not a total liar

Ya know how I've made several promises of getting a car? Even more expressions of desires to own a car. Well, I've made good on at least one. Today, I bought a 1989 Nissan 240SX Coupe.

Yes. I. Did.

I spotted it on Craig's List, and I've kinda had my eye out for a good, cheap car; prefer non-running. This past weekend, I spotted one for sale for the sum of $600. Not bad. Here's the exact listing:
"hey i have a 1989 nissan 240 sx for sale i have had the car for two or three years the car will run the transmission is great but the car needs a head gasket it is dull primer black it has 3 new tires one is missing but it has a dougnut on it it has the alunminum wing on the back and the scoop on the front i have a clear title any questions you have feel free to email me i need to get rid of it asap the car is way worth putting the gasket on it or if you already have one it would be a great parts car cause all the parts are like new i already have three cars and i do not want the city to start about thank you and have a great day"

So, I emailed the lister to get some more info. Really, they were on little help. Couldn't even tell me what transmission the car had, the mileage, or even the condition. I thought the seller was going to sell it out from underneath me, as they had someone else go look at it who was "very interested". Eh, oh well, I thought. Turns out they didn't want it. So yesterday, Thursday, took a family trip to go see it (turns out the car was maybe 2 blocks from where my great aunt lives). I liked it, real good condition. Small hole and wrinkled fender where a side marker light used to go, not sure whats up with that. Anyway, get home, make some calls and set a deal. Four hundred dollars and the car is mine. Sweet...

Turns out making the deal was the easy part; and last nite's problems were a harbinger...A neighbour had borrowed our car dolly to tow home a Honda Prelude, had had it for about a week, so my dad and I go to fetch it. The tow ball on the truck was the wrong size...off to Wal*Mart. Get that all sorted out, and the plan is to pull the dolly out from under the car...try it and all we get is spinning tires (damn open rear ends...). Finally after a bit of luck and the car shifting itself off the dolly, we were able to get the car off.

Alright, so off to fetch the 240. The idea was to get it and get home before dark...didn't even get there until 5:30ish, about the time the sun's disc gets below the horizon. Wait about 20 mins for the people I bought the car from to show up, then its just a matter of unlocking the steering wheel, putting the car in neutral and pushing onto the dolly....yeah, right. Turns out the guy didn't bring the key. Had a whole fistful of keys to choose from and none of them fit. Hopefully he'll be able to find it. But the problem is that the car's wheels are turned...so, back the dolly down to the car, push it on and go. Wrong. Took the come-along, some pushing and coaxing, but finally the car is up on the dolly. Now its a matter of squeezing the dolly through a gap in the fence only slightly larger (i'm talking maybe 2" wider total) then the width of the dolly. Spinning tires and everything. Well, finally, get the car on the dolly, the dolly with the car out of the backyard where it was parked, title signed over, bill of sale, handshakes, etc. Drag it home no problems...other then a slight detour going down a closed road because of road works.

Tomorrow will bring a bath, some pictures, interior cleaning and hopefully figuring out a way to unlock that damn steering wheel....

Not only that, but finally got the Ranger put back together. Have been having battery problems, constantly needing jump starts. Problem: Battery is under the bed. Problem 2: Fuel tank is in the bed. Problem 3: No way to remove battery for testing without removing the bed; or test to see if anything worked without putting the bed back on. Yeah...now you've got a scope on the situation. Battery turned out to be good, just needed some lovin' from a battery charger. Put the bed back on and everything is Good To Go.

Not only that, but went and picked up my new side mirrors for the Ranger. They will be sweet. And....there's more....picked up some 1953 Buick taillights (for $15 no less) for use on the Ranger. I may still go with something else, but really this was a case of "get 'em while their hot", couldn't pass it up.