Thread: Lets see your hearse

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It must be amazing to own a hearse.

Originally Posted by HalloweenJ

It must be amazing to own a hearse.

I have a good time with my coaches. And I've been involved in hearses and ambulances for 15+ years now. I enjoy the heck out of mine, but I always like to point out to folks that want to get one of their own that they are also usually a ton of work. Especially the older ones. These arent like your family Honda.

Usually any coach older than about 1969 is going to more expensive to begin with. (1959's are a completely different discussion entirely.) Even project cars from the '60's can be expensive though.) Almost without exception, parts are hard to find and expensive if you do find them. A lot of garages/mechanics wont work on them. They aren't the easiest to drive and park. (Mine are 21" long and have MASSIVE blind spots in them) The older ones usually get horrible gas mileage. They wont fit into a standard residential garage. They are long and low and heavy and will not fit a good number of places. (As an example, my '59 is longer, wider, heavier, and has LESS ground clearance than a fully optioned Ford Excursion.) Some people will react badly to them. And they all usually end up costing way more than you plan on in not only money but also time and effort. Its like having another significant other. These cars demand a lot of time and energy. And if you don't treat them right, they will not treat you right. Luckily my wife likes our cars.

Now if you can handle all of those things and you go into owning one with a clear idea of what it really means to own a hearse, then they can be great fun. (Although I end up driving my ambulance more than my hearse. Nothing beats red lights and sirens.)

CountZ

I cant wait till I finally get my hearse (which hopefully will be in the near future). Does anyone have any pointers when it comes to buying a hearse?

Originally Posted by mikieofthedead

I cant wait till I finally get my hearse (which hopefully will be in the near future). Does anyone have any pointers when it comes to buying a hearse?

1. Have a mechanic look it over before you buy it and give you an estimate of everything the mechanic thinks its going to need done in the next 6 months. A $1000 hearse isn't as good of a deal if its going to need $4k in parts right after you get it home.
   
2. Always buy the nicest one you can afford. Its always cheaper to spend more up front for a nice one than it is to put a rough one back together.

Originally Posted by naberhoodhaunts

Sipesh... Very nice ride, but still like the old ones.

I like the old ones, too. My first one was a 1973, and what I wouldn't give to have an early 60's one... but this one came up and with its condition and low mileage, should be a good daily driver for me for a while. I've found that as I age, climbing around, under, and through my cars to fix them is getting a bit harder and as we know... the older the hearse, the more sacrifice of blood, sweat, and tears it demands to behave itself! Though, they are worth every bit of it.


As for someone looking to get their first one... don't just save up the money to buy the thing... save up and additional $1000 or so because dang it, these suckers like to pull the unexpected on you. Oh, and if it has a vinyl top, poke and prod all around that sucker to see not IF there is rust, but rather WHERE and how bad.

They are awesome cars to own though, and fun to drive around even if there is the occasional person out there that can't come to grips with reality and their own mortality. Just remind them... hearses don't kill people. Well... usually, though the drivers on the other hand can be tempted by stupid commentary and inappropriate reactions.