Car Repair Dilemma - to fix or not?

plumtreebabe

Thanks for your replies - the garage said it was a Renault engine which is why it may need a new intercooler? I can't keep it for spares, I don't have anywhere to put it! It was really quite plush inside and comfortable for me; I always found the reach for the pedals with vauxhalls was too far for my legs and the seats were too low - i always had to put a cushion on them (I didn't want to look like one of those little old grannies peering over the top of the steering wheel!

I have always driven cars in the £250 - £800 price range, got a couple of years out of them, cost me diddly squat to insure, no-one messes with them and there's always a local chap who could repair them cheaply and easily. Then my mum died and I spent £3,300 ten years ago for a Vauxhall estate so that I coud have a 'reliable' car to go and see my dad down south. That car cost me hundreds of pounds every year on repairs, you name it it went, until the engine seized. I have been running old bangers ever since (at one time me and hubby each had a vauxhall cavalier, mine cost £250, his cost £600 and he got it after he saw the size of my boot and we both had them for over three years). Then I fell in love with the volvo estate (just turning the engine on and listening to it did it) and all was lost. I even named her Olga (not named a care before).

This year the air con unit failed (turned out to be the wiring behind it) and I had to have it in to be sorted (£400); had to have the timing belt replaced also (£360); and there is this intermittent fault where I lose all my display dials for a day or two every couple of months (googled this one and it has happened to others - it spontaneously recovers).

I don't have anywhere to do repairs, unfortunately, and its at the garage 8 miles away and can't be driven; will get the verdict on the intercooler tomorrow and have another think.

Thanks guys - but you have still given me a hung parliament! I am nervous to have the work done as so much appears to have gone wrong in one go all of a sudden, but its always difficult being rushed into buying another rather than having time to look around.

A glass of wine and sleep on it I think but thank you again for giving me your thoughts, I appreciate it!

TrickyWicky

No we've not given you a hung parliament! We've given you both sides of the arguement but you can't rely on a bunch of annonymous people to make the choice for you.

All I will say is that if you actually like the car that much what would you rather do? - Keep it and spend money on it every now and then or buy another car that could be a nail and then need work on it after you've forked out the cash on it?

Me and my partner have 3 cars (don't ask). I personally prefer to spend money on the devil I know. That way I know exactly what is wrong with it and what needs doing, how long it can wait etc. If I go buy another car it could be hiding all sorts of horrible things.

plumtreebabe

Thanks Tricky Wicky, you're right, now I've slept on it I realise I do want to keep this car, and getting another strikes fear in my heart! A friend of a friend sold us a Renault estate a couple of years ago for £400; he drove it 80 miles to us with no problem, yet two days later the head gasket went!

Will keep you all informed of progress - hopefully this won't be a long running thread.....;)