Car Repair Opinions Please!!

[vampyregirl]

I figured since we seem to have just a handful of car folks here (), this would be the place to ask.....

I have a 2003 Jeep Liberty. Yet again.... it ain't actin' right!!!! Feels like I'm driving through oatmeal. I have an appointment to take it to the mechanic on Thursday. These little trips to the shop have been costing me 1,000 bucks or more every time I have to take it in. I'm not crazy, I realize it's a 10 year old vehicle. It's mainly been for wear and tear stuff. Last time it was to install a new drive shaft, rear axle seals, rear wheel bearings, and a new serpentine belt. Before that, I took it in for a brake job that ended up costing $1,000--pads, rotors, front calipers, hoses, rear shoes (they fell apart--onto the garage floor--when the guy took the rotors off to inspect them--they were rusted through). None of the repairs have been due to catastrophic failures, no major repairs or accidents. I'm the only one that drives it, I've had no accidents, and change the oil every 3,000 miles (even though it says 5,000, but the oil looks like Mississippi mud after 3k).

So, my question would be, how much more do I sink into Ol' Blue before I send him out to pasture??? And yes, I said "him". Guys have female cars, us women folk have male cars..... If it were your vehicle, how much more would you put into it???

In case you're wondering, I'm thinking the ball joints need replaced.....again!!!! They've been recalled twice...... And yes, I took it in both times to be done......

 

[Jeriatric]

If it's getting the job done and all you're doing is normal maintenance. How willing are you to have a 4 or 500.00 payment -everymonth?

 

[bcoulter19]

Are youtaking it to the Dealership to get worked on. If you are your crazy. You need to find a good mechanic you can trust and take it to them. I've had Jeeps for years and once the warranty is gone I take it to the same guy he fixes everything I own except the spyder that is not in warranty. He is fair and treats me right and doesn't try to gouge me like a dealer will.

 

[d.o.spyder-rts]

How many miles? Like Jerbear said it could be considered routine maintenance. I'd check the blue book value of the vehicle and compare it to what you've spend in maintenance. Then you'll have additional info to make a determination if it worth keeping or trading for a new vehicle. Dale

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

I'm in the same boat with my 03 and looking at a 5k bill to make it right. Using Jer's example, it'd be like a 4 - 500 per month payment on a new one for a year. Not bad if I don't have to do something big again next year. Otherwise it would be worth going with an upgrade. You could research problems with your car and see if there's a pattern to complaints. If it's something common for your mileage of vehicle, it could give you insight into what you could be facing and help you decide. If the complains are non related, then you could assume the current expenditure would keep you going long enough to far offset the cost and certainly a car payment.

 

[Rayelljay]

Buy a Subaru.

 

[jerpinoy]

Do you have any sentimental value and memories on this Jeep? Can you let go and trade it to other car for your needs. Again cars are expensive to keep especially if you don't do your on work on maintenance. An oil change, brake jobs,tune up, ball joints adds up. Weigh in all your options and I'm sure you'll make the right choice.
Good luck.

 

[vampyregirl]

Are youtaking it to the Dealership to get worked on. If you are your crazy. You need to find a good mechanic you can trust and take it to them. I've had Jeeps for years and once the warranty is gone I take it to the same guy he fixes everything I own except the spyder that is not in warranty. He is fair and treats me right and doesn't try to gouge me like a dealer will.

Good Lord NO!!!!! I take it to a local place!!! The guy is really honest and does damn good work!! It hasn't been to a dealership since the warranty ran out.....

How many miles? Like Jerbear said it could be considered routine maintenance. I'd check the blue book value of the vehicle and compare it to what you've spend in maintenance. Then you'll have additional info to make a determination if it worth keeping or trading for a new vehicle. Dale

So, this should make a few folks laugh. Just under 82,000 miles. Yeah, you read that right.... Blue book and Edmunds say between $3500 and $4000 is actual value. Depending on condition and so forth. It's got some rust at the bottom of each door--but not all the way through. Couple of dings in the windshield, a few scratches here and there.... Other than that, I take care of it!!! It's definitely been routine maintenance and a couple of recalls until now.

If it gets to the point of costing $3500 or the 4x4 goes out (ouch!!!), then it goes to the car graveyard!!!! I have actually priced out a new car (I like the Chevy Cruze), and it sure won't be $400-$500 a month payment!!! I'd like to get one of the new Jeep Cherokees, but they haven't come out with pricing on them yet..... :gaah: I'm sure they will cost an arm and a leg.....

I'm just curious to see what other folks think. My neighbor keeps telling me to get rid of it, but she don't pay the bills on this side of the fence!!! A brand new car is enticing, but I really don't want a monthly payment--at least until I get my :spyder2: paid off!!!! :2thumbs:

 

[Netminder]

Are youtaking it to the Dealership to get worked on. If you are your crazy. You need to find a good mechanic you can trust and take it to them. I've had Jeeps for years and once the warranty is gone I take it to the same guy he fixes everything I own except the spyder that is not in warranty. He is fair and treats me right and doesn't try to gouge me like a dealer will.

:agree:My friend who works at a Toyota dealer does whatever I can't or don't want to do. He makes some extra cash and I know the job is done right! Would never take it to a Toyota dealer as it has 300,000 KM on it. There is a lot of trust worthy mechanics out there, just have to research and ask around. Just saw your post above, but had already started this. Having a mechanic background (bodywork) I discovered that sometimes not using a vehicle was harder on them then one that gets used often. My dads Suzuki had 87,000 km and was finished just because he never used it and things just seized and rusted form sitting! I have only done general maintenance, rustproof it every year and wax it twice a year, and it looks like new after 300,000 km . JMHO.

 

[Bob Denman]

This much trouble at only 82K? :shocked: Dump it; it'll never get any better! :gaah:

 

[arntufun]

We own the same one you do !!!!!!!!

Holly (my not better half) has the same year and model Jeep (03 Jeep Liberty 3.7 4x4 color blue) and she has 151,000 + miles on it........ She starts every day and is her daily ride to and from work. We even take it as our around town car. This Jeep is the best car/truck/suv I have ever driven in the snow. It never gets stuck and we would buy another one in a heartbeat........... The only difference between yours and Holly's is, ours is a female.


I have done all the maintenance you have mentioned myself, so it does save us alot $ that way. Holly loves it and we will run this 03 Liberty until the wheels fall off of it. 2003 Jeep liberty's with 4x4 and low miles (like you have) is still selling for between 5-7k dollars at dealers in my area because they are that dependable. :thumbup:

The only thing sad about this thread is you are being taken advantage of with your service costs.

 

[Woody]

Good Lord NO!!!!! I take it to a local place!!! The guy is really honest and does damn good work!! It hasn't been to a dealership since the warranty ran out.....



So, this should make a few folks laugh. Just under 82,000 miles. Yeah, you read that right.... Blue book and Edmunds say between $3500 and $4000 is actual value. Depending on condition and so forth. It's got some rust at the bottom of each door--but not all the way through. Couple of dings in the windshield, a few scratches here and there.... Other than that, I take care of it!!! It's definitely been routine maintenance and a couple of recalls until now.

If it gets to the point of costing $3500 or the 4x4 goes out (ouch!!!), then it goes to the car graveyard!!!! I have actually priced out a new car (I like the Chevy Cruze), and it sure won't be $400-$500 a month payment!!! I'd like to get one of the new Jeep Cherokees, but they haven't come out with pricing on them yet..... :gaah: I'm sure they will cost an arm and a leg.....

I'm just curious to see what other folks think. My neighbor keeps telling me to get rid of it, but she don't pay the bills on this side of the fence!!! A brand new car is enticing, but I really don't want a monthly payment--at least until I get my :spyder2: paid off!!!! :2thumbs:

You can save 20% or more on a one year old, lightly used model of your choice, but it takes some diligent searching. Dump the money pit. You got a bad one.nojoke

 

[vampyregirl]

Holly (my not better half) has the same year and model Jeep (03 Jeep Liberty 3.7 4x4 color blue) and she has 151,000 + miles on it........ She starts every day and is her daily ride to and from work. We even take it as our around town car. This Jeep is the best car/truck/suv I have ever driven in the snow. It never gets stuck and we would buy another one in a heartbeat........... The only difference between yours and Holly's is, ours is a female.


I have done all the maintenance you have mentioned myself, so it does save us alot $ that way. Holly loves it and we will run this 03 Liberty until the wheels fall off of it. 2003 Jeep liberty's with 4x4 and low miles (like you have) is still selling for between 5-7k dollars at dealers in my area because they are that dependable. :thumbup:

The only thing sad about this thread is you are being taken advantage of with your service costs.

Atlantic Blue here!!! I keep jumping on and off the fence. My place is charging $75 an hour labor--average, really. Well, around here anyway. I don't mind doing the small stuff, but the bigger stuff..... I ain't no mechanic, but I can boast that all but 4 of the oil changes were done by me in my garage!! I know a lot of people that don't even remember to take their cars anywhere to get the oil changed!!

I guess I'll wait and see what Thursday brings.....

 

[boborgera]

I think it was Kenny Rogers who said '' You have to know when to hold them and when to fold them.
If i was in your position [and i have been a few times] i would fold them.

 

[Sarge707]

Service costs are Killing you? My rear Brakes on my 03 Ford Sport Trac went south at 55,000 and I called Monroe for an estimate- $450- I watched a couple of YouTubes on changing My models Rotors and pads and ended up paying $145 for parts in total. When the rotors were stuck another You Tube showed my how to Free it?nojoke

 

[d.o.spyder-rts]

Holly (my not better half) --I hope Holly doesn't see/read this!! Dale

 

[vampyregirl]

And the verdict is: worn out bushings on the sway arm. Also needs a new set 'o tires---so NOT what I was thinking!!!! The tires have less than 40,000 on them. So much for Goodyear..... He said the tread is horribly uneven on them. Bushings and tires will be put on tomorrow!!!

I think I'll be keeping it for a while..... At least until it starts rusting through the doors....

 

[Chupaca]

Good news..!!

now that you have decided I will keep my two cents in my pocket. Glad it turned out better than expected. Ride/ryde on..!! :thumbup:

 

[bcoulter19]

Jeep always put Goodyears on there vehicles at the factory and as soon as their worn out I put either michelin or goodrich on. I prefer goodrich if I can get them. I've had four jeep wranglers and those have worn the best on that vehicle. goodyear tires are terrible. If car manufacturers didn't put their tires on from the factory I don't think goodyear could stay in business.

 

[vampyregirl]

now that you have decided I will keep my two cents in my pocket. Glad it turned out better than expected. Ride/ryde on..!! :thumbup:

Had it been major mechanical, I would have thrown in the towel.....

Jeep always put Goodyears on there vehicles at the factory and as soon as their worn out I put either michelin or goodrich on. I prefer goodrich if I can get them. I've had four jeep wranglers and those have worn the best on that vehicle. goodyear tires are terrible. If car manufacturers didn't put their tires on from the factory I don't think goodyear could stay in business.

I got 47,496 miles out of the factory Goodyears..... Only 34,400 and some out of the replacements!!! And the dang things were just checked in July--when I had who the hell knows what go through the tire sidewall on I75!!!! Bent the hell out of the rim.... :gaah: So, I'll have 5 new tires on the car. Bent rim (which was fixed, brand new tire put on and balanced) was put on the back door as the spare. Getting Cooper tires tomorrow.

As far as getting a new vehicle..... I'm still trying to wait until the Spyder is paid off!!!! ray: