How do you decide when to give up on a car?
22-Nov-2009, 06:09 PM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 97
How do you decide when to give up on a car?
My 1996 Civic CX (170,000 km.) had been incredibly reliable for the past four years. However, in the past two months it cost me over $1k, due to repairs relating to the passenger side driveshaft, replacing a section of the exhaust, new brake lines, and alignment.
Now the input shaft bearing is gone and I will probably do the clutch at the same time (so another $1k+). I also bought new winter rims and tires, and I will need new summer tires in the spring. So easily over $3k just for the above (more than the car is worth), and who knows how many other things could pop up by then.
I can afford a newer car, but I am not sure if I should give up on ol' reliable yet. I am just concerned that I will keep having these repairs coming up, and I might as well put that money towards a newer car.
How do you decide when to bail out and by another car?
Now the input shaft bearing is gone and I will probably do the clutch at the same time (so another $1k+). I also bought new winter rims and tires, and I will need new summer tires in the spring. So easily over $3k just for the above (more than the car is worth), and who knows how many other things could pop up by then.
I can afford a newer car, but I am not sure if I should give up on ol' reliable yet. I am just concerned that I will keep having these repairs coming up, and I might as well put that money towards a newer car.
How do you decide when to bail out and by another car?
Last edited by mugenpowered; 22-Nov-2009 at 06:13 PM.
22-Nov-2009, 06:29 PM
#2
IMO, I'd let her go... I've got a '00 civic SE, 292,000 Kmh and have had no problem like yours, the other day my passenger side balljoint snapped... drive shaft fell out and still I was able to reuse it. on top of which my brother and I did the repair so it saved us cash there.
Seeing how much its gonna cost you now it doesnt seem to be worth it, not to mention that if you havent done it yet, you'll need to change your timing belt and water pump soon and if your paying a mechanic that can cost you upwards of $500.00
Just my 2 cents.
Seeing how much its gonna cost you now it doesnt seem to be worth it, not to mention that if you havent done it yet, you'll need to change your timing belt and water pump soon and if your paying a mechanic that can cost you upwards of $500.00
Just my 2 cents.
22-Nov-2009, 06:32 PM
#3
things like this come in bunches.
Your car only has 170,000kms, its still got lots of good life in it.
My car has 185,000 miles (295,000kms) and its still going strong. Last year I had to replace both lower ball joints, an upper control arm, tie-rod end, tires, brakes and a full tune-up. I still have to do a few control arm bushings and trailing arm bushings (civics are kinda bad for those bushings IMO). These are considered maintainance items though, so every car with that kind of mileage typically needs to replace these items.
I can't really remember when the last time I had to spend so much on my car outside of doing mods myself and prolly won't have to dump any money into it anytime soon. I've had my car for 7 years now.
Doing the $500-1000 jobs here and there, save you from having to dump big money into your car.
Your car only has 170,000kms, its still got lots of good life in it.
My car has 185,000 miles (295,000kms) and its still going strong. Last year I had to replace both lower ball joints, an upper control arm, tie-rod end, tires, brakes and a full tune-up. I still have to do a few control arm bushings and trailing arm bushings (civics are kinda bad for those bushings IMO). These are considered maintainance items though, so every car with that kind of mileage typically needs to replace these items.
I can't really remember when the last time I had to spend so much on my car outside of doing mods myself and prolly won't have to dump any money into it anytime soon. I've had my car for 7 years now.
Doing the $500-1000 jobs here and there, save you from having to dump big money into your car.
22-Nov-2009, 06:52 PM
#4
I agree w zeeman. Spend money on the maintenance, it'll last u another 4-5 years easy before you have to replace those things again. I was thinking the same thing as you. Then my friend convinced me that parts for this car are in abundance, and relatively cheap. Even upgraded parts are pretty damn cheap. Even if my engine died, to swap in a replacement would only cost me around $1k for a D16. Last me another 4 yrs. If i replaced the car with another used one, it would cost me over 4k, and id possibly have to redo the maintenance work again on that car.
23-Nov-2009, 12:00 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 494
My 1996 Civic CX (170,000 km.) had been incredibly reliable for the past four years. However, in the past two months it cost me over $1k, due to repairs relating to the passenger side driveshaft, replacing a section of the exhaust, new brake lines, and alignment.
Now the input shaft bearing is gone and I will probably do the clutch at the same time (so another $1k+). I also bought new winter rims and tires, and I will need new summer tires in the spring. So easily over $3k just for the above (more than the car is worth), and who knows how many other things could pop up by then.
Now the input shaft bearing is gone and I will probably do the clutch at the same time (so another $1k+). I also bought new winter rims and tires, and I will need new summer tires in the spring. So easily over $3k just for the above (more than the car is worth), and who knows how many other things could pop up by then.
If you replace the clutch and shaft bearing, those should be good for another 170,000 km. Sure, other things might and probably will come up, but that will be true of any other used car you buy to replace this one.
You can avoid all that by getting a warranty-covered new car, but that will set you back at least $13,000 for the cheapest stripper econo-box and $20,000 or more for anything decently equipped, plus your insurance rates may rise with a newer car. You can do a lot of repairs for that money.
If you're otherwise happy with your car and as long as the body and underpinnings are in decent cosmetic and structural condition, your best bet dollar-wise is probably to stick with what you have. It's the devil you already know, and the devil you know is often preferably to the devil you don't.
25-Nov-2009, 10:40 PM
#11
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Where my car is.
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I say keep it as well.
The way I look at it: yes you can buy a new/newer car that needs less parts/maintenance for the first few years. However, you will, in some cases, spend more money per month on car payments to own that new/newer car then you would spend on repairs/maintenance on an older car with higher km's.
To some (like me) who can do the work on their own cars and only need to spend money on the parts them selves (you save the labour costs which can add up to be A LOT!), then it is more cost effective to own an older car and keep it going then it is to spend whatever $ per month on a newer car.
To others, it is worth the ease of mind and convenience to spend that money each month on a newer car and not worry so much about repairs.
To the O.P:Your car only has 170,000kms on it....for a well-maintained civic, thats just broken in, haha. My 00 SiR has 230,000 on her and going strong!
Also, you just need to be smart about what you buy and where you buy it from. You say you need tires, look on kijiji and the tcc classifieds. Don't always settle for buying things new from a retailer, you'll just end up spending way too much. There are a lot of good deals out there that can save you a lot of money on parts. If you are mechanically inclined, have some tools and are willing to get your hands dirty...pick up a repair manual, look up some DIY's and learn how to do some of this stuff yourself. (just a suggestion)
The way I look at it: yes you can buy a new/newer car that needs less parts/maintenance for the first few years. However, you will, in some cases, spend more money per month on car payments to own that new/newer car then you would spend on repairs/maintenance on an older car with higher km's.
To some (like me) who can do the work on their own cars and only need to spend money on the parts them selves (you save the labour costs which can add up to be A LOT!), then it is more cost effective to own an older car and keep it going then it is to spend whatever $ per month on a newer car.
To others, it is worth the ease of mind and convenience to spend that money each month on a newer car and not worry so much about repairs.
To the O.P:Your car only has 170,000kms on it....for a well-maintained civic, thats just broken in, haha. My 00 SiR has 230,000 on her and going strong!
Also, you just need to be smart about what you buy and where you buy it from. You say you need tires, look on kijiji and the tcc classifieds. Don't always settle for buying things new from a retailer, you'll just end up spending way too much. There are a lot of good deals out there that can save you a lot of money on parts. If you are mechanically inclined, have some tools and are willing to get your hands dirty...pick up a repair manual, look up some DIY's and learn how to do some of this stuff yourself. (just a suggestion)
26-Nov-2009, 03:24 PM
#12
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A lot of good, balanced viewpoints in this thread to help make a decision on when to get something new, and why it would seem beneficial to keep a reliable vehicle while it's still working fairly well.
26-Nov-2009, 05:21 PM
#13
Think of this:
Is it cheaper to fix, or cheaper to buy a new(er) car, or a used car, which in turn can give you problems as well....
If the body has 0 rust, I'd keep it.
Also, keep in mind, insurance will jump with newer cars as well.
If you can afford to buy a new(er) car, go or it.
I keep my old cars cuz I love them. Honda don't build them like they used to.
Is it cheaper to fix, or cheaper to buy a new(er) car, or a used car, which in turn can give you problems as well....
If the body has 0 rust, I'd keep it.
Also, keep in mind, insurance will jump with newer cars as well.
If you can afford to buy a new(er) car, go or it.
I keep my old cars cuz I love them. Honda don't build them like they used to.
26-Nov-2009, 05:30 PM
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,881
new cars are cheaper if not the same for insurance...brand new GTI with full coverage is cheaper than my 92 GS-R...a WRX was cheaper than my 91 Si.
I've given up on my GS-R its time for a new car cuz its cheaper and new and turbo!
I've given up on my GS-R its time for a new car cuz its cheaper and new and turbo!
26-Nov-2009, 09:53 PM
#16
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 97
Thanks for all the input everyone.
The car is good as far as no visible rust, I get it oil sprayed each year. I guess it should have a lot of life left in it. So I will repair the transmission, get new summer tires in the spring, and hopefully not run into a string of repairs along the way. I guess I have to expect these repairs after so many trouble free years, and given that the parts and repairs are relatively cheap, I will stick with this car for a while.
At the end of the day it is not "if" I will get another car, just "when". It's always a bit of a gamble because I could pick up a used car and it could get expensive with repairs, or a brand new car which would be expensive overall (for the cars that I would consider). So I might as well stick it out for a while longer, this is probably still the cheapest option.
Thanks again.
The car is good as far as no visible rust, I get it oil sprayed each year. I guess it should have a lot of life left in it. So I will repair the transmission, get new summer tires in the spring, and hopefully not run into a string of repairs along the way. I guess I have to expect these repairs after so many trouble free years, and given that the parts and repairs are relatively cheap, I will stick with this car for a while.
At the end of the day it is not "if" I will get another car, just "when". It's always a bit of a gamble because I could pick up a used car and it could get expensive with repairs, or a brand new car which would be expensive overall (for the cars that I would consider). So I might as well stick it out for a while longer, this is probably still the cheapest option.
Thanks again.
27-Nov-2009, 01:23 PM
#18
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: scarbs
Posts: 98
my car right now is at 400,000 plus but still runs amazing. so i say keep it. im just waiting for a good deal on a swap. while ur car is only on 170,000km. honda if properly maintained they will run for a very long time. take it from me!!
28-Nov-2009, 04:05 AM
#19
3 or 4 grand sounds like a lot, but when you think about it, the parts you replaced (minus tires) will probably last another 10-15 years if you keep things well maintained. In the long run, keeping a daily driver EK in good order costs less annually than just about anything.
I'd only give up mine if I blow another ITR block, or if there's damage to the frame... I'd just part it out and walk away... everything else is fixable for relatively cheap compared to a new car. That, or when I can afford an NSX :P
I'd only give up mine if I blow another ITR block, or if there's damage to the frame... I'd just part it out and walk away... everything else is fixable for relatively cheap compared to a new car. That, or when I can afford an NSX :P
01-Dec-2009, 11:06 AM
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 969
My Civic's got 175,000 kms on it and is 12 years old with original paint in mint condition. Some work has been done to it but, not as much as I'd like. I decided to get a NSX when the cost of modifications to the Civic that I wanted to do cost 5 times as much as the car is worth. I can do the same amount of modifications to the NSX and still get as much as I invested in the car. For me at this point in my life, it's all about resale value.
