To repair or not repair????

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

Ok so here is the question.....at what point do you stop repairing your car ??

We currently have no car payments which I love.
We have a 2007 dodge nitro with 115k that was in the shop in July for a few minor repairs and recalls. Almost immediately after it needed a battery (no big deal). Well today the engine light is on. It goes to the shop tomorrow and could be very minor. But I am trying to figure out at what point is it just time to buy a new one !!! 500 2000 etc. I do not have money to pay cash so a new one will mean a car payment.

 

[Bamagirl43]

Wait and see what the check engine light problem is. If it's not bad, you might want to have a mechanic give it a thorough check. Maybe they could let you know what to expect in the near future as far as repairs. If it is bad, you will have to weigh the costs to repair vs. new car payments. I know nothing about cars, but I would have a hard time swallowing thousands of dollars to repair a vehicle with 115k miles. That money could be used for your down payment on your next car.

 

[starwart]

It could be just the air sensor. A computer diagnostic could pinpoint the problem. I personally don't like making car payments if it can be avoided or delayed.

 

[MSLRAC]

I would wait and see what the diagnostic for the engine light is before I decided. Usually it's just some sort of sensor that can easily and inexpensively be replaced.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

Thank You !!! I will see tomorrow what they say ..........my gut is saying this car is almost done my bank account is hoping it goes to 200k

 

[LJSquishy]

When your car repairs happen frequently and come close to or exceed the amount of a monthly car payment it's time to get a newer car.

If your car has $1,000 worth of repairs in a year that equals $83/mo to maintain the car. A car payment would be anywhere from $300-$400 probably, depending on the make, model, and year. If your yearly repairs are closer to $3,000/yr I would definitely be looking for a newer vehicle. I guess you also need to consider how much your vehicle is worth and whether you want to exceed its value in repairs or not.

 

[usd2bmd]

I hate car payments. The engine light on my car is almost always because of the seal on the gas tank. the last time he wiped it with a rag and put some Vaseline on it and it was fine.

We have been very lucky. We have three cars right now; all have over 100K miles on them. So we will most like be replacing one of them in the spring.

But we will buy used because for what I am willing to pay per month our only option would be to lease a new car. That (IMO) for us is just a waste of money.

 

[lvillotta1]

If you always buy a very dependable car like a Toyota or Honda you can never ever go wrong. If you look around these cars are never on the side of the road. They can run 300,000 miles and still be running very strong. Never a repair that is costly or made me think I needed to get rid of any of my cars. No car payments for 10years now. Invest the money in something good the first time and you will never have to look back.

 

[jedijill]

Don't take your car to the shop for a check engine light! Take it to a auto parts store like O'Reilly's or Autozone. They will read the code for you and then you know what you are looking at. 99% of the time its a loose gas cap. If it is a sensor its possible you could buy the part and replace it yourself. Lots of how to videos online. Even if you don't want to attempt to replace yourself, you'll at least be armed with information at the repair shop.

Jill in CO

 

[my3princes]

We only purchase very used cars, put about $1000 into them and run them until they literally aren't drivable. My last car was a 2001 Ford Windstar which was given to us. It needed a new exhaust and a few other things. With registration it cost us about $1000 to put on the road. I got about a year out of it before the airconditioner, and both front windows decided not to work and it was in the hot part of the summer. There was also a lot of rust that needed to be dealt with. That one is now parked and we've moved on. That being said we have a 1998 and a 2001 Camry that keep going with just basic maintenance, brakes, tires, exhaust, etc. DH is a Toyota master tech so it just costs us parts. Great cars for our kids to drive.

 

[Sadie22]

Our reliable repair shop reads all codes for us for free. Then we can decide together with one of our trusted, very experienced mechanics whether the problem is worth fixing on our heap or newer vehicle, as the case may be.

Is this a check engine light, or is it a service engine soon light? The first is not as serious.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

appointment is pepboys I am paying $49 for code plus complete diagnostic since we do not do our own repairs of any type that will be applied if I do have them fix it. I believe it is the service engine light but truthfully do not know. this car has been paid off for 6 years or so so pretty good, our other cars are a Honda civic and I will drive it for as long as possible, and a mustang we do not even want to discuss that but it has under 20k and I would choose to sell it as no one drives it but DH does not agree.

 

[supersnoop]

appointment is pepboys I am paying $49 for code plus complete diagnostic since we do not do our own repairs of any type that will be applied if I do have them fix it. I believe it is the service engine light but truthfully do not know. this car has been paid off for 6 years or so so pretty good, our other cars are a Honda civic and I will drive it for as long as possible, and a mustang we do not even want to discuss that but it has under 20k and I would choose to sell it as no one drives it but DH does not agree.

The "service engine soon" light indicates a problem with the emissions system. It could be the gas cap, an oxygen sensor, or carbon buildup. Worst case should be the catalytic converter, which would cost about $300 at a muffler shop.

 

[gracie1]

Car repairs are a beast! I've had about $2k in repairs recently done. Although $700 were new tires. My car is a 2002 with 149k. But I haven't had to do anything in 3 years and plan on running it to the ground!

 

[kymom99]

The "service engine soon" light indicates a problem with the emissions system. It could be the gas cap, an oxygen sensor, or carbon buildup. Worst case should be the catalytic converter, which would cost about $300 at a muffler shop.

Not necessarily. Ours in our Buick keeps coming on and they tell us it is a transmission code.

 

[tajz90]

If you always buy a very dependable car like a Toyota or Honda you can never ever go wrong. If you look around these cars are never on the side of the road. They can run 300,000 miles and still be running very strong. Never a repair that is costly or made me think I needed to get rid of any of my cars. No car payments for 10years now. Invest the money in something good the first time and you will never have to look back.

Unless you get a lemon. We have always trusted Hondas, but have a total lemon!!!! It's barely 5 years old and have had to replace a part in the air conditioner 3 times and the actuators on all doors. Ugh! Honda recognizes it's a lemon and does pay for the repairs.


As far as repairing the car, I'd do it. Love no car notes. However, if it happens again, I'd start looking for a new car.

 

[lauradis]

Depends on the car and your financial situation.

We personally buy new cheap and drive them into the ground.

Last car we just stop repairing was this year had about 175k millage kia sportage. Engine strong, but living up north the body started to have major rust. Only major repair was under 1k for timing belt. We never think of tires brakes, oil, tune up as repairs that maintenance.

Paid about 17k total for the car in 1999.

 

[Styx Fan]

I consider the reliability of the vehicle as much as the repair cost. We currently have an Olds mini-van that is going on 14 years old with almost 130k and an '08 Pontiac G6 with close to the same miles. Both were purchased new. I am really not comfortable taking either one on a long road trip. Around town, I am fine. About 4 years ago we had the engine pretty much rebuilt on the van and it runs great....but......this age just makes me nervous. The G6 has some noises currently that are making me wonder.

In my mind, it is time to replace one of them for my peace of mind.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I decided to get a few (well new to me) car when I needed a major repair. I'd already put $1000 in repairs two months earlier. Yes the repair would have been less expensive that getting a new car but I just felt it was time. The car was 14 years old and starting to get larger rust spots too.
I just felt the money spent on a new car was worth the peace of mind. I loved that car and fully expected to drive it longer. Most of the repairs were just wear due to its age. I just couldn't have it in and out of the shop several times a year.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

I consider the reliability of the vehicle as much as the repair cost. We currently have an Olds mini-van that is going on 14 years old with almost 130k and an '08 Pontiac G6 with close to the same miles. Both were purchased new. I am really not comfortable taking either one on a long road trip. Around town, I am fine. About 4 years ago we had the engine pretty much rebuilt on the van and it runs great....but......this age just makes me nervous. The G6 has some noises currently that are making me wonder.

In my mind, it is time to replace one of them for my peace of mind.

So true the hassle of having it in the shop plus when it is time to make longer trips come January is a little worrisome. Now just to see what is actually wrong with it