Mechanics: What would you do?

[BigBear]

Question 1: Would you invest in owned car or trade in for a newer used car?

Question 2: If keep, do you have an estimate that repairs might cost and a time frame that I'd be without the car?

Details: '97 Honda Civic, 2 door coupe. 165+K miles. Engine is great. Car is paid for, no payments.

Needs: Suspension (complete I believe), rotors, brakes, battery.

I've been in contact with some mechanic shops and they quote the suspension work alone as about $2K. The car itself is barely worth $800. With winter coming on I was hoping to make it a little safer for my drive. It is just a beater car I use to get to work/range/around town, but I don't have the money for a new car and I do want to drive this one into the ground (safely) as it's paid off, etc.

So, the suspension is weird as it handles corners decently but when I hit a bump or a pothole, the car will literally fishtail and bounce a little until I get going straight again. I believe I'm a pretty decent driver but this can be the death of me in an ice/rain storm.

Brakes are just plain worn and I need to replace them. They squeal, takes longer to stop, can feel them catching, etc. Last time I rotated the tires I peeked at the rotors and they are scored quite badly. Pads are almost bare. Been quoted about $400 for brakes and rotors.

Finally, take $3K and fix the car and drive it till it dies or use that money to put a downpayment (or buy outright if I can find) a newer used car with hopefully less problems?

Your advice is greatly appreciated. The wife and I are bouncing back and forth on what to do...

[JoeT]

Pick up the brakes pads and rotors at an auto parts store and bring them over my house. I'll teach you how to do them for the cost of good conversation over a couple beers. . . in about an hour, you'll learn to never pay to have brakes done again

While it's up on my lift, we can take a look at the suspension. . . while I dont have a press, it may be as simple as swapping out some shocks, again a DIY job

and the battery is a 5 minute swap...

[nogaroheli]

Bear, youre getting taken at those prices. Suspension (shocks/struts at least) should be under $500, brakes (pads/shoes/disks/rotors) should be less than $300, battery under $100, this is for parts. Offer a little cash/trades even beer and im sure you could get some help pretty quick (I'm up for helping and i work cheap these days- like beers ) .
I hope that helps a little. The least expensive car is usually the one you already own.

[MichiganMilitia]

JoeT,

We need more helpful fellas like you in this town.

[cebeu]

JoeT,

We need more helpful fellas like you in this town.

+1, you are a good man JoeT to extend that kind of offer / assistance.

[hip55]

If you don't know when the timing belt was changed (or if it has more than 70,000 miles on it), plan on changing that ASAP.

When it fails (and they will) the valves will stop in place and be bent by the pistons.

[sniper7]

Pick up the brakes pads and rotors at an auto parts store and bring them over my house. I'll teach you how to do them for the cost of good conversation over a couple beers. . . in about an hour, you'll learn to never pay to have brakes done again

While it's up on my lift, we can take a look at the suspension. . . while I dont have a press, it may be as simple as swapping out some shocks, again a DIY job

and the battery is a 5 minute swap...

sounds like the way to do it right there!

good on you JoeT!

[sniper7]

If you don't know when the timing belt was changed (or if it has more than 70,000 miles on it), plan on changing that ASAP.

When it fails (and they will) the valves will stop in place and be bent by the pistons.

I second that as well.

hondas with timing belts and Subarus w/ timing belts are notorious for t-belt breakage causing engine seizure and ultimate replacement.

Look at picking up a timing belt and a water pump for it as well. best to do them at the same time because the t-belt has to come off to change the water pump.

this is another DIY job.


here is how you do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmasxgJdXJ8

[StagLefty]

Good Man JoeT-I don't know Bear personally but I can tell when a guy needs a hand and will appreciate it.

[nogaroheli]

I wish I had a lift, so jealous Joet!

I've got a press we can use for struts too.