to buy a car or fix my car... what do you guys think?

[tupacboy]

Hi guys,

So I have 2000 1.8 T passat with a little over 105k miles on it. It died on me today. I think its my starter because the lights/radio/ac turns on fine but won't turn over. My mechanic (the one i trust is gone for the weekend) so it got me thinking, is it time for a new car? what do you guys think?

If I decide to get a new car, it must be under 30k, and now i'm starting to learn toward lease. But I always bought my cars, maybe no more german cars. They seemt to be a lot of hassle to fix after they start to die. Your input is greatly appreciated...:cheers:

[InfiniteNothing]

I don't see how we are supposed to help you decide. Figure out how much going through the trouble of fixing your car is worth and how much driving a new car is worth to you in $ terms. You know your financial situation best. Fix the car and then think about it.

[mechmike0034]

Hi guys,

So I have 2000 1.8 T passat with a little over 105k miles on it. It died on me today. I think its my starter because the lights/radio/ac turns on fine but won't turn over.

This could be something as simple as a corroded battery cable connection.

Have you ever replaced the battery itself?

[tupacboy]

hi mechmike,

battery was replaced less then 2 years ago. Connections were clean, even had AAA come out to see if they could jump it before they towed it away from the public parking lot.

Things in need to fix within a month:

tranmission flush
brakes
smog check
airbag light is on - but online research shows its not worth fixing... vw just has airbag issues on my model...
cabin air filter

my financial situation - i'm pretty stable.

[cheapie]

that's not all that many miles. i'd personally keep it after fixing everything. think about it this way.

it will cost you maybe $600 to fix that. maybe more. maybe less.

if you get a new car you will burn through that in less than three months. as they say, the cheapest car to buy is the one you already have.

[LPMiller]

and yet, they named you cheapie!

New car! New Car! C'mon, you know you want to, why even ask?

[DarkFury]

Hi guys,

So I have 2000 1.8 T passat with a little over 105k miles on it. It died on me today. I think its my starter because the lights/radio/ac turns on fine but won't turn over. My mechanic (the one i trust is gone for the weekend) so it got me thinking, is it time for a new car? what do you guys think?

If I decide to get a new car, it must be under 30k, and now i'm starting to learn toward lease. But I always bought my cars, maybe no more german cars. They seemt to be a lot of hassle to fix after they start to die. Your input is greatly appreciated...:cheers:

You are kidding right? A 6 year old car with 100K on it? C'mon... I'm sure it's far from being "dead"... just paralyzed until you get it fixed. :D

At this point YOU have to make the following determinations:

1) Can I afford to buy a new car?

2) Other than the current problem, has the current car been pretty reasonable on maintenance?

3) How much would it be to get the car fixed... and if fixed, how long can it be expected before it would break again?

4) Am I willing to tie up my finances for about 5 years... or will a small investment in the current car keep me going until I am better able to get a new car?

5) Do I really just want a new car (i.e. some other car out there has been screamin' your name and this is the PERFECT excuse to go get it.)


Pretty much, to me it doesn't sound like your current car is all that bad... just something relatively minor to repair (You gotta expect stuff like that when you hit 100K miles) Are you really tired of this car? If so, then yes... go get a new one. If not, then save your cash for now and just repair this one. :D

[cheapie]

aw yeah. a man after my own heart! don't bury it until it's dead...dead...dead!

[ramazank2]

Changing a stupid hose on my wife's Jetta cost $300!!!

I can't imagine what it'll cost for all those items.

But it is still cheaper than a new car.

[clutchy]

i have a 15 year old honda accord with about 200k miles on it that's been nothing but stellar. made in the USA too.


personally i'd fix it, but i'm somewhat of a wrencher and i do all the maintenance that i'm capable of by myself.

[Houdini]

I'd fix the starter, likely the solenoid, which may or may not be easy on your car. Then I'd find someone with the right equipment to reset your airbag light, as I'm sure that's annoying as hell. 100k miles on a VW isn't bad at all, as long as your CV joints and all are in good shape and you haven't really stressed the car (thrashing it around town, etc.) Personally, I'd stick with the car. Some of that maintenance may be put off for a while as well, though if it's dead right now, it would be a good time to kill time while doing that, if you have the tools and a good spot to work on it. :shrug: I seriously doubt anything major is wrong. VW engines are pretty good. Unless you've modded it to increase HP or something, I'd keep it and fix it, myself if possible.

[blueindian]

i'd keep. heck, i just bought an '02 vw passat with 82k. do keep in mind if you've not had your timing belt changed, you're about up for it. and you should probably replace the water pump and cam tensioner belt while you're in there.

[Houdini]

i'd keep. heck, i just bought an '02 vw passat with 82k. do keep in mind if you've not had your timing belt changed, you're about up for it. and you should probably replace the water pump and cam tensioner belt while you're in there.

:stupid: I'm not a Volks owner, but most cars like that do need timing belts replaced around that time. That can get pricey, and is dicey to do yourself. That's why I like timing chains. :) The water pump is probably pretty easy to swap out. It's usually just a couple of bolts, remove it, place the gasket on the new one, replace it, and then bring the old one back for the core chargeback. When you start hearing chirping and see tiny bits of green stuff dripping from under your car, it's that time. :)

[Kevster]

i have a 15 year old honda accord with about 200k miles on it that's been nothing but stellar. made in the USA too.


personally i'd fix it, but i'm somewhat of a wrencher and i do all the maintenance that i'm capable of by myself.


:stupid:

I have a 10 year old Accord with 90k on it now. I have been putting very low city miles on it the last few years, but that will change with my move to Sacramento. Hell, I just put 1.2k miles on my wife's POS Saturn in a week driving up there and back.

I would have to say fix it man. I had a VW Jetta and I had a starter go out on me too - I was able to change it out myself with little trouble (I also had access to a lift). I put 186,000 miles on that Jetta before the transmission died on me.