lws@hou2d.UUCP (lwsamocha) (01/17/86)
* The discussion the on Chevrolet Vega brings back fond memories of my 73 Kammback GT wagon! I had bad luck with the 71 Toyota, so I decided to try Detroit iron again when the new crop of small sub-compacts came out. I needed- Something small for running around in. A commuter machine to get to work, to classes, short trips, etc. Something with room to haul stuff around when necessary, because I was remodeling a house. Something that I wouldn't worry about (!). So I believe every word written in C&D and R&T about this Chevy! I still believe GM kept the car mags in their back pockets then. I took delivery the month the Arab oil boycott began. The GT was loaded up most every option you could get on Vegas at the time- sticker= $3880, my cost= $2944-out the door! With the boycott in full swing, the gas lines in November 1973 were getting longer. In fact, the dealer called me when I was about to take delivery and he offerred me a comparable IMPALA for the about the same money! This was when dealers couldn't move the big iron at all, while getting a premium for the small cars. I had my deal tucked away, but the salesman still tried to move me. He said the Vega was awfully small for a fella like me, then said it had 'reliability problems' (he was right, but what did I know?!), then once he told me the factory lost my order, but I had GM connections and had the manufacturers order info and assembly dates. When I picked it up- The paint job was terrible. The metallic silver paint was speckled with dirt. The front end wobbled terribly at speeds above 40. Within 100 miles, almost every screw holding the instrument panel fell off! At 300 miles, the rear hatch refused to close. At 500 miles, the shift lever came out of the console during an upshift. The wiring harness under the hood shorted out requiring complete replacement. Within the 12K warranty period, the exhaust manifold, pipe, and muffler were replaced twice. I had to replace the entire exhaust system twice again while I owned it. The dealer repainted the roof, hatch and quarterpanels with a shade of silver darker than original. Both front Firestone 500s disintegrated. Later they were recalled. There was more, but I can't remember all of them. After lots of trips to the selling dealer, letters to GM, and threats from my lawyer, everything was taken care of. I finally obtained satisfaction and the Vega ran great for four years with NO (underlined NO) problems- 28 to 30 mpg. No repairs, didn't burn oil, didn't overheat- I figured that I'd gotten the bugs out and lucked out. Then- The fenders rusted away in the Michigan salt, even with Ziebart! The well for the spare tire accumulated water and rusted away dumping the spare on the Ohio Turnpike one afternoon. After 40K miles the beast needed one quart of straight 30W every 250 miles. No filter or oil changes were necessary. I figure that the burned oil coated the exhaust system and probably saved me two more replacements! The front suspension deteriorated so I replaced everything, yet it still road like a tank. As I drove down the road and a tire crossed a concrete expansion joint, the cords in my neck would bulge out as a fought the wheel back to a straight line. The fenders and hatch were held together with duct tape applied in fresh layers every two weeks. But the Vega started flawlessly every morning in the cold Ann Arbor winters. The battery lasted the whole seven years I owned it. I hauled a lot of lumber, drywall, and siding in the back, on top, and hanging out the rear hatch of the Vega. I took out the rear seat back, moved the front seat so's I could stretch out my legs. It appeared that I was driving from the rear seat. Though it slowly rusted away, I never actually felt unsafe driving it. I can recall once or twice enjoying it. My wife must of drove it less than ten times. She might still be angry about the rusty water leak under the dash that ruined shoes and pantyhose. I sold it off piece-by-piece to other Vega owners needing engine and interior parts. I watched it slowly disappear in my back yard, then I sold what was left of the shell for $100! Isn't it great that we are able to look back upon miserable experiences with automobiles and come up with some fantastic memories? In twenty more years, I'll forget the troubles when I notice an ad in R&T for a Cosworth Vega- only $60K! I'll say to my kids, "Hey, I owned something similar to that back in the 70's!" Anyone else care to relate memories or experiences? LWS lws!hou2d *