When to stop fixing your banger and change car?

Turbulent Bill

I've a 15-year-old car, and the total repair and maintenance spend for this year is greater than similar cars are advertised for. This isn't a big deal for me (I value knowing the car's history and it generally costs me buttons), but it got me thinking - how do you know when to move on?

On one hand, you've a usually reliable car that may just be running through consumable parts. On the other, you're putting money into something that might need increasing spends as time goes by.

fussyonion

I've had a lot of small problems with my car since I got it (it's 10-years old) and although that's been a huge annoyance for me, I've stuck with it because I need my car.
If it needed something major, like a head gasket or something, I'd give up and get another motor.

dgt

For me, one example was earlier this year I changed my car as I couldn't justify any more work and money to be pumped into the old one. Never failed to start, main reason I kept driving it.... I must have spent the best part of a week in total chasing an electrical fault that I never fully got to the bottom of, back axle needed a full overhaul and still was a rotten crock of a car. Constant problem after problem cropped up (power steering pump fail was the last major fault) Considering it was peanuts to buy I completely stripped it and got my money back that way. Any decent parts from it were saved and put into my replacement car (same model)

New car needed a bit of tlc but is worlds apart from the old car, drives like new and almost no major issues (although I like swapping the engine in it quite often :pac:)

So for me I know when to stop trying to rescue an old car if I don't have the parts or time to put into it

166man

I have spent about three times the value of my car since about October fixing it its issues and all that. It didn't have very many to begin with but in just a perfectionist when it comes to my car, it needs to be as perfect as possible.

I don't mind though as seeing my car improving week in week out makes it all worthwhile for me, I couldn't care less about its market value!

Dartz

When it can't be trusted anymore. When you get into it and wonder if it's not going to make it.....

See. Replacing your car with a newer one also costs money. So you've got a lot of maths to do. Will owning a new car, once total costs of ownership are accounted for, save you money?

Dord

The old saying goes "better the devil you know". I'm in that situation. So, rather than change I'll do a few more things until I'm fully happy and just keep driving it.

unkel

166man wrote: »

I have spent about three times the value of my car since about October fixing it its issues and all that. It didn't have very many to begin with but in just a perfectionist when it comes to my car, it needs to be as perfect as possible.

Italian cars need owners like you

I'm clinical myself and far from a perfectionist. I'd buy a car based on a certain level of emotion alright, but it the car became sick and to make it better would cost more than it's worth, then I'd put it out of its misery no problem

The car is there for me, I'm not there for the car...

166man

unkel wrote: »

Italian cars need owners like you

I'm clinical myself and far from a perfectionist. I'd buy a car based on a certain level of emotion alright, but it the car became sick and to make it better would cost more than it's worth, then I'd put it out of its misery no problem

The car is there for me, I'm not there for the car...

I'm going to take that as a compliment good Sir!

In all seriousness I have spent well over €1k in parts alone but somehow it's all worth it to know that in a few weeks time when there's a few more things done it will be one of the best 156's on the road, I hope!

Toyota's need owners like you! I jest!

O.A.P

I'm in the same position although I have the car 10 or 11 years and I hate to spend money on it any more. I would change it tommorow if I had the money
I have taken very good care the car over the years and its been a loyal servent but I,m just sick of it at this stage.
I hired out the latesed model of the same car last month while on holidays and it was some let down getting in to old faithfull at Dublin airport after the holiday was over.
Cars are different for everyone it depends on how much you like what you got.

unkel

166man wrote: »

I'm going to take that as a compliment good Sir!

You should, I meant it as a compliment

My 3 Busso mate is at the very top of that level you seem to be on!

goldenwonder

my last car was 19 and i gave up after 18 months when it just wouldnt drive anymore.
my car is 15 now and needs 4 shocks, a wishbone,
ive wired up the locking mechanism so the handle will work again, sprayed the mirrors and bumpers myself, and its at 246k miles, and i plan on seeing it to 300k.

But its a 2.2 camry so i guess its meant to keep going isnt it

O.A.P

goldenwonder wrote: »

my last car was 19 and i gave up after 18 months when it just wouldnt drive anymore.
my car is 15 now and needs 4 shocks, a wishbone,
ive wired up the locking mechanism so the handle will work again, sprayed the mirrors and bumpers myself, and its at 246k miles, and i plan on seeing it to 300k.

But its a 2.2 camry so i guess its meant to keep going isnt it

It will soon be run in. The old fella had one as a taxi years ago and it had well over 400000 miles up when he retired.

goldenwonder

ive seen a diesel one at 525 once
just a shock gone
probably wont spend the money on it for nct
800 for shocks and wishbone, bought it for 550
trouble is theres no parts in scrap yards cause theyre still running

georgefalls

166man wrote: »

I have spent about three times the value of my car since about October fixing it its issues and all that. It didn't have very many to begin with but in just a perfectionist when it comes to my car, it needs to be as perfect as possible.

I don't mind though as seeing my car improving week in week out makes it all worthwhile for me, I couldn't care less about its market value!

Quite right too.
Alfas are not mere cars. They are an obsession.
Those who have never owned one, will never know the secret..;)

colm_mcm

Can you PM me the secret, so I don't have to buy another one?

dgt

colm_mcm wrote: »

Can you PM me the secret, so I don't have to buy another one?

The secret is to buy another one to find out :pac:

georgefalls

colm_mcm wrote: »

Can you PM me the secret, so I don't have to buy another one?

I could, but then everybody would want one

Scortho

I think it depends.
If its a car that you enjoy looking at and every time you sit in it it puts a smile on your face, every time you start her the engine roars into life then you won't mind putting money into it.
If its something that's boring and just gets you from a to b and there's no love there for the car, then getting rid of it would probably be the most sensible thing to do.

Nice spider George.