1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
As a secondary car it doesn't need to be perfect, right?
185k miles is getting up there for these to not need constant upkeep for awhile while most items are now wearing out... you could easily spend that much and find the same amount needed next year I'd say.
But
The muffler could replaced with a used one - and the bolt up is pretty easy - hard for even a muffler shop to screw up for cheaper unless you risk offending your indie's feelings?
The water pump is not a 400 buck repair - there are new ones on eBay for 30.xx with seal and free shipping - labor takes me 2 hours at home (surely a mech can do it almost that quick?) Usually the pump weeps so that's likely the leak - otherwise it's the main heater hose (15 bucks) or lower radiator hose - the O-rings don't tend to fail... the radiator does though, and install requires removing the bumper (oops) so pray it's not that - still not that hard though.
The power steering leak can be shored up cheap - just keep up with the fluid until it is as they usually last forever unless run low - the hoses go bad at the reservoir (trim and refit easily) or the rack (add synthetic with stopleak)- more extreme cases would require further action.
The trans mount is a quick easy job on your list and worth it so pay for that before you break your engine and rear mounts or you sell it.
The A/C charge is not needed until spring right? Running the car with low coolant doesn't hurt the compressor, unless you are completely empty of oil. Just keep it disengaged (ECO) until spring/summer works fine.
The front struts and mounts could wait (how bad is the rebound after you push down on the front?) - not replacing either should not affect the wear of anything on the front short of the tire alignment (if you put a lot of miles, but I assume this car doesn't)
This is all assuming this is your BACKUP car that is infrequently driven.
If it comes time to sell the car you would of course disclose all known possible issue and let the buyer judge the need.
If you really can't have a backup car that's not 'perfect' then I would advise selling it as it will be easier to find a similar but newer lower mileage model - there are many '99 with around 100k floating around that run similar cost to all your repairs, and you could likely swap yours or sell it - if a newer one then a collectible '02 that has no sludge.
The real question is - do you want an old gen 9-3 hatch or are you trying to talk yourself into something else? :)
posted by 75.32.181...
, Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:11:48
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