[Yesterday: ran about a mile; Today: nothing yet]
I think I have mentioned my enjoyment in bidding on government surplus stuff online. I got up this morning to discover that an old pickup truck up near Memphis is now my new project. Why didn’t those out-bidders come to my rescue? 🙂
So this morning I’m going to try to contact the vehicle service people in Olive Branch, MS and see if they can give me any hints about the last known condition of the thing. Then I decide whether to have it towed to a shop or to the junk yard.
The picture looks pretty good, looks better than the last old truck I bought. And that one is still on the road chugging away.
My top bid was $550 and I ended up getting it for about $475. I figure almost any vehicle is worth $500. It does add some complication that it is 3 hours away from here. But if I can get it towed to a shop and in running condition for another $300-$400, I can drive up there and collect it and be in pretty good shape. A running pickup for less than $1k is a good deal. On the other hand, if the engine is shot (unlikely) I have to contemplate some kind of engine replacement ($2500) and that is not so fun but probably still OK if the thing is not burned up or been in a flood.
And I guess the worst case is I spend another $150 to have it towed and looked at and they tell me it is a complete mess. Then I’m out most of $700 for nothing. Ah well, it’s still cheaper than going to Vegas and probably more fun.