Breaking down

[Zeke]

Friend of mine's lady friend who is very wealthy has a ranch in Utah. She was driving her Bimmer somewhere remote headed home through NV when the dash lights came on. She doesn't know jack about cars so calls him. He says (after hearing the symptoms) to park it where she is. Which is 40 miles from anywhere.

Of course she doesn't like the idea and he tells her well it's either right there and save an engine, or maybe get to civilization with a terminally broken car. She obeys and gets on the phone. Lucky she did have cell coverage. Tow took her and the car to a town that had an almost too small airport for the company jet that was sent for her. I guess the driver sh his pants when they rolled out to the strip and there was a twin jet sitting there. She says just drive over there to the ramp.

Anyway, boyfriend in the meantime puts a trailer on the back of his Ford PU and goes up and gets the car. They are a pair to draw to.

[DWBOX2000]

Thanks all for the help,
Car comes with spare DME and maintenance book.
New water pump recently too. Appears sorted.
I’ll post some pictures.

[Zeke]

I suppose you checked the tire dates. I've never had a problem with out dated tires to an extent. I don't do triple digits on old rubber but a problem at 50MPH can be bad. Tires are a main concern. You know why.

[Alan A]

Last time this happened I was 500 miles from home in Roanoake.

I paid the tow truck driver to drive me to the airport. Rented an SUV one way. Then went to U-Haul and rented a flatbed one way. Then he rolled the car from the flatbed on to the trailer. I then drove home and he left - well tipped.

Having a bunch of cash on hand fixes many problems…

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Zeke

They are a pair to draw to.

Never heard that one before. Brilliant!!

[DWBOX2000]

It’s a 1983 944. Tires are like five years old so fine. The owner has done a lot of work in the year or so he’s owned.
In the past year or so:
Timing belts and pulleys
Water pump
Air filter
Front and rear struts
Clutch master cylinder
Clutch slave cylinder
Hydraulic hose
Brake flush
Fuel pump
Fuel filter
Cap and rotor
Seller bought a 911 so selling due to space. Seems like an honest dude.
I believe I’m good, thanks all. Great advice. Case closed.

[vash]

I think my friend just bought a VW truck powered by a 3.6L complete with turbo brakes and all the suspension stuff...some of you may know the truck(?).

he drove it from FL to CA. or maybe Austin to CA. the dude is crazy, but he lives so chill with zero worries. nobody goes with the flow like my bud. nobody.

[MMARSH]

I've driven from Texas to California twice in old cars. Once about ten years ago in an unrestored 66 Shelby Mustang and again a couple years ago with the same buddy in a restored 67 Corvette coupe. Neither car had been driven any more then a regular test drive when we hit the road.

I packed a basic tool kit and hit the road. The Shelby we had absolutely zero issues with. The Corvette had an issue with the headlights, which I was able to diagnose as the high beam switch. Went to a Napa and fixed that in the parking lot. We drove both cars at about 75- 80 the whole way.

If we would've had a problem, we would've handled it. That may have meant getting it towed someplace for a quick fix or maybe getting it towed someplace where we we end up renting a truck and trailer and towing it home. If it's an old car, they are pretty simple to keep running. It's all an adventure and wouldn't faze me at all.


I've thought about the issues of break downs alot because I do a ton of motorcycle trips off the beaten path. Including a 6 week 11K mile solo moto trip back east and back last October.


I say have fun and go for it.

[A930Rocket]

As long as you’re not taking your better half*, you’ll be good to go!

* I can’t imagine a road trip with Ms. Rocket after buying a car.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by vash

I think my friend just bought a VW truck powered by a 3.6L complete with turbo brakes and all the suspension stuff...some of you may know the truck(?).

he drove it from FL to CA. or maybe Austin to CA. the dude is crazy, but he lives so chill with zero worries. nobody goes with the flow like my bud. nobody.

The 901/Lucky Dawg VW? If so, that's beyond amazing!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sounds fun, I would 100% drive it! I drove a newly purchased 2004 SL55 from Boise to Wichita earlier this year, I mapped out European independent shops on my route just in case but didn’t have any issues. I always prefer to fly in and drive home, lots of memorable drives over the years.

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

I've driven from Texas to California twice in old cars. Once about ten years ago in an unrestored 66 Shelby Mustang and again a couple years ago with the same buddy in a restored 67 Corvette coupe. Neither car had been driven any more then a regular test drive when we hit the road.

I packed a basic tool kit and hit the road. The Shelby we had absolutely zero issues with. The Corvette had an issue with the headlights, which I was able to diagnose as the high beam switch. Went to a Napa and fixed that in the parking lot. We drove both cars at about 75- 80 the whole way.

If we would've had a problem, we would've handled it. That may have meant getting it towed someplace for a quick fix or maybe getting it towed someplace where we we end up renting a truck and trailer and towing it home. If it's an old car, they are pretty simple to keep running. It's all an adventure and wouldn't phase me at all.


I've thought about the issues of break downs alot because I do a ton of motorcycle trips off the beaten path. Including a 6 week 11K mile solo moto trip back east and back last October.


I say have fun and go for it.

You are a good man Mike! Do you still have that Cobra?

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by DavidI

You are a good man Mike! Do you still have that Cobra?

Hey David, Nah I sold the Cobra quite awhile ago. That was a fun little car though!