Tuesday, June 30, 2009
OUCH...! This Is Going To Hurt!
Well, the news from the auto repair shop was not as good as I hoped...
In fact, I guess you could say that it was a little on the bad side! Freeze plugs need to be replaced and in order for that to be done, the engine must be jacked up from underneath. Labor and parts...about $900!
Then the front brakes are in dire need of being overhauled, drums turned and new pads. The back brakes need to be adjusted. I never even knew that they were bad and I just had them done, but evidently they only halfway did the job Anyway, with parts and labor for the whole job...$1500 or there abouts.
Now, here is the dilemma I'm facing. Do I go ahead and put the $1500 into the truck, or do I just bite the bullet, and get a newer vehicle? After all, my truck is a 1991 Chevy S-10. I have to figure that the next thing to go is the tranny, right? I could put that money into a full size truck or even a van. Decisions, decisions...!
I could talk myself into going either way, but I really do need to sit and think this one out. It's always something, isn't it?
I think that this is one of those little test life throws at you to see if you are paying attention! I'm sure that the right decision will make it's way to the front of my feeble mind.
The good news is that right now the truck is still running, and really not leaking too badly. So I figure that I can take a couple of days to make up my mind. Who know...I may have a sudden true bargain jump out at me and say "Buy me, buy me!" Stranger things have happened, ya know? You might know I just put new tires all around on my truck a couple of weeks ago!
You know what? I'm not even going to worry about it right now. I'm just going to sit back and take things slower, like I said yesterday! I'll need to rethink my plans a bit...but maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Why don't we get another cup of coffee, my friend, and sit on the patio a bit. You can help me decide which direction I should take...OK?
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18 comments:
I hate those kind of decisions to make Jim. If the truck was just used locally I would throw something in the rad (bars leak, or pepper) or something, and just drive it. But thats just me. But as I understand, you are heading out on a journey, so, I don't know. As for the brakes, they'll just slow you down. lol. This decision to buy something newer or not, I think only you can decide. Could be a nice change for you though. I am sorry to hear the truck problem was not alot simpler, but I guess thats the way she goes. Good luck with it all Jim.
Hey FCH...
Thanks. I guess that it will all work out for the best! I'm thinking that there is no hurry, just keep on doing what I can and wait until the right decision hits me like a ton of bricks.
I have transportation that runs...and if I have to delay the trip, that's what I'll do.
Hey, thanks for the visit and the good wishes, my friend!
Aw, sorry for the bad news sir. That is a hard choice. I had a similar one about 4 years ago, deciding if trading in my '85 Suburban was worth it. On one hand, I only had $4000 in it in the 1st place and it was generally pretty good to me, not breaking down. But when it did, parts were hard to find, as it was old enough that DIY used them for ORVs pretty often, which meant parts for them get used up fast. Sometimes would take several weeks to find and ship to my location - lucky for me we keep a 3rd car just in case of this emergency.
I had to regretablly sell Cujo and get my present truck. Hope you find your answer soon.
Morning HermitJim,
Different circumstances for different people. To buy another or patch what you have. You have to weigh what you need against cost in todays markets. I'm sure you'll come to the decision that's right for you. If I can help, like send coffee or something, just let me know.
YeOldFurt
My thoughts:
If you keep it, do the brakes yourself. They're really not all that hard. I'm a complete mechanical idiot and I've done brakes, shocks, and plugs. You'll save yourself a bundle that way.
If you decide to retire it, salvage those new tires first and replace em with cheapo used tires from craigslist, a junkyard, or a local paper. It will cost you some sweat and $40 and save you what...$400?
Because it's a 91, if you sell it to a dealership or a place like CarMax, they're going to turn around and sell it for scrap, so you might as well strip it of anything useful that you can.
In fact, NPR was doing a donate your car thing awhile ago - you may just do better with the tax write off than you would with a trade-in...worth researching.
Either way you go, good luck and good coffee!
That's a tough one to make. I would opt for a newer one. My thinking is something else will break soon and you certainly don't want to be on the road when it does. Good Luck coming to a decision.
Hey Anon 5:31...
Hard to find parts are something I've run into already! Never easy, but always exciting...the joys of older vehicles!
Thanks for the visit this morning!
Hey YOF...
I appreciate the offer to send coffee, my friend! I may need some extra after all of this!
Hey, I appreciate the visit today!
Hey Ranger...
Yeah, I have to save those tires if I can. No sense just giving them away! Only saving grace here is that I always have someone dropping over , wanting to buy the truck. Selling it as is should be easy if I decide to go that route.
Thanks for coming by and for the comment this morning!
Hey Rae...
Probably what I'll do. I cringe when I think of the things that could happen in a place where the closest town is 30 miles away!
Hey, thanks for coming by, Rae...
Good day, Mister Hermit, sir...and ouch, indeed!
I've only just come home from fetching my own Mule from the repair shop - needed an new compressor for the A/C, and while A/C isn't necessary for the operation of the vehicle, is IS necessary for the operator!
When it comes to repairs, I generally consider return on investment - if I pay this much now, how long will it run before something else needs repair, and how will repairs over the long-run compare to car payments or possible repairs on a used vehicle?
I'm also the sort of person who grows attached to their car...so sometimes I'll repair when I SHOULD cut and run.
No help from me, I guess...except to hope that your own answer comes in a timely fashion and isn't too costly.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Hey K...
I can agree with everything you say. Especially the gettin attached to the vehicle...
This old truck has seen me through 2 floods, a nasty hurricane, and various asundry other situations...so it's like an old friend! I also know it's history, as I bought it from my next door neighbor whoi bought it new!
Maybe it should be retired, like me...just seems a shame to scorn it just because it's getting some age on it, ya know?
Well, we will just have to wait and see...! Hey, thanks for coming by today, K. I really appreciate it!
Aww sorry to hear it Jim. That darned thing is giving you too much trouble. :(
Tough call to make am sure, the best of luck with making the right choice.
:)
lydia
Hey Lydia...
Been a long time! Yep, the old truck is getting tired, I reckon. I really ca't complain as it hasn't given that much trouble...but when something goes wrong, OUCH!
Hey, Lydia, thanks for coming by today!
HJ, my man! Must be something going around in the gasoline...the computer in the van (or the wiring harness...haven't figured out which just yet) gave out last week. Fortunately we got lucky, Dad's old Honda Civic ('89 that runs like a dream, albiet sounding like a pissed off bee) was borrowable until we figure something out.
Can't afford a new one, can't afford to really fix the van. Sigh. Hit up the local salvage yards though and got a 'puter for $50 (vs $350 new) that the Pops and the Spouse will be trying out shortly...I'm taking bets on how long it takes them to get it done, lol.
Hope you find a solution HJ...now pass that coffee man, the wind is a mite chilly on this fine day in the hills.
Hey Momma...
Always good to have access to a running vehicle, for sure! I'm glad that you were able to find the parts at a junk yard instead of having to buy it new! Now if it just works...!
Always some little ruts in the road of life, I reckon!
I sure do appreciate you coming by today, my friend!
Jeez..... Sounds like yer gettin' screwed to me.... Bad freeze plugs? Are you losing coolant? If not, this is a BS story.... You say you just had the back brakes done? The front brakes usually get replaced twice before the back ones. The front does 80% or so of the braking.... I reckon I'd get a second opinion....
Hi There,
Do not use pepper in the radiator, I knew someone that did that it caused even more problems. And I agree with Mayberry get a second opinion. If you just had the back brakes done why didn't they do it all the way. Remember I had told you about my bad experience with the garage I used for 15yrs I believe they ruined my truck. It was constantly something and it was costing me a fortune. Making payments on a new car was cheaper than the monthly repair bills.
Good Luck!
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