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| Author | Message |
 Member Since: 02/19/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 7:54 am This is totally OT, but I'm just looking for some more opinions....
MY DH has a 98 Mountaineer (SUV) and it has about 111,000 miles on it and was told we need to replace the compressor to the A/C, which would cost us $1,000. He would be ok with not having a/c, but was told that if it goes completely, his steering, brakes, and other things could go all at once(never heard of this before)
So our options are to spend the money to have it fixed and hope we can get at least another year or 2 out of this vehicle, or the other option would be to trade it in and buy another new vehicle.
We already are paying on my 2005 Kia Sorento to the tune of $470 a month, with 3 more years to go on the loan. My DH makes decent money and I also work full-time, but the thought of a second car payment scares the hell out of me 
Any opinions out there?? IF we were to go with a new vehicle we would most likely downsize to a smaller car rather than another SUV to save on gas. We looked at a Kia Optima and a Hundai(sp) Elantra and liked those, but for once we are trying to carefully think this out and hopefully make the right decision in the end......
Also, what do YOU drive and have you been happy with your vehicle??  |
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 Member Since: 08/25/03 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:06 am Julie:
A few months ago, I was where you are.
I had just paid off my 2003 PT Cruiser (which, by the way, I love.) It's got 151K miles on it, but it gets 27 mpg. I've replaced the brakes and tires twice, water pump, timing belt and who knows what else. I was considering getting a new car this summer, but now that I'm paying about $100 a week for gas to and from work (it's 55 miles each way), the $ that I was saving by not having car payments is all going to gas, and then some.
I talked to my repair guy, and we decided since there isn't TOO much else that can break or wear out, I'll just drive it until it dies by the side of the road. For the time being, a new car is out of the question. I guess I'll just have to jump off that bridge when I come to it.  Over 8 years with my band and still knowing I made the right choice!  * Bette's blog: http://thatcrazytattooedbaldbroad.wordpress.com/ * Follow me on Twitter @BaldbroadBette * Friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Cre8TV |
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Member Since: 02/19/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:26 am WOW.......and I thought I had a long commute to work!! (I drive about 28 miles each way) Good point made, and that is what my DH wants to do, just drive it until it dies completely.....lol
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 Fargo, ND Member Since: 06/15/08 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:06 am I gather his is paid off? Do you both want another car payment along with yours? Past what is wrong with it now, has there been other probs with it? Would you/he buy brand new or used?
My thoughts are (personal) that I would invest in what I have now IF it wasn't nickle and diming me to death! That way I am not buying someone else's hidden problems.
My car that I still have 2 yrs of payments on has had 4,000 dollars of work into it in one summer! I have so much invested in it,that I can't afford to trade it off and worrry about having to fix a different car. LOL if it has my name on it and wheels (roller skates,bike,car etc.. ) it is sure to break!
Kelly |
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Member Since: 02/19/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:30 am Yes, his was paid off a couple years ago. For the most part, it's been a good vehicle and he's only had to have about 2 major repairs aside from routine maintenance. It would probably be wise to try and have it fixed and drive it until it gives out. We just are afraid of investing the money and then have something even worse go wrong that we couldn't afford to have fixed.
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Member Since: 08/25/03 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:07 am Oops! Forgot one. MY A/C doesn't work, either. Over 8 years with my band and still knowing I made the right choice! * Bette's blog: http://thatcrazytattooedbaldbroad.wordpress.com/ * Follow me on Twitter @BaldbroadBette * Friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Cre8TV |
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 | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:08 am No one wants an SUV or big pickup right now. You would get virtually nothing for it. I'm driving my car till the wheels fall off it. |
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Member Since: 02/19/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:31 am "Until the wheels fall off".........LOL, good one!!! |
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East Liverpool, OH Member Since: 06/24/08 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:11 am We also are in the same boat as you.. We have a 98 chevy s10 of my husbands and right now it needs repairs, and we owe on it still and paying for it and NOT able to drive it.. We also have a 2004 oldsmobile alero I still owe 3 yrs on it.. So what do we do? He is driving my car and the truck is sitting.. The cost in gas is terrible and its cheaper just to have him drive my car.. he drives 52 miles each way to work m-friday . And a co-worker of my hubby had a compressor go out on this suv and the steering and everything went also.. Right now. .I would rather pay 1.000 and fix what is wrong then go in debt some more .. The way gas is now.. Everyone has to save a nickel any way the can...
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Member Since: 02/19/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:38 am Good point.........we're starting to lean towards getting it fixed and try to at least delay a 2nd car loan for another year or 2. I hope you're able to find a solution to your transportation issues also 
I'm glad I posted this, because this way I can see that there are a lot of other people out there worse off than we are so I should be grateful that we can even afford to have his SUV fixed for now.
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 Miami, FL Member Since: 01/28/03 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:17 am I had/have AC issues in my Dodge Neon...I was told...it could be a leak in the compressor...but I didn't want to pay to have an entire new compressor if that wasn't the problem...well no lie about 3 months later I go to back out a parking space and hear some noises and my steering wheel won't go, etc...guess what...it was the compressor...ended up having to pay $800 bucks to have it replaced...it did make my AC charges hold a bit longer...but in no way fixed the overall AC problem...but yeah if I didn't fix the compressor the car could not be driven.
As for your real question...there are some commercials running down here that say...getting x# of miles per galllon? Then you're paying about $462 a month for gas...buy a Honda (or something) and get better mileage and say over $200 a month on gas which is more than your new car payment of $198...so it's a car that pays for itself. Well in a sense...but you what I mean...maybe working some numbers might help with your decision... But remember you might also have to figure in a higher insurance rate for a new car....
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 DE Member Since: 05/15/08 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:32 am Hi, My DH was complaining of the gas also who isn't. So we retired the SUV to the driveway and bought him a motorcycle. I have a crossfire roadster and I use it here and there. Otherwise I say bike. He gets great mileage, and u can get a used bike for morsles compare to a new car. He paid 8500 for a 2006 with 1200 miles. Honda VTX 1800cc. Run that idea to your Dh. |
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Member Since: 02/19/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 9:03 am Wow, theres an idea we've never considered........a motorcycle LOL The cost is very tempting, but my DH is such a klutz that I'd be afraid of him even sitting on one! |
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Member Since: 02/19/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 9:01 am Thank you for the good suggestions! I've never owned a Honda, but we're planning to at least look at a few and test them out.
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 Other Member Since: 08/16/07[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:30 am well does the suv have any other problems? we just traded in our 01 expedition that had 70,000 miles on it they first were only going to give us 4500. we got them to up it to 6300, but still a big upset. there are some good deals, that have only pay gas for 2.99 for a year, and rebates galore. but you have to really think about trading it in, they will only give you maybe 1000. have you thought about private selling it?
i know we couldnt afford a second car payment especially if the first was over 400, but that is me, i would personally fix the car, and hope that it get 2 or 3 more years, then when the kia is nearly or is paid off then look into getting a car for him. |
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Member Since: 02/19/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 9:06 am Thanks for the good advise, and we are seriously thinking that the most sensible thing is to fix it first. So far, the compressor is the major thing wrong, and there's a problem with the locks where the alarm keeps going off unless he leaves it unlocked
I WOULD feel a lot more comfortable if we waited until we are closer to having the KIA paid off
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 Las Vegas, NV Member Since: 10/15/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:34 am I say...drive t until you can't any longer. OT...my mechanic is my new best friend. My car battery wouldn't hold a charge. DH changed out the battery twice and alternator 3 times...no help. We seriously had to charge my battery every night for past 6 months. Finally DIED! Took it in.New alternator and battery cost my $350 and my car now runs like a DREAM!!!! The mechanic thinks that everytime DH was returning alternator/batteries he just was getting more subpar parts. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!! Yes...I too...was driving this car until it totally died. Its a 2003 Eclipse(LOVE IT!!) and its PAID FOR!!!!!! |
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 San Dimas, CA Member Since: 02/03/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 8:44 am That price seems real high for a compressor. Take to a local AC not the dealer, it should go down a bit. I replaced a compressor a few years ago it was around 500. I would keep it if you own it outright but shop for a better deal on the compressor.
As far as it causing other issue when/if the compressor completely goes out, very very very low chance of this. You have a serpetine belt on your SUV that runs everything if the comprssor siezes up it will stop spinning, that will cause some issues with the belt rubbing that will eventually wear out the belt. BUT like I said not somethng I would worry about. If the bearing on the compressor gives out you know, it will sound like a cat got stuck in your motor. |
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 FL Member Since: 07/15/07 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 6/27/08 10:30 am While gas prices are up and car repairs are an unknown, I always vote for ONE car payment at a time. That's the rule in my house! (actually, both cars are paid off... hubby drives and 04 Mustang GT, I drive an 05 Explorer Sport Track, but we're still paying on his motorcycle, so that's our current car payment)
My vote? If it's possible to afford two car payments, then double up the payments on your vehicle to get it paid off faster. In the meantime, repair his car (nobody should have to drive without a/c!) and plan to get him a new one when yours is paid off.
That's my two cents!  Vist my weblog at www.megameggs.wordpress.com |
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