At what point should you trade your car in, rather than repair it?

In My Humble Opinion
21

Thank you for the expertise, Doctor Jackson! I believe (upon closer inspection) that my rear tires look ok. The front ones don’t have any noticeable bulges, but they do sit a little flatter on the ground, even after being aired up to the manufacturer’s specifications. It’s also got front-wheel drive. The car has 77k miles and I know the tires should be replaced around 75k anyway. So, I will plan to replace the front 2 tires for the road trip and keep cash on hand in the event that I blow a rear one on the way.

Once I get to my destination, my boyfriend knows a guy who knows a guy. Then I can get a more honest assessment of the suspension problem. I know there are people on the SDMB who say most mechanics are not dishonest in the least and would never dare to inflate a repair estimate, and maybe that’s true. But shady mechanics indubitably exist, and there’s no way for me (an automotive idiot) to tell the difference.

22

I agree with this, but dealers are famous for making terribly low-ball offers. OP, if you go this route prepare to be insulted.

23

I don’t think anyone asked the most important question, which is: Do you like the car?

24

I was prepared to be mid- to low-balled by Carmax, compared to KBB or Edmund’s. But, since it’s financed in a title-holding state, I don’t really have the option of a private buyer. I hope I can get by without selling it, though, as long as I fix the tires. If not, well at least I have a clear (if ill-advised and financially-dimwitted) path to getting into something more reliable. If I went down that path and got *seriously *low-balled because it needs repairs, I know I likely have the option of rolling the underwater amount into the new loan. Which is even *more *dimwitted, but it’s good to know that’s an option. And hey, I gotta have a car, so…

It does have a certain amount of sentimental value, since it’s the first car I picked out and paid for entirely on my own. But it’s given me a number of headaches, as well. I wouldn’t die without it, but I’d miss it. I have a feeling the novelty of a new-to-me car would make up for any residual sadness.

25

First, I question your mechanic’s assessment of your suspension as “shot”. Whatever is wrong should be fixable-get another opinion. Second, this car can give you many good years of service-provided you maintain it. I’d spend the money fixing your car-and get a reliable mechanic