Car Repair Question -- To fix or not to fix?

**Preston** · 07-28-2009, 03:40 PM

A couple months ago someone I work with was going to junk their car they had sitting -- a 2001 Chevy Cavalier with 135k miles on it. They sold it to me for $100, I had to put about $300 into it to get it in full working order however I am at a point with it I don't know if I should fix something or not.

The vehicle's condition is Fair.

It is a manual transmission and the engine runs okay, clutch is fine, brakes, cooling system are all fine and there are no suspension problems I have found. HOWEVER, the check engine light has been on the entire time I have owned it citing the catalayic converter having an error. The car doesn't accelerate very well but it gets the job done.

I jacked the car up today and the entire exhaust system is pretty rotted out -- especially the cat converter. I have also found out that there is slight frame damage from when I found out he crashed into a log and drug it for a few miles.

I can get a vehicle specific cat converter for about $250 or a generic for about $80, however I would have to weld it in place -- which is further an issue because there is a slight hole in the gas tank and I do not feel comfortable using a blow torch near this car. Also, I do not have many tools to work with.

I do think this car has some life on it but I am hesistant to fix this problem as I might be putting money into a pit but want a second opinion.

Furthermore, I found out from the guy's wife that he owned the car for two years and never changed the oil... so who knows how much that affected the engine.

Do I just leave the car go or actually try to fix this problem?

**Greebo** · 07-28-2009, 03:48 PM

A quick KBB search estimates the value of a 4D 2001 Chevy Cavalier at about $1,400.

Right now, I wouldn't worry about the engine - so far you're only about $400 in on the car. Another $300 puts you at half the value.

If I had the skills to fix it (and I don't but you sound like you do), I'd go ahead and fix it, including the gas tank, and hang onto it. If the engine gives you problems later, then I'd say it's time to go.

**Karen1** · 07-28-2009, 04:03 PM

one key is---do you have cash money set aside for a new used vehicle at this point?

if you have been saving to look for a used one, then put all money that would go into the "fix" of this car---to your new car!!!

if you have no desire to spend money for a new used vehicle, then I would fix this one and take your chances but it does sound like the vehicle might be more abused then you can evaluate at this time.

darned if you do, darned if you don't....LOL-LOL

**Preston** · 07-28-2009, 04:54 PM

Well, my main transportation is my bike although I have been using this car a couple times a week as the weather has been really really hot... and then there is the winter.

Upon further evaluation under the car today I noticed a few more problems -- the radiator is bent -- functional but damaged and there is a fuel line that look pinched as well. The engine is idling a little rougher than it was. Further, the washer fluid bottle is cracked and cannot hold fluid.

The only reason I bought this car was to get me through a period where I was moving to the other side of town and working and biking everywhere was impossible during this time.

I am honestly starting to think that I should just drive the car until it just doesn't go any further.

It is stick shift -- so maybe I will have my wife learn to drive stick on it and then we will be able to get a cheaper car in the future.

I honestly do not want to have to own a car -- we have a good car (her car) and this one, to me, is a luxury that technically I could get by without.

**Karen1** · 07-28-2009, 04:57 PM

oh it was a useful car when you needed it and it ran its purpose.
and you have a good car now too.

so it seems like you don't want to put alot of money into it.....

go with the best gut feeling you have! you never can go wrong there!! maybe sell it for a few hundred and send it on its way and the problem is more easily fixed...LOL

**Sassyclass** · 07-28-2009, 05:04 PM

I say run it until it quits if it isn't a must have car and then sell it for scrap, but I'd be more worried about that leaky gas tank more than anything. If you fix anything, get a used gas tank from a scrap yard.
Cat

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-28-2009, 05:11 PM

If I could get it fixed cheap I would repair it. You may not use it often, but the last thing you want it to have it strand you someplace the next time you do use it.

Do you qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program? http://www.cars.gov/ Maybe you could make a few bucks selling it to someone who wants to buy a new car and could use a cheap trade-in.

**Preston** · 07-28-2009, 07:29 PM

It does not qualify for Gas for Guzzlers program as it gets well beyond 18 mpg.

The guzzlers program is NOT what a lot of people think it is -- not to help poor people get cars but those rich people who got gas guzzling SUV's and can afford a new car.

I sold my old car for $600 so I'm still in that money -- I considered the G4G Program but realized that the cheapest car on the market is still around $15000, so after the G4G program I'd still be spending over $11000 -- not including maintenance and insurance.

I like the concept of the program, but a lot of people are missing the point of it.

**Charles C** · 07-28-2009, 09:41 PM

Hey the big deal is does it look good externally. I'd ride with the radiator, fixing the washer tank is easy. The really essential emergency repair is the gas tank.

If the car gets great gas mileage drive it. Change the oil, and filter as soon as possible, but regular maintenance is overated, it's imperative if you want to keep a car for half a million miles, but two years, not a big deal.

I would fix the converter as you could and either sell it when you can , because frame damage is not cheap and although I could probably do a reasonable job, most people have no clue.

Why do I say fix the washer tank, it will be confusing in the future if you sell the car, as to where any fluid is coming from.

Big key to whether to sink a few bucks in it is first does it look good externally, and secondly, can you without spending a lot of money, get the engine running smoother.

**frugalwarrior** · 07-28-2009, 10:23 PM

Well, i sure wouldn't chance my life to save dollars. I would donate it to charity as they take them even if there not running. You get blue book value. Maybe you can find another junker that doesn't qualify for Cash for clunkers.

**Charles C** · 07-29-2009, 12:57 AM

frugalwarrior, Preston has been looking under the car a lot. I suppose he's checked the tie rod ends, and just maybe the piched fuel line can be easily fixed, and might contribute to smother running motor.

We are talking frugality, not risking a persons life. Now if he doesn't fix that fuel tank pronto, he will be risking his life. But other than that, it sounds like the most he would be in for was a walk, hmmm maybe they make fold up bikes?????

Naw he's only driving it when he has too anyways or I misunderstood.

**frugalfranny** · 07-29-2009, 01:09 AM

EEEEEWWWWWWW hate car problems.

Other posters made good points but a friend had a Cavalier and it was nothing but problems when it got a few miles on it. Go online and see what the main complaints are for that car......or things that they have to fix multiple times. How much can you afford to invest? Can you afford something else right now? How many miles did he put on it in the 2 year time period of no oil changes?

Good luck.......

**Charles C** · 07-29-2009, 01:36 AM

Well it's late and I'm tired, the Cavalier gets roughly 24 mile per gallon of gas. Only Preston can make a judgement on what he's going to do. First I just omitted the fact the previous owner drug a log two miles, as some kind of exaggeration, maybe not but visualize how a car dragging a log under the car for two miles, I just can't. Well I'll leave it there. Two years without an oil change, while it's not recomended, seen it happen too many times with no bad results. In fact had a friend drove a pickup 85,000 miles before changing the oil. I don't know whether to believe that or not myself, but his story

**frugalfranny** · 07-29-2009, 01:44 AM

I go by the miles, on my car, for oil changes not time. It is garaged all the time and if I went by time there has been some that I would have been changing the oil with only 500 miles on the old oil change! Last winter for one......few miles driven.

**frugalwarrior** · 07-29-2009, 02:55 AM

Charles C-Of course they make fold up bikes, where have you been? HMMM?? They are great for camping.
I'm betting Preston isn't a certified mechanic thats why he asked online. He also has a responsibility to everyone else on the road not just himself. He mentioned a messed up frame. If it isn't true, if may not track straight. It may in fact have a stress fracture from,say maybe dragging a LOG. A hole in a gas tank is a big deal. My DH had the pleasure of owning one of the leaking fluid on the manifold and caught on fire recall cars. Luckily he was in a store when the fire melted the plastic parts of the engine.
Where does it say he checked tie rod ends?? And what the heck difference does it make how it looks?