What to do now

[79rustyk10]

So the escort zx2 DD work car crapped out on me yesterday. Something broke inside the transmission. I thought it was a cv shaft, but no such luck. I've had this car almost two years to the day, has been pretty great until this. I bought it with 150k on it, now it has 195k miles. There's a bit of rust, but nothing unreasonable for the age. It's pretty much a perfect car for how much I have to drive for work.

Do you guys think it's worth spending $250 to $300 on a transmission for it? I'd probably do a clutch at the same time. Or would it be best to pull the good parts and send it to the junkyard? I'm kinda at a crossroads, I'd rather not have a car payment, but I know it's a necessary evil at times.

 

[tRustyK5]

Depends on how much you bought it for...

If it was a $500 car, crush it and buy another one. OTOH, if it runs great and you like it, it's still kinda worth it from a standpoint of dealing with the devil you know, versus the devil you don't. Easy to say go buy another cheap car, but it could have other issues quickly too...and more costly.

 

[79rustyk10]

I paid two grand for it. It does need a new flex pipe and a wheel bearing badly, but otherwise I really can't complain. I'm gonna drive my dad's bronco until I get it straightened outt, so I'm not in too much if a tight spot.

 

[tRustyK5]

Oh hell, I'd fix it for sure. Same coin I paid for my E36, it has/had issues that I fix as they come up too. Just gotta recognize the point where it'll be broke down more than running and get rid of it before that.

 

[Blue85]

I always think of it in terms of how the car would be if it was fixed. What would it cost me to buy another car like that? And what could I sell/scrap the broken one for? Is that difference worth a day or two of labor and the parts? How much you have into the car is irrelevant, since that is "sunk". (unless we're talking a lot of aftermarket parts, then you have to do the math about parting the car out or transferring to another similar car).

When you're buying lower-priced used cars, there are always problems with the replacement car as well, so don't get too caught up in the "grass is greener" mindset. I think to a large extent, the question is whether or not you like the car.

 

[Stomis]

IMO with a throw away beater car $1000 has to get you around for a year. If you bought the thing for 2 grand and have gotten around for 2 years then go for it and fix the thing. If $300 is gonna get you around for another 3 months, fix it. Keep in mind I hardly ever equate my time as a cost but some people do.

 

[Highpsi]

I think these guys have given some great advice. I know for me I go through a new DD beater car once every 4 or 5 years. Living in the rust belt, it just doesn't pay for me to hang on to one too long once a huge repair job comes up.

If the transmission replacement is a relatively straightforward job and you have the tools and feel comfortable doing it, go for it.

What usually sways me the other way to be tempted to buy another beater is if I find one on CL and it seems too good to pass up. Hondas, Toyotas, etc. when you find a nice Accord or a Camry or something that NEVER breaks down in good shape for right price I usually try to jump on those.

 

[Deuling]

It's a hard decision. I got almost 3 years out if my $1300 Grand Prix and put $500 or so into fixes and some front tires along the way.

But in the last 4 months I had a lot of stuff start going. Starter on thanksgiving that I changed in the snowy driveway in 0* temps, water pump in the same conditions, and a couple other things. For me, I got a new job doing what I like/wanted/went to school for and the unreliability was no good. I do not like to have to call my boss and say my car won't start etc....

Not worth it. I bought a new car and I'm perfectly happy with my decision. I'd rather have a payment than have the unreliability. Not so sure about having to wash it and clean it all the time though... I washed da spaceship one time ever and that was for my interview lol.

 

[diesel4me]

Around here if you shop around at salvage yards,a used Escort trans will sell for 100-300 bucks,and the other parts you need for it can probably be found on a salvage yard donor cheap too--often I see cars and trucks that had a lot of new parts installed like drive axles,exhaust systems,etc,just before they ended up being junked due to rust or an accident,etc..

If you like the car,the rest of it isn't rotted out,and is worth the effort,I would just fix it...just swapping plates and inspecting a car here and the insurance can cost 400+ bucks by the time you pay sales tax,and other fees..

 

[snowdriver]

i would probably fix it and run it,then think about finding another dd,a cheap one to have as a backup