Haha, your ignition coil story hits close to home. Had a similar thing happen to me a couple summers ago, except mine was the fuel pump—just decided to quit without any warning signs. Middle of nowhere, kids in the backseat getting restless, and me trying to convince them that "waiting for the tow truck" was just part of our adventure. Yeah, they weren't buying it.
But you know, your comment about preventive maintenance got me thinking... do you guys usually carry spare parts with you on longer trips? I've heard some vintage car owners swear by carrying extra ignition coils, fuel pumps, or even alternators just in case. Seems like a good idea in theory, but I wonder if it's actually practical or just adds unnecessary clutter.
I mean, sure, having a trunk full of spare parts might save you from being stranded once in a blue moon, but where do you draw the line? You can't exactly carry an entire parts store around with you. And even if you did have the parts, would you realistically be able to swap out something like a fuel pump or ignition coil on the side of the road without proper tools?
I guess I'm curious what everyone else's approach is here. Right now I just carry basic tools, jumper cables, duct tape (of course), and some fluids. But maybe I'm missing something obvious? Or maybe it's just better to accept that no matter how prepared you are, sometimes luck isn't on your side.
Either way, totally agree with you on the charm factor. There's something oddly satisfying about never quite knowing what's around the next bend... keeps things interesting for sure.
Honestly, carrying spare parts sounds good on paper, but realistically... how many of us are actually gonna swap out an alternator or fuel pump roadside? I mean, basic stuff like belts, hoses, or fuses—sure, makes sense. But ignition coils and fuel pumps? Unless you're pretty handy and have the right tools (and patience), seems like you'd just be hauling around extra weight.
I stick to the basics myself: jumper cables, tire repair kit, a decent socket set, and yeah, duct tape. But now you've got me wondering—maybe it's smarter to invest in preventive maintenance before hitting the road rather than lugging around half a garage "just in case." Do you guys usually do a thorough check-up before long trips, or just wing it and hope for the best?
I get what you're saying, but honestly, preventive maintenance is key for me—especially with vintage luxury cars. My routine before long trips:
- Check fluids and tire pressures
- Quick look-over for leaks or weird noises
- Spare belts and fuses (just in case)
Anything beyond that...that's why roadside assistance exists, right?
I hear ya on the roadside assistance thing, but honestly, relying on them too much can be a gamble. Had a trip a few years back in my old Benz—thought I had everything covered. Fluids checked, tires good, belts and fuses packed...you name it. Halfway through nowhere, the alternator decided to call it quits. Roadside assistance? Sure, but it took them nearly three hours to find me, and another two to tow me somewhere useful.
Since then, I've gotten a bit more paranoid (or maybe just wiser?). Now I carry a basic toolkit and a multimeter, too. Not saying everyone needs to go full mechanic mode, but knowing a few basic fixes can save you from hours of boredom on the side of the road. Preventive maintenance is great, but vintage cars have a sense of humor—usually at your expense.
