[JStang00]

My engine just died. I'm about to replace it, but first I have to decide if I'm going to keep or sell the car after... And I can't make a decision. To be honest, I like my Stang. I've put about 9K into it (after purchase) to make it mine. Sure, a new car would be nice. But I don't reeeaaaaaly want to throw down $$ for one yet if I don't have to.

I've been told that it's time to move on. That my car's old and that cars don't live forever. That I should slap a junkyard engine in my stang, sell it, and get a new car with lower mileage.

My question is... why? How do you determine when to sell your car?

The way I see it, there's about $11K of future work (below) that will most likely be needed to maintain the car. Do you agree? Am I missing anything?



About my Mustang:
- 2000 V6
- 83K Miles (purchased @43K mi)

Past Issues (date, mileage):
- Replaced Radiator (~4yrs ago, 54,516mi)
- Replaced Front & Back Rotors & break pads (~5yrs ago, 50Kmi)
- Changed water pump & stabilizer bushing (8/2010, 68,573.00mi)
- Replaced rear tires w. 2x Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport tires (11/28/2010, 72933.00mi)
- 2 new inner tie rods, 2 new outer tie rods, 4 wheel alignment (7/25/2011, 80811.00mi)
- Replace front bumper, repair back bumper, repair front hood & paint all (9/21/2011)
- Front break pads, reface rotors, Flush break fluid (12/6/2011)

Current Issues:
- Engine's dead, needs to be replaced.
- Left Tail-light (Driver side) - Condensation inside light.
- Convertible Top Leaks from back window into boot. Sometimes into trunk.

Future Issues and Est Cost:
- $3,700.00 Transmission (Since it hasn't been serviced) ~100K
- $900.00 Shocks & Struts (Normal around 80K miles)
- $500.00 Ball Joints Front End
- $600.00 Front Two Tires
- $2,200.00 Power Steering (Can contaminate other parts?)

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

honestly it's not hard to sell a car....you're brain is just making you think it's hard. some people say they build up an emotional bond with their car...well the only car i've ever had that with was totaled...it sucked so much that i decided to treat a car for what it is...which is why when i sold my '04 GT earlier this year i didn't bat an eye.

also where the hell are you getting some of your prices lol

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by 6ER THEN I 8ER! honestly it's not hard to sell a car....you're brain is just making you think it's hard. some people say they build up an emotional bond with their car...well the only car i've ever had that with was totaled...it sucked so much that i decided to treat a car for what it is...which is why when i sold my '04 GT earlier this year i didn't bat an eye. also where the hell are you getting some of your prices lol

Haha, it issss really difficult. It's also a numbers game. How much will it cost to maintain this vehicle vs selling it and getting a new one.

What car did you get after you sold your GT?

And those are ballpark numbers a mechanic gave me.

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

another '04....here is my mustang lineup

'04 3.9L v6 - '04 4.6L GT - '04 3.9L v6

and it's just a car...if i came across a car that i liked tomorrow i would have no problems trading my current one in. In fact in may after my wedding i'm giving this one to my lady to find another stang

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by 6ER THEN I 8ER! another '04....here is my mustang lineup '04 3.9L v6 - '04 4.6L GT - '04 3.9L v6 and it's just a car...if i came across a car that i liked tomorrow i would have no problems trading my current one in. In fact in may after my wedding i'm giving this one to my lady to find another stang

At what mileage do you decide it's time to sell?

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

Originally Posted by JStang00 At what mileage do you decide it's time to sell?

i don't pick any mileage...when i feel the need for something different that's when i'll sell...the GT only had 84k miles on it...the tranny was taking a dump, and the rear had some damage...all thanks to the previous owner...since it's just another car i sold it...i actually took a hit on what i paid for it of course...but it left me with enough to pick up this '04 with currently 49k miles on it.

if you do decide to sell though...might want to remove the underglows...not to many people are into that kind of thing unless you target market is highschool kids

this is the only car i ever cared about...since it's gone i just don't see the need to get close to them since they can be gone at any second...it was a good life lesson


and the GT i sold...


and the current DD....

[JStang00]

Your first one is a beauty dude. I love those rims. You need to get some rims on your DD!

Yeah, I'll probably have to remove the lights

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

Originally Posted by JStang00 Your first one is a beauty dude. I love those rims. Yeah, I'll probably have to remove the lights

thanks...the wheels are stock GT wheels spray painted black with the center caps removed to show the chrome lugs

[6BangEr]

If those are ballparks from your mechanic you need to find a new mechanic. A used tranny will cost around 2-300 and labor max should put you around $900 total. A full rebuild would be around the same price. Ball joints can be had for about $40 or $100+ for some steeda x2's. Install should be an hourly job which you should be looking at $100 max for ball joints installed. If you're willing to spend $600 for 2 new tires just buy 4 wheels w/ tires for 4-600. You can find good deals for that price all day long. I sold my stockers off my v6 with good meat left for $150. Shocks and struts.. again man max you should spend is $300 ish (for Tokico Blues) and if you are unable to do yourself just have them installed when you do the ball joints so that should fall under that same $100 in labor. And what's wrong with you power steering?

[DEFIANT]

Originally Posted by 6ER THEN I 8ER! In fact in may after my wedding i'm giving this one to my lady to find another stang

I like your way of thinking 6ER loyal mustang guy.
OP its either you buy a used car and spend money building it OR
lease or finance a new car and invest the money in monthly payments.
Plus the beauty of mustangs is that with $6,000 maybe less you can create a beast.

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

Originally Posted by DEFIANT I like your way of thinking 6ER loyal mustang guy. OP its either you buy a used car and spend money building it OR lease or finance a new car and invest the money in monthly payments. Plus the beauty of mustangs is that with $6,000 maybe less you can create a beast.

Yeah I'm a mustang for life kind of guy lol....I don't feel compelled to own anything else

[ESG-642T]

My car is in the "no sale" category... It will be in my garage forever.

And your list is pretty expensive, if you've put 9k into it (after you've bought it) it should be something amazing.

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T My car is in the "no sale" category... It will be in my garage forever. And your list is pretty expensive, if you've put 9k into it (after you've bought it) it should be something amazing.

Which is why I asked where he was getting his prices...

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by DEFIANT I like your way of thinking 6ER loyal mustang guy. OP its either you buy a used car and spend money building it OR lease or finance a new car and invest the money in monthly payments. Plus the beauty of mustangs is that with $6,000 maybe less you can create a beast.

You pretty much nailed it..

I guess the pros of lease/finance is that you don't need to pay for shit when it breaks? But the cons are pretty shitty. You can't mod it, can you? And... MONTHLY PAYMENTS?

It's been so easy just owning my stang, this blows

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

Then just continue driving what you have..nothing wrong with it. Besides they are cheap to fix

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T My car is in the "no sale" category... It will be in my garage forever. And your list is pretty expensive, if you've put 9k into it (after you've bought it) it should be something amazing.

I mean, here's what it is... And yes, I think it's something amazing which is why I'm so hesitant to sell it

Maintenance (~$3185):
6/17/2006 49579.00 Tire Mount & Alignment $105.31
6/29/2006 Driverside housing (F922-14527-CA) $45.98
3/1/2007 54516.00 Radiator $535.03 (Through Insurance)
9/15/2006 Replaced Front & Back Rotors and Break pads, Red Calippers $880.72
3/1/2007 54516.00 Tail Gate Latch for Trunk $122.85 (Through Insurance)
9/14/2007 56787.00 Oil Change -- Mechanic Notes "Has Lifter Noise" $20.00
8/17/2010 68573.00 Changed water pump & stabilizer bushing $480.82
8/17/2010 68573.00 Oil Change & Smog Test -
11/28/2010 72933.00 Firestone - 2x Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport tires & Lifetime Alignment Service $605.49
7/25/2011 80811.00 2 new inner tie rods, 2 new outer tie rods, 4 wheel alignment $349.95
9/21/2011 Replace front bumper, repair back bumper, repair front hood & paint all $300.00
9/22/2011 Touch up paint & materials $47.39
10/15/2011 82581.00 Oil Change, Top Fluids & Lube, Tire Pressure, Rotate Tires $27.82
12/6/2011 Front break pads, reface rotors, Flush break fluid $205.00

Cosmetic (~$4860):
9/1/2005 LED 7 Color Undercar Light Kit $199.00
9/3/2005 LED 7 Color Undercar Light Kit - Installation $81.47
12/16/2005 20% Tints $195.23
12/16/2005 Blue Headlights $50.00
6/17/2006 49579.00 RC Mesh (Blk) Rims 18" Stagger & Nitto Tires NT555 Front-245/40/ZR18, back-275/35/ZR18 $1,800.00
Viper 791VX Alarm System w. Remote Start $250.00
JL Audio 10 Sub w. Stealthbox SB-F-MU94+/10W3v3 $250.00
Pioneer Avic N2 Remote & Mic $49.99
12/1/2005 Pioneer Avic N2 In Dash Navigation/DVD Player $1,000.00
12/1/2005 Pioneer GEX-P10XMT XM NavTraffic & XM Radio $220.00
5/20/2006 True Catback Dual Exhaust. 2x pipes from cat back (2.25in) 2x 40series flowmaster Mufflers, 2x Extension pipes $450.00
5/22/2006 2x Magnaflow stainless stel tips (2.25 inner diameter, 3out) $70.00
1/1/2008 K&N FIPK Cold Air Intake $190.00
12/1/2005 Pioneer iPod Adapter $52.99

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by 6ER THEN I 8ER! Then just continue driving what you have..nothing wrong with it. Besides they are cheap to fix

Well, it would need a new engine before I could continue driving it. If I were to keep it, I should probably go with a rebuilt engine, right?

And yeah, I'm seeing now that it may be cheaper to maintain than I originally thought.

[ESG-642T]

I see your problem....

You don't do your own work, and it seems like you pay retail for audio equipment.

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T I see your problem.... You don't do your own work, and it seems like you pay retail for audio equipment.

I do some work.

I installed my CAI, SUB/Amp, headlights.

And actually, I worked at BestBuy when I bought my audio shit. The AvicN2 was actually 2K but I paid 1K w. the employee discount.

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by 6BangEr If those are ballparks from your mechanic you need to find a new mechanic. A used tranny will cost around 2-300 and labor max should put you around $900 total. A full rebuild would be around the same price. Ball joints can be had for about $40 or $100+ for some steeda x2's. Install should be an hourly job which you should be looking at $100 max for ball joints installed. If you're willing to spend $600 for 2 new tires just buy 4 wheels w/ tires for 4-600. You can find good deals for that price all day long. I sold my stockers off my v6 with good meat left for $150. Shocks and struts.. again man max you should spend is $300 ish (for Tokico Blues) and if you are unable to do yourself just have them installed when you do the ball joints so that should fall under that same $100 in labor. And what's wrong with you power steering?

Haha, you're awesome dude. Thanks.

$1,840.00 is waaaaaaaaay better than $10,900.00.

Note to self, don't do shit before posting on MM.