How much is too much to spend repairing a 12 year old car?

heartofwhite

Hey lads,

Quick question, at what point do you have to draw a line when repairing an old car? I have a 2001 Bora and have just shelled out the guts of 800 euro for various repairs. Some of the work was not compulsory but I got it done anyway. But afterwards I was thinking... what the fook! Am I mad? I like my car but the car is probably only worth twice what I have just paid in repairs.

So how much is to much? Or does it matter about the age of the car at all?


On another note: Any recommendations for retro fit of cruise control? I would go down to George Dalton but it is a bit far to drive from Dublin just for a cruise control fitting.

Cheers!

TGi666

all depends on how long you want to keep the car for if your happy with it and want to keep it then the cost is irrelevant as you'll be getting the value out of the parts you just fitted

wonski

tbh 800 would be to much for me, unless you are really, really sure that you won't spend any more in next 2 years on repairs. But if you like the car, then it is your call. Not easy to like a car when you spend 800 on repair. What is it worth now? 1000 euro?

Car99

heartofwhite wrote: »

Hey lads,

Quick question, at what point do you have to draw a line when repairing an old car? I have a 2001 Bora and have just shelled out the guts of 800 euro for various repairs. Some of the work was not compulsory but I got it done anyway. But afterwards I was thinking... what the fook! Am I mad? I like my car but the car is probably only worth twice what I have just paid in repairs.

So how much is to much? Or does it matter about the age of the car at all?


On another note: Any recommendations for retro fit of cruise control? I would go down to George Dalton but it is a bit far to drive from Dublin just for a cruise control fitting.

Cheers!

I've a 17 year

MuppetCheck

It's less than the cost of a replacement, and it sounds like you've done preventative maintenance too which is a refreshing change. Even a new car can need expensive servicing but if you're car requires 800 to keep it going it's a price you have to pay.

Portlaoise is a short spin from Dublin, and although I have only used George for small things I'd recommend him for the good service. Plus you can try out the new bits on the way home!

heartofwhite

It is due the NCT next month and hopefully it will pass but most likely they will find something to fail on. I felt sick after paying out earlier today. Part of me is thinking, get it through the NCT and sell it. But I would probably only get 2000 for it at best. I have had the car a year and including purchase price and repairs it has cost me 3000 in total. So if I was to sell it after NCT, I would more than likely still be out a grand. Looking at it this way, perhaps it is better to keep it - stick with what you know and all!

ottostreet

Depends on the car and what it's worth to you.

For instance, I have a 16 year old Mitsubishi, and I'm prepared to spand a LOT of money to keep it going. But I've had ten year old BMWs that I wouldn't be arsed doing a thing to.

heartofwhite

ottostreet wrote: »

Depends on the car and what it's worth to you.

For instance, I have a 16 year old Mitsubishi, and I'm prepared to spand a LOT of money to keep it going. But I've had ten year old BMWs that I wouldn't be arsed doing a thing to.

Why are you prepared to spend it on a 1997 Mitsubishi? The major problem being that if you sell it, you are very unlikely to recoup any money that you have spent. Is this an acceptable loss?

wonski

heartofwhite wrote: »

Why are you prepared to spend it on a 1997 Mitsubishi? The major problem being that if you sell it, you are very unlikely to recoup any money that you have spent. Is this an acceptable loss?

No car will give you profit. And my idea is that if you spend on car, last thing you want to do is to sell it. I am lucky because in over 2 years of ownership spend very little on repairs. But if the garage asked me today for 800 euro, i would be tempted to scrap it, and put 800 towards new car.
No offence but it will be hard to sell 2001 Bora for 2000 euro. Even harder if it is 1.4 petrol.

Ottostreet's Mitsubishi is a car he wants to have, and drive, hence he is willing to spend more than he should. But spending money with selling in near future is madness. Nobody will pay you for what you spent in garage. Nobody cares.

Car99

heartofwhite wrote: »

Why are you prepared to spend it on a 1997 Mitsubishi? The major problem being that if you sell it, you are very unlikely to recoup any money that you have spent. Is this an acceptable loss?

Don't sell it then , drive it till it dies and you win.

heartofwhite

wonski wrote: »

No car will give you profit. And my idea is that if you spend on car, last thing you want to do is to sell it. I am lucky because in over 2 years of ownership spend very little on repairs. But if the garage asked me today for 800 euro, i would be tempted to scrap it, and put 800 towards new car.
No offence but it will be hard to sell 2001 Bora for 2000 euro. Even harder if it is 1.4 petrol.

It is a 115bhp 6 speed TDI import so I would hope to get that price! I will see what the outcome of the NCT is but will most likely keep it now that I have spent the money on it. I do not mind spending the money to be honest but it was just a shock to the system. I will be over it by tomorrow!

MetzgerMeister

heartofwhite wrote: »

Why are you prepared to spend it on a 1997 Mitsubishi? The major problem being that if you sell it, you are very unlikely to recoup any money that you have spent. Is this an acceptable loss?

That's what brand enthusiasts do

wonski

Car99 wrote: »

Don't sell it then , drive it till it dies and you win.

That's what i do at the moment. That french piece of engineering is like Toyota Hilux! NCT next month, and i am sure she will pass (i allow 100-150 euro to be spent for retest). 2000 Scenic btw.

ottostreet

It's a pretty rare Mitsubishi. Worth more to me than it is worth financially! It makes me cry when I think of how much I've spent on it, vs. what I bought it for/what I could sell it for!

TGi666

Tommi Makken evo is it?

ottostreet

I wish!

FTO Version R.

Nothing special in the greater scheme of things, but special to me. I reckon I've spent 6k or so on it, and its only worth 2, at most!

heartofwhite

ottostreet wrote: »

I wish!

FTO Version R.

Nothing special in the greater scheme of things, but special to me. I reckon I've spent 6k or so on it, and its only worth 2, at most!

6k!!!! Fair play, that is dedication anyway. Puts my payout today in perspective, do not feel so bad now! I hope that it is your daily driver!

GTE

One way to look at it is what was done as a regular yearly service and what was a once in 5, 10 etc. year interval jobby?

I have a Golf of your Bora vintage and this year I've spent a bit over the regular spend on service costs replacing things that wont need to be touched for a long time.

- rear shocks
- some tie rod things that I cant remember the name of
- brake pads and discs (last year)
- various bushes

Im sure the front shocks could do with a change but I don't think id need to look at these items for a good amount of time. The brakes are common enough for any car so id discount them. Timing belt is nearly due but same for any car so discount that.

Does this extra cost become worth the hassle of a newer and sometimes less reliable like for like replacement? This replacement could be due some of the less common repairs too.

In terms of yearly cost, can you afford anything that is young enough for the emissions tax based system?

That last question would be what swings it for me.

I do ask myself the same question as you about is it worth it but all my work since I got the car 3 or 4 years ago has been standard yearly servicing plus less regular big things that are off the radar for a few years.

Nothing catastrophic or unexpected. If a gear box went id start thinking thoughts.

On the cruise control job front, best modification I've ever made to the car and it was an easy DIY job, but you need to keen at getting into DIY wagon work.

ottostreet

heartofwhite wrote: »

6k!!!! Fair play, that is dedication anyway. Puts my payout today in perspective, do not feel so bad now! I hope that it is your daily driver!

Yeah its a daily. Most of the cost came from turning it from an auto to a manual. That cost a fair bit.
Also some rust treatment and front end repairs...It all adds up.

One big job left, and thats a full respray!

wonski

ottostreet wrote: »

Yeah its a daily. Most of the cost came from turning it from an auto to a manual. That cost a fair bit.
Also some rust treatment and front end repairs...It all adds up.

One big job left, and thats a full respray!

Sounds like a mint one (even before full respray). Any pictures?

ottostreet

I have a thread up on the Modified Motors forum. That has plenty of pics. It's not mint, the paint lets it down unfortunately. Sorry for derailing OP!

whippet

heartofwhite wrote: »

It is a 115bhp 6 speed TDI import so I would hope to get that price! I will see what the outcome of the NCT is but will most likely keep it now that I have spent the money on it. I do not mind spending the money to be honest but it was just a shock to the system. I will be over it by tomorrow!

Think of it as how long will the €800 quid keep you motoring happily for?

All cars regardless of age need to have money spent on them to keep them on the road, so you are thinking of it all wrong.

BTW there isn't a hope in hell of you getting €2k for a 12 year old bora.

wonski

bbk wrote: »

One way to look at it is what was done as a regular yearly service and what was a once in 5, 10 etc. year interval jobby?

I have a Golf of your Bora vintage and this year I've spent a bit over the regular spend on service costs replacing things that wont need to be touched for a long time.

- rear shocks
- some tie rod things that I cant remember the name of
- brake pads and discs (last year)
- various bushes

Im sure the front shocks could do with a change but I don't think id need to look at these items for a good amount of time. The brakes are common enough for any car so id discount them. Timing belt is nearly due but same for any car so discount that.

Does this extra cost become worth the hassle of a newer and sometimes less reliable like for like replacement? This replacement could be due some of the less common repairs too.

In terms of yearly cost, can you afford anything that is young enough for the emissions tax based system?

That last question would be what swings it for me.

I do ask myself the same question as you about is it worth it but all my work since I got the car 3 or 4 years ago has been standard yearly servicing plus less regular big things that are off the radar for a few years.

Nothing catastrophic or unexpected. If a gear box went id start thinking thoughts.

On the cruise control job front, best modification I've ever made to the car and it was an easy DIY job, but you need to keen at getting into DIY wagon work.

You raised few valid points - whether you have 2000 car, or 2013, you still have to spend on new brake discs/pads, oil/filters etc. These are consumables, and in many cases older car is cheaper because parts, and even oil used is cheaper.
Reliability is where it all starts. If you feel your car always starts first time, and engine is in good condition, there is no need to change. Fix what need to be fixed (brake/suspension) and enjoy it. But when the engine starts to fail, i would think twice before spending half of it's value, unless you really love it.

GTE

Yeah, that's my problem. I really love it haha

galwaytt

....put it another way: if it needed €800 and it still mightn't pass the NCT, then it's actually worth S.F.A. before you spent the 800.

So, if you took the €800, what could you buy with it that's any different AND better ? Very little, I'd wager.

As someone said - car's don't make 'profit' - they're a money pit. It's simply a case of 'least worst' scenario, really.

Syllabus

2k for a 01 bora

:eek::eek::eek:

wonski

Syllabus wrote: »

2k for a 01 bora

:eek::eek::eek:

not 1.4 fortunately, and it was year ago i guess... In my mind every 2000-2001 car now holds value of 1000(+-) euro(regular road cars, except BMW). Spending 800 euro before NCT, within 1 year of ownership is a sign OP wants to keep the car for long. Just my opinion. And i do have an experience with cars of this vintage, like many on this forum.

Suspicious Dave

I'm in a similar position but haven't paid to be fixed yet( clutch needs to be replaced and a couple of other bits). What do those of you who say not to get it fixed suggest I do? Scrap? Put on donedeal? I kind of thought I'd need to get it fixes up to have any chance of selling it.

I've had too many problems with it recently and just want rid.

wonski

Suspicious Dave wrote: »

I'm in a similar position but haven't paid to be fixed yet( clutch needs to be replaced and a couple of other bits). What do those of you who say not to get it fixed suggest I do? Scrap? Put on donedeal? I kind of thought I'd need to get it fixes up to have any chance of selling it.

I've had too many problems with it recently and just want rid.

Depends on your budget really... Get someone who knows something about cars, preferably working mechanic, find a car on donedeal, and enjoy.
It isn't as simple as i put this, but sticking to car that isn't working is the worst option. I've done it more than twice, and regret...
My brother bought 96-97 golf for 500 last year, and it never broke down. All he had to do in one year was to change pads/shoes or something. There are cars out there for around 1k, that would serve you well, much better than a lemon you put 200euro/month towards it.
At some stage i calculated that i could take a taxi to/from work, and once/twice a week for shopping, and it did come cheaper than driving my car. And i mostly drove to/from work and to do shopping. Paid a price, learned from that. Never again.
Cars are great, but they need to be reliable. I rather go 3 years down to a basic golf with wind up windows that is driving well, than keep putting money into car that spends most of its time in the garage.

Suspicious Dave

Suspicious Dave wrote: »

I'm in a similar position but haven't paid to be fixed yet( clutch needs to be replaced and a couple of other bits). What do those of you who say not to get it fixed suggest I do? Scrap? Put on donedeal? I kind of thought I'd need to get it fixes up to have any chance of selling it.

I've had too many problems with it recently and just want rid.

You'll sell almost any car donedeal, I sold a 97 rover coupe that wasn't driving due to gearbox failure for a few hundred 3 years ago, much easier than arranging scrapping it

jamescd

My car is an 00 so it's a year older. Had 4k to spend on a new car but decided to keep it instead as it hasn't given me any trouble whatsoever in the 6 years that I've owned it. Spent around 500 quid getting bits and pieces done (timing belt + water pump, rocker cover gasket, new tyres, suspension bushings replaced and few other things I can't remember).

heartofwhite

Thanks for all the replies!thinking about it some more and i do want to keep the car.If i.was going to get rid of it then i would have thrown it up on donedeal sold as seen.I will enjoy it while i have it and to be fair the engine is good on it.Hopefully the major money is now spent and it will be just the odd thing here or there from now on.

Regarding me trying to get 2000 for the car, i was basing it on similar cars on donedeal!Either i am delusional or all of the sellers are

Syllabus

heartofwhite wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies!thinking about it some more and i do want to keep the car.If i.was going to get rid of it then i would have thrown it up on donedeal sold as seen.I will enjoy it while i have it and to be fair the engine is good on it.Hopefully the major money is now spent and it will be just the odd thing here or there from now on.

Regarding me trying to get 2000 for the car, i was basing it on similar cars on donedeal!Either i am delusional or all of the sellers are

^this

LPGParkLane

Easy one ..
I prefer older cars ..like 97 civic ..bought for 200..replacement of bushes , tracks rods , converter (used) ..200 more, labor costs are 0(done it myself) ,nct first time ... total just over 460.. no complicated electronics..etc..gets me from A to B , 7l/100km with Lpg fitted (used, reconditioned , perks of the job )costs 6 euro /100km to run .. saves enough a year for a Caribbean holiday.. you choice now..

seanyleary

15 year old Peugeot 306 gti6, buying cost 1300. Spent about the same again on preventative maintenance in the last 3 month's and expect to spend another 2k/3k in the next year. So I could be in 5k when finished ( who am I kidding ill never finish) car still only worth 1300 Euro.
A well looked after car will last, but expect to pay 600/700 Euro a year on maintenance for older cars to prevent it letting you down.

Sam Russell

If you have an old car, say a 2000 year with a 1800 or 2000cc engine, taxing for a year is €500 or so, plus a couple of tyres at €100 each, and a tank of petrol costs €100 plus the NCT €55 plus a possible retest €28. What else is in the €800? A deodoriser and a valet?

A car will cost a couple of grand a year on depreciation or maintenance. The older the car, the more maitenance. Newer cars cost more in depreciation and parts are dearer. They also have tighter emmissions, and more complicated electrics.

LPGParkLane

As Sam Russell said, taxing will cost ya, but ..with the sheer number of used cars on a market ... You can always find a peach:) as well as a lemon.
consider cheap old car with fresh Nct, run it for a year (most likely it will last for that long) , sell/scrap (150 euro back from scrappy), get another one ... cheap(disposable ) motoring.:)

monkeysnapper

Yeh my Peugeot partner with blown head gasket as some on here might know on here was never repaired . I'm dammed if I'm going to throw 800 quid on a car that will still be a ball of shiyte after. I'm going to keep looking at it for a few more months.

In my opinion the op has a fairly decent car. 800 quid is worth it in that car of op drives it for another 12 months at least. But in all fairness I don't think you'll get 2k for it. You might get 1300 / 1400 .

Good luck .

Sam Russell

LPGParkLane wrote: »

As Sam Russell said, taxing will cost ya, but ..with the sheer number of used cars on a market ... You can always find a peach:) as well as a lemon.
consider cheap old car with fresh Nct, run it for a year (most likely it will last for that long) , sell/scrap (150 euro back from scrappy), get another one ... cheap(disposable ) motoring.:)

Like this car I pointed to on Bangernomics ----

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4744779

Can't go wrong with a car like that if it is what it says it is. Looks good.

John T Carroll

heartofwhite wrote: »

Hey lads,

Quick question, at what point do you have to draw a line when repairing an old car? I have a 2001 Bora and have just shelled out the guts of 800 euro for various repairs. Some of the work was not compulsory but I got it done anyway. But afterwards I was thinking... what the fook! Am I mad? I like my car but the car is probably only worth twice what I have just paid in repairs.

So how much is to much? Or does it matter about the age of the car at all?


On another note: Any recommendations for retro fit of cruise control? I would go down to George Dalton but it is a bit far to drive from Dublin just for a cruise control fitting.

Cheers!

If you like the car ,keep it as long as you feel like, as long as you have no major problems, I have always kept my cars "for ever" I bought them all new so they were all (self) serviced regularly. I had an Air Cooled Beetle for 19 years, a "Formel E" Golf for over 20 years and my daughter nows drives a Bora (yes, the "dreaded" 1.4 petrol) which I bought in Jan 2000, it has 158K miles done and uses 1 litre oil/800 miles. The wiring looms can start breaking down after 12 years or so, the speedo stopped working at that age and I tracked it down to a broken signal wire under the battery tray, these problems are a bit time consuming and can cost you money if a mechanic has to track them down, so maybe just keep that in mind. Happy motoring!. John

beauf

heartofwhite wrote: »

...Quick question, at what point do you have to draw a line when repairing an old car? ...

When the cost to repair is more than the cost of buying a "better" replacement.