I have a 1988 Nissan truck, it's going to need a new clutch. how do i decide when to sell it and buy newer

Question

i have owned the truck for over 18 years and at the moment i'm laid off from my job. i have kept the truck in tip top shape and wanted to keep it a while longer. there is body rot and the frame is close to not passing the safety inspection. i have changed the oil at 3 months or 3000 miles and know how well i have taken care of it. I just don't want to start throwing good money after bad. There will reach a point when i will have to make a decision on when to let this truck go. I know having this truck so long has made me attached to it and really have loved it, which is why i put the money into it and taken such great care of it. I know the clutch will cost $800 dollars if not more. I know if i keep it any longer i will have to put money in fixing the rot on the tire wells that have gotten bad and possibly i may need to put money into the frame if it doesn't pass the inspection. I'm laided off from work now and didn't want to buy something newer yet, but when would i know?

Answer 1

Probably is better to keep it and make only the essential repair to keep it running safely. You are not going to make any money if you sell it, but the big value for you is that works.
Check with friends or family how to get cheap but dependable repairs. Buy parts in junkyards.
My thinking is if my car is going to have more than 1000 dollars in repairs then it is not worth keeping it. But I spend some money when I bought it used, a nightmare the first year, and know is a reliable car which I want to keep until it doesn't run anymore.