Hello all, I have been searching for a Station Wagon specific owners forum, like the ones I belong to for my classic motorcycles. I was the owner of a 2005 Chrysler Sebring GTC convertible, which I could no longer sit in with any kind of comfort due to a hip replacement, and a rare disease of the bones that attacks the joints. I also needed a car that could tow a bike trailer with 2 full dress large cruisers. I spent almost 3 months looking, ready to give up on a good wagon and just go with an older Impala or LTD when I lucked out like you would not believe! I stumbled across a documented 63,000 original mile baby blue (no fake wood sides) 1987 Ford LTD Country Squire that is in almost showroom condition! The interior is like new, and it has the sideways facing rear jump seats as well. It has the EFI 5.0 W/4SPD OD Auto, that truly achieves 24MPG on the open road at 65MPH. Of course, as it was owned by an older couple that was only used for long trips, I figured that some maintenance and improved fluids were in order! I switched to Mobile One 10w40, had the brown antifreeze flushed out and fresh installed, new hoses, new rear brakes, (the front discs were just done in the last 3-4000 miles) Next month (I am on disability, so I can only do so much each month) the auto trans fluid/filter is next, and I also had a 3 pack of real gauges installed,( oil press/water temp/volts) And, I am having a small graphic design in vinyl put on that just covers part of the 2 side doors, to break up that long plain baby blue side. The only other changes to come, before I am ready to drive it for 5 years with only oil changes and chassis grease is new Bosch multi tip plugs and wires, and to change out the LT245/75R15 tires, which ride like a pickup (they ARE pickup tires!) I cannot say enough how much fun this car is to drive! I can't begin to explain why, but it just feels like a real car, not a bread box with a tiny motor! For pics, if by chance anyone cares to see her, visit my photobucket site: http://s481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/montanaghost/?start=20 about half way down the page, the sub albums are listed in a up/down line, open the one titled "pics of Montana and other stuff" the first 5-6 pics are of her. if anyone has an 87, which I guess was the first year for the EFI 5.0 and has any tips to pass on, please respond, or email me at the following: glenn.merideth@gmail.com
thanks for the welcom I took about an hour reading posts before I decided to join to see whether or not it was a nice friendly type forum, or one of the growing "steam blowing" forums that have been cropping up lately. And, as I was saying, but did not really get across my new found attitude, not only did I start to really feel a lot of pain sitting in the "sport seats" in the small cramped cockpit of my car, and every other late model small car these days, but I discovered something that I had forgotten, that the nice big and even medium cars from the mid 60's through the 80's American made cars really had a lot of "personality" I know my new wagon does! I have even had the same change of heart with motorcycles. I just bought a 1982 Suzuki GS1100GK "full dress touring model" that has under 29,000 miles, and runs very smooth and strong! The ugly red paint, which is faded, patched, and rough is going to be sanded down when the worst if Montana's winter fades and a nice Black Cherry paint, which I already have sitting on a table in the house just waiting! Being that some very good running rust free older cars and bikes down in southern CA & AZ are available for real cheap,I am slowly building a small Classic bike/American car collection along the lines of the mid size 70's Japanese bikes, and 70's/80's American cars in good condition, even though I have not yet decided on which cars I will be looking for! Keep in touch, and when I begin the transformation of the Suzuki, I will be taking LOT'S of pics, and posting them in my photobucket account. Glenn glenn.merideth@gmail.com
Thanks for the nice welcome Fannie, I look forward to getting to know many more members. Glenn. PS: I have a pic of my 87 Country Squire in the garage.
Yes, I already get a big kick whenever I drive it there almost seems that the car has a "personality" that today's car's lack. Not to mention that in this car, I feel like I'm actually driving a real, all steel, well made automobile, where as todays unibody cars feel like your in an egg shell almost! I had a 4500 LB class 1 hitch installed and it pulls my 1000LB motorcycle trailer, with a 750 LB full dress KZ1100 on it like it wasn't even back there! Shoot, in a pinch, I can lay all the rear seats flat and have a 6 ft bed if I ever needed one! Mtghost
LOL.....most of us wagon guys are familiar with the advantages you mention, ghost. But, it's nice to see someone just beginning to appreciate the station wagon and all it's benefits. There's nothing like driving a wagon. Especially the big ones.
I'm on my way now to the "Big City", which up here in the sticks is Billings MT. Our largest city, which in most states would be referred to as a "town"LOL.(pop 150,000) The part that surprised me that most was the fuel economy! My 05 Sebring GTC convertible got 26 MPG, this big ole' beast actually gets 24 MPG@ 65! I was expecting to be happy with 17/18! Have a great day Silverfox. Glenn.
yes, Lake Rosebud is about 45 miles south of Columbus, which is on I90 45 miles west of billings, about 50 miles from our ranch. If you look on a map of Southern Montana and Northern Wyoming, we are on the highway half way between Billings and Cody WY. 17 miles as the crow flies east of Red Lodge, you can see the Beartooth Range from 50 miles north to 50 miles south of us from anywhere on our farm/ranch.
as for the attributes of a wagon???? ...lets just say.....'your preachin to the choir'..... congrats on the purchase...and to your new home
It has come as something of a surprise to me that driving a 24 year old Crown Vic wagon, as common as they are would bring as much joy when driving it as it does. I got lucky in finding such a very low mileage well maintained and cared for model. I still have some things both maintenance wise, and cosmetically to, in order to make it a little different than any other. when the graphics are layed on, and the windows tinted dark, and the engine tuned for a little more power, then I will just enjoy it, and maintain it to last as long as I do. Since I also have the same feelings towards 20+ year old Japanese motorcycles, it will be a little while before I can also acquire a GM Wagon from the 70's as well. I'm looking forward to getting to know more members of this forum. Glenn
