Tires – Doesn't Fit In

July 14, 2011

Living In A Tourist Town

Wendy Tremayne writes “Flat Tires in the Desert – The Thing About Tourists & Locals” about being a celebrity in a tourist town.

For five years people have bobbed their heads over our fence, climbed it to look in, and waited at our gate to ask for a tour. We’ve had to sneak in our back ally to avoid what at times is a flood of tourists. We skip getting our mail afraid of who may be waiting outside the gate.

We finally got the locals and store owners to stop telling tourists that they have to check out Wendy & Mikeys place. No they don’t. We have nothing to sell. We did not make a life decision to work in tourism.

What kind of people go to someone’s private residence and request a tour?

July 12, 2009

Albuquerque Craigslist: Red 1981 Delorean

One reason I’ve been regularly watching the Albuquerque Craigslist is that I’m determined to one day own a Delorean. About 10 years ago I came across one for $10,000 and I regret not buying it. Although Deloreans rarely show up recently a red one appeared.

1981 Delorean LOW MILES!!!!! – $12000 (Albuquerque)

1981 DeLorean 4.3l Chevy engine conversion 200hp (almost twice stock hp) approximately $9000, Corvette pistons, cam ext. Auto trans. Fresh Interior and 28000 miles. Couple of dings on passenger door. Good tires. New door, hood, trunk struts. Sorry pics taken at night if you want more pics of interior contact me.

The craigslist ad includes a link to ebay motors. I would much rather have a Delorean in it’s original configuration, no chevy motor and I would much rather have one not painted. It’s a stainless steel body, what’s the point of painting it?

June 13, 2005

100,000 And Going Strong

My 4×4 Ford Ranger reached a milestone today when it reached a 100,000 miles. I’m happy to say I’m the original owner, purchasing it new in 1996 (it’s a 1997 model) with something like 27 miles on it.

It’s been a good truck, disproving to me that american cars can be well built. It’s not without out it’s share of problems. For the last few years I’ve had a terrible vibration in the vehicle. I’ve taken it to Don Chalmers Ford who diagnosed it with need tires and shocks. I agree that tires can cause some bad issues with it but they weren’t the problems I was having. I could tell it was a front end problem especially since there was sever cupping in the front tires. I finally took it to Bob Turners who correctly diagnosed with needing front new springs. They weren’t even able to properly align it, it’s strange that Don Chalmers didn’t figure that out, even though they charged me $90 for a vibration analysis.

I’ve not heard of spring going bad, but since they have replaced them the tires wear properly and it rides a thousand percent better. Perhaps more people need them and don’t realize it.

I’m experiencing a breaking problem and I suspect the front right (and maybe left) rotors are warped and need replaced. It will be the first time that any such work as been done on this vehicle. Meanwhile my coworkers are telling me how their brand new Nissan need rotors right after they bought it. Other than that there’s been a few minor things, some emissions related thing need replaced a few months ago and some and a few issues with a electronic 4 wheel drive switch.

The engine runs as strong as it did the day I bought it. It doesn’t leak anything or burn anything it’s not suppose to. And the gas mileage is about 15 mpg, not great but near what it did when I got it (and not bad for a 4×4). Thanks Dad for showing me how to take proper care of a vehicle. With luck, I will have it for another 100,000 miles!