Interesting Tidbit...
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From: MO
Interesting Tidbit...
Interesting tidbit, from an educated Avenger owner...
I was born and raised in Southern California, and better than the culture of not having to care for your things in our community, was the fact that my father was particularly car-savvy. So although I watched him and payed attention, I really hadn't done anything to any car I had owned.
No seriously... Vacuuming your own car where I'm from, was a far-stretch to say the least.
Well, I finally was planted into the real world, where people maintain they're own vehicles, and Dad's aren't there to pave the way anymore.
As some may recall, especially BadVenge, I happened to stumble across an amazing deal... No, a STEAL! $800, for an almost-perfect (besides minor body damage, and an emotionally-depressed headliner) pearlescent green (still WONDERFUL condition), 1996 Dodge Avenger.
Well, of course I bought it. Just before I did so, I posted a simple message on this forum. "
New owner! Help!" I think was the title... Remember Venge?
Well, I got it inspected for safety, imissions tested (of course), and was on my merry way. Some people mentioned here, along with my reading, the small recalls that had been placed on the model. The handles that seem to brake on every single Avenger, and other little silly things. And suddenly, I started to grow. I started with an oil-change, one run of the sea-foam, amongst other things... And I realized that my headlights needed to be resurfaced, as they were getting AWFUL milky, and I had happened to see the sticky on the resurfacing of the headlights back then. I managed that a day later, and I felt an odd sense of pride in myself. Just me, and the car, in a cold garage. Both learning from each other... It reminded me of my first pet, really. Well, that went perfectly, so I decided to repair the headliner myself next. Well, that didn't go well (the glue didn't stick to the old padding), but I didn't let that put me down. Some of the avid members of this forum mentioned to me that it wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible to remake the whole darn thing...
Well, I had been so pumped up by the other members, I shortly-after found myself shoulder-deep inside what was the remains of Dodge Avengers of the past, deep in a Pick-N-Pull yard (as they are commonly known apparently). I found one, did the whole thing by myself (outside in the snow, and the dark by the way... Go me!). But I actually managed to do the whole thing, all by myself, with little more than a few basic tools and some really supportive members.
Although I'm sure some of those avid members didn't have much faith in me, I persisted... So I finally realized that the cigarette lighter wasn't working. I rewired the entire center console, put in a new head-unit, AND fabricated an entire wood-grain center console on-the-fly... With a few simple parts from the original AAAAND even fitted a new leather clutch-sleeve.
Well, of course, being a perfectionist it turned out amazing. SO amazing, that I was approached by a co-worker, and asked if the car was new! "No... It's a 96..." I informed her, while her mouth hung open in surprise "I just have really supportive friends" I stated, smirking to myself while her eyes hung in that 'shocked' appearance.
I don't drive that car, it drives me. And it might be the oldest car I've driven, but it's by far got the most spirit and the most soul. It gets me everywhere I need to go in style, luxury, and accuracy. It never sputters, chokes, dies, fades, or pops... And I'm a life-long member of the forum.
Merry Christmas, to all of the members of the DodgeForum.com website, and I sincerely thank you all with the deepest gratitude, for steering my in the right direction, and helping me with the biggest project I've ever had.
Really,
Thank You,
Lucky.
I was born and raised in Southern California, and better than the culture of not having to care for your things in our community, was the fact that my father was particularly car-savvy. So although I watched him and payed attention, I really hadn't done anything to any car I had owned.
No seriously... Vacuuming your own car where I'm from, was a far-stretch to say the least.
Well, I finally was planted into the real world, where people maintain they're own vehicles, and Dad's aren't there to pave the way anymore.
As some may recall, especially BadVenge, I happened to stumble across an amazing deal... No, a STEAL! $800, for an almost-perfect (besides minor body damage, and an emotionally-depressed headliner) pearlescent green (still WONDERFUL condition), 1996 Dodge Avenger.
Well, of course I bought it. Just before I did so, I posted a simple message on this forum. "
New owner! Help!" I think was the title... Remember Venge?Well, I got it inspected for safety, imissions tested (of course), and was on my merry way. Some people mentioned here, along with my reading, the small recalls that had been placed on the model. The handles that seem to brake on every single Avenger, and other little silly things. And suddenly, I started to grow. I started with an oil-change, one run of the sea-foam, amongst other things... And I realized that my headlights needed to be resurfaced, as they were getting AWFUL milky, and I had happened to see the sticky on the resurfacing of the headlights back then. I managed that a day later, and I felt an odd sense of pride in myself. Just me, and the car, in a cold garage. Both learning from each other... It reminded me of my first pet, really. Well, that went perfectly, so I decided to repair the headliner myself next. Well, that didn't go well (the glue didn't stick to the old padding), but I didn't let that put me down. Some of the avid members of this forum mentioned to me that it wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible to remake the whole darn thing...
Well, I had been so pumped up by the other members, I shortly-after found myself shoulder-deep inside what was the remains of Dodge Avengers of the past, deep in a Pick-N-Pull yard (as they are commonly known apparently). I found one, did the whole thing by myself (outside in the snow, and the dark by the way... Go me!). But I actually managed to do the whole thing, all by myself, with little more than a few basic tools and some really supportive members.
Although I'm sure some of those avid members didn't have much faith in me, I persisted... So I finally realized that the cigarette lighter wasn't working. I rewired the entire center console, put in a new head-unit, AND fabricated an entire wood-grain center console on-the-fly... With a few simple parts from the original AAAAND even fitted a new leather clutch-sleeve.
Well, of course, being a perfectionist it turned out amazing. SO amazing, that I was approached by a co-worker, and asked if the car was new! "No... It's a 96..." I informed her, while her mouth hung open in surprise "I just have really supportive friends" I stated, smirking to myself while her eyes hung in that 'shocked' appearance.
I don't drive that car, it drives me. And it might be the oldest car I've driven, but it's by far got the most spirit and the most soul. It gets me everywhere I need to go in style, luxury, and accuracy. It never sputters, chokes, dies, fades, or pops... And I'm a life-long member of the forum.
Merry Christmas, to all of the members of the DodgeForum.com website, and I sincerely thank you all with the deepest gratitude, for steering my in the right direction, and helping me with the biggest project I've ever had.
Really,
Thank You,
Lucky.
Last edited by luckyfox; Dec 26, 2009 at 03:13 AM. Reason: Added Original Content Links
Professional
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 119
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From: Cumberland, MD
Nice buy btw but i was lookin at some pics and noticed what I think is rust on the strut mounts under the hood. If that is I would advice checking the back ones. Had one of those mounts break on my car and the whole rear was swaying anytime i hit even the slightest bump. Not very fun on the interstate if ya know what i mean. Just trying to give you a heads up. If they are rusting I would recommend getting the complete strut tower off of a talon or eclipse as they are easier to get to and they for some reason do not seem to rust as fast as avengers do. Kinda weird if ya ask me but hopefully they are not and you have nothing to worry about. Just trying to help ya out. I currently have 2 venges. One is a 95 4cyl and the other is a 97 v6. I will keep these stock until I get the RX-7 done then these will become my project cars lol.
