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Re: 900SE Suspension deterioration Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Mon, 10 Nov 2003 13:49:39
In Reply to: 900SE Suspension deterioration, Steve P, Mon, 10 Nov 2003 12:39:14 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I would expect the shocks are getting tired. You can also have worn ball joints and suspension bushings.
At a minimum, when was the last time you had a front-end alignment? That can make a world of difference in handling, and will improve gas mileage, too.
Cars require maintenance to keep running. At 100K+ miles, it's reasonable to expect some big-ticket items. As to the clutch, it can easily last the life of the car, but depending on use, may require replacement.
A lot depends on how much maintenance the car has had up to now. If it's had regular oil, brake fluid, coolant, and transmission oil changes, the engine and tranny should be good for another 100K. If these have been neglected, then more expensive stuff is on the horizon.
At 100K miles, I'd think of replacing all hoses, inspect and replace worn suspension items, and flush everything if it hasn't been flushed recently.
Buying a new car if this one is going to be expensive is a false economy. Assuming the car has been treated well, maybe you drop $1500 (US or Looney, take your pick) into the car. Now you've got a car with known good maintenance, and lots of new parts. Yes, that 1.5K hurt, but you've got a car that's good to go for a few more years.
Or, you could buy a new car. Where I live, I'd drop much more than that $1.5K in sales tax alone. Between sales tax and the depreciation of driving the 'new' car off the lot, I'll bet you're looking at $6-7K. That buys A LOT of maintenance on your present ride. And your new car will cost more to insure, and depending on where you live, may cost more to register.
Basically, if you have a decent running car that has been well maintained, those 'expensive' maintenance bills will be much, much less than the real costs of a new car. If the car hasn't been well maintained, that is a different story. That's why maintenance is always much cheaper than disposing of the car (the gas tank's empty and the ashtray is full - time for a new one!).
The worry that a car will become expensive can be mitigated by having a mechanic go through it, and fixing what's broke. Yes, you'll put more money into it than the car is worth - hey, it's a car, not a Mutual Fund. A new car is worth less than you paid for it when you drive it off the lot, and it's only downhill from there. Since you probably NEED a car, you need to pay for it, so even if you put $5K into a car, and it's still worth $5K, it's a good deal. So you sell the car without the repairs for less - you still need a car. If you buy used, you're getting a bunch of unknowns, instead of your known car with known repairs. Or if you buy new, you'll spend a lot more cash.
Of course, if you're looking for a reason to buy a new car because you've got a New Car Jones, that's different - logic doesn't apply.
posted by 192.249....
, Mon, 10 Nov 2003 13:49:39 <-- Viewing This Message
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