Emotion vs logic: When to fix or replace 

"itschrome" (itschrome) 03/07/2016 at 14:21 • Filed to: None

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So I last posted I was looking for a new ride for the misses, we’ve since put that on hold. Reason one being she didn’t like the CTS but loved the ATS so we are gonna wait for prices on used ATS’s to drop. Reason B being that winter is hard on old cars and in the course of a few weeks my Seville suddenly needs lots of love..

Now to the main point: At what point do you follow your emotions and fix your car vs following logic and replacing your car? I ask because part of me feels wrong putting too munch money into my Seville but I also really love my car. She’s a 12 year old GM, she has 108k miles on it and have owned her for two years. When I bought her she only had 80k on the clock. In the time I’ve owned her I’ve done secondary air pump, new break lines, breaks, blower motor and fan control board and oil changes. Nothing too much. but as winter went on she began leaking power steering fluid to which I have confirmed she needs a new pump and new pressure lines. She’s also started making noise when going over bumps and have confirmed needs new bushings. She throws a code for gas cap and I haven’t been able to confirm which that issue is yet, suspect a hole in the tank tho. She could also use new front struts, might as well also do springs. I also have a spot of rust that is preventing me from replacing her cracked windshield due to cold temps and too much heat. Oh and I also need a new climate control module.

All in, probably about 3500-4000 worth of parts and labor as I lack the means to do this work by my self. I also need normal maintenance like spark plus and accessory belt replacement. I may no the plugs my self but it’s also just easier to have some one do it for me.

So here’s the thing. There isn’t anything super special about my car other than it’s a black on black ‘04. which is a rare color combo on a SLS as you usually only saw it on the STS. It’s also the last year they made the SLS. So in that sense it’s special to a weirdo like me. That being said I coudl easily find another SLS for the same money, but they could easily have more or worse issues in store for me yet. I could buy some other car for the money but they would also likely have issues. 4 grand just doesn’t buy much car these days.

So the really question is am I crazy for spending the money on this car vs replacing?

Your boy, BJR > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 14:25

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You should buy my DeVille.

Slant6 > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 14:27

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Could you even sell ithe with all those problems?

itschrome > Slant6 03/07/2016 at 14:33

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haha I dunno but the guy at the Cadillac lot offered 5k trade in on a new ATS but i think that was just to get us to buy new.

But yeah I probably could but for like 1500 or some shit. Which would move me into the 5500 range for a used car (I don’t want a car payment) and still think I would only find crap.

itschrome > Your boy, BJR 03/07/2016 at 14:34

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Still haven’t sold it? I would but I just don’t like ‘em as much as the Seville.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Slant6 03/07/2016 at 14:37

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He could probably get double book value from some inner-city rapper wannabe.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 14:40

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1) Sell SLS

2) Buy ETC

3)???

4) Profit

itschrome > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/07/2016 at 14:51

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UUUGGGGHHHHHHH

I CAN’T!!

even though they technically made up to an ‘02 they never got the 02+ Northstar. Which means they run the risk of major head failure. and then we are really talking about expensive repairs. But I’d really like one!

itschrome > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/07/2016 at 14:52

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Nah, unlike the Deville the Seville won’t take much bigger than a 18 inch wheel with out major modification to the body. the devilles will take dubs no problem.

Sweet Trav > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 15:10

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If you can live with two doors, why not get a V6 Camaro? same car underneath, a lot less money.

In my opinion the ATS is extremely overpriced. My Taurus costs less and has way more features than the ATS. Sticker on my Taurus SHO was 46k a comparably equipped ATS is 51k.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 15:12

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When it comes to used cars, I would never consider cost of repairs to be a reason to get rid of the car (within reason I suppose). Any car you buy could need thousands in repair but I would rather continue to repair the car I am already acquainted with so that eventually, you have replaced nearly every part. Of course, this makes a ton more sense if you can do at least some of the labor yourself. In general, paying a shop to do all of the labor makes any used car seem much less ideal anyways. This is all assuming you greatly enjoy your car. If you can think of something you would rather have instead, then of course looming expensive repair is enough reason to jump ship.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 15:21

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Swap in the engine from the SLS and part out the rest of the car? Or:

itschrome > Sweet Trav 03/07/2016 at 15:23

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She likes the 4 doors and wouldnt like the taurus for same reason she didnt like the cts. Too big too much power. The ATS she liked was the 2.0T in AWD.

Ash78, voting early and often > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/07/2016 at 15:23

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Nice Sedona.

itschrome > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/07/2016 at 15:26

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Yeah I’ve thought about that swap many times.

Sweet Trav > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 15:36

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No such thing as too much power. but I agree that it is a big car. What about a Regal 2.0T? I almost bought one of those but opted more power.

itschrome > Sweet Trav 03/07/2016 at 15:42

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Said they were “Ugly”. I disagree but woman are fickle. Also I personally found the ATS to be a little roomier inside.

But this is all for another day. haha she already declined a car purchase for now and what cash we were gonna put down is now the fix or replacement for me money. I’m not interested in a car payment either.

Sweet Trav > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 16:14

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Fusion Titanium? Fusion Sport? I spent a 10 hr trip in an ATS premium 2.0t AWD and prefered my Fusion to it.

itschrome > Sweet Trav 03/07/2016 at 16:46

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Haven’t had time to drive one yet but I’m not personally opposed and she’s open to driving one. I’d probably be pushing it harder if the hybrid could be had in AWD. which seems like a silly thing not to offer, hybrid AWD. I mean AWD traction with hybrid MPG savings? for the love of god yes please! I’m not set on AWD but we’d like one on account of our constant travelling around and hate when winter get’s in the way.

TheJMan92 > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 16:54

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I think you’d be surprised by what you can find in the 3-4k range, I guess it depends on the kind of car you’re looking for though. I’ve never spent over 3k on a car (well, initial investment anyway) and I haven’t gotten burned yet! I’ve only bought 4 cars though.

If you really, really want to keep it then I suggest trying to do as much work as you can. It seems daunting when you first look at it, find some video or picture walk-throughs of the work you want to do and block out a weekend to get a lay of the land in the engine bay. You’ll be surprised how easy most maintenance is and how much you can save, plus you’ll feel pretty damn awesome after fixing it. Bonus for having a more experience friend help out if available!

If you have to go the mechanic route, do a lot of ebay/amazon/rockauto/local comparisons to find the best price on parts. You’ll probably save quite a bit if you order them yourself. Either way, good luck!

itschrome > TheJMan92 03/07/2016 at 17:29

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I am capable of doing most work on a car. The biggest hold back is no tools or adequate space to do any repairs. The last time I went to do my own work (breaks) it would have cost $150 over the cost of having my mechanic do it in tools and stands alone to get the job done. haha it’s hard to take the investment to buy the tools when I have just enough to get the work done somewhere else. I plan on fixing this at some point. My guy is super awesome on pricing and will let me bring in parts but will hit me with a 5% fee for doing so so I usually just tell him what I want and he’ll order it at more or less the same price any way.

BLCKSTRM > itschrome 03/07/2016 at 21:55

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How are you looking at an ATS and don’t have enough to buy a jack, some stands, and whatever else amounts to $150?

I guess I don’t need to point out that if you HAD bought the tools last time, now you would have them sitting in your garage.

Make the investment and start doing it yourself, or it’s time to get a newer car that doesn’t require quite so much work. That’s just the economics of it. I honestly couldn’t afford my car if I didn’t do all my own work. That’s pretty much how it is with old luxury cars.

One other thing. You have this huge list of things that “have” to get done. Why don’t you prioritize that list? It’s drivable, so nothing is actually so broken it has to get fixed ASAP.

Really, a good portion of your list is “regular” - though longer term - maintenance. The kind of maintenance you have to do on luxury cars that you don’t have to do on normal cars. And honestly I wouldn’t count that stuff in your total. And I would DEFINITELY wait until you can buy your own tools and do that stuff yourself.

But start with what’s actually broken, and move onto the maintenance as you can afford it (starting with the tools).

itschrome > BLCKSTRM 03/08/2016 at 00:06

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The difference between cash to buy tools vs money to buy a car is simple. Credit and not my money hahaha.

I plan to start into some things my self and others I rather a pro todo. If for nothing else lack of time. I work like 65 hours a week. Make finding time hard.

And yeah i hear ya, it really isnt that bad and is totally drive able. Just choosing not to till i get the stuff fixed.

Im yaking it all woth salt. It is a 12 year old GM luxury car. By its sure nature it’s a tad more needy than your average car, which im ok with.

As for priorities, rust repair and qindshield is on top of my list followed by power steering work. Then suspension and what ever bits in the front end need replacement. Once thats done its down to just normal 100k 12 year old car stuff. Im aiming to have 4 to 5 grand to juat throw at it and get her sorted once and for all.

Talked it over with misses and she agrees nothing else makes much sense if I wont ve happy with it. Also onc this is done she’s good for another 12 years, hopefully.

TheJMan92 > itschrome 03/08/2016 at 13:47

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All good points, I didn’t think about the 5% penalty. If you keep an eye out you may get lucky and find some deals on tools and such. I’ve been lucky with space and tools so far as I live with my parents. I’m dreading moving out for that reason, I have some tools but space is going to be a big issue.

Sounds like a tough situation though, good luck.

itschrome > TheJMan92 03/08/2016 at 13:51

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space is the worst issue! I have a house with a garage that’s too small for my car, the malibooo fits but not the Caddy. and my driveway is narrow and is mostly at an incline. in other words useless for repairs.

TheJMan92 > itschrome 03/08/2016 at 14:13

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Oh man, I won’t even have that! I’ll be lucky if I get two parking spots to work on my cars. At least it will be level (I hope) but I’m still aiming for something covered and if I get lucky, a garage.