Really don’t know what to do about this car

[tvguy]

It does depend..so I ordered a car out of state and will have it shipped or fly and drive back (shipping is less than 1500 worst case scenario) I ordered it at about 1k under sticker

What brand?

 

[LuvOrlando]

We had this happen, kept the iffy vehicles and sent DD & DS with the newer more reliable vehicles because I was beside myself with worry over bad weather and winter months. Really, it was tolerable since we only did without for a few months at a time with college kids home for Winter Break and Summer. Still have the iffy vehicles as is because they are local & that suits us just fine, in the end I realized it was the travel part that sent me into a tailspin and drove up expenses that i wouldn;t do keeping the cars local, so it saved money I guess.

 

[LYSE]

What brand?

Jeep Wrangler Willys

 

[goofyernmost]

My grandson has a hand me down Toyota Corolla with 190,000 miles on it. It just cost his parents $500 to replace a coil and plugs. He is also in college 2.5 hours away, but still makes the trip. It is always a dilemma when it comes to knowing when to cut bait and do different, but some of what you mentioned are normal expenses, like brakes and another seems like it might be covered by the transmission repair. The sensor is an easy fix, but you don't want to run it with the check engine light on because it might not be able to warn you of a bigger problem.

The idea that you don't know what you are buying when you get another is true. A 2.5 hour drive is nothing much more then a trip around the block at 97K. I'd fix it. If the engine has been maintained it is probably OK and half of your two primary repair expense (the transmission is the other). I'd go ahead and make the repairs. If you have a place that you can trust to be honest about repairs it would be advisable to take it there. More importantly no matter where you take it when they come out with the estimate always, always ask questions. If you don't know that the part is ask them what it is and what it does and is it something that has to be done right now. When questioned most will tell you the truth but they are counting on you to just shake your head, act like you don't have any idea what they just said and just to tell them to fix it. If the car appears to be running and operating OK, the chances are that it isn't all that urgent, but just make sure you ask a lot of questions.

Why does DH think it needs a new rack and pinion?

 

[tvguy]

Jeep Wrangler Willys

Okay, that makes sense. All the Chrysler brands (Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep) seem to be more available. No idea why.

 

[LYSE]

Okay, that makes sense. All the Chrysler brands (Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep) seem to be more available. No idea why.

Well Jeep was at the top of the list back at the end of March for most marked up and of those the wrangler topped the list

Just Google super store dealers and reach out..many brands have them they'll play the volume game and sell all over the country

 

[Immadismom]

OP here…we took the car back to the transmission shop to start with their warranty. Turns out they failed to clear the code when they replaced the transmission. Once they did that, they checked the other two codes for the O2 sensor and lean fuel bank. They found a cracked air exhaust hose , which is normal wear & tear on a 10 yr old car. They replaced that for us, cleared the other two codes and we seem to be good! $150 total, and a couple hours of our time. We’re going to try to get another year or two out of it….hopefully. I just can’t stomach spending over $12k for a vehicle with the same or more mileage than we have on this one.

 

[Immadismom]

My grandson has a hand me down Toyota Corolla with 190,000 miles on it. It just cost his parents $500 to replace a coil and plugs. He is also in college 2.5 hours away, but still makes the trip. It is always a dilemma when it comes to knowing when to cut bait and do different, but some of what you mentioned are normal expenses, like brakes and another seems like it might be covered by the transmission repair. The sensor is an easy fix, but you don't want to run it with the check engine light on because it might not be able to warn you of a bigger problem.

The idea that you don't know what you are buying when you get another is true. A 2.5 hour drive is nothing much more then a trip around the block at 97K. I'd fix it. If the engine has been maintained it is probably OK and half of your two primary repair expense (the transmission is the other). I'd go ahead and make the repairs. If you have a place that you can trust to be honest about repairs it would be advisable to take it there. More importantly no matter where you take it when they come out with the estimate always, always ask questions. If you don't know that the part is ask them what it is and what it does and is it something that has to be done right now. When questioned most will tell you the truth but they are counting on you to just shake your head, act like you don't have any idea what they just said and just to tell them to fix it. If the car appears to be running and operating OK, the chances are that it isn't all that urgent, but just make sure you ask a lot of questions.

Why does DH think it needs a new rack and pinion?

There is something in the left front that sounds suspension related. Shop said they didn’t hear it when driving it this time, so we‘ll keep an eye/ear on that for now. I’ve had the rack & pinion done on my car, and the expense wasn’t all that bad, so we aren’t overly worried about that. More so the mechanical issues, which (HOPEFULLY) are resolved after this week at the shop.

 

[RamblingMad]

I wouldn't buy used right now. Prices are ridiculous. I would buy new. If you want to get rid of this vehicle, then hand down one of your vehicles to your kid and buy new.

 

[sam_gordon]

I wouldn't buy used right now. Prices are ridiculous. I would buy new. If you want to get rid of this vehicle, then hand down one of your vehicles to your kid and buy new.

And new car prices are reasonable?

 

[kymom99]

OP here…we took the car back to the transmission shop to start with their warranty. Turns out they failed to clear the code when they replaced the transmission. Once they did that, they checked the other two codes for the O2 sensor and lean fuel bank. They found a cracked air exhaust hose , which is normal wear & tear on a 10 yr old car. They replaced that for us, cleared the other two codes and we seem to be good! $150 total, and a couple hours of our time. We’re going to try to get another year or two out of it….hopefully. I just can’t stomach spending over $12k for a vehicle with the same or more mileage than we have on this one.

Glad that all worked out! Once your daughter drives a few times, she should feel better about it, and you probably will too. We were in the same boat with my sons car in college. I worried but he was always fine.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OP here…we took the car back to the transmission shop to start with their warranty. Turns out they failed to clear the code when they replaced the transmission. Once they did that, they checked the other two codes for the O2 sensor and lean fuel bank. They found a cracked air exhaust hose , which is normal wear & tear on a 10 yr old car. They replaced that for us, cleared the other two codes and we seem to be good! $150 total, and a couple hours of our time. We’re going to try to get another year or two out of it….hopefully. I just can’t stomach spending over $12k for a vehicle with the same or more mileage than we have on this one.

I would be surprised if you could’ve found anything halfway decent for $12K. I couldn’t where I live even before this supply and demand problem we’re now having. Glad it all worked out for you!

 

[kymom99]

I would be surprised if you could’ve found anything halfway decent for $12K. I couldn’t where I live even before this supply and demand problem we’re now having. Glad it all worked out for you!

Even before this, in 2019, we were looking for something to replace my sons car. I had in My head we could buy something for $10-12k. I never felt good about anything we saw because of concerns over reliability. We ended up with a 2018 Camry with 19000 miles on it for about 18k. I ended up liking some of the features it had and gave him my car to drive which is also a 2018. We have been in good shape car wise for 3 years now. I can’t imagine trying to find something like that now. I’m so glad we don’t have to deal with that right now.

 

[RamblingMad]

And new car prices are reasonable?

In comparison, new car prices are great.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Even before this, in 2019, we were looking for something to replace my sons car. I had in My head we could buy something for $10-12k. I never felt good about anything we saw because of concerns over reliability. We ended up with a 2018 Camry with 19000 miles on it for about 18k. I ended up liking some of the features it had and gave him my car to drive which is also a 2018. We have been in good shape car wise for 3 years now. I can’t imagine trying to find something like that now. I’m so glad we don’t have to deal with that right now.

I agree! It happened to us, too.

 

[Immadismom]

i have to chuckle at the replies saying to give DD one of our cars and get something for ourselves. I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey that just turned over 200k miles. That van just wont die! But I don’t feel any better sending her off with that. And DH has a 2018 Toyota Tundra with 44,000 miles that he won’t even let me drive, let alone her. Lol!

We had planned to sell the van back in 2020. Then the pandemic shut everything down and I no longer have a work commute as I am permanent WFH. So, I’ll drive it until it dies. DH will likely do the same with his truck, as he is permanent WFH as well.

 

[sheilafri]

I wouldn't buy used right now. Prices are ridiculous. I would buy new. If you want to get rid of this vehicle, then hand down one of your vehicles to your kid and buy new.

I’m selling a car next week that I’ve had for 4 months. I was offered $8000 more than I paid for it new. Glad I kept my 16 yo beater that runs great.

 

[mikehn]

I noticed my local Jeep dealership has a bunch of new wranglers and gladiators that have been sitting on the lot for a while now. Clearly, these aren't all that popular where I am.