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To Fix Up or Trade Up, That is the Question

863 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 7:19 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety, Tires, Wheels, Auto Body, Brakes, Engine, Interior, Paint, Transmission, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Buying Insurance, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

Messages Page 84 of 87

#825 of 863 Re: Used car pre-purchase question [vagar] by bolivar

Jan 01, 2013 (1:31 am)

Replying to: vagar (Dec 31, 2012 11:14 pm)
Maybe and accident?

#826 of 863 Re: Used car pre-purchase question [vagar] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Jan 01, 2013 (10:32 am)

Replying to: vagar (Dec 31, 2012 11:14 pm)
Might have just been torn axle boots. On some cars it is actually easier and cheaper to install a rebuilt axle than to take it down, cut off the old boots, clean the CV joint and inspect it and re-install a new boot, etc.
 
It is also possible that the rebuilt axle was itself defective and needed to be done again.

#827 of 863 Re: Used car pre-purchase question [Mr_Shiftright] by srs_49

Jan 01, 2013 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Jan 01, 2013 10:32 am)
It cost me $245 the last time I replaced one of the half shafts (parts only) and boot. Biggest issue was breaking loose the nut on the end of the axel. Only cost a little bit more when I had an indy shop do it the first time.

#828 of 863 Replace engine on a '97 Saturn or replace the car by mgmarker3927

Jan 27, 2013 (10:27 pm)

I have a '97 Saturn SC2. It has 155K miles. I have been living with an engine knock that presents itself during acceleration (around 2k rpms) and goes away but will reappear constantly at speeds above 45mph. I have taken the car to both a Chevrolet dealer as well as a well known independent shop. Both are of the opinion that the knock is 'deep', a rod bearing being the common response. Another local Chevrolet dealership says no problem regarding getting a re-manufactured engine. The first mentioned Chevrolet dealership originally declined the work saying that it couldn't get one, but later said they could. The independent repair shop says that none of their rebuilders will do it due to lack of Saturn parts.
 
First question:
Do you agree that Saturn parts is an issue in the short term and will only get worse? I know things like oil filters will be around for awhile, but I wonder why the independent shop didn't want to take it on.
Although Saturn itself has been out of business for several years now, the one Chevrolet dealer that didn't hesitate to quote a price and availability for the engine and its parts seem to indicate that parts aren't a problem.
 
Second question: I am of the opinion that replacing the engine (5K+) is money that would be better spent toward a replacement. The same money could for example buy a 7-8 year newer Honda Civic Hybrid, a manufacturer that isn't out of business or will be any time soon. I have a family member whom has offered to help me financially but insists on getting estimates on the engine replacement and anything else the car needs. I have been disagreeing saying the money would be better spent replacing the car. A friend at the Chevrolet dealer, he is their fleet manager, agrees with me. What is/are your opinion(s)?
 
Thanks very much for your time and attention.
Mark

#829 of 863 Re: Replace engine on a '97 Saturn or replace the car [mgmarker3927] by suydam

Jan 28, 2013 (4:58 am)

Replying to: mgmarker3927 (Jan 27, 2013 10:27 pm)
Time to let it go.

#830 of 863 Re: Replace engine on a '97 Saturn or replace the car [mgmarker3927] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Jan 28, 2013 (8:26 am)

Replying to: mgmarker3927 (Jan 27, 2013 10:27 pm)
No question---bail out....this ship is going down.

#831 of 863 Re: Replace engine on a '97 Saturn or replace the car [mgmarker3927] by qbrozen

Jan 28, 2013 (8:38 am)

Replying to: mgmarker3927 (Jan 27, 2013 10:27 pm)
It is never a wise move to put more into a car than it is worth. Even with a replacement engine, you have a $2k car.

#832 of 863 Re: Replace engine on a '97 Saturn or replace the car [qbrozen] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Jan 28, 2013 (9:22 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 28, 2013 8:38 am)
A $2K car with 155,000 miles on every component other than the engine.

#833 of 863 Re: Replace engine on a '97 Saturn or replace the car [Mr_Shiftright] by qbrozen

Jan 28, 2013 (10:03 am)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Jan 28, 2013 9:22 am)
I'm being generous just to get the point across.

#834 of 863 Re: Replace engine on a '97 Saturn or replace the car [mgmarker3927] by mgmarker3927

Jan 28, 2013 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: mgmarker3927 (Jan 27, 2013 10:27 pm)
Thank you very much one and all for your time and for posting. It has been what I have thought all along. I have passed on the link to this thread to those whom insist that replacing the engine is a viable alternative.

Messages Page 84 of 87

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