This morning started with muffins and coffee in the lodge under the apartment we stayed in last night. I learned that the host and his wife own the lodge and spend winters at their other home in Pennsylvania. Someone should tell these people that escaping south for the winter is usually a little further … south. Also that she’s already gone home for the season, but he has stuck around for the next few weeks of moose hunting season before he closes the house down for the winter.
Today’s drive would take us all the way to our final city, in Seward, AK, beyond Anchorage. Before we started, we all took a look at the Celica in search of that sensor. After some research, I realized that yes, I would have a camshaft position sensor because I have electronic fuel injection. But the sensor proved difficult to locate, and it seems to be inside the cover that protects the timing belt, which is itself wedged between the engine and the wall of the engine bay. Also, I’ve spent weeks now being so focused on the fluids and hoses in this engine bay that I hadn’t stopped to sufficiently appreciate what a birds nest of partially exposed wires and zip ties the electronics are.
Our expert diagnosis was “probably got too jostled off-roading yesterday, clear the code and see if it pops up again.” We’d also planned to unplug and reconnect the sensor but given its position, we tried the “let’s just do it with computers” approach instead. Sure enough, the light stayed off, and shortly after, the Celica celebrated another significant odometer event.
The drive, unfortunately, was our most underwhelming yet. It was decreasingly-rural highway toward Anchorage, with poor visibility due to rain and fog. It clearly had the potential to have been pretty in better weather, but we also haven’t been near a big city since Victoria and it was feeling a bit like reentering the real world. We stopped for lunch in Anchorage at a restaurant and coffee shop to list our cars for sale. That was a bit of a bittersweet moment, particularly because of the lackluster drive.
1997 Toyota Celica GT
Selling off my Celica after taking it on an epic roadtrip from Texas. Runs and drives well, lots of life left in this car. Strong heater and A/C, top and upholstery in good condition, new front C/V axles, good tires, rust-free. Interior needs some love, leaks some oil, could use an alignment.
Cash only, no trades; motivated seller with clean title in hand. Available to show starting Friday 9/13 at 6pm.
1998 Volvo V70 XC Cross Country AWD
For sale is my 1998 Volvo V70 XC Cross Country, later called the XC70. This vehicle has heated seats, traction control, full time AWD, automatic climate control, and working AC. Interior is in great shape, with the driver’s seat showing some wear but the rest presenting well. The cargo capacity is truly a sight to behold.
This car lived most of its life in Oklahoma, and only made its way to Alaska in the last couple of weeks. As a result, while the body has small dings and scrapes from 20+ years of use, it has no rust. Transmission shifts smooth and gas mileage is excellent. Drives fine on regular gas and premium is not required by the manufacturer.
The car runs and drives great, having been well taken care of my myself and the long-time previous owner. The head gasket and timing belt were both recently replaced, as were the spring seats, rear shocks, and turbo oil return seal.
There are a couple problems, of course. The car has an intermittent oil leak from an unknown source. Also the cruise control currently doesn’t work, nor does the parking brake. A few other small things need doing, but overall this is a very solid car. Just drove it on a 2,500 mile road trip through Canada.
Comes with a full size spare in addition to the factory donut, as well as a few other odds and ends.
Car is available for viewing in Anchorage starting around 5PM on Friday through about noon on Sunday. After that I have to fly out and don’t know when I’ll be back. I’d love to sell it before I leave, so no reasonable offer will be refused.
No holds. No trades. Cash only.
Rust free! 2003 Chevy Tracker V6
For sale is my 2003 Chevrolet Tracker, aka a Suzuki Grand Vitara. This rust free Oklahoma car just completed a 3000+ mile road trip to get here with no problems. Starts, runs and drives great. Transmission shifts smoothly and the cruise control, heat, and AC work great.
Recent brake service (all new pads, calipers, rotors, and drums), differential service, and new tires.
Has a small oil leak which can be stinky, but it only loses about half a quart every 3000 miles, so no need to top up between oil changes. One power window switch needs to be replaced ($20 on Amazon).
Needs to be sold this weekend. Accepting any reasonable offers. First come first served. No holds. No trades. Cash only, please.
Clean Carfax available on request.
Then we hit the road for Seward down what should have been a pretty stunning highway, but it was raining even harder and construction caused single-tracking through a couple pretty big sections. Still, it weaved up and down another small mountain pass, along the water. As we approached the Prince William Sound on the Seward side, I got my first breath of seaside air in a while and it smelled good. This may not have been the final long-drive day I had hoped for, but I was still pleased. I’d made it from Austin to the coast of Alaska. And I have several sightseeing and driving things for tomorrow, so maybe the sun will come back out.