I bought a used car for $3k a year and a half ago and have put about $2k into repairs over the past 6ish months. Having trouble again and the mechanic (whom I trust) says it needs another $2k of repairs...do I do it? Do I buy a new car? Help!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Is it a one-time type of repair or are you fixing the same issue? If it's a repair that's common at a certain mileage and you won't have to worry about it again, then it might be worth doing the repair if you likely wouldn't have to worry about it again.

like

What kinda car was it? A 3k Honda or Toyota is worth it but otherwise, it’s a toss up.

likefunny

In car production, every vehicle that comes off the conveyor is built slightly different. So even within the Nissan Sentra line you can get a well-built long-lasting car or a PoS destined for infinite repairs.

Recent IconRecent

The first $2,000 repair was too much on a $3,000 car.

like

Realized that about 4mo too late 😔

You’re a consulting manager. Why don’t you just spend money on a reliable/ safe car?

like

Well, it'll be a lesson for the future. Don't just think about cost, but what residual value or selling value it'll have. If you get a decent corolla (popular model almost everywhere) it'll retain some value, it's reliable, and easy to sell. Trust me, as someone who's bought a cheap, off brand motorcycle once.

like

Google tells me you can buy a less than 10 year old Honda Accord or Toyota Camry for under 6K. That 2K repair is 1/3 of the way there, and I’m sure you could get 1K for your current car. Seems like buying a more reliable car is a better option IMO

Or reflect on whether you need it at all and just cut bait.

like

That car sounds like a money pit. Take the 2k and put it down on a lease or buy a car with a warranty.

like

Not to be mean, but you get what you pay for. Seems like you need 1-877-kars-4-kids and a new ride.

like

Quite possibly the worst thing ever created.

Found myself in the same situation a few years ago. Gifted a car that was probably worth 4k, put about 3k intro repairs over three years. When I finally sold it, it was the best decision. Huge weight off my shoulders.

like

If you’re putting that much into it, it might make more sense to learn how to do the work on your own.

It also depends on what work need to be done. If the first thing was head gaskets, and the next thing is suspension, those are completely unrelated and last a long ass time. If it’s back to back engine rebuilds, you should probably consider scrapping it.

Fwiw, my COVID project is rebuilding a car, so my vote is for you to do the repairs on your own.

like

Respect! I unfortunately do not have the interest/commitment required to doing so. The work has mostly all been related to the engine

FIRE bowl approves.

like

Don’t put the money into repairs. I did the same thing and a few months later a new thing needed to be fixed. Get the new car while you have the money

like

Have you considered leasing a car

like

Just say no.

There are cars you can buy that hold their value really well. My stepdad just sold his Toyota truck for $17k 10 years after spending $30k on it. Not saying you have to spend that much but anything has to be better than what you’re doing.

What is the problem with the car?

New car

Buy a new car. Sounds like you bought a lemon (a car that no matter what you fix still has problems and continuously breaks). I would buy a used Honda but no older than like 2013. Look for something with relatively low mileage too. They’re incredibly reliable and relatively cheap to fix.

Cars get to a point where expensive parts or time consuming repairs arise.

A $3 oil seal on a BMW 3 series is $500 in labor. That's a 7 -12 year old BMW problem.

So this needs a full assessment of the make, model, reliability to give a decent answer.

New suspension components on a Toyota truck. Fix it. New head on a Ford Taurus engine. Buh bye felicia.

Just upgrade to a used early-2010s model, you could get one under $10k and would have less issues than the 17 year old model you’re trying to save.

Time to Google “Sunk Cost fallacy”

Related Posts

Any recommendations for women’s watches? Looking to spend $800-$1000

Anyone else have a client that wants to communicate “informally” over weekends? I’ve got a client that can’t seem to turn his work brain off. It drains me M-Fri. I don’t need it Sat/Sun too

Anyone ever ask for a signing bonus during negotiation?

like

Happy Juneteenth y’all. While I know we have a long way to go, we’ve also come a long way. Stay blessed and I’m rooting for y’all.

like

Bought a bunch of PS4 games at start of quarantine and never got started. Between Fallout 4, Witcher 3, Uncharted 4, and The Last of Us, where should I start?

like

How do you detach your self worth from your job? I have a lot of good things in my life and generally like myself as a person, but if I feel like I’m under performing, everything else feels bad

like

Got an offer for "Insights Factory" team at Senior Associate level in PwC AC Bangalore with 3.5 years of work experience. Got an offer of 18.7 with my previous being 12. Am I being low balled here?

Need inputs from PwC AC Bangalore folks.
Profile: MBA from Tier 2 college.

Also inputs about "Insights Factory" team would be helpful. Name Sounds bit cheesy.

uplifting

First year lit associate here. I had a tough time deciding between corporate and lit and chose lit because I wanted to litigate. Its only been a few months but I’m not enjoying the people or the work as it turns out (too many internal investigations and researching obscure issues, haven’t been on a single filed case yet). Anyone else in lit lateral early on in their careers?

like

Hello PwC IFS bowl 👋🏽

like

How many of you get the Joke ? ;)

Post Photo
like

Is it possible to get a remote job in the US but be based in Canada? Not sure of the legalities but the salaries here are much lower than those in the US...

like

I’ve been with my current company for a little over 5 years now and since the start of the pandemic have been WFH. I absolutely love WFH and have always wanted a position in which I could WFH. There is talk of bringing everyone back to the office full time and that’s not what I would like to happen. I’ve been searching for a new position in which it would be a remote role. My current company also said I am maxed out in term of what they are willing to pay salary wise.

like

Do companies sometimes offer "gifts of appreciation" if you're not selected for a merit increase? My manager randomly called me to let me know I was chosen for the "gift" this year bc of my "hard work & dedication", except now I'm learning other colleagues are receiving actual merits.
I mean it's possible that I may receive a merit, but I feel like I won't considering my manager never brought it up & the dept update made it sound like those receiving it should know by now.
More details below ⬇️

like

I received a mail stating CDP completed. Any idea what's that

like

Hi Doordash 🐠, has there been discussions of layoffs? Is DD planning on doing any? Thanks, from a potential hire

Do you believe influencers have just as many efficient marketing skills as someone in the field?

like

@Apple

Would love to work at Apple but no relevant role come up on official site where always getting sent to.

Any ideas how else to get foot in?
Connected with Apple recruiters on Linkedln and potential recruitment agencies but all dead ends.

London UK based Marketing Comms FTC/Perm roles with 12 years experience. Thanks in advance

like

Anyone listening to the podcast “Dr. Death”? Both fascinating and horrifying...

like

Additional Posts in The Worklife Bowl

Is it weird that I hate attending work happy hours because all people do is talk about work?

like

Favorite news channel?

like

🍿🍿🍿🍿in two minutes!!

Post Photo
like

Voting day should be a national holiday.

likesmartfunny

THERE'S A WHOLE NOTHER HALF HOUR OF THIS

likefunny

What are the zoom happy hours for work like? I have one today that I don’t want to attend but feel like I have to

like

Since moving back in with my parents, I’ve noticed their internet cannot handle three people working from home. Does anyone have experience relying on a mifi full time? I know the biggest downside is the data limit, but would I be able to get a plan that would suffice for my 16 hour-long busy season days? Help me, I’m a newb :)

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your looks and personality, 10 being highest?

like

People with tiny kids (baby/toddler), how are you coping/entertaining your little buggers? Ours is turning 1 very soon and we have a push trike in the mail, but thinking of inside activities too.

like

Deloitte UK - does anyone know the salary band for Manager role in Technology and a Senior Manager in Technology Risk Management? A rough idea please?

like

I want to work for The Walt Disney Company corporate offices. Anywhere. I don't care where there's an office. I want to work for that company. I don't know how to drive in rain or snow, but if they have an office in places that snow, I WILL MAKE THE SACRIFICE 🤣

But I still have questions though 🤔 -

What is the culture like?
What are the work hours?
Does Disney pay for relocation for new hires like some of the FAANG companies do?

@

like

Any books/self help materials for someone who is constantly worrying (and waste a lot of unnecessary time)? E.g. No matter if i pass or fail an interview, there is always something to worry about. The worrying/anxiety multiplies when I proceeded further in the interview stages. Now that I signed the offer and is pending background checks, my anxiety is off the roof as it itches closer to my starting date.

like

What’s the one strategy/technique/ritual that has worked the best for your mental health? (Even if that was not the intention of it)

like

One of the worst double standards in corporate america.

Companies especially startups expect you to not keep interviewing when you accept a job offer. “It can deteroriate your brand.”

But companies would replace you in a heartbeat for almost any reason. Including interviewing a candidate who will replace you (you will be fired as soon as they find a person).

So companies can fuck with the little guys but we can’t look for our best interest?

like

It’s a bad time to move to a big city (LA, NYC) right? My lease is ending soon and I’d like to move at the end of the lease and not resign in my current location and move to a bigger city. Currently living in a LCoL city where things are not strict at all.

like

Anyone tried roasting their own coffee? Curious about if you found it worth it or not, and any tips you might have for someone looking to get started. Thanks!

like

Any (not too corny) anniversary gift suggestions for a man? 5 year anniversary of dating, moving in together finally in a few months... maybe something we can add to each year? Any suggestions?

likehelpful

Any non-fiction book recommendations? I normally don’t like NF but recently read Bad Blood by John Carreyrou and loved the style/pace. Any similar recs?

like

A little late here, but any suggestions/recommendations or watch outs for an automatic standing desk preferably with charging attachments? Looking to invest in a decent one around $2-300 !

like

Wild to think some people don’t use excel as part of their everyday work life.

likefunny

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal