A simple dilemma .. fix or change?

[TKK]

The dilemma I have is that the car has several items that will need fixing. If all done .. it would be almost another £1k. The car is a 1998 C230 Espirit estate and only worth about £1.5k

I got the car as a run around as I do minimal miles.

Is it better to sell it and try to find a better condition car for a little more money?

I like the C class estate and I am warming to a CLK.

Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Tkk, With all due respect you have asked a totally ridiculous question which no one but you can answer.

 

[stumpy]

My advice is if you want a clk then buy one, but don't use the problems with your c class as a reason. At this level all cars have some problems and you could buy another car for a couple of grand more with worse problems than your current car. At least you know your present car and what needs doing on it.

 

[Cole@MBS]

better the devil you know!!!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Tkk, With all due respect you have asked a totally ridiculous question which no one but you can answer.

I totally disagree with you, Aussie Nick. This is a dilemma an increasing number of motorists will face over the next couple of years.

The question was sensible - and valid.

 

[100%Bitch]

I think problems on a car are a good reason to change it. On my SL320 I had to face a choice, either fill it with petrol or change it. As you all know, I changed it.

Don't know what's going to happen next week though when I have to fill this up.

 

[Ron Palfrey]

I agree with Helen. I always said when my C280 started costing me money for repairs (rather than just servicing) I'd get rid of it. Needed a new shock absorber (only around £100 each) and I was ready for a change and something more economical so I sold it and bought a new diesel. Never looked back - no regrets. I'll pay more in depreciation but I'm enjoying my new car.

 

[jibcl500]

My advice is if you want a clk then buy one, but don't use the problems with your c class as a reason. At this level all cars have some problems and you could buy another car for a couple of grand more with worse problems than your current car. At least you know your present car and what needs doing on it.

Depends on whos fixing it also, where are you in the UK, how much do you want for the car as it is, and or could you list the problems that need fixing.

jib

 

[television]

A list of the faults would put it into prospective

 

[carlsson20]

The dilemma I have is that the car has several items that will need fixing. If all done .. it would be almost another £1k. The car is a 1998 C230 Espirit estate and only worth about £1.5k

I your car worth £1.5k with the faults or repaired?

I used to love Saab 9000 Carlssons I've had around six, once I had a high mileage 160k with a few expensive faults creeping up, by chance I found a one owner car with very low mileage fsh in superb condition so I sold the highmiler to a friend and bought the newer lower mileage one.

Nightmare, it cost me an fortune every month it would be something else, my friend ran my old one up to 290k for not much expense it served him well for six years long after I gave up on my low mileage one.

I would go with better the devil you know. you never know if your getting someone elses problems.

 

[brianbrian]

Hi, If the body work is good all round, and underneath, and you like the car, pay out , Regards BrianBrian

 

[television]

I your car worth £1.5k with the faults or repaired?

I used to love Saab 9000 Carlssons I've had around six, once I had a high mileage 160k with a few expensive faults creeping up, by chance I found a one owner car with very low mileage fsh in superb condition so I sold the highmiler to a friend and bought the newer lower mileage one.

Nightmare, it cost me an fortune every month it would be something else, my friend ran my old one up to 290k for not much expense it served him well for six years long after I gave up on my low mileage one.

I would go with better the devil you know. you never know if your getting someone elses problems.

Thats interesting over the SAAB. I ran a 9000 executive for 5 years as a work horse, and I did 40k mile and never spent one penny on it,, One of my customers wanted it as he knew the car, and it spent more time in the garage than on the road

 

[carlsson20]

That sounds like my kind of luck, but then again I did use to get them tweaked, I gave up when I needed three gearbox rebuilds in 12 months on my last one a 9000 Aero, around 325 bhp through the front wheels could be fun. It went where it wanted you just hung onto the wheel.

 

[jberks]

It does depend on what the condition of the car will be once you've spent the money. At that price range, unless you're very lucky, whatever you buy will have problems as people generally only sell them when they're in the same position as you. e.g. I flogged our Jeep and bought a Land Rover last xmas - yes I wanted the LR but I would have waited, had the Jeep not needed bodywork, 4 tyres, a new clutch, have a worrying rattle....
So, you have a choice, keep it and spend £1k on repairs and you have a decent motor again, or sell in its curent condition and spend maybe £2k on a clk with problems that are going to need ... £1k spent on them.
In my mind, at that level, you're almost always better off keeping and fixing.
That said, if the £1k will only return it to shed level, then clearly, move it on.

 

[Micman]

My rule of thumb is when I am paying out almost as much or more to fix the car than the car is actually worth it's time to let it go.

As you say you need to spend the best part of £1k to repair it and at the end of the day it will still only be worth £1.5k it seems like a hefty investment!

If you are thinking of selling it to replace it with another £1500 value car, then the argument has to be 'better the devil you know'.

I would look to trade it in, lets say for £500 (or more if you can!). Add my £1000 that I would have spent on the repairs. Then add some savings or even take out a personal loan over a couple of years and go for something newer that should have a few years life in it.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Depends how much you enjoy the car. Sure, you can sell it and buy something slightly newer. Depreciation and similar faults will soon make your wallet a lot lighter though.

Give us a list of the faults. Dealerships and garages often present a worst-case scenario to tempt you into buying something shiny from them.

Personally I try and value my car not at its market value, but what it's worth to me as a piece of equipment I use for work and play. Its worth far more to me to keep it and spend the money, than it would be to get shut of it and buy something newer. I'd be significantly poorer if I chose the latter option.

 

[100%Bitch]

Save the £1000 and put it to one side. Sell your car for as much as you can get (hopefully £1K+) then buy another with all of your money and make sure you get a good warranty. It's easy!

 

[TKK]

Thanks for the advice guys. Much appreciated!

I think I will hold on to the car and start looking for something in the 2k mark. If I find a good one then I will swap, otherwise I will hang on to this one.

Cheers!