Need some input on a car

[Exployer1234]

So my car has decided to "threw a rod". I really do love my car, but I know that engine work is expensive. My car is a 1992 Lexus SC400 with 242,000 miles. Of course it is paid for. I have not really had any major repairs on the car.

So here is the thing I need some input on. I will go through what my scenario is now and can you guys give me some input on what you would do if you were me.

First off I am almost done with school. One more semester of spring classes, student teach in the fall of 2012, and then I have my degree. Not too long if you ask me.

I am only working part-time right now. I do take out additional loans, grants, and have scholarships. Though this semester has been tough financially because we had to move due to my fiancé's medical issues. He has his own business and pays the rent and I pay all the utilities. We used up all our extra savings that I had started to accumulate after this summers crisis. Basically the crisis was we either move or he dies. I worked extra jobs to get back to saving money, but when school started I did not have tome to work all the extra hours and jobs.

So now that I have given a little background information I have a sticky situation. My car decided to break down. The engine started knocking and it is a rod that is in the lower part of the engine. It still drives, but for how long I do not know.

I really do not want to tie myself down with a car payment, but to repair my engine can be pricey. I do have a spare engine, but the labor to have it installed is around 450 dollars, plus I will have to replace some additional parts when this happen which can run upwards of 500-700 dollars. I could have the engine taken apart and fixed for about 1000 dollars.

My next option is to buy a used car for around 2K. I am not too particular at this point, just as long as it will run and get me from point a to point b. I would have to finance this amount, which would put my payments around 200 dollars for the next year. I do not want to go in debt on another car or have to worry about a huge car payment until I actually finish school. I have a friend who owns a car dealership and he has a car right now that is 1700 dollars. It is in good shape.

So what would you do. Spend the money to fix the car I have or find a car that is around 2K.

[shark66]

If you are happy with the Lexus, have it fixed. They are generally well-built vehicles and could last you for a few more years if maintained.

I've got a Japanese van with 160K and a UAW-built SUV with 230K. My intent is to keep both of them running for at least four more years, and likely longer than that.

If I must drive an oldie (which is fine by me) I'll stick with the ones I'm familiar with and that have served me for several years.

My $0.02 only...

Good luck to us all.

[DYLAN150]

If you can have a spare engine installed for $450 you better jump on it. I had the pass. window fixed on a bmw and it was more than that.

[GoingDown]

Am I reading this right? 242,000 miles, and you want to know if you should put more money into fixing this car?

No.

It is time to get something with less miles on it.

[Exployer1234]

The older Lexus are well known to be able to run to 500K and beyond with an engine swap.

I have had my Lexus for 10 years now. No major work has really been done, and finally it is starting to need some repairs. I used to live on a mountain and the wear and tear from driving up and down the mountain is what did the engine in. I baby this car and I guess that is why I have an issue "retiring" the car.

My fiancé's suggested maybe getting the other car and then he would resurrect my Lexus. It will take him about 6 months to fix everything by himself, by then I will have 2 cars and the one I get for 1800 can be sold for 4,000.

I am just not ready to part with this old thing. Shark66 I am with you. I stick with what I know.

I am just not ready to pay for a car payment that is 350 a month and higher insurance.

[GoingDown]

But other parts, besides just the engine, have also gone 242,000 miles. What's to say some of them aren't about to wear out as well?

[shark66]

In another lifetime I owned a '68 Benz W115-220 which I bought with 800,000 km (ca. 500,000 miles) from the original owner and sold it - still running well but burning oil to a degree - 50,000 miles later.

Not that long ago, when we were moving out of state, my trusty '85 W126-380SE finally blew the trans at 448K and was donated. The rest of the car was in almost mint condition, but I had nowhere to store it at the time and it simply had to go, as much as I was heartbroken over that fact...

Lexuses are excellent vehicles, and if that '92 is not a rust bucket, it should be kept running.

My $0.02 only

Good luck to us all.

[Exployer1234]

I agree fully with you shark.

No rust and has been kept in a garage most of its life. We are working on fixing it up now, but in the meantime I am going to get the other car that is 1700 and drive it around while mine is being worked on. It will take awhile to get everything fixed on it, but when it is fixed it should go for another 250K.

I have keep the regular maintenance up on the car. I replaced the starter, alternator, timing belt, new air conditioner, tires, shocks, struts, and the list goes on and on for normal maintenance. When it comes to up keep these are things that have to be replaced at some points.

Here is my car. I am pretty attached to it and that is why we have to get the knock fixed in the engine.

[buzzstpoint]

I work on all my own cars, Have been since a kid.

If you have a spare engine, and it will cost about 700 to get done completely.. Do it.
Can you find another beater car for 700 that will be in the same or better diving condition then what you have? Probably not unless you know someone.

Being that I work on all my own cars.. (And have done this in the past) if the lower end is starting to wobble out, I've just dropped the pan and threw a set of bearings into the lower end of the engine.. Not the proper way of doing things but it can get your further since you plan to change the engine anyway. But if you can get the 700 tops to replace the engine in your car... Then I would go that route.

[DYLAN150]

I agree, after reading your last post where you replaced all of those things, install the new engine. You got some money tied up in this car and you should keep it. Good Luck and good motoring.

Let me add that replacing the starter, alternator, timing belt, new air conditioner, tires, shocks and struts on a lexus must be in the thousands.

[GoingDown]

Hmmm? It makes me wonder if the foreign cars are perhaps better than domestic cars. I've never owned anything other than Ford, Chevy, or Dodge, and none of them would last that long. Maybe I should consider getting a Toyota truck next time?

I had a Dodge with 134,000 miles on it and it blew and engine, and then I made the mistake of having it rebuilt rather buying a newer truck, and sure enough, one thing after another started going wrong with it. It was costing me a fortune in repairs, and I did some of the repairs myself. So, ended up pulling the rip chord on it and trading it in for a newer truck. This time I have a Ford, and it is so much better than that old Dodge!

And that's the other reason I like newer vehicles: all the advancements they have made lately in them. They are so much more fun to drive that the old pieces of junk I used to drive.

[DYLAN150]

Goingdown: I have own alot of brand new cars, Lexus, ford, chevy, Toyota, Honda, Pontiac, etc. Also 3 new lincolns, Never had to take back a honda or toyota that was new. My new Lincoln, rear main seal started leaking, another Lincoln, one month old, battery went out. I drove the honda to death. Maybe it's just my luck. Also had a Bmw which cost me a arm and leg to drive but he had 130k miles on it. So I don't know.

[Exployer1234]

I agree, after reading your last post where you replaced all of those things, install the new engine. You got some money tied up in this car and you should keep it. Good Luck and good motoring.

Let me add that replacing the starter, alternator, timing belt, new air conditioner, tires, shocks and struts on a lexus must be in the thousands.

Not as expensive as you would think. Starter was around 150 and we put it in for free, alternator was around 70, new air conditioner was around 500, tires I found for 300, shocks and struts were around 500. I just replace the parts before they go out. That is why I wish the engine would have waited until January, because that is when we were going to do the engine swap. The older Lexus are normally not too bad when you have to get them fixed.

Now the newer ones will cost you an arm, leg, and neck to fix. Normally the work has to be done by a Lexus certified dealer on the new cars, but the older ones can be worked on by yourself still.

You guys are awesome on the advice.