Repair and continue driving or buy replacement vehicle?

[Mr._Graybeard]

My inexpensive little 2000 S40 Volvo has many nice features, but is also lacking an adjustable intermittent wiper! I mean, isn't that like 1970's tech?
-ERD50

A lot of Euro cars -- Volvo included, I believe -- use programmable windshield wiper relays that you can set by turning the wipers on, then off, then on again. The interval between the time you turn the wipers off and turn them on the second time will be the interval between "wipes."

If your car doesn't have such a relay, they're easy to get and install. Here's a used one on eBay: Volvo V70 XC70 S70 70 Intermittent Wiper Relay 98 99 00 L 203 9472575 1999 2000 | eBay

 

[Chuckanut]

Better yet, this should be open source so we could change it ourselves (most of this is computer controlled).

-ERD50

From what I have read, hacking into a car computer can be done, though it is not for the technically challenged and faint of heart.

How Easily Can a Moving Car Be Hacked? | Motherboard

I wonder if Tesla owners have some type of system where they can customize how their various controls work? After all, they can update software at home via the internet.

 

[Chuckanut]

I have only sold and replaced one car due to operational problems that made the car essentially dysfunctional. It is a rare automobile where the ongoing repairs exceed or even equal the costs of driving a brand new car. Generally, I replace a car every 10 years or so because of some combination of no longer meeting my needs and newer safety features.

 

[youbet]

At about 100,000 miles, within the next year, I will need a timing belt, water pump, drive belt service that will cost about 825.00.

When our 2000 Civic came up on 100k four years ago, we spent the money and had the work done. That was 42k ago. No regrets so far. YMMV.

 

[Mulligan]

When our 2000 Civic came up on 100k four years ago, we spent the money and had the work done. That was 42k ago. No regrets so far. YMMV.

This is the problem I eventually will face except I am at 200k with essentially nothing done to it at this point. Almost anything major that goes wrong will be close to the value of the vehicle. I made a mistake 15 years ago with an Iroc Z28. It kept breaking down, and I kept thinking there is nothing else to fix on it. I was repeatedly proven wrong again and again!

 

[easysurfer]

This drives me nuts on choosing a new car. There are so many little features, and so many ways to do them. And it's not like you can count on a higher model having all the features of a lower model.

My inexpensive little 2000 S40 Volvo has many nice features, but is also lacking an adjustable intermittent wiper! I mean, isn't that like 1970's tech? But it has headlight wipers, which is pretty rare, and a real thermostatically controlled heater/AC, which I would have to move up a model to get in a 2011Honda CR-V (and pay another $3500 for stuff I don't want). Auto on/off for the headlights, while the CR-V has a chime.

I had a cheap rental when my car was in the shop, hated that car, a real low end piece of junk, but it had a nice feature - the radio would stay on until you opened the door to get out! Such a little thing, but nice when you want to catch the end of a song or news, instead of turning the engine off, and switching back to ACC, and then back again when you leave, you just shut it off. When you leave the radio turns off.

Man, I wish they could take the best of all these features and make a list and you could just check which ones a car has or doesn't. Better yet, this should be open source so we could change it ourselves (most of this is computer controlled).

-ERD50

I suppose, when picking a car's features, seldom do you get everything layed out the exactly the way you want it. Thus, you have to choose what's most important to you.

For example, on my Honda Fit, I like that the cruise control is on the steering wheel instead of as a stalk. It seems to me many of the newer cars feature other controls instead of cruise on the steering.

I got my car mostly because I really liked all the cargo configurations and it's the only small car I know of that has the back seats that flip up for more carrying room. For some that might seem like a gimmick, but I find that so handy and am surprised other car companies haven't copied.

But you know the saying.. one man's junk, another man's treasure.

 

[neihn]

Just got my 1996 Honda Accord pass DEQ - It does have very low miles around 150k, yes, it is low
I plan to keep it another 2 or more years. Maintenance cost and insurance are very little, and the car serves my purpose.
Although, I do look cheap driving it, but that is okay.

 

[youbet]

This is the problem I eventually will face except I am at 200k with essentially nothing done to it at this point. Almost anything major that goes wrong will be close to the value of the vehicle. I made a mistake 15 years ago with an Iroc Z28. It kept breaking down, and I kept thinking there is nothing else to fix on it. I was repeatedly proven wrong again and again!

Actually in our case with the 2000 Civic, it was running OK when we had the 100K maintenance work (timing belt, etc.) done and it has run fine ever since. Just oil changes and wiper blades.

200k and a troublesome car is another issue. I just faced that kind of issue with a 1996 Sable about a year ago. It had almost 150k and a long list of irritating minor, but pricey to fix, problems. I sold it to CarMax for $500. It was sad to say goodbye since the car had been in the family for 17 years and had been very reliable until near the end. But it was definitely time to go.

 

[rayvt]

At age 60, if I drive 'till I'm 80, changing cars every 8 years means 3 more new cars. If I can get 12 years use that's still one less new car I'll have to buy. If I can get 15 years and 200k miles, that means only one more car to buy. That's real savings.

But that savings won't accrue to you. You'll just die with more money for your heirs.

A few years ago we bought a BMW Z4 convertible for that very reason. I thought and thought about it, then one day realized that somebody was going to buy a sporty convertible with my money, and it'd be better for that somebody to be me instead of my kids.

But now I'm debating if we should buy a new car or spend $1000 for new tires on our current one.

 

[Walt34]

But that savings won't accrue to you. You'll just die with more money for your heirs.

So the will reads: "Being of sound mind and body I spent all my money while I was alive."

 

[Hermit]

So the will reads: "Being of sound mind and body I spent all my money while I was alive."

That sounds so good it almost makes me want to run right out and buy a bunch of annuities with all my loot! Then I think about sharing my money with the insurance salesmen instead of my kids and favorite charities.... Na, I'll think I'll let it ride.

 

[aja8888]

On wiper controls, my 2005 Jetta TDI has rain sensing wipers. It's a function I can leave on and it works quite well. When it is just misting out, the wipers respond like a traditional delayed system and increase frequency as rain increases.

If I replace this vehicle someday, I will find one with that feature as being a top priority.

 

[bld999]

On wiper controls, my 2005 Jetta TDI has rain sensing wipers. It's a function I can leave on and it works quite well. When it is just misting out, the wipers respond like a traditional delayed system and increase frequency as rain increases.

If I replace this vehicle someday, I will find one with that feature as being a top priority.

Amazing what can be had aftermarket these days:

Hydreon Corporation Rain Tracker RT-50A Rain Sensing Wiper System

 

[aja8888]

Amazing what can be had aftermarket these days:

Hydreon Corporation Rain Tracker RT-50A Rain Sensing Wiper System

Very cool! I didn't have any idea that was an aftermarket option. But it is a great feature.

 

[Turboslacker]

This is the problem I eventually will face except I am at 200k with essentially nothing done to it at this point. Almost anything major that goes wrong will be close to the value of the vehicle. I made a mistake 15 years ago with an Iroc Z28. It kept breaking down, and I kept thinking there is nothing else to fix on it. I was repeatedly proven wrong again and again!

So you are telling us you no longer drive a bitchin Camaro?

 

[Turboslacker]

But that savings won't accrue to you. You'll just die with more money for your heirs.

A few years ago we bought a BMW Z4 convertible for that very reason. I thought and thought about it, then one day realized that somebody was going to buy a sporty convertible with my money, and it'd be better for that somebody to be me instead of my kids.

But now I'm debating if we should buy a new car or spend $1000 for new tires on our current one.

Excellent choice. Research tires at tire rack and put on the best perf tires you can. The car will feel better than new. Regret from selling will sink in soon afterwards if you still enjoy the today.

 

[trouthog]

"Keep it," it's just that simple

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts" Albert Einstein

 

[JOHNNIE36]

Just left the PenFed website checking on the transfer of funds from Ally to fund my "mmc's" (formally called CD's). Everything OK. Then I started checking other things on the site and found 0% interest on auto loans for three years. Longer terms and low interest rates available. How can they lend money at 0%? And, why not take advantage of this if you are thinking of financing a vehicle?

 

[REWahoo]

How can they lend money at 0%? And, why not take advantage of this if you are thinking of financing a vehicle?

It is the same program offered by USAA and perhaps others. To qualify for the 0% rate you must purchase the vehicle through PenFed's buying service, where the seller obviously provides some sort of financial incentive to PenFed for bringing them customers.

 

[Karloff]

I am trying to figure out if I should repair and continue driving my car or buy a replacement vehicle. I currently own a 2007 Honda Accod v6 with about 88,000 miles. I could sell the car for about 9,000 or trade it in for about 7,000. A new 2014 Honda Accord v6 would sell for about 28,500. At about 100,000 miles, within the next year, I will need a timing belt, water pump, drive belt service that will cost about 825.00.

So what do you think, repair and continue driving or buy a new or slightly used vehicle. I take decent care of the car I have and have not had major problems with it.

Thank you for the advice.

I went through a similar situation recently, but mine was an Acura TL (basically, a luxury Accord). The difference is that I bought mine used with 90K miles on it, almost 10 years ago, and it served me really well. 88K miles in a Honda is peanuts! That car will run to 150K miles easily, possibly 200K miles. I just sold my Acura and it had 152K miles. It also needed work (new tires, new timing belt/pump tensioner, new brakes, new paint job!), so the repairs would have totaled at least $2K, for a car that was by then 15 years old. But in your case, I would definitely keep the car and drive it at least another 2-3 years. It won't depreciate much further, I assume.

A word of advice regarding the timing belt. As you know, that service is recommended every 100K miles. Yes, it's expensive. I did mine at my trusted local mechanic and paid almost $800 a few years ago. But the car never ran the same way afterwards. Still fine, though, just not "the same". I would do that type of job at an authorized Honda dealer, even if it was an extra $200 or so. It's worth the piece of mind.

 

[aja8888]

I see various references to normal required maintenance on cars called "repairs" and folks who decide it is not in their best interest to spend the money on them. These cars are machines and require periodic maintenance like your body does. Repairs consist of faulty items that are not found in your schedule of maintenance found in your owner's manual. Wear items such as brakes, tires, timing belts, spark plugs, fluids, etc. are typically maintenance items.

Does anyone here actually read the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual and do the required items? Your vehicle will last a long time if you follow that schedule, but it is not a guarantee it won't need any unexpected repairs along the way.

 

[Chuckanut]

One reason to get a new car is this :

A completely sustainable electric vehicle - SFGate

Interesting technology combined with some marketing hype.

 

[ERD50]

Excellent choice. Research tires at tire rack and put on the best perf tires you can. The car will feel better than new. Regret from selling will sink in soon afterwards if you still enjoy the today.

+1 for tirerack.com. Great prices, great selection (far more than you'll find at a B&M store), useful reviews and information on each tire, and their 'wizard' guide thing for selecting the right tires for your car and your driving requirements is fantastic (and I usually hate these things). Fast, cheap shipping to your door or your mechanic (though I am only ~ 200 miles from one of their main warehouses, but they have several across the country).

Just find a local mechanic on their list so you don't get the cold shoulder for bringing in your tires and only paying for mounting.

-ERD50

 

[aja8888]

+2 on Tire Rack!

 

[Texas Proud]

I see various references to normal required maintenance on cars called "repairs" and folks who decide it is not in their best interest to spend the money on them. These cars are machines and require periodic maintenance like your body does. Repairs consist of faulty items that are not found in your schedule of maintenance found in your owner's manual. Wear items such as brakes, tires, timing belts, spark plugs, fluids, etc. are typically maintenance items.

Does anyone here actually read the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual and do the required items? Your vehicle will last a long time if you follow that schedule, but it is not a guarantee it won't need any unexpected repairs along the way.

Sure, but a new timing belt with all the other items is pretty pricey and feels like a repair to the wallet...


To others.... do not just think of miles when it comes to timing belts.... there is also a time component... 100K miles is also probably 100 months, or just over 8 years... my car is over 10 years old and has only 57K miles on it.... I changed the timing belt about year 9....