# should I replace my faithful old car?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-replace-my-faithful-old-car/156560
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [February 21, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-replace-my-faithful-old-car/156560 "2003-02-21T17:03:16Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@piaffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piaffe)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-replace-my-faithful-old-car/156560/1 "2003-02-21T17:03:16Z")
I have a 1993 Honda Civic with 135K miles. The distributor housing had to be replaced a couple weeks ago, and I just found out the alternator also needs to be replaced. The only cars I can get for what I have ($3k) seem to be pretty much what I have now: 93’-94’, 100K+, etc. Is it likely that such an exchange would be to my advantage, or would I just trade one set of problems for another? Thanks!
---
### Author:  [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-replace-my-faithful-old-car/156560/2 "2003-02-21T18:57:49Z")
Alternator jobs are pretty cheap, and isn’t an unexpected repair for an older car. Keep your car until you have major problems.
---
### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-replace-my-faithful-old-car/156560/3 "2003-02-21T18:59:48Z")
Mine is a 1990 Civic wagon with 140 K miles. I think that it makes more economic sense to fix the odd thing going wrong with it than to let it go.
Some things I’ve replaced recently were the distributor cap & rotor. I also have had to put in the occasional electric part.
Compared to my daughter’s Pontiac (of identical age), the Civic is trouble-free: the Pontiac has had to have a radiator, alternator, battery, water pump, heater core, and head gasket.
I’m confident that my Civic has another 100K in it. Surely yours will last a few more years? Save up and add to your $3K until you can get something newer.
---
### Author:  [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-replace-my-faithful-old-car/156560/4 "2003-02-21T19:13:15Z")
I would keep it until it dies or needs major repairs.
---
### Author:  [@piaffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piaffe)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-replace-my-faithful-old-car/156560/5 "2003-02-21T19:47:27Z")
Thanks–I’d like to keep it b/c I quite like it, but I was quoted $415 for the alternator job–I take it I can probably find a better deal elsewhere?
---
### Author:  [@DaToad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaToad)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-replace-my-faithful-old-car/156560/6 "2003-02-21T21:32:14Z")
\*\* piaffe\*\*, You should be able to get it done for less than $415.00. Go to the autozone website. I don’t know which engine your car has, a 1.5l or 1.6l, but there are two alts. listed for each. If you have a 1.5l which is the most common, with a Nippondenso alt. the price is 152.99. If it has a Mitsubishi alt. the price is 129.99. Also, if the belt hasn’t been changed recently, change the belt when you replace the alt.