XT6 Down.

[Numbchux]

obviously I haven't been around much lately, life got complicated.....almost 2 weeks ago (friday August 7th) I was in an accident in my XT6. I was delivering, on a 4-lane road in town (2 lanes each direction, no median), there was a car waiting in the right lane at a stoplight, also going the same direction as me. As I approached the intersection, the light turned green. I glanced each way to watch for cross-traffic (silly me....trying to be safe and all ), when I looked back in front of me, she was there. She had made a left turn, and was sideways in the middle of the intersection.

She admitted fault in her statement, even though she still didn't have a clue where I came from "driver said the other driver had right of way and she drifted into him".

There was also a pedestrian that saw it, and gave his statement that she was at fault.


The car was insured, although not in her name, and her license was revoked. Sounds like the damages to her car won't be covered. but her insurance will be covering mine.


pictures before it was towed to the body shop:









I just talked to their insurance company. apparently neither the owner nor driver of the other vehicle have contacted the insurance company. So a letter was mailed to them on monday, and they have until next tuesday to respond or they'll continue based on my statement alone.


all body parts in front of the doors are screwed up, except the driver's side headlight. I'm sure the core supports on that side are screwed. CV axle snapped. looks like some suspension twisted a bit, although I haven't really looked very close.

passenger side headlight will need to be seriously pried back in order to get the hood open, so I still haven't looked under the hood.

Engine ran, I drove it off to the side of the road, but it didn't drive well (duh.....snapped axle....lucky it drove at all).

Towing company left the door ajar for the weekend, as the auto seatbelt is in the forward position (they will retract once the door is closed, regardless if ignition key position) and battery dead, so it died with the door open. Not happy about that. But nothing's missing. I'll be going out of my way not to use them in the future.



I'm sure the repair bill, for a shop to do all the repairs at full price, will be $3k or more. Blue book on the car is $700 (but, as we found out with Sarah's escort, that's usually quite below what the insurance will give you). But the car is insanely rare....not easily replaceable.

anyway, I'm not hopeful that it will be fixed on their dime. But I will buy it back. many many rare parts that are worth saving. or I might fix it anyway. I do have the supercharged, high compression 2.2l 4-cyl and Australian dual-range 5MT sitting in the basement. and was talking about buying a new shell to put it all in......


mmmmm........yes. BTW, the above picture is not my car and slightly photoshopped, I lowered it, changed it from black to dark green, and tint.




But in the mean time. looking for another daily driver. being that this is my second on-the-clock accident in as many years (even though I wasn't at fault for either....ugh), I'm no longer eligible to deliver. so I'll be making pizzas all the time, so very little miles. so, I want something interesting. current prospects, in order

first is italian, and mid-engined!!
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1306479203.html
Talked to my uncle, he's owned a couple. his thoughts, "nothing but a pile of silly little problems. But a blast to drive, yea, I'd buy another in a heartbeat"

next has the same engine as my 4runner (so I've got spare parts, although with my luck lately.....might want something else)
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...323134333.html

another toyota. this one has t-tops.....
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ra...318878951.html

and finally, a FWD Audi:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1301066333.html



thoughts on these cars?

[123Vette]

sucks man. sorry to hear you cant deliever anymore. id hate making pizza. lol but good luck with getting it all fixed!

[spitfire]

It also looks like you mite have some frame damage or a bent radiator support. Hard to tell with out your hood open.

Has for the cars you have listed, Id go for the first and third one. Cant tell what the the second one is. The posting has been deleted. Out of those two id narow it down to the toyota. Probly going to be more reliable.

[texan_idiot25]

You have snow, I'd stray towards the Audi if it's gotta hold you til winter. My MR2 friend tells me their a ***** in low traction, like rain and snow.

NO FIAT... reliability is not Italian.

[Numbchux]

Originally Posted by texan_idiot25

You have snow, I'd stray towards the Audi if it's gotta hold you til winter. My MR2 friend tells me their a ***** in low traction, like rain and snow.

NO FIAT... reliability is not Italian.

reading > you


audi is FWD. so I'd still be driving the 4runner in the snow.

Fiat = "nothing but a pile of silly little problems. But a blast to drive, yea, I'd buy another in a heartbeat". the guys on Top gear talk about italian cars being just amazing, and totally worth the sacrifice in reliability. I have other cars, I live a half mile from work.....reliability is boring, and I don't need it. I've been intrigued by the X1/9 for years, this might be my best chance to own one. And due to their rarity, they do hold their value pretty well. My uncle thinks I could probably buy it for 1200, put 10k miles on it over the next couple years (probably put collector plates on it), and sell it for $1k.



second one was an '85 Celica GTS convertible. just got an email back from the seller, he's had 2 offers above his $1500 asking price, and decided to remove the listing. so that's out.

[THE EDJ]

Poor Subaru

I hope you have some luck getting it back going. Looks like potential for a cool project for sure though.

[texan_idiot25]

I read, FWD Audi > RWD mid engine in snow and such.

Reliability is cheaper too, Fiat parts ain't cheap here. And your job is delivery, if your gonna replace your delivery car, replace it with something that doesn't break down.. I have the same **** job. Reliability is nice. Beaking down Italians do not make for very warm Pizza. I suppose you could put your pizza bag over the engine cover though to keep it warm.

[monsterhunter]

+1 to tex, the audi would be a bit better, and the straight 5 in it is a pretty decent engine. turbocharged, pretty good too. Audi made the S and RS2 with a turbo 5 in it, and they pretty fast too(never sold in america though) still weren't that bad. but dang sorry to hear bout that accident, poor subaru.

[lilskipro587]

Don't feel bad Numb, my 2001 LGT is still in the shop:[ New head gaskets, timing belt, water pump, ect.

[Numbchux]

^better not be at a dealership. make sure they pull the motor, have the heads checked over to make sure they aren't warped, and use the metal STi gaskets. none of these are factory service procedure, but are necessary to actually fix the problem. anything less is a waste of money.




2WD is 2WD. either way, I'll be driving the 4runner in the snow.

I'm no longer eligible to deliver. good thing I'm already an assistant manager. like I said, I live less than a mile from the store. very little miles, and I ride my bike most of the time anyway.

audi is not turbo.


also looking at an '83 VW scirroco with 106k on it.

[spitfire]

Id go for the italian car. I saw one where i work yesterday and they look realy badass. There realy small too. Dought i could fit in one.

[lilskipro587]

Numb,
Figured you could weigh in on my issue ha Not done at dealership, mechanic friend of my father who has done a bunch of them before. Not sure what he used(sti gaskets or stock) but I trust whatever was done... hate to highjack your thread here but I should be getting the car back today sometime. What is your opinion on the Subaru Coolant Conditioner? Could that be added to help curb the head gasket deterioration?

[Numbchux]

it's a band-aid. if stock gaskets were used, they'll fail again. the conditioner will only delay it.

if it was done right, it's entirely unnecessary.




Change in plan. a "friend" (more like, guy I know who has money) just bought a loyale wagon, and plans to put a high-compression 2.5 in it. he'll want to 5-lug it. so insurance money will go into the 4runner (engine rebuild, cam, tires, skidplates, possibly bikini top). I'll daily drive the wagon until the 4runner is done. Than return the wagon suspension to stock, and use the money from selling the parts and wagon on fixing/building the XT6. and buy a new DD out of my pocket in about 6 months or so.

my uncle has a porsche 914 with a great body and a crappy motor he'll sell me for $1500......might need a subaru motor

[lilskipro587]

I am not sure what was used but I know the "head gasket kit" on the bill was something like $360. He did a bunch of stuff, timing belt, spark plugs and wires, water pump. We will see how it lasts. Thanks.

[texan_idiot25]

Originally Posted by Numbchux

it's a band-aid. if stock gaskets were used, they'll fail again. the conditioner will only delay it.

if it was done right, it's entirely unnecessary.




Change in plan. a "friend" (more like, guy I know who has money) just bought a loyale wagon, and plans to put a high-compression 2.5 in it. he'll want to 5-lug it. so insurance money will go into the 4runner (engine rebuild, cam, tires, skidplates, possibly bikini top). I'll daily drive the wagon until the 4runner is done. Than return the wagon suspension to stock, and use the money from selling the parts and wagon on fixing/building the XT6. and buy a new DD out of my pocket in about 6 months or so.

my uncle has a porsche 914 with a great body and a crappy motor he'll sell me for $1500......might need a subaru motor

Get that glorified VW **** out, and put that supercharged awesomness right in.

[AJB32690]

Originally Posted by texan_idiot25

Get that glorified VW **** out, and put that supercharged awesomness right in.

Haha, do ittttttttt!!!! That would be fun to race with!

[jimmythekid1]

Question:

I've seen a lot of subies with the head gaskets leaking, but have never been able to sell the job. Do you have to pull the engine to do it or is it just easier on the stand since you can rotate the heads vertical?

[lilskipro587]

From my understanding, it is possible to do with the engine in the car...
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulle...-engine-57335/

[Numbchux]

Originally Posted by jimmythekid1

Question:

I've seen a lot of subies with the head gaskets leaking, but have never been able to sell the job. Do you have to pull the engine to do it or is it just easier on the stand since you can rotate the heads vertical?

the heads physically can be removed from the engine while in the car.

But it's a huge *****, and makes it very hard to check the block for imperfections. Only way to be sure that it's done right, and won't be a problem again, is to pull the engine.



my supercharged motor will go in a subaru. probably the XT6.

although it did cross my mind. But I've got the 2.7l H6 from the Xt6 that's probably fine. or I've got a 3.0 2005 tribeca shortblock, I could assemble a complete swap for about a grand....and that's 250hp, N/A, stock! But I think just a standard legacy 2.2 would be plenty. anything more than that, and I'll be upgrading brakes, and suspension, and, and, and. And next thing I know, I'll be right back in the same spot, with a heavily modified car that I don't want to drive on the street.