Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[BWII]

Pulled the (dead again) battery out of the Fusion.  It'll sit now 'til sometime in 2022, no point leaving it outside in the cold.  Presently charging it back to full.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Pulled the (dead again) battery out of the Fusion.  It'll sit now 'til sometime in 2022, no point leaving it outside in the cold.  Presently charging it back to full.

Why not just sell it ?

[ArticSteve]

Pulled the (dead again) battery out of the Fusion.  It'll sit now 'til sometime in 2022, no point leaving it outside in the cold.  Presently charging it back to full.

If it's lead acid and it's discharged fully a number of times it's DOA  A trickle charger might save it, but doubtful.

[BWII]

Pulled the (dead again) battery out of the Fusion.  It'll sit now 'til sometime in 2022, no point leaving it outside in the cold.  Presently charging it back to full.

Why not just sell it ?

Because in the mind of everyone it's


My bro offered me $3500 for it (his middle child would like it)...told him that doesn't cover the new transfer case, or driveshaft...or the brand new rotors and pads...try again bud.  There's a 2009 Camry Hybrid with 300,000+ km for $5900 and MY car is worth less.     

And it's paid for.  If I had to replace it, it'd cost more than just keeping it.  I do like the idea of getting a PHEV SUV or something...but do we really need one?    Then the truck will just sit and die...and more debt then too. 

Pulled the (dead again) battery out of the Fusion.  It'll sit now 'til sometime in 2022, no point leaving it outside in the cold.  Presently charging it back to full.

If it's lead acid and it's discharged fully a number of times it's DOA  A trickle charger might save it, but doubtful.

It charged to FULL but that doesn't mean much I imagine.  I'll bring it in the basement now that it is and it'll sit on a shelf until the next time it is needed.  I guess I could try my battery tester...if it is shot there's probably still some warranty left on it.  It's not that old IIRC.

[Firm]

Yeah, if you like it, it's in good shape and not worth anything, so hang onto it.

[PJungnitsch]

It charged to FULL but that doesn't mean much I imagine.  I'll bring it in the basement now that it is and it'll sit on a shelf until the next time it is needed.  I guess I could try my battery tester...if it is shot there's probably still some warranty left on it.  It's not that old IIRC.

Yeah, it's the capacity that gets screwed up. Full can mean a teaspoon or a gallon

We had a ton of vehicles sitting around on the farm and this type of thing was always a problem, especially if they had a bit of a parasitic draw

One of those heater element type battery testers will tell you pretty quick

[BWII]

Yeah, if you like it, it's in good shape and not worth anything, so hang onto it.

Every time I get in it and drive it...I still like it. It's quick enough, it drives nice, and I even still like looking at it.  It's my wife who hates it with the Passion of Christ. Apparently the seats are awful. She feels like she's being crucified anytime we have choose to go more than an hour away anywhere in it. 

[blur911]

Yeah, if you like it, it's in good shape and not worth anything, so hang onto it.

Yeah, but anything that sits outside will not be in good shape in a year or two.  (Is the kid's Mustang still taking it's garage spot?)

Trade it for a motorcycle
Takes up less space sitting there

[Firm]

Yeah, if you like it, it's in good shape and not worth anything, so hang onto it.

Yeah, but anything that sits outside will not be in good shape in a year or two.  (Is the kid's Mustang still taking it's garage spot?)

Trade it for a motorcycle
Takes up less space sitting there

Iunno about that, I've got cars that have lived outside 10+ years (in my ownership at least) without any real impacts...I do cover them if I am not going to be using it for awhile, usually with a decent quality outdoor cover, and keep the undersides oil sprayed. Which is why I've recommended both to BWII in the past.

[blur911]

Yeah, if you like it, it's in good shape and not worth anything, so hang onto it.

Yeah, but anything that sits outside will not be in good shape in a year or two.  (Is the kid's Mustang still taking it's garage spot?)

Trade it for a motorcycle
Takes up less space sitting there

Iunno about that, I've got cars that have lived outside 10+ years (in my ownership at least) without any real impacts...I do cover them if I am not going to be using it for awhile, usually with a decent quality outdoor cover, and keep the undersides oil sprayed. Which is why I've recommended both to BWII in the past.

On pavement under a cover is certainly better, is this the case for the Fusion?

[Firm]

yeah, sitting on mud uncovered isn't gunna be good. You said "anything that sits outside will not be in good shape in a year or two", which isn't true IMO.....If you said "anything that sits uncovered on mud for a year or two..." I would've kept my mouth shut 

[Bubba]

There has to be someone in town that has spare garage space for the Fusion.

[Arthur Dent]

In long grass can be a killer for rust but sitting outside on a dry surface is just fine. Minus any hail storms or the like.

[blur911]

yeah, sitting on mud uncovered isn't gunna be good. You said "anything that sits outside will not be in good shape in a year or two", which isn't true IMO.....If you said "anything that sits uncovered on mud for a year or two..." I would've kept my mouth shut 

Yeah, should have clarified.   
Other stupid things happen though, last year I left my truck in my driveway for 6 weeks while away in NB, when we got back the alternator was seized and a fusible link was corroded and had to be replaced.
Right now my Subaru, which is for sale for parts, won't start unless I jump it at the starter and it takes a lot of effort to move the gearshift, plus the brakes are stupid rusty, all from sitting for about a year.

[PJungnitsch]

Might be worse out east with the humidity. Just about zero humidity out west in the winter with the cold

[Firm]

Yeah, humidity (or the lack of) and air flow are key. Stuff can go wrong, probably more likely with newer cars and more sensitive electronics and such. The T/A spent 4-5 winters outside, covered, and I never noticed any real issues as a result. Last year and this year I did manage to get it indoors. The DTS sits outside all the time, and I may drive it a couple times a month...usually a flurry of use and then nothing for a couple weeks. I cover it also (assuming it's clean) and put in the battery maintainer every few weeks, it's been good.

I also have the SLK in my driveway right now, covered. I am sure it'll be fine. The interior was damp (from a previous leak, plus my cleaning efforts) so I ran a dehumidifier in it for a couple days and then put one of those 'damprid' containers in it to soak up excess moisture. Since it's here at home I'll probably start it every 6 weeks or so and let it get to temp, chase some of the moisture outta the engine bay.

[blur911]

I replaced the passenger side CV boot on the motorhome.  This is an OE style as on a '76 Toronado, supposed to give better clearance at the shock mount than the one I installed on the driver's side.
Look at all the plier things you need to change a boot, geez

Also drilled out the lower ball-joint mount to 3/8" and installed new grade 8 button head cap screws and nylock nuts along with Loktite red

[Weels]

CX5 got winter shoes put on today (from an appt booked 5 weeks ago  )   and probably got the last drive of the year in for the MX-5.
Went to Mazda dealer to get that done -- they don't have a single new car on the lot - showroom had one car... an NC MX-5.

[ArticSteve]

they don't have a single new car on the lot - showroom had one car... an NC MX-5.

Don't think ppl fully understand the gravity of the problem.  The shortages are immense.  No new vehicles at either the local Nissan or Toyota stores.  Was there today.  Both have stopped taking any orders.  Toyota Canada informed them that Toyota's chip situation will be worse by end of year.  Every dealer in town looks like they are out of business.

Quite fortuitous that I moved on the MDX and Armada when I did.  I had my suspicions, but did not think it would ever get to this level.  If one where to lose their vehicle tomorrow via wreck or theft chances are they'll be taking the bus for a while.  It's mind boggling.   

[BWII]

they don't have a single new car on the lot - showroom had one car... an NC MX-5.

Don't think ppl fully understand the gravity of the problem.  The shortages are immense. 

2011 Fusion Sport...$12,500.


 

I was surprised by how many new 2021 F150's the local dealer had on their lot, had to be 10 or more, plus a couple of Edges, a new Bronco, and a few Bronco Lites and some other new stuff...they even had a few used F150's and other used stuff too.  One (much bigger) town over last time we test drove the Mach E that Ford dealer had only 1 or 2 F150's and their used car selection was darn near single digits if it wasn't.  Maybe they've since loaded up too.