My car got bashed - should I buy another or repair?

Question

1998 Honda Accord with about 100,000 on a great, no-problem engine and I will likely have to pay for the repair if I want it back to pre-accident condition. No witnesses to the accident so insurance isn't too helpful - now I have a smashed up trunk, light, panel. If I repair it, the bill will be about $3,000.

So, should I go ahead and take it to the body shop or shop around for a possibly lower-miles/newer model Accord?

Thanks.

Answer 1

That car has reached the mileage and age where it will start calling for parts and repair, alternator, WP, starter, 1/2 shafts etc. etc. So you'll be fixing an almost 10yo car to, in effect, make payments on.
Don't believe those that say it'll last 200k, they haven't worked at import shops like I did. Some do w/o a lot of trouble, any will with work, a lot become money pits, soaking up a ot of $100. to $200. repairs right before the motor or trans dies.

Answer 2

I doubt if you had collision on it, and wait to see who is determined at fault, question remains if the costs of repairs is more than the trade in value, they will call it totaled. In which case they take the car and pay you the value. If you can do the work yourself might save a bundle with salvage yard parts.

Answer 3

probably not worth putting your money into, but do you want to pay car payments? I drove a 15yr. old car for about 5yrs to long {car ran fine} just because i didn't want to pay payments

Answer 4

depending on the severity just buy a new one it will never be the same.