Time to replace car or not?

[TheOtherMe]

I drive a 1994 Honda Civic with 122K miles on it. When I got the oil changed in December, I was told the power steering was leaking and whatever that is needs to be replaced. I was also told that it needed new struts.

Looking online last night, it appears it will cost me at least $2K to get this done.

I've put about $2K in to the car in the last two years. Do you think it's time to throw in the towel and start over since that is about what I have for a down payment on a new to me car?

Advice please and thank you.

[Deleted]

Don't worry about the power steering. You can add fluid to it if it feels like it is getting hard to steer.

Do you feel like the struts need to be replaced? The car will not corner well and will not take bumps well if the struts are shot. If they do need to be replaced they should not cost that much. Call around to some independent garages.

Keep the car, it is just getting broken in.

[TheOtherMe]

I was hoping I could just keep adding powering steering fluid.

I don't feel anything with the struts. They wrote the "rear control arm brushings separating" regarding the struts.

Regarding the power steering fluid, they wrote pump leaks, possible return fitting.

On the C/V boots and shafts, they wrote RF axle seal seeps/inner boot leaks at clamp.

I found the paper they gave me. I knew there were three things, not just two.

[TheOtherMe]

I'm trying to figure out if it's a pile of shit. I put struts on it about 10 years ago.

I had the timing belt work done in July 2009.

Had to replace the transmission at a cost of $1500 in the summer of 2010.

Had to replace emergency brake last summer.

It's starting to rust out. It's got some dents and dings. Yes, I'd have to spread the work out so I appreciate the advice on how to spread it out.

Dealer is where I've taken the car since I moved here. They said power steering and struts were immediate repairs followed by the axles.

This car spent most of it's life in Colorado, where it's very dry. The paint is shot from the years I didn't have a garage.

Like I said, I've put at least $2K in to this car in the last two years and now another $2K? That would have been a long way towards a different car.

[Deleted]

Timing belt is normal maintenance for 100K, so I would not include that in the 'recent repair costs'.
Transmission is unusual at that mileage for that car, was there a recall that paid it down to costing only $1500

I agree, investing another 2K is probably worthwhile. I think you are suffering more from being sick of this car since you have driven it the last 17 years!!

What could you sell this car for in its current condition? That + repair costs is what you would have to put down on a new car. If you have not been saving regularly towards a new car already, what kind of loan payment can you handle in your current budget?

[TheOtherMe]

I was thinking a 2010 or 2011 or maybe new after I talked to my credit union. I've been told my niece is an excellent negotiator and I have absolutely no skills at that. I've always ended up paying sticker and told her when the time came for a new car, she's going to do the negotiating.

[TheOtherMe]

I have an actual estimate now. It's $900 for the three items needed and I'm going to repair the car rather than replace it.

[TheOtherMe]

And $325 of it is covered by a warranty, so my out of pocket is even less.

I just saw the question about the transmission repair. It's a stick shift, so the repair is much less than if it was an automatic. I would not have repaired an automatic transmission.

[TheOtherMe]

Repair just got less expensive. A friend told me to tell them to repair if possible not replace. They had me come in today to see exactly what needs to be done. There is nothing wrong with the power steering except that it needed a new clamp on a hose. That has been done.

The shocks only need new bushings, nothing more. Cost $128.80 plus tax.

The CV axle does not replaced but that is not out of my pocket. Very happy tonight.

[TheOtherMe]

Excellent news for me!

[TheOtherMe]

Ended up costing me out of pocket $168. I'm happy. Car seems to be running great.

[TheOtherMe]

I guess they did fix something. It doesn't sound the same. I hope it sounds different because they fixed something rather than because something else is wrong. ;D