I'm sad

[drddan]

I've had my Festiva for some months now, and I don't the have money to spend on it to fix it up like I wanna. All i've been able to do so far is mostly cosmetic:
New rims and tires, Escort console/dome light, car stereo(i had already),steering wheel cover and some cool floor mats. Did get in an ignition upgrade too. I should be grateful for that , and I am, cause I just got over a 6 mo. work layoff, I see some things peeps do to their Festys, and can't help but see some things i'd like to do to mine.
Things i'd like to add/do to my Festiva:
1)Needs a red rear spoiler bad!
2)Stiffer springs and struts
3)Two tone dark/light gray seats from a Protege
4)Put on the Protege mirrors I have (my laziness!)
5)B6 swap
6)Deciding on whether: to install the original Festiva sunroof I have
if I wanna do Aspire swap (new rims needed)
7)Fix the two rust spots on wheel wells

Probably some other stuff too. Well maybe after the holidays and see how much I owe the IRS from my unemployed days. (I'm having extra held out of checks going to taxes) And then there's my truck that still isn't running.
Well, maybe we'll see what happens come springtime......

Oh! Those are some real nice Christmas decorations on the site!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!!!!

[V8Festiva]

Good days will come again.

Dan,

You just do what you can that don't cost any money.

Over the years there were times when I had no job and it was not a good feeling.

Kids are wanting things and there was no money.

Lots of folks are hurting bad these days with lack of jobs or jobs that don't pay much money so your always behind.

The good think about these little Festiva cars is most of us on here can keep them running without some high cost auto shop repair bill.






Dean
Raleigh, NC

[doylerl]

I know what you mean... I have been laid off for 6 months too, so the rust and stuff is going to have to wait. I fix little things here and there, and I just feel better for fixing what I can. No, it's not like Brian's, or anyone else's that have fixed theirs up, but that's what makes it my own. It's my DD and get's me where I need to go for now. Later if/when I get money, I will get it fixed up, but until then, I'm just happy I have a festiva that get's me where I need to go.

[eurotiva]

drddan, doylerl....Hey guys, if you need anything, just pm me and I'll gladly help if i can.

[drddan]

Greg, you always have a good word and always willing to help. Big reason for you to have the FESTIVA OF THE YEAR award!

Dean, you are in a league of your own, always helping everybody you can.
Both you guys ROCK! Thanks for the encouragement.

I know it will all come together sometime, I was just lamenting a little.

Doylerl, are you now out of work? I feel your pain. I been at my new job 2/12 mos. and its going to take a while to get back in the groove. Have you any leads on a job? What do you do? At any rate, hope you can land something soon. 6 mos. is a long time to try and keep afloat without drowning in bills.
Good luck to you, buddy!

[doylerl]

drddan, doylerl....Hey guys, if you need anything, just pm me and I'll gladly help if i can.

Thanks Euro, I appreciate it.

[doylerl]

Greg, you always have a good word and always willing to help. Big reason for you to have the FESTIVA OF THE YEAR award!

Dean, you are in a league of your own, always helping everybody you can.
Both you guys ROCK! Thanks for the encouragement.

I know it will all come together sometime, I was just lamenting a little.

Doylerl, are you now out of work? I feel your pain. I been at my new job 2/12 mos. and its going to take a while to get back in the groove. Have you any leads on a job? What do you do? At any rate, hope you can land something soon. 6 mos. is a long time to try and keep afloat without drowning in bills.
Good luck to you, buddy!

They are both great guys as you said. There are not very many good people left, that actually care about other people. Thanks a ton guys.

Dan, I am currently out of work, but I look every day. I worked at Caterpillar for 2 years 9 months, and I got laid off. Right now I get unemployment, which keeps me afloat, but no major repairs for the festys right now. I'm trying to keep it legal and safe, that's about it. I was at advance auto yesterday and the manager acted very interested in hiring me, but he has to review my application and do backround checks and stuff before I hear back. It will all work out eventually for both of us. Just keep your head up and so will I. Good luck to you as well.

[drddan]

^ Right on, brother!

[batstiva]

I know where you guys are coming from. Spent most of this year, uh, occasionally employed (at best). Finally snagged a regular, decent paying job. I'm lucky, or smart, in that I owed no one anything, which has made things easier. Keep trying, keep plugging away, it'll come.

Can't remember who on here said their goal was 1 20 dollar upgrade/project per week, but that's kind of where I am right now. Best of luck to both of you guys. Hopefully things will turn around in 2010!!

And Greg, you are the Man!!

[eurotiva]

Anytime guys, I'm a lucky man (having a good job in these trying times) and am willing to help you guys out (with festiva parts) as much as i can. Like I said, let me know if you need anything, and I'll send it your way.

[m715]

I think there are more of us here that share experience than you may think. You can't sugarcoat tough times. They are the fire that separates the gold from the dross in us. I have been fortunate enough to have a 26 yr run at my trade with no break, but before that lost everything in an 18 mo streak of unemployment. I even moved 1000 miles to get away from a no opportunity situation.
Festivas can help in a few ways:
They are economical on all fronts from fuel, taxation, insurance etc.
They are rugged simple to repair cars that can take punishment and neglect.
We have a community here of people that is rare!!!!!
Take heart, and look at what I am working with right now on Rasta in the pics.
Now,... I just finished doing the same rust repairs on Shtinky over the last three months,... more than a 3' X4' slab of sheet metal snipped up and installed, all my spare time to complete him in time for winter so my wife can save money on fuel compared to her Brand "X" she could drive. The '07 Camry has 11,000 miles on it. She CHOOSES to drive a Festiva, as I do. Now, I will drive Rasta this Winter while I try to patch him up, or at least get him water tight..... just a little at a time.
Have some fun with it...as you can at least.

HTH
Michael

[Festiva_tunner]

^ now thats what you call air conditioning

Most of the custom parts I have made for the car are fairly low budget items - the sound in the cargo shelf a grand total of 40 buck in all equipment and supplies - the same goes for my visors 15 buck in custom vinyl work that I did myself - the 121 side pannels another 15 bucks - I bought the roll of vinyl on sale for 44 bucks and it was enough to do the whole car minus the headliner - the nice thing about these cars is you can do low budget modifications yourself easily

[doylerl]

m715, a 3' x 4' sheet of metal for the repairs!? If I buy the sheet metal, will you come do mine... That would take a good while I'm guessing. I am all about cheap mods and repairs. Sure expensive stuff is nice and sometimes easier than making it yourself, but I don't think it would be as fun... Anyway, I appreciate all of the praise and uplifting comments everyone has given us. I did not mean to steal your thread Dan, I was just letting you know that you are not alone, and that there are still good people out there.... and here...

[drddan]

^ Steal away, brother! Tough times for a lot of people and sometimes, gettin' it off your chest, and having people encourage ya, can lift your spirit. I know it did mine!
We all need to hang in there, hang tough, and keep our heads up. I hope you find employment soon. Let us know when you do. We will all ccasion5:

Merry Christmas to you!

[m715]

MORE than a 3'X4' sheet. I spent two months reconstructing the torque boxes. It's not easy! Now my wife wants me to fix Rasta..... I am thinking about that. After all.... Smurffy is sitting in the barn. One problem though.... I put him together with the other new crate engine as an ATX car thinking she would like that. Now she tells me she wants him as a 5 spd car. Curmudgeon is still laughing at me about that!
Here are a couple more pics of what I would have to fix. It is a wonder these cars will still hold together with all this structure missing!