Need help! Big dissicion

I am so upset!
Took our car to get NYS inspection. FAILED!

It needs a rack and pion/ 650.00 Plus
emmissions leak ??? no price yet.

Now what do we do?
Last year we had 2 big repairs. one was $1,800 second $1,400
thats alot of money.
this is a 1996 Ford Explorer. 4x4 all wheel drive.

OK we got rid of our 2 fairly new cars so as no more payments.
Yes we went 2 1/2 years with no problems.
So we are way ahead of the game.

My question is when is it time to stop!!!
Look for another newer car, ( van suv)???
We have make sure that it fits hubby. 6'5" 500 lbs. needs head room

It is a good running car but getting on in years. 112,000 miles.

Any ideas out there?

Respond to this topic here on forum.oes.org

What kind of gas mileage are you getting? If I remember correctly, the gas mileage is better now than back then. Factoring gas expense in the answer.
Do you use it as a 4x4?

FWIW, when my older son started driving, we bought him a used Ranger (excellent shape). By the time we paid for new tires, water pump and something else, the repair bill was equal to the difference between the payments on a new Ranger and the used one for the first year.

First off he weighs 300lbs not 500 lol

we get 21mpg on
daily more HWY

The 4x4 is good here because we get lots of snow but yes we can do without it.
I don't want payments!!!!!
I figure we have save about $24,000 in 2 1/2 yrs. minus the $3200.00
for repairs.

I'm impressed with husband's height. Sorry for all the trouble. I giggled reading how many miles were on the car b/c I honestly thought there would be a lot more on a car that old. heehe

I would think you're definitely coming to a point that you're putting in more money than the car is worth. I'd get a new one.

FWIW, Ford trucks are being let go now for UNBELIEVABLE (not normal yearly sales) deals. Mr. J was tempted to get the 4dr truck (w/all the works) he always wanted b/c the deal was too hot to pass up. This was a few months back and last month when we went to an auto show, so I think you could get more for you money in that direction. imo

Then again, if you guys aren't really travelers ...which is what it sounds like, a truck may be a waste, and I'd stick to something that just gets good gas.

I hear the deals they are giving out right now are too good to pass up. I just turned 50K on my '06 Freestar. If they still made a minivan I'd be seriously considering a new one. Can you get away with front wheel drive where you live? We get a lot of snow, have a long drive with a light grade & both of us do a lot of driving to different destinations (for work & dog shows) & we manage very well with front wheel drive. If they made the full sized vans with front wheel drive, I'd be considering.

I don't care what kind of deals are out there...
NO PAYMENTS!!!!!!!
as I had said yes 2 wheel drive is OK.

And there are Vans with front whell drive.
Let me find it.
Here they are
2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
2008 Hyundai Entourage
2008 Hyundai Entourage

Out of the three, I'd DEFINITELY without a doubt go with the Dodge.

However, if you're looking for roomy, I'd really look at a honda or toyota minivan. They're A LOT better than the caravan in features, safety, driving, dependability, and holding up its value.

my hubby fits in our town and counrty, it the older style but it the same as the grand caravan and hes 6ft 5 too. so no problems there with the height.

zoe and einy

OES Mommy wrote:

JEESH! I didn't mean to stir things up! I was just passing on some information, that came from good sources, since you had asked. I can understand not wanting a car payment. As for the front wheel drive mini vans............I have been extremely pleased with the 3 Ford Windstar/Freestars I have had. Ford & GM have discontinued the mini van for the time being. In the past I worked at a car repair place & was not impressed with the number of repairs needed on the Chrysler mini vans. Things may have changed there too. As for the other ones.............sorry, I stick to the 3 American based companies when it comes to vehicles. I have too many friends & family tied to those companies not to mention I was raised to support American companies first. I am NOT saying people shouldn't buy from the other companies if they choose too. Just that it is not my preferance to do so. I guess I should have clarified myself in the first post & said "Ford or GM mini-van" & stated Chrysler was an option but 3rd on my list. I'll crawl back under my stone now.

IMHO $3200 would have made a nice down payment on a "new" or "slightly" used car.

Dh had over 100,000 miles on his car and it was starting to cost major money but he didn't want to part with it. After having it towed twice in one week and both times it cost major to have it fixed, he decided to just look into getting a different car. That same day, he came home with a "newer" used car.

He still complains that he misses his other car :roll:

ChSheepdogs wrote:

OES Mommy wrote:

Lol. Sorry you got attacked for trying to offer ideas, Marilyn! I'l bring you food and water under your stone. :twisted:

ChSheepdogs wrote:

OES Mommy wrote:

Oh no don't get upset. I was just trying to give you info the vans with front drive..
so sorry !!!!
I think our discioion is made!!!

look for a newer car, suv,van.
We now have a starter problem.
IT IS NOT THE STARTER.

we think its the nutral safty switch.
also out of the blue the muffer system has started to get louder.

Darn talk about everything happening at once.

TIME TO LOOK

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