When do you call it quits?

[Hellotalkie]

I've made a couple threads regarding issues with my car (1997 honda civic).
Bought the car this summer, had 140k miles. Bought it for 2,000 otd.
Now has 158k miles.
Things I've done to the car since purchase (in order) price includes labor and part
Alternator 180
Exhaust 70
A/C compressor/kit 400
Replace all belts (except timing (still 50k left on belt)) 50
Steering rack 350
Front Rotors 120
Rear wheel bearings (both) 280
Allignment 70

So about 1520 spent on getting this car to good condition. Granted I am fortunate to get a really good rate on labor. I was originally quote 1200 just for the a/c compressor install from 2 other mechanics. I don't really expect anything else to fail, as everything seems in order...but you never know

When would you say I should call it quits? I keep telling myself, I have money in this car, I know it runs well, but then again I need to decide if this will just become a money pit.

Besides, I put a viper alarm/remote start system in with upgraded radio etc.

I absolutely love the car though, the mpg is great, and I do travel a lot (60mile avg daily)

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I wouldn't have even gone as far as you did.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I wouldn't have even gone as far as you did.

I guess my mindset was im going to keep this car throughout college, might as well fix it up for the future.

 

[jlee]

Brakes, belts and alignment are normal maintenance..any car will need that. I am surprised it needed a steering rack, though.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Brakes, belts and alignment are normal maintenance..any car will need that. I am surprised it needed a steering rack, though.

Torn boots on the rack, The rack he got me was OEM brand new.

This was also not in one month period. Each repair averaged about 1-2 repairs per month.

 

[Bartman39]

Nothing to out of the ordinary with that old of a car... Also consider you have basicly rebuilt most of the area`s that would really need it so look at it this way (assume its paid for...?) Alot cheaper than new car notes... :thumbsup:

Average car note around $400-500 for small car like what you have so figure that into your repairs and it comes out quite well... Unless you have other major issues with it then think of it as saving that much every month...

 

[JackBurton]

I think you should have realized it was money pit when you bought a 1997 Honda.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Nothing to out of the ordinary with that old of a car... Also consider you have basicly rebuilt most of the area`s that would really need it so look at it this way (assume its paid for...?) Alot cheaper than new car notes... :thumbsup:

Average car note around $400-500 for small car like what you have so figure that into your repairs and it comes out quite well... Unless you have other major issues with it then think of it as saving that much every month...

All paid for! Sure the 106hp (rated back in 97) isn't a power house, but when comparing to the 4cyl wrangler I had, this car beats it in every way! Not a good comparison haha

 

[Hellotalkie]

I think you should have realized it was money pit when you bought a 1997 Honda.

Consider I paid under 3000 for the car? But yeah I think I could've done better with my searching, just sucks that every other civic out there is riced and "modified."

O well I'll keep driving it till it dies!

Thanks everyone

 

[Harrod]

I don't think that I would call anything on a civic a money pit. Most of the replacement parts are readily available as people seem to almost give away d-series engines, as they swap up to b18 or h22 series swaps.

I hate to think about the amount of money I've spent on my integra in the past 6 years of owning it. I seem to spend around 1k per year on necessary parts/upgrades.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Provided your car is 6 years older, but I'm surprised it has needed all of that maintenance already. We have a 2003 Malibu with 168k miles, and over the life of the vehicle we've done fluids, tires, brakes (rotors, calipers since one was sticking, pads), serpentine belt, and fuel pump. The fuel pump was the ONLY unexpected / costly repair, and we did the swap ourselves. The AC is acting a bit flakey, so the compressor may be the next to get replaced, and a few of the button-illumination LEDs in the center console have burned out, but not for anything essential.

Overall, if you love the car and it's running well now, you can't really call it a money pit. If it starts falling apart literally (body rot, other odd parts wearing out prematurely, etc.) then it may be time to see if you can unload it for $2.5-3k or so. You're at the point where you're not going to get back what you put into it for repairs, so keep that in mind before replacing any items you can just do without (AC goes again, radio-related, etc.).

 

[IcePickFreak]

It's a money pit when an engine or transmission goes. You have essentially $3500 invested and have replaced pretty much what needs replacing, so I'd say you're in good shape.

Struts/shocks would probably be the next normal wear item to look at, but if the car isn't bottoming out and isn't rattling your teeth loose it's not a necessity. If you got a hookup on labor though it shouldn't be too expensive to replace them and at 158k it'll be a very noticeable improvement no matter how nice you think it rides now.

 

[MrWizzard]

That's not too bad. I would say stick with it. Could be a lot worse. I got a car from 1996, only has 37k miles on it, that needs a major service and some rubber seals above the engine replaced, rubber seals went bad because it went a little too long without being driven. The dealership quoted me $5400.

In you case in some ways you have to pay for the way the previous owner treated it.

I would say you have been pretty smart about it so far.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Doesn't sound like a huge money pit to me. Yeah, you've put some money into it. It's a car with 150k miles, what do you expect? None of that work seems really excessive or out of line. I'd say keep it!

 

[CupCak3]

Does the engine run and transmission shift smoothly? If so, I'd stick with it.

 

[evident]

take the amount of money you would budget for monthly payment for a new car... you'll probably reach your breakeven point in a few months if you can keep your car running for that long. i wouldn't view it as a money pit.

 

[mvbighead]

What everyone else said. Drive it till it dies. Replace normal wear stuff, and all should be fine. Definitely not a bad idea to save 200 a month (as if paying a car payment) so that, when the time comes, you can replace it with a cash purchase of a newer/nicer car, or repair it if you think it is worth the expense.

As it is now though, sounds like you got a fair deal on car, and put about the right amount of money into it to make it drive-able.

 

[speedy2]

Nothing in your list is out of the ordinary except for the steering rack. If the car runs good. Doesn't burn oil. I'd keep it. No payment + good gas mileage = money in the bank.

 

[JCH13]

You'll pay in depreciation and higher insurance, or repairs, take your choice. Repairs are typically cheaper than depreciation, insurance, registration (depending on state) etc. You're paying about $0.30/mile (fuel, repairs and purchase price assuming the value is $0 right now) which is a little more than half of the cost of a newer vehicle, which the government has decided is about $0.55/mile. I'd keep it. When it starts to become very unreliable or burns oil or the transmission starts to crap out I'd ditch it.

 

[Vic Vega]

It's a used car, it will need parts from time to time. If you want to alleviate this for a few years you can buy a new car.

If you buy a new car now for $30k and in three years it's worth 12k ask yourself how many parts you could have bought with 18k for your used car.

 

[MovingTarget]

Unless you have body damage/rust, or the engine/transmission has something seriously wrong with it, I'd say keep it.

<--1997 Cavalier 220k miles

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

OP, keep the car.
<-- 98 Cavalier with 110k

 

[Unheard]

If the exhaust you put on your civic makes it sound like a go-cart, it's time to call it quits.

 

[T2urtle]

I wouldn't have even gone as far as you did.

+1 on this.

lots of common problems, that go with owning a car.

Learning to do simple small things yourself will save you TONS. a civic is a great platform to learn on because there is so much room and things are very simple. Belts and brakes are something i feel most guys should KNOW how to do. Obviously the ones that want to save money do it themselves and the people who make a lot of money pay people to do it or if they dont have time/ physically unable to.

one thing on the list you didn't list but might of done was tires. I assume you counted this more like wear and tear since you didn't include any oil change and fluid changes.

Only thing now that can go wrong are simple sensors that are $100 part and $100-200 to install. Hope new rack would mean new tie rods. Oh ball joints and CV boots are something that can go wrong on the civic but your golden after that.

if the engine and trans goes, it might be time to quit it. But if you can afford a newer car, dont get a rebuild, just get one for the junkyard or LKQ for $800 and $500-800 labor.. I have local shops that offer common engines installed with 1 year warranty for $800-900 installed, this would be mainly 2.2 toyota motors, most d16/b18 non-vtec and a couple motors that are very common.

 

[bruceb]

Depending on how many miles you put on it per year and if you are in a high snow / road salt area, you should get 3-4 years of use out of it. Maybe a bit more.