Pay out for repairs or move on?

[gman88667733]

Morning, I've got a 2003 Kia Sorento Auto and my partner loves it. We have owned it for the past year and got it from a family member who owned it for 8 years or so. In the past 12 months we have had to get a new wheel bearing (£200), a new radiator (£300) and probably a few other little bits to add another £200 onto that. Now it appears that the coolant tank is leaking (not 100% sure yet, but there is a drip coming from the base of it) and also a major electrical gremlin whereby the engine stalls when you press the hazard button!
I am concerned that we will spend too much money keeping the car on the road, but I am not sure when to say enough is enough.
Is it worth keeping the car going for the time being? Or are we better to save a bit and get something for £2000 ideally that is more reliable? If so, what would that be?
My partner likes the high driving position and overall size of the Sorento, even if it drives like a barge.
Any ideas?


Worth noting that when we got the car, we had all new fuel injectors on it and disks and pads. The car hasn't got a lot of rust on it, although given our usage it'll probably get worse.

Edited by gman88667733 on Saturday 12th January 08:52

[nick1871]

I’d be tempted to keep it and get the leak fixed , providing it’s not too expensive. You know the history of this car and have already replaced several parts.

If you go and buy another car for £2000 you could be in for a load more issues and having to fork out even more.

Maybe replace the car when you’ve got a bit more money to play with and can get something newer with a good warranty.

[steveo3002]

unless you strike lucky , £2000 still buys you a banger that will need repairs

[CubanPete]

Bangernomics is about looking at running costs, not the value of the car.

My car depreciation is about £1500 a year, plus £200 on servicing and the odd bill on top of that.

If you can run it for less than £1000 a year, I would say you are getting good value motoring. A £2000 car is still very likely to hit you with a big bill.

[gman88667733]

Okay, that does make a lot of sense. What sort of budget would get a car that I could be confident about reliability? I'm all for a Volvo estate or similar, but she wants to sit higher up.
My £2500 Octavia that I got in the summer has been good to us, other than the turbo going when we got it, it is set for a couple of years now.

[stevemcs]

Don't push the hazzard switch then ..... for the sake of a few £££ it might be worth putting a switch on it. Spending £2000 on a used car will buy you more trouble than you already have, even more so if its a 2k Volvo

[DuraAce]

16 year old car requires repairs? Hold the front page!

Buying a car for 2k could put you in an even worse position. It might not, but it certainly could. You have to be realistic in that you are driving cars that are nearing the end of their useful lives.

If repair costs are concerning you then get out your spanners and DIY it. You'll save a fortune.

Fwiw I would keep your car. Better the devil you know as they say.

[Jamescrs]

I'd change the coolant bottle personally and carry on using the car, assuming you can get one from Eurocarparts or similar it's not going to be expensive and usually an easy job to do.

You would be very lucky to find a reliable car with no gremlins for £2000.

As for the hazard warning lights I'd just avoid pressing them.

[gman88667733]

All valid points! Going to change the coolant tank and leave it at that. Bit of red tape over the hazard button so it isn't pressed.