Possible First Car

[GSS]

Wow, lots of advice. These car guys seem very knowledgeable. . As you know,I also live in Northern California. I ride a motorcycle almost everyday ( unless it's raining ) We live in motorcycle paradise. So many beautiful roads,especially Highway one along the coast. More motorcycle riders in California then all the other states combined.( last I heard anyway )
4-5K will buy you an awesome used bike.
When I was your age, I had a virtually new bike,and a $100 car for the few rainy days we have. Plus we can lane split legally. Only state that it's legal to do it in. Take the motorcycle safety class to learn. ( better to drop their bikes then your own. ) you'll never get stuck in traffic, park wherever you want. Have a reason to get a cool leather jacket. Belong to the brotherhood of motorcycle enthusiasts. I'm 63, had a bike and license for it since 1970.
Currently riding a BMW S1000R. Learn to ride well, ride over, I'll let you try it out. The most fun you can have with your pants on.
I'm prepared to get some bad comments for recommending a bike.Donar cycles, graveyard ponys, yada yada.

Sorry for the double post but my 53 year old brother in law got the motorcycle bug a few years ago. Mind you he had some bikes in his teens but this whole dress up and tour thing just got him. Its weird just yest he told me he got home on some big ride I think in North or South Dakota or somewhere in the mountines .We come from MA so alot of them got the bikes trucked to a certain point and started this ride. Il find out later It was Aug 2-9 in Sturgis South Dakota it was bike week there. Does this ring a bell?

 

[NightExplorer96]

Well,

Interestingly enough, the mechanics found out the previous alternator came from a wrecking yard lol! I now have a fresh, re-built one and the car is running like a dream now.

I just got it through the car wash & it seems like the problems are behind me now

-Alex

 

[GR3EN]

That's great to hear glad everything worked out for you.

 

[NightExplorer96]

That's great to hear glad everything worked out for you.

-Alex

 

[Encap]

Well,

Interestingly enough, the mechanics found out the previous alternator came from a wrecking yard lol! I now have a fresh, re-built one and the car is running like a dream now.

I just got it through the car wash & it seems like the problems are behind me now

-Alex

Is very common that an alternator has been changed at least once in 15 years, unfortunately the guy who changed it last, went the cheap route with a junk yard alternator which are about $65.
Junkyard parts are always "some days chicken, some days feathers" in terms of how long the used part lasts.

The good news is you bought a quality replacement and should be "good to go" for many years now. The Volvo S40 is a great car and aquality car basically---with appropriate TLC it will serve you well for a very long time.

Glad to hear everything is sorted now.

 

[GSS]

Well,

Interestingly enough, the mechanics found out the previous alternator came from a wrecking yard lol! I now have a fresh, re-built one and the car is running like a dream now.

I just got it through the car wash & it seems like the problems are behind me now

-Alex

Good it was the alternator, but not good for the money you had to pay. but searching for a drain is time consuming and aggrevating. Lehap im curious was there yellow markings on the alteranator as most junkyards use a yellow paint marker to identify to where what kind of car the parts came out. Glad its over for now:yh:

 

[NightExplorer96]

........

Now the catalytic converter needs to be changed. Another $1,500 I need to dish out. Im pissed off honestly, tired of spending all my money in this thing, then again I don't have a social life so it's all good.

So far...

Alternator= $380
Power Window= $270
Catalytic= $1,500

We're @ half the price of the car.

-Alex

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Yeah, catalytic is a b*tch. I may need to replace mine to pass inspection in 3 months. Probably going to run around $1800.

With the window there is some leeway, you may be able to use the motor or switch from a different windows to get the one you need working taken care of (for example my rear seat passenger window doesn't work, took out motor and rerouted switch to make my - driver's - window work).

Having a new car is also not a guarantee of no troubles. If you don't want to deal with risk of repairs, the safest option is to lease.

 

[GR3EN]

Yeah, catalytic is a b*tch. I may need to replace mine to pass inspection in 3 months. Probably going to run around $1800.

With the window there is some leeway, you may be able to use the motor or switch from a different windows to get the one you need working taken care of (for example my rear seat passenger window doesn't work, took out motor and rerouted switch to make my - driver's - window work).

Having a new car is also not a guarantee of no troubles. If you don't want to deal with risk of repairs, the safest option is to lease.

Leasing is a whole other beast in my opinion. So many stipulations such as mileage per year, still responsible for repairs, etc. A typical lease takes you up to about 30,000 miles. Depending on the car that means possible tires and brakes you are responsible for. You lease a vehicle with low profile tires you are looking at $$$. You get a nail too close to a sidewall have to replace a tire. Lease something AWD and have to replace 1 tire that will be under 3/32nds difference from a new one you should replace all 4 so you don't ruin the AWD transmission and/or transfer case.

Not trying to argue just making a point that even leases aren't necessarily free and clear. And sometimes there's annoying stipulations too. Like if you have to replace a tire or tires on a lease it has to be the same exact brand and model of tire the lease originally had on it. Weird stupid things. Happens often at my job.

 

[GSS]

........

Now the catalytic converter needs to be changed. Another $1,500 I need to dish out. Im pissed off honestly, tired of spending all my money in this thing, then again I don't have a social life so it's all good.

So far...

Alternator= $380
Power Window= $270
Catalytic= $1,500

We're @ half the price of the car.

-Alex

Lehap, this thread has grown so much that I kinda lost track on one thing, didnt you have the car inspected by a mechanic. If you did they should of caught on to the converter issue. What brought on the problem that you were told it needed one. Was it an exhaust leak or a check engine light? Just wondering if it could be a O2 senser issue

 

[NightExplorer96]

Lehap, this thread has grown so much that I kinda lost track on one thing, didnt you have the car inspected by a mechanic. If you did they should of caught on to the converter issue. What brought on the problem that you were told it needed one. Was it an exhaust leak or a check engine light? Just wondering if it could be a O2 senser issue

Hey GSS,

Yep, the place I bought it from mentioned they inspected all aspects of the car but it is sold "as is". Interestingly enough, I read a review of a lady who bought a car from them and starting have many, expensive issues with it.

I went to an xpress lube and the error code came up with PL420(cat converter). I then had it inspected at a local shop & was told the CAT itself is getting hot while the car is running and it isn't properly using the oxygen(if any).

I was told it is fine to drive it but to have it fixed ASAP.

What do you think Pete?

-Alex

 

[GSS]

Well that answers my mechanic check question. Did you go for a routine oil change or was the engine light on. A converter is basicly supposed to get hot, it burns out the excess emissions that the engine puts out through its exhaust. Lehap I have this gut feeling they are taking advantage of your good nature. How many reviews have you read about this shop? Again did you bring it in for a engine light or oil change?

 

[NightExplorer96]

Well that answers my mechanic check question. Did you go for a routine oil change or was the engine light on. A converter is basicly supposed to get hot, it burns out the excess emissions that the engine puts out through its exhaust. Lehap I have this gut feeling they are taking advantage of your good nature. How many reviews have you read about this shop? Again did you bring it in for a engine light or oil change?

Well I stopped going to the shop where I bought the car from since they seemed fishy.

This is the same shop(Ducan's Automotive) that fixed my alternator, this isn't where I bought the car from. I brought it in since the Check Engine light came on about 2 days ago. The car isn't acting weird or anything.

-Alex

 

[GSS]

Well I stopped going to the shop where I bought the car from since they seemed fishy.

This is the same shop(Ducan's Automotive) that fixed my alternator, this isn't where I bought the car from. I brought it in since the Check Engine light came on about 2 days ago. The car isn't acting weird or anything.

-Alex

Do you have a Autozone near you? Im only mentioning it because they will read the code for free. If it were to be senser (There should be 1 before the converter and 1 on the back end) you can drive the car but your gas mileage might suffer a little after a while. Before anything get a second opionion just walk up to the counter and ask them to check for the engine light. Im mentioning Autozone only because they do it for free, unless you know of another place.

 

[NightExplorer96]

Do you have a Autozone near you? Im only mentioning it because they will read the code for free. If it were to be senser (There should be 1 before the converter and 1 on the back end) you can drive the car but your gas mileage might suffer a little after a while. Before anything get a second opionion just walk up to the counter and ask them to check for the engine light. Im mentioning Autozone only because they do it for free, unless you know of another place.

I went to AutoZone & they stopped doing check engine light test unfortunately, they only sell the device to read te codes.

-Alex

 

[GSS]

I went to AutoZone & they stopped doing check engine light test unfortunately, they only sell the device to read te codes.

-Alex

Wow, thats a bummer I wonder if thats true here in MA. I thought the workers actually enjoyed doing it, it got them out of the store for a bit. Did they explain why? Also as far as you know the converter isnt showing signs of an exhaust leak right?