Home repairs & upgrades

[barkley]

I respectfully disagree. It SAVES you a LOT of money in the long run to fix a car rather than replace it (other than rust or extensive body damage). $1,000 on tires that will get you another 40,000 miles of transportation, a bargain. A new transmission at $2,000 will get you another 100,000+ miles.
The average cost of a new car in 2019 is $36,843. Here in California, the sales tax alone would be $3,000 on top of that. Sales Tax buys you nothing. But $3,000 on a transmission and other repairs can get you another 100,000+ miles
But, full disclosure, last year I got rid of my family car that I bought new and drove for 31 years. And you need look no further than fleet vehicle operators. they fix, they don't replace because they look at the cost per mile.

it's been several years since we lived there, but isn't also cheaper on the yearly registration on an older car in california? it seems to me that we used to pay higher fees on our newer ones there so it was always a consideration on repairs vs. replace.

 

[QueenIsabella]

My friend washed her dishes in the bathtub. Haha! Could you use the utility tub or do you have one?

Our utility sink is outside. We live in North Carolina. It's by the "grillzebo"--DH has the grill and a small countertop out there. We can grill year-round. The sink is hooked up, but only has cold water (essentially from the hose). So, the kids heat water on the hot plate (we have electricity there), and wash the dishes. We also use paper plates/plastic cutlery as much as possible, so it's not a ton of dishes. Interestingly, they came up with their own rotation system as to who does the dishes each night, so there's much less bickering and complaining than I would have expected.

 

[tvguy]

it's been several years since we lived there, but isn't also cheaper on the yearly registration on an older car in california? it seems to me that we used to pay higher fees on our newer ones there so it was always a consideration on repairs vs. replace.

Yes, hundreds of dollars a year cheaper. My registration on my 1987 Suburban was $100......the Ford Flex that replaced it is $400 a year to register.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I respectfully disagree. It SAVES you a LOT of money in the long run to fix a car rather than replace it (other than rust or extensive body damage). $1,000 on tires that will get you another 40,000 miles of transportation, a bargain. A new transmission at $2,000 will get you another 100,000+ miles.
The average cost of a new car in 2019 is $36,843. Here in California, the sales tax alone would be $3,000 on top of that. Sales Tax buys you nothing. But $3,000 on a transmission and other repairs can get you another 100,000+ miles
But, full disclosure, last year I got rid of my family car that I bought new and drove for 31 years. And you need look no further than fleet vehicle operators. they fix, they don't replace because they look at the cost per mile.

It depends if you can avoid an accident...if you put $5K in a 15 year old car and then someone hits you...that $5K is gone...so, when your car gets old, you shouldn't really put more money into it that its worth unless you are okay with flushing that money the next day.

I say this as someone who has a 15 year old car. We just put in $300 for new brake pads b/c the car is still worth $1500, so it's "worth" it...but I've already decided that if the transmission ever blows, we're junking it and buying new, both b/c of the accident risk AND the risk that when one big thing goes wrong, you tend to get a cascade effect (so its $3K this week, then $2K the next, etc)...so, at this point, I am only doing "little" repairs and I'm saving money for the replacement when needed...

 

[tvguy]

It depends if you can avoid an accident...if you put $5K in a 15 year old car and then someone hits you...that $5K is gone...so, when your car gets old, you shouldn't really put more money into it that its worth unless you are okay with flushing that money the next day.

I say this as someone who has a 15 year old car. We just put in $300 for new brake pads b/c the car is still worth $1500, so it's "worth" it...but I've already decided that if the transmission ever blows, we're junking it and buying new, both b/c of the accident risk AND the risk that when one big thing goes wrong, you tend to get a cascade effect (so its $3K this week, then $2K the next, etc)...so, at this point, I am only doing "little" repairs and I'm saving money for the replacement when needed...

Well, then there is depreciation on a new car. You layout $30,000+ for a car and lose $5,000 into thin air the second you drive it off the lot.

 

[kymom99]

Our utility sink is outside. We live in North Carolina. It's by the "grillzebo"--DH has the grill and a small countertop out there. We can grill year-round. The sink is hooked up, but only has cold water (essentially from the hose). So, the kids heat water on the hot plate (we have electricity there), and wash the dishes. We also use paper plates/plastic cutlery as much as possible, so it's not a ton of dishes. Interestingly, they came up with their own rotation system as to who does the dishes each night, so there's much less bickering and complaining than I would have expected.

Well that works. We don’t even have a dishwasher in our house. My son dries them when he is here but he’s 20 and in college. So they air dry a lot.

 

[LovesTimone]

I respectfully disagree. It SAVES you a LOT of money in the long run to fix a car rather than replace it (other than rust or extensive body damage). $1,000 on tires that will get you another 40,000 miles of transportation, a bargain. A new transmission at $2,000 will get you another 100,000+ miles.
The average cost of a new car in 2019 is $36,843. Here in California, the sales tax alone would be $3,000 on top of that. Sales Tax buys you nothing. But $3,000 on a transmission and other repairs can get you another 100,000+ miles
But, full disclosure, last year I got rid of my family car that I bought new and drove for 31 years. And you need look no further than fleet vehicle operators. they fix, they don't replace because they look at the cost per mile.

I can see your point and I respect it... For me and just my opinion... once you have to start replacing parts, (beside normal maintenance, such as tires and rotation, and oil and fluid changes).. it normally is like a slow leak that gets worse and worse... until there is flooding and dam breaks... which is when is really gets costly... and then the money you spent could have gone to a new car or new to you car... with a warranty... has washed down river, now your not going to get much on a trade in, or what was in saving has already been spent... Plus when your car is in the shop... how do you get around... a rental car, which cost more money...

On the fleet vehicle, most companies trade them out every 2 to 3 years... before the major problems start, they are under warranty.... DH drives a company car...and every 3 years like clock work he gets a new one... all the other ones go back to the dealer and then from there to auction.

 

[tvguy]

On the fleet vehicle, most companies trade them out every 2 to 3 years... before the major problems start, they are under warranty.... DH drives a company car...and every 3 years like clock work he gets a new one... all the other ones go back to the dealer and then from there to auction.

Your husband is VERY lucky then. That is not the norm with commercial fleets. We have replaced a lot of cars in the past year. But we still have a 2004 in the fleet. Ironically, it hasn't required an engine or transmission yet. Our 2014 did blow an engine after the warranty expired. $4,000 for a new engine makes a whole lot more sense than $40,000 for a replacement. Look at how the Post Office, UPS, FedEx, Blue Van operate, they fix, not replace.
That was one an issue about 8 years ago when Jerry Brown started his first term of his second tenure as California Governor. California Highway Patrol was retiring patrol cars at 105,000 miles. The biggest buyer of used CHP cars? Taxi companies and Security companies. Brown pointed out THOSE companies were running those cars another 300-400,000 miles. CHP now runs their cars 200,000 miles, and those are hard miles. Just soooo much cheaper to fix than replace.

 

[LovesTimone]

Your husband is VERY lucky then. That is not the norm with commercial fleets. We have replaced a lot of cars in the past year. But we still have a 2004 in the fleet. Ironically, it hasn't required an engine or transmission yet. Our 2014 did blow an engine after the warranty expired. $4,000 for a new engine makes a whole lot more sense than $40,000 for a replacement. Look at how the Post Office, UPS, FedEx, Blue Van operate, they fix, not replace.
That was one an issue about 8 years ago when Jerry Brown started his first term of his second tenure as California Governor. California Highway Patrol was retiring patrol cars at 105,000 miles. The biggest buyer of used CHP cars? Taxi companies and Security companies. Brown pointed out THOSE companies were running those cars another 300-400,000 miles. CHP now runs their cars 200,000 miles, and those are hard miles. Just soooo much cheaper to fix than replace.

Aren't Cops car... built differently, they have a different frames, and suspension systems and what's under the hood is different than what we can buy at the dealership... they are made to last, they take a beating, make pit maneuvers, run through other obstacles, jump curb's, drive over whatever to get the bad guy...that's why they are cop cars... my brother was a deputy for 20 years... his car's were built like a tank he had 4 or 5 different cars in the 20 he spent... it was crazy how solid they were... just the door shutting had that solid sound... As well they are on a strict maintenance's program, they keep up with the maintenance...

While you feel fixing is cheaper and the route you choose... I think that's great... For me I feel differently... and that's great too... To each his or her own, there is no right or wrong... just difference's of how we all think... and how we prioritize things...

 

[tvguy]

Aren't Cops car... built differently, they have a different frames, and suspension systems and what's under the hood is different than what we can buy at the dealership... they are made to last, they take a beating, make pit maneuvers, run through other obstacles, jump curb's, drive over whatever to get the bad guy...that's why they are cop cars... my brother was a deputy for 20 years... his car's were built like a tank he had 4 or 5 different cars in the 20 he spent... it was crazy how solid they were... just the door shutting had that solid sound... As well they are on a strict maintenance's program, they keep up with the maintenance...

While you feel fixing is cheaper and the route you choose... I think that's great... For me I feel differently... and that's great too... To each his or her own, there is no right or wrong... just difference's of how we all think... and how we prioritize things...

Not any more. The Crown Victorias and Explorers are exactly the same as the one's you and I buy. Well, actually, they have less. No carpet, no keyless entry, no key fob, but the frame, engine and suspension are the same. I guess you could argue that the Chevy Caprices they use now are different, but only because you and I can't buy a new one, they are only made for Police. They are the same car as the 2005+ Pontiac GTO and G-8, made in Australia

 

[leebee]

My home is 112 years old and was used as a student rental for 5 years before we purchased it, so the to-do list was long, quite long. We puttered around on repairs for 15 years, not making much progress at do-it-yourselfers. Finally we bit the bullet, shopped around, and got a home equity line of credit. We'd never have been able to save the money on our income, and while DH can do many, many home repairs/rebuilds, he just doesn't have the time. Our current line is for $30K. We can access it for up to 3 years, and only pay interest (3.4%) on the money we actually USE during the borrowing period. After 3 years we can no longer draw money, and have 10 years to pay off what we have drawn. We can also pay more than the monthly minimum to bring the balance owed down. So far we've replaced the back deck (ourselves- flooring, steps, railing... finally got my brother and DD's then-boyfriend (now my SIL) up here to finish it all), the front porch (including ceiling and floor joists, skirting, steps, railing all around, flooring), and replaced 14 windows (boy did we love THAT last winter). Having the HELOC freed up enough cash so we could purchase a used CRV (2003 w/90K miles and ALL the paperwork showing all repairs done at the dealership) for $3500. We still have 2 years and about $18K left to access if we need to. I think new carpeting in the bedroom (DH can't do that, extensive knee surgery and subsequent infection means no kneeling) and new kitchen appliances are next in line. I'd love to do the entire kitchen but we don't have the $$$ for that, I'm afraid- although it'd be nice to have countertops that are all one color and cabinets that match!

I wish I'd known about HELOCs when we inherited my mom's home. It was in such bad shape- needed roof, insulation, waterproofing, electrical repair- and none of us had the cash flow to support those repairs. If I'd known then what I know now, we'd have refinanced at a MUCH lower interest rate (she was at 11%!!!) and obtained a HELOC to make the repairs. THEN we'd have a second home in southern Maine, within view of the ocean, with a basement apartment. Perfect 2 unit seasonal rental, or year round. I could KICK myself... but we had to sell it because it really was in bad shape, nobody could afford to repair it, and my locally-living siblings were done with being landlords for a falling-down property. Sold it for a song... and I'm still kicking myself... OH WELL. OP, look into good deals on a HELOC. As long as you don't blow the money on fun stuff, and the repairs really DO increase the value of your home, it's worth it.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Not any more. The Crown Victorias and Explorers are exactly the same as the one's you and I buy. Well, actually, they have less. No carpet, no keyless entry, no key fob, but the frame, engine and suspension are the same. I guess you could argue that the Chevy Caprices they use now are different, but only because you and I can't buy a new one, they are only made for Police. They are the same car as the 2005+ Pontiac GTO and G-8, made in Australia

My husband's 2018 Explorer Police Car has keyless entry.

 

[tvguy]

My husband's 2018 Explorer Police Car has keyless entry.

It is an option, but not part of the Police Interceptor Package. There are a number of companies that make keyless entry for PI Explorers for people who buy them after they have been retired from Police service. https://www.flvpmods.com/keyless-entry.html

 

[DisneyHardin]

It is an option, but not part of the Police Interceptor Package. There are a number of companies that make keyless entry for PI Explorers for people who buy them after they have been retired from Police service. https://www.flvpmods.com/keyless-entry.html

I guess it's an add on his department gets them because his old cruiser, a 2008 Expedition had it too.