2000 Olds Intrigue, my work car. Drive 500 miles every week. It gets 30mpg. Trying to get another 100K from it.
Radiator cost $160.00 US from Advance Auto. I do as much repair as possible to save $$, sometimes it gets a little scary digging into a project like this. Getting the lower transmission line clip off required getting light down there first, a mirror, long pic in my left hand, 30 minutes of sweat and patience.
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The challenge is enjoyable, but the older I get, completion is more enjoyable.
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I replaced the radiator in a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country with 150,000 miles last summer for $65 (eBay). It’s the kid’s car and the job was pretty straightforward even though I’ve never replaced a radiator before. There was a good YouTube video or 2 that helped tremendously.
I figured with the money I saved I don’t feel as bad buying some more flashlights!
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It is out, waiting on hoses to arrive tomorrow. Had part is done, I think LOL.
After Katrina our kids moved back in with us for a year. During that time I had to learn a lot about cars. I could not afford those bills. You are correct about more light money !
I had a ancient small wooden chair for many years in my 2m2 hobby allowance hidden behind the cupboard, until recently I developed severe back aches after hobbying a couple of hours. So no hobby for me anymore or buy a better chair. Well, here it is, a reasonable quality reasonably priced office chair, adjustable everything, great back support, feels like a king. One drawback, it does not really fit. Once seated, everything is fine, but sitting down or leaving the chair requires some level of acrobatics.
So next project: build a smaller integrating sphere . It is the square thing north-west of the chair covered in flashlights, it is now a 50cm sphere, I think I will make a smaller 40cm one sometime this winter, so that everything fits again.
(at some gloryfying moment in the future I will tidy it up over there)