I bought a 2002 Suburban for $3.5k thinking it would be cheaper than having a car payment. Outside of spending over $5k on overdue repairs including a new transmission, it’s been great. The problem is there’s a lot more that needs to be done. The previous owners clapped it out. Here’s a list, most of it is not emergency repairs:
- ABS/traction control module
- New shocks and struts
- Only two front windows roll down and driver side motor is going out
- Small leak in ceiling over driver’s side during rain or car wash
All together, I’m looking at approx. $10k including least $7k for the ABS. Only one I think I really need is the ABS module.
If I get a new car, I’m getting one under $20k (probably a Toyota) that I plan on driving for years. What makes sense?
Should I sell my car with overdue repairs and get a newer one with less mileage and no additional repairs needed?
byu/slyandthafamstone inFrugal
Posted by slyandthafamstone
13 Comments
I just recently got rid of an old vehicle that needed a lot of work and bought brand new.
I need super reliable (I know new vehicles can have issues too).
A suburban is big and heavy. Always expensive. Sell it and get a used gen1 honda fit.
That’s basically what I did with my old car. Got a few grand for trading it in, and bought the new car in cash. $20k sounds really low for a new Toyota though.
$7k for the ABS module seems a bit high, have you gotten multiple quotes?
My 1999 suburban has 292k. Original transmission, but have dropped a new (used) engine in it around 200k. It’s also had just about every major system repaired since 2012. Currently the AC needs a new compressor, but I’m not replacing it bc it’s not a need where I live.
Bought it for $4K in 2012. And where I live, I could get about that out of it now, which blows my mind.
The additional cost you have for a newer vehicle is insurance. My suburban is around $40/mo for liability. My 2013 midsize SUV is $75/mo for required full coverage.
I don’t know what is right for you/how much you trust your mechanic, etc. But I do know a well taken care of suburban can last a long, long time.
Screw the ABS. I’ve had several Chevy trucks of that vintage and always pulled the fuse. It stops better without abs anyway.
And the struts are a pretty easy DIY, they’re cheap on rock auto.
Depends on what you value. But I’ll say that unless the engine craps out, you already replaced the most expensive part (transmission). So odds are good that it’s going to keep on running. 7k for abs seems very high – I’d believe that price if they were replacing the ENTIRE brake system, but not for just the module… You might be able to fix the roof leak with some duct tape temporarily (at least, as long as you can put up with the appearance). If it were me, I’d keep it and just try to fix some things myself.
I sold my car to carvana, after dropping 2k in parts, and they didnt even check it, they just showed up with a check.
So…if you go that route, lie unless its obvious.
Yes. You know its time to get a new car when repairs are more than what the car is worth
I’m not sure the info you are providing is accurate specifically to point #2.
1st point- you can drive the vehicle until the end of time without ABS. This is basically a non issue. If you were willing to buy an 02 Suburban in the first place, I’m surprised you aren’t willing to just drive without ABS.
2nd point- 2002 Chevy Suburban’s have torsion bar suspension in the front and a coil in the rear. There are no struts anywhere on your Suburban. There are shocks, but those are cheap and a simple repair to do in your own driveway. Under $400 if you do this yourself for all 4 shocks. If your mechanic is recommending struts, find a new mechanic, because you don’t have any.
3rd point- those window motors are cheap, this is another simple driveway repair for under $200.
4th point- Hard telling what this is, but I can tell you its likely cheap to fix.
Even if you do decide to take care of the ABS module, I’d be shocked if it were $7k.
Realistically you are looking at about ~$700 in repairs. Leave the ABS module alone, you dont *need* ABS (sure, its safer with it, but this isnt a necessity). The rest of your Suburban is very well known for reliability and its simplicity. Literally anybody could learn how to work on one of those trucks, which is why so many people love them. Personally, I’d keep it and pick away at fixing things when I have the time and money.
Im no hypocrite myself, I have a 2003 F250 with 270k miles on it, and if I were in your situation, this would be a no brainer. Also, my ABS light is on in my truck.
Frankly, maybe.
I was previously in a similar situation. Busted Stratus that kept going into limp mode. Nobody could figure it out.
Got a 16 Corolla and it’s been rock fucking solid for near a decade and 90k miles. 18,500 at 0% wasn’t nothing but for the safety of my family and own sanity it was well worth it.
One thing to note that is different now:
Car market is different, cars are more expensive (it’s JUST NOW starting to get better. I’d recommend waiting 6 months to a year, if possible. I’m finally seeing discounts from MSRP ok Camrys for the first time in YEARS.) and financing is worse. I don’t know if a single ICE vehicle that’s reliable going for 0% so you’ll be spending a few grand on interest if you do finance.
Personal story, Ijust took the OPPOSITE route and bought a clapped out 07 Rabbit, and I’m going through and doing the fixes it needs little by little. Not many cars these days have manuals and the ones that do are either sports cars or. . . The Nissan versa lol (Mazda 3 does as well but they only offer it in a luxury trim with their low end engine, that doesn’t make sense to me.)
If you have no technical experience with vehicles, start small on doing your own repairs. For most people cars are a black box, but when you realize it’s just plastic and metal everything becomes way less daunting. you can save THOUSANDS of dollars doing 80% of the repairs and then take it in for the big powertrain stuff. There are a lot of videos on YouTube, forums for vehicle brands or, hell, even models. Information is everywhere, it’s just taking initiative. (I understand not everyone wants to, and if doing your own repairs isn’t something you want I’d lean more towards buy reliable and basic new and don’t sweat it.)
2017, I bought a 1994 Ranger for $2200 cash. Doing the work slowly on my own, and having time because I was retired, I did all the routine maintenance that had not been done by previous owners, plus replaced the computer. Including tires and so far two batteries, I am at about $1500 in parts. Eight years of zero payments has spoiled me. I do have the means for a decent used vehicle if forced, though. I would again buy outright, no payments but now 73 I can’t do as much work myself.
Your repairs sound too much to do on your own. Shocks and struts are not an easy DIY project. What work you can do yourself or not is a big factor, IMO. Can you still drive it safely as a beater for commuting?
I would definitely get rid of the suburban. If the previous owners totally abused this thing/neglected it, who knows what could happen in addition to the list of things you gave us already.
Definitely get a used Toyota. I still have my 2007 Corolla that I love to death.