A Time To Say Goodbye

[T2T]

Well, folks, welcome to 2012 !!! I hope this is a year that brings you prosperity, as well as all the good things that come along with it.

Now, with my kind words out of the way, I basically started this thread to give thanks to many of those here on the forum that have been so kind to assist me through the various issues with my 2002 2.5L Millenia. It's been a good ride, so to speak. However, it has gotten to the point of where I'm ready to move on and purchase another vehicle. Oh, it's not that point that my Milly wouldn't happily and safely get me to work for the next two years, but it's a point where we're ready to get a different vehicle in our family and that will mean the end for my Millenia.

I want to take a moment to thank Yel-low, Keninn, and endless numbers of members here who have tirelessly contributed their own time and energy towards providing valuable and time saving advice for many Millenia members. I know that if it wasn't for this forum, I would have given up a long time ago. I know I wouldn't have been able to keep up with the repair shops in my area because their work is $112.00 per hour - and, that's not the dealership, either. However, I've learned a lot from this forum that I would never be able to read up on in the Millenia service manual. Experience from members who have performed the same function a single time or many times prior allowed them to elaborate a bit and provide better details on the process than any guide could ever document. Again, though, I think this all happens for good reason. For those who are so generous with their time, there is a point in there life when the true rewards will come to them. I'm sure that they get some small awards of personal achievment when they help resolve an issue... but, I think the bigger awards will come later in their lives.

I've decided this time around, I'm going to go with a vehicle where the parts are more plentiful and the cost of the parts is nearly half of less than the Millenia. I'm moving onto a Buick LaCrosse that I have found. I've always wanted a "couch on wheels" - but, the LaCrosse is a bit more contemporary than that and not so much a couch as the LeSabre sould be. The GM 3.8L engine of nowaways seems like the old Chevrolet 350 of the past. It serves as a power plant for many of their vehicles, so the abundance of parts is excellent. Also, the ride - I don't drive for performance, but rather comfort, is where the Buick will pay off for me. Most of the lower body panels have all been treated with Dynamat-like material to keep road noise down in the vehicle. Also, with my Millenia, I remember driving at 60 MPH and running at nearly 3,000 RPM on the tachometer. The Buick, with the 4 speed tranny and different gear ratios, on the other hand, turns about 1,600 RPMs at 60 MPH.

If there's ever anything I could do for any of you, please let me know. Send me a PM - I'll ensure my account forwards an alert to my e-mail address to inform me. I figure my knowledge might be good for something or another.

Also, in closing, I'm basically out of ideas on what to do with my Millenia. I don't want to deal with too many tire kickers that will take a bunch of time and I'll have to be home for a lot of appointments. However, I did run the numbers on KBB.com and pulled up the private party price for a "Fair" condition Millenia with my options and 165,000 miles. It provided me with a price "guideline" of $2,319. With that being said, "Fair" condition means just that - the vehicle can have known mechanical defects, etc. and fall into that category. In my case, the P0400 code has been a pain in my rear for a few years now. Even having a shop install a new EGR valve and some other work at $700 meant the car was code-free for about 5 weeks until the code came back. So, the vehicle has a check engine light that remains on. This might be fine for someone who lives in an area where emissions testing is not mandatory. Also, I've noticed an oil leak just outside of the oil filter area. I've replaced the pressure sending unit for the oil, but that didn't resolve the issue.

However, the vehicle is pretty clean. The pain still shines well, there are some door dings - obviously since this vehicle is prone to them as well as a 6" slight indentation behind the right front wheel in the fender. The tires are Michelins all around with probably 10,000 miles of life left on them. The tilt wheel doesn't work, but everything else is basically in correct working order. There are no tears in the leather, the carpet is clean - though not as good as on day one. The car has never been smoked in and the trunk is so clean, you could enjoy a meal in there.

Putting the KBB numbers aside, [Edit: The Millenia has been sold.]

Thanks, y'all.

[T2T]

Double Post. Sorry, Goliat. Please delete this 2nd thread. Thanks,

[Kutcht1]

Dangit! Why doesn't a deal like this come up in my area. This however is the problem with the Millenia not holding it's value and me ending up with two of them. I would jump on this if it were closer. I have seen you in many threads and you were a true asset to this forum.
Good Luck, and enjoy your new ride. I love the new Buicks and they are a dream to drive and you are correct in every aspect.
TomK

[Xedosman]

Good luck with your Buick; we don't see many of those here but I'm sure it is nice.
As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather keep the Milly instead of selling her for $1k. Even if it meant just resting the eyes on her

[Goliat6288]

why do i feel like if you were breaking up with me? lmao.

it was great having you here sir and youre welcome to visit back and update us anytime. hope the new ride treats you good.

[adminAF]

Happy New Year to you and your family as well! Best of luck with everything and as mentioned, more than welcome to pop by anytime!

Cheers

[T2T]

Originally Posted by Kutcht1

Dangit! Why doesn't a deal like this come up in my area. This however is the problem with the Millenia not holding it's value and me ending up with two of them. I would jump on this if it were closer. I have seen you in many threads and you were a true asset to this forum.
Good Luck, and enjoy your new ride. I love the new Buicks and they are a dream to drive and you are correct in every aspect.
TomK

Tom,

Check some cheap Southwest Airlines flights to Dulles Airport. I live about 20 minutes from there and could pick you up. Then, fuel the beast up and hit the road for a 1,300 mile trip back home. Now, that would be the hard part. Driving through parts of Ohio, etc. are not too exciting - nothing against Ohio.

While on one hand, yes, it would be optimal to hold onto it instead of selling it for $1,000. However, life is busy for me - lots of things happening, which are all good. My time is essentially consumed for the most part. The 2.5L Millenia really doesn't need all that much maintenance to speak of - other than cleaning out the carbon to clear the P0404 code, frequent oil changes and dropping the tranny pan to drain out 4 quarts or so and install a new filter.

I was looking at my Millenia today when I parked it so I could drive the Buick away from the bank where the transaction occured. The Green Mica metallic paint on it still shines as good as when the car was new. Sure, there are some door dings and a few rubs on the corners of bumps from those ol' ladies in the Walmart parking lots trying to park their Grand Marquis automobiles, but I really do think it has held up well. Additionally, on Sunday when I got back into my Milly after test driving the Buick, never once did I think "boy, this car sure drives crappy." Instead I felt that it was quite a good ride - nice and straight, relatively quiet, good shifting, nice heat, etc.

[99SnowWhiteMillyS]

Good luck with everything and take care.

[Saint_]

Good luck and happy new year T2T!

Everyone will eventually move to other rides. Milly is out of production. Although we have the passion for millenia in common I dont think this is the only thing that sticks us together. Please keep in touch and come back to the forum even if you go with another car.

T2T I will see you around

[lefty]

Good luck, T2T. I have appreciated the threads that you started and contributed to here. Somebody is going to get a good deal on your milly.