View Full Version : Car repair - when is it time to pack it in?
Tenbatsuzen
12-26-2006, 01:36 PM
<p>Liz's car is a 98 Plymouth Neon. We bought it a little over 2 years ago for about 4000 bucks, and it had about 30,000 miles on it. She mainly uses it to commute to work, which is about 80 miles round trip, 5 days a week. So she's effectively put about 50K on it in 2 years, now clocking in at 81K.</p><p> </p><p>As documented, the car is leaking oil and blowing smoke. We took it in for repairs, and found out that the battery is dying (no big deal..) the rear brakes need adjustment (ok...)...</p><p> </p><p>The big issue is that the rear seal on the engine has given, and THAT'S why the engine is blowing oil and smoke. Total cost: 750 bucks for repair. The oil pan also needs to be repaired as well, but it's not as dire as the engine seal situation - 350 bucks.</p><p> </p><p>So we're looking at about 1100 of repairs for a car that's not even worth that much at this point. With the body damage the car has endured during it's tenure, it's the very definition of a basic transportation beater. </p><p> </p><p>The plan we had was to have the car survive until May, and then buy her a new/used PT Cruiser or Subaru Outback. </p><p> </p><p>Obviously, with saving for the wedding, we have been thrown into a somewhat shitty situation.</p><p> </p><p>Any suggestions or courses of action? </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
Hottub
12-26-2006, 01:41 PM
You are going to need something dependable for the winter. Yes it sucks to have to put that kind of money into a piece of crap, but that is still better than going to get a new one now, or risk having her get stuck somewhere during a deep freeze or a snowstorm.
<p><font face="comic sans ms,sand" size="2">I am putting over 80 miles on my car per day too, and I couldn't imagine doing it with a car that is questionable, and if it was my wife I would be even more concerned. Of course the financial situation makes everything difficult. I assume that since oyu are going to buy a new car in the spring, you must have some money put away towards it, what difference will the 6 months until May make, would it be possible to do it now ? You might get some savings on an end of the year sale. You might even be able to get a few bucks (probably not much) selling the current car to a student who wants to work on it himself.</font></p><p><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="2">The main point is "do you really want to worry about her driving this car for the next six months" ?</font></p><p><font face="comic sans ms,sand" size="2"></font></p>
<p>The real problem is finding something reliable for less than $1,100. </p><p> If you get rid of the Neon as is, someone will have to tow it away and have it repaired so they're not going to give you a lot of money for it. The other option is to call a junkyard. They'll give you $35 to $50 and tow it away. Either of these options leaves you without a vehicle for the next few months. </p><p>It's a shitty situation, but unless you know someone personally who's unloading a solid used car for under a grand, you're really forced into repairing the Plymouth. </p>
feralBoy
12-26-2006, 01:58 PM
How bad is the leak on the rear seal? Is it pouring out oil? If not, as long as you keep the car filled with oil, it should be fine. You can change the battery and adjust the brakes, and drive the car until may when you are ready to get a new car.
Tenbatsuzen
12-26-2006, 02:10 PM
<p>Well, I guess the issue is that I didn't know about the issues with the car until I got into it and found out what problems there were.</p><p> </p><p>Our financial situation, while not "bad", basically has us saving a good portion of money for the wedding and honeymoon. We are already committed to this and do not have a lot of liquid financial assets to put towards a major purchase like a car.</p><p> </p>
Don Stugots
12-26-2006, 02:13 PM
matty dont just junk it. find out where you can donate it to. the towing would be free and it is a huge write off for Liz. at least it used to be.
Tenbatsuzen
12-26-2006, 02:19 PM
<strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br />matty dont just junk it. find out where you can donate it to. the towing would be free and it is a huge write off for Liz. at least it used to be. <p> </p><p>It would be, especially if we did it before 1/1.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Tenbatsuzen
12-26-2006, 02:20 PM
<strong>feralBoy</strong> wrote:<br />How bad is the leak on the rear seal? Is it pouring out oil? If not, as long as you keep the car filled with oil, it should be fine. You can change the battery and adjust the brakes, and drive the car until may when you are ready to get a new car. <p> </p><p>It's definitely leaking. You can see an oil trail coming out from behind the car.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Don Stugots
12-26-2006, 02:21 PM
<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br />matty dont just junk it. find out where you can donate it to. the towing would be free and it is a huge write off for Liz. at least it used to be. <p> </p><p>It would be, especially if we did it before 1/1.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>just check and make sure it is a legit one. there are alot that claim to donate the car or the pundage but wash the money and you get screwed. man, those were the days. </p>
Snacks
12-26-2006, 02:45 PM
why does she have to wait til may to get a new/used car? Get it now, if you spend $1100 to fix it, its like throwing away the money. Your better off buying a car now and take that $1100 and put it down on the new car or use it towards the payment. $1100 diveded by 5 months is $220 a month. if your new car is going to be close to that then your spending the same amount of money you would spend on a car thats not worth it. You are buying a car in may anyway, just get it now.
Jujubees2
12-26-2006, 02:53 PM
<font size="2">I too have a Plymouth Neon (1995 model). Bought it used in 1997 with about 40K miles on it and had a similar situation as you Matty when I was driving home one night in Sept. 2005 and the car just stopped. Turned out my timing belt went and it screwed everything up. So I was looking at a $1800 repair bill or going out and buying a new car. But since I wasn't planning on getting a new car and the Neon was (and still is) averaging about 30 mpg, I decided to put the money into the car. It's still running strong (knock wood).</font>
Tenbatsuzen
12-26-2006, 03:55 PM
<p>I'm thinking about the following course of action...</p><p> </p><p>The only outrageous expense the car has is the seal, and that's the only thing that will limit the car for the time being.</p><p> </p><p>I think I'm going to repair the seal and the brakes. I will go to pep boys to get the battery. </p><p> </p><p>The oil pan, while problematic, still works, and there's no need to get rid of it because it still functions.</p>
Don Stugots
12-26-2006, 04:07 PM
if nothing else is wrong with it and you feel like that is the best way to go for the time being. then go for it. i hope you are right.
Mike Teacher
12-26-2006, 04:13 PM
<p>I blew a seal once.</p><p>Zookeepers were not amused.</p>
JoeYaDeadHomey
12-26-2006, 04:14 PM
<p>being a former plymouth neon owner (95) that i owned from 2001-2004 ( i loved it) it is extremely documented about headgaskets failing. it is a known engine flaw. im suprised if you havent put a timing belt, and oil pump as well. my advice, go look for another neon for about a grand, or move up your plans on getting the new car. you can get a used pt for sub 10k if youre looking (i was, and didnt, kind of regret it) </p><p> </p><p>neons are great great fun little cars, but as soon as something goes wrong they're phenominal headcases. </p><p> </p><p>thats what happens american car japanese motor, and mexicans or canadians putting it all together.</p><p> </p>
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