Suggestions for how to maximize value on junker car

[twuoo]

I have a minivan that has been a pure and utter money pit

Bought it used for less than $3500. I've had it only for the last year and half and have sunk over $6000 (easily) into getting all sorts of bunk repaired. I don't even think I've put on 10K miles myself.

Now, I get an estimate from an 'at home" mechanic and that bill is coming up to around $2500.

I'm tired of dumping hard earned cash into this piece of junk.

Any suggestions on what I can do with the van to at least get some money back out of it?

I thought donating it, but that is my last resort. I've never had this kind of experience with a junker before.

Thanks for any help.

[BKParalegal]

Craigslist

[WhatMoney]

yeah, Craiglist or trade it in on a NON-US manufacterer vehicle with a good reliability record.

You didn't say what model this SUV junker was or the mileage when you bought it. I've noticed my friends with Chrysler SUV/truck products spend a fortune keeping their junkmobiles running.

I have a 1985 Mazda that I have spent $1000 total for maintenance since buying it new 23 years ago! That includes new tires, fuel pump, timing belts, and head gasket (which I blew up by missing a downshift on the freeway in 1986.) My secret - never let a mechanic touch it - do your own repairs. Parts are cheap - incompetent labor and ridiculous repair costs are abundant. I have never, in 50 years of driving, had anyone change the oil or tune up my cars except myself - these are simple things to do if you don't mind getting a little dirt under your fingernails.

I just spent $40 to do all the brakes for all four wheels on my 1993 Mazda Protege. Typical brake repair shop wanted $600. It's due for a timing belt replacement soon - I've already bought it, for $15... My time is all that's needed. A shop manual cost me $75 - best investment I have ever made...

[robivi3]

American Honda of East Liberty Ohio, home of the Honda Civic. American made and one of the most reliable vehicles alive. Hond Finance is BK friendly. Get rid of the money pit at a good dealer. If you're in SoFla (I forget) you can get deals through Sams or BJ's (I forget which) with Pompano Honda and drive a nice Civic for under 18k. You may go to Rick Case (the service is awesome) and pay a little more but they will finance around 7-8% and take your junker.


I was (and still am I guess) a diesel mechanic (actively for 26.6 years, now I am a Train Technician, 5 years) and was quite used to doing my own repairs. Now that i am older and living in a townhome I can't so we replace cars when we start feeling the "problems" arise. I will probably do the brakes on the wife's Jetta but I did my last timing beltS (Mustang 4 cylinder I sold after 3 clutches, removing the tranny on my chest and 3 timing belts and one head job and 267,000 miles) and chain (88 Buick century) several years ago, no more. The Civics come with a timing chain now, a vast improvement. And Honda also took the integral cylinder head and ran with it, less gaskets, less parts, less problems and it's now proven to work. To me those items alone sold me on it. I paid $1200 for the first 100,000 miles of rotations/oil changes/tires and $1200 for the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. I don't want to touch the car. For $13.00 bucks I get it detailed every couple of weeks at UGAS in Davie Florida. If you use Rick Case you also get a break of about .10 per gallon with their reward card they give you with the vehicle. For me they were easier because they are on my way home and GEICO is also in their garage, a necessity when you work in Miami.

I rebuilt my Ford 400 in my garage when I was 23, new pistons, .040 over and all. That was then, this is now. Junk is junk.

I started going back to the dealer after talking to a fellow mechanic when my Corsica's Tranny died, I paid $1899.00 for a GM CERTA 4 speed electronic Tranny with an 50,000 mile 5 year warranty rather than $1200 for a "shop" to repair the old one (downtime and going back and back is worth alot of money, a day of annual leave is about $250.00) and got 87,000 more miles and five trouble free years from the car. A GM CERTA Transmission is cheaper installed say than going to AAMCO if you can deal with a little "let's make a deal so you get yours the dealer gets his" on the side. I have found through friends several good dealers here in SoFla and have had no ripoffs to report over the last ten years or problems. Just depends on the dealer. I stay away from Maroone, I know their hiring practices well.

Take the car, trade it for something NEW that may cost you now but be driveable for many years when paid off. My mother in law has a nice seven year olfd Toyota Corrolla and has only replaced brakes and battery. My 2001 GMC Truck that I bought new gave me 105,000 trouble free miles. I sold it ot a co-worker two years ago, he drives it daily and has had no problems. My e350 12 passenger Ford Van was a beautiful vehicle that after 25,000 miles could never be aligned and started having electrical issues when I traded it for my Honda. Time for it to go. Wouldn't touch another Ford, not when the factory manual recommends a "shake and wiggle" test for electricl issues.

If you buy used, Honda or Toyota ONLY!!!!

[kornellred]

Hey WhatMoney -

If you bought your 1985 Mazda new 28 years ago then it is 2013. I'll bet you meant 23 years ago, right?

[WhatMoney]

If you bought your 1985 Mazda new 28 years ago then it is 2013. I'll bet you meant 23 years ago, right?

eh, arithmetic has always been confusing to me. lol

[robivi3]

cute... but 23 is still ONE HELL of a number!!!!! That's a good testimonial for Mazda!

[Frogge]

Our used vehicles will always be ones that DH can work on himself = Toyotas.