Nickel and Dime
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Nickel and Dime
The wife's car - 2002 Grand Prix GT. 3.8 loaded to the max. Has 61K miles on it.
It's been a outstanding car for her since new, but we feel it's reaching the point where it's just going to keep asking for money. Some issues it has as we speak.
Front suspension squeaks over a bump, t-stat is going south or is south. The tires are shot, 2 bad resistors in the HVAC blower motor and the trunk is just starting to leak water. Not due to rust, weatherstripping is probably done for.
It's been daily driven all it's life, a few out of state trips and was her transport for college. She now drives 30 miles a day for work.
What would you do guys usually do in these scenarios? Trade for something else or fix?
It's been a outstanding car for her since new, but we feel it's reaching the point where it's just going to keep asking for money. Some issues it has as we speak.
Front suspension squeaks over a bump, t-stat is going south or is south. The tires are shot, 2 bad resistors in the HVAC blower motor and the trunk is just starting to leak water. Not due to rust, weatherstripping is probably done for.
It's been daily driven all it's life, a few out of state trips and was her transport for college. She now drives 30 miles a day for work.
What would you do guys usually do in these scenarios? Trade for something else or fix?
Last edited by AspenF150; Apr 7, 2012 at 09:49 AM. Reason: gramm er
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
you could fix all those problems for way less then the cost of replacing the car. If that is the same 3.8 engine gm uses in their buicks,it is a damned good engine. A friend I work with drives a lesabre or regal with that engine and it has over 300,000 miles,never been opened up.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
If you haven't been changing the coolant every three years, then change the intake gaskets. Dexcool turns acidic at about that time, even though they say five years, and eats the gaskets. Sometimes they leak into the oil.
I prefer a universal long life non-silicate coolant for everything.
I prefer a universal long life non-silicate coolant for everything.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: Rogue River, Oregon
Sounds like a good car, but what I want to know is how do you own a car for a decade, use it as a daily driver and only rack up 61K miles in that vast time span? I've had my F250 for 3 years, used it for a daily driver for two years (8 mile commute to work) and put 30K on it in that time span. You must live really close to everything you need, and I'd just fix the car myself.
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
All of that is simple stuff to fix. I've done thermostats in the parking lot at the parts store before. I would recommend getting a Failsafe thermostat so when it fails it locks in the open position. Tires are normal maintenance, weatherstripping is fairly cheap and easy to replace, and resistors aren't much of a problem. I see absolutely no reason to sell that car with only 61k miles on it and minor maintenance needing done. Unless of course you want to get another vehicle anyways.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga, NY
A guy once told me, I can spend $2k fix what it needs and know what I have or I can spend $2k and buy another car and not have a clue what I have. Small potatoes, fix it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Some of this stuff you can fix if motivated, anything else farmed out and in about no time you'll once again have a reliable, dependable car with NO PAYMENTS!
Now if the wife is just in that "gotta have a new car........" mode I can't help ya there!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
joedown
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Feb 14, 2016 10:19 AM