The wagon's name is Rover (aka "the Beast") because I'd always wanted a Range Rover
until the wagon charmed me. Don't ask me how or why the wagon filled my need
for a $50k British SUV; I don't know. It just did.
I sold the beetle and bought the Rover
In February 1999, just after the wedding.
Mary and I think the Civic Wagons were kinda ugly, but we think the Rover is
somehow special and not as ugly as the others. As soon as we saw it we knew
it was different. And the interior was in wonderful shape, the engine strong
at 133k. So we bought it on the spot.
23 Aug 1999 - I've been carrying the new front struts and right axle/CVs/boots around for a month, because the wife and I both got rear-ended on the same day (different cities, within 5 mins of each other). Her car was totaled, mine just squeaks and rattles now and the rear hatch open light stays on.
My last interaction with my mechs (Dallas City Garage) was a disaster. First of all, my old mech left the shop. I needed my front end work done so I put it in the same shop anyhow. I put it in the shop on Thursday, and they asked me if I needed it back that day, I said the following Monday would be fine. (I bought a scooter so I do have backup transportation. I stopped in on Saturday to get my briefcase out of the car (my fault for forgetting it); the mechanic was not there, the car was not there, and the owner had no idea where either was. Turns out the mech drove it home Thurs night and might not have brought it back until Monday. I can't tell.
At any rate, I was told I could pick up the car Monday afternoon. I started calling at 3pm; no answer. I needed to hop on the mass transit bus to make it by late afternoon; I got there about 4:30pm. The car was still disassembled, with no mech around. He arrived about 7pm, and rolled my car out at 8pm. The price was fair ($265 labor), but I'm not comfortable with how the whole thing went. Anyone know a good mech in North Dallas who will let me bring my own OEM Honda parts?
The clacking joints are silky smooth again, and the front suspension is much tighter. No more bottoming out and rattling b/c of the dead struts.
2 Mar 1999 - installed the hatchback struts, which are wonderful. Installed the wiper module, which initially seemed to do nothing different. Then, while driving in the rain, I went from the LO setting to the INT setting and it started working perfectly. Bizarre. At any rate, the $150 investment in these two parts goes a long way to making this old car seem much newer. Yay!
I'm taking the Beast in to the mech this morning to get parts list I'll need for repairing the clicking front axle, and probably the front struts.
27 Feb 1999 - ordered the underdash intermittent wiper relay ($33.98, list $53, dealer quoted $70!) and gas struts for holding up the hatchback ($50 each, list $77.05 each. Arggghh!) from hparts.com.
Also washed/vacuumed the car, and check air pressure in all tires including the 60psi donut.
26 Feb 1999 - had the manual tranny juice changed at the local dealer. I had tried to loosen the filler hole myself a while back, but couldn't do it without a lift. So i paid them $49 to change it. Shifts like buttah now! Another great fix. I sure do love this car.
25 Feb 1999 - ordered a new A/C compressor from hparts.com and got it for $283, shipped in 3 biz days, instead of $450 + tax at the local dealer. Woo hoo! Then my friendly new mechanics pulled the old part, separated the pulley and clutch, installed it and serviced the system (fresh freon, etc) for $184.90. I'm ecstatic.
It will, however, be interesting to watch my MPG plummet. :-( [NOTE: 14 Jun 99: MPG is down about 4.5-5mpg, to 25 city 30 mixed and 34.5 highway).
I'll have Jo and her crew replace that troublesome front CV joint thingy next with the next check I get.
18 Feb 1999 - installed the new cable; the hazards work again.
Got the car inspected.
The front wiper fluid doesn't work. Same or different motor from the
backlight wiper (rear works)?
Priced some parts from hparts.com,
having read about them on rec.autos.makers.honda. For the two
parts I had on order (the cable and the fuze thingy) this was the breakdown:
Local Honda dealer: $51.44 + $4.24 tax = $55.68
Hparts.com: $24.26 + $5.62 shipping = $29.88!!!
I'm gonna need a new AC compressor, and I know where I'm gonna get it.
17 Feb 1999 - adjusted the clutch cable. There was no slack. Much better.
Replaced the stripped screws from yesterday ($.61).
Went to go pick up the hazard fuse deal. It was mispackaged or mismarked
in the parts book. The Lute Riley people offered to order the whole Pos cable
with the fuse thingy on it for the same price. We'll see. I'll believe it when
I get it.
16 Feb 1999 - did the math at a fill-up. Rover's getting 30 MPG around
town.
Installed the new passenger side lamp and the multifunction switch,
succeeding in stripping three screws on the latter. I wonder if I can get more
at the hardware store?
The wiper fluid motor for the front doesn't even try
to come on but .
Ordered a hazard lights fuse thingy ($18). It piggybacks on the positive
terminal.
15 Feb 1999 - Picked up the multifunction switch ($172.69) and ordered the
passenger side lamp assembly ($156.70).
5 Feb 1999 - Initial comments - This car is in incredible shape for its
age. Somebody drove him lovingly. One of the headlamps has some rust in it
and should be replaced. The wiper switch is loose and could stand to be
replaced. The left CV joint and/or axle has started the first stage of
clacking; very soft, and only under acceleration when turned to the left. I
should be able to get another 6 mos out of it before replacement. The clutch
play could be adjusted. The AC compressor is probably dead.
the mousepad
I sold the beetle and bought the Rover
In February 1999, just after the wedding.
Mary and I think the Civic Wagons were kinda ugly, but we think the Rover is
somehow special and not as ugly as the others. As soon as we saw it we knew
it was different. And the interior was in wonderful shape, the engine strong
at 133k. So we bought it on the spot.
