Wheels on fire
The old Civic has had two incidents of running hot in the last four months, both of which seemed to be fixed by throwing money at it. But it did it again today. It already has a new radiator and a new thermostat—unfortunately the next thing to consider is damn expensive (head gasket). Maybe it’s time to buy a new car this weekend. Ten years and 164,000 miles is a good run for a car, isn’t it? But... I am so not in the mood to deal with car-buying schmack. And the new Civics are so damn ugly.
7 comments:
Yes, you got your money's worth.
My Accord was good for 12 years, but it only had 85,000 miles.
Then we started having expensive problems (front end repairs, starter motor gone) and realized that it was time to let her go.
I think that the new Civics look okay. And, you have other options. You live in New England now, so consider a RAV-4. They look nice, are okay on gas, and get you through the snow.
I have one thing to say:
W.
R.
X.
:)
Wait, isn't that three things to say? :D
The verdict came in today on the old Civic: it is the head gasket after all, the cost estimate a cool $1000. But get this - I think my lazy nature is taking over, we're going to fix it instead of buying a new car! I know, I know, it's crazy, but the truth is I just don't feel like buying a new damn car this weekend. Somebody please remind me to revisit the new car plan, though, before the next major repair, okay? Sometime when I can warm up to the idea and not feel like I have to before my old car blows up? I don't work well under pressure...
My rule is that if the cost of the repair is greater than 30% of the value of the car, then it's time to let it go. If you were going to sell the car privately, you'd need to fix the head gasket anyway so doing the repair may not be such a bad idea. But, I think the writing is on the wall. Think about getting through the winter with this car and buying something new in Spring.
Hondas tend to keep on keeping on, don't they? I have a 14 year old Honda Integra (known as the Acura Integra in your neck of the woods) with 164,000kms on it. I expect to drive it until it grinds to a halt, dramatically, somewhere unexpected. No one else would want it: it's covered in dog hair and pieces of old chewed-up tennis ball...
Three, one, who's counting?! ;)
BTW, I saw the new Civic just this morning. It looks pretty cool. Or maybe you can consider buying a used Civic. would be a better move financially. :)
The Civic looks cool from some angles (including, I must acknowledge, the pic in the link I gave) but all squishy and bulbous from others. Blah!
I shoulda dropped that Acura engine inside the current car like you said... :)
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