When to call it quits on a vehicle..

[def90]

So... I have a 2006 Dodge Dakota that I bought used, had been previously owned by a small town maintenance dept in Southern Colorado. Had clutch rebuilt a year ago November, paid somewhere around $1800. This past August the clutch went again, the repair shop said that the pilot bearing sleeve was shot and that a replacement part wasn't available so they had a machine shop make a new sleeve, repair was around $1800. End of November had a vibration in the front, thought it was a wheel bearing as I had one replaced before under similar circumstances about a year and a half ago, at that time they notified me that my front suspension was shot and needed ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings and so on, I skipped on those repairs for the time being, well the shop this time says that the suspension parts are the source of the vibration so I rebuild the front end, another $2800. Now this week my clutch goes again, this time it's the slave cylinder. They get it in the shop and confirm the slave cylinder in their words destroyed itself and let shards of plastic and metal go in the transmission housing, guy says he fished most of it out via a magnet but recommended pulling the transmission to get the rest of the pieces. Well they pull the transmission and are telling my that the pilot bearing sleeve is shot as well as I need the clutch rebuilt again as well as u-joints.. price right now is $1300 just to get it put back together with a new slave cylinder with no other work just to get it on the road.

Problem is my payoff balance is $3100..

At what point do you walk away?

I have $4600 in it from the last 4 months, need to put another $1300 in to it just to get it back to driving condition for who knows how long, I'm guessing the shop wants another $2800 to do everything they say it needs.

Do I just say fuck it, pay off the $3100 which puts me at $7700 in to the thing and just walk away and get a new truck? Or suck it up, spend the additional $2800 or whatever and hope I get another 6 months out of it?

[Martinjmpr]

That's a tough call but I'd vote for "stop throwing good money after bad." Pay off the loan and see if you can sell what's left for parts. From its history it seems that this thing is only going to cost you more money the longer you keep it.

In the past when I've had to finance an older vehicle, I've always tried to pay them off as quickly as possible, especially if they were older, so I would never find myself in the situation you're in: Owing money on a vehicle that needs costly repairs.

And next time you buy a vehicle - see if you can pay cash and have no payment.

[ray1970]

It isn?t any of my business but how are you still making payments on a fourteen year old vehicle?

[def90]

It isn?t any of my business but how are you still making payments on a fourteen year old vehicle?

Bought it used, I've had it a couple years, have 1 year left on loan. I also had shitty credit at the time I purchased due to the housing crash in '08 so interest rate sucked.

[20X11]

I think you need a new mechanic.

[def90]

I think you need a new mechanic.

4 different mechanics.. I've lived in Boulder for 19 years and have yet to find a mechanic I trust.. Then again my other vehicle 2002 Jeep Wrangler has only had to go in the shop once in which I took it to the dealer. This truck is turning in to a money pit. ANyone know of a good shop in Boulder?

[Bailey Guns]

Ouch... That's a tough situation to be in.

The $1300 repair bill is a bit under half the payoff. If it were me I'd forego the repairs and pay it off. Then sell it for whatever I could get out of it. I certainly wouldn't put any more money into it at this point considering it's not even worth the payoff amount. If you put another $1300 in it you still owe $3100. I don't see how that would help the situation at all.

[Mtneer]

4 different mechanics.. I've lived in Boulder for 19 years and have yet to find a mechanic I trust.

Mountain Auto Repair in NoBo has been good for us on the F-150 over many years. If you had a Toyota, Charlies would be the hands-down choice.

[henpecked]

AutoWrench used to be in boulder, now they are in southwest Longmont.

201 Price Rd, Longmont, CO 80501
Hours:
Open ⋅ Closes 5PM
Phone: (303) 443-8779

I can tell you that Dave is a honest mechanic. The reviews online also say that.
He is usually 2 weeks out before he can even look at a vehicle.

[Martinjmpr]

4 different mechanics.. I've lived in Boulder for 19 years and have yet to find a mechanic I trust.. Then again my other vehicle 2002 Jeep Wrangler has only had to go in the shop once in which I took it to the dealer. This truck is turning in to a money pit. ANyone know of a good shop in Boulder?

Wait, you have another vehicle? Then definitely dump that lemon and be done with it. Save your $$ for something better and drive the Jeep in the meantime.