Love Story

[marsgal42]

I haven't posted much recently. I was starting to drift away; Gumdrop is a delight to drive, but a touch pricey to run. We all know that.

So I parked Gumdrop in November, with an eye to sprucing her up in the new year and selling her. On New Year's Eve, just for the hell of it, I tried starting her. She wasn't terribly enthusiastic, but started anyway. I removed the batteries, brought them inside, topped up the water and charged them overnight. Put them back in on the 2nd, started her up, and went for a drive.

And fell in love, all over again.

Sure, Gumdrop 2 is slightly cheaper to run, and slightly cheaper to insure. But not that much, on either point. And, while the Outback is a worthy vehicle, they just don't have the style, the charisma, the character, of a Delica.

So now I'm stuck. I don't know what to do. Gumdrop needs some attention (cracked exhaust manifold, new batteries), but she's worth it. Gumdrop 2 needs attention too (centre differential, questionable head gaskets). I'm not sure she's worth it...

...laura

[Big-Bird]

Ah yes to love your vehicle is a many splendored thing. I too have had this dalema on more than one occasion. This is how I have validated my options in the past.

1) Which one needs less $ to make it good again?
2) Am I willing to spend more to keep the one I really want?

I always considrr what can I get if I sold one and will it generate enough cash to fix the other with maybe even a little left over.......

[glenn]

You know, I just went though the exact same thing. My van had been shamefully neglected by me. The drive belts were all loose, valves were out of adjustment, dirty injectors, etc, etc. At low RPMs it shook like a chihuahua. I was ready to move on. Then a badly installed rad hose that was rubbing against the frame sprung a leak - which prompted a visit to CVI.

Well, a round of new filters, fluids, a "delitune" and a new thermostat, among other things had rekindled my love for my L300. It purrs like a kitten again, and now that the thermostat isn't failed open, I actually get heat into the cab.

It cost me (like 1200 bucks) - but you know, my friend spends way more than this each year on "routine maintenance" from a dealer on her crappy minivan. And nothing beats the cab-over driving position for me. My rekindled love for my van inspired my new signature image below - and I know you were here back in the day.

Oh - and it hardly needs to be said but - kudos to CVI - I will never trust my van to anyone else again.

[Feds]

You have spent 12 Billion years not existing. You will spend at least 10^100 (One Googol, best guess at heat death of the universe) years not existing . Until you have to start choosing between what you drive and what you can eat, pick the car that brings you the most joy.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Wow... a menage a trois. Sounds difficult. Keep Gumdrop. Face it ~ the Outback was just a fling, probably out back. The cheap thrills are often more expensive in the long run. I was behind a Subaru this morning as he tried to get up to highway speeds, steamy white smoke billowing out his tail pipe and the aromatic smell of glycol wafting in my cockpit, through the A/C. Another sad story.

Falco.

[jessef]

You can look at it from a sensible perspective.

How much is each Gumdrop worth now if you had to sell and what would they be worth all mechanically spiffied up. Use that as a baseline to judge it's worth to you and your wallet.

Subaru's are awesome. Anyone who says a Delica is better or vice versa is out to lunch. Apples to oranges. Subaru's have their fit as do Delica's and neither fit in the same box.

Just like with Delica's, you can have a wallet sucking lemon or a workhorse.

L300's are not cheap to operate like you said so if you've got the cashflow to keep it going and that's what you'd like to do, get back on board !

Face it. They both need regular dollars, maintenance and love.

Keep the one that you can afford and feel comfortable with. That's what it comes down to although it sounds like you've made up your mind already... welcome back Laura.

[Luna-Sea]

Plus you can't fit that giant telescope of yours in a Subaru,
Can you?

Right On!

[konadog]

You have been missed around here. I was sad to hear you're thinking of selling the Mighty Gumdrop - I remember you saying you'd drive her until she was done. I hear ya though; When we move to Oz eventually I'll have to part with my much loved delica too Such is life eh?
Maybe you could sell the Subaru to pay for the upgrades to Gumdrop...
Good luck with whatever choice you make
Happy motoring