My car. I'm done.

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Nick R

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Jul 14, 2009
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I, and we, are done with this thing. So much money, and still not enough. So got new CAT, new O2 sensors, new headgasket. Figured that would solve the CEL right? Nope. Came back on today. Need inspection in two weeks.. Ugh. So then I get back to work after lunch, and the oil pressure light comes on. It is on constantly under I'm guessing 2,000 ish rpm. full oil, but sounds nasty at idle now, loud ticking/knocking noise. Power steering also makes noise when turning. Done. Totally, 100% done. Oh! And go out to move it from behind moms car... Won't start. Crank crank crank crank crank. Nothing. DONE!!!!! NO MORE. I don't mind GM, but this particular cavalier is a piece of junk. Even if I can get it to start, I'm not driving it. I start school in less than 2 weeks and I'll be [censored] if I'm going to drive it 60 miles a day through the worst parts of the area to get to my school. No way. I refuse. I'm not getting stranded in Troy(let) new york.

Most likely going to just get a new Focus, something under warranty, and I'll have to put all my savings toward a down payment, and help my parents make the monthly payment, because I can't do a whole payment myself.
 
The extra expense sucks especially given you are just about to start school BUT you will have a reliable vehicle that will be safer than the one you had and you will feel more secure knowing it isn't going to break down in a scary place.

Maybe consider a Certified Pre-owned as they usually come with a warranty and a service history; definitely cheaper.

Good luck with the car and school, Nick.
 
feel your pain bud.

I completely rebuilt 2 cars and re-worked the carb on my suzuki and got me through -36C w/o block heater and such. Manage to get by reliably w/o being stranded for even just once (school was approx. 1000kms one way from home, and have to travel in the midst of winter to go home and back on a lonely stretch of hiway.)

Sorry, not into domestic at all. I would rather get a VeeDoubleU to get by instead (more pain, still ok for I can still fix them and get them going).

All i need now in this stage in life is something that is capable, yet still fun and worry-free to drive. I don't like being stranded @ 3am on-route to dwntown.

Q-TD
 
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Best of luck! Yours IS one to let go. A million problems that aren't worth the time/effort to fix. Getting stranded en route to a major test isn't worth the risk.

Good luck this fall!
 
Hmmm my 200,000 mile sunfire(same as a cav) runs great 30mpg.
21.gif


instead of throwing parts at something and "hoping" it works one needs to properly and knowledgeably diagnose it. Or you'll just wind up in the situation your presently in.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Most likely going to just get a new Focus, something under warranty, and I'll have to put all my savings toward a down payment, and help my parents make the monthly payment, because I can't do a whole payment myself.

What about a late model Fusion under warranty..I believe the certified ones come with a power train warranty till 75K miles..It's more comfy then a Focus and good on fuel...I think tig1 got his car that way...My whole family got their cars [1 year old] and they all came with that warranty.
 
When it rains, it pours! Been there done that!

Once you get it started, you should do a motor blow video and post it!

Whatever you do, don't get a new car with a high price. Don't burden yourself with a big car loan at your age. Try and find an older maybe one owner perfectly cared for car off Craigslist. The last thing you want right now is to be paying off a car.
 
Originally Posted By: daman
Hmmm my 200,000 mile sunfire(same as a cav) runs great 30mpg.
21.gif


instead of throwing parts at something and "hoping" it works one needs to properly and knowledgeably diagnose it. Or you'll just wind up in the situation your presently in.



Or I'll end up paying someone $500 to look at it and "diagnose it" to have them charge me god knows what to fix it. No thanks, even if we fix it, I only forsee having to fix more and more stuff in the future. It isn't worth it at this point.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I, and we, are done with this thing.
...
I don't mind GM, but this particular cavalier is a piece of junk.

Bummer, man. Sometimes you can throw all your money and time and something and it still turns out bad.

Originally Posted By: Nick R
when the crud hit's the fan, it REALLY hits the fan.

Oh ho ho ho, kids these days. You think THIS is feces hitting rotating equipment? You ain't seen nothin' yet.
56.gif
Believe me, one day you'll look back and realize this wasn't bad in the least.

I don't want to turn this into a pity party micturation marathon, but if you want to find out what a slightly bad day is, feel free to PM me. Friday the 13th lived up to the hype.

If you've got the space for it, you might be able to salvage back some money by parting out the Cavalier (originally spelled with 'av' replaced with 'rap'). Surely someone will want doors, the transmission or wheels.
 
Nick R,

Too bad you are so far from me in Ontario, I would look at it for free and do the work for cheap to help get you back on your feet. (If you can't make the drive or cross the border that is...)

I feel your pain.

If you want to stick with GM, get a Cobalt. Solid engine/trans and cheap to lease and an excellent warranty.

Or a Hyundai. Same thing as GM. Rock solid reliable and cheap.

Steve
cheers3.gif
 
Ugh. People have quit on way less worse cars than that. Look through a junkyard and see!

You can get a lot of car for even $2-3k. College lets you survive without wheels, albeit modestly. You'll be BMOC with a hyundai accent or whatever.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: daman
Hmmm my 200,000 mile sunfire(same as a cav) runs great 30mpg.
21.gif


instead of throwing parts at something and "hoping" it works one needs to properly and knowledgeably diagnose it. Or you'll just wind up in the situation your presently in.



Or I'll end up paying someone $500 to look at it and "diagnose it" to have them charge me god knows what to fix it. No thanks, even if we fix it, I only forsee having to fix more and more stuff in the future. It isn't worth it at this point.

Or learn mechanics(loads of CAR forums on the www)and do it/learn your self.
 
There's a time for learning mechanics, and a time to give it up and call in a professional. I think that given the number of problems the OP's car has, and the financial and academic hardship he could be in when it breaks, he's making a good choice.

I have a week off right now with nothing going on, so I can fix my Buick's issues. It's fixable in a week of afternoons. A stalling car with a persistent CEL is another issue.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Ugh. People have quit on way less worse cars than that. Look through a junkyard and see!

You can get a lot of car for even $2-3k. College lets you survive without wheels, albeit modestly. You'll be BMOC with a hyundai accent or whatever.

+1 That stinks that the car decides to die now... Give yourself a couple days to cool down, being upside down on a new car for years while in school limits your options. Maybe you'll want to go to australia to study for a year or something.
Do you really need a car? I didn't miss not having one and living near campus is much more fun than commuting to home everyday.
 
Originally Posted By: sciphi
There's a time for learning mechanics, and a time to give it up and call in a professional. I think that given the number of problems the OP's car has...


I think the opposite. When one has a 13 year old car that's worth $1300 on a good day and a stack of issues, they had better learn to talke them themselves, cheaply, and not hire out the work. This goes for any older car, except collectibles.

I bet Nick knows more about, and takes more pride in, his car than 99% of 18-19 year olds. So let's go a little easy on him...
 
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