small delema

**third_shift|studios** · 12-17-2007, 07:55 AM

My wife's taraus needs all new HVAC. The heater core sank and the a/c won't hold pressure. Easily $2000 w/labor. It's a 99 Ford taraus w/90k miles, it drinks gas down like a fish through water. It IS paid off though. [only upside]

Does it make any sense at all to trade it in on an $7000 02 cavalier with 30-60k miles, get much better gas milage, and maybe with some cash upfront, get the payments to like $100 a month?

**BIG D's SS** · 12-17-2007, 07:58 AM

Tough decison since it is paid off. But that is a lot of cash to throw down on a 8 year ole car like a taurus. Hell just buy her a new car.

**ntimid8r** · 12-17-2007, 08:01 AM

If the taurus is 8 years old then it's a no brainer......get rid of it. More problems will come from it and you'll only be chasing the problems then. What about a lease with no drive off fee's for 2 or 3 years? Just a thought.

I didn't vote 'cause you should have an option of just getting rid of the taurus and finding something else. I don't know if this cavalair is any good.

**86 IROC-Z** · 12-17-2007, 08:30 AM

HVAC in a car is just a superfluous materialistic thing... If theres nothing else wrong with it, keep it.

Tell her if it's hot to roll down the windows, if it's cold keep them closed. Simple as that.

**SexOnWheels** · 12-17-2007, 08:42 AM

If you got the Phenoix (despite you saying you would wait for a 5th gen) should not your bride get a new ride?

Let the Taraus go, as in no money at all on that pig.

**third_shift|studios** · 12-17-2007, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z

HVAC in a car is just a superfluous materialistic thing... If theres nothing else wrong with it, keep it.

Tell her if it's hot to roll down the windows, if it's cold keep them closed. Simple as that.

typical 3rd gen owner talking himself out of modern commodities

**Jays00ss** · 12-17-2007, 08:55 AM

Duh thats a no brainer, Buy the cav, My buddy has one as his commuter and gets 35 mpg, Has 144,000 miles replaced the timeing chain and did brakes thats it.

**third_shift|studios** · 12-17-2007, 09:11 AM

i had an 01 cavy before the Batmobile, loved that car. Yup, a4 got 35mpg.

**Marc 85Z28** · 12-17-2007, 10:17 AM

Pulling the dash to replace the heater core is a cake job on that car. If you have any mechanical inclination whatsoever you could have the dash out in 45 minutes your first time.

What's wrong with the AC? Where is it leaking from?

**Bottesini** · 12-17-2007, 10:23 AM

Since this is your wife's car. I would suggest getting something that will be reliable and won't leave her or the kid stuck somewhere. Not to mention if you can get payments down to $100/month then you should not be spending much more money then you will with the Taurus. One semimajor repair will cost more then several months of payments, not to mention the gas savings. If you just don't eat out on night less a week with the family that is about = to one month payment. Insurance will also change though, but for safety of mind I would get the newer car.

**Marc 85Z28** · 12-17-2007, 10:25 AM

Without knowing too much about the car other than I'm pretty sure it's a OHV Vulcan motor, you'd be lucky to see anything over $2000 trade-in...

**KyleLs1** · 12-17-2007, 10:29 AM

i wouldnt spend 2k to fix a car thats worth $1500
Get rid of it, because once you start fixing shit, more shit will break (remember - it is a ford)

Guaranteed after another 2 or 3 years you will spend the cost of that cavalier on repairs/maintenance for the taurus.

the money you save on gas will probably make the car payments

**86 IROC-Z** · 12-17-2007, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

typical 3rd gen owner talking himself out of modern commodities

I do it on a daily basis

**SSwt00SS** · 12-17-2007, 10:50 AM

divorce her AND save your money...win/win there buddy...

**hutch1999** · 12-17-2007, 11:00 AM

go with the cav

**third_shift|studios** · 12-17-2007, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by SSwt00SS

divorce her AND save your money...win/win there buddy...

omg...that's horrible.

Thanks everyone else, you've been very helpful.

**JonB** · 12-17-2007, 11:15 AM

Why not just fix the heater core for winter. Should be well under $100 if you do it yourself. Then either just deal with no a/c or look for a new car when it starts to get hot and you can but more down. Just another option for you.

**SSwt00SS** · 12-17-2007, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

omg...that's horrible.

Thanks everyone else, you've been very helpful.

you know im just playin w/ya...

just like JonB said, fix the heater core for the winter and look come spring for a ride for her. that gets you through the holidays and taxes and hopefully some more income back in the pockets as well...