When do you stop spending?

hughjohn

I know its a "how long is a piece of string" question but is it worth spending €750 to get my car to pass its nct.
Its a 02 citroen xsara with 120,000 miles and in good condition for its age and has been very reliable.
( apart from recent test failure ).
Always find it very difficult to know when to stop spending on them.

colm_mcm

Maintainance needs to be done regardless.
Only it becomes questionable is when you could buy a better car with the same money.

Sir Arthur Daley

I think it is, what kind of car could you buy for €750 in the morning if you went looking? You know your car.

biko

There is no limit of course.
I suppose once the cost of fixing the car outweighs the cost of getting another?

I would say to keep car as long as emissions and rust pass nct, but that's me. If you want another car go get one.


Better the devil you know...

Sam Kade

A neighbour of mine spent €600 on his toyota when the nct first came in, which was more than the value of the car at that time. He wanted to pass first go, I told him to test it first then they will tell you what needs fixing. He didn't listen to me less than a year later the clutch went and it was parked up since. I've owned a xsara that ended up being a money pit.

SHANAbert

My 04 206 is a money pit. Last 12 months has seen: new head gasket, radiator, battery, alternator, clutch, front right ball bearing, stereo.

It's currently showing misfiring cylinders which could be any number of things. 1000 euro repairs in 12 months. Car is maybe worth 2k.

Heart broken.

Stavros Murphy

SHANAbert wrote: »

My 04 206 is a money pit. Last 12 months has seen: new head gasket, radiator, battery, alternator, clutch, front right ball bearing, stereo.

It's currently showing misfiring cylinders which could be any number of things. 1000 euro repairs in 12 months. Car is maybe worth 2k.

Heart broken.

poo joe. Hints is in the name. Same as a brand making cars that actively selects the name Lemon and runs with it. PSA may well be an acronym for producing scrap automobiles.

hughjohn

I realise you need a crystal ball to answer my question and I would normally be the type who keeps cars going as long as poss but as I am looking for parts people ask me "Is it worth fixing up?" and therefore I suppose planting seeds of doubt in my mind.

The car does suit my transport needs currently but if I am totally honest I am becoming a little bored with it at this stage , but a change always brings its own risks of course!

abff

I have a good relationship with my mechanic and I feel that I can trust him. I have a 12 year old car that I really like and I've had various jobs done on it over the last few years - nothing more than a few hundred euro a time. At this stage, it's probably worth at most €1,000 and I'd had it since new, so it owes me nothing.

The cost of the repairs has been a lot less than the depreciation on a newer car. Each time it has needed a job done, I have asked the mechanic whether it's worth spending the money to get it fixed and, even though I know it's in his interest to say yes because it means more work for him, I trust him to give an honest and considered answer. I also ask him the same question each year when the motor tax comes up for renewal as it's almost €1,000 a year now.

So far, I've kept the car going, but I will probably reach a point where it's no longer worth repairing. The trigger will probably be either a major repair or a couple of semi major things going wrong in quick succession, but it will ultimately be a judgement call.

Sir Arthur Daley

hughjohn wrote: »

I realise you need a crystal ball to answer my question and I would normally be the type who keeps cars going as long as poss but as I am looking for parts people ask me "Is it worth fixing up?" and therefore I suppose planting seeds of doubt in my mind.

The car does suit my transport needs currently but if I am totally honest I am becoming a little bored with it at this stage , but a change always brings its own risks of course!

Can you give us a breakdown of the costs of what you are spending the money on?

Jesus.

I wouldn't mate. I'd never throw big money into a car that's worth fu*k all anyway.

Scrap it and make a change.

hughjohn

WikiHow wrote: »

Can you give us a breakdown of the costs of what you are spending the money on?

Can't give a cost breakdown as I didn't get an itemised quote , however this is what needs doing

New or recon back axle and steering rack
Replace brake discs and pads and flexible hoses
Some suspension struts are worn
Renew all indicator bulbs

Smoke test & headlight aim passed , all others failed.

Stella Virgo

hughjohn wrote: »

I know its a "how long is a piece of string" question but is it worth spending €750 to get my car to pass its nct.
Its a 02 citroen xsara with 120,000 miles and in good condition for its age and has been very reliable.
( apart from recent test failure ).
Always find it very difficult to know when to stop spending on them.

dont waste yer money fixing it...use the 750 plus 300? scrap value and buy one of these, most of these cars have nct until 2015,and shud fit your budget.........
http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/nct%202015?filter%28max_engine%29=Max+Litres&filter%28max_mileage%29=Max+KM&filter%28max_price%29=1300&filter%28max_year%29=Max&filter%28min_engine%29=Min+Litres&filter%28min_mileage%29=Min+KM&filter%28min_price%29=800&filter%28min_year%29=Min&source=all