Car repairs

[ShadowHunter]

Ok, seriously, WHAT IS THE FVCKING POINT of buying an older used car?

I have been averaging about $300 a month in repairs on my Mitsu Eclipse for 7 months now. That's a whole car payment on a lot better car! By the time my car dies, I would have put enough money into it to buy something a helluva lot better; so doesn't that defeat the concept of buying an older car, to save money?

 

[FreeAgent]

The first problem in that is you said you have Mitsu. They are not known for reliability. You should always have a mechanic you trust check a car (USED) out before you purchase it. You may want the mechanic's opinion on what to purchase for your needs.

I too, know what it feels like. It feels like your makeing car payments as if it isn't yours yet.

 

[LAUST]

Sounds like you got a lemon dude, I've had many used vehicles and none of have ever costed me much.... Tho I buy trucks and the reason is a truck is 10000X more durable then any car.

but $300 a month sounds bad dude.. something is wrong there

 

[ShadowHunter]

<< but $300 a month sounds bad dude.. something is wrong there >>



I've checked the math several times. It averages out to $300 a month.

Struts and new ECU were the worst things. Almost $500 each. But there is constantly $100 there and $200 here.

 

[FreeAgent]

Yeah I hear you man. I buy trucks now too. I have a Chevy right now and I never have problems(V8 350).
You have to buy tough if you want your vehicle to last. Those Mitsu things are as fragile as a glass bottle.

 

[FreeAgent]

If you can try to buy something new and with a warranty. If you have credit go to a dealership and get yourself into a decent machine. Don't sink your money into a sunkin ship; Sink it into a floaty!

 

[LAUST]

The struts I understand, when I owned a car I liked to keep the suspension as well as I could, in a truck we have leaf springs so we just worry about shocks and we're done.

But the ECU fried? Ouch that really sucks

 

[ShadowHunter]

<< If you can try to buy something new and with a warranty. If you have credit go to a dealership and get yourself into a decent machine. Don't sink your money into a sunkin ship; Sink it into a floaty! >>



I'd love too. But I dont have any credit. I'm only 17, and the 'rents wont cosign (I respect that tho).

 

[FreeAgent]

I broke a leaf spring off roading once. That adventure cost me $1000 to fix up. The thing is under normal circumstances a truck will out last alot of cars. Because they are designed for abuse. That is why I switched.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have had 3 really cheap beaters and none have cost me anywhere near $300a month or a year for that matter, but none of mine were made by Mitsubishi. They were all Mopars.

btw before somebody brings it up no none of mine had Mitsu parts in them one did have a VW engine but the rest where chrysler

 

[ISAslot]

I find you save money with an older car 20+ years old; that is, if you work on it yourself.

Those new-fangled cars are hard to work on, and require special tools.

 

[FreeAgent]

Oh I didn't realise that. RE: No credit

Well you do have the option of fixing the obvious problems and selling it. After that you can look for a more reliable vehicle. Get the advice of an expierienced mechanic that you or your family can trust.
If you try it on your own you may get taken for a ride again.

 

[ShadowHunter]

Thanks for the advice, FreeAgent. But I think I'm just going to keep putting the minimum amount of money into it until it dies. I only need it to last til I'm 18 really, then I can buy something real. Besides, I would never get ANYTHING eve REMOTELY close to what I paid for it and repaired it.

 

[lepper boy]

ya, you have to be careful what used cars you buy...... speaking of that. any one have a 60's Ford bronco for sale??

 

[FreeAgent]

RE: New fangled cars

Newer cars also have warranties. I like to fix my truck but some people don't like to fix it themself.
The only thing that old cars have going is that some were made in a time when quality mattered. Today that has become an old idea. To take a quote froma former C.E.O. of G.M. "We are not here to make cars! We are here to make money". That is what you get today.

 

[FreeAgent]

RE: Thanks for the advice, FreeAgent. But I think I'm just going to keep putting the minimum amount of money into it until it dies. I only need it to last til I'm 18 really, then I can buy something real. Besides, I would never get ANYTHING even REMOTELY close to what I paid for it and repaired it.

Well you might want to consider auctions. I don't know where you live, but police auctions can be a great place to get a good car cheaper than any dealer or private owner. Just keep it in mind in case something goes wrong.

 

[NateSLC]

<< The only thing that old cars have going is that some were made in a time when quality mattered. Today that has become an old idea. To take a quote froma former C.E.O. of G.M. "We are not here to make cars! We are here to make money". That is what you get today. >>


I don't agree. There are several carmakers out there that are in it to make cars. Nissan, Honda, and VW from personal experience.

 

[FreeAgent]

Hey ShadowHunter I noticed you use Win XP pro. How do you like it?

 

[FreeAgent]

I don't agree. There are several carmakers out there that are in it to make cars. Nissan, Honda, and VW from personal experience.

I'm glad you had better luck with Nissan than me. Still money is always the bottom line if it were otherwise why does Ford make plastic suspension parts. Older Datsuns were the only thing I can think of that came out of Nissan that was reliable. I had a Nissan and it was the worst car ever: fuel pump, ecm, and over all poor quality. Just my expieriance that's all.

I'm sorry older VW buses and Beatles were and are still hot items and for that I give VW credit.

 

[Brutuskend]

I guess it's just me age, but when someone say's an "OLDER" car to me. I think 50's 60's 70's.

In my opinion if you take 1/10 of what a new car costs and put it into a 60's or 70's car, you will end up with a MUCH better car.

It may use a bit more gas, but it will be reliable, EASY to work on, and CHEAP to keep running.

The main thing I hate about new car's (beside's what they cost compaired to what they USED to cost) it that the avarage person can't work on them. (unless he wants to go out and spend THOUSANDS of dollars of test equiptment and such)

I would take a old classic 50's through 70's car over a new car anyday!!



<< I'd love too. But I dont have any credit. I'm only 17, and the 'rents wont cosign (I respect that tho). >>



Hummm when I was 17 back it 72 I was in the Marine Corps. You could always go THAT route! And buy a newer car.

(Brutuskend is thinking back on past remarks made by S/H that were disrepectfull to say the least and would REALLY like to see him JOIN UP)



<< but $300 a month sounds bad dude.. something is wrong there >>



Yeah, what is wrong is that he's 17. I remember how I drove at that age....................

 

[Soybomb]

<< The main thing I hate about new car's (beside's what they cost compaired to what they USED to cost) it that the avarage person can't work on them. (unless he wants to go out and spend THOUSANDS of dollars of test equiptment and such) >>


If you find yourself posting on a computer hardware enthusiasts website and your car mystifies you, perhaps you need to check for a different hobby In all honesty its not that rough. Sure you might not have a DRB like the dealer, but lets be honest here, the electronics don't fail that much. Often its the same thing its always been on old cars or new cars: bad water pump, bad fuel pump, needs a belt change, new brake pads, etc. Some sensors are wear items and will need to be replaced now and then (oxygen sensor, speed/distance sensor, etc) but its not that hard to learn their symptoms and put a voltmeter or ohm-meter across the thing to test it.

Actually I rather like our more modern cars. I turn the key on and off three times and it blinks out error codes. In the winter time it starts with no voodoo of pumping the gas pedal 3 times, closing the choke all the way and hoping it will start. As I drive down the road it adjusts itself automatically, I don't have to sit and fiddle with little screws or jets in a carb. New cars rock and aren't hard to work on either.

 

[thedarkwolf]

"New cars rock and aren't hard to work on either."

I don't know about the not hard to work on part
Just changing the belts on my 93 nissian truck brought on a huge bout of swearing and several scraped nuckles. I can change the ones on my 34 year old ford with my feet .

 

[Brutuskend]

Well I tell ya.
I was trained as a jet engine Mechanic, and I would MUCH rather work on one of those than a new car ANYDAY. Compaired to all the CRAP new engines have on them, the T-76 turbo prop I worked on was a peice of cake! (and if you ever get a chance to work on one of those, let me tell you they have a LOT of stuff crammed into a VERY small space!
I also worked as a VW Audi Porche Mech.
Give me a straight forward old pre 80's V-8 (or earlier) or a air cooled VW anyday!!

 

[ShadowHunter]

<< Hey ShadowHunter I noticed you use Win XP pro. How do you like it? >>



it rocks







<< Yeah, what is wrong is that he's 17. I remember how I drove at that age.................... >>



dont jump to conclusions, buddy. i'm a pretty responsible kid, and altho i have done dumb things behind the wheel (like redlining, going too fast etc), I'm pretty stinkin' good overall. I treat my car very well.

 

[CraigRT]

As much as I like the Eclipse, I know they aren't the best for maintenance costs.. if it was a more reliable car, It would be sweet.. but they DO cost alot because they break alot..

I don't have a car all that long though, so it doesn't matter quite as much to me...