NSR...old car refresh

[Iahawk]

I'm at the point where my teen daughters will need their first car so I purchased a car from my mother's next door neighbors, whom I've known for years. It's a 2006 Pontiac Vibe (twin to Toyota Matrix / Corolla wagon). I knew it had some miles....but it has 214,000 (344,000 km)! Surprisingly, the car is in great shape, mechanically. Cosmetically it was rough. It had sat outside most of its life and had sat undriven for the past 6 months.

After checking the car out and taking it to my mechanic to get it up in the air, I bought it. Nothing mechanically wrong with it, just needs a lot of maintenance done, like an old bike!

I proceeded to start on the detail job..engine cleaning, interior cleaning and then full exterior detail. Headlight restoration made a big difference! I have to wait to restore the plastic exterior trim for some warmer weather. Very pleased with how the car turned out (from 10 feet away...I joked that they must have stored bricks on the hood and roof).

Now it's on to the replacement parts...have changed oil and filter, headlight bulbs, rear wiper, interior dome light bulbs (led) and have waiting in my parts pile:
serpentine belt
valve cover gasket
new denso iridium spark plugs
pcv valve
air filter
cabin air filter
cam chain tensioner o ring (lots of seeping from various o rings on motor)
intake gasket
throttle body gasket
new antennae
new rear hatch struts
probably a few more I'm forgetting

I'll also change the brake fluid, coolant and trans fluid. The car will need front pads and rotors, soon, and this will be my first go around with rear drum brakes. The alloy wheels will need to be refinished, too. Corrosion on all 4. Nothing is complex on this car and parts are cheap. Since I don't have a motorcycle / scooter project to keep me occupied, this will have to do!

[randyo]

the worse thing for a vehicle is to sit undriven, expect the exhaust to have some rot

couple  years ago, I bought a 140k mile '02 Tacoma from a friend, I know that he takes care of vehicles meticulously and he had receipts, but also evidence he only drove it a couple thousand miles i the previous 3 years, reason he  was selling

he had replaced the rotted exhaust, I didn't even get it all the way home before brake lines started bursting, then the shifter cable, next was the steering rack, more brake lines, the starter, neutral safety switch, if it wasn't one thing it was another
final straw was an apparent head gasket failure, I didn't even have it checked, just sold it for scrap, bought a 130k mile '16 Frontier that I am very happy with

[Stig / Major Tom]

Shoot Hawk, that's a pretty good looking car!
And, yeah that model has a good rep!
Rear drums... I've a lot of VW experience with drums.
THE worst set of rear drums was ---- well, I married a cute blonde - 9 yrs my junior - so there's that - but damsam. "Girl, when was the last time you had your Fairmont serviced ...other than oil changes?!"

The rear shoes had ground themselves DEEP into the drums. Metal-on-metal stopping for who knows how long.
So, drum will not come off!
I was pretty strong in those days - so I was able to ape the wheel/drum off ...with clips and springs and brake parts flying about. 3/4 of a hot summer day.
Drums were surprisingly inexpensive at NAPA.

I was surprised to learn that my Chevy F-150 has rear drums..  I think it is an O'6. (good truck, 75K - but $1400 so far on front brakes and total-lines replaced)

Good luck and keep us in your story here!
Stig

[randyo]

Chevy F-150 ?

[Iahawk]

Chevy F-150 ?

or Ford-erado?

I had no idea of the surprising cult following these old Vibe / Matrix cars have. Owner forums with details on everything you'd ever need to keep them running strong. It's even a car that people 'car camp' in...the back seats fold flat (as does the front passenger seat) and if you slide the front seats up you can put a mattress in the back to sleep!

Here's a few more pics. (replaced 1 of the 2 reverse lights this morning with an led...it's like having a rear headlight!..will replace the other side today, too)

[Stig / Major Tom]

Chevy F-150 ?

Oh, it might be a Ford Silverado.
I keep forgetting what's on the steering wheel.
I don't know much about American cars.
Stig

[Iahawk]

pic of upgraded led reverse lights...nothing like laying on the floor on your back jamming your hand up into a 3" gap between dirty, rusty metal inner structure and the bumper cover, unscrewing a bulb that likely hasn't been touched in 19 years...all doing it by feel because your arm blocks any view...

but, Damn, those leds are like little headlights!

[Iahawk]

spent some time cleaning out the spare tire well and the cover for it that also holds the jack. Years of sand, dirt and crud in there. Also sprayed down the rear cargo carpet with upholstery cleaner and used my drill mounted scrub brush to give it a good cleaning, followed by a vacuum. That drill mounted scrubber is something I wish I would have found years ago..it really makes quick work of cleaning carpets and upholstery. Replaced the antennae with the rotted rubber and rust with a new one from Amazon. Looks like new.

[Ruffus]

hawk, that's it👍
...nothing worse than to sit idle without a project🛠

[Neil955i]

Looks in good nick Hawk and knowing you, it'll be concourse condition for sure before too long!