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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 10, 2015 16:54:15 GMT -5
Meanwhile, I am enjoying the new Focus hatchback. It's considerably smaller in its rear though than the old Taurus. I've got a pallet at work that I want at home--has a solid top, rather than the boards. It'll go perfect under the rack I use for my paintings. But alas, there is absolutely no way it'll fit in the Focus' rear.
Now the Taurus, it fit (albeit with one end on the top of the wheel bump) with feet to spare! I'm gonna miss all that floor space. Plus the picnic tray. And the cornering lights. Most esp those!
On the other hand, it does have radio controls at my fingers, so I haven't lost those. And it syncs my iPod which is sweet. And has voice commands, although that would be more useful if I have a bluetooth phone. And I've been using the butt warmer all week--love that!
I do need to get back to my mech and clean out the Taurie-car. I thought to do that today, but we're having strong winds along with miserable cold. It'll wait 'til next week.
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 10, 2015 16:58:18 GMT -5
Btb, here's the new car--
well, crud. I can't figure out how to upload a picture. I've done it in the past. But now? nothing but link-text.
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Post by scooter on Jan 10, 2015 18:00:05 GMT -5
Btb, here's the new car-- ![/Users/kathy/Desktop/new car/me.JPG]() That looks like a link inside of your computer, Kat. I can't click on it. |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 10, 2015 18:56:19 GMT -5
Yeah scooter, I tried to link to the image. Then I uploaded it to shutterfly, but it's not working either. Dunno what I've done in the past to load a picture. I know you can use a online photo site, but isn't that what shutterfly is?
Sigh. You'll just have to continue to imagine my new-to-me car.
>'Kat
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 10, 2015 19:10:15 GMT -5
Nope, still not working. Tried linking after posting it to facebook and the link comes up image no longer available or removed.
Sigh. Maybe JR can help me out 'cause I really don't remember how I did it before. Sorry guys.
>'Kat
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Post by rockynv on Jan 10, 2015 22:15:11 GMT -5
Were you flushing the coolant with white vinegar rinsing with distilled water and replacing the thermostat every two years refilling with a top notch premixed coolant? Cooling systems are a bit fussy today and you do not get away with things that you could in the older engines from the 60's.
Chrysler (Lee Iacocca) actually called the engine designers that they used in the late 50's and 60's out of retirement to help the kids redesign their new engines of the 1980's to get them reliable and Ford had to do the same thing in the 1990's. Mercedes tried their best to get rid if those Lee Iacocca engines and introduce new ones of their own design however those 2.2, 3.3 and 3.8 engines were more reliable and stayed the meat and potatoes foundation for decades just like the engines those good old boys designed in the 1950's and 1960's. The engine in my daughters Jeep Compass is one of the Lee Iacocca engines and she won't part with it for anything. That engine was one of the major reasons she bought the car.
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Post by scooter on Jan 11, 2015 0:15:05 GMT -5
Yeah scooter, I tried to link to the image. Then I uploaded it to shutterfly, but it's not working either. Dunno what I've done in the past to load a picture. I know you can use a online photo site, but isn't that what shutterfly is? Sigh. You'll just have to continue to imagine my new-to-me car. >'Kat Usually you find your image on the web, right click it, select "Copy image URL", or whatever is applicable to your operating system, and then click the picture icon in your forum editor and paste the link there. |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 11, 2015 1:33:34 GMT -5
 Well, dunno what changed this time around. I did the exact same click-hold on my fb image, copied it, then pasted into here's image button. And lookie, there I am with my shiny almost-new 2013 Ford Focus hatchwagon. So, whaddaya think, guys? Did I done good or not? >'Kat |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 11, 2015 1:38:15 GMT -5
And rocky, bless your heart and I love you, but check out my official forum title again, please. Esp the part that comes after "Founding Member Blonde"  Like, they could've been flushing with dog pee for all I know. Although I do know they used a good brand of premixed coolant. That I know. And if they were supposed to flush, then I trust they were doing that. They knew to check over everything at each oil change, esp since I went long in months between changes. And to do whatever maintenance was recommended. I did not skimp on car care. Hence the utter crushing disappointment at the third cracked head. >'Kat |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 11, 2015 1:40:59 GMT -5
Btb, it has bigger tires than my Taurus. 17"ers. Seriously. Smaller car, bigger tires. Figure that one out for me, someone. And my Taurus even had the sports model of tires--REALLY figure out why any designer thought a station wagon needed sports tires. Best answer (as determined by me, of course) gets a fabulous v-prize from my bag of v-goodies. And probably a bone, too.  >'Kat |
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Post by scooter on Jan 11, 2015 3:18:58 GMT -5
Well, dunno what changed this time around. I did the exact same click-hold on my fb image, copied it, then pasted into here's image button. And lookie, there I am with my shiny almost-new 2013 Ford Focus hatchwagon. So, whaddaya think, guys? Did I done good or not? >'Kat It looks good. Unfortunately it's still a Ford.  Sorry, I've had terrible luck with Fords breaking down on me. I don't know why they make the rims so big but it looks nice. Big rims are popular. I think the size affects traction as well. Have fun in your hot new ride, Kat! |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 11, 2015 9:36:57 GMT -5
And rocky, bless your heart and I love you, but check out my official forum title again, please. Esp the part that comes after "Founding Member Blonde" Like, they could've been flushing with dog pee for all I know. Although I do know they used a good brand of premixed coolant. That I know. And if they were supposed to flush, then I trust they were doing that. They knew to check over everything at each oil change, esp since I went long in months between changes. And to do whatever maintenance was recommended. I did not skimp on car care. Hence the utter crushing disappointment at the third cracked head. >'Kat Feel the pain though. I tried to sell a 1985 Plymouth Voyager with the Premium Canadian 2.2 engine in it that only had 100,000 original miles on it and the only folks that would bite were the scrappers even though the engine easily had another 100,000 left in it. Needed paint, fuel pump ($20) and tires along with some body work which was just too much for me to deal with since too much of the work would have to be done on a ladder so I had to let a running car go to the scrapper. All they really cared about was how much it weighed. Van had new drive shafts, wheel bearings, struts, control arms, clutch, steering rack, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc, etc, etc but.... It even had the 5 speed that did not require removal to repair it as most of it just slid out of the case from the drivers side with little fuss (which I found out after my Father-In-Law missed a shift and damaged a syncro) so any service that would take days on another could be done in an hour or so while you waited My sister had a Focus for some years and really liked it until someone t-boned it on a state road. They were waiting to pull off from the side of the road and someone came barreling down the road at umpteen mph over the posted so they never even saw it coming. Since they were technically taking a left they were automatically deemed at fault and given a ticket though the speeder who was going fast enough to loose his license got off with just a warning. The rims may be larger but the tires are not even 2/10 of an inch bigger in circumference than what was on the Taurus. Lower sidewalls gives a sportier ride and potentially better MPG. You got a deal on a SES Sedan however keep up on the scheduled maint and watch your tire pressures as those 17" tires don't come cheap. Even at Wally World they are about $100 each plus mounting, balancing and disposal fees. I am getting spoiled now since on the Fiat Spider which technically is a Sport s Car I can get a full set of four tires for what two will cost you. |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 11, 2015 18:28:43 GMT -5
That's not much more than what I paid for the Taurus tires. I learned long ago not to cheap out on tires. I got a set of Tiger Paws for about $100 mounted etc. Had almost no traction to speak of, would slide on normal right turns. Ended up upside down in a ditch 'cause I stomped on the brake and they never regained traction to roll again.
I do not consider tires to be something to save money.
I do keep an eye on how my tires look. And my mechs always check the pressure at oil changes. And now I have some kind of sensor that supposedly warns me if a tire gets low.
I feel your pain on selling a good vehicle for scrap. I'm going to work hard to avoid that. I mean, surely someone mechanicky would love my wagon--replace the heads/engine and everything else is perfect to go!
As for your sister, I would've fought it to court and a jury. That's total bull. Too late now for her, but hearing things like that tick me off.
*****
Just went grazing after reading your comment that I got a deal. I really did get a good deal. I mean, miles are a little high, but other 2013 Focus Titaniums are priced several thousands more. Which makes me feel better, esp since I didn't bother to come home and research this before buying.
>'Kat
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 19, 2015 9:02:46 GMT -5
Okay, I'm not gonna' make this.
First off, I'm having buyer's remorse. I cleaned out the Taurus Sat, and now know just how much smaller the Focus is. I've got a paper ream box and its lid in the back. Won't fit a third one. But the Taurus would fit three plus space. Sigh.
Second, I posted on Craig's List. And somebody already contacted me. And I'm lying here trying not to cry 'cause someone wants my wagon and I won't have him anymore.
Seriously, how do you break up with a car that you foolishly fell in love with? How do I keep from falling in love with the new one? I don't want to go through this again when it needs replacing (hopefully MANY years from now).
>'Kat
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Post by flyangler on Jan 19, 2015 9:42:17 GMT -5
Keep hating the new one and continue driving it for the next twenty years |
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