Car repairs - when it rains it pours...

[jim]

As it is now, not being able to pass the test, we can't even really sell it.

Well I can guarantee you could trade it in somewhere. I doubt they run an emissions test on the car when you trade it in.

Do you know any mom and pop shops that do inspections? Alot of times you can go there and they can "get it to pass inspection".

I don't know how it works in Missouri, but in Illinois it's all done at these state run places. There are no mom and pop places.

As far as trading it in, I'm guessing having the "Check Engine" light come on will impact their offer.

We think we can do one of two things:
1. Drive it until Dec 31, take it to a junkyard and get $50 for it.
2. Spend $1200, drive it until next summer, and hopefully sell it for $500 or so.

My son will inherit my old vehicle (85K on it), and I will get something newer. Say $350 car payment, if I do option 2 it only takes about 2-3 months of trouble free operation to get our money back. Of course, there could be that major problem lurking around the corner.

We are leaning toward fixing it IF the car continues to run well until December and hoping to get 6 months or so out of it and be able to get a few bucks on a trade or selling it.

[cardinalkarp]

Of course, there could be that major problem lurking around the corner.

A Ford Taurus w/ 130k on it. I would say that this is the more likely option.

[docellis]

As it is now, not being able to pass the test, we can't even really sell it.

Well I can guarantee you could trade it in somewhere. I doubt they run an emissions test on the car when you trade it in.

Do you know any mom and pop shops that do inspections? Alot of times you can go there and they can "get it to pass inspection".

I don't know how it works in Missouri, but in Illinois it's all done at these state run places. There are no mom and pop places.

As far as trading it in, I'm guessing having the "Check Engine" light come on will impact their offer.

We think we can do one of two things:
1. Drive it until Dec 31, take it to a junkyard and get $50 for it.
2. Spend $1200, drive it until next summer, and hopefully sell it for $500 or so.

My son will inherit my old vehicle (85K on it), and I will get something newer. Say $350 car payment, if I do option 2 it only takes about 2-3 months of trouble free operation to get our money back. Of course, there could be that major problem lurking around the corner.

We are leaning toward fixing it IF the car continues to run well until December and hoping to get 6 months or so out of it and be able to get a few bucks on a trade or selling it.

I haven't read this whole thread but this happened to me (check engine light, trying to get things to pass inspection/emissions).

I took it to a car lot and said: "I have a check engine light and I prefer getting a new car as opposed to investigating the cause of the light. It could be something that costs $20, or it could cost $3000 to fix it and I don't feel like figuring it out."

They gave me a fair amount for the car. Later when I had to bring my new car in for service they let me know that the other car needed $2500 worth of work to get it to pass.

[cardinalkarp]

They gave me a fair amount for the car. Later when I had to bring my new car in for service they let me know that the other car needed $2500 worth of work to get it to pass.

Nice work doc!! Very rarely do you get to stick it to a car dealership!!

[jim]

Of course, there could be that major problem lurking around the corner.

A Ford Taurus w/ 130k on it. I would say that this is the more likely option.

Knock on wood, we've had very few problems with the car. It's a roll of the dice basically, like I said if we put $1200 in it and you figure on 300-400/month new car payment then you are looking at 3-4 months to break even. 6 months and you are $1200 ahead.

[Swatcat27]

After shelling 450$ on the charcoal canister last week to get rid of the 'check engine' light, the freaking thing comes back on again. I'm tired of talking to the guys at the dealer - I havent called my siblings this often !! #&^&@$&

Ok, they said it was an unclean valve or something & fixed it quick.
Over/Under 30 days before the light comes back on..I'd say, Under.

[jim]

After shelling 450$ on the charcoal canister last week to get rid of the 'check engine' light, the freaking thing comes back on again. I'm tired of talking to the guys at the dealer - I havent called my siblings this often !! #&^&@$&

Ok, they said it was an unclean valve or something & fixed it quick.
Over/Under 30 days before the light comes back on..I'd say, Under.

From my experience I'd say under as well.

[Swatcat27]

After shelling 450$ on the charcoal canister last week to get rid of the 'check engine' light, the freaking thing comes back on again. I'm tired of talking to the guys at the dealer - I havent called my siblings this often !! #&^&@$&

Ok, they said it was an unclean valve or something & fixed it quick.
Over/Under 30 days before the light comes back on..I'd say, Under.

From my experience I'd say under as well.

The best part was they said there was a 12 month warranty on the newly replaced canister..So I was waiting for them to charge me for something else..but fortunately, they did not.

[Swatcat27]

After shelling 450$ on the charcoal canister last week to get rid of the 'check engine' light, the freaking thing comes back on again. I'm tired of talking to the guys at the dealer - I havent called my siblings this often !! #&^&@$&

Ok, they said it was an unclean valve or something & fixed it quick.
Over/Under 30 days before the light comes back on..I'd say, Under.

From my experience I'd say under as well.

Good call, Jim. 3 days after they supposedly fixed it, the check engine light is back on !!
Going back to visit my buddies at the dealership tomorrow.

[cardinalkarp]

After shelling 450$ on the charcoal canister last week to get rid of the 'check engine' light, the freaking thing comes back on again. I'm tired of talking to the guys at the dealer - I havent called my siblings this often !! #&^&@$&

Ok, they said it was an unclean valve or something & fixed it quick.
Over/Under 30 days before the light comes back on..I'd say, Under.

From my experience I'd say under as well.

Good call, Jim. 3 days after they supposedly fixed it, the check engine light is back on !!
Going back to visit my buddies at the dealership tomorrow.

I think I would go in there laughing at them at this point asking them sarcastically "Do you guys have any clue what you're doing back there?"