Cars & Motorbikes Do I move on (car issue)

I have a 2003 model car which has done 240,000 ks. The last few years I have had to spend $200-$300 in addition to any regular service/rego check.

I have an issue now that is going to cost me around $700 and involves having a new clutch put in.

When is it time to move on???

More info:
Car would only sell for around $1500
I only use it to drive to work and back, sport and the beach
I probably do 100 kms a week
We have a 2016 SUV for the family.
I don't have to worry about sand and keeping it too clean!

Lastly, I wouldn't be able to sell it without having it repaired. So I see my options as have it repaired and keep going or sell it and cut my losses.

Any thoughts or advice from anyone!

Thanks,

 

now is as good a time as any.

 

On the one hand, the car is only worth $1500 so it seems like spending $700 to keep it going is a lot. However, how much cash would you need to fork out to acquire a new and reliable car? Heaps more. My preference would be to save the large piles of cash for acquiring property or paying down debt.

 

Depends on how long you have had the car,but for 700 bucks repairs then as a spare car it would be better just to keep the car..Cars are worth nothing these days ,at least you have a spare car..

 

If otherwise its going ok, I would just keep it at run it into the ground. Better the devil you know.

Is the clutch actually giving you problems? Slipping or other issues? Or just something that mechanic recommends?

$700 is a small price compared to thousands you will lose on a newer car.

Plus having a car you don't care too much about is always good in my books

 

yep, I don't have any real emotional attachment to this car

 

It's not the clutch. there was a huge oil leak and it requires about 4 hours labour to get it done, but he would have access to the clutch during the required work. It was suggested but not recommended,

 

Rear main seal? Pretty common in higher km..but yeah, clutch change when the box is out makes sense

 

yes that was it!. (i am mechanically deficient )

 

I'm on the "keep it" camp.

I have a 2009 Corolla auto with 210,000 on the clock - and recently had it's coils replaced and a front wheel pump thingie (that's the technical name). Cost for both was around $1,000 - but it still runs perfectly - is worth only around $2-3,000 - and I have no qualms about using it like a ute for carting hay and dogs and water ... always been serviced every 10,000 - and will be handed onto daughter when she learns to drive next year as it's a safe little car (airbags, anti skid etc) and runs on next to nothing.

 

We've just gone through the exercise - car worth very little but written off due to an accident. The replacement isn't cheap. I will be holding it for 10+ years so had to be happy with the new one.

If it needs fixing, I'm in the fix it camp too.

 

700 is a great price for the work involved. I had to get some clutch issues fixed in a relatively new car (8 years old) and my mates rates were higher.
I'm in the fix it camp too. 700 occasionally for a reliable car isn't too bad. Replacement cars are not cheap.

 

What kind of car is it?
I'd sell it and pay a little more to get a reliable 2008 model corolla

 

I think I've come to the conclusion that I will downgrade my vehicle. 4 years old, own it outright and can free up around $25k for investing. I will buy a cheaper car. Unusual situation that after 4 years of owning it, it is potentially worth more than I paid for it. Of course need to wait for the market to confirm that.

Partly Peter Thornhill's words rubbing off on me.

 

2003 Hyundai Sonata. Any reason for that very specific choice of vehicle? Are you selling one

 

Bullet proof.
Or a 4 cylinder Camry.

Both will run fore ever

have a friend who just bought a Rav4 Cruiser 2004 $3000 magic.

Toyotas are durable as they come.

Early Hyundai not so much. (yes every one has a story of an Excel with 400,000kms) hhehehehehehe

 

Nope. But I did own a 2003 model. It was running until last year until my sister got sandwiched between two cars.

The car itself was still driveable after that without any issues, but the repairs for the bodywork made it a statutory write off.

These cars last forever. They are really well built, especially the ones made in Japan (the sedan ones not the hatches).



This ad says it all

 

I read a study some time ago which analysed the cost of owning and running a car. I think it was an RACV study?
Basically, if you own the car outright, it is more cost effective to keep it and pay for the repairs as they come up.
A car only used for work and minor use will eventually get from.240,000 to 340,000 if it is looked after.
Of course, the desire for newer is strong in most people.
The emotional brain overrules rhe financial brain.