I just gotta ask this question. Doesnt it drive you nuts when people tell you to get a new car instead of fixing that beater you drive? I drive a 1993 GMC Safari minivan with over 212,000 miles that i owned since 2002. Recently the fuel pump quit, and i just had it replaced for $520.00. Before this happened the van always ran great, and i never had to add any oil before 3,000 miles. I had to get it fixed. I hated being without a vehicle, and it was too snowy to work on cars outside. When the people at work questioned me about the repair bill they told me i should of dumped the van, and bought a different vehicle. I think every vehicle has its pricey repairs no matter how old it is. My mom just spent over $350.00 fixing her brakes on her 2002 Dodge! As far as myself i am a conservative person who saves his money, and does not like a car payment.
2007-12-11 22:47:39 · 10 answers · asked by Craig C 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I thought of a rebate when fixing my vehicle. If i buy a new vehicle in spring i could sell my old one for $700.00, and then i will get my money back!
2007-12-11 22:49:51 · update #1
Have to agree entirely - I'm in the same position and it does get very annoying. I'd much rather drive an old but reliable and well looked after car, with occasional large bills, than a brand new but potentially very unreliable car which keeps having to be returned to the dealership for 'under warranty' repairs... Besides, older cars often have more character and style anyway!
Also doesn't make sense environmentally to be scrapping all these 'old' cars with engines that have thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of miles left in them. Even with lower emissions on new cars it takes a while to offset that against the manufacturing cost of a new car versus keeping an old one, I would think.
2007-12-11 22:54:24 · answer #1 · answered by n_gined 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with you. People will always have opinions when it comes to old cars. Whatever. I'm a firm believer that if a car is good and has no or minimal problems and a good track record, keep it until the wheels fall off. At this point, you've fixed everything and it's running good again correct? So be it. Run into the ground and keep your money in your pocket. You will know when the time comes to get rid of it, donate it or junk it and buy a another.
2007-12-11 23:17:52 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Len 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I drive cars ten years. Beyond that is all the saftey equiptment going to work? sure a new or newer car poses the same problem of making a car payment and have the head gasket fail or worse transmission go out. Life is taking chances.
One more thing! Did you think your van was cleaner running than let's say a new car please think again. HC CO emissions are 10 times as high. So think greenhouse gas, global warming as your driving. Some states are offering money up to $3,000 to remove old cars and trucks from the Highways.
2007-12-11 23:11:17 · answer #3 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I feel your pain. I have a 1995 Escort. Everybody gets mad at me when I get anything fixed on it because they think I should just buy a new car. I just got the cv axles changed on it, and I caught all kinds of hell for it. But it is a great car, and I know the it has at least another 100k miles left in it. The A/C even works great in my car.
BTW, my car will be needing brake pads in the near future. I can't wait to hear what everybody has to say about that.
2007-12-11 23:16:01 · answer #4 · answered by lj1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it drives me nuts....I bought a used civic and will have it paid off in august...and it only has 60k miles on it now. I gonna run that thing til there is no more floorboard.
$520 for a repair sounds a whole lot better than a $400 car payment. Plus you have the added savings of cheap insurance.
Some people just love cars and trade excessively....I simply want to do other things with my money.
2007-12-11 22:59:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Tell me about it.
In the past I have bought cars almost literally out of the junk yard. Put a few hundred in them and drove them for years. When I had to part with them (moving with too many cars) I got out of them at least what I paid for them (but the person I sold them to got a better deal then I did because all the little things I would fix).
Hey they were/are paid for, the difference in insurance rates alone pays for the repairs.
No I never "Got my money back on them" (made money selling them). But I will tell you what, I lost less money on mine then they did on the new ones they bought.
2007-12-12 01:22:20 · answer #6 · answered by teamepler@verizon.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
drive it to the ground . tell the people to go f**k them selves. its better to pay them little bills then have a $400+ monthly bill for a loan and gas ect. i drive a 1991 dodge w-150 4x4 BIG GAS HOG People tell me to get a new truck but i wont couse i dont want a $400+ monthly car payment
2007-12-12 08:07:27 · answer #7 · answered by calvin b 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my dad is the same way, he had a vw rabbit with 430k on it and an 88 jetta with 390k, i on the other hand bought a new car when my old honda blew a head gasket, the new car is nice but having no payments would be better
2007-12-11 23:33:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your car was paid for long ago and no more payments!!
That pump you bought was much cheaper than car payments and you are not car poor like so many of USA
2007-12-11 23:00:39 · answer #9 · answered by johnboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont sell it -its PAID for u never know when ur NEW CAR WILL BREAK DOWN -
2007-12-11 22:57:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋