dead car?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I am pretty sure our car is literally dead. Well dying a slow and agonizing death. The 2000 Ford Focus only has 100k miles, but is in trouble. List of problems from a mechanic we trust.

Steering column done, engine mount done, axel done, brakes need to be done, and power windows going. Easily $2500 to repairs. I am going to guess the car is worth $2500 according to KBB if it were all repaired.

Would this be considered driven into the ground?

Unfortunately this is what we predicted and we've gotta pull the trigger on a new car. I'm starting to shop fast, not even sure what I want.

[creditcardfree]

Yep, sounds about dead to me. Although it is probably cheaper than buying a new car. However, I'm not going to talk you out of it. I prefer cars with out major problems and repairs!

[Edwin]

I was in a very similar situation, except I had paid about $1000 in repairs (1992 Corolla) and had a quote for $2000 more. I dropped that thing quickly and started card shopping. I ended up getting a lease on a Mazda 3. I've had a very bad history of expensive repairs and the consistent payment plus warranty coverage sold me on leasing.

[kork13]

Yep, sounds about dead to me. Although it is probably cheaper than buying a new car.

...until the next $2500 repair bill. And the next one after that. How much major repair work (beyond normal wear/tear) has been put into it already? Sounds like you're in the market for a new(-er?) car.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Last year we spent around $2k on repairs. So I guess that's about average. Granted I am peeved because I have a 1999 Corolla that has only been getting oil changes and routine maintenance.

[jayk2k3]

I say fix it. It will be cheaper in the long run. motor mounts can wait, brakes you need now. do the repairs in steps.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

What about the steering column and axel and a/c? And pwr window?

[jayk2k3]

power windows & a/c can wait. you should get the axel soon. whats wrong with the steering colum they dont usualy go bad? you can save money, by getting junk yard parts & also you can find mechanics on craigslist to do side jobs. If you dont believe me ask your mechanic, he will tell you if your car is junk or not.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

He said junk it because it's a lot of repairs and it will keep adding up. He said if it were a Honda or Toyota he wouldn't say that, since we take my toyota there.

The steering column needs to be replaced, the engine mounts need to be redone, the axel is bent, the thermostat isn't working and something else with the A/C.

I always hear people say it costs less to repair a car than buy a newer one. But where do you really draw the line?

[jIM_Ohio]

I am pretty sure our car is literally dead. Well dying a slow and agonizing death. The 2000 Ford Focus only has 100k miles, but is in trouble. List of problems from a mechanic we trust.

Steering column done, engine mount done, axel done, brakes need to be done, and power windows going. Easily $2500 to repairs. I am going to guess the car is worth $2500 according to KBB if it were all repaired.

Would this be considered driven into the ground?

Unfortunately this is what we predicted and we've gotta pull the trigger on a new car. I'm starting to shop fast, not even sure what I want.

Our focus of the same year was renamed... we used two u's to describe it to friends. No o in Focus...

I believe our car made it about 7 years and 90k miles. We had problems with engine stalling and radiator. 3 different mechanics, including the dealer, could not fix it, and we put in about 10k into repairs over a 6-12 month period.

I looked at credit card bill, said 10k is a car payment, so we paid off the debt, traded in the car, and got an accord.

As an aside, I work for a software company, and Ford is one of our 3-4 biggest accounts. In some demonstrations of one particular software module we have, the Focus is used as a quality problem this software could fix. It is well known within our circles that it was car doomed for failure (I believe the fusion line replaced the focus line because focus had such a bad reputation).

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Jim, I'm worried about ending up pouring money into the car and getting nowhere.