This is an ex-Vauxhall - Best value disposal

tberry6686

The only real issue there is the engine warning light. Everything else is simple DIY and would probably cost about £100 for parts.

As far as the engine light goes, invest in an OBDII reader and the Torque app for phones or tablet and read whatever codes come up (shouldn't cost more than £15)

BeenThroughItAll

sh0597 wrote: »

I'd just buy a new car.

That would be very silly indeed for the sake of fixing a car that you're otherwise happy with. Spending money on a new car to save money isn't very MSE.

arcon5

Why do the calipers need replacing exactly?

Is it the track rod ends bent or the steering rack itself? If the latter then I imagine that would be the more difficult job of the lot.

Get it on ebay as spares and repairs - you'll get more than a hundred quid then

sh0597

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

That would be very silly indeed for the sake of fixing a car that you're otherwise happy with. Spending money on a new car to save money isn't very MSE.

The repairs are more than the car is worth though and it sounds as though the car has not been well maintained. I suspect a newer car will work out cheaper over the next few years. By new car I mean a newer car rather than brand new.

jamesperrett

I'd be worried about the timing belt - if it is really 60000 miles past its due change then you've been extremely lucky. On my last car it went 10000 miles before it was due to be changed.

caprikid1

I have to say if you had maintained this car properly the bill would probably be not so bad. A lot of old cars get scrapped because of lack of maintenance leading to a build up of costs.

StrongWork

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

That would be very silly indeed for the sake of fixing a car that you're otherwise happy with. Spending money on a new car to save money isn't very MSE.

But he wouldn't have to drive a Zafira which in itself is priceless.

rev_henry

Sorry, you mean to say you've NEVER done the cambelt?! I'd say you've been extremely lucky to get it this far!

Geodark

rev_henry wrote: »

Sorry, you mean to say you've NEVER done the cambelt?! I'd say you've been extremely lucky to get it this far!

It must have been done at some point - if this is a z18xe and is anything like the z16xe then the timing belt interval was dropped down to 40k! so if it hasnt ever been done then it is over 90k overdue!

mark55man

Key thanks for keeping the help coming. Really helpful.

Cambelt was done at 60000 miles was suggested at last service but I declined - so it is now 75000 since last change. I'm a duffer right - so you probably guessed that - I thought the cambelt stories were over cautious



Servicing - the car has been regularly serviced (every year around 10000 miles (high mileage is due to a lot of early miles). I did have some advisories last time - sounds like they they have come home to roost

New car - not a brand new car type of person, also in this case we have my DD1 car which is sitting idle while at Uni (she will need it in holidays) so we are doing car share for now

Maintenance - I am not happy driving (or having my OH Drive) a car that I have been mechanically engaged with - just not going to happen!!

What Next What I will do though thanks to your advice, is see if I can get a couple of better quotes, and maybe some legwork in sourcing parts directly, and then do the sums about what its worth and what it costs and whether its worth it given we have an almost cost free alternative in DD's car