Our Festiva and some minor issues.

[boostmaster]

This past summer we purchased an 88 LX Festiva and we've been pretty impressed with the little car. It's got 160+k on the clock but still starts and runs like a champ. It has the tach/speedo dash. All of the gauges work and even has the holy grail underseat tray! 5-Speed No A/C. This summer we will be retrofitting some A/C into the car and I've recently swapped the old rear shocks for new ones. Made a pretty big difference.

Here's a pic of when we got it home. Guess what the first thing we did was? The wife could not peel that sticker off fast enough. We even backed it into the driveway because of all the kids in the area...

[MONSOON]

Nice looking ride! Wouldnt mind seeing more pics of it. And I cant say that I blame you or the wife for removing that sticker.

[boostmaster]

Currently, the car is driven daily and there are no major issues.

However, the car has many rust spots. I guess to some extent that they all do. I am loathe to spend lots of money on bodywork for this car as it was merely purchased to keep our commuting costs in check and at this point I think I have more money in the cheap radio and speakers than I do for the purchase price of the car.

I'd like to try and patch up the rust spots as much as possible as cheap as possible.

Also, we had the passnger area completely dynomatted but it's still pretty loud. Any suggestions? I am using the original muffler. Maybe I can swap it for a quieter one?

Finally, I am still getting gas fumes in the car when it's over a full tank. I checked the vapor canister under the panel that is uner the carpet. No leaks. I think the seam in the tank is shot. I am thinking I may have to replace the tank. Any other ideas?

I'll take some pics of the current status of the car and post later.

[boostmaster]

[boostmaster]

The floors were fiberglassed and the frame rail underneath was also reinforced.

Interior was scrubbed clean, broken door handle replaced, replaced broken window actuator, broken sensors replaced, t-stat replaced, rear shocks replaced, complete tune up, new fog lights, All new bearings, rotors and brakes all around, 13" wheel conversion. Looking for 15" next. Engine was cleaned and will soon received the A/C Converision. added cheap Sony radio along with cheap Pioneer dash speakers and some nicer Alpine 6x9's out back. Actually sounds pretty good.

I guess it's coming along but It's going to be getting even more mileage put on it soon and I want it to be as reliable and safe as possible.

Any suggestions?

[boostmaster]

New pics soon...

[spiko]

Nice find! The sticker is pretty funny

My Festiva has a lot more rust than your's. I'm almost scared to pull the carpet. I'm not sure what I'm going to find...

[boostmaster]

I'll be posting some new pics soon...

We really love the little car but it seems that it needs more work than it's worth. Maybe I'm wrong but here's the list of what's needed so far.

The front end suspension needs new busings,etc ($100 kit from FMS), the front shocks/struts are worn ($100 from FMS), Gas tank seam is rotten (new gas tank from gastanks.com ($196), Might need an engine rebuild
(? 150+ k on the clock)-burning lots of oil lately-not sure of costs??, possibly new tires as well.


Should I keep putting money in this car or cut my losses and sell it and buy something else?

[ejp2fast]

interesting sticker.............

doesn't mechanicaldj work the mine?

[Festiva_tunner]

looks like she'll be solid when your done

[FFesti_90]

That was the funniest thing I've ever seen on a car.

[boostmaster]

You should have seen the looks I got driving it back home.ops:

[FFesti_90]

Hahaha I just roll with it when people give me dirty looks (i.e. Thumbs up, a smaile and wave, or that truck horn arm motion).

[boostmaster]

I actually had a carload of guys pacing me so they could take pics with their cell phones... ugghhhh.

[boostmaster]

More current pic.