Daily driver... Replace or renew???

Anonymous-0 · Feb 10, 2012

That time again.... Wife is after me to replace my DD and I hate to.... Passes saftey, brake, and emmissions every year, no rust, starts like a new one, etc....
Not the quickest or the best on MPG but I think it's acceptable... 97 Kia sportage with a frame and no unibody... all solid... The 2 liter 90 hp motor leaves some to be desired on short trips but you can live with it...
Decent replacement is 5k + bucks.. Just had this one cleaned and undercoated last year, can put 500 bucks into a good detailing and go over it as far as brakes, etc and another 500 for tires and a paintjob...

What's the general opinion??? Replace with a used I know nothing about or redo what I have???

Thanks, Dave

sixtyninegmc · Feb 10, 2012

Sounds like you already know what you want to do. $500 for a paintjob? That is dirt cheap around here, I`m jealous. It sounds like the Kia has given you no problems, so I would guess you to be money ahead, an with less frustration to keep what you have. Granted, my philosophy has always been to run them until they don`t run no more, why get a new car if the old one still runs?

Mike (WA) · Feb 10, 2012

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Applies to situations, as well as machines. Does she want to replace it just because its old? How many miles?

I'd stick with a known quantity, the replacement may be a lemon. I just got rid of a Lincoln with 225K miles. Bought a 00 Buick to replace it- heckuva deal at $2,500, only 107K miles.

So far, have sunk over 5 grand into it in repairs- but sure runs nice now!

Far as I know, the '95 Lincoln is still chuggin' along. . .

Wish I had the financial means to get a new car, just because I want one. But I don't, without eating up retirement fund. So I'll continue to drive nice older cars, and be happy.

ILLEFTY · Feb 10, 2012

Dave, Start pricing a Porsche, Ferarri, or something in those price ranges. She might not be so worried about replacing it for a while.
Steve

big fred · Feb 10, 2012

Pretty tough to justify replacement based on fuel economy. My old daily driver was a 15mpg F-150, and I wanted to replace it with a new passenger car. I ended up with my Scion Xb, and even at 27mpg the payoff wasn't there. Of course, I went with a new car instead of a used car, so you might get it to pencil out, but when you factor in that the money you put into a newer vehicle could have been invested, even with a ROI as little as 3-4%, it probably won't pay off. But, you hopefully end up with a car that will last longer, so you've essentially just put off the inevitable for a few years.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 10, 2012

about 150k miles... She wants me to take her 06 sorento so she can get something newer (she ain't foolin noone...)... Only problem I had with it was the auto frt hubs that I replaced with manuals... 500 bucks for a paintjob is just a swag... prolly much less depending on where I go... Not looking for a show car, just a serviceable/durable finish.... Out of curiosity, what kind of compression should I expect if I do a test? Does good compression mean good motor??

Anonymous-0 · Feb 10, 2012

Your 5K replacement is likely to need all the the one you have
now needs so 5k PLUS 500 detailing PLUS 500 undercoating
PLUS 500 tires(must be cheap tires) and are you sure thats all it
will need. I am a firm believer in using what i have and when I'm
done so is it. Most times what a monthly payment on a new one
would be is way more than what a one time repair is and I'm 11
payments ahead. :>)

Anonymous-0 · Feb 10, 2012

I'm a real tightwad.... Only pay cash for vehicles because full coverage insurance is too expensive here... Always bought cars for a couple hundred bucks off ebay and ran them til repairs cost more than another car. Cash for clunkers (german version) put a stop to that so I paid 3k for my little sporty for the 4wd... on the 4th year but just can't bring myself to get rid of it. Wish it got a little better mileage, but it's tuff and will go about anywhere... Got a couple russian buddy's that can put a paintjob on it and look real good for the price of the paint and bottle of JD, and a little labor for prep....
Tires are real reasonable. Just gotta make it look nice and stop my dumptser habit so I can keep it around and keep her quiet....

GVSII · Feb 10, 2012

I'd hang on to it.

sixtyninegmc · Feb 10, 2012

Most newer motors are around 125-135 PSI compression, all plugs out, throttle wide open and less than 5 turns of the motor. That is just a ballpark, they all vary a little. As long as the timing belt has been replaced, and there is no metal in the oil or filter, and good compression, I would trust the motor. Those little sportages are TOUGH! You really should be able to double the miles on the clock before it fails you, and it is not like you are losing value on a new car by hanging on to it.

Billy Shafer · Feb 10, 2012

My truck is a 1990 F150. I was looking at used trucks until I saw the sticker price. Think I will keep fixing it up.

Fawteen · Feb 10, 2012

If it ain't nickel and diming ya, keep it. Gas and
upkeep is cheaper than a car payment.

Take that $400 or so a month you'd be making a car
payment with and stash it. By the time you NEED a
replacement, you'll be darn near able to pay cash
for it.

snoopnc · Feb 10, 2012

Sounds like she wants a new car for herself and you can "upgrade" to what she is driving.

Just keep yours and sell/trade what she has for a new ride for her.

kruser · Feb 10, 2012

You have Amish over there?
Bought this used Yoder Toter from Rusted Nuts for the wife's DD. Was going to go in to business for myself but couldn't pass my YTL.
PS: Back seats are now my lawn chairs.

36 Coupe · Feb 10, 2012

Ive done the same with my 96 f150.I looked at used trucks,prices are crazy.You can buy a new truck for less money.I know whats wrong with my truck.It does all the work I need from it.My dog likes the truck,he shows his teeth to anyone who touches it.

rrlund · Feb 10, 2012

I'll tell you what I did just yesterday. My brother is taking a newer truck in on trade. Wants to sell it to me for something in the neighborhood of $15,000. So,I went to the tire store and put 6 new tires on my old one to the tune of $845 so I'd have a good excuse to keep the one I've got.

Doug in Illinois · Feb 10, 2012

You must have got one of the good Sportage's in
that vintage. We had a 96 (bought used) with less
than 100K when we traded it off that we had to
replace all the front axle bearings, the CV
joints, and also had electrical problems.
Transmission was on the way out when we traded it.

I used to work in a body shop, and am able to
quickly spot any car that has been in a flood.
This one had all the symptoms of flood damage, but
no evidence of it, meaning all the wire
connections were clean, fluids were clean, no
frame "rust". Even the inside of the door panels
were clean. That usually a flood damage indicator
most people miss.

But, having said that, if yours is giving no
problems I would keep it. DOUG

oldtanker · Feb 10, 2012

Lets see, happy wife=happy you.....ROFL!

Ya know she's going to win....so get whatever else you can outta her to amke the deal....ROFL.

I got it made. I make the car/truck buying decisions......as long as hers is a Suburban!

Rick

JDseller · Feb 12, 2012

I would trade the wife's newer car in on what she wants. Your older car is not worth much on trade and you know the history of it. I have several newer vehicles but usually just drive my 1990 Dodge 3/4 ton diesel 5 sp around. It is noisy and rides rough but it has 345,000 miles(odometer quit five year ago)and still drives/starts great. The wife says she will just keep it around to bury me in and save money on the coffin. LOL.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 12, 2012

she keeps harpin on mine.... she likes hers and don't wanna replace it (so she says).. Just keeps yakkin about mine.... Seat heaters and a couple goodies would be nice, but I just can't see lettin mine go.....

Daily driver... Replace or renew???

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member