My car. I'm done.

[LS2JSTS]

My advice would hinge on your projected budget. If you plan to go out and buy a $3,000-4,000 car, then I'd say stick with the problems you know instead of buying someone elses.

If you have the budget for a 2-3 year old Cobalt(eco) or a Focus, then go for it. Sounds like it might be the end of the line for the Cav.

This was your grandfathers car, right?

 

[StevieC]

Heck you could probably buy a couple year old Hyundai Elantra for that price and have a heck of a reliable car that probably has warranty left!

 

[The Critic]

Sorry to hear.

I would get a cheap Fusion instead of a Focus. You'll be much happier with the Fusion and it is miles ahead both quality and durability wise. I see new Fusion SEs with SYNC advertised for 18K with 0% for 60 months.

 

[Bill in Utah]

I'd get something with a few years and a LOT less $$.

Let someone else take the $$ hit and get all the bugs out.

A LOT of very good vehicles out there for good price.

Bill

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
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.


I did buy the Fusion with 38K and some warranty. It's been a fine car this last year with no regrets, and for that matter the Focus has been trouble free as well.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Heck you could probably buy a couple year old Hyundai Elantra for that price and have a heck of a reliable car that probably has warranty left!

For 3 or 4 grand? I havent priced them, that would be a good deal. A 2-3 year old Focus is still in the 7,000-9,000 range.

Around here the average 3,000 car is a small step above a hoopdee.

 

[OVERKILL]

Nick:

Do you feel your recent oil weight experimentation had any bearing on the current oil pressure issue?

Just curious.

You've put a LOT of time and effort into that car. And it really doesn't seem to want to cooperate with you.

I think your choice of a newer Focus (or Fusion) is a good one. The little weapon we just picked up for my wife for $500.00 is fantastic. Needed a couple minor things to safety, but for the price... I'm not complaining.

Good luck bud!

 

[StevieC]

Hyundai's a couple years old don't hold their Resale value and considering an Elantra new is going for $13K here a couple grand would be the asking price from what I have seen in Autotrader etc.

They will start holding their resale values as people recognize their long term quality has come leaps/bounds from the early the late 90's - 2000.

Steve

 

[rjundi]

Bummer on timing while in school.

Personally I would purchase the most recent used car you can afford. College is not the time to be weighed down with car payments. Even after graduation life has so much more to offer than new car/payment.

 

[sciphi]

I had a dealer call me saying the 2010 Elantra Blue with ABS was $13,240 after rebates. They want those 2010 Elantras GONE!!!

I had to get my Buick towed to a garage one Sunday last fall to repair a broken brake line. I gladly paid the $200 bill, since it was worth my money to have it done in a few hours, including bleeding.

 

[Ben99GT]

I would try to find a used 2007 era Focus, unless you just want Sync. Reliable cars that handle (and look) better than the 2008+ Focus, IMO.

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Hyundai's a couple years old don't hold their Resale value and considering an Elantra new is going for $13K here a couple grand would be the asking price from what I have seen in Autotrader etc.

They will start holding their resale values as people recognize their long term quality has come leaps/bounds from the early the late 90's - 2000.

Steve


Are you sure you don't work for Hyundai?

 

[StevieC]

Yes I work for Hyundai and Quiznos and where else did people say?

 

[daves87rs]

I agree...toss the cav. I've heard rants like this before, and they usually don't end well. It really sounds like somethind amiss in the engine.

This coming from someone who has had some form of the jbody platform for the last 15 years....


Don't buy new, it's not worth it (yet). If you can still live with another Cav, try for the 03-05 years with the Ecotec. They are usually cheap, and seem to do pretty well (since I have two right now) Or if you can, a early 00s Civic (I know, but they are dependable and won't rust as fast) Hope something comes up for you...

 

[Spyder7]

I would scrap it and start looking for something else as well. You've described several of my own 'call it quits on a car' criteria:

- no longer reliable, and you wonder if it'll strand you in the worst place and the worst time;

- the feeling of being nickel and dimed to death on seemingly endless repairs;

- the fun factor has morphed into a dread factor.

There are always options in any given price point. If you decide to go used, look hard before you leap. On my previous car, after the loan paperwork got delayed, I got inpatient, and the same day the approval finally came, I bought the first car I looked at without looking it over as carefully as I should have. Wound up losing a lot of money on that one (it was also a jinx, or cursed, as I've never had such bad luck with any car). Best of luck to you!

-Spyder

 

[Stu_Rock]

Nick, I'm sorry to hear about the car. I've been there--it's no fun.

Originally Posted By: eljefino
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...

Agree 100% with eljefino. This car is not worth the trouble of fixing at home and a mechanic will cost more than it's worth.

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Or if you can, a early 00s Civic (I know, but they are dependable and won't rust as fast) Hope something comes up for you...

I shudder at this idea. We have an '02 Civic EX. It hasn't given any trouble (only 52K miles on it), but it's an awful car. Its value is way too high for what it is. There are much better choices for that money (nevermind that in case you are a potential buyer for it).

 

[NHHEMI]

This is why I just do not mess around with used vehicles anymore. I buy new and keep until the warranty is out and then generally sell. You are going to pay no matter what you do. Either car payments for a while or for repairs on something every few months. Just no avoiding it.

 

[Spyder7]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
This is why I just do not mess around with used vehicles anymore. I buy new and keep until the warranty is out and then generally sell. You are going to pay no matter what you do. Either car payments for a while or for repairs on something every few months. Just no avoiding it.


A 13 year run on anything would be considered pretty decent. Used cars usually come with some kinks, that is part of their charm.

 

[KrisZ]

It's always tuff to draw the final line between keeping the car and ditching it, especially after significant effort and money was put in to keep the car on the road.
Nick I would ditch that car as well, you can't afford down time and uncertainty while going to school.
The problem is getting another used car that is in good shape. Buying used is always tricky and takes time, which you don't have since you are going back to school soon. I suggest you ask someone from your family if you can borrow their car for a week or two, provided they have a secondary car, while you are looking for yours. The last thing you want is to rush into something just because you need it now. Even if you buy something 3-4 year old, you can still get an abused POS that will give you nothing but trouble. So, take your time and arrange an alternative transportation just in case you can't find something decent for the right money.

 

[Johnny]

Nick, really sorry to hear this. That was/is a very clean little Caviler you have. Has anyone ever checked the oil pump on that car? Just wondering because of the strange noise and the fact the oil pressure light comes on at low rpm.

 

[The_Jeff]

Think back five years. Was the cavalier a decent ride at that point in its life? Would you buy it again? If so, a 2002 may be for you. (I know you weren't driving it...)

My 97 van is giving me the heebie jeebies and the 2002s and 03s look GREAT in comparison.