My car is in it's last days :( *PICS*

[purbeast0]

Pic 1.
Pic 2.

I'm going to miss my car. Basically I took it to the mechanic after it was starting to make some wierd sounds. My check engine light also won't go off and my mechanic doesn't even konw exactly why, and I need it fixed to pass emissions by mid june. So I take it to him and he told me that the AC compressor is going bad. That will cost about $400. He then told me that in order to fix what he thinks MIGHT be wrong as to why the engine light is coming on would be to replace the 02 sensor. ALso, my engine compartment has some rust in there and oil is leaking. He basically in order to find what is wrong, he's going to have to take the whole engine apart, THEN diagnose it. And its going to cost me a lot of $$$ for him to do this. He told me that he wasn't supposed to even say this, but he said its honestly not worth me fixing it because its just in bad shape and more money will be put into it.

The car has 115K miles on it (not too much) and it's in its last days. this really sucks because i had been saving $1K/mo since last december (landed my first real job last september) and now i'm going to have to basically spend my saved money on another car. It was going to go towards a downpayment on a house/condo next spring, bt looks like i may have to wait a little longer.

anyways, i am looking to get another MK3 Jetta or Golf as my car and looking to spend like $5K on it. If you know anyone selling let me know, i'm in the MD/DC/VA area

 

[radioouman]

What year is this car?

If you can't fix it yourself, then it is time for another car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Your mechanic is a moron. Take it to a reputable mechanic who can diagnose it properly.

 

[nakedfrog]

What about just replacing the engine for ~$2k?

 

[RagingBITCH]

So your car prematurely craps out after a low amount of miles (115K), yet you want to get another VW? Explain your logic please.

And your mechanic sounds like he sucks - take it to somebody else and see what they say.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Your mechanic is a moron. Take it to a reputable mechanic who can diagnose it properly.

i've been going to this guy for a long time and he's basically a family friend as well. i don't think he would lie to me about this kind of stuff. but who knows. all i know is that my car definitely isn't running well right now at all.

 

[purbeast0]

i want to get a 2nd opinion definitely, its just that its hard for me to do so during the week cause of work.

its a 1997 btw. and i want another vw because i love the way my car handles. its not fast or anything, i just enjoy driving it.

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So your car prematurely craps out after a low amount of miles (115K), yet you want to get another VW? Explain your logic please.

Same thing that I was going to say. Late models VWs are worse than the older ones. I'd look for something else.

 

[mcvickj]

The exterior looks to be in great condition. I don't know the full details of the car but putting in a rebuilt engine might be a way to go. Sometimes you can find some great deals at the local junk yard. Just a thought.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: mcvickj
The exterior looks to be in great condition. I don't know the full details of the car but putting in a rebuilt engine might be a way to go. Sometimes you can find some great deals at the local junk yard. Just a thought.

i am not a car guy at all as far as how to do engine work or anything. i really have no clue how to do any of that stuff. but like i said, i'm going to get a 2nd opinion on it before i do anything. i also am trying to check out vwvortex but for some wierd reason my IP from work is banned.

and i'm not sure if the engine is the only thing having problems. i know for a fact that the AC compressor is going bad.

 

[cjgallen]

Be a man, do your own motor swap

 

[Pciber]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Your mechanic is a moron. Take it to a reputable mechanic who can diagnose it properly.

seconded. He probably doesn't have the proper computer hookup for VWs, but he doesn't want to tell you because you would go elsewhere.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: mcvickj
The exterior looks to be in great condition. I don't know the full details of the car but putting in a rebuilt engine might be a way to go. Sometimes you can find some great deals at the local junk yard. Just a thought.

i am not a car guy at all as far as how to do engine work or anything. i really have no clue how to do any of that stuff. but like i said, i'm going to get a 2nd opinion on it before i do anything. i also am trying to check out vwvortex but for some wierd reason my IP from work is banned.

You wouldn't have to do it, a mechanic could handle it. Does this mechanic work with many VWs? If not, you should look into asking a VW mechanic.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Pciber

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Your mechanic is a moron. Take it to a reputable mechanic who can diagnose it properly.

seconded. He probably doesn't have the proper computer hookup for VWs, but he doesn't want to tell you because you would go elsewhere.

can any you guys recommend somewhere to take it in maryland around the dc metro area?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: radioouman

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So your car prematurely craps out after a low amount of miles (115K), yet you want to get another VW? Explain your logic please.

Same thing that I was going to say. Late models VWs are worse than the older ones. I'd look for something else.

I have over 150K on my old 87 buick and its going strong. Yet everyone here bashs GM while they get a car that is "dead" at 115K yet still want the another one from the same brand

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: cjgallen
Be a man, do your own motor swap

Upgrade to a VR6.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: cjgallen
Be a man, do your own motor swap

Upgrade to a VR6.

There you go, make the engine swap worthwhile

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: mcvickj
i know for a fact that the AC compressor is going bad.

How do you know this? Is there an oil leak from the compressor?

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: radioouman

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So your car prematurely craps out after a low amount of miles (115K), yet you want to get another VW? Explain your logic please.

Same thing that I was going to say. Late models VWs are worse than the older ones. I'd look for something else.

I have over 150K on my old 87 buick and its going strong. Yet everyone here bashs GM while they get a car that is "dead" at 115K yet still want the another one from the same brand

People around here bash GM and VW equally.

 

[lancestorm]

sharp car man, sad to hear you want to see it go. if he is not a true v-dub mechanic, i would go to a v-dub dealership you feel you can trust or other ppl trust such as on vwvortex forums. If you were around Cincy, I would have you go to v-dub dealership my father works at. He's worked on v-dubs for over 25 years now @ the same shop.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: radioouman

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So your car prematurely craps out after a low amount of miles (115K), yet you want to get another VW? Explain your logic please.

Same thing that I was going to say. Late models VWs are worse than the older ones. I'd look for something else.

I have over 150K on my old 87 buick and its going strong. Yet everyone here bashs GM while they get a car that is "dead" at 115K yet still want the another one from the same brand

Well, it really depends on how you drive. If you're gonna drag race at every traffic light, then your engine will crap out early, no matter what the car is. But in general, VW reliability has not been as good as some Japanese brands, I don't know why many young people like VW so much, I'm young (24) and I don't want a VW.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: lancestorm
sharp car man, sad to hear you want to see it go. if he is not a true v-dub mechanic, i would go to a v-dub dealership you feel you can trust or other ppl trust such as on vwvortex forums. If you were around Cincy, I would have you go to v-dub dealership my father works at. He's worked on v-dubs for over 25 years now @ the same shop.

I would not take it to a VW dealership, I'd take it to a VW mechanic.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: radioouman

Originally posted by: mcvickj
i know for a fact that the AC compressor is going bad.

How do you know this? Is there an oil leak from the compressor?

yes, there is actually some oil in the engine bay that is supposedly coming from this.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: munky
Well, it really depends on how you drive. If you're gonna drag race at every traffic light, then your engine will crap out early, no matter what the car is. But in general, VW reliability has not been as good as some Japanese brands, I don't know why many young people like VW so much, I'm young (24) and I don't want a VW.

It's not just young people. My GF's parents had to replace one of their Oldsmobiles, so they bought a Passat. They were so happy with it that they replaced his Oldsmobile with a Jetta. They're about 67 and 60, IIRC. He used to be a mechanic at a (Ford?) dealership and in the military, and works on John Deere tractors in his spare time for fun.

 

[purbeast0]

i personally just like the way my VW drives. i didn't do any engine work but i did lower my car, and i must say, that was the best decision i made. it really makes driving the car much more fun. i just want to get another car that handles just like this one. and i know VW's can last longer than 115K miles. i will admit, i didn't take the greatest care of this car and drove it pretty hard sometimes, so i can see why its starting to go bad around now.

i know some people who have 180K+ miles on their VW.