My astro van has been my only transportation for the last 4 years, and while it has served it's purpose, I've been neglecting it somewhat. There are a lot of things that I want to do, a V8, a new interior, new paint, not to mention standard maintence, need new brakes, could use a tune up and so on...
My problem has been trying to do the work with no down time (and no garage) Simply put, little gets done.
So I found out my step dad was looking to get rid of a car-- for free. I jumped on it, but of course, there's a problem with it. For starters, it's a Ford
![Shhh :-$](./images/smilies/eusa_shhh.gif)
I figure I've got a few choices (they all revolve around getting into a house with a garage):
1) Get a salvage yard transmission and swap it out in a day.
2) Get a rebuild kit and fix the original transmission (who knows how long that could take)
3) Get a salvage yard transmission, swap it out in a day as well as get a rebuild kit to fix the original transmission-- 'cause chances are the salvage transmission, will poop out soon after!!!! I assume that, because, doing some research, I found out that the transmissions in these things are junk and are notorious for crapping out.
4) Do nothing and take my chances.. I only live 3 miles from work, so I wouldn't put alot of miles on it. My sister drove the car to Gainesville last week (4-5 hour drive) and it didn't act up on her until 2 miles from home
Aside from the transmission, the rest of the car is decent, he kept up with all the maintenance, got everything fixed when it needed to be. I really want another astro to drive when I'm working on the van, but free is free...
So, what would you do? Thanks, in advance