my "Subaru for Free" story.

[barry]

white 93 loyale, 5spd. (131k)
This car was going to be junked, right out of "hillbilly paradise" <- its a
compliment! (running badly, and needed cosmetics.)
My repairs April to June 2005 (original error in parentheses):

1. Windshield (perfecly wrong spot for long crack.)
2. trunk lid align, and latch fix.(trunk wouldn't shut,was all undone,
disconnected! trunk half full of small wood chunks "?")
3. hood cable (broken handle)
4. battery (Dead)
5. replaced 4 tires and balance (also 4 spare studded snows and wheels)
(Originals were literally BALD.)
6. replaced 2 cv axles ,repacked with hi-temp synthetic grease (ALL boots
were broken, cv's "clicking".)
7. removed 2 rotors, replaced w/ lifetime guarantee replacements.
(Originals had steel CHUNKS missing!)
8. clutch cable adjustment (barely disengaged.)
9. clamped exhaust heat shield (rattled at idle)
10. full spare (had flat one under hood)
11. replaced 2 timing belts, set proper timing (one was "stretched" to
mimick a "half" tooth off, the other was literally a full EXACT tooth off)
12. permatex seal under air flow sensor (the mating of sensor was on bad
surface.)
13. drivers headlight lens (hole the size of a golf ball, light kept
working!)
14. blinker lens (no bulb, broken lens.)
15. some grinding sanding, bondo and paint (all metal was better than i
thought after sanding- paint bleed)
16. A/c converted to r-134a fluid and tested ok (removed bad condensor)
17. tightened intake and air tube (All "hand" loose)
18. replaced alternator (original had MISSING brush, gained bright lights @
2500 rpm.)
19. 1 fusible link under hood (oops!)
20. tail pipe (someones attempt left good tail pipe backwards.)
21. yakima roof rack installed (handy unibody "toughener" <- just a rumor!
)
22. dist. cap, rotor, wires and bosch platinum plugs (one plug in cockeyed,
all 4 were literally different makes and gaps! <- brilliant tune-up attempt
all on account of 2 bad timing belts.)
23. tightened valve covers (dripping oil out loose covers.)
24. replaced drivers fender (too much rust, the ONLY serious rust on
car.(battery, chemical leak?))
25. a professional inspection.


Was all this worth it? HELL YEAH.
38mpg @ 72 mph, purring @ 3100 rpm....... for 750 miles! I just can't
complain.

 

[Jim Stewart]

white 93 loyale, 5spd. (131k)
This car was going to be junked, right out of "hillbilly paradise" <- its a
compliment! (running badly, and needed cosmetics.)
My repairs April to June 2005 (original error in parentheses):

1. Windshield (perfecly wrong spot for long crack.)
2. trunk lid align, and latch fix.(trunk wouldn't shut,was all undone,
disconnected! trunk half full of small wood chunks "?")
3. hood cable (broken handle)
4. battery (Dead)
5. replaced 4 tires and balance (also 4 spare studded snows and wheels)
(Originals were literally BALD.)
6. replaced 2 cv axles ,repacked with hi-temp synthetic grease (ALL boots
were broken, cv's "clicking".)
7. removed 2 rotors, replaced w/ lifetime guarantee replacements.
(Originals had steel CHUNKS missing!)
8. clutch cable adjustment (barely disengaged.)
9. clamped exhaust heat shield (rattled at idle)
10. full spare (had flat one under hood)
11. replaced 2 timing belts, set proper timing (one was "stretched" to
mimick a "half" tooth off, the other was literally a full EXACT tooth off)
12. permatex seal under air flow sensor (the mating of sensor was on bad
surface.)
13. drivers headlight lens (hole the size of a golf ball, light kept
working!)
14. blinker lens (no bulb, broken lens.)
15. some grinding sanding, bondo and paint (all metal was better than i
thought after sanding- paint bleed)
16. A/c converted to r-134a fluid and tested ok (removed bad condensor)
17. tightened intake and air tube (All "hand" loose)
18. replaced alternator (original had MISSING brush, gained bright lights @
2500 rpm.)
19. 1 fusible link under hood (oops!)
20. tail pipe (someones attempt left good tail pipe backwards.)
21. yakima roof rack installed (handy unibody "toughener" <- just a rumor!
)
22. dist. cap, rotor, wires and bosch platinum plugs (one plug in cockeyed,
all 4 were literally different makes and gaps! <- brilliant tune-up attempt
all on account of 2 bad timing belts.)
23. tightened valve covers (dripping oil out loose covers.)
24. replaced drivers fender (too much rust, the ONLY serious rust on
car.(battery, chemical leak?))
25. a professional inspection.

It's hard to imagine someone maintaining a
car so badly. (The previous owner, not you)

 

[barry]

It's hard to imagine someone maintaining a
car so badly. (The previous owner, not you)

Too true.
My question is:
"How did this car keep passing Maine state inspection?"
(it had a new recent inspection sticker on it when i got it.)
1. there was chunks missing off the "supposed to be balanced with a
required thickness" rotors.
2. the functioning a/c pump with belts still driving it ,on a now outdated
r-12 system, with a very badly leaking a/c condensor.
3. the tires were bald.
4. cracks in windsheild arent allowable in the spot it was in for
inspection.
5. the trunk lid had a "bunjy cord" not quite holding it shut, for the
exhaust to conveniently suck back through the car. (as soon as you opened
any window, I could smell it.)
6. cv joints can not have broken boots.
I recently read about a Maine state police "crack down" on bad
inspectors "saving" the poor mans wallet.
It seems they can't catch them all........

 

[Rick Courtright]

I recently read about a Maine state police "crack down" on bad
inspectors "saving" the poor mans wallet.

What's your favorite whiskey, nudge, nudge, wink, wink?

Rick

 

[hippo]

What's your favorite whiskey, nudge, nudge, wink, wink?

Hell I'll get you a case, yo' my Maaine man...
Cheers