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Car Maintenance You Shouldn't Try at Home

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Car Maintenance You Shouldn't Try at Home

In a troubled economy, many people look for ways to cut costs by doing household tasks themselves. Some automotive jobs can be done fairly easily at home, particularly if you know something about cars. However, taking on the wrong job on your own will only cost you more time, stress and money in the long run. My name is Jill, and I want to tell you about which car maintenance tasks you can safely tackle on your own and which really do require some help from a pro. I'll break down the needs of a typical car and tell you exactly why you might need to ask for help sometimes.

When Is Your Car Worth Repairing?

6 February 2016
 Categories: Automotive, Blog

Usually, the older your car is, the more repairs bills you have to face. As time goes by, you have to consider if repairing your car is worth the expense or whether it is time to buy a new one. Of course, this decision depends on a number of considerations. In many situations, you are better off repairing your older model car rather than buying a new or different vehicle.

Transmissions

Transmission replacement is always an expensive proposition, even if you choose a rebuilt or re-manufactured part. If you are lucky enough to find an absolute bargain, you will probably spend at least several thousand dollars to get your vehicle up and running again. Before you invest that kind of money, you need to find out what your vehicle is worth if it is repaired. Once you do, you should subtract the amount of money the repair will cost.

If your car is listed at 6000 and your repair is going to cost 2100, the net value of your car is 3900. To get the "as is" value, you need to subtract half of the repair cost from the 3900, which gives you 2850. In that case, it is well worth having another transmission installed, as long as the rest of your vehicle is in good condition. In any case, you need to remember that you'll have trouble finding any buyer for your car without a fully functioning transmission.

Engines

When the engine blows on an older car, you may think there is no reason to fix it. Replacing an engine is a drastic and expensive step. However, buying a used engine and having it installed in your car is often worth the money. If your car is in decent condition otherwise and you plan to drive it for several years, replacing the engine makes sense. A replacement engine will cost approximately $2250 to $4000. However, a remanufactured engine should last as long as the original engine did. Also, by fixing your current car, you will be saving money on taxes and insurance. Keeping your old car is often the financially responsible thing to do.

Even if your car develops some serious issues, repairing it may be the best course. Buying a new car is expensive. Keeping your current model for a few extra years, even if the repairs are costly, can help you save money for a new vehicle when you really need one. Contact a company like Goodeal Lifetime Transmissions for more information on transmission repair.