Bangernomics - is it time to consider the move towards this?

Merry_Gentry

Hi - this is my first time posting over here, but have enjoyed reading lots of threads lately.

I bought a 1997 R reg Rover 600, diesel last September for £795. Since then, the following has occurred:

* £750 - full service, which revealed brake fluid had drained away, so front discs, etc;
* £100 - motor for driver's side window. Still not quite fixed but can't afford to buy guides at the moment;
* £245 - clutch cylinder

My mechanic has told me that the brake cylinder is weak and will probably go in the next few months - should be cheaper than the clutch cylinder, but still. Also the passenger front tyre needs replacing. It should pass it's MOT in January.

And I've been thinking - if this car carries on the way it is, would it make more sense to sell it on asap and buy a £500 banger? I have no savings, but am due to receive approx £500 in the near future. I need to start putting money aside for my next rental deposit so can't really afford to spend any more than that, but so far I haven't been able to put anything aside because things keep happening with the car.

So what do you think? I trust the guy who is doing the work for me. And part of me thinks better the devil you know than buying a banger and it !!!!ping out on me completely. But I must admit I get into that car every morning and pray nothing else goes wrong - having limped home in first gear when the clutch cylinder went, it's not an experience I wish to repeat, especially with my three girls in the car!!! :eek:

I don't know enough about cars to do servicing, etc myself although I did consider a mechanics course :rolleyes: So do I put the £500 aside to keep the car going, or do I sell and move into the realm of bangernomics? Any suggestions gratefully received.

TiTheRev

A Rover is a potential bottomless pit of troubles, i'd get shot of it ASAP otherwise you could keep spending out on it...for £500 you could get a Micra which is solid, Mk3 Golf, Sunny (dont laugh! Usually owned by 'ageing' drivers and are well looked after with low mileage). IMHO steer clear of Ford/Vauxhall/Rover at that price range and if possible get an older Jap or German car.

Lemonade_Pockets

Yup i would second that.
Pointless pouring money into a car that is only going to develop new problems.

Japenese is the way to go for your budget. German marques are as good for reliability but tend to be older for the same money and potentially more to run and more costly to fix should something go wrong.

sjaypink

you paid £750 for a service?!!! :eek: ......on a £795 car?!!! :eek:

omg! poor you, some cars you just get unlucky on, some will fly through mots at 15-20yrs old, but my rule is- never spend more on repairs than it would cost to buy another car in a good condition. ....at the right price i hasten to add- £800 was a bit steep for that rover.

dont payout anything for servicing on old cars, do it yourself or get someone you know to do it. you dont need any garage stamps cos you are most likely to drive it til it dies and scrap it anyway.

so, if you are going to buy another car, do lots of research first, you could get an alright motor for £500- haggle too, be really cheeky . oh and scrap moneys pretty good right now too isnt it?

hewhoisnotintheknow

sjaypink wrote: »

you paid £750 for a service?!!! :eek: ......on a £795 car?!!! :eek:

omg! poor you, some cars you just get unlucky on, some will fly through mots at 15-20yrs old, but my rule is- never spend more on repairs than it would cost to buy another car in a good condition. ....at the right price i hasten to add- £800 was a bit steep for that rover.

dont payout anything for servicing on old cars, do it yourself or get someone you know to do it. you dont need any garage stamps cos you are most likely to drive it til it dies and scrap it anyway.

so, if you are going to buy another car, do lots of research first, you could get an alright motor for £500- haggle too, be really cheeky . oh and scrap moneys pretty good right now too isnt it?

i was hoping that the car was 750 and the 45 was the service

100 on a window motor is too much for one of these bangernomic cars!

LandyAndy

Lemonade_Pockets wrote: »

Yup i would second that.
Pointless pouring money into a car that is only going to develop new problems.

Japenese is the way to go for your budget. German marques are as good for reliability but tend to be older for the same money and potentially more to run and more costly to fix should something go wrong.

To take the contrary view;) .

Having put right those things that were wrong why then go and buy another unknown quantity.

Most people who sell a 'banger' do so because they know there is a potentially expensive problem in the offing. Reliable bangers tend to be keepers not sellers.

sjaypink

LandyAndy wrote: »

To take the contrary view;) .

Having put right those things that were wrong why then go and buy another unknown quantity.

Most people who sell a 'banger' do so because they know there is a potentially expensive problem in the offing. Reliable bangers tend to be keepers not sellers.

sometimes, you can usually get a fair idea by whos selling it, why they say theyre selling and what the 'replacement' car on there drive is etc.

best one is: 'no mot, but have been told it will fly straight through'..... :rotfl:

Merry_Gentry

Thanks for your advice - it is much appreciated. It all depends when I get this £500 and my rental situation. I think in my mind I know I need to get rid of the car as soon as possible, but in the meantime I will make sure it's safe, passes it's MOT and take the hits that come! :eek:

Merry_Gentry

LandyAndy wrote: »

Having put right those things that were wrong why then go and buy another unknown quantity.

Yeah, part of what was running through my mind, but then the fact that things are happening one after another makes me worry....

Hintza

I have a couple of points:-

1. £750 for a service....eek. But hopefully that covered most things.

2. £100 for a window motor.....OP you really should haver gone to the scrappy for that.

I agree with LandyAndy you must have put an awful lot right with the car and really should try and get a year or two out of it now. If you can manage that then it won't have been too bad a buy. Sell it now and wou will probably only get say £500+/-.

Having said all that I bouyght a heap of junk a number of years ago for £1100 and spent about £2,000 over a period of months justifying each additional expense as "Well I've done everything else so what more can go wrong". Eventually decided to have the cambelt replaced on the Saturday and wrote it off on the Monday...was gutted but also had a big sigh of relief as the millstone was lifted from me.

Keep your fingers crossed and give the car a chance....good luck.

Inactive

TiTheRev wrote: »

A Rover is a potential bottomless pit of troubles, i'd get shot of it ASAP otherwise you could keep spending out on it..

I agree with that, get rid of the Rover, they are notorious for being unreliable.

Get a good Jap Car that has been cared for, they can be found, be prepared to pay a bit over the odds for a really good one, you will never look back.;)