Repair or Replace

I also would have recommended Moog parts, but BenK is right, when the products go downhill, time for some research.. perhaps you can find some older Moog parts that have in someones inventory for awhile... otherwise gonna have to do some shopping.

I no longer purchase MOOG parts after decades of loyal patronage

They sold out and new management no longer manages the product...but...their
bottom line. So they are no longer of high quality, IMHO

NAPA's best is now my go to, but as with most...bean counter management creeps
and becomes a bottom line corporation...

Good luck on that and post back which OEM joints you went with and I'll
check with you on how they hold up

My maintenance schedule is to grease every Zerk at each engine oil change

Use Moly rich grease and try to find synthetic, but my last two cases has
me down to 4 cartridges. so good for a while there.

The only investment of/from my vehicles is that they serve me and
have no interest in their market value...as I do NOT own'm to sell

Weird question. But always good for 5 pages of debate!

Fordlover wrote:
the vast majority of the motoring public will always lose money on vehicles. So I wouldn't worry about the retail value of the vehicle vs routine maintenance expenses. And I'd consider these routine maintenance expenses @ 165K miles.
There are also typically expenses with car swapping, (sales tax, title fees, registration, etc.) that only benefit the government, so something else to keep in mind.

Thanks for the feedback!

I agree whole heartedly...we did buy a 2014 Minivan due to some unfortunate circumstances ... But I intend to keep it for at least a decade.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

the vast majority of the motoring public will always lose money on vehicles. So I wouldn't worry about the retail value of the vehicle vs routine maintenance expenses. And I'd consider these routine maintenance expenses @ 165K miles.
There are also typically expenses with car swapping, (sales tax, title fees, registration, etc.) that only benefit the government, so something else to keep in mind.

If the vehicle is working for you, you need it and plan to keep it... Then I don't put a limit on repairs based on the vehicle value.

Have you looked at replacing the seats out of a later model? I have a 94 ranger, had the 60-40 seat. I got power seats out of a later model explorer. The wife complained that the passenger seat was too high. found a wrecked eddie baurer with all power and added it to her side. Power windows from a rolled 97-98, mirrors all the nice stuff, but nothing fancy. painted the plastic to match the original.

Its something to think about, but dont know what the issue is with the seating. My sister drives one in the same vintage, but her problem is the door hinges are worn out now and they still dont get around to fixing them. Its here DD and travel vehicle!

BTW my ranger has 320000+ on it and runs like a champ. Getting lazy and too old and creaky to roll around under it anymore so found a little indy shop and use them as they are quicker with the repairs than I can be and labor is not much.

jerem0621 wrote:

I have decided to fix and keep my car.
Jeremiah

Go in peace Jeremiah. When I read you have the skills/ability to repair the car, that inspired me to change my original thought. You're saving the cash outlay on the labor, the TC is in good shape, go for it. Wish I had the smarts to tackle something like that, but my skill set is pretty much limited to oil changes and batteries.......and the occasional radiator on my wife's 15 year old Camry. ;)

Disclaimer- did not read the preceding four pages.

I think you are a numbers guy. What you have is a transportation appliance.

Cost per mile of use is all that matters. If fixing the car is a more attractive financial option to purchasing another transportation appliance for the same money, then do it.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it is much appreciated!

I've really been noodling this situation. The Town Car has been and continues to be a fabulously reliably car. The motor is quieter than the Pentastar in my wife's 2014 Van!

It still shifts smoothly, no rear end whine or anything like that. I still get 21 MPG on my commute in the summer and 19.5 on winter fuel. Not many full size trucks can match that kind of MPG

I have decided to fix and keep my car.

I'm going to spread the cost of tools and parts over a few paychecks and will be buying Moog components (unless you all have different advice)

Some of you may know that I owned a dedicated TV before...a Dually CC LB XL F350....it was a great towing truck it was just very uncomfortable...I should have bought an XLT.

I am going to revisit owning an older dedicated TV again...I am just not going to make the mistake of buying an uncomfortable interior again.

Thanks!

Jeremiah