Should I spend the $$ ?

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dbltap - 14 Apr 2006 22:08 GMT

1992 Taurus GL 3.0 93,000 miles
Engine runs great, Trans shifts fine,
Air converted to R34 last spring
Body good-very good,
Paint fair-good.
Tires good
It does rattle a bit on these great New York City streets

Needs:
All four struts
Valve cover gaskets (has minor leak, drips on to exhaust system)
Transmission fluid/filter change
Belts
Drain, flush, new coolant
Oil Change (it gets one every 3 months)
Upholstery shampoo
The shop I use quoted $1200 for all and out the door in 9-10 hours

This car has been in the family since new.
I am debating weather to do the repair or finally get that new car (2007
Camry 4cyl LE)

What do you think?

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Al Bundy - 14 Apr 2006 22:35 GMT

> 1992 Taurus GL 3.0 93,000 miles
> Engine runs great, Trans shifts fine,
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> What do you think?

You've posed an all or nothing question, probably because you have made
up your mind to buy the Camry. I would not put $1200 into an $800
vehicle. Half or more of the $1200 you quote is for the struts. Shops
around here charge $600 for the rears so take it from there. Struts
don't have to be done in fours or even axle sets if you are a cheap a.s
trying to get the most out of a car. The keep or replace decision rests
on how bad the struts are. Perhaps you could live by doing only the
fronts. If the struts all are really that bad, then you have not been
keeping up with the basic maintenance on the vehicle, despite changing
oil.
Consider less drastic options and don't pout money into this heap only
to be confronted with a tranny gone bad or something. Make your used
car EARN those repairs by taking care of only the most pressing items
plus the oil changes. When that equals or exceeds the value, go
shopping.

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dbltap - 15 Apr 2006 03:07 GMT

>> 1992 Taurus GL 3.0 93,000 miles
>> Engine runs great, Trans shifts fine,
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
> plus the oil changes. When that equals or exceeds the value, go
> shopping.

It is interesting that you say the struts do not have be replaced in four.
The fronts are probably still good, and the rears are very bad,
but I figured since they are all original I would do all four.
I am leaning in the direction of keeping the car, but I can taste that 07
Camry.
If I decide to do the repairs I will do the Trans Service first just to make
sure that
by opening it up nothing unusual is the result.

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Reefer - 15 Apr 2006 06:36 GMT

> You've posed an all or nothing question, probably because you have made
> up your mind to buy the Camry. I would not put $1200 into an $800
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> plus the oil changes. When that equals or exceeds the value, go
> shopping.

=========
=========

ditto, what he said

and, it's gotta have roadsalt damage!

~:~
MarshMonster
~:~

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Scott - 15 Apr 2006 00:53 GMT

> 1992 Taurus GL 3.0 93,000 miles
> Engine runs great, Trans shifts fine,
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> What do you think?

I had a 93 Ranger with 165,000 miles. In good shape, I had it for 10
years. Kid totaled it, if I could fix it for $1200 I would not hesitate, I
can't even find anything close to the condition it was in for less
than 5-6k. I would see if the rear struts in the taurus really needed
replaced. You may get another 3 years out of it for your investment.

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Oscar_Lives - 15 Apr 2006 03:15 GMT

> 1992 Taurus GL 3.0 93,000 miles
> Engine runs great, Trans shifts fine,
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> What do you think?

Could you buy another car as good as the Taurus for what you could sell it
for?

Didn't think so.

Fix it.

Keep it.

Enjoy not having a payment and not paying the instant depreciation cost of a
new one.

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