Hard to know when its time to let a car go

[dadstillsurfs]

For the Durango, consider a short block from Jasper or similar.

For me , my 99 F250 was in mint condition but the motor was done for. Value as is very little, value with a $5000 motor, about $5000. BUT-BUT-BUT, I could not buy a replacement anywhere even close in condition to mine with a fresh motor for $5000. So put the motor in and continue on.

Classic version of "Like it? Drive the wheels off it... then buy new wheels".

 

[GasGuzzler]

Not the cheapest option, but with $125 hour labor for a mechanic, I might smile a bit more with every turn of a wrench that I make.

That was the rate before covid. We are at $170.77 with a matrix grid and we're in the semi-country. Over $200 in DFW...

 

[The.Tumbleweed]

That was the rate before covid. We are at $170.77 with a matrix grid and we're in the semi-country. Over $200 in DFW...

The reason I like the '50s trucks is based on how well my '51, and my brother's '53 Fords took the abuse that they endured.
I was in the middle a 4 car clusterfuck. The other 3 vehicles were totalled, but all the truck got was a scratched paint on the bumpers.
I miss that truck.

 

[Jeepnik]

No idea about labor costs here. But my neighbor had a lube, oil, tire rotation and brake inspection at a quick lube. It was almost $500

I can buy oil and filter for much less than $100. I can do several lubes with a tube of grease. Everything else is labor. Mines free because it's just a bit of time doing something I like. Even if I didn't enjoy it, I'd still do it and save myself $400+.

 

[wproct]

When I was younger and working we bought new vehicles regularly. Now that I'm older and retired we buy used and keep them longer, I hate car payments and if you keep your car long enough it has very little resale value but if it's been well maintained it can provide dependable service for some time. My 98 Chevy truck that I've owned since new. I've spent some larger amounts on it over the years but still provides reliable transportation.

 

[mirglip]

No idea about labor costs here. But my neighbor had a lube, oil, tire rotation and brake inspection at a quick lube. It was almost $500

I can buy oil and filter for much less than $100. I can do several lubes with a tube of grease. Everything else is labor. Mines free because it's just a bit of time doing something I like. Even if I didn't enjoy it, I'd still do it and save myself $400+.

I don't really enjoy the oil and grease, but I believe in the old adage "If you want it done right, do it yourself". I buy the most expensive Amsoil and I know it's actually getting inside my engine and not someone else's.

 

[GasGuzzler]

No idea about labor costs here. But my neighbor had a lube, oil, tire rotation and brake inspection at a quick lube. It was almost $500

Comical. Let's see the receipt so we know what else they got for that price.

 

[Mobuck]

I usually drive something until it's nickel and dime problems aggravate me beyond acceptable. By then, it's probably not 'sellable' and sits where it failed to start FOR THE FINAL TIME. This is a poor way of handling the problem vehicle.

 

[Jeepnik]

Comical. Let's see the receipt so we know what else they got for that price.

That's it, maybe an air filter. It's not the parts it's the labor. It was a Valvoline quick lube.

And they put the tires on with a damned air impact set to heaven only knows what. They way over tighten the lug nuts for liability reasons. I had to use a 1/2" impact to break them loose so I could properly torque them.

These out fits hire someone, give them a minute or two instruction and expect them to learn on the job. And that to the general lack of work ethic to day and it's a recipe for disaster.

 

[GypsmJim]

I don't really enjoy the oil and grease, but I believe in the old adage "If you want it done right, do it yourself". I buy the most expensive Amsoil and I know it's actually getting inside my engine and not someone else's.

As a youngin car guy I did it all myself. Then the kids came along and I didn't want to take the time.

Then I had the quickilube guy do it and he stripped the plug and I had to have a repair. Then I went back to doing it myself.

Then I got too old to crawl around anymore so I had a local shop do it for me. Turned out they were awesome and they have been my goto guy for 20 years now.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Let's see the receipt. I really want to see an actual receipt for a $400 oil change and air filter on a normal passenger car. I have every receipt for everything I have done to all my vehicles.

And a 1/2" impact is what every shop on Earth uses to remove and reinstall wheels unless it's a bigger truck. Those require a 3/4". Should use torque sticks and verify with a calibrated torque wrench though.

Stripped drain plugs happen and usually they get worse over time beforehand. It's whomever did last that gets the blame but it's not always that guy's fault.

 

[mirglip]

Let's see the receipt. I really want to see an actual receipt for a $400 oil change and air filter on a normal passenger car. I have every receipt for everything I have done to all my vehicles.

And a 1/2" impact is what every shop on Earth uses to remove and reinstall wheels unless it's a bigger truck. Those require a 3/4". Should use torque sticks and verify with a calibrated torque wrench though.

Stripped drain plugs happen and usually they get worse over time beforehand. It's whomever did last that gets the blame but it's not always that guy's fault.

All true and I will add that if the torque wrench does not turn the nut you have no way of knowing if it's overtorqued.

 

[protoolman]

That's it, maybe an air filter. It's not the parts it's the labor. It was a Valvoline quick lube.

And they put the tires on with a damned air impact set to heaven only knows what. They way over tighten the lug nuts for liability reasons. I had to use a 1/2" impact to break them loose so I could properly torque them.

These out fits hire someone, give them a minute or two instruction and expect them to learn on the job. And that to the general lack of work ethic to day and it's a recipe for disaster.

I've actually watched the tech put new tires on at Wal-Mart and hammer the impact gun beating the nuts on, then glibly grab the torque wrench and give each nut a click. Obviously none of the nuts moved. Taurus cars used to frequently get their rotors warped from places over torquing them.

 

[ProfessorWes]

Had to replace the ignition coil on #2 cylinder yesterday in the Elantra. That's seven of them over the course of the past 100K - 120K miles: #1 cylinder coil three times; #2 twice and once each for cylinders 3 and 4. I did the third coil replacement on #1 about a month ago. Car's got close to 227,500 on the odo right now. Sigh. All I need is some sort of electrical gremlin to rear its ugly little head.

Don't see any charging issues, but I had to do the first coil replacement right around the time I had to have the alternator replaced, which was about 115K miles. And those intelligent alternators ain't cheap. Sigh again.

 

[Yaworski]

And they put the tires on with a damned air impact set to heaven only knows what. They way over tighten the lug nuts for liability reasons. I had to use a 1/2" impact to break them loose so I could properly torque them.

I don't think that tire monkeys understand torque or how it is measured.

 

[Ranger]

Hard to know. 96 TransAm i had custom ordered new. About 205,000 miles. Been very good car. New paint job. New tires. Developed an oil leak. Decided to have it fixed. Now probably have more into it than it's worth. Sentimental value...

Had honda accord. 200,000 miles. Sold to nephew for $1,000. Now at about 300,000 miles. About all they've done is change oil and tires.

Honda odyssey. 260,000 miles. Sliding doors not working right. Cost quite a bit to fix. Debated. Said they don't have any other customers with Odesseys with more than about 160,000. We went ahead. Van now up to 27x,xxx. Doing ok. Don't take it on really long trips; but seems reliable.

 

[dadstillsurfs]

That was the rate before covid. We are at $170.77 with a matrix grid and we're in the semi-country. Over $200 in DFW...

$220 in the second most economically disadvantaged County in California, Sheesh