For over a century, the automobile has represented freedom, power, and the thrill of mechanical mastery. The connection between driver, machine, and road defined what it meant to own and love a car. But in today’s digital era, a different trend is unfolding. Cars are no longer just machines designed to take us from point A to point B. Increasingly, they resemble something else entirely: smartphones on wheels.
Old cars are work for sure, but if you are willing to learn it’s not bad.
I have a 2007 Mustang. I’ve replaced the entire front suspension, rear differential, alternator, and paid an upholsterer to replace the convertible top. I upgraded the radio and put in a 10inch touch screen with Wireless carplay and integrated backup camera. Next up is dropping the trans to replace the clutch plate, throw-out bearing, resurface the flywheel, and replace the rear main seal on the engine while I’m down there because the flywheel is rusty and accumulates a thin layer of rust every morning that makes a grinding noise for 30 seconds until it grinds off.
It definitely doesn’t just work like a new car, but since I do the work myself it also doesn’t cost me much.
I have a todo list that will keep me busy for then next 3000 years, and that is before rebuilding the transmission on my 1999 is added to the list. (note that I assume the medical advances needed for me to live 3000 years are on someone else’s list as I have no clue…) Eventually I have to give up on something so I can do something else.
Sounds like a pretty good project car it sounds to me like that is your hobby.
I bet you have a very well provisioned toolset and a pretty sweet garage and don’t even think about the time you spend on that thing.