3rd Gen love

I realized I hadn't even made an entry in the 3rd gen section. So let me tell you my story...

I own a 3rd gen.

- Currently the car shudders on braking. Not entirely sure why. Rotors and pads are new as of last summer.

- My battery now drains overnight for no reason that I can figure out. New Alternator. Fresh battery. There's a gremlin somewhere.
I've put a test light to every fuse I have. I found one that is causing drain. When I pulled that fuse entirely and put in a fresh battery, my car is still dead within 24 hrs. So I am forced to remove the negative battery cable every night.
Bad ECU? Maybe. I don't know.

There are other pesky/quirky things, but I still love the little bugger.

OMG

I would have set it a-blaze by now. Well actually the only thing that would bug me is the batter thing. The brake thing I'm sure you'll figure. Doesn't sound like it'll be anything too costly.

But diagnosing that battery thing sounds like its gona be funnnnnnnn

mmm hmmmm.

Good luck brothaa. Speaking of which, Neil asked me to extend his regards to you and Rosy. Just like myself, he hasn't heard from you two in quite some time

My third gen is in its last days, Holding on to life.
Mechanically its pretty alright, running a bit shitty cuz I need to replace the O2 sensor, but over all, its fine.
Body wise, the front driver strut mount has been torn from the body. It's a death trap on wheels.
Thinking of replacing it with an G20, I30, another RUSTFREE third gen, or a 4th gen in that order.
G20 is probably too expensive, so its i30/third gen hunting. Looking into importing from the south.
I thought about buying Cliff Calvins 3rd gen from the org.

NozMaximus wrote:Good luck brothaa. Speaking of which, Neil asked me to extend his regards to you and Rosy. Just like myself, he hasn't heard from you two in quite some time

You and Neil finally touched base! That's great!! I've been pushing him to reach out to you. He's truly one of the sweetest guys. Nothing worse than when two of your mutual friends are on 'the outs' with each other.

92RustBucket wrote:My third gen is in its last days, Holding on to life.
Mechanically its pretty alright, running a bit shitty cuz I need to replace the O2 sensor, but over all, its fine.
Body wise, the front driver strut mount has been torn from the body. It's a death trap on wheels.
Thinking of replacing it with an G20, I30, another RUSTFREE third gen, or a 4th gen in that order.
G20 is probably too expensive, so its i30/third gen hunting. Looking into importing from the south.
I thought about buying Cliff Calvins 3rd gen from the org.

At this point I wouldn't waste my time with a 3rd gen, especially an imported one, even if it is rust-free. If it were me I'd be focusing on a local 4th gen/I30.

yea third gens are becooming rare tho... even you still love yours MM...

I still miss mine everyday, but have to admit, I've been spoiled by the trick features of newer cars, as well as realising the general public's and snobby womens' general disdain for older cars.

MarkhamMax wrote:At this point I wouldn't waste my time with a 3rd gen, especially an imported one, even if it is rust-free. If it were me I'd be focusing on a local 4th gen/I30.

I completely understand what you're saying.
However there is a sentimental value attached to the car. It was the first car I bought, I've driven the shit out of it for 3/4 years I've had a car. I know it's ins and outs well and know exactly what to except from it and how it will handle any given situation. It's an absolutely fantastic car, one of the premier sedans of the early-mid 90's.
I think theres homage in sticking by something you love, even if its old and world is leaving it behind.
Alas, I am primarily looking into I30's.

Hey I hear ya man - I don't think there are many who have stuck by their 3rd gen like I have. I was just thinking about practicality in terms of likely added cost. Cost of car, cost of importing, unforeseen failures due to age, etc...
Then you have to wonder what some of these guys from the org have done to them. Just because they are enthusiastic doesn't mean they are certified to do good work. If it were someone local selling (like me for example) you probably almost know the history of my car as well I do, and there would make for a better leap of faith. In some respects if I were really considering importing, I'd want one that had never been touched - just a grandpa mobile that was well maintained.

MarkhamMax wrote:Hey I hear ya man - I don't think there are many who have stuck by their 3rd gen like I have.

agreed bro... your love is deeep.
well since we are lovin the 3rd gen right now, lemme add my story. Im the proud 2nd owner of a 94 Brougham (fully loaded) for 4 years now (bought it off a nissan dealership after a grandpa traded it in for a newer one). Had it since 130K and i have replaced eveything that needs replacement, maintained it well... I kept it pretty much stock but have spend $$$$$ on it. ALways used premium fuel and Synthethic Castrol 10-30 - It has around 212K and runs mint.....

This past winter I lent it to my brother as he needed a car. I don't know what happened but he tells me he pulled it out of snowbanks a few times (the tranny oil was already low) so it ran out or something.... and now it won't go over the 2nd gear. It runs perfect uptil the 2nd gear infact i had a good mechanic in Markham drive it around the lot and coudnlt find anything wrong with it but said it has amazing response.... But when u hit the road after the 2nd gear the RPM keeps shooting up but no 3rd gear.... Not sure what it is exactly as the whole tranny is not blown but i guess with trannies once u take it apart tis better to get a new one or rebuilt the whole thing.. Im in a dilemma should I sell it as is or should I invest into the tranny... still contemplating... it would brake my heart to sell it... Any suggestions wud b really helpful..

Hey Hadley .. I heard you had a good tranny there some time ago still have it?

You could convert it to manual with the parts from my car (I think. I have a VE motor)

Hey MaXiPak, is that what you called about this morning. I was in a session all morning.
If you have a VE engine, which I don't think you do, but if so you could swap in the 5 speed tranny from his car and convert it. If you have the VG I'd do a tranny rebuild. It sounds like your tranny isn't too far gone, so the work shouldn't be too extensive. Certainly less than picking up another car, and if you are happy with your car otherwise that's the route I would go.
My choice would be Vic Simone for the rebuild. http://www.simoneperformance.com/contact.html
The parts from my VG are long gone, and in any case my tranny wasn't great, it was my engine that was a steal. Pains me that nobody picked it up... for free.
Let me know if you still need me to call you back otherwise.

92RustBucket wrote:You could convert it to manual with the parts from my car (I think. I have a VE motor)

... actually i wud like that but Im pretty sure its a VG.. how can I make sure ? THanks

MarkhamMax wrote:Hey MaXiPak, is that what you called about this morning. I was in a session all morning.
If you have a VE engine, which I don't think you do, but if so you could swap in the 5 speed tranny from his car and convert it. If you have the VG I'd do a tranny rebuild. It sounds like your tranny isn't too far gone, so the work shouldn't be too extensive. Certainly less than picking up another car, and if you are happy with your car otherwise that's the route I would go.
My choice would be Vic Simone for the rebuild. http://www.simoneperformance.com/contact.html
The parts from my VG are long gone, and in any case my tranny wasn't great, it was my engine that was a steal. Pains me that nobody picked it up... for free.
Let me know if you still need me to call you back otherwise.

Hey hadman... that helps... thanks yeap thats what I called bout... and thats what i was thinkin tooo I mean if it still runs perfect in gears 1,2 and R it cant be that bad. Like I said I wud luv a 5 spd swap but i think we hav a VG on our hands. Plus Im very happy with the car.... inspite of me spending a lil $$$ on it here and there but then again its good i did cuz i dont think it shud ask 4 any $$ for another couple years or so. I really hope the rebuild is not very expensive as i recently got laid off.... yeap im officially unemployed how much u think it shud cost though ... Can any of the Tmec guys do that

I wouldn't want to quote on Vic's behalf. You should just give him a call he's as friendly as they come. Tell him you're with TMEC, feel free to mention my name. If you want a general ballpark idea of cost, a rebuild is usually in the area of $1k give or take a few dollars depending on the extent of the work and parts required.
Yes, there are a couple TMEC people who are capable of rebuilding it, but the question is how long you can go without a car? Because they all have day jobs and aren't likely to work as quickly on it as a shop will.

MarkhamMax wrote:I wouldn't want to quote on Vic's behalf. You should just give him a call he's as friendly as they come. Tell him you're with TMEC, feel free to mention my name. If you want a general ballpark idea of cost, a rebuild is usually in the area of $1k give or take a few dollars depending on the extent of the work and parts required.
Yes, there are a couple TMEC people who are capable of rebuilding it, but the question is how long you can go without a car? Because they all have day jobs and aren't likely to work as quickly on it as a shop will.

i gave him a call, nice guy.. vic and thanx 4 the referral. This guy is a ways up there... and considering i cant go over 2nd gear it'll take me 2 hrs or more to get there. Besides... if there is somone within tmec i would really prefer if they cud do a rebuild... in terms of time..i cud prob. arrange alternative conveyance for 7-10 days.
Ive also noticed the gas mileage of the car is going down considerably even before the tranny issue. I guess i shud check the fuel injectors as they are known 2 cause bad mileage... just for comparison how much does ur max do in a tank or how much shud it do...