AstroNut325
Member
Hello,
I own three cars. Two of them are really starting to show their age. The older cars need monthly repairs in excess of $300 USD.
My first car is a 2002 Toyota Camry. It has 182,000 miles on it and it failed the California smog test. I have shown it to three different mechanics and no one has been able to figure out what is causing it to fail. The smog test report states the following:
- Catalyst Not Ready
- EVAP system not ready
- Check Engine Light Code P0171 - Bank 1 Too Lean.
One mechanic was asking me to change all of my injectors. Another was asking me to change my catalytic convertor and put a new fuel tank. Another told me it's my intake manifold gasket, mass air-flow sensor, and two of the injectors needing replacement and a vacuum leak (but can't figure out where).
If I can't get it fixed soon my registration for the car will expire at the end of the month. At that point I have to make it non-op or retire the vehicle. I would like to not do either of those things since the car still run beautifully.
Anyone here run into such an issue? If yes, what did you do? I estimate my car is worth $2500 USD and I would get about $1000 from the government if I retire it.
My second car is a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. It has about 162,000 miles on it and is worth $1200 per Kelly Blue Book. It passed smog, but it needs repairs for the following:
- Power Steering Pump : $500
- Front struts replacement: $350
- Rear struts replacement: $350
Now, someone hit the car in the parking lot. So my rear quarter panel and rear passenger door now have huge dents and major, deep scratches. Since the car is so old, I only kept liability only insurance. I've asked five different places for repair estimates and all of them essentially quoted me $1500-2000.
At this point, I don't feel it's worth pouring that kind of money into the car. But that means I have TWO cars that need to replaced. And right now, I'm trying to buy a home in the next six months. To make matters worse, no one is willing to give me anything over $200 for my Hyundai. Maybe get two really cheap cars with cash that have passed smog and hope they last a few years without major issues?
Am I fucked or is there some other option that I haven't seen/explored?
I own three cars. Two of them are really starting to show their age. The older cars need monthly repairs in excess of $300 USD.
My first car is a 2002 Toyota Camry. It has 182,000 miles on it and it failed the California smog test. I have shown it to three different mechanics and no one has been able to figure out what is causing it to fail. The smog test report states the following:
- Catalyst Not Ready
- EVAP system not ready
- Check Engine Light Code P0171 - Bank 1 Too Lean.
One mechanic was asking me to change all of my injectors. Another was asking me to change my catalytic convertor and put a new fuel tank. Another told me it's my intake manifold gasket, mass air-flow sensor, and two of the injectors needing replacement and a vacuum leak (but can't figure out where).
If I can't get it fixed soon my registration for the car will expire at the end of the month. At that point I have to make it non-op or retire the vehicle. I would like to not do either of those things since the car still run beautifully.
Anyone here run into such an issue? If yes, what did you do? I estimate my car is worth $2500 USD and I would get about $1000 from the government if I retire it.
My second car is a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. It has about 162,000 miles on it and is worth $1200 per Kelly Blue Book. It passed smog, but it needs repairs for the following:
- Power Steering Pump : $500
- Front struts replacement: $350
- Rear struts replacement: $350
Now, someone hit the car in the parking lot. So my rear quarter panel and rear passenger door now have huge dents and major, deep scratches. Since the car is so old, I only kept liability only insurance. I've asked five different places for repair estimates and all of them essentially quoted me $1500-2000.
At this point, I don't feel it's worth pouring that kind of money into the car. But that means I have TWO cars that need to replaced. And right now, I'm trying to buy a home in the next six months. To make matters worse, no one is willing to give me anything over $200 for my Hyundai. Maybe get two really cheap cars with cash that have passed smog and hope they last a few years without major issues?
Am I fucked or is there some other option that I haven't seen/explored?
