What would the hive do ?

Here's the pop, I currently have 3 registered cars, a 73 Kelmark GT, runs drives, gets be back and forth to work when its not to hot, no AC, and not to cold, heat sucks and smells like rust removal being done with a wire wheel, a 85 Dodge Xplorer Class B motorhome, used to tow my Suzuki SV650 back and forth to Loudon and for camping trips, and last a 98 Neon ACR with 245K miles, which is my main commuter when not driving the Kelmark and I have owned since new, is going to need a clutch soon (still on the original) and the rust is starting, not major but I hate rust.

Here is the problem, my parents are buying a new car, the dealer quoted them a crappy trade in value on their 2012 CRV, I asked what they wanted for it they said they would give it to me for what the dealer offered. It is a deal I cant pass up, and it would be nice to have a car I dont have to worry about for 100K miles, so that will make 4 cars total, 2 of which are commuters, 1 more than a single guy needs on the road.

So here is the question, what do I do with the neon, sell it or keep it, slowly taking care of the almost 250K miles of wear so it will be ready when the CRV is worn out ?

I dont need the cash from selling it, what ever little I would get. If I had enough dry storage, I would keep it, no hesitation, but I can only get one car into the garage, which is for the Kelmark at the moment and I plan on keeping it another couple years. What I dont want to happen is it to sit in the yard rusting away, which is what I fear will happen. I am not willing to pay for storage, a couple years of storage and I would exceed the value of the car, so it does not make sense, that and out of site, out of mind, it would never get worked on.

So what would you do ?

Thanks, Steve

Sell the neon, give the money to your parents just to be an awesome son. You have a more reliable car and a bushel of good karma. Your life is awesome.

Sell everything, buy the Honda, then buy a Miata.

Hey, this is GRM. What did you expect me to say?

give me the Kelmark.

Strip the interior, build a cheap cage, put in some racing seats and play. Is that an option?

N Sperlo wrote: Strip the interior, build a cheap cage, put in some racing seats and play. Is that an option?

Its an option, I bought it to start racing cars back in 98, starting with AutoX, however it seemed like the events at NHMS always where on bike weekends, so it never panned out.

The one draw back on that is my girlfriend will giving me crap, something about cars in the yard and living in Maine (no offence), and having to reminder her that I line in New Hampshire and that Maine is 100 feet away and across the river.

44Dwarf wrote: give me the Kelmark.

Not likely, I have only driven it one summer so far, need a couple more before it goes anywhere. It's no neon acr, but it is a fun ride.

Steve

Sell me the CRV for a grand more than you paid, and keep what you have :)

EvanR wrote: Sell me the CRV for a grand more than you paid, and keep what you have :)

I'd love to, but I could probably get 5G more in a private sale with out trying, plus I am not sure the parents would like that.

Junkyard_Dog wrote: Sell everything, buy the Honda, then buy a Miata. Hey, this is GRM. What did you expect me to say?

This is GRM, hence the answer is a given. A miata may be in my future, right now my doctor states I should be practicing yoga for my back, getting in and out of the kelmark twice a day takes care of that.

mazdeuce wrote: Sell the neon, give the money to your parents just to be an awesome son. You have a more reliable car and a bushel of good karma. Your life is awesome.

That would be great, I cant even get them to let me pay for dinner, there is that, and I am all ready an awesome son...

Steve

Less than 4 vehicles? I don't get it.

What mazdeuce said.

Check out the rally cross scene in your area. The neon would do well there too.

Build a heavy timber bunk bed for the Neon, and park it up high. Bonus points if you design some kind of lever and notched post lift mechanism.

(don't get hurt)

Keep all the cars and get a new girlfriend?

best answer ^^^^

Buy the Honda, no question. Decide whether the Kelmark or the Neon is more fun as a toy, and sell which ever one isn't.

I'd have to say part with the kelmark. Everything you have said about it makes me think it is of marginal use except that it is fun on pleasant days. You have a bike for that. Drive the CRV for its heater and AC. Rebuild the neon with an eye towards racing it and back road therapy.

Build a bigger garage, or at least a carport. Buy the Honda as a new winter DD.

itsarebuild wrote: I'd have to say part with the kelmark. Everything you have said about it makes me think it is of marginal use except that it is fun on pleasant days. You have a bike for that. Drive the CRV for its heater and AC. Rebuild the neon with an eye towards racing it and back road therapy.

Not that being sensible is highly regarded here but this is a great answer/solution.

I think you should either sell the Neon or the Kelmark, whichever you'd enjoy less as a performance car. The Kelmark is unique and all, but if it's all-Beetle underneath it's nothing special from a performance standpoint.

Yeah, only 4 vehicles? How can you get by with only 4 vehicles? What if one breaks down or has to be serviced? Then you'd only have 3.

Sell the neon. Maybe put a clutch in if it is bad to make it easier to sell, but I think there's at least a small market for the ACR. Get the Honduh for commuting.

I was never a big believer in that old wives' tale "What goes around comes around", but recent life experiences have shown me there may be something to it.

The Neon is a nice car and has served you well, it doesn't owe you a dime. I would buy the CRV, not hard to look at, roomy enough and quite dependable. Because the Neon is so trusty, I would sell it cheap to a niece, nephew or neighborhood kid just starting out. It's a 16 year old car that a young person would cherish and care for. Take the proceeds and buy your parents a gift card for the local lobster barn.

a. Parents are happy.

b. Your Neon takes on a new life and you help a young person out.

c. Girlfriend giggles more.

d. Your yard is prettier.

e. Karma. You're getting some....

I am generally on the "only 4 cars" bandwagon but in your situation I would probably send the Neon packing. HOWEVER, I am probably the least sentimental car owner on this board and have an average ownership of less than 2 years across my 30+ cars.

lrrs wrote: I currently have: 73 Kelmark GT ... smells like rust removal being done with a wire wheel 85 Dodge Xplorer Class B motorhome Suzuki SV650 98 Neon ACR with 245K miles, needs a clutch soon (still on the original) and the rust is starting, not major but I hate rust.

...slow clap.

I'd like to take a moment aside from the debate at hand, to acknowledge this accomplishment. That's an impressive GRM fleet.

I think out of those, the Motorhome sounds like the first one I would consider cutting loose. If the CR-V can tow your bike trailer, and you could crash in the back of that on track weekends, it'd probably make a little more sense. Motorhome would be nice to have to sleep semi-comfortably, though.

I just want to say Props for DD'ing a Kelmark.
That I find to be the most awesome part of the whole thing.