Warts and all...

The problem with used cars is that...they're used. Sometimes people assume that after buying one, there is no need to do anything else but drive it away. Of course, it is always good to have a relatively problem-free car. But depending on your personal standards (or even the lack of it), there will always be some sort of issue to take care of. The self-maintaining car has yet to be invented. I always want mine to be like they just got out of the showroom, in the best possible condition inside and out. No car will ever be brand new again no matter how well restored and this is clear to me. Like they say, either you're a virgin or not. No two ways about it.

Now that I've had the car for a few days, I can see its problems more closely. I still think that I got a very good car considering its age, the key phrase being "considering its age". Since my goal is to have it as close as possible to when it came out of the showroom, there will surely be a lot of work to be faced. When I mention my plans, some people who have seen the car have said that there is no need to do those since it is good enough anyway. But good enough is really not good enough for me.

Some of the items to be addressed are:

- repainting (inside and outside)
- return of suspension setup to stock (from lowered)
- engine tune-up
- power steering fluid leak
- cracked or cloudy headlight and tailight lenses
- frayed hood insulator
- refurbishment of door sidings and rubber door seals
- interior detailing
- refurbishment of trunk fittings
- replace tires
- various electrical checklight warnings (from rear tailights)
- interior squeaks and rattles

I'm sure that this list is not complete and as time passes, it will grow longer. Given all these, one may conclude that the car must be in poor health. Again, I have to emphasize that as things stand, the car will keep running for some time still by just doing routine maintenance. The engine, transmission and brakes are in excellent working condition as are the suspension and cooling system. There is no body rust. Most of what will be fixed are the result of normal wear and tear. Plastic and rubber parts get brittle. Paint fades. People often forget that the harshness of Philippine weather takes a heavy toll on cars. Imagine what would happen if you were constantly exposed to rain, heat, high humidity, dust and pollution, often all at the same time. No amount of detox will help for sure!

Just a thought for perspective...