Car question

smerka · October 2014

I drive a 2004 Saturn Vue with 112,000 miles on it. I paid cash for it 10 years ago, and according to kbb.com, it's now worth about $2,900. I had it into the shop over the weekend and they told me I need new struts and shocks (never replaced them) because my tires are wearing unevenly. It will cost $1500-1,800 to do the work. The car guy is a friend of my brother's and I trust his opinion. At what point do you say screw it and get a new car? We would have to finance anything new to us. I am a SAHM with two boys who have made a mess of the car. I put around 5,000 miles a year on it now driving to the grocery store and therapy appointments for my son. WWYD?

noffgurl · October 2014

That sounds like a lot! Do you have anyone handy in your family? It's not hard to diy it, shocks and struts are just normal wear and tear and are actually pretty easy to replace. DH did our Camry's and the parts were less than $300.

noffgurl · October 2014

If you live in the North Texas area, he could do them for you for a lot cheaper.

formerlyGDaisy09 · October 2014

do you have the money in a fund to pay for the repairs? Can you get your brother's friend to weigh-in on how many more miles the car may last?

if you can afford the repairs,I would start socking away the kind of car payment you would expect to have into a DP account. start getting used to that line-item in your budget and put the money away for making a larger DP.

if you think the car is too much of a mess to be worth selling plan to donate it when it does die (lots of charaties will take cars...i feel like my parents donated the beater they bought me in high school to the kidney foundation when they ran-up against repairs that cost more than the car did). take the KBB value as a tax deduction.

if you don't have the cash for the repairs, it sounds like a new to you car is inevitable in the next year or two. maybe sell/trade/donate the car and look for a certified pre-owned at a dealership offering a good deal on financing.

Erikan73 · October 2014

If you look for a new car, many dealerships are starting to have great deals on 2014. But also since you don't put a lot of mileage on the car, consider a care that is 2-3 old. Like a turned in leased vehicle. The dealership would have taken care of any issues and generally the mileage on them isn't bad so you would be getting a good car.

Xstatic3333 · October 2014

I'm biased to feeling a little bit anti-car payment right now since mine is so close to gone but annoying the heck out of me, but if I were you, considering how little you drive, I'd probably make the repair for now and try to get another year or two out of your car. After the repair is done, I'd create mandatory line-item to start saving for your next car. That way, even if you have to finance, you'll have a sizable DP.

Good luck. Car repairs suck

ETA I'd also get a second estimate. I know you trust him, but that seems high. I think when H had his done it was closer to $1,000.

KatieCutie05 · October 2014

Fix the car - then start saving the equivalent of a car payment every month (or as much as you can) and pay cash for another used car when you have the money. Plus if you fix this car - you'll probably get the cost of repairs back in the sale of the car later - i can't imagine you'd even get 2,900 for the car now if it needs 1,500 in repairs.

Car payments suck- i'd do everything in my power to avoid them. I have a 2011 SUV and the car i drive is not worth the car payment. i can tell you that much.

smerka · October 2014

My brother has another friend that works for Firestone, so I will be getting an estimate from them as well. And probably fixing it. My brain tells me just to keep it for a couple more years, but I am very afraid of having it die on the road with my kids in the car or when I need to be home for a bus pick up. Thanks for the advice.

brij2006 · October 2014

Get a few estimates from other reputable places (ask around at work, church, etc), and keep the car. You put so few miles on it each year that it would be pointless to take out debt to get a newer one, just because of a $1,800 repair.

vlagrl29 · October 2014

Get a 2nd opinion - not at a dealership because they are expensive. I don't like car payments so I would pay to have it done. Plus we always negotiate on the bill and pay a little less than quoted. I personally won't buy a new car unless it starts breaking down on the highway or has repairs needed every month.

Sisugal · October 2014

Get a second opinion - and if it is the same -- consider fixing it and then keeping it another year while you SAVE, SAVE, SAVE for a good downpayment on another vehicle and buy one at the end of 2015.

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