putting money into an old car (1 Viewer)

[Johnny Rock]

ok so listen you are in my wheelhouse here because i am probably the one guy on fbg who does not make a billion million a year and whose lady is not kate upton or whatever but hey here is the thing a used car is ok if it is honestly just nickling and diming you and by that i mean maybe one time in six months you put on brakes for a hondo and a half and then maybe half a year later you gotta put in an alternator or water pump or something for three hondo that is ok because hey if you break it down you own the sucker it gets you a to b and that is only like fifty bucks a month if you figure it what kills the thing is if something major goes like a head gasket or rings or tranny or the rear seal you name it anything that is more than ten percent of the value of the pos or whatever then you dump it and move on take that to the bank brohans

I recently sent back a new car I had bought because it was dumb since I hardly ever drive. So for the past six months or so, I've been driving a 2001 Chevy Tahoe with 223K miles on it. Rear main seal is shot, but cardboard and oil are cheap, and I put on less than 4,000 miles a year. I'm thinking it may outlast me. I did have to replace the water pump and put on some used tires, but it's good to go. Take that to the bank brohans.

You went through all the time and hassle of buying a new car, then gave it back because you figured out you didn't need a new car?

Wasn't much time or hassle.

C'mon. You bought a brand new car and THEN did your thinking about whether you needed it? You act like no big deal, but that's embarrassing.

 

[BeTheMatch]

ok so listen you are in my wheelhouse here because i am probably the one guy on fbg who does not make a billion million a year and whose lady is not kate upton or whatever but hey here is the thing a used car is ok if it is honestly just nickling and diming you and by that i mean maybe one time in six months you put on brakes for a hondo and a half and then maybe half a year later you gotta put in an alternator or water pump or something for three hondo that is ok because hey if you break it down you own the sucker it gets you a to b and that is only like fifty bucks a month if you figure it what kills the thing is if something major goes like a head gasket or rings or tranny or the rear seal you name it anything that is more than ten percent of the value of the pos or whatever then you dump it and move on take that to the bank brohans

I recently sent back a new car I had bought because it was dumb since I hardly ever drive. So for the past six months or so, I've been driving a 2001 Chevy Tahoe with 223K miles on it. Rear main seal is shot, but cardboard and oil are cheap, and I put on less than 4,000 miles a year. I'm thinking it may outlast me. I did have to replace the water pump and put on some used tires, but it's good to go. Take that to the bank brohans.

You went through all the time and hassle of buying a new car, then gave it back because you figured out you didn't need a new car?

Wasn't much time or hassle.

C'mon. You bought a brand new car and THEN did your thinking about whether you needed it? You act like no big deal, but that's embarrassing.

If you say so.

 

[ragincajun]

Honda Civic is the only answer.

if that is the answer then i do not want to know what the question is brohan take that to the bank

Agreed but it is the practical choice in the price range. Older 4Runner fits the bill also.

 

[AAABatteries]

I know this thread isn't about brakes but those of you paying through the nose should try replacing them yourself. Pretty easy to learn on YouTube nowadays. Rewarding too.

I have done a decent amount of work to my car, changed a fan motor, headlights, air filters, batteries, windshield wipers, etc.

But I watched the youtube video on the brakes and decided my time would be better spent fixing some more teeth and paying for the job to get done. Feel the same way about oil changes. Just -EV compared to my hourly rate.

But an oil change is literally just draining the oil, go back in the house while it drains then putting new oil in.

This is true. it's not difficult.. but it's a whole thing... gotta have the filter, gotta find a place to take the old oil, have to have the oil on hand, have to have something to drain it in, have to jack the car up, it's a mess... sucks.

I have a place I bring my own oil (Mobil 1 Extended Performance) to and they do it for $25 while I grab lunch. Takes about 8 quarts (~$50) so for about $75 I get an oil chance with some of the best oil you can buy that is good for up to 15k miles (I change it in half that).

Is this a bargain of some sort?

JFC $75 for an oil change?

For a full synthetic? Yes.

They are pretty much charging the same price if they provided the crap oil. I don't think this is really an unreasonable price. Paying $25 to have someone do the work and getting the oil you want.

I drive a piece of junk - 200k+ Honda Accord - pay $19.95 for oil and change every 5k miles

 

[jamil]

Do people not buy the oil + oil filter special at auto zone and change their own oil?

 

[Wooderson]

Do people not buy the oil + oil filter special at auto zone and change their own oil?

What's the price on that?

 

[Statcruncher]

I own several vehicles and used to change the oil myself, but now I let my mechanic change the oil. For my Suburban it's $65 for a synthetic blend. I could save money if I used those $20 quick lube places but I prefer to let my mechanic do them. May sound dumb, but I like a strong relationship with the people that I trust for services (mechanic, doctor, HVAC guy, dentist, etc.) and seeing them regularly and exclusively helps build that. I know when he gets the car for an oil change it will be done right and he'll check everything out to detect problems as early as possible. He goes out of his way to work me in when I do have problems and has done some minor free work in the past.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Do people not buy the oil + oil filter special at auto zone and change their own oil?

What's the price on that?

Just looking at O'Riely auto parts, 5 quarts of store brand oil is $20. Another $5 for the filter. My mechanic will do it for $30, so it makes no sense to do it myself.

 

[Wooderson]

Do people not buy the oil + oil filter special at auto zone and change their own oil?

What's the price on that?

Just looking at O'Riely auto parts, 5 quarts of store brand oil is $20. Another $5 for the filter. My mechanic will do it for $30, so it makes no sense to do it myself.

Yep that's what I was getting at. I see no reason to do it myself to save a few dollars.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Do people not buy the oil + oil filter special at auto zone and change their own oil?

What's the price on that?

Just looking at O'Riely auto parts, 5 quarts of store brand oil is $20. Another $5 for the filter. My mechanic will do it for $30, so it makes no sense to do it myself.

Yep that's what I was getting at. I see no reason to do it myself to save a few dollars.

Especially when you live in MN like I do and the odds are that only one time a year is an oil change due when I want to be spending time outside. Usually it is either freezing, raining, or hotter than hades. No thanks.