I’ve owned several cars in my life. My first was a 1989 Ford Escort that I wrecked twice. The second wreck totaled the car. My second car was a 1991 Corsica. I drove it through a giant mud puddle and ruined the engine. I ended up giving it away.
My third and favorite car is my 1991 Caprice Classic. I purchased it in 2001 for $1000.00. It had 34,000 miles on it at the time. The interior and paint were perfect. I had never owned such a nice car much less paid so little. My 1989 Ford Escort was $1500.00, and the Corsica cost me almost $5000 and took five years to pay off. The Caprice I paid for in cash.
I planned to keep the Caprice for a few years and then trade it in for a Cadillac as soon as I got a good paying job. The good paying job never happened, and 10 years later I still own the Caprice. It now has over 130,000 miles on it, but still runs as well as it did in 2001.
The maintenance has also been very budget friendly. Every three months I change the oil. I keep the antifreeze full. I change the tires when they need changed, and I keep my ears open for any funky engine sounds.
During the ten years I’ve owned the car, I’ve needed to replace the battery twice. I’ve had to change the spark plugs, wires and distributor cap. I’ve needed to change the brakes twice, and I had to replace the heater core. Last year it needed a new water pump. This year it needed a new radiator and gas tank. The gas tank was really a shock. They don’t make Caprice gas tanks anymore. They have to be bought refurbished, and they’re not cheap. The tank and labor cost about $350.00, but that’s only one car payment on a new car. I couldn’t really complain. Currently, it needs a new starter, and I’d like to get a tune up, but those aren’t pressing matters. It still starts and runs.
When I add it all up, I’ve spent maybe $6000 dollars on maintenance in 10 years. I’d like to get it repainted. I’d like to replace the windshield, and I’d like to redo the interior, but all that can wait. The car runs great, and it’s incredibly comfortable to drive. I’ve taken it from Indiana to the east coast numerous times, and I am confident that it could make the trip again. At this stage, I no longer want to replace my Caprice. It’s been a fantastic car and continues to be a fantastic car. I can’t imagine trading it in for anything else. In my mind, nothing else compares.
