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Value of car equal/less than recommended estimate maintenance.

Posted on 3/13/23 at 3:36 pm
Posted by MoistureintheOyster
225
Member since Nov 2020
64 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 3:36 pm
Hey all. Having issues with wife's 2011 Mazda 3.

Brought it to the shop for diagnostic and received two separate repair/maintenance quotes. Both quotes maintenance costs are around $2,000.00. Well, the vehicle has 160k miles on it and the KBB is $2,750.00.

What would yall do in this situation given the inflated car market?
Posted by thelawnwranglers
Member since Sep 2007
38783 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 3:41 pm to
Question is how long does repair extend life IMHO
Posted by Dawgfanman
Member since Jun 2015
22368 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 3:46 pm to
quote:

Both quotes maintenance costs are around $2,000.00. Well, the vehicle has 160k miles on it and the KBB is $2,750.00.


I don’t understand what the KBB has to do with the decision.

Will 2000 get you another year or 2 of driving? If so, it’s worth it by a long shot. A new car is going to get you the same functionality, but cost you 6-7 grand or more a year in payments.
Posted by DawgCountry
Great State of GA
Member since Sep 2012
30552 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 3:49 pm to
dont know much about the Mazda 3, but 160K these days isnt a ton of miles

just think of it this way, if it fixes the car longer than 4 months, you would come out ahead assuming an avg car pmt of $500

Posted by MoistureintheOyster
225
Member since Nov 2020
64 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 3:59 pm to
We have further hesitancy rooted in us having a child and wanting an SUV with a higher safety rating. We wanted to drive this vehicle for 8 months and then upgrade but seems our hand is being forced.
Posted by CuyahogaTigerJr
Northeast ohio
Member since Aug 2018
2186 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 4:01 pm to
Trade it in now.
Posted by Pax Regis
Alabama
Member since Sep 2007
12936 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 4:04 pm to
Fix it. Your equation is wrong.

You need to look at the cost of replacement not the value of the car. You ain’t buying another car for $2,500. Not one you want anyway.
Posted by CuyahogaTigerJr
Northeast ohio
Member since Aug 2018
2186 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 4:04 pm to
It has 160k miles on it, has it ever had its timing chain/ belt replaced, recently? If not trade it in Now.
Posted by meansonny
ATL
Member since Sep 2012
25597 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 4:07 pm to
It sounds like you are trying to convince yourself to upgrade your car.

A paid off vehicle is worth a lot more than the kbb value.
From a "wealth" standpoint, you know good and well that the repairs are worth it (unless it gets into a car accident).

But if you want a newer car, go get you a newer car (if you are that unhappy with the mazda). It isn't the 'wealth building' move. But not every decision needs to be based on your 401k/retirement contributions.
Posted by molsusports
Member since Jul 2004
36114 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 4:08 pm to
Do some math.

If 2k gets you 12 months how does that compare to the amortized cost of replacement? Probably favorably?

Are there other parts likely to break soon and ruin the math? If you know your rough maintenance schedule and what things you will commonly have to replace at around that mileage you have more information

If you get another 12 months you can still sell it or trade it then. But I would be skeptical about the value you'd get back from a trade in with a car dealership. They lie and steal with the proclivity of politicians
Posted by CuyahogaTigerJr
Northeast ohio
Member since Aug 2018
2186 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 4:15 pm to
Everything said here is true, if you really took care of your car, don’t drive it hard change the oil regularly and replace timing belt or chain it will last, but if not sooner than later it will fail, good luck.
Posted by MoistureintheOyster
225
Member since Nov 2020
64 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 4:49 pm to
Thank yall for the prompt responses. Going to get a sale quote from CarMax.
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14061 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 9:24 pm to
This is all relative..

If it's my truck where I keep up with the maintenance and really take care of it and try to retain value you fix it...

If it's my wife's van that's hit a few things, broke a tailight, scraped the front bumper off, and messed up the wheel well liners...than it's probably going to fail again after the repair..
Posted by Eli Goldfinger
Member since Sep 2016
32785 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 9:26 pm to
It is ALWAYS cheaper to fix than to buy.
This post was edited on 3/13/23 at 9:26 pm
Posted by ncdawg
Tampa
Member since Sep 2012
1088 posts
Posted on 3/13/23 at 10:10 pm to
What are the repairs? Are they necessary or recommended? Are they things that you can do yourself and save a little?
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20452 posts
Posted on 3/14/23 at 5:52 am to
quote:

We have further hesitancy rooted in us having a child and wanting an SUV with a higher safety rating. We wanted to drive this vehicle for 8 months and then upgrade but seems our hand is being forced.


Do what you want, but this is a dumb reason to buy a car. If you are having a kid there’s a hell of a lot better things to spend money on then a vehicle and a car payment is a biatch with a kid.

Fix the car, save up for awhile, and buy as newer car down the road. That’s the most prudent repair.

Also, get a 2nd opinion on the repair it’s possible you can get it done for cheaper.
Posted by LSUSports247
Member since Apr 2007
647 posts
Posted on 3/14/23 at 6:07 am to
Fixing and driving it as long as possible is the best idea financially.

Reliably should also be a factor though. I would not want my wife and kids broke down on the side of the road either.
Posted by Ostrich
Alexandria, VA
Member since Nov 2011
8757 posts
Posted on 3/14/23 at 10:15 am to
quote:

Value of car equal/less than recommended estimate maintenance.


Your car is totaled
Posted by Jmcc64
alabama
Member since Apr 2021
530 posts
Posted on 3/14/23 at 10:25 am to
I'm curious. I drive a 2010 (bought in Jan'11) Mazada 3 Hatch 2.5. with about 170k miles. What is the issue with hers?
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