Did a Aspire swap, sort of.

[Eaglefreek]

I'm swapping out my Festiva for an Aspire. I was working in Montana and drove out there and left a tow dolly in the Denver area explained in this thread. My Festiva is pretty worn out and needs some work, so I searched for a Festiva or Aspire along my route home. I didn't find one I liked, so I broadened my search. I found an 95 Aspire in Albuquerque with 122K miles for $1200. It was 400 miles out of my way, but it seemed to be a good deal. It has some dents on the outside and some faded paint, but the interior is in pretty darn good shape. The rear seats look like they have never been sat in. The front seats had covers since new.




I made the 1200+ mile trip home with only one scary moment when some high winds caused the car and dolly to sway horribly. Luckily, the trailer brakes helped get it under control.



I wasn't able to give it a decent test drive since it didn't have a tag or insurance. I drove it today and when I would get hard on the throttle it would pull hard to the left and when I let off it would want to make a right turn. I did some investigating and the right nut for the sway bar where it goes through the control arm, was only held on by a couple threads and about to fall off. :shock: I removed the blackout paint from the lights, put a couple new tires on it and replaced the rear wheel bearings today. Sticks and stones may break my bones and apparently they're good for adjusting the headlights. A stone was wedged into the left headlight and stick on the right to help with headlight alignment since the screws are gone. So far I like it. Not as much room as the Festiva and in my opinion, not as good looking, but it's in much better shape than my Festiva and feels a bit more refined.

[rickbz28]

All right another Aspire fan.I have 2 that color in 6 Aspire "fleet".Also have one Festiva yet.

[nonamekid]

nice looking aspire!

[Eaglefreek]

All right another Aspire fan.

I'm a save money on gas fan and just happen to find an Aspire. I was looking at all kinds of vehicles. But, prefer the Festivas and now Aspires.

[rickbz28]

Saving gas money,thats what got me into them too.

[Onree]

Looks like a good find. I've been thinking about Aspire suspension/brake conversions, and then I think, why not just get an Aspire? I like the Festy looks better, but the Aspire kind of grows on me. It looks somewhat like a mid '90s SAAB 900 that shrunk in the wash. I used to have a few Eagles, too. Sold the last one about a year ago. I do still have 2 Gremlins, though, including a V-8.

[Axlander9289]

That's a great looking Aspire dude! You can't beat clean rust-free southwestern cars. I love that tow vehicle too. I always wanted an Eagle.

[Eaglefreek]

The car is a little rougher on the exterior, than it looks in the pics. I bought it from a title jumper. He was driving without tags or insurance. He bought it from his dad, who also didn't title it in his name. But they only put about 500 miles since they bought it from the original owner. Luckily, my county clerk doesn't require any bill of sale, just a previous title. I asked the seller if it had A/C and he said yes, but it doesn't get cold. Well, it doesn't get cold because it doesn't have A/C. stbu I'm liking it, but my head hits the headliner.

[Eaglefreek]

I filled up today and was surprised to get 40.83 MPG. I figured I would lose a couple MPG compared to the Festiva. After putting some miles on the Aspire, I'm liking it even more. The Festiva kind of reminds me of my dad's old 70's Pinto, simple and crude. Which is fine, because that is what it is designed to be. The Aspire is a little more refined. Rides and handles better and is much quieter.