Do I need to repair or replace my car?

Question

I have a 1993 Toyota camry with 200,000miles. The things that i need to repair is front and rear engine mounts, oil pan gasket, valve covers, piston rings, timing belt, front seals, water pump, antenna, middle seat belt, driver side and passenger side window regulators. I have a small oil leak and frame damage to the underside of my car. Are these major problems? Should I just replace the vehicle with a new car? I have already spent about 900 dollars in 4 weeks getting a tune up and brakes. I need something dependable for my children and I. I have an option of getting a 2005 pontiac grand awith car payments within my budget. I just don't want to keep spending mone if the car has ran its course.

Answer 1

This car will end up costing you much more than it is worth. My advice is to get another car.

Answer 2

It sounds like your Toyota has more wrong than right with it. Whoever took your money for the tune up and brakes should questioned if you really wanted to put this money in a car with so many problems. I would have said that most everything could be fixed with a new engine except for the frame damage. That could be very exspensive depending how bad it is.
The 2005 Pontiac might be 12 years newer , but that is not the same as being better.You have to expect that it would have problems too. especially by the time you get it paid for. If it has a warranty that might help, but not for long.
Take the Toyota to a shop and fiind out what amount of money it would cost to fix it (including the frame damage) and how long it would take and what kind of warranty they would provide Time might be the deciding factor because if your Toyota is in the shop for a month. you may need another car to get by. If you can afford to fix it, that is probably your best bet. If you can't, then look around before you buy the Pontiac It may be just trading one set of problems for another

Answer 3

93 Camry is a good car. It is not worth rebuilding the engine (piston rings) but fixing the water pump, oil leaks and engine mounts is not unreasonable. If you know the history of this car and you like it, you should consider the repairs. 200K is alot of miles but I have seen that engine over 300K a couple dozen times.

From the price you gave on the brakes and tune up I would get another mechanic before you let the same person do those repairs. It sounds like they are trying to pad the bill for some of the repairs. You cannot trust a mechanic or shop who would do that.

Get a second opinion and don't be too quick to spend your money on a GM car over your Toyota. You might be sorry and end up with greater problems by purchasing the car you mentioned.

Answer 4

Replace with known good car...

Minor things that can go unresolved, if maintained
-oil pan gasket depending on severity of leaks
-valve cover gasket depending on severity of leaks
-front seal depending on severity of leaks
-antenna
-small oil leaks if monitered as to how bad

Major things that need to get resolved
-Engine mounts
-piston rings
-Timing belt
-water pump
-seat belt
-windows
-Frame

To say this simply the engine needs to be rebuilt from the sounds and the frame (cradle) needs to be replaced or repaired depending on severity of damage. Its just not worth it on a car with that many miles and that age. The repair bill will be way over the price of the car.

Answer 5

How bad is the frame damage? If the frame is bent (even a little) that is a serious safety issue. If the frame is not bent, in any way, keep it and repair it.
Spreading the money out over time is better than sinking a bunch of cash at one time.
An oil leak can become dangerous if ignored.
The frame damage would be my #1 priority right now. Have a auto body repair shop look at the frame and let them give you a better answer. Good luck!

Answer 6

Replace it!
Piston rings, front seals, and engine mounts equate to pulling the engine and doing a total overhaul. Once that's done - you're never sure if it's done right and if that's going to last. Even if you found another one with 70,000 to 100,000 miles then that would be a good replacement or just get the 05 Pontiac if U are willing to pay for it, but I don't know if you will get 200,000 miles on the Grand Am unless you treat it with kid gloves.

Answer 7

If you have 200,000 miles you got your moneys worth. But if you need a lot of repairs done you would be better off looking for something newer with less mileage or buy brand new. If you repair car you don't know if your going to have more problems down the road especially because of the mileage.

Answer 8

In life, the biggest stressors are death of a loved one, divorce, moving to a new house, job change, and car change.

You have my sympathy. I'm in the same boat with a beloved Mercedes, same year, same miles, much better condition but pricey on the repairs.

It's a crap shoot. I suggest you roll the dice.

(I dumped a Volvo DL cuz I figured it was dead --- I saw the guy driving it around town 10 years later, and he hadn't put a cent into it...)

Answer 9

i own a repair shop,and i wouldn't spend any more money on this one 200k is a lot of miles and that list you have is a pretty good one,i think id retire it,i think you have spent way to much on it already,if you can sell it like it is ,this would be a good time to do this,otherwise your going to wind up putting way more in to this car than it will ever bring back,actually i think right now you may have already done that,if it was mine id stop spending on it,there's a limit for everything,and this car has reached its limit,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 10

mounts $ 200
pan gskt $ 90
valve cover $ n/c see below
timing belt $ n/c see below
rings $ 1,600
pump $ 45
antenna $ 30
Seat belt $ 100
window regs $ 225
frame straightening $ 500 min.

total $ 3,000 with taxes
Time for a new car.