Current Events > Looking at $2300 worth of work for a car valued at $1500-$1900

(+) Yeah! (+)

Decisions decisions

It drives, it only needs new front tires to be driveable. But other front end work (some play in the control arms) and steering column (plastic pieces have broke off and it rattles) work would be over $2K

Just buy a used car

Scrap yard

Wouldn't the car be valued more after the work is done? Or did you already factor that in

Depends on how long you think it will last you afterwards and when you can realistically get a different car. Could use that money towards a new or used car instead but are you able to take on the payments?

Call it totalled, it's already a money pit. Get a Tesla you bum

Do you have time to save $700 to spend $3K on a $2k-$2300 car?

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

I mean, I could yeah

Probably save me half the cost or more

Steering column work would probably be better left to a professional though

if the cost of the repair will net you a reliable, safe vehicle for less than the cost of a comparable used car, do the repair. $2k seems worth it if you'll get at least another couple of years out of it.

Irony posted...

Just buy a used car

The chip shortage has driven up the cost of used cars so high, the only thing you are finding under $10,000 is either

*High mileage
*10 years old or older model year
*Total beater

source: my daughter graduates in two months

Giant_Aspirin posted...

if the cost of the repair will net you a reliable, safe vehicle for less than the cost of a comparable used car, do the repair. $2k seems worth it if you'll get at least another couple of years out of it.

I'm gonna run this car til it's financially irresponsible to put it back on the road.

As of now, it's on the road. There's just work I could do.

If the used car market wasn't insane right now, I might call the shot on it being financially insolvent but even, like, Civics from a few years ago are $15K+

If it only needs front tires, just get front tires. If the control arms were bad enough, they'd take it off the road

When a control arm fails it is instant code brown

if its your favorite toy and you want it, go for it.

if not, fuck it. buy a car for 2k.

wackyteen posted...

As of now, it's on the road. There's just work I could do.

if the work will make you safer, or ensure the longevity of the vehicle, do it. if its something like addressing an inconvenience or cosmetic issue, meh. MEH I SAY.

Giant_Aspirin posted...

if the work will make you safer, or ensure the longevity of the vehicle, do it. if its something like addressing an inconvenience or cosmetic issue, meh. MEH I SAY.

I'm still driving around with hail damage from 2020.

I drive an HHR. I know what I drive.

Giant_Aspirin posted...

if the cost of the repair will net you a reliable, safe vehicle for less than the cost of a comparable used car, do the repair. $2k seems worth it if you'll get at least another couple of years out of it.

This, with how the car market is currently outrageous. If 2k gets you a functional car that'll last you a few years I'd do it. Hopefully prices have fallen when you're ready to get another car.

Master_Bass posted...

This, with how the car market is currently outrageous. If 2k gets you a functional car that'll last you a few years I'd do it. Hopefully prices have fallen when you're ready to get another car.

The car is functional without $2K investment

It drives fine, just has its own noises and quirks.

It's about to pass 148K miles though so it's just a big ol hesitation to invest all the money to fix everything wrong with it then have an actual (major) mechanical issue.

Bad deal

I'd do it if I expect to get at least another year out of the car. You'd buy a hunk of a crap of car for $2k.

what kind of car is it

thronedfire2 posted...

what kind of car is it

08 Chevy HHR LS (base model)

Similar milage, same car is selling for like $5K on carfax

So I could probably get more than $1900 if I sold it privately but that's effort

Irony posted...

Just buy a used car

Not in this used car market lol

Or has it calmed down now? Cause shit was going HAM a few months ago.

I just sold my car with 235k miles on it for $3k.
Probably worth it to fix it if you expect it to be able to go for a while longer

Conception616 posted...

The chip shortage has driven up the cost of used cars so high, the only thing you are finding under $10,000 is either

*High mileage
*10 years old or older model year
*Total beater

source: my daughter graduates in two months

Conception616 posted...

The chip shortage has driven up the cost of used cars so high, the only thing you are finding under $10,000 is either

*High mileage
*10 years old or older model year
*Total beater

source: my daughter graduates in two months

And people ask me why I don't wanna drive.

Gas and car prices have like fucking tripled. And I'm a young adult male so Car Insurance is going to fucking wring me out monthly.

Also people have been driving more recklessly and poorly since covid.

Fuck paying thousands a year for a stressful high maintenance death machine

I have an 01' Camry XLE...if I had to fix it I would. Have had it paid off for 12 years and can easily do that job myself.

That said I even have a shelf of new parts that I've bought on sale over the years. Tie rods,bushings, water pump ect...

Couple more years is what I want out of it before buying a new used truck.

Holy shit. This topic made me lookup the price of my 10 year old car with 100,000 miles on it, and it's retailing used for like $1000 less than I paid for it 8 years ago.

Damn o_O

JimmyFraska posted...

Do you have time to save $700 to spend $3K on a $2k-$2300 car?

These days, it can sometimes cost upwards to a thousand dollars just to register it.