How should I handle this situation?

[Soybomb]

<< Drive a possibly unsafe car and hope everything remains fine. >>



I don't really think your car is unsafe. Perhaps the ABS pump is going out. I think if abs was feeling weird adn I didn't like it, I'd look in the fuse box, pull the abs fuse, and drive it. None of my cars actually have abs. It also may not be that your friends are trying to deceive you but perhaps they are just unsure themselves of whats wrong. I'd take a last ditch chance and see someone like a dealership and get an estimate. Ask them specifically what parts need replacing and the prices and post back, we can help tell you if they are fair prices.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

i agree with Soybomb on this one, disengage the ABS and keep the car until you get out of school and can afford a newer one. I am sensing that you really want to rationalize dipping into that mutual fund. If thats what you want to do, then do it. BUT if you are seeking advise on that issue, it looks like most people are saying that you shouldn't touch the fund.

 

[Soybomb]

What it comes down to ultimately is when you pull that ABS fuse nothing is controlling your brakes except your foot on the pedal moving that thick steel rod. No computer has anything to do in this so that eliminates alot of the expense. I just looked and it seems like the price of a new master cylinder with a new brake booster on it would be about $220. A new proportioning valve is about $40. Unless you have problems at the wheels or in the lines and its not abs its probably one of those 3. A new abs hydraulic pump is like $1300 for your car, but you might just have to drive without abs. Lots of people do, you're not putting your life on the line by not having abs. Like yamaha said, it sounds to me like you're trying to justify buying a new car, if so be upfront with your dad and just get it. I don't see the need for it myself though and would continue to drive the GP.

 

[myputer]

Well take it from me losing your brakes when you are driving is a horrible thing, it happened to me before in a SUV and I thought i was gonna die. If that fund was set up for you with a specific purpose in mind it should be left for that and not used on a car. If it a case where you have to have a car and cant do without it tell your dad straight out you cant afford it maybe he will help you out. Now if its just a case where not having a car is gonna cut into your partying or you love life with the ladies, bite the bullet and figure something else out.

 

[BigSmooth]

SmiZ, I think if you honestly fell that the car is unsafe, you should not have to drive it. I had a car in college that had brake (and many other) problems, one day the brakes went out completely and I rolled out of a parking lot into traffic with two friends in the car. I had to use the e-brake to get to another parking lot. I am EXTREMELY lucky I didn't get into an accident and that none of us were hurt. I got it fixed, but it didn't cost me $2,700. I bought a new car shortly after I graduated.

I would try to sell the car. Hell, if your dad thinks it is a car worth keeping, tell him to buy it from you (OK, I don't really suggest this if you don't have the best relationship). Seriously, though, try to sell it or trade it in at a dealership and get yourself a new car that you feel safe in. I don't know how much money youe were planning on spending but obviously I would try to limit yourself to spending the least amount of money possible and still get a decent, reliable car.

I am no proponent of dipping into one's savings, but sometimes you just have to do it. I think since you really need a car and you have a right to feel safe, this is just such a situation.

My $.02,
- bigsmooth

 

[xarmian]

I felt like commenting on this.. I will definitely agree with Soybomb and crew on this one.. I have an '84 honda accord, no ABS, and the break light started coming on when it started getting cold outside (and when the car warmed up, it would go out).. since it's the middle of winter now, the light never goes out.. my guess on the problem is the ebrake is setting of a sensor.. it drives fine, breaks, fine.. i havn't seen a mechanic about it and dont really plan to.. although i should probably check fluid levels and such, it's been about 4-5 months since it began and i havn't had a problem (or felt a difference)..

so all you mechanic people, any suggestions?

 

[fdiskboy]

<< Keeping the GP is not an option. Way too many problems. Regardless of how much the repair is, I'm not getting it done >>



What are you even asking for? You are looking for reinforcement to do exactly what you had already decided to do in the first place.





<< I would love for it to be something simple and inexpensive, but I know it isn't. >>



Again. No, you don't KNOW. You THINK.

Here's my bet. You want a brand, spanking new car. You want to blow a nice $25k on it. Your dad (wisely so) thinks this would be a colossal waste of money, one you will come to regret. You want to do it anyway, so you can have a nice shiny ride that the chics will dig. Now, you're looking for a few &quot;yes&quot; men to &quot;support&quot; you and tell you to do what you want to do anyway. Once you get that, you'll be set. You'll be able to rationalize the whole thing.





<< To top it all off, my girl friend, sister, and friends are extremely mad at my parents for allowing me to drive an unsafe vehicle. >>



This is my favorite line. Have your friends pitched in to help you fix your car or offer to drive you around? Then they don't truly give a rat's ass. Walk the walk or shut up is my advice to them. Big talk is just talk.

That's just how I see it. Stick with your dad and talk to him honestly about it. (Translation: take the chip off your shoulder and listen up)

Good luck either way.

 

[Emulex]

smiz, since your so smart and all, why dont you get a job and buy a new car? Its your life. I didn't like the car i had, so i worked, and got a new one. Take the piecer and trade it in for down payment.

You should be able to qualify for a first time buyer program, for say $25k/car about $500/month in payments plus insurance..

you are old enough to go to college, you are certainly old enough to get a job and buy your own stuff..

 

[ArkAoss]

ok so smiz is looking for advice on dealing with his dad, cause he doesn't want to keep the car, so lets focus on that, smiz tell us whats up between you and your pops, and what car range are ya looking at. And is your mom in the picture?

whatever might deal with how your dad might view this situatuion will be helpfull about your dad.

 

[PassatVR6]

I agree with Soybomb, sounds like the brakes are functioning okay, its just the computer controlled ABS part of the system that is flaking out. Locate the ABS fuse in the fusebox and pull it out. Your brakes will work just fine, but be more careful in the wet as it will be more sensitive to locking up. I would not dip into that Mutual Fund. I am in a similar situation, I have put quite a bit of money into my car, in fact i spent the whole weeking installing the 2nd new transmission. I have spent almost as much money in fixing the car as it is worth and I am going to bite the bullet and sell it right away. You should sell your car how it is or trade it in. I would be honest but if you choose not to do so, you can get rid of that Brake Light by pulling the battery cable off for a few mins then putting it on right before you show the car to a potential buyer. The brake light will eventually come back but it should stay off for awhile enough to show them the car. Again I recommend being up front...

If you really feel unsafe tho, I wonder why your father urged you to keep the car and fix it. With what money did he expect you to fix it with? Because if you do have a few thousand dollars you can find a reliable car fairly easy.

Hell my first car ever was an 86 Mazda GLC hatchback - I paid 800 dollars for it and it worked great, never had any probs with it. 90 integra-- you can find these for about 2000-4000 dollars. early 90s civics, etc.. theyre all good cars but if you go that route have the car checked out by a mechanic before you buy it.

If you dont have the cash right now, you could get a 5000 dollar bank loan. Thats plenty to get a decent car with. I did this when I was 17, my parents cosigned it and I paid 200 dollars a month for about 2 years.

You have a few options just gotta decide whats right for you. Good luck , let us know how it goes.

-Matt

 

[bigbootydaddy]

abs bah!!! i dont have abs and my car is a 2000. extra dead weight

 

[SmiZ]

fdiskboy:

Thanks for the input, but there's a lot about this that you don't understand. Try sitting with your dad at a table and talking about how he would rather see you save a few bucks and risk your death than allow you to use your money to ensure your own safety. It's hard to see your parent put a price on your life.

As for your comments about my wanting a new ride that &quot;chics will dig&quot;, nothing could be farther from the truth. I've been totally independent since the age of 18. Once I went away to college I have asked nothing of my parents. I pay my own food, rent, expenses, car insurance, clothes, everything, and I'm not complaining. I should be independent. The only way I can do this is to budget appropriately. I can't even dream of a $25,000 dollar car until well after graduation.

I was looking for advice here because my options were to drive what I was told was a dangerous vehicle or go against my father, cause more problems with my family, and take from my mutual fund. From this thread the general consensus seems to be that my car is not as dangerous as I was told it was. I am now going to look into the validity of the mechanics claims further. For that advice, I am grateful. I do not, however, need personal attacks that have absolutely no grounds.

 

[jeremy806]

I have to agree with Soybomb and the others.

If ABS may be faulty, just pull the fuse and be done with it.

Plenty of cars don't have ABS, my current car does but my last one did not. Just pull the fuse and check your brake fluid for a while to make sure you are not leaking.

If the true problem is just an ABS problem, pull the fuse, keep the car.

Lastly, DO NOT SELL THE CAR TO ANOTHER PERSON without telling them about the problem or you could find yourself is deep sh!t.

jeremy806