Black 1992, 145,000 miles, hardtop, $2,500. That shit is paid for combined with my current car and my tax refund. I emailed the guy and asked about the timing belt and clutch.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 24, 2008, 05:37:15 PM
OK now this is delicious
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/car/582259255.html
Black 1992, 145,000 miles, hardtop, $2,500. That shit is paid for combined with my current car and my tax refund. I emailed the guy and asked about the timing belt and clutch.
Sell your car and buy that. You should have enough money to cover the cost of that car and it doesn't have that many miles, plus a hardtop is nice...
Quote from: thecarnut on February 24, 2008, 05:51:40 PM
Sell your car and buy that. You should have enough money to cover the cost of that car and it doesn't have that many miles, plus a hardtop is nice...
Lord, I know. Unless the guy seems like a seedy Jim this is probably perfect.
Thing is, I need to either get a personal loan without any kind of early-payment penalty or borrow money from my girlfriend's dad again. I'd need to have cash and Miata first, sell this thing second. If I sat around waiting for my car to sell, either somebody would buy this car first within those couple of weeks, or my car sells quick but then I have no car, and I have to drive to both school and work.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 24, 2008, 06:02:43 PM
Lord, I know. Unless the guy seems like a seedy Jim this is probably perfect.
Thing is, I need to either get a personal loan without any kind of early-payment penalty or borrow money from my girlfriend's dad again. I'd need to have cash and Miata first, sell this thing second. If I sat around waiting for my car to sell, either somebody would buy this car first within those couple of weeks, or my car sells quick but then I have no car, and I have to drive to both school and work.
Borrow from your girlfriend's dad, telling him that you're selling your car and will be able to give him the money back. :huh:
That Miata needs a new clutch and new brakes, if the guy's let those two things get bad at the same time I have less confidence in the engine. boo.
Sell the Accord! Offer $2000 for the Miata.
I'll let him sit until tomorrow.
Then again, for an extra thousand here's one with a rebuilt engine, new panels and new clutch over in Pittsburgh:
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/car/577949620.html
With the black Miata, it's still worth it to go check it out. Maybe the guy was planning on doing a brake job, and then realized the clutch was going bad, so he decided to sell it. After all, you can do those things yourself...
Quote from: Psilos on February 24, 2008, 08:22:24 PM
With the black Miata, it's still worth it to go check it out. Maybe the guy was planning on doing a brake job, and then realized the clutch was going bad, so he decided to sell it. After all, you can do those things yourself...
Yeah, but that's a lot of my time. A new clutch, nice suspension, redone body panels and rebuilt engine means almost nothing I have to do or worry about, short of those dumb taillights. That's worth the money to me, especially with the time I've spent on this dumb thing.
Word.
I found a credit union open to anyone in the county that offers small loans with pretty low payments, so I don't even have to half-lie to my gf's dad to get him to give me money for a 18 year old tiny convertible :p
If the car's still there I'm getting it.
Yes. Yes, that's good.
I think that M/T swaps are only a good idea in cars that were unique and love able but which didn't come with one from the factory. For an everyday beater, there isn't much sense in doing one. The cost to benefit ration just isn't there.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 24, 2008, 07:50:58 PM
Then again, for an extra thousand here's one with a rebuilt engine, new panels and new clutch over in Pittsburgh:
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/car/577949620.html
Get that mother! And then put a turbo on it!
Quote from: NACar on February 24, 2008, 09:17:57 PM
Get that mother! And then put a turbo on it!
If I get this car I'll be keeping it forever. If I need more space, I'll just buy a $900 Civic hatchback or something. Tarbo will come, may just be a few years.
www.flyinmiata.com
I had no idea miatas that nice could be had so cheap. You have me thinking for sure. I may have to bust my ass this summer to try and get one. That blue one looks good to go once you ditch the ricer lights.
Oh, there are so many fun Miata sites. And they're all linked to from:
http://www.miata.net (http://www.miata.net)
Chimp; please don't buy that blue Miata with the ricey taillights.
I do like where this thread is going.
Quote from: TheIntrepid on February 25, 2008, 07:31:09 AM
Chimp; please don't buy that blue Miata with the ricey taillights.
STFU.
I think that black Miata is worth your money. I'm not a fan of the blue.
Damn you Chimp, now I want an NA Miata! :cry: :lol:
Quote from: CJ on February 25, 2008, 03:48:09 PM
I think that black Miata is worth your money. I'm not a fan of the blue.
The last thing I'm hung up on is color. As long as it doesn't have Hello Kitty on it I really don't care.
If the Pittsburgh car doesn't pan out (didn't respond to my email, I'm going to call the listed number tomorrow with an enthusiastic voicemail message ready if needed) I'll offer him $2000 for that car and throw $1000 at it unless it just looks wrong to me in person. Blue car takes precedence, it doesn't have a hardtop but short of a plastic window I don't need to do shit to it.
Quote from: TheIntrepid on February 25, 2008, 07:31:09 AM
Chimp; please don't buy that blue Miata with the ricey taillights.
Pft, says you.
All Miatas are excellent cars, unless they have an automatic transmission or power steering. :lol:
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 25, 2008, 10:12:06 PM
The last thing I'm hung up on is color. As long as it doesn't have Hello Kitty on it I really don't care.
If the Pittsburgh car doesn't pan out (didn't respond to my email, I'm going to call the listed number tomorrow with an enthusiastic voicemail message ready if needed) I'll offer him $2000 for that car and throw $1000 at it unless it just looks wrong to me in person. Blue car takes precedence, it doesn't have a hardtop but short of a plastic window I don't need to do shit to it.
:ohyeah: :clap:
Wanna buy a Proteg??
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o221/rhs993/car002-1.jpg)
Hehehe, seriously, I hope the Miata works out for ya! It's a fun car, and I really want one. It just isn't feasible at this point though. It'll be a different story in a few years when it could be a second car.
Quote from: Psilos on February 25, 2008, 10:55:57 PM
All Miatas are excellent cars, unless they have an automatic transmission or power steering. :lol:
How dare you dump PS in the same bucket as AT!! :rage:
Good luck with the Miata. Have you driven one before? Do you know if you fit?
Quote from: Laconian on February 26, 2008, 02:30:45 PM
How dare you dump PS in the same bucket as AT!! :rage:
PS sucks. PS makes the Jetta stall.
Quote from: Laconian on February 26, 2008, 02:30:45 PM
How dare you dump PS in the same bucket as AT!! :rage:
Good luck with the Miata. Have you driven one before? Do you know if you fit?
I hope I fit in a Miata. :mask:
Quote from: thecarnut on February 26, 2008, 03:36:44 PM
I hope I fit in a Miata. :mask:
no wai, ur a fatt3h :rolleyes:
Quote from: NACar on February 26, 2008, 04:03:40 PM
no wai, ur a fatt3h :rolleyes:
j00 ar3 t3h fatt3h :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Quote from: Laconian on February 26, 2008, 02:30:45 PM
How dare you dump PS in the same bucket as AT!! :rage:
Good luck with the Miata. Have you driven one before? Do you know if you fit?
So... You must have power steering in yours, eh? :lol: Fair enough, though.
As far as Miata fit, I'm 6'2", I have fairly long legs, and I fit, but just barely. I only had one somewhat awkward leg position, so if I was driving for more than a couple or hours, I'd have a sore knee.
Quote from: Psilos on February 26, 2008, 07:36:55 PM
So... You must have power steering in yours, eh? :lol: Fair enough, though.
As far as Miata fit, I'm 6'2", I have fairly long legs, and I fit, but just barely. I only had one somewhat awkward leg position, so if I was driving for more than a couple or hours, I'd have a sore knee.
Phew! I'm just about 6'2" so I'll just fit! :praise:
Quote from: thecarnut on February 26, 2008, 07:39:04 PM
Phew! I'm just about 6'2" so I'll just fit! :praise:
Don't know about that. Last I checked, I'm barely 6'3", but have a long torso. I don't fit really.
I'm 5'9 or 5'10" or something. I have stumpy legs at that. I'm not really worried about feeling like a circus bear in this thing.
Tomorrow I give Mr. Blue Miata a ring, pray it's not sold yet... (or if I leave a message he actually calls back)
Quote from: MrH on February 26, 2008, 09:38:20 PM
Don't know about that. Last I checked, I'm barely 6'3", but have a long torso. I don't fit really.
I remember I fit in one a long time ago... when I was 5'10". :lol:
I better fit in a Miata! :rage:
Quote from: MrH on February 26, 2008, 09:38:20 PM
Don't know about that. Last I checked, I'm barely 6'3", but have a long torso. I don't fit really.
Car fit is pretty much different for everyone. Also, see my above post. :lol:
I shouldn't get this car, should I?
http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/578363132.html
It looks beat to crap, dumb wheels and a fart can, but it includes different wheels and a freaking turbo setup. It also has a dirty interior and a retarded steering wheel cover. This one is kind of hard to read. New windshield and rubbing compound = chock-full-o-brum, or would I really be asking for it with this thing?
By goddamn jove:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/car/588236684.html
1996, only 83,000 miles, $3700. Philly is 7 hours away, but I'm going to snatch this thing if the Pittsburgh car is gone.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 27, 2008, 09:54:18 AM
I shouldn't get this car, should I?
http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/578363132.html
It looks beat to crap, dumb wheels and a fart can, but it includes different wheels and a freaking turbo setup. It also has a dirty interior and a retarded steering wheel cover. This one is kind of hard to read. New windshield and rubbing compound = chock-full-o-brum, or would I really be asking for it with this thing?
I'd stay far away from that. Get a nice stock car for that money and then turbo it later if you really want to. That car looks like shit.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 27, 2008, 09:57:44 AM
By goddamn jove:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/car/588236684.html
1996, only 83,000 miles, $3700. Philly is 7 hours away, but I'm going to snatch this thing if the Pittsburgh car is gone.
Salvage title and all?
Quote from: thecarnut on February 27, 2008, 09:58:35 AM
Salvage title and all?
Gah... I dunno. He has pictures from all sides, it looks straight.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 27, 2008, 09:54:18 AM
I shouldn't get this car, should I?
http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/578363132.html
It looks beat to crap, dumb wheels and a fart can, but it includes different wheels and a freaking turbo setup. It also has a dirty interior and a retarded steering wheel cover. This one is kind of hard to read. New windshield and rubbing compound = chock-full-o-brum, or would I really be asking for it with this thing?
Offer $1900
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=detail&AdNumber=72119&CategoryID=106&SubID=1039&Position=8&TotalCount=24&Session=47c599f33cb7a5fc&FirstPage=&LastPage=20&prevaction=show
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=detail&AdNumber=71996&CategoryID=106&SubID=1039&Position=18&TotalCount=24&Session=47c599f33cb7a5fc&FirstPage=&LastPage=20&prevaction=show
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=detail&AdNumber=72103&CategoryID=106&SubID=1041&Position=2&TotalCount=9&Session=47c599f33cb7a5fc&FirstPage=&LastPage=20&prevaction=show
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=detail&AdNumber=71407&CategoryID=106&SubID=1041&Position=9&TotalCount=9&Session=47c599f33cb7a5fc&FirstPage=&LastPage=20&prevaction=show
Quote from: NACar on February 27, 2008, 10:14:56 AM
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=detail&AdNumber=72119&CategoryID=106&SubID=1039&Position=8&TotalCount=24&Session=47c599f33cb7a5fc&FirstPage=&LastPage=20&prevaction=show
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=detail&AdNumber=71996&CategoryID=106&SubID=1039&Position=18&TotalCount=24&Session=47c599f33cb7a5fc&FirstPage=&LastPage=20&prevaction=show
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=detail&AdNumber=72103&CategoryID=106&SubID=1041&Position=2&TotalCount=9&Session=47c599f33cb7a5fc&FirstPage=&LastPage=20&prevaction=show
http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=detail&AdNumber=71407&CategoryID=106&SubID=1041&Position=9&TotalCount=9&Session=47c599f33cb7a5fc&FirstPage=&LastPage=20&prevaction=show
Florida? Texas? I live in Ohio for godsakes. The most I'm going to pay is $3500-4000 at that.
If Mr. Blue Car doesn't work out, I'm going to go get this little white one in Indiana. I think the black car in Cleveland is just bad news bears.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=ascending&sortfield=PRICE+ascending%2cPRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-%7cM-_30_%7cD-_278_%7cN-N%7cR-250%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+ascending%2cPRICE+descending%7cQ-ascending%7cZ-43230&aff=national&paId=135507725&recnum=1&leadExists=true
The number for the blue car didn't even work. I tried 1144 instead of 1114 and got a voicemail, hopefully that's the person. If not, the dealer for the white car said it was getting a new ECM. I'll probably get that one if blue car remains a mystery and the white car doesn't have some unannounced problem (though its a dealer so I wouldn't think so)
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 27, 2008, 09:57:44 AM
By goddamn jove:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/car/588236684.html
1996, only 83,000 miles, $3700. Philly is 7 hours away, but I'm going to snatch this thing if the Pittsburgh car is gone.
The Pittsburgh car has been there for a while. Trust me, I've been checking a lot more than you have. If you end up stopping in town on any day before Friday and after Saturday, shoot me a PM. I'd be more than happy to meet another Spinner.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 27, 2008, 02:25:40 PM
The number for the blue car didn't even work. I tried 1144 instead of 1114 and got a voicemail, hopefully that's the person. If not, the dealer for the white car said it was getting a new ECM. I'll probably get that one if blue car remains a mystery and the white car doesn't have some unannounced problem (though its a dealer so I wouldn't think so)
The car is local for me, BTW.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 27, 2008, 09:54:18 AM
I shouldn't get this car, should I?
http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/578363132.html
It looks beat to crap, dumb wheels and a fart can, but it includes different wheels and a freaking turbo setup. It also has a dirty interior and a retarded steering wheel cover. This one is kind of hard to read. New windshield and rubbing compound = chock-full-o-brum, or would I really be asking for it with this thing?
I'd hardly call a racing beat cat back a fart can.
The dealer for the white car sent me more pictures. Its in good shape, except it has this fruity pinstriping on the nose and boot. Could I get that off with a rubbing compound?
I'm might check out this red Miata in town (you have to click on the link on the main directory page):
http://under6000.com/html/used_vehicles.html
It has a fart can and possibly a cheapie drop, but at the same time the camber looks correct so the owner wasn't a complete clod, the top looks new and the interior looks great. It's a bit high-mileage and yes there's a fart can, but I believe I have my ears and eyes tuned to any kind of rod knock or transmission bearing noises I should look out for. I'm going to see if the dealer would knock off a few hundred so I could buy a replacement muffler (Racing Beat single probably). I'd probably get a Flyin' Miata shock and spring combination pretty soon thereafter, I'd likely finance it in with the loan I'd take from the local credit union.
If white Indiana car doesn't sound good when I give them a call (it shouldn't take this long to replace an engine computer), think this one is a good fallback? Or then there's black Cleveland car again...
Blue Miata doesn't seem to exist, no email and the phone number is dead. Too bad :(
L'update - white Miata is still waiting for a new ECM, dealer says there's just a ding on the right rear passenger fender arch and a missing passenger mirror (don't know how I missed that) but otherwise clutch, brakes etc were good. I asked the guy to email me as soon as it was ready to go.
I'm going to ask for more details from that guy with the black 92. If the clutch is on its way out and the brakes are on their way out, but the brakes aren't metal-on-metal and the clutch holds acceptably for daily driving, maybe I should see if I can get him to take $2000 or so for it? Unless he brings up some little things that wipe it off the list, $200 for a clutch and $300 for a top (that isn't even necessary for awhile) and $300-500 for brakes equals a decent car with a hardtop vs. a car without and way the hell out of my way.
Less-work white car or more-work black car? Or fartcan newtop red car? I can't decide :(
This at least gives me some time to get the little bits fixed on the Accord if I can get much for a trade (I'd take anything around $1,800-2,200, I'd be at a loss but I'm also saving the hassle of dealing with craigslist e-tirekickers and real life tire-kickers alike)
I'd go for the more-work black car because it seems that you can do a lot of the work yourself and you can try to knock some money off of the price.
Plus the hardtop isn't cheap so it's nice that it has one.
BTW, the top on the red Miata looks ghastly.
I checked out the red one. Piece of crap! Burned oil, just turning the wheel sitting still or turning the headlights on and off made the idle go up 600 rpm, suspension so hard I couldn't make the car move at all, oil smelled like gas, etc. I emailed black car guy, hopefully he responds and doesn't think I'm jerking around.
THIS THREAD IS BUTTERNUTS LET'S ALL GO TO THE NEW ONE IN GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE K THX
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 29, 2008, 04:19:07 PM
THIS THREAD IS BUTTERNUTS LET'S ALL GO TO THE NEW ONE IN GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE K THX
Where?
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 29, 2008, 04:19:07 PM
I've decided to go ahead and get the black car. Here's his breakdown of the car's condition:
Even if he won't budge from $2500, it still sounds like a good deal. It's a lot more local than freaking Lafayette, it comes with a hardtop (worth at least $500-700 by itself) and the body sounds decent for an Ohio car. The clutch can be taken care of for $200, and I may want to go ahead and get a full Flyin' Miata brake package depending on how much more than $2000 I can get for the Accord (that's how much I owe on it). The top may only need a zipper and some patching.
Weee :)
Brake noise when it's wet out isn't much cause for concern by itself (especially with disc brakes). The rotors will rust slightly, and the noise happens when the pads contact the rotors, and "scrub" the rust away. My car makes very audible brake noise for the first few stops, especially when the weather is inclement. And if you're in doubt, bring a jack and lug wrench when you go look at the car. The guy should be more than willing to let you pull the wheels and get a closer look. Besides, like you said, replacing the brakes isn't a big deal; it might even give you a bit of leverage to get some more money knocked off.