Our 2000 VW Golf has about 160k miles on it, and things are starting to go. I think we dropped about $3k in repairs last year, and this morning's estimate is for another $2k. The car isn't likely worth $2k at the moment (or maybe around $2k max). At what point to you typically sell a car and get a new/newer one?

Posted by yokes Our 2000 VW Golf has about 160k miles on it, and things are starting to go. I think we dropped about $3k in repairs last year, and this morning's estimate is for another $2k. The car isn't likely worth $2k at the moment (or maybe around $2k max). At what point to you typically sell a car and get a new/newer one?

For me its when I'm spending more on oil than gas. I don't have inspections or emmisions here so we pretty much drive em into the ground.

what's wrong with it?

This time I think they said something about a wheel bearing being gone, some bushings needing replacement, the ac compressor, the classic VW rear lights wiring, and something about the rear sway bar (I know basically nothing about this crap). Going to do just what is definitely needed now (bearings, sway bar and rear wiring) to the tune of about $750-800 or so.

In the meantime, am looking at a 2007 Rabbit with 33k km.

The only thing I saw "needed" was the tail lights. If your lookin at another car. But what's cheaper, $2000 to fix what u have (which seems high to me, look at gettin a manual) or $6000 for another vehicle?

Well, in the last year it will be $5k, which is roughly what financing a new/newer car would be costing me.

I'm also tempted by the Ford Fiesta (which surprises me).

Posted by yokes This time I think they said something about a wheel bearing being gone, some bushings needing replacement, the ac compressor, the classic VW rear lights wiring, and something about the rear sway bar (I know basically nothing about this crap). Going to do just what is definitely needed now (bearings, sway bar and rear wiring) to the tune of about $750-800 or so. In the meantime, am looking at a 2007 Rabbit with 33k km.

you're getting rooked on repairs.

Probably

yokes Im in Oakville and would be willing to help you out if you want to save some cash from labour. also i know some VW places for well priced new parts and great prices on used.
hit me up if your keeping it, Im sure we can repair much cheaper.
I broke suspension and steering parts like no body's business in my 2000 VW, stupid toronto streets

Do it yourself. I can email you a full PDF copy of the Bentley MK4 service manual.

And what's wrong with the tail light wiring? The only common problem is that they go through bulbs, but the actual wiring itself is very rarely faulty.

How far is Bandi from you guys? I am sure that guy could talk you through pulling an engine over the phone!

Haymaker: I had some of the work done today, and put ff some of the work. I'll let you know when we do the rest.

As for doing it myself, no chance in hell. I'm just not wired that way, even if I had tools, space and interest in doing it myself.

Posted by yokes they said

Oh yeah, THEY? Well fuck them!

Posted by Professor Chaos Do it yourself. I can email you a full PDF copy of the Bentley MK4 service manual.

Haha can i get a copy too?

I look into replacing a car when the annual cost of repairs is more than what financing another vehicle would cost me.

Basically when things start going to shit left and right, I start looking.

my 98 Cavalier was like that... it just got to the point where the mileage was ridiculously high and just little things started going... when a car gets to the point where I cannot trust it on a road trip, buh=bye.
i suppose it was the clutch getting weak and the replacement junkyard fuel tank leaking after I put it in that was the final nail in the coffin of trade in...

Posted by big dave Oh yeah, THEY? Well fuck them! Haha can i get a copy too?

yeah PM me your email.

sounds good Yokes, i have no issue coming out there and helping you do the stuff you dont think you can. its very simple really.

My wife tells me that the AC is now totally gone (see: needs new AC compressor. Has a leak I'm told). Is that something you can do? or is that take it into some shop?

Highly recommend taking A/C work to a shop. Stay away from the "off the shelf" refrigerant crap (Duracool 12A, etc), it's propane.