Car Repair Update

[kybearfuzz]

While stuck in a meeting this morning, the garage called to give the estimate for the car repairs. This isn't just for the muffler issue, but also changing of the timing belt and some other odds and ends that I've been meaning to get fixed. I figured while it's there, these things need to get done.

The estimate was considerable ($1400!). Yikes! There goes the rest of the tax return. I drive a 1997 Honda Civic. I like the car and odds are I will buy another one in the near future. Several coworkers had to hear me lament over the estimate and one noted that I should just get a new car instead.

He made a good argument, I admit. There are, however, several reasons why I don't want to get one right now. Money isn't really the issue as I've been socking away the monthly car payment I've not had to make since the car was paid off. However, I never like being in the position where I HAVE to get a new car. I've been in that situation twice in the past and I'm never satisfied with the end result, mostly because I always feel rushed and desperate about the purchase.

When I buy my next car, probably within the next 12 months or so, I want to take my time, do the research, be prepared. If my buddy's way was the way I was going I'd be scrambling to visit multiple car lots this weekend and that's no way to buy a car. Sadly, my car wont be ready until Monday afternoon, so I have to reschedule my work travel for next week... :(

Comments

[cincycub.livejournal.com]

$1400?? Hrm - that's rough. I see your point, but at the same time, that's a lot of money to put into it just to resell it in a year.

[grande.livejournal.com]

i dunno...the hybrid honda civics they have out now are terrific cars, and i'm very firml anti small-sedans.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

$1400 for the Honda and it needs a timing belt amongst the muffler and other things. Not too out of line as the timing belt usually includes other things in what is called a timing belt package, the accessory belt, the water pump are done at the same time. It's actually cheaper to do those things now while you are replacing the timing belt since they all reside right there together. Also, they check the oil pump while they are at it. Usually it's OK but if not, add at least $200 onto that total. So the total outlay runds upwards of $400 or so without pump, more with, at least it was that on my '88 Accord 2 years ago.

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

While that's a little pricey, if its the only set of repairs you do, that's far cheaper than car payments over the next year.

Its hard to know when to let a car go, and I totally understand the urge to take your time and research. I did that when I bought my first new car. The second car was more of a lark, I took my Saturns SL2 in for an oil change and left with a Saturn VUE 2 hours later. LOL.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Or have what happen to me. A friend took pity on me when he saw my car in it's sad state and not able to replace it due to lack of finances and turn around after talking it over with his father and selling me for $3K, $100 a month a very, very clean 1992 Ford Ranger pickup. :-)

The car was his dads but he was driving it at the time. That was 3 weeks ago.

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

That's great! My first car that I bought (not new) was my from my mentor in college. He took pity on me and sold me his 1985 Honda Civic Wagovan for $100. I didn't care that it had 130,000 miles on it at the time, it was a deal that couldn't be beat and I drove it through the next five years with almost no problems.

It finally went into 'multiple organ system failure' in Dec 1999. While I was away for the holidays my friend was borrowing the car. The radiator exploded, the engine block cracked, the carburator died and several other things all happened within minutes. That was when I knew I had to get a new car. Heh.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Funny thing is the car I'm selling is an 88 Honda Accord that while it runs fine, just needs fresh tires, brakes, a new exhaust from the cat back (completely missing), water leakage fixed as it leaked inside the car. Power door locks and moonroof only half worked etc.

Also, a rear ender last summer didn't help things. Oh the car looked fine from the outside, the rest? That was another story all together.

I owned the car for 7 years and prior to that, similar issues with an 83 Civic that I had for 6 years. :-)

[sweetjimmyto.livejournal.com]

Ah yes ... the old timing belt ... $20 item to replace that costs about $800 worth of labour to install.

Sorry bud.

[madkevinp.livejournal.com]

i work for a honda dealer and they will try to sell you anything and everything...i will admit that you probably do need a timing belt on yours though...i would just do a few things at a time though..tell them you dont have the funds to do everything at once and to them what is the most important...I would also go to another dealer and see what they say about the repairs...dont tell them you had it checked out at another dealer though...just my 2 cents...

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Ah, my garage isn't a Honda dealership. The way I view the cost is that these are repairs and maintenance that I should have made a while back.

[madkevinp.livejournal.com]

IC, as long as you trust them all is well...

[rixtur.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the car issues, thank god I live in a city where I no longer have to have one. NY BABY!
Anyway, at least you were not stranded on some old country road somewhere. Hope it all works out.