when is it time to call time on car?

cyclonebri1

jamie789 wrote: »

I would say the time to get rid is the time where repair costs would outweight what it'd cost you to get a similair car in top notch condition. Unless you're an enthusiast of that specific model, as ive known people grab hold of old thrashed Mondeo Ghia X's and spend upwards of 2k getting them back to showroom condition, but thats not something which can be expected of your everyday family who just need to get around.

Unfortunatly the problem is that the top notch car you mention could turn out to be anything but?????????

cyclonebri1

jamie789 wrote: »

Well, what i mean by that is if you could get a similair car which would suit your needs with a full MOT and appears to tick all the boxes for less money than it'd cost to repair your current car, then surely thats a more sensible choice, no?

If it was a given, yes, unfortunatly it's not ;)

doelani

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Just amazed at why people such as the op get faced with all these mega bills?;)

Any work done has been needed, the mechanic who does the work charges a reasonable price per hour and all parts are checked for price. Just been unlucky lately.

doelani

OK thanks for input guys.

We went to look at cars yesterday and today, part exchange , some cash and some finance and all I can say is NO WAY !!!!!

We will drive ours as long as possible and sae as much as we can and hope for the best.

The problem as someone has already asked this time was sensor which we repalced, now another fault showing for same senor but diognostics says may be loose or damaged wire so hubby going to check tomorrow and keep fingers crossed.

cyclonebri1

doelani wrote: »

Any work done has been needed, the mechanic who does the work charges a reasonable price per hour and all parts are checked for price. Just been unlucky lately.

You certainly have,

MDE

What mileage is it on? "Everything" does seem to wear out about the same time, with my old Daewoo is was about 80k miles. But once all these bits- brakes, suspension parts etc were replaced, the logic would dictate they would be good for another 80k miles.

Obviously a major engine or gearbox problem would be a different matter but in all honesty such problems are rare with modern cars as long as oils etc are changed to schedule and minor issues attended to before they become major issues or cause further damage.

Lirin

I've never paid over 2k (or thereabouts) for a car, and usually do the majority of work myself...

I do tend to be quite particular- I have to have a damn good reason for letting a car go before I think I should!

I am very determined my current car will do 250,000 miles- she's at 130,000 already and 14 years old now. Unless she dies a horrible death before then, I'll keep resurrecting her- I've had very little probs with her barring door seals etc going. She's perfectly good, has a nickname- herogonald- and isn't costing much to run...

AdrianHi

People will have a different point of view and philosophy on this and which way you go with it can depend partly on how crucial a working car is to earning a living and having your life function. Also how many miles are you covering in a year?
Cars 10+ years old usually lower crash safety standards, what value do you place on this? Personal thing.

I look at it this way, because if I choose to I can fund a 6 to 12 month old car without an expensive loan. A 6 month old, say, Vauxhall Astra (similar size to your Daewoo, will loose about £1200 a year in depreciation while under warranty with assurance of no costly repairs.
Old cars that start costing more to maintain tend to keep costing more to maintain - it's a trend not a one off. I'll just spend this £300 and then it will be OK.... well no, it usual means another £300 will be needed soon.

If the younger car can save you as much or more than it's annual depreciation bill plus any finance charges you have to pay to get, with it's lower running costs that is the time I would switch to the younger car. With the Daewoo / Astra example if your mileage is low I would call it quits on the Daewoo when it has or is estimated to cost you £800+ in repairs because the other £400 will probably be saved in lower fuel costs.
In warranty car usually includes around £100-£150 of breakdown cover too.
If you do a higher mileage better fuel consumption will be more significant and swing in favour of a younger more efficient car sooner.

Paul_the_Painter

Always try and keep clear the difference between "rapairs" and "maintenance"

If you are "Maintaining" your car - that is just part and parcel of owing it.

If you are "Repairing" your car - things could get expensive!

Maintenance items are things that a.) appear in the service schedule and b.) wearing items without a specific replacement date/mileage.

a.) are things like oil,brake fluid, coolant, filters, and cam belt
b.) are things like bulbs, tyres, brake pads, brake discs, clutch(depending on driving style!), exhaust (although some are excellant and last for ages), other drive belts.

Repair items is just about any other part on the car. So water pump, engine ECU, window motors, locks, engine itself, brake calipers, electric mirrors, gearbox etc.

If your expenses are confined to group a.) keep the car without question, these are costs your SHOULD be paying. If they include only a.) and b.) it's almost certainly worth keeping the car and if you have already paid for items towards the end of the end of the list - definately keep it (you've paid for the pricey wearing bits)

If you are paying out for a lot of bits that are "repair" items, have a careful think - are there more to come?

The thing to remember is that swapping your car for a newer one may not save you any expenditure on running costs, if all you are currently paying for is things you would be paying for on any car.

I love cars that "cost a fortune to run" Just bought an old RX-7 for £500 with a years MoT from a family friend, I reckon it's good for 1 more MoT, and in that time will cost me a new air filter, and some oil. It had a re-con engine in it (15,000 miles ago) and plenty of other money spent on it. The previous owner spent thousands, but there is not a lot left to replace, body work is an issue though! But I shan't be fixing it.

doelani

thanks everyone for your replies. We got new car afterall but did take in everything you all said although decission was not mine.