Old yeller came home!

[ericsmith32]

Well sorta.. came home for repairs. And boy does she ever need some TLC. Has 212k according the odo need to figure up actual mileage. I think he's put 50-60k on it since I sold it to him in 06. Those are some hard miles living in the country and having to drive highway 54 everyday.

Needs the drivers side axle, rear struts (sure is a fun ride though), rear bearings and the whole front end rebuilt. Not sure on the clutch yet. Also has a loud sequel at startup.. could be the waterpump or timing belt tensioner but not throwing out the possibility of the throw out bearing. She's purrs along at 70 though. Much quieter than mine really need to get that fixed!

[drddan]

Well....I hope you don't have to put it out of it's misery like in the movie!

[DriverOne]

I'd get an Aspire swap as soon as possible. With that kind of work needed, you'd be shooting yourself in the foot if you didn't, especially if the roads warrant the need for better brakes and a more durable suspension.

[ericsmith32]

Well....I hope you don't have to put it out of it's misery like in the movie!

Funny dad said the same thing. It's in fairly good shape besides all the issues and well dirt.

[ericsmith32]

I'd get an Aspire swap as soon as possible. With that kind of work needed, you'd be shooting yourself in the foot if you didn't, especially if the roads warrant the need for better brakes and a more durable suspension.

Truthfully with my Festiva's the Aspire swap would be the last thing I do if ever. Never had a problem stopping even fully loaded.. if a engine swap happens maybe.

[ericsmith32]

Dang in one day I've already majority of the issues fixed. Many of them was from when I had not sure why I didn't fix it. The squeal was the belt.. I guess I need to train dad on how to tighten a belt. Got the idle set down man was that a bear till I got the screw loose. Also adjusted various body panels the way they should of been and gave it a good wash. Not sure why this one always has mold on it? Put a little bleach in with the wash this time. Not going to rebuild the front end yet just need to replace the sway bar bushings. Going to get the full deal including clutch this spring! With me having my sisters car and now my dad's the wife has been driving mine.. I kinda joked with her about getting another Festiva and she agreed hmmm.

[Safety Guy]

How about a couple of cleaned up pics? I love yellow!

Karl

[ericsmith32]

Eh clean it's better but it's in pretty rough shape. I'm going to do something with the rust. Dad while he maintains his cars well sorta decent he hasn't washed a car probably in his life. So just going to patch up the rust.





And can't resist one with both..

[ericsmith32]

Found some other pictures back when I bought it in Nov of 03. Lived in Springfield, MO back then had 80k on it when I got it. Don't know why I screwed up the grill.. If I ever find a yellow one it's being replaced!



Back before I sold it.

[ericsmith32]

Hmmm according to my calculations I put 48090 miles over 3 years and dad has put 32552 and 4 years and the actual mileage on it is 162892. All this time he's tried to keep his two equal.. the white has the same mileage 217k. Boy is he going to be surprised if I switch clusters out with mine... the yellow one has the orange cluster with tach. Oh and btw not one mention of wheel bearings in the maint. log no wonder the rear tires barely turn lol. It does on average get 3 less mpg compared to his other.

[Safety Guy]

I just finished patching up the rockers ahead of the rear wheels myself on AquaMutt.

Thanks for the pics, Eric! (Oh, that grille looks fine to me.)

Karl

[ericsmith32]

Going through and entering all the gas mileages over the years. Not sure what year I started keeping track but I think it was 2005.. I may have the other years in there. Going to be interesting to see what the average is over 6 years. Dad does have every fill-up on his other Festiva all 12 years worth.. unfortunately no dates. The first 8 years is easy since he had to fillup every week when he was just driving one after that who knows. Maybe I'll get crazy enough to enter that one in someday.

[muddevil01]

Looks like it cleaned up pretty good I do love the yellow ones

[ericsmith32]

Looks worse in person. I didn't know it at the time I bought it that it was a salvage rebuild. The clear coat has been pealing off since I got it. If it was would repainted and bumpers replaced she wouldn't look bad. Not sure what to do with the rust on the hatch?

[muddevil01]

Hey Eric you saw the bumpers on my aqua I used bumper paint from O'reilly's I just taped off what I didn't want painted and sprayed it it made a huge difference in my car it might be worth a shot on ol'yeller