Car Advice Please ! Sell or Repair

timthetoolman on 13/01/2016 - 15:40
Last edited 13/01/2016 - 17:46 by 2 other users

Hi, I've just returned from the mechanic after a service to find my car isn't quite as healthy as I thought.
I've got an 05 Mitsubishi 380 with about 180000ks on the clock.
Long story short it needs about $2700 worth of work, or about $4000 if I get the shocks put on it as well.
It's a fair few things ( none of which I'm sure is bs or actually needed) but it includes the timing belt, a couple of other belts and this and that.
The bloke said if I get this done it shouldn't need much more attention for the next 5 years or so as the battery, tyres and breaks are all in good nic.
The car itself would be lucky to fetch about $8000 I think so it seems a lot to spend on it, but at the same stage I dont want to sell it to someone if its needs all this week.

So…my options:

  • Suck it up and pay
  • Find somewhere cheaper
  • Try and find a new or second hand engine
  • Get the minimum work done and sell
  • Buy a new car ( which im really not in a position to do at the moment)

Any help would be much appreciated and thanks in advance !

Automotive

Comments

  • Findo on 13/01/2016 - 16:07
    -2

    I'd see how much I could fetch for it on scumtree and part ways with it. Older cars need a fair bit of work on a regular basis. My turd car I inherited is worth $4500 agreed value but I've had to spend around $2000 in repairs to keep it on the road every year - it's been three years so far. Or better yet get into a minor accident that writes your car off and you're not at fault.

    • npc on 13/01/2016 - 16:13
      -1

      Yeah, set someone up and cause an incident is the way to go, behind the bars. Good luck.

      • Findo on 13/01/2016 - 16:33
        -1

        Crap drivers exist everywhere. It doesn't take much to get rear ended if you don't drive defensively. If you drive like the average muppet you'll get into an accident sooner or later.

    • timthetoolman on 13/01/2016 - 16:33

      It's been a very good car to me, if this is the last major thing to deal with then I can run it into the ground and get a few more years.
      I'd feel like a shit bloke selling it to a young kid who then has to pay this

  • npc on 13/01/2016 - 16:10
    +1

    Option to "Try and find a new or second hand engine" does not make sense. It sounds like there is nothing wrong with yours, belts are part of normal maintenance.

    I'll look for a cheaper place as $1,300 for shock replacement sounds excessive.

    Also - I don't think there is a chance to sell '05 380 for anywhere close to 8 grand. Perhaps 6 at most.

    • timthetoolman on 13/01/2016 - 16:31

      I figured if I'm in 4k I could look at a new engine for a similar price that's then new. Just a thought.
      And I'll put it down to optimism haha. It's a vrx with a bit of work done so was just putting a ballpark on it.

  • nocure on 13/01/2016 - 17:05
    +1

    Start a post over at Aussiemagna ..they are very informative..but imo I would not sell it..Magnas are bulletproof.

    • spackbace on 13/01/2016 - 17:12

      As above, used to be a long-term member

      Timing belt is probably a bit early, could easily be done at 200,000kms, which gives you another year or so to save.
      Shocks can be done a lot cheaper, and especially with the guys on the forum, could be able to suggest options.

      Ask the guys on there, get a 2nd opinion :)

      • timthetoolman on 13/01/2016 - 17:18

        Cheers guys, shall do

      • nocure on 13/01/2016 - 17:27

        BLAK LABL

        • spackbace on 13/01/2016 - 17:39
          +2

          Stalker lol

        • cvas on 13/01/2016 - 18:47
          +1

          I've seen that Magna round these parts!

        • nocure on 13/01/2016 - 19:13
          +1

          @cvas:
          Yep, it's a credit too him.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/01/2016 - 18:24
      -2

      the 380 motor is from holden.

  • aussieprepper on 13/01/2016 - 17:34

    Did you get the timming belt done at 100000km? Have you had the water pump changed? Drive belts can go when ever! my mums was worn out at about 70000km on her corolla so I changed it.it sounds a bit expensive if that is all you need done?

    • timthetoolman on 13/01/2016 - 22:03

      Nah I had my 100k service with the same business but they said nothing about it, I always thought that the timing belt got changed at 100k.
      It needs a little more than just the timing belt, the list is below in reply to supnigs

  • supnigs super skids on 13/01/2016 - 18:50

    List a work breakdown with associated costs for current car

    • timthetoolman on 13/01/2016 - 22:02

      I'll do the expensive ones as I was quoted.
      front and rear shocks $1180
      drive belts x2 $180
      2x fron lower control arm rear bushes $520
      2x rear lower trailing arm bushes $480
      timing belt $780
      2x rocker cover gaskets $440
      auto trans fluid flush $140
      the rest are just fluids and that kind of thing

      • supnigs super skids on 13/01/2016 - 22:45
        +1

        If it were me I'd do timing belt first. If this fails you're just about guaranteed an engine replacemebt.

        Also do all fluids.

        Not sure about your rocker cover, maybe it's leaking or something but it's a low prioroty with the bushes and suspension.

        The drive belts do as well if you had cash upfront, if they break it's no major deal in correcting.

        • timthetoolman on 13/01/2016 - 23:21

          They did say it was leaking a bit.
          So a timing belt and the fluid washes should get me by for now?

        • supnigs super skids on 13/01/2016 - 23:23

          @timthetoolman: yes. Just ensure its roadworthy.

          The bushes and suspension can be deferred until you really notice handling issues such as excessive bouncing but best check with your own trusted mechanic who had seen it in person.

          I still would keep the car

      • spackbace on 13/01/2016 - 23:25

        Do the fluid flush through Mitsi themselves. They actually have a machine which forces the fluid through, rather than just empty, fill, repeat.

        The auto boxes in Magna and 380 are known to be a bit crud, so fluid flushes are definitely recommended :)

        • timthetoolman on 13/01/2016 - 23:26

          Lovely, just the fluid while I'm there ? Or better off somewhere else for the rest ?

        • spackbace on 13/01/2016 - 23:26
          +1

          @timthetoolman:

          Somewhere else for the rest ;)

  • BreezyPalms on 14/01/2016 - 09:10
    +2

    Unfortunately a fair proportion of the work you seem to need is not just the engine. If you buy a used engine you still need all the suspension, bushes and transmission fluid and parts etc AND you are entering unknow territory - who knows how many Kms the used engine has really done (don't trust the wrecker who says it came out of a car with only 70k on the clock!) and what kind of servicing it has had in the past?!…therefore you are likely to need all of those same parts anyway plus more and that engine could have issues of its own. As the saying goes - better the devil you know.
    Unless of course the head gasket is blown or something similar… Then you need a reconditioned or new engine. This advice comes from experience - I have replaced my own engine and gearbox and the amount of work and extra costs pile up very quickly…. Especially if you have a grand idea of installing a non standard jap import engine (which is a whole different ball game and exponentially more costly)

    As for the suspension parts - you should take your car to a suspension specialist for a second opinion. In the past I have used Pedders for a 14 point suspension check which cost about $20 from memory. This confirmed I didn't need to do all the work that the mechanic suggested right away and their prices were significantly cheaper - downside is you have to take it to them.

    Agree with others - timing belt should only need to be done at 100k intervals provided regular servicing has taken place

    Options are a) stage the work or b) do the minimum and sell it. You can't feel bad about selling a car that needs maintenance in the future - all cars do!

  • timthetoolman on 14/01/2016 - 11:32

    Thanks for the advice robdog, very good stuff.
    I think I'll get a few bits and pieces done soon so it doesn't fall apart and cost me a new engine.
    Going by these quotes I'm definitely in the wrong industry !

  • WT on 14/01/2016 - 13:43

    The whole list is really expensive.

  • JOCKz on 14/01/2016 - 21:45

    Go to another place, the prices your paying are a little excessive. Where abouts in melbourne are you ? I can recommend a good mechanic if your in the S/E

    • timthetoolman on 14/01/2016 - 23:40

      Yeah shoot, I'm in the area, thanks !

  • JOCKz on 16/01/2016 - 10:17

    9 Lightwood Rd., Springvale VIC 3171
    (03) 9558 4804

    His names Michael (Chinese dude), best off just popping by to see when he's free. Tell him Lan sent you

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