(this is a huge whiney rant, so proceed at your own risk)
I bought my stinktiva with the intent of it being cheap, reliable transportation. I expected to have to stick some money in to it as it is a older, used car, but things are just spiraling out of control.
When do you just give up and cut your losses?
In the last six months, I've had to:
replace rotors, drums, pads, shoes
fix an moderately serious oil leak
replace springs and shocks
shift linkage bushings
replace steering rack
tie rods/control arms
radiator/hoses/etc
ac compressor
new ball joints
replace clutch
water pump
timing belt
ac pulley
muffler
and lot of standard maintenance stuff: filters, hoses, plugs, wires, cap-n-rotor, etc.
I keep thinking "well, I've replaced darn near every moving part, it should be stable now, right?" and then something else breaks or falls off.
Right now the brakes are still screwy, and just today it started hesitating and sputtering on me on the way to work.
It doesn't help that I got seriously screwed over by two different mechanics replacing things that weren't broken, breaking things outright, or charging me for work they didn't do.
I don't have the ability or resources to do much of any work myself, so I am at the mercy of the mechanics.
I've also stuck a ton of time fixing the carpet and seats, and spent a bunch more money on stuff like a new windshield, window tint, stereo, better wheels/tires, replace auto seatbelts with manual, right side mirror, dash with a tach, interval wipers, etc.
What do y'all use as a rule of thumb for how much a "cheap" car is worth in time and money? I just want it to be reliable... too much to ask of a 15 year old car? My other festy is 100% trouble free, but has fewer miles... (and is unavailable to me as my mom has it).
Anywho, rant, rant, vent, vent, etc, etc.
I bought my stinktiva with the intent of it being cheap, reliable transportation. I expected to have to stick some money in to it as it is a older, used car, but things are just spiraling out of control.
When do you just give up and cut your losses?
In the last six months, I've had to:
replace rotors, drums, pads, shoes
fix an moderately serious oil leak
replace springs and shocks
shift linkage bushings
replace steering rack
tie rods/control arms
radiator/hoses/etc
ac compressor
new ball joints
replace clutch
water pump
timing belt
ac pulley
muffler
and lot of standard maintenance stuff: filters, hoses, plugs, wires, cap-n-rotor, etc.
I keep thinking "well, I've replaced darn near every moving part, it should be stable now, right?" and then something else breaks or falls off.
Right now the brakes are still screwy, and just today it started hesitating and sputtering on me on the way to work.
It doesn't help that I got seriously screwed over by two different mechanics replacing things that weren't broken, breaking things outright, or charging me for work they didn't do.
I don't have the ability or resources to do much of any work myself, so I am at the mercy of the mechanics.
I've also stuck a ton of time fixing the carpet and seats, and spent a bunch more money on stuff like a new windshield, window tint, stereo, better wheels/tires, replace auto seatbelts with manual, right side mirror, dash with a tach, interval wipers, etc.
What do y'all use as a rule of thumb for how much a "cheap" car is worth in time and money? I just want it to be reliable... too much to ask of a 15 year old car? My other festy is 100% trouble free, but has fewer miles... (and is unavailable to me as my mom has it).
Anywho, rant, rant, vent, vent, etc, etc.
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