Pay for car repair or get rid?

stuartjl

Hi All, i bought a car 2 weeks ago. All was good untill thursday, when the turbo blew-up. I've been given a bill of £1000 to fix it, i bought the car for £800. Reason i bought this car was my other car had issues too and i was told on the car i bought had most things fixed (fly wheel, swirl flaps, clutch). The car is a Saab 93 1.9 tid with 124k. I'm just wondering if its better to cut my loss's and get rid or just spend on the car. And put this down to experience. Or even lease a car, but the job i does require me to travel quite far. Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks, Stuart

Stigy

stuartjl wrote: »

Hi All, i bought a car 2 weeks ago. All was good untill thursday, when the turbo blew-up. I've been given a bill of £1000 to fix it, i bought the car for £800. Reason i bought this car was my other car had issues too and i was told on the car i bought had most things fixed (fly wheel, swirl flaps, clutch). The car is a Saab 93 1.9 tid with 124k. I'm just wondering if its better to cut my loss's and get rid or just spend on the car. And put this down to experience. Or even lease a car, but the job i does require me to travel quite far. Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks, Stuart

That's more than the car is worth, and bearing in mind you bought it only 2-weeks ago, I'm not sure I'd trust it after such a major failure. As spares or repair, off the top of my head and as long as it has a bit of MoT to run, you'll get around 200-300 for it if it's a 2001ish type model. Scrap value is rock bottom at the moment too, so don't expect much in the way of recouping costs.

forgotmyname

Stick a used turbo on it and cross your fingers.

prowla

I wouldn't buy a new turbo for it; that's for sure.

I recently had my lovely old '52 beemer start having issues; the ABS control unit went (list £1200, ebay used £300), which I got fixed, then the water pump seized, so I had that done, but then a couple more things went wrong, including the head gasket, brakes were getting on a bit, its tyres were marginal and the MOT was coming up. So I bit the bullet and replaced it.

You can make do and mend with an old car, but at some point you have to ask whether it is a money-pit.

guestman

124k for the original turbo isn't to bad tbh.. just get a s/h or get the one you have re furbed

Stigy

guestman wrote: »

124k for the original turbo isn't to bad tbh.. just get a s/h or get the one you have re furbed

My Golf is on 187k and never had a turbo replaced...touch wood.

stuartjl

Stigy wrote: »

That's more than the car is worth, and bearing in mind you bought it only 2-weeks ago, I'm not sure I'd trust it after such a major failure. As spares or repair, off the top of my head and as long as it has a bit of MoT to run, you'll get around 200-300 for it if it's a 2001ish type model. Scrap value is rock bottom at the moment too, so don't expect much in the way of recouping costs.

Forgot to say, its 56 reg.

BeenThroughItAll

Personally, I'd be getting a second opinion first. There are a number of other problems which could look very much like a turbo failure if incorrectly diagnosed.

Nobbie1967

I'd be tempted to fit a 2nd hand or recon turbo and take my chances, although maybe put it through an MOT first to make sure there's nothing else major waiting in the wings. Does sound like the last owner knew the turbo was on the way out....

parking_question_chap

prowla wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a new turbo for it; that's for sure.

I recently had my lovely old '52 beemer start having issues; the ABS control unit went (list £1200, ebay used £300), which I got fixed, then the water pump seized, so I had that done, but then a couple more things went wrong, including the head gasket, brakes were getting on a bit, its tyres were marginal and the MOT was coming up. So I bit the bullet and replaced it.

You can make do and mend with an old car, but at some point you have to ask whether it is a money-pit.

Out of interest, what did you decide was the best way to get rid of a car with known faults?

Might need to do the same.

prowla

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Out of interest, what did you decide was the best way to get rid of a car with known faults?

Might need to do the same.

I decided to go for the easiest option and trade it in against a new one.
(May not be the best option for most, of course.)