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05/20/2006 02:06:23 AM · #1 |
I just thought I'd tell you what's going on in my life.
For the past 19 days, we've had no car, and I've left the house twice at the mercy of a neighbor in that time. Our car needed $1800 worth of work done to it, because it wouldn't run.
We only had $800 for a while, until my Grandmother was kind enough to lend us $1000.
So, yesterday we told them to start working on the car, and they said it would be done in 24 hours most likely.
We call them back in 24 hours, to find out that we have a bent pushrod on our engine. Meaning the entire engine has to be replaced. $2500 in addition to the original $1800.
We figured it would be cheaper just to get a new used car, but come to find out that no used car lot will sell us one for under $3000...
We're renting a car tommorow so we can finally get out of the house and do some errands we desperately need done, but after that, we're back to having no car and being stuck in the house.
And my birthday is coming up on June 11th, of which we likely will have no car for to see my sister or my grandmother, and my sister can't drive to us, because, well, she has MS and can't drive.
Are we getting screwed? Does that sound like a reasonable price? Is there a way to get a new used car that we can trust their owner won't screw us over for a price range we can swing? (meaning $1800) |
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05/20/2006 02:11:11 AM · #2 |
| Sometimes yeah, sometimes no. I think its a matter of luck as often as not. Check your local paper, but also check eBay since I've seen some real deals go on there for CHEAP! |
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05/20/2006 02:17:11 AM · #3 |
Just because people choose to sell a car themselves doesn't mean you're going to get ripped off. We sold a clean and well running Pontiac Sunbird last year for $1200.
I would go to a liquor store and pick up a recycler, pennysaver, auto trader, or whatever free car publication you have in your area and start looking for cars that fit your need in your price range. Check the asking price against the blue book value online. I would also find a mechanic that you trust who will do a cheap inspection for you. |
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05/20/2006 02:19:04 AM · #4 |
Can I get some details?
Make, model, engine, mileage, etc and what it originally needed in regards to what it was supposed to need, etc.
$1,800 is a lot in order to get it to run, and a bent pushrod isn't the kiss of death for an engine usually, unless there were extreme circumstances that led to it.
For what it's worth, I own a shop and have been in the business for 25+ years, am on the ASE panel that writes the national certifications tests mechanics take to wear the ASE Certified Technican patches and I also operate an ASE Blue Seal of Excellence repair shop.
I have a database of qualified shops/technicians at my disposal if you need a referral or second opinion if it comes to that. I know of a few very qualified and honest Technicians/Shop owners/Managers in Chandler,AZ.
If you don't want to post it here, you can always PM me.
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 02:24:26. |
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05/20/2006 02:30:56 AM · #5 |
I'm with Brad. It is necessary to know the make and model of this car to determine whether or not its "worth it" to get it fixed. This is an awful lot of cash your talking to get this car running. To get ANY car running for that matter.
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05/20/2006 02:38:01 AM · #6 |
| yeah, sounds like you're getting screwed. I don't know anything about arizona really, but I know that I bought my perfectly well running car ('95) for $2500 and I've bought cars from car auctions for as little as $100 before that ran just fine. Who is going with you to the mechanic and to the car lot? because they very well may be preying on your lack of car knowledge or confidence in it, and especially the fact that you're female. It happens to me every time, but it abruptly stops when I mention things like, I will go somewhere else, I usually change my own break pads and oil filters but figured I don't have time this time, and oh yeah, well this one time while replacing the blown head gasket on my pickup.... so I definitely know they do it on purpose. I'm not suggesting you could fake it, but try to take someone with you or get a good referral, and don't hesitate to say no, or I'll go somewhere else. |
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05/20/2006 01:14:53 PM · #7 |
Well, we've been going to this same mechanic, everyone in my family has for almost 3 years...It's called Dana Tire, if anyone knows of it.
It's a 94 Chrysler Siebring with a ton of miles on it...like, 114k. We drove it across the country 3 years ago, as well as over 10 years of regular use.
I don't know the type of engine it has, or any of the specifics like that, I just know the make of the car and the mileage.
My mother was the one to go to the shop, it's her car. She knows even less than I do about cars, and I know nothing.
It originally needed a new distrubutor, as well as other things, like the water line replaced.
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 23:15:41. |
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05/20/2006 01:53:08 PM · #8 |
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