At what point do you stop doing non-essential repairs

[Victor]

and run your car into the ground? I have a 1994 J30T with 191,500 miles on it. The Kelly blue book value on it is between $3170 and $3605. Its starting to reach the nickle and dimeing stage with little problems that don't stop it from driving, mostly annoying, but some will probably eventually get worse.For example, it has a very slow leak from one end of the power steering rack that requires me to add a few ounces of fluid to the power steering reservoir every two months, and a torn boot where the leak is.Other problems are the drivers door power locks which work sometimes, and other times don't. I can live with just using the key, in fact this is only the second car out of ten I have owned that had power locks.Just wonder how many of you are at the point where you will just run your car into the ground and not spend any big bucks on any non-essential repair. If you had a car worth say $3000 and it needed a $1200 repair would you do it or just part it out or sell it as a parts car or what? At what point would you stop throwing good money after bad?

[gr8scott72]

and run your car into the ground? I have a 1994 J30T with 191,500 miles on it. The Kelly blue book value on it is between $3170 and $3605. Its starting to reach the nickle and dimeing stage with little problems that don't stop it from driving, mostly annoying, but some will probably eventually get worse.For example, it has a very slow leak from one end of the power steering rack that requires me to add a few ounces of fluid to the power steering reservoir every two months, and a torn boot where the leak is.Other problems are the drivers door power locks which work sometimes, and other times don't. I can live with just using the key, in fact this is only the second car out of ten I have owned that had power locks.Just wonder how many of you are at the point where you will just run your car into the ground and not spend any big bucks on any non-essential repair. If you had a car worth say $3000 and it needed a $1200 repair would you do it or just part it out or sell it as a parts car or what? At what point would you stop throwing good money after bad?

Ok, first of all, unless EVERY thing on your car is working and not leaking, you won't get $3k for that car and a dealer trade in is going to be under $1000, maybe even under $500 for your car.

But, to answer your question, I guess it just depends on your priorities. Me, I have a 40+ hour full time job and am starting my own business on the side that requires a lot of machine repair/maintenance to keep it going (Stump grinding machine), I have a baby on the way along with a 12 and 13 year old that live with me (and a wife ), once I FINALLY get my Durango back, the J won't really even get driven too much as I work at a car lot for my full time job and one of the very few benefits I get is that I get to drive my pick of a car home every night and my wife will probably be driving the Durango.

Fortunatly, there isn't really anything that I have to do to my J. Sure, the sunroof doesn't work, the clock stopped, and the remotes don't work (the 2 are probably related).

I guess I could just sell it but I wouldn't get near what I've put in it or it's worth to me. Plus it's always nice to have an extra car around for when you go out to one of the others and it goes click, click, click or whatever. Plus my son will be driving in 2+ years and where am I going to find a car that looks that good and drives that good and has been taken care of for under $3000?

Anyone on here want to buy a very well maintained, clean, rust free J?

[brandonjustice93J30]

I'll trade you a weight reduced, rusty, loud piped J...haha j/k

Like Scott said Victor, it's all about priorities. If I didnt have a wife and two kids, my J would be completely restored and probably have the TT swap done. But since I do have a wife and kids...only safety and major mechanical repairs get done for now.

But I've dropped nearly $1200 into it in the last couple months between brakes, rotors, tie rod ends, strut bushings, tires, and assorted items to keep it driving, and my value is far from $3000.

[Victor]

I have spent much less than most of you from what I read on the posts. I bought my car used on July 1, 2004 for $3300 and have spent only about $130 for repairs and oil changes since then. The only repairs I did myself, which was replacing a radiator hose that cost $13 and a headlight bulb that cost $20, and a gallon of antifreeze. The rest was just oil changes, most of which I did myself using oil I got really cheap with a rebate or on sale or if I had it done it was when they had some $19.95 special. I bought the car with 177,286 miles on it, and it now has 191, 500 miles on it. Some of you say spending $2000 to $3000 a year is normal. I am spending about $33 a year on repair and maintenance.I do have some new issues. A leaking bellows on the power steering rack, replacement part is $13.28 from Rock Auto. I am going to replace the three engine rubber belts (alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioner belts), total cost for top of the line gatorbacks, $50 at auto zone. So my costs this year will go up an extra $63. All accessories on the car works including power windows, power sunroof, radio and cassette player, and air conditione, except for some flaky power door locks.. I have never had a problem with the engine or transmission. The tires that came with the car still have enough tread on them to last another few thousand miles. I never even had a flat tire, and the paint on the car looks almost new even though I park outside and have never waxed and rarely wash the car.The secret to buying a used luxury car is to buy it from a rich person who properly maintained it and make sure every single thing works when you buy it, as repairs on luxury cars are very expensive. Also the rich guy will probably sell it cheaper because he doesn't care about getting the last couple of hundred bucks out of it. Never buy a car from a poor person who couldn't afford to maintain it.

[gr8scott72]

I have spent much less than most of you from what I read on the posts. I bought my car used on July 1, 2004 for $3300 and have spent only about $130 for repairs and oil changes since then.

No, I still win. hehe

[Freddie75150]

Everyone is right it depends on you and i am on my second J. First was 10X worst than your car. But with getting something else depending on what you get it could cost mo0re and you might have to fix more things.