What to do with my banger
What to do with my banger
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Discussion

Byff

Original Poster:

4,427 posts

290 months

Wednesday 15th May 2019
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So I've been doing a little bit of bangeromics for the last few years for emergency/second car use.

My current banger is a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.7CRD on 178k miles, dents on every single panel, makes a whine constantly, sometimes refuses to change gear, struggles to start when cold and the front CV joint clicks when going backwards. Bought for £1,050 with 9 months MOT.

I put a new £30 fuel pipe on which helped the cold starting but other than that - I've spent nowt on it other than fuel.

It's MOT is due and my garage has identified an oil seal on the rear axle, CV joints and a tyre that's getting low on tread, so £200 and it could have another year on the road. Any other car and it would have been off to the scrap yard, but I used to love doing a bit of off-roading in my youth.

My dilemma is this.....

Option 1 - Break it for parts and buy a new banger.

Option 2 - Put a cheap £200 set of mud terrain remoulds on it, spend the £200 getting it's MOT and have an off-road toy for a year.

I want to do option 2, however, I'm very aware that taking it off-road will probably kill it very quickly so I could be flushing £400 down the toilet. Also the whole idea of bangeromics is not to get attached to the car, spend nothing on it till it breaks down, scrap it and move on.

Opinions?

exelero

2,082 posts

118 months

Wednesday 15th May 2019
quotequote all
I would say fix it and run it till it dies. You could end up with a lemon, at least you know this car biggrin

Byff

Original Poster:

4,427 posts

290 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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There's loads of wheels/tyres on eBay in pretty ropey condition. At least if I've got new chunky rubber on mine, it'll help shift them when the inevitable happens.

I've only ever off-roaded Suzuki SJ's and Land Rover 90's - not sure how a Jeep will compare.

Vanordinaire

3,701 posts

191 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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Even a banger will always cost you something every year. I personally aim to spend no more than £1000 per year on depreciation plus repairs. This usually comes in about right and occasionally you get a good one that throws in a "free" year or two.
If you're reasonably sure there is nothing else obviously pending then £400ish for another year is pretty good going.

RazerSauber

2,892 posts

89 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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By all accounts, Jeeps seem to be fairly capable off road. I'd chuck it through the MOT and run it for a year. For £400, it's worth it on a car you know. In situations like this, I always wonder if £400 + Scrap would get a car that I'm just as confident in?