OT - New Car

rutledgek

rutledgek

New member
Well I think I need to get a new car. I have a 1997 Chevy Malibu with 120,000 miles. I believe it has a cracked head gasket. I asked the cost of having that fixed and was quoted at least 1000, and that is if it doesn't need any head work. I figure the car isn't really worth fixing. The interior is in good shape, but I am not sure about the engine.

We have the option of buying a 2002 Honda Accord for 10,000 which seems like a good deal. I am just not sure what to do. Any comments.
 
Fix your car for 2500 & be done with it. unless you got 10000.00 to spend in cash not credit.
 
I am not sure really. It may have a cracked heater coil as well. It's only a tough decision because the Honda has 73,000 miles on it. We could pay cash with a bit of hardship created, so I probably wouldn't. There is also the question of better gas mileage on the honda as well.
 
Is it a cracked head, or a blown head gasket? gasket=maybe $500, head=$1000. Heater core should be pretty cheap, probably more for labor than parts.

That being said, the cost of the new car is going to take a LONG time to make up for the gas mileage improvement.
 
Honda's do a pretty ridiculously good job of keeping their value, so I don't think 10K is probably too far out...especially with so many affluent people trying to buy little cars for commuting and looking environmentally conscious (of course talky some of that off of there if you go that route). I'm a pretty strong believer that most cars hit a wall once they get to a certain mileage and that once things start to break they don't stop. So I'd be more in agreement with Nashvegas...
 
It does seem to be one thing after the other on this car. There could be something wrong with the break system as well. I just had breakwork done feb 2007 and I think the pads need replaced again on the front driver side, which means there is something wrong wtih the calliper or the pressure system. I was told I have a leak in the radiator, and I just tried to get an oil change, and they refused to do it because oi was leaking around the drain lug. So it either needs a new lug or a new oilpan.

I just get tired of the surprise fixes. I have only had rather older cars that develope problems quickly and it gets old.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12674023#post12674023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nashvegas
10,000 for a 6 year old car w 70,000 miles on it seems extreme...find a 4000.00 car and pay outright.
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I kinda agree here. that seems steep unless hte car is loaded and in PERFECT shape. Shop around, there are lots better deals out there. If you depend on your car work (driving long distances) I would go with another. I have 115k on my Truck. that said it still runs and looks new.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12674100#post12674100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DMBillies
Honda's do a pretty ridiculously good job of keeping their value, so I don't think 10K is probably too far out
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Here is the reason for the price. BB value is almost 11,000. Handa's are known for keeping value and lasting quite a while, both of which keep its value up.
 
i would get it fix...my beetle needs a new head as well....been sitting in the drive way for a while....if i can spend less than 3 grand to fix..i think i'll be in good shape

so i would say get it fix...since its quoted around a grand


oh yea...im getting mine fix and getting a new car....is that a possibility for you? its always good to have a second car.....and might i suggest a Smart ForTwo...atleast thats what im doing
 
well the 1000 was basically the lower limit, there is no gauruntee that they wouldn't find head damage when they replace the gasket. The overheat light has come on at least once, so there very well could be damage.
 
With all the problems you mention (oil pan, head, heater coil, radiator leak, breaks) I think I'd go for a different car if you can afford it. I agree with Jason that you should only pay cash. I love honda's. I've owned them ever since college and I've never had to do anything other than routine maintenance on them. I only keep them about 10 years, though.

I bet you could get a civic, or another reliable beater for less than the 10k. 10K isn't bad for that car. I checked consumer reports and 02 is ok for the accord except for the transmission. For the accord, I'd go with either a 99 or an 04 if I had my pick based on the consumer reports repair history. The civic is across the board solid. If you know the owner of the accord you might try bumping them down a bit -- but knowing the repair history would be a plus. It will need about a $800 maintenance at about 90K if it has a timing belt instead of a chain. The belts have to be replaced at about 90K, just FYI.

One other thing to consider is how long you plan on keeping this next car. If for a long time, getting a used honda with a good owner history can be worth it. If for just a couple of years, dropping $1500 a year on repairs for a few years, saving and then getting a nicer car then would probably be cheaper. Then again you have the hassle of having the car in the shop more often...
 
do you know for sure that the head gasket is cracked? the reason i ask is you said it has a radiator leak if it has a leak and it got low on water/antifreeze you may have a thermostate that is not opening. the easiest way to tell if a headgasket is cracked is to check the oil and if it is a tan milky color you have water in it and more than likely a cracked head gasket if the oil looks normal i would replace the leaky radiator and the thermostate.

no need to go into further debt unless you have to.

just trying to help and my opinion

mike
 
I have coolant coming out of the side of the engine wall where the head meets the engine wall. Its the only thing I could think of is a bad head gasket or a cracked head.
 
I have been in the car business all my life... Right now with the way the market is going small, good gas mileage cars are bringing blood at auctions. They are going for more than the same car would have gone a year ago. If you would like to give me the VIN I can check online Manheim auctions to see what that car would bring at an auction. This will give you a true idea of what kinda deal it is besides going off what a website says.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12676648#post12676648 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitansFan
I have been in the car business all my life... Right now with the way the market is going small, good gas mileage cars are bringing blood at auctions. They are going for more than the same car would have gone a year ago. If you would like to give me the VIN I can check online Manheim auctions to see what that car would bring at an auction. This will give you a true idea of what kinda deal it is besides going off what a website says.
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I've heard that the hybrids are selling at well above sticker. :eek:

Let's see......spend $20,000+ to get 15 more miles per gallon........? I don't drive enough to justify that.
 

Let's see......spend $20,000+ to get 15 more miles per gallon........? I don't drive enough to justify that.
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yeah, I like the idea of hybrids but the price is still prohibitive. I also like the idea of diesel and a vegetable oil kit installation to burn straight vegetable oil when the car heats up. I also keep getting electrolysis kit sale emails in the male to install electrolysis kit to use the hydrogen from water as a fuel additive reducing the amount of gasoline used.
 
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