When do you cut your losses on a car?

"JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS" (jalopnik-is-jezebel-for-cars)
09/09/2014 at 20:34 • Filed to: None

Hi Guys!

I guess this is my first actual post here instead of a reply... so YAY me! Anywho, I guess I could use some advice.

I have a junky old 944 ( similar to pic) that keeps popping up with problems. Steering first, then electrical, compounded by more electrical, and as of tonight it's dead on the side of the highway.

What happened tonight was while driving I heard 2 loud pops, then engine power loss, then a real LOUD POP accompanied by a flame out of the exhaust and a dead engine. The timing belts are still tight but they could have slipped. As it happened, I was on my way to the mechanic anyways for a charging problem (new battery, new alternator, still no charge).

I didn't pay too much for the car in the first place, and as problems keep popping up, I am thinking of cutting my losses and craigslisting it or just junking it.

So Oppo, when do you cut and run?

DISCUSSION (46)

Bandit > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:36

After you sell the house, divorce the wife, and become an alcoholic out of desperation... aka never! Or... when you stop having fun.

ly2v8-Brian > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:36

Personally it depends on the emotional attachment to the vehicle.

MIATAAAA > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:37

Keep me posted. I am, sadly, approaching this question with a newer acquisition of mine. :( Good luck!

EL_ULY > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:38

If the bottom end on a car is good, it is still worth it.

GhostZ > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:39

When the expected costs outweight the expected benefits, obviously.

If you get rid of it, how much is it going to cost you to replace it with the same amount of fun you had before? Is that less than what it costs to repair it?

JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS > MIATAAAA
09/09/2014 at 20:39

What's your acquisition? We can sulk together haha.

TheBaron2112 > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:40

I read the thread title and before the picture even loaded I KNEW it was going to be a 944.

You want to buy mine instead?

MIATAAAA > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:40

A Volvo 1800ES. Bah! I want it to run so badly, but I've put so much time and money into it and it's STILL not working.

Yes - let's sulk.

Spaze > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:40

So as always "it depends." If you need to keep the car, you may take the old Jag approach and just buy another so when one is in the shop you have something to drive. That being said, I've had 944's and they are far from expensive to work on.. but they are still Pcars. They have very simple 80's electronics (eg, if its busted, you replace it)...

My rule of thumb is if you have to dump more than the purchase price of the car into it to maintain it... you should probably let it go. But sounds like you've had it and the car is cursed, so post it on craigslist and see what happens.

Sam > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:40

I agree with Bandit, when the problems stop making it fun. That's when you ditch it. Though in your situation, I'd say find a nice Civic or Corolla or something, DD that, and dump thw rest of your funds into getting the 944 reliable.

Edit: Also, I'll take it off your hands if you are anywhere close to me. You'd even still get to see it on Oppo next to my 924!

Steve in Manhattan > ly2v8-Brian
09/09/2014 at 20:41

Exactly - if this is something you need and want in your life, do the repairs. If not - sayonara. In any event, probably a good idea to have your mechanic make a list of everything it needs. If you can put it back on the road for 2 or 3 grand, great. If it needs an engine rebuild or a new drivetrain, that's different.

JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS > Bandit
09/09/2014 at 20:42

Haha, I like that. I may be at that fun point. All I can think is that this is a vastly under-performing asset, even taking into account how most cars are money-pits.

jkm7680 > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:42

Don't sell it as a whole. Part it out of you're going to :)

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:45

The escape had serious cancer. For the money that would be spent repairing it, I could get a better car. I sold it to a bodyworking guy.

The Transporter > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:47

When you wrap it around a tree.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:47

Did you get belts and water pump replaced?? That's gonna be my first question when it comes to 944s forever. But tell me about the car? Also, welcome fellow 944 owner!

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:47

With my last car it was after my 2nd engine replacement......

JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS > TheBaron2112
09/09/2014 at 20:50

Haha, I think I'm out of the 944 game for awhile!

When I heard the pops, I could only laugh (it takes me a lot to get sad or angry) and I immediately thought of that kid on here that was 18 and bought his first car, a 944, and a mile down the road the timing belt slipped. I never saw what he did with it though.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:51

You saying your a quitter?

JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS > jkm7680
09/09/2014 at 20:51

I'm thinking that's my course of action right now. Need some 944 wheels? ;)

MIATAAAA > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:52

Oh I thought this was the same guy!

jkm7680 > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 20:52

Man, I love those wheels. What bolt pattern are they?

JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
09/09/2014 at 20:56

No belts and pump yet, it's on the list haha. At the moment, I was attempting to fix the charging problem and get it truly roadworthy with less expensive repairs and then on to the belts (They were the first thing that I checked when buying).

Buuut, it's a 1984 5-Speed NA in... well, BROWN!

JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS > jkm7680
09/09/2014 at 20:59

5x130mm I believe.

jkm7680 > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 21:00

Lol, dammit. If they were 5x112 with no adapters needed and good tires I'd be interested depending on location.

Good luck with the next plan of action, Whatever that may be!

JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS > MIATAAAA
09/09/2014 at 21:00

Nope! Waiting for him to jump in haha. I guess I'll search and see if I can find his whole story.

TheBaron2112 > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 21:01

Mine doesn't pop! *cheesy grin*

marshknute > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 21:09

Speaking from personal experience, you cut your losses after an 11-hour drive home from college in a blizzard with no heater. Fuck you BMW.

Seriously, though, get rid of the car when it stops being fun.

I absolutely loved my NA Miata, but after 2 years of Shittsburgh potholes and limited utility, I no longer relished the opportunity to get behind the wheel and drive. I had already exploited every opportunity for having fun, and the car's inherent flaws as a daily driver were becoming more difficult to justify. I now miss that car, and it is still the most fun car I've ever driven, but I can confidently say that I sold it at the right time for the right reasons.

Shifty > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 21:15

LS Swap...just sayin'

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
09/09/2014 at 21:22

At least you checked the belts first! Very good start. I wouldn't give up on it yet! But that's the Porsche lover in me wanting to tame and save them all. Personally I'd do the belts and pump first as if those go wrong you're out one motor, because interference engine :P

Also 1984 5-Speed NA here, but in Red!