Speaking of cars....

Avatar for fire_bug
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Speaking of cars....
6
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 10:20am

How do you determine when it's costing you too much to repair an old car vs. buying a newer one? Right now this isn't a big concern for us (*knock on wood*), but both of our cars are 2001s. One has over 100,000 miles and one has about 90,000 miles. They're both in decent shape and pretty reliable. We plan on driving them both until we can't drive them anymore. One is paid off and the other one has about a year and a half left on the loan.

As long as they're reliable, we have no plans to get rid of them. The question is when a car gets to the point where it requires a lot of repairs, where do you draw the line and decide repairs are costing too much when you could be putting that money toward a newer car? This is something we're never quite sure about.

Does anyone have any tips?

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babies




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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 11:03am

In my opinion it is




iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2003
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 11:43am

When the vehicle is unreliable is the beginning of the end for me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 12:40pm

I think it's one of those things that you have judge when it actually happens.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 1:38pm

Had I known back in December what I know now about the aerostar I would NOT have repaired it back then most likely.

Avatar for earnhardt_jr_fan
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 2:22pm

For me, when you start getting into major motor repairs - I'm pretty much done. I know people who replace motors and transmissions on vehicles. I'm not one of those people.


I think it all depends on what YOU are willing to tolerate. I am willing to replace the normal things - exhaust systems, brakes, starter, alternator, etc but when you get into costly repairs - over $1500 - I'm done with it.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Fri, 04-10-2009 - 8:48pm

I was recently in the position to consider your very question! In fact, I've been in it twice.