In recession, many fix old autos instead of trading in

[Mike78]

I've never really put a number on it, but suppose for me its usually been when the repair cost more than the vehicle was worth (i.e. $3k repair for $2k valued auto).

At age 22 though I pretty much totalled my 94 Civic and had the option from insurance to repair it or have it totalled and get the check. I got my eyes on a 95 Mazda MX6 and made the worst decision of my life. replaced the best car I ever owned with the worst.

[oldlar]

Dealers are charging ~$100/hour for labor the a 50-100% markup in parts they can make lots of money. The last few daily driver cars I've kept for around 7 years, then I start seeing the repair bills go up. I have three "toy" cars at 20+ years old and those are costly to repair. I just dropped ~$1000 for brake overhaul at my "favorite" mechanic who charges $65/hr. I can usually find parts for those cars at good prices. The toys are not daily drivers any more, but parts just "wear out" from sitting, especially tires.

[phoebeisis]

I just replaced the front brake pads($14.95 Autozone) in my 208,000 Chevy. I'll be doing "something" either pitman arm or idler arm or both-cost about $70 in parts once I figure out if they are the cuase of my slightly loose steering.

It is time consuming, dirty, and painful(58 yo) to do your own work, but I always do. I would love to sell this Truck(get maybe $1500) and buy a 2004 low mile version with better FE, brakes, safety etc for about $11000 more, but since I don't have the $11000, and I would not want to put $11,000 in a guzzler,I won't be doing that.

Many, many more folks are repairing their high mile vehicles-forget about buying new, they can't even afford 5 year old used.

Charlie
PS On the bright side GMs trucks are pretty reliable(drivetrains), and parts are cheap, easy to find, and relatively easy to work on. They glide for at least 3 seconds per mph in the 20-40 mph range while in D-not bad for in city motor on P&G.The later ones should approach 20 mpg in the city with motor on P&G,tire pressure up, shut down at lights.Mine is old,so 15-18 mpg city is about it-explains why I mainly use the Prius which gets an effortless 55 mpg on the same trip the Suburban get 16.6mpg.

[Chuck]

Half the reason I'm hanging on to my Insight is no mass-produced car beats it's fuel economy on the highway, although the gap is closing.

[pdk]

I'm at a bit of an odd place regarding autos. I want to keep my Prius for as long as possible, but there's a sizable part of me that wants to get a Prius III or PHEV (when they finally come out). It's a bit of a different situation than examining switching from an old 1990s beater to a new car.

Anyway, as long as the emissions are decent, old cars can and should stay on the road as long as possible.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Delta Flyer

Half the reason I'm hanging on to my Insight is no mass-produced car beats it's fuel economy on the highway, although the gap is closing.

It's pretty hard to beat in the city, too.

I love my Insight but I will sell it when I can get a good range electric vehicle.

[donee]

Hi All,

This happened in the late 70's too. In fact PBS had a "This Old Car" show which taught auto mechanics. There were even a few "Vehicle Remanufacturing" companies. They would take a car in , take it down to the floor boards and hubs, and reinstall all new bearings, brakes, carpet, etc. During the 80's these companies contracted into police cruiser rebuilders for the general public.

[mdensch@charter.net]

I lost the reference for this factoid long ago, but it was an observation that the typical car requires more energy to produce than it will burn as fuel in its lifetime.

If that's true, then the take home is that it is more environmentally responsible to hang onto a car until its dying day.

[basjoos]

I'm still waiting for a mass produced 4-5 seat vehicle to come along that beats my car's highway mileage. The problem is, I keep raising the bar via aero mods.

[Ophbalance]

Heck, I did this before we ever hit a recession. I only ditched my faithful civic when it required a new engine (stupid interference designs anyway ). I'd like to replace the Elantra before it hits 200k, but I guess I won't have a choice if the economy doesn't pick back up in the next year.