by 88AriesLEwagon » Sat Jan 08, 2011 2:32 am
Unless you perform all your own work,have used parts sources nearby,have friends (or yourself) that have all the tools and equipment needed,can get parts at cut rate prices,probably keeping a vintage car with hundreds of thousands of miles on it is not a good idea.Parts are not easy to find.Specialty tools are rare.Probably even Chrysler dealers would shun a 1981-1989 K or even a 89-95 AA body for repairs due to unfamiliarity with the "old" New Chrysler products.
Its not a pretty picture,and only will get worse.
Had I not been able to do ALL my own work,I would have never bought my 88,even though it was only $200.
Nobody else bit on it when it was $800,600,400.......all because the owner was honest,the engine had a problem...and nobody wanted an old boxy K car with a "bad" engine.I am sure their visions were for rebuilt engines,used engines,nothing but trouble.....and a money pit. I bought it because I wasnt afraid of spending some money (what used car isnt going to cost money),I always wanted a K wagon,and working on it would be a pleasure after years of begrudgingly wrenching on troublesome GM vehicles.For me it worked out well.A lot of the parts I got were closeout specials,discounted due to being dropped....discontinued.Right now we are on the cusp of the 80s Chrysler products being no longer supported by the aftermarket,Chrysler gave up long ago.Its the sad truth,but unless you know where the remaining parts are,and where the proper techs are,its going to be nothing but an unhappy ownership experience.
I would love to see all 300+ million Americans owning a K car (tough though when only a bit over 2 million were sold total),and be able to buy parts for it at the local Chrysler LLC or NAPA store,and have no problem with the corner gas station doing any servicing needed,but reality is those who own a 20+ year old car usually dont have a lot of money,its their only car,and cannot afford any downtime....and reality is saying that parts are not as easy as that dream would be to obtain.
I fear that as people give up on their progressively declining cars,they will be forced to sell them as salvage to the pick a part yards across the country,and more will die only to be picked of few parts and summarily be shredded for their raw material value.
I only wish when that comes,somebody will step up and buy the car,someone willing to take on a worsening situation...the general decline of the 1st generation of Chrysler FWD vehicles.
If anyone has to sell,try to sell to a local/regional Chrysler "guy".....maybe someone will make use of what would otherwise be someone elses throwaway.
One's frustration is another's treasure.