Is it worth it??

[firstmazda]

Just looking for other opinions.

Took the car to the shop today and they found a few issues that need ugent attention.
Gonna cost about $2200 more or less.

2004 GT/GFX
202000kms
body damage to the rear bumper and a loooong series of dents/scratches along the passenger side. (just noticed there's actually a small HOLE in the rear quarter panel!)
dealer maintained up till 100k kms ago, after that just regular oil changes and brakes, and sparkplugs.
involved in 3 collisions, one of them major (none my fault!!:))

She still runs fine, but the things that need to be fixed include:
Rt/Ft engine mount
drive belts
Trans pan VERY rotten (ha that's what the report says)
Rt/Ft axle boot no grease!! need new axle
Lt/Rear door latch (the door always thinks its open thus the alarms keeps going off on its own)
parts + labour before tax and discount = $2200

before i get banned for abusing my car,
I love my car as much as you guys do, but it's my daily driver.
I put on at least 100klicks a day and as much as i'd love to hand wash it every other day and mod it to the tits, I've got other things like a newborn and a house to look after.

Just wondering what you guys would do. Fix it? or Sell it?
I'd like to replace it with a family size vehicle, but in reality, with the wife on mat leave, it's not plausible right now.





and if any of you haven't read this post all the way through,
2004 Mz3 GT/GFX
gently used, like new
$50,000 OBO :chuckle

[thegoodstink]

I'd replace all the major mechanical issues, and continue to drive it into the ground. If your axle boot is missing, it's just a matter of time before that leaves you stranded on the highway. Get a good mechanic to do the work. Dealerships are way more expensive.

[firstmazda]

I'd replace all the major mechanical issues, and continue to drive it into the ground. If your axle boot is missing, it's just a matter of time before that leaves you stranded on the highway. Get a good mechanic to do the work. Dealerships are way more expensive.

hmm.. thanks.
I think i will do that.
My biggest worry is that I put $2G into it, and it dies within the year.

I put 2000kms a month on it just going to work, that doesn't include weekends or any other errands in the evenings.
I just hope the repairs will still take me a long way.

[poke65]

hmm.. thanks.
I think i will do that.
My biggest worry is that I put $2G into it, and it dies within the year.

I put 2000kms a month on it just going to work, that doesn't include weekends or any other errands in the evenings.
I just hope the repairs will still take me a long way.

Look at it this way you put 2G into it. Were you going to find a car for 2G that will be like yours and "run fine" like yours. You also say "I'd like to replace it with a family size vehicle, but in reality, with the wife on mat leave, it's not plausible right now". So fix it run it into the ground.

[Jackal]

hmm.. thanks.
I think i will do that.
My biggest worry is that I put $2G into it, and it dies within the year.

I put 2000kms a month on it just going to work, that doesn't include weekends or any other errands in the evenings.
I just hope the repairs will still take me a long way.

The thing I found about older cars is that they need regular maintenance and replacement of parts. When I had my last car which was a 2002 Civic, I had to constantly do minor repairs and replacement of parts not to mention the maintenance. The thing to remember is that older cars need constant care and so we have to budget for these in the future. What got me to buy a new car was when the cost of these repairs was getting ridiculous and buying a new reliable car became an option. I think it may be worth doing the repairs in case you wanted to sell later or see if that will be the last major cash outlay in a while.

[Noisy Crow]

The thing I found about older cars is that they need regular maintenance and replacement of parts. When I had my last car which was a 2002 Civic, I had to constantly do minor repairs and replacement of parts not to mention the maintenance. The thing to remember is that older cars need constant care and so we have to budget for these in the future.

+1

You are going to be either paying the bank or paying the repair shop.... the trick is to figure out which one will be less expensive. For a car over 5 years old you should figure on at least $1,000 maintenance each year, and with the amount of mileage you are putting on you should probably budget more like $1,500.

[htc***]

hmm.. thanks.
I think i will do that.
My biggest worry is that I put $2G into it, and it dies within the year.

I put 2000kms a month on it just going to work, that doesn't include weekends or any other errands in the evenings.
I just hope the repairs will still take me a long way.


In the last 10 years, most cars can easily to put over 300K without major issue if you take a good care of it. Wear and tear does not count.

[m_bisson]

hmm.. thanks.
I think i will do that.
My biggest worry is that I put $2G into it, and it dies within the year.

I put 2000kms a month on it just going to work, that doesn't include weekends or any other errands in the evenings.
I just hope the repairs will still take me a long way.



a new car is about 3g a year for payments anyways... if you get a car for 2g a year you're doing ok

[firstmazda]

Thanks for your opinions guys,
they backed up my thoughts as well.

i'll be at that 300K mark before you know it! haha

[sol_searchin]

Don't know if it's an option but maybe doing some of the work yourself will offset the cost quite a bit. The 4 thing's you mentioned shouldn't take more than a couple hour's and are pretty straight forward. I definetely recommend investing in a repair manual it's WELL worth the money.

[RECREATIONAL_ANXIETY]

+1

You are going to be either paying the bank or paying the repair shop.... the trick is to figure out which one will be less expensive. For a car over 5 years old you should figure on at least $1,000 maintenance each year, and with the amount of mileage you are putting on you should probably budget more like $1,500.

Well said... I agree. Unfortunately, there's always a slim chance that the older car could suddenly be faced with a major mechanical failure that is worth more than the value of the car... that's a situation where you really come out on the losing end. Fortunately, in most cases, the longer you drive a car the more value you get in the long run.