Should I get a new car or get my current car fixed?

Question

I have 1999 Chevy Cavalier. I had no big issues with this car year. The car has 185,000+ miles on it. I have had it fixed twice this year already.

1.and now It seems like the transmission is sleeping..

2. I need strutts

3. my power steering fluid tank is making a clicking sound.

4. and the gauge in my fuel tank that tells me how much gas I have is shot and the mechanics quoted me from 600-800 for parts and labor because the whole tank would have to be replaced.

Also, the car I am looking at is not expensive if that matters. It is 9,000 for a 2002 Galant with 45,000 miles on it

Also, it is actually paid off

Ok, Now that I think about it. The mechanic did say CV joints.... But I asked could the gauge be replace and they all said no.... So Mr. Mechanic, dont bother fixin it? or get a new car

More Info:

Thanks Merrell,

I have a great job. I dont live paycheck to paycheck anymore and can afford payments.. I was holding off on a car trying to pay off student loans and also invest in my modeling career. I have things coming up such as photo shoots(3 of them) in which I have to pay the photographer, hair stylist, makeup artist and get my wardrobe for the shoots. I know that is alot.

I am just trying to make sense of all of this without getting in over my head.
But really thinking about it all, the bottomline is that I need to be able to get to work and other places. So I guess I will get a new car. on gas.

Thanks all, I appreciate it

Answer 1

Unless you have some sort of sentimental attachment to your old car then get the new car. Specifically for these reasons:

1. Better gas mileage - Save every drop baby, Gas ain't
gettin cheaper. You will see the difference after your first
three or four refills driving the same routes you normally
take.

2. A new car can be a great credit fixer, (assuming you have
credit problems like the other 90% of us Americans).

3. Don't you love that new car smell? The Galant is a great
vehicle Feels good to drive and handles very well almost
feels sporty. If you haven't already test driven it then you will
definately feel the difference in it's handling. Because you
just told us that you have bad struts so you can feel every
bump in the road and road maintanance is crappy, So I
know you will appreciate the new car.


Now all of those suggestions were considering that you have the funds to handle a new car and aren't behind on bills and struggling from paycheck to paycheck. (....ehemm, raises his hands) That's like %80 of the people reading this response. So if you know that the new car payments are going to hurt the pocket book and bring you under in such a way that you can't see yourself getting out of that situation for a long time and running from the repo man doesn't appeal to you, then it looks like you are going to have to wing it for about 3 or four weeks and fix that old car.

Then you know what you do. Take that bad boy to the dealer and trade it it for a New used Galant.

Luv Ya.

Merrell.

Answer 2

You're in the rust belt, aren't you? I'd guess your gas tank lost its grounding strap. Which should be fixed for safety, nevermind the fuel gage! That's just a wire, and cheap to fix if your mechanic doesn't insist on doing it the expensive way. Time for a more practical mechanic.

Transmission, yeah, automatic transmissions do that. Manuals don't, think about it. They do blow clutches but that's a much cheaper repair.

Power steering is probably tired out ball joints, steering links or CV joints. And then there's struts. Each of those is an expensive repair because you have to take apart the front-end. I would tend toward taking apart the front-end once, and replacing all that stuff while I was "in there". Preventive maintenance also means no breakdowns later.

If you go for a newer car, consider one from outside the rust belt.

Answer 3

If your Cavalier is paid off, it wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade to something newer. The problems will probably only become more frequent. If you can afford it, I would even try to find something newer like a 2004 or something with fewer miles on it. It sounds like you keep your cars for a while and you want something reliable. I would recomment the Pontiac Grand Ams. I had one for over a year with not a single problem. It was a very strong reliable car. They're not very expensive and are a good investment. Either way I think you're right to get a new car.

Answer 4

transmission needs a flush and a filter replaced.

struts???? are you sure???? - read on....

Power steering does not click, your axle shafts (cv joints) will click if they are worn out. Especially at slow speeds and while turning.

The guage in the tank needs to be replaced, not the whole tank, it does have to come out to fix the problem but it should not cost anywhere near 600.00 to do that. More like 200.00.

Ok: the Galant: 2002, so it's 5+ years old, and the warantee is long gone, the mileage is very low for a car with this age, but the price is low, I would ask what wrong?????

Answer 5

wow ! yorur car has no value now.putting money in at this point makes no sence.trade it or junk it just put it down and get another vehicle. check the bank loan and trade in value of the mits before you buy it. go to carmax.com and you may see more options for the price. look at the toyta camry or the nissan altima. they have a better trac record when it come to resell and service

Answer 6

Get a new one you will never get your resale on a 1999 car.
Time for a new one.

Answer 7

trade it..but get a car fax and mechanic check in the galant...i dont know anything about them

Answer 8

Once you're done paying it off, get a new one!