General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI have this problem with my car...
I have had it for many years. I have always trusted it to get me where I am going. But now, the engine is shot. I get a lot of dark smoke coming out the tailpipes.
My dilemma is that I really love this old car. I have become attached to it over the years. It still looks good. But it just doesn't function anymore.
Should I try to repair it? Maybe put a new engine in it? Or just trade it in and get a new one?
elleng
(130,126 posts)and decide THEN.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Given that the average cost of new car is 30 K, there IS a lot to be said for keeping and older one and paying the repair bills. That is what I decided with my 18 y/o car.
But I do not have to commute in it like I used to.
assuming the question is really about cars.
elleng
(130,126 posts)and if the question is really about something else, I've posted below.
(I'm driving Dad's 1993 toyo camry wagon, and hope never to have to replace it!)
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)I had a 96, it was perfect!
Love them but they stopped selling them in the US (still made for other markets) to boost (I think) SUV sales.
Arrrrgh... Here's an Aussie Camry Wagon, never available in the US.
elleng
(130,126 posts)some time ago, to boost SUV and/or other 'mini' truck type sales. Luckly, Mom suggested she and Dad stop driving 5? years ago, and they gave me the car then. I thereafter drove it from Florida to Maryland and vice versa 2? times. Not doing that trek anymore, kind of 'babying' it!
I occasionally see a sibling to mine on the street, and have honked and waved my/our pleasure with our cars.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)knock on wood, that thing is STILL chugging along with only minor repairs..
Freddie
(9,231 posts)With 230k miles on it. Last year DH (a backyard mechanic) put in a new transmission which cost $400 at a junkyard; car could last another 10 years. DH is in the auto parts business and refuses to consider ever buying a new car or even a "young" used car as long as he can keep the old ones running.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)I am so lucky that we actaully have a mechanic in town who clearly loves working on cars and charges VERY reasonable rates.....which is why my car keeps running.
elleng
(130,126 posts)rexcat
(3,622 posts)for less than $20K prior to tax, title and tags. Good cars don't have to cost $30K. I expect the car to last for some time considering the reputation of Subaru and what Consumer Guide has said about the car.
Warpy
(110,900 posts)or any major parts it might need. Junkers can get you great deals on a lot of things. Some yards even have the mechanics to do the work for you.
Xipe Totec
(43,872 posts)'cause if it does, I'd say get rid of it.
You can love an immovable object.
But if you want to move it and it belches smoke, kill it before it kills us all.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Right, Kentuck?
elleng
(130,126 posts)DON'T sit out next opportunity to replace highly damaging parts, that is, repugs, with likely useful Dems, REPLACE congressional repugs and regain MAJORITY of good parts!
VOTE THEM OUT!!!
The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)And why isn't there white smoke coming out of it? My old car had that problem, but then my car was not racist.
kentuck
(110,950 posts)black smoke comes out of the tailpipes. It has nothing to do with race. Why would that enter your mind??
The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)Warpy
(110,900 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)kentuck
(110,950 posts)superpatriotman
(6,232 posts)Whether it is or not, fix it if practical. Scrap it if not.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)you didn't give us. What's the make and model? How old is it? How many miles? Have you done all of the routine maintenance faithfully?
And even with all that information there would no doubt be a difference of opinion as to what you should do.
It's my personal opinion that eventually just about all cars need to be replaced. While today's cars are built much better than they were forty or more years ago, they still aren't being built to last forever. Then there are other safety issues, like brakes, air bags, seat belts, and so on.
I will venture the opinion that if you get a lot of dark smoke coming out the tailpipe there is probably something seriously wrong with it and you may be running the risk that it will abruptly stop and strand you somewhere, or worse. At the very least get a good mechanic to look at it.
randome
(34,845 posts)SamKnause
(13,037 posts)If everything on the car is in good shape I would replace the engine.
If you buy a new one your insurance will go up.
Get several estimates for the repairs.
davidn3600
(6,342 posts)Black smoke in the exhaust can be caused by several things and not all of them are that expensive to repair. You would have to take it to a few mechanics and have them work up an estimate on repairs in order to weigh your options.
cloudbase
(5,486 posts)but in the end you may have sunk more money into it than it's worth.
(Just keeping with the metaphor.)
PA Democrat
(13,225 posts)You probably ripped a big hole in the exhaust system.
Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)that's oil burning, from oil passing the piston rings in the cylinder. It will require an engine rebuild or replacement to fix (which depending on make and availability will probably run you about a grand or so for a rebuilt or low mileage engine, with installation). I'd probably advise engine replacement over a simple repair for this if it's a high-mileage engine.
Mopar151
(9,965 posts)And rings don't show visible smoke 'til your'e down to 200 mi/quart of oil consumption. Black smoke is far more likely to be over-fueling or misfire - the black is soot from partially burned fuel.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)rppper
(2,952 posts)Chances are its something in the fuel system....an old shade tree once taught me black smoke is a cheap fix, white smoke means lots of $$$....
In the old days it meant a fuel/air mix adjustment in the carb and some new plugs...aka a tune up....now with all the computer controls and black boxes....who knows....
A chiltons manual with any decade plus old car is your best friend!
Mopar151
(9,965 posts)Need a lot more specifics to help you. Including how financially irrational you want to be, and how good your connections are.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)I think you will be happier. New cars are so complicated with all the electronic, computerized gizmos and seat warmers. I wouldn't want one. If I could find an old jalopy that runs well with stick shift and roll down windows I'd be in heaven.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)A lot depends on that...
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)but you'll be able to say you went with the middle of the mainstream
kentuck
(110,950 posts)lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)Found 'em in the gerrrrahge while unpackratt'n. Starting to look like a hoarder out there. Half worn out. Now time for laundry.
dimbear
(6,271 posts)Do some research to find all the cars which have the same engine yours does, and get the lowest mileage one you can find for cheap bucks. Then start spinning wrenches.
You'll need some cinder blocks for the remains after the engine surgery. They are cosmetic only, don't use them during the work. Use real ramps for that.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)you are looking at either some major, fundamental repairs or a whole new machine.
kentuck
(110,950 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Nice post!
(Plus, you're getting a lot of good automotive advice. )
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)Something you can fit a lot of people into, something that runs on green energy. Something that's safe around kids & old people. Something that lets YOU steer it instead of always veering off toward the Middle East.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Perfection.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)It turned out to be my transmission. The car was old and since the repair would have been more than what the car was worth, I junked the car.
s-cubed
(1,385 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)keep a failing car running for so long before it becomes more trouble and money than it's worth. Sometimes we need to transfer our love and loyalty to something new that works.