180,000 Miles

[Jared Orr]

[edit: Sorry moderators...should have known better than to post it in Weather/chasing. Brain fart]

Hello my fellow storm enthusiasts. The temperature today in Kansas City just topped 50 degrees, and that's when the storm-chasing-switch turns on in my brain. haha

And my question is about transportation. Last year I took my '95 Honda Civic storm chasing for a week, and it seemed to be alright. But it's been a whole year, and I was wondering...for a Civic with 180,000 miles on it, when is the time to question it's reliability for chasing?

And just for fun: what's the most used or beat-up car you've ever chased with?

~Jared Orr~

 

[Jason Boggs]

Honda's are pretty darn reliable. As long as it's been maintained, I think it should still be pretty reliable. Take it to a mechanic and have them go over it with a fine toothed comb. If it's been a while since you did any maintenance on it, now is the time to get it done. I'm a big stickler in vehicle maintenance. It makes sense because it's a chasers most important tool. You can have all the camera equipment and gear in the world, but it won't matter with a broken down car. Here are a few things to check and possibly get replaced if you haven't already.

oil change
coolant change
spark plugs and wires
belts and hoses
air filter
fuel filter
tires
brakes
shocks
transmission fluid
change timing belt
inspect battery

I've probably left out a few things, but you get the idea. Again, take it to 2 or 3 mechanics and have it looked over very thoroughly.

 

[Dennis Dennison]

I chased back in 99 in a 1985 Chevy Sprint that had 285,000 mile in its little 3 cylinder engine, and had been in about 5 crashes, and ran down the road a bit sidesaddle.
If the engine sounds good when its running and no real mechanical sound from gears, transmission,clutch or bearings-the RUN it

 

[Greg Campbell]

A 90's Honda engine will run forever if you change the oil and fluids semi-regularly. It's the rubber bits in that will be getting old and cranky on a '95 car. My 92 Accord has required a bit of maintenence in this department over the last few years.

I'd take the time and effort to check and change ALL the coolant hoses. Apart from the usual heater and radiator hoses, this includes the little buggers that run up behind the engine and plug into the intake manifold. They're a PITA to reach, but they can and will strand you if you let them! Check the steering arm accordion covers. Check the ball joint boots. While not as critical, the (rubber) supension bushings are probably starting to crack, and may be on their way out.

Needless to say, keep up on the cam timing belt. If it breaks, most Honda engines will self destruct when Mr. Valve is forcibly introduced to Mrs. Piston. If $ is tight, get a genuine Honda belt for ~$60 and change it yourself. Cracking loose the monster crank pulley bolt is the only real difficulty you'll encounter. A good air-impact wrench will do the trick. Or have the local shop break it loose, then torque it down again for the drive hiome. The bolt will now be much easier to remove.

 

[Jason Foster]

It is a matter of acceptance. Any chaser has to understand what and where his or her risks lay. Vehicle reliability is one of those things. Each and every vehicle has a chance of failing, and a chance of failing at the wrong time even if it is brand new. It is the danger in which one has has to (or should) accept.

You can certainly play the numbers/chance game with your chase vehicle. Many more folks chased with questionable vehicles back in the day before business was a big part of chasing. I for instance in 1998 chased with a 1983 Chevy S-10 Blazer. I played the chance game...and lost...but luckily lost on the drive home after 4 weeks of chasing. I had to leave the truck in St.Charles (St. Louis area) and take the train home.

Some do not want to chase with that kind risk and will work their asses off to buy a newer vehicle and opt for a more reliable vehicle than one that might have better capabilities (like a sedan vs. 4wd truck).

Other than the advise given already, just understand and prepare for a failure, complete or partial. Assume you vehicle will fail. Can you afford to leave it, get home and look at buying new transportation. Can you afford to repair the vehicle in the middle of a chase trip. You have to plan is the bottomline there. If your vehicle fails, you get stranded, lose you job because of it, and don't have the mean to even get home....it's probably better to just sit the season out until you are better prepared. It is OK to sit a season out, because we can't loose site of what our priorities in life are.

 

[Jason Caster]

I chased back in 99 in a 1985 Chevy Sprint that had 285,000 mile in its little 3 cylinder engine, and had been in about 5 crashes, and ran down the road a bit sidesaddle.
If the engine sounds good when its running and no real mechanical sound from gears, transmission,clutch or bearings-the RUN it

I used to have a Sprint too Dennis, and it went over 300k without problems, that was a solid little vehicle.

 

[Jared Orr]

Thank you guys so much! I'm not the most car-savvy person, so the detailed responses are greatly appreciated. I was trying to thank you guys, but I don't see a thank button anymore. I'm behind on the times.

I love my Honda...it's a tough little guy...and it seems like the electronics are failing faster than the mechanical stuff...for instance, my dash light turns off and on intermittently, so I have to be careful at night not to speed. lol I just don't think it's worth paying the dealership $100 to fix when I have cruise control

 

[Wes Carter]

A Honda with 180,000 miles? If it's been maintained, it's about in the middle of it's life. Check everything out and do the maintenance as suggested by Jason Boggs and go with it.

The biggest beater I've chased with is a 1997 Taurus wagon that has been totaled and rebuilt. In fact, that's what I use now. $1900 and it runs like a top. Heck, if I wreck it I can get much of that back in a scrap yard.

 

[T Thomas]

And while it may seem obvious & slightly off topic, having a good AAA (triple A) plan is always a good idea. Roadside assistance is a great thing.

 

[Brian Davidson]

Congrads! I was a few miles short of the 160,000 club before my SUV decided it was a good time to self-destruct. You said the weather in KC? I'm in KC too, we should team up sometime on a chase. My last chase partner moved to another country =/