At what point do you draw the line?

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
1990 Olds Cutlass Ciera with 86k miles on it

Tires going flat,

etc

muffler needs replaced

etc

Transmission dies, replace

etc

Brake system failes, replace

etc

Won't start, diagnose celluloid



and now

Wont shut off, mechanical pieces in steering column (240 to fix)

cruise control dies, another 300 if we choose to do it, 85 mile each way commute so would cost me more than this for 1 speeding ticket and higher insurance)





When do you say to hell with it, and pick up another used car that is slightly newer, and hopefully a tad more reliable... i will be driving 170 miles round trip 5 days a week starting in a few weeks.
 

cavemanmoron

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,683
58
91
When do you say to hell with it, and pick up another used car that is slightly newer, and hopefully a tad more reliable... i will be driving 170 miles round trip 5 days a week starting in a few weeks.

move closer????????

get a better shape Older car,

Look for a 1965 Dart/Valiant,slant 6 standard shift.

Good on fuel,cheap to fix.
 

ShowdOWN

Golden Member
Sep 25, 2002
1,361
0
0
driving that much weekly, you cant afford to break down on the road.

see if you can work your way towards another vehicle.
 

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
Originally posted by: ShowdOWN
driving that much weekly, you cant afford to break down on the road.

see if you can work your way towards another vehicle.

We have enough to buy a brand new 15-25k vehicle with cash


but im cheap P
 

xSauronx

Lifer
Jul 14, 2000
19,582
4
81
Originally posted by: dxkj
Originally posted by: ShowdOWN
driving that much weekly, you cant afford to break down on the road.

see if you can work your way towards another vehicle.

We have enough to buy a brand new 15-25k vehicle with cash


but im cheap P

then get a used dependable car instead of driving a beat up olds, should have asked "whats a dependable car in xxx price range" and given a number you will part with
 

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
Originally posted by: xSauronx
Originally posted by: dxkj
Originally posted by: ShowdOWN
driving that much weekly, you cant afford to break down on the road.

see if you can work your way towards another vehicle.

We have enough to buy a brand new 15-25k vehicle with cash


but im cheap P

then get a used dependable car instead of driving a beat up olds, should have asked "whats a dependable car in xxx price range" and given a number you will part with


/thread

I did as you suggested
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
I won't buy a car, unless I'm prepared to drive it till the wheels are square!

Only thing that would make me bail on a car, is a rusted out frame. No sense swapping in an engine, if the frame only has a couple years left on it, so that might also be the death of it.

In the 30+ years I've been driving, I've never bought a new car, and never sold one. I drive 'em till they PUKE!
 

hemiram

Senior member
Mar 16, 2005
629
0
0
I wouldn't put any more money into it, my sister put so much cash into her 79 Cutlass it was insane. Finally, the frame cracked and she junked it. With the miles you will be putting on it, it wouldn't last long anyway, so you would be better off getting something newer if you can get something reliable. If it was me, I would buy new, I have has some major problems with used cars, and try to avoid them, if possible.
 

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: Ornery
I won't buy a car, unless I'm prepared to drive it till the wheels are square!

Only thing that would make me bail on a car, is a rusted out frame. No sense swapping in an engine, if the frame only has a couple years left on it, so that might also be the death of it.

In the 30+ years I've been driving, I've never bought a new car, and never sold one. I drive 'em till they PUKE!

yeah but you're also cheap :)
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
Originally posted by: Ornery
I won't buy a car, unless I'm prepared to drive it till the wheels are square!

Only thing that would make me bail on a car, is a rusted out frame. No sense swapping in an engine, if the frame only has a couple years left on it, so that might also be the death of it.

In the 30+ years I've been driving, I've never bought a new car, and never sold one. I drive 'em till they PUKE!
yeah but you're also cheap :)
The point is, it's best to buy a car that can stand up to time. Something with a sturdy foundation, that's tried & true. That is, if money is of any concern...
 

BrokenVisage

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
24,772
14
81
I draw a line from point A to point C.. picking up a random hooker along the way who represents point B.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I honestly don't think other than the tranny that the car is being that rough on you.. i mean it's 15 years old.

I'd say keep it until something major fails. You've already replaced the tranny, might as well use it. But those fixes are relatively inexpensive. A lot of people just don't fix things that are trivial on old cars (such as cruise)... muffler, brakes, starting problems, all really not uncommon on an older car, but once those are fixed, they are good for another several years.

I considered my old car reliable and I had to do most of that kind of stuff on it.. but nothing major (like tranny) at least.