At what point do you call it a day...
Discussion
Well, I have done it. Infact, I did it about 15 months ago. What did I do? I bought a lemon of a car. Apparently it happens to the best of people, and last year it was my turn.
Its first MOT cost me £1k which included a new cat and engine mount. Since then I have had it serviced and replaced the front discs which now have developed brake judder when braking down from 70 to 50mph. It has its quirky starting issue (secondary air pump issue), and quite honestly, I am a bit fed up with it.
Car was bought with a loan which has £1.7k outstanding, and the car is probably worth about £2400 at the moment.
With its next MOT coming up in July, I am starting to think its time just to call it quits with this car and get something else... ie. sell the car, and buy something else. This in itself obviously brings the risk of buying lemon number 2, but I understand this.
Anyone ever had a similar situation? What did you decide to do?
Its first MOT cost me £1k which included a new cat and engine mount. Since then I have had it serviced and replaced the front discs which now have developed brake judder when braking down from 70 to 50mph. It has its quirky starting issue (secondary air pump issue), and quite honestly, I am a bit fed up with it.
Car was bought with a loan which has £1.7k outstanding, and the car is probably worth about £2400 at the moment.
With its next MOT coming up in July, I am starting to think its time just to call it quits with this car and get something else... ie. sell the car, and buy something else. This in itself obviously brings the risk of buying lemon number 2, but I understand this.
Anyone ever had a similar situation? What did you decide to do?
Never had that happen to me....yet!
Personal if I was in your shoes, I would either sell the car or trade it in dependant on what the monies involved where and get something else. Im considering doing just that right now I just dont have the money to buy something else just yet.
Have you thought about breaking it and selling the working parts? could make some a little more money.
Cheers
Mike
Personal if I was in your shoes, I would either sell the car or trade it in dependant on what the monies involved where and get something else. Im considering doing just that right now I just dont have the money to buy something else just yet.
Have you thought about breaking it and selling the working parts? could make some a little more money.
Cheers
Mike
Aaaah, interesting. My wife is running an Audi TT which has had a miriad of small niggly issues. I think it's par for the course on these VAG cars of this age and whatnot.
They are pleasant things to own and run, though. I'd stick with it until it's done itself justice in your ownership - i.e. until you feel equitable regarding the usage you've had from it, and then chop it for something else. Then you won't feel like you are jumping from the frying pan into the fire - you'll just feel like you want a new car.
They are pleasant things to own and run, though. I'd stick with it until it's done itself justice in your ownership - i.e. until you feel equitable regarding the usage you've had from it, and then chop it for something else. Then you won't feel like you are jumping from the frying pan into the fire - you'll just feel like you want a new car.
I bought a 'K'-reg polo for £180. It's been nothing but trouble- I can't believe how such a simple car can throw up so many issues! It was supposed to be a gift to a good friend but these days I'm sorry to have ever inflicted it on him.
ETA: I still haven't called it a day. Every time I fix it, it works for a bit longer... Last time (head gasket) it worked for ten whole weeks before the alternator packed up!
ETA: I still haven't called it a day. Every time I fix it, it works for a bit longer... Last time (head gasket) it worked for ten whole weeks before the alternator packed up!
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 23 May 20:05
Well I haven't given it up yet, but you don't have it so bad.
2005: Mark 2 Golf. Paid £950. Total shed, sold it a few months later, £370.
2005: Clio 182, paid £10,700, bought in preference to an ITR because the insurance was cheaper. Sold 15 months later for £6,850
2007: Integra, paid £7,650 (yes it was a good one), kept getting vandalised. Sold a couple of years later for £4,000
2009: Eunos Roadster (RS, supercharged), paid £3,900, turned out to be quite tatty, spent £1,500 bringing up to standard, sold a couple of years later £2,200.
2011: BMW E36 328. Paid £1,850. Excellent car, needed a few jobs doing, swapped for an MR2 Turbo a few months later.
2011: MR2 was a shed. Needed loads of work, guzzled fuel. Still liked it though! Sold on ebay for £600
2011: Primera GT. Paid £750. Spend £160 on a service. Written off 5 weeks after buying it.
2011: Mazda MX5. Paid £950. Turned to brown dust, and failed its MOT. Looked alright from the outside - even the garage who told me [about the fail] said that! Sold for £300 4 months after buying it.
Now I don't have a car.
Like I said, chin up!
2005: Mark 2 Golf. Paid £950. Total shed, sold it a few months later, £370.
2005: Clio 182, paid £10,700, bought in preference to an ITR because the insurance was cheaper. Sold 15 months later for £6,850
2007: Integra, paid £7,650 (yes it was a good one), kept getting vandalised. Sold a couple of years later for £4,000
2009: Eunos Roadster (RS, supercharged), paid £3,900, turned out to be quite tatty, spent £1,500 bringing up to standard, sold a couple of years later £2,200.
2011: BMW E36 328. Paid £1,850. Excellent car, needed a few jobs doing, swapped for an MR2 Turbo a few months later.
2011: MR2 was a shed. Needed loads of work, guzzled fuel. Still liked it though! Sold on ebay for £600
2011: Primera GT. Paid £750. Spend £160 on a service. Written off 5 weeks after buying it.
2011: Mazda MX5. Paid £950. Turned to brown dust, and failed its MOT. Looked alright from the outside - even the garage who told me [about the fail] said that! Sold for £300 4 months after buying it.
Now I don't have a car.
Like I said, chin up!
It happened to me today. I have had my 96 Golf GTI for nearly 3 years now as my dog-eared runabout and have formed an attachment but not one so great that financial turpitude could not rend it asunder.
This month we have already had two MOTs and a full service on otehr cars and the Golf was the final one of the trio.
It failed on a leaking rear damper and needed a bit of welding. Garage wanted £225 plus VAT to put it right - £270 on a car that originally cost me £750 so I've had my value. It also had some advsories for next year - 2 low rear tyres and some rear brake hoses and pipe. I was just going to scrap it and look for something else with a 12m ticket.
After due reflection, I have replaced the rear bearings, discs and pads, new air filter, new battery, new coil, new clutch cable, new rear exhaust, new front springs and top mounts so it's a "known quantity". I'd just taxed it for 6 months too and if I scrapped or sold it, I'd have ebay and collection to sort out then having to find a new car, possible regret if I couldn't find one and finally, "it's a GTI" so it's got a reasonable turn of speed and I'm not sure I could cope with any less. It also has 3 electric windows and a fully functional electric sunroof.
So i went on ebay and found rear shocks for £66 delivered and I'll do those myself. Welding will then be £50 and he said he'd do the retest free so on that basis, it was better the devil you know for me.
I confess that last winter I fell out of love with it when the back exhaust fell off and you begin to think you need something better but it's soon fixed.
This month we have already had two MOTs and a full service on otehr cars and the Golf was the final one of the trio.
It failed on a leaking rear damper and needed a bit of welding. Garage wanted £225 plus VAT to put it right - £270 on a car that originally cost me £750 so I've had my value. It also had some advsories for next year - 2 low rear tyres and some rear brake hoses and pipe. I was just going to scrap it and look for something else with a 12m ticket.
After due reflection, I have replaced the rear bearings, discs and pads, new air filter, new battery, new coil, new clutch cable, new rear exhaust, new front springs and top mounts so it's a "known quantity". I'd just taxed it for 6 months too and if I scrapped or sold it, I'd have ebay and collection to sort out then having to find a new car, possible regret if I couldn't find one and finally, "it's a GTI" so it's got a reasonable turn of speed and I'm not sure I could cope with any less. It also has 3 electric windows and a fully functional electric sunroof.
So i went on ebay and found rear shocks for £66 delivered and I'll do those myself. Welding will then be £50 and he said he'd do the retest free so on that basis, it was better the devil you know for me.
I confess that last winter I fell out of love with it when the back exhaust fell off and you begin to think you need something better but it's soon fixed.
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 23 May 20:27
Mr2Mike said:
Occupation: Automotive Engineer 
Unfortunately my degree and job do not provide a safeguard against feeling deflated about a car that Will probably end up sticking with it until Christmas time I feel.
Was just interested to see what experiences everyone else had had on/around the topic
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