Fix or sell?

[matt'sgirl]

Matt's 1993 Explorer was driving awfully and making terrible noises when I braked, so I took it in this morning...

It needs $600 worth of work. Car has 105,000 miles on it, in pretty good shape (he just paid about $700 to fix three of the power windows that wouldn't stay up). Mechanic says it needs new radius arm bushings, rivets, also new front brakes and rotors.

Is it worth the work? Will this thing keep going? I think he's worried because he just dropped several hundred on it a couple months ago, and now something else has come up again.

I know it's a personal question, but any advice would really be appreciated.

Thanks y'all.

 

[Lt.Jim]

Welcome to the site. If Matt is mechanicaly inclined he can do the work himself for a fraction of the cost a mechanic. Check this link on replacing the RA bushings. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...ing+replacement Its not that hard and the materials would be less then $40.

As far as the breaks go they are not too difficult either. Do a search and you should be able to find all the information you need. Good luck.

 

[matt'sgirl]

Thanks Lt. Jim! Unfortunately Matt is a long way from mechanically-inclined. I could probably do it more easily than he could.

Is it worth repairing, or is it time for a car payment? I think he might ought to hang on to it, it seems like a pretty solid machine...

 

[Lt.Jim]

Th RA bushings are a common problem with these vehicles. Bushings and breaks would not make me get rid of mine. Maybe you or a friend who can turn a wrench should take a shot at it.

 

[LBarr2002]

With only 105,000 miles on it, I'd say fix it. I've got two still going strong with over 220,000 on them. I look at it this way...Would you rather have a several hundred dollar a month car payment, or a several hundred dollar repair every few months?

 

[Jason94sport]

Depends on your situation. If I didn't have a another car I'd never get a old Explorer as a daily driver. The X is solid after it gets what repairs are needed. Problems are very common. Easy to fix if you DIY, but $$ if you have to pay someone. If the tranny hasn't gone yet chances are it will soon. That's another $1500.
Again it's depends on your needs. I'd rather have a car payment, & a warranty & piece of mind I'm not likely to be stuck, or paying $$ for repairs evey year.

 

[LBarr2002]

That's true Jason. I have peace of mind because I have a backup. I can either drive the other one or steal parts off it to fix my primary fast...

 

[unclemeat]

You have to pay the parts man or the bank. Consider that a new SUV starts at $25K or about $500 a month, that buys a lot of repairs. My rule of thumb is that if you cannot do at least some of the repairs yourself, then a new car is a better choice.

 

[11lariat]

$700 to fix power windows?! yikes..i'd be on the lookout for a new mechanic..to me it's worth it to fix, but that being said, I do almost all the work on my truck myself, so it's really a toss up..if you like the truck, keep it, thats what it comes down to for me

 

[ma96782]

Sounds like you folks need to evaluate your own, "financial situation, first."

A lot of folks say......let's trade the old car in for something new or newer.....but, the reality is....."Can I/we afford it?"
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Would, I rather be making car payments, plus increased insurance costs?

Or, would I rather buy another used vehicle for cash? (Most everytime, you're making car payments, you'll have to get full coverage insurance.)

Or, would I rather just fix the old vehicle (a learned skill can be helpful)? Or should I just work and get paid, then get someone else to fix my vehicle? Can I afford it? Can I afford the time? Is my time more valuable...working at a job?
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I'm the kind of guy who buys my vehicles w/ cash....it's not that I'm rich or not (cause, I'm far from rich)....it's just that, I don't like making car payments every month. I could use the extra cash for other things. If I can't buy it w/ cash, I'm probably overspending. Same idea applies for the CC use (if I can't pay it off by the end of the month). I try to do as much work as possible, on my own vehicles. I learn in the process.......makes it harder for the auto shop to pull a fast one........and, I have the pride that I can do it myself. I figure a vehicle that will get you reliably (and in reasonable comfort) from point A to B is, "good enough."

My wife, on the other hand thinks, that a nice/newer/more expensive car is, "better," be it a Mercedes, Lexus, or BMW. A small payment every month is acceptable. So, how much is small (when she is thinking luxury car)? Then, add in extra insurance costs.
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Men and women don't think alike.........not saying that it's a bad thing.......I just say it so you understand, where the other sex may be coming from.

Find what is best for your situation.

Aloha, Mark

PS.......The things you mentioned......can be a DIY project. IMHO.....IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT (to get another vehicle).........save yourself the $$$ and get educated in the process.

 

[Jason94sport]

Would, I rather be making car payments, plus increased insurance costs?

I've had 3 different A+ rated insurance Co's(Progressive, AIG, State Farm) since owning my X. Insurance is more expensive in my area at least then my 03 sports luxury coupe.
Full coverage or min coverage.
I asked & they all said because of the age & no airbags.

 

[ma96782]

I guess........bottom line.......shop for insurance and don't forget to include it as part of the price for, "vehicle costs."

I'm carrying just the basic insurance.........no collision or comprehensive.........cause the vehcile is already paid for. Where as, IF I were financing it............I'd have to buy the coverage (usually a condition of the bank's loan).

Aloha, Mark

 

[matt'sgirl]

Thanks for all the help! Y'all are wise and I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

Right now, the plan is to buy the parts and take it over to the local high school auto shop, where they'll fix it for free under the (hopefully watchful) eyes of their instructor.

 

[CVN76]

I think it is worth keeping too. And about those window repairs though, a few months ago I had the same problem. I replaced the power motors on the front two doors and they work great. You can find those motors brand new on ebay ranging for around $50 or so each, depending on who you get them from, and they are not that hard to replace. The only trick I had to learn was Ford only drilled out 2 of the 3 holes you need to get to take out the motors. So it required drilling a simple 1/2 inch hole to get to the 3rd bolt (and it is marked where). Anyway, something to think about when that 4th window goes out.