Get a rewards card at your local AutoZone, and start fixing the biggest safety related problems first to get the car roadworthy. It only has 80k on it, and it should go to 200+k. It may nickel and dime you for a year while you're doing monthly repairs, but if you just don't have the money to spend on a good used car, it'll do.
Fix or cut losses advice.
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That car is worth scrap value ($250-$300). That should have been brought out to pasture and shot in the head years ago.
While it's always possible to keep an old vehicle running, with a large enough influx of cash and time, it's generally not productive.
Vehicles worthwhile doing this for include old muscle cars, other old classics, and many sports cars. Vehicles which are simply consumer commodities are absolutely not worth the effort. In fact, it makes a whole industry rich, supporting the old cars as people throw money at old clunkers.
I see it all the time, $3000 worth of repairs and then it'll be good... the thinking goes. And next month, it's something else. Within 6 months, it's gone. The entire time, it's provided poor fuel economy, the AC does not work, handles like a boat, the drivers seat is uncomfortable and so on.
Vehicles worthwhile doing this for include old muscle cars, other old classics, and many sports cars. Vehicles which are simply consumer commodities are absolutely not worth the effort. In fact, it makes a whole industry rich, supporting the old cars as people throw money at old clunkers.
I see it all the time, $3000 worth of repairs and then it'll be good... the thinking goes. And next month, it's something else. Within 6 months, it's gone. The entire time, it's provided poor fuel economy, the AC does not work, handles like a boat, the drivers seat is uncomfortable and so on.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Drive it until it stops driving, then if what stops it is something cheap and easy to fix, then do it.
You can probably take the car in to a shop and get the brake and sensor fixed for what you would pay in purchase price and sales tax on another car. The other stuff I would leave for another day or not at all.
New brakes - cheap pads - less than $25 - rebuilt caliper should be less than $75 rotors should be fine but might turn them. I would replace the fluid less than $10.
Not sure about the cam sensor but would think a small local shop could do it for under $300. If you can do it yourself should be under $100.
Fix these and drive until it dies then scrap. Scrap is real low now probably less than $150. Too much of it everywhere.
Not sure about the cam sensor but would think a small local shop could do it for under $300. If you can do it yourself should be under $100.
Fix these and drive until it dies then scrap. Scrap is real low now probably less than $150. Too much of it everywhere.
Not worth it. Sell it and move on
I hate giving advice to keep, because it's possible that something terrible will go wrong next month and you'll regret it... but it is a 3.8L, if the intake gasket is OK those engines last forever.
If you can ignore the cosmetics, live without A/C and fix the brakes yourself, this car might just work for you.
If you really have to pay someone else to fix it, dump it ASAP and get something else.
If you can ignore the cosmetics, live without A/C and fix the brakes yourself, this car might just work for you.
If you really have to pay someone else to fix it, dump it ASAP and get something else.
How far do you drive. IF your commute is far then a more efficient car may be better.
If its not that long, then you can fix the brakes cheap, you don't have to have abs to stop well. Do you have a u pull-it junkyard near you? If so the bumper and perhaps cam sensor can be obtained inexpensively. The engine as mentioned by hangfire, us very durable if the intake manifold gaskets are replaced. The engine can go 200k + .
As i see it , fix the brakes even if they work great with abs unhooked. Fix the parking brake if you need to pass inspection.
Replace cam sensor
Forget the shocks, and struts, especially if you do short commutes.
Forget the a/c again especially if its for short commutes.
Replace the bumper if you can get it cheap.
Fixing the brakes and parking brake will be less than 1 car payment.
Even if you buy another car, you can still drive this one and keep the wear/ mileage off the new one.
If its not that long, then you can fix the brakes cheap, you don't have to have abs to stop well. Do you have a u pull-it junkyard near you? If so the bumper and perhaps cam sensor can be obtained inexpensively. The engine as mentioned by hangfire, us very durable if the intake manifold gaskets are replaced. The engine can go 200k + .
As i see it , fix the brakes even if they work great with abs unhooked. Fix the parking brake if you need to pass inspection.
Replace cam sensor
Forget the shocks, and struts, especially if you do short commutes.
Forget the a/c again especially if its for short commutes.
Replace the bumper if you can get it cheap.
Fixing the brakes and parking brake will be less than 1 car payment.
Even if you buy another car, you can still drive this one and keep the wear/ mileage off the new one.
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I see you are in the south..so if rust not an issue..a friend of mine had a 96 escort that the brake line rotted in half. Id say handle the things to keep it on the road a little while longer. Like satin said, brake caliper might be an easy fix if you or someone u know who has the time can work on it. I would set a max budget to keep it going..say 500$ or wtv. In the interim, start saving for a replacement now. The other advice is good about walking or biking. If you cant afford it, find an alternative until you can afford a replacement. Put money aside now or do you have a way to find new/better employment? Good luck
Originally Posted By: djb
What are the cosmetics of the car?
All of the things listed are repairable at modest expense. And when you bolt on the replacement part, it's fixed.
But rust, dents, bad paint or a ratty interior will be a constant drag. They are generally not worth fixing, and you'll never feel that you are driving a good car.
Think you might be in the wrong thread. You should perhaps look in the detailing forum for a "Do you insist that your car be beautiful?" thread. The cosmetics counter is not where the OP is at.
What are the cosmetics of the car?
All of the things listed are repairable at modest expense. And when you bolt on the replacement part, it's fixed.
But rust, dents, bad paint or a ratty interior will be a constant drag. They are generally not worth fixing, and you'll never feel that you are driving a good car.
Think you might be in the wrong thread. You should perhaps look in the detailing forum for a "Do you insist that your car be beautiful?" thread. The cosmetics counter is not where the OP is at.
Here in mass they are advertising a Camry 24mo lease for 59 a month with 1500 cash or trade.
Thats a pretty cheap way to drive a new car.
Thats a pretty cheap way to drive a new car.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Here in mass they are advertising a Camry 24mo lease for 59 a month with 1500 cash or trade.
Thats a pretty cheap way to drive a new car.
What's the full coverage insurance and excise tax on that deal?
You have to pay tax on something you are renting?
Full coverage will add another 500 yr but you could go with a high deductible to get that down.
A transmission failure and rebuild would pay the whole lease.
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Here in mass they are advertising a Camry 24mo lease for 59 a month with 1500 cash or trade.
Thats a pretty cheap way to drive a new car.
What's the full coverage insurance and excise tax on that deal?
You have to pay tax on something you are renting?
Full coverage will add another 500 yr but you could go with a high deductible to get that down.
A transmission failure and rebuild would pay the whole lease.
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Leased cars usually stipulate a low deductible and high liability limit on the insurance you have to buy and carry, because the leasing company technically owns the car. This can be very expensive if your driving record and/or credit report is not good.
This $59 deal must be VERY low allowed miles, like literally only driving to church on Sundays.
If transmission were to fail you sell car to a scrapper and buy another old car.
This $59 deal must be VERY low allowed miles, like literally only driving to church on Sundays.
If transmission were to fail you sell car to a scrapper and buy another old car.
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$59 monthly lease is very suspiciously low. Especially if it only requires $1500 down. You would really want to find out what else you are responsible to pay for. There must be a catch. Otherwise everyone else wouldn't be paying 4-5x that for their lease.
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