Another what should I do thread

[clawhammer]

Here's my situation:

My S2000 has been in storage since October 1, 2006. That's almost 6 months! I'm thinking I'm going to keep it stored until I finish school (last week of April) so I can concentrate on school. Things to do: Oil change, diff fluid change, bleed brakes, paint calipers, alignment. Currently owe $4200 on the car.

My Civic has been on jackstands for the past week. Last Saturday night I took off the wheel hub to change the wheel bearing and I was going to change some bushing at the same time. I have not had any time to finish up the car. The car has 197,000 miles and needs the following done: new shocks all the way around (4 shocks have 4 different rebound rates, and it's actually quite scary going over bumps and potholes on the road at 70-80 mph), timing belt, water pump, valve adjustment and replace some gaskets.

My school finishes on May 3rd. On May 14th I'm starting a new job 4-5 hours away. I can only take one of my cars there. I will probably have garage space if I take my S2000. The office is only 6 miles away from where I'll be staying and the company has its own parking garage where I can park for free. In fact, I don't even have to commute, I have the option of carpooling.

My most important goal is to pay off the S2000 before July, because in July I have to pay for my tuition for the upcoming school year. Also, I'm planning on keeping both cars for years to come.

Here are the things which I need to decide:
Should I fix all those things that are wrong with my Civic (cost is $300)?
When should I take the S2000 out of storage (maintainance cost is $200)?
Should I pay off the S2000 completely before I start driving it?
Which car do I take with me for the summer (kind of obvoius :d )?

Just looking at what others would do in my situation. My biggest problem is time. I just don't have time for anything besides school and work it seems like.

[CassiesMan]

I'd just forget the Civic and stick with the S2K. Of course, I've never understood the purpose of winter garaging cars, but thats just me. Sell the Civic, take the S2K outa storage now, and use the money you get from selling the Civic to pay for maintenance and for the S2K.

[clawhammer]

Originally Posted by CassiesMan

I'd just forget the Civic and stick with the S2K. Of course, I've never understood the purpose of winter garaging cars, but thats just me. Sell the Civic, take the S2K outa storage now, and use the money you get from selling the Civic to pay for maintenance and for the S2K.

There are many reasons for storing a car during the winter:

1. Tires. A good set of snow tires are $800. I only have summer tires.
2. Rust. Around here they don't plow the snow, they melt it. Salt causes rust.
3. More likely to get into an accident. The idiots around here can't drive in the snow, so they're more likely to hit your car. Michigan is no-fault state, so even is someone were to hit my car, my insurance will have to pay to get it fixed.
4. Heat. A canvas convertible top is not the best at keeping the heat in the car

I will need a car for next winter. I don't want to sell my Civic now just to buy another car in the fall.

[Gotian]

Originally Posted by CassiesMan

I'd just forget the Civic and stick with the S2K. Of course, I've never understood the purpose of winter garaging cars, but thats just me. Sell the Civic, take the S2K outa storage now, and use the money you get from selling the Civic to pay for maintenance and for the S2K.

if he sold the civic he'd probably get anywhere between 1.5k-2k it would help, but unless you are keeping the civic for a DD and using the S2K as a weekend toy, i say sell the civic aswell, especially if you can only take one car. Also why would you have to pay off the S2K completely before driving it? You have to explain that one a bit, it threw me off.

[clawhammer]

Originally Posted by Gotian

Also why would you have to pay off the S2K completely before driving it? You have to explain that one a bit, it threw me off.

Not have to, want to. It motivates me to spend my money on paying off the car, instead of buying other useless crap.

[turtlecrxsi]

Based on your tone it sounds like you already know what you want to do... Drive the S2K and park it at the new office garage until you get the civ straightened out. But I think you're better off just fixing the civic for now. My .02.

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by clawhammer

4. Heat. A canvas convertible top is not the best at keeping the heat in the car.

my mum had an Audi TT convertible for a couple years, when it was a few below freezing it was fine. canvas is actually quite good with keeping the heat in.

[Chiquae07]

sell civic, drive s2k.

chicks love the top down. end of story.

[clawhammer]

You guys keep saying to sell the Civic, but what would I do next winter?

[Chiquae07]

drive the s2k in the winter.....

i know its hard, but it'll have to see weather sooner or later.
just rinse the whole car in those do it yourself wash places every week. thats what i do. and no rust appears. well, the rust that did come, was there when i bought the car. damn guy just painted over it.

[Musashi3000GT]

Fix the civic since its in worst condition then the skateboard but whatever you do drive the S2K! keeping a car in storage for so long is a waste of a good car. not to mention that regularly driven vehicles perform better and last longer. driving a car a round is like exercise for it, all that oil just sitting there, sludging in the block for 6 months. the brake fluid hassnt moved, the diff is locked the tranny is dripped dry, c'mon bro! DRIVE IT!

[Sleepr awd]

take the s2k on weekends

drive the civic on weekdays

and during the summer

pimp it.

also, paid for cars are great for spending a lot of money on modifications!! i see ... turbo s2k in your future.

nothing is wrong with civics, especially when they are boosted daily drivers

[clawhammer]

I just finished changing the wheel bearing and the bushings on the Civic. Now my alignment is completely off. I also found out that the AC doesn't work.

[CassiesMan]

Originally Posted by clawhammer

You guys keep saying to sell the Civic, but what would I do next winter?

1. Suck up the fact you bought a drop top, and drive with it even though its cold.
2. Buy a hard top.

I've never understood people who go out and buy cars like this, and then never drive them whenever it isn't between the temperature of 79 and 88, sunny with no wind, light fluffy white clouds, on saturday and sunday. So, I stand by my earlier advice: Sell the civic, use the money for the S2k.

[TheStang00]

Originally Posted by clawhammer

You guys keep saying to sell the Civic, but what would I do next winter?

sell it, and buy an old escort for $200. why would you do that? cause they last forever just like the civic and are reliable like the civic. and you could find one cheaper.