Weighing Car Repairs Against Buying (upgrading to) another Car
This seems to be a good write-up.
https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance ... de-up.html
This one paragraph does strike me though. Do many issues (besides electrical ones) on modern cars follow a pattern where Issue A causes Issue B which then causes Issue C or could many issues be independent of the others?
If you're experiencing issues with your car and don't know whether things are likely to get worse, look for advice on message boards and forums for the make and model of your car. Other people have probably been down this road before you. You can get a preview from them of the problems associated with your vehicle as it ages.
Is there a simple rule (of course fraught with exceptions) to find out which potential repairs make the most sense and can last a few years? I'm thinking suspension components, alternator, starter, A/C clutch replacements (even with after market parts) last at least a few years if done properly. I understand that a good DIYer or mechanic will take the process of elimination when diagnosing and repairing vehicles but I guess my question is if there's a simple neat rule as to know what repairs will last a few years and which ones could be more or less a lottery?
For engines and transmissions, it almost means going to scrap yards to save a good chunk of money on labor and new parts but wondering what other components command a hefty repair bill.
https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance ... de-up.html
This one paragraph does strike me though. Do many issues (besides electrical ones) on modern cars follow a pattern where Issue A causes Issue B which then causes Issue C or could many issues be independent of the others?
If you're experiencing issues with your car and don't know whether things are likely to get worse, look for advice on message boards and forums for the make and model of your car. Other people have probably been down this road before you. You can get a preview from them of the problems associated with your vehicle as it ages.
Is there a simple rule (of course fraught with exceptions) to find out which potential repairs make the most sense and can last a few years? I'm thinking suspension components, alternator, starter, A/C clutch replacements (even with after market parts) last at least a few years if done properly. I understand that a good DIYer or mechanic will take the process of elimination when diagnosing and repairing vehicles but I guess my question is if there's a simple neat rule as to know what repairs will last a few years and which ones could be more or less a lottery?
For engines and transmissions, it almost means going to scrap yards to save a good chunk of money on labor and new parts but wondering what other components command a hefty repair bill.