I need help with a really tough decision...

Got any pics of the 52? Scratch that I looked on your albums and it's a nice car.

 

Im not saying dont do it but keep in mind a good running car is a good running car. Dont think a new car will necassarily be a better option. I just sold my trusty reliable but old and not kid friendly truck and bought a late model low mileage(50K) 1 owner Fleetwood Caddy. Because I wanted to do the responsible dad thing as well. In short order I am almost 1500$ into a 5000$ car and thats just parts and me doing MOST of the labor myself. If the old car runs well It could be a much more parctical choice to maintain while you save your money to upgrade later. Keep this in mind newer cars are desinged to be maintained by factory trained "spacialists" and can require a laundry list of specialty tools and high dollar parts just for a simple (or at least what should be simple) repair. I still end up driving my 52 to work and I always refer to it as " the most reliable car I own". Good luck I hope everything works out for you and the family.

 

Just read shiftys post I agree 100% you can repair just about anything on that car in a weekend. New does not always equal reliable. (even if our wives think so).
Good luck bro

 

What a tuff decision. My first thought was sell all the old stuff and buy a newer car. But everyone here has good points. The 52 looks like a nice car and you don't get that much bad weather (5 f'n inches of snow here in MN today Oct 12th). Keep the 52 for your daily driver and sell the others for a dependable driver for the wife and kid. If that doesn't work out you can always sell the 52 later.

 

Down the road, your kids will prefer to remember you being a great dad rather than you having a cool car. So will you.

 

man o man, you guys have me pulling my hair out, haha

 

Family First...cars will come in time

 

Been there, done that. Sold a 34 Dodge when my business went belly up so I could keep the house. Two young kids & a wife. No brainer. 9 years later have my T bucket AND a Model A roadster project. It does get better. Sell whatever you have to, to make sure your wife and child are safe and have reliable transport. My 2 cents.

 

How far of a commute do you have? What work does the '52 currently need? If it's a reasonable commute and the car doesn't need anything major I vote for you using that as your daily driver. Depending on your money situation sell either one or both of the other vehicles to either repair the Taurus or to get a newer, safer vehicle for your wife and child to use as their primary driver. I fully agree with others here, just because the car is old doesn't mean it's a bad choice.

 

I've been here before. After I bought a house it seems like things happened so fast. I held on as long as I could. Too long it turned out. My old lady aint my old lady any more. I sold three cars a '70 Beetle, a '64 Mercury Comet 202, and finally when there was nothing but misery left a '65 Fairlane 500. It's been a while now, 8 years. If I had to do it all again or someone asked me about it I'd say sell the old car and the junk too. Keep your family safe and happy and they'll be happy for you to have a hobby when it's in your means. My children are 7 and 4 years old now and I was fortunate enough to get a screamin deal on my old Fairlane. Project cars and old drivers are everywhere and will be a few years down the line.

 

Well spoken guys. The wife and kids must come first. You will be able to get another toy. Remember, if mama ain't happy......

 

I would stick with the old and drive it. Get your wife a cheaper used car by trading or selling the others.Only 5 years ago I was in the same deal but sold every thing and bought a new car.That car caused more problems than help for the last 5 years I wished I had an old daily driver.Not for the cool factor but for lack of payments and the ins. and it was easier to work on.Buy the time a new car is paid for it will be worn out and hard to fix.You can get by that way.Keep your family safe but new car does not always = safe.

 

Family first everything else will fall in line

 

10 years ago I had to put an alternator in my 89 Suburban, that my wife drove every day, in a snow storm. The alternator went on the way home from picking up our 8 month old son from daycare. 1 month later I bought her a new Tahoe. She hasn't driven a car (OOPS!!! All trucks) that didn't have a factory warranty on it since. I had a company car (now gone, what a nice perk that was) and she drove my race car tow vehicle to work. Good wife she is. My point here is the wife & kids come way before the toys. Make sure they are safe and a new toy can come later. Or you could sell the 2 late models that are worn out, get her something new and drive the 52 every day if it's a good car like you say it is.

 

Soooooo, your married now. This is a major decision, do your self a favor and get her imput. I discovered years ago, that my wife didn't like driving different cars, she would rather drive an old wore out pos then get something different, until what she was driving made her walk. Then she was ready for something different, and I found something she liked that was mechanically good. I don't think this is a decision you should make without her thoughts. You may be way farther ahead to fix her sunbird then to replace it, and she may want to keep your 51.

That $500 a month car payment will fix a lot of stuff on your current cars.

Don't know what your paying for rent, but these days you may get into a house of your own for the nearly same money, if your credit is good. Your wife might want a house of your own rather then an expensive new(er) car. Gene

 

the classic story I here all the time; "got married, had a kid...had to sell the hot rod to get a family car."

 

my daughter grew up riding in old cars. you can make them reliable, and they are easier to fix. and they dont depreciate as much. and they'll give your kid something to remember.

old cars can sit outside as well. take care of them and they are tough.

-scott noteboom
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Being the good guy you are, or else you wouldn't even be asking folks would ya, so you know what you hate to do, but need to do. Your a stand up pop, and you'll have a few more down toys the road, your wife and kid are lucky also that you care enough to ask. do what you have to do, do what your able to do, and just take each day at a time, things will work out. good luck, and keep your chin up bro.

 

In my wifes defense, she likes the 52 more than I do, haha. One of the other main reasons I would part with that is because I have nowhere to park it or store it. It would sit outside all winter and my apartments already bitch about oil and gas and whatever else I decide to share with them. I think its going to a better home this weekend. Im not buying anything new with a payment, thats out of the question. Ill get an SUV with 4wd and Ill use the 2 turds myself.

 

this is a wize man ...listen to him.

 

Thats not the case here I think he knows what to do but here on the HAMB we are like family and he needs a little moral support ,check craigs list also theres always good trades to be made you would be surprised what you could trade for ,the better the car is you get the better you will feel about having to get rid of your crestliner.Good luck and may god bless you and your family.