Should I trade my car in?

1. 91

   davidlivermoreposted 9 years ago

   Should I trade my car in?
   
   This July I would have owned my Mini Cooper for four years.  It will be out of warranty and I've had constant issues with it.  The closest dearlership is about an hour or so drive from my city.  Local places are unable to do a good enough of a repair job so I have no choice but to take it out of town.  It's paid off, but I am very worried about paying a lot to get it repaired, to transport it, etc.  I already have a new car in mind that I want.  The trade-in for my Mini will cover most of the cost.  Think I should trade it in?  Or run it into the ground?

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2. 83

   arksysposted 9 years ago

   trade it ... the dealership and repair issues seem like a hassle... its time for a change.

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3. 59

   autodudeposted 9 years ago

   Don't run it to the ground. lol After, a Major Tuneup Transmission fluid,oil and antifreeze change New tires and a brake inspection you should be good for another 3 years! (with no car payments)

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   1. 83

      arksysposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      true ... but maintaining a mini is quite costly ... right?

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4. 76

   Jay Crihfieldposted 9 years ago

   Here's one way to look at it...repairs/maintenance are part of owning any car, especially one that's a bit older.....but if you take the total cost for a year of any repairs above and beyond "normal" maintenance like oil changes, tires, brakes, etc. then divide that number by 12, is it more or less than what a new car payment would be?  The longer you can drive that Mini with that repair number being less than a new car note payment....you're ahead of the game.

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   1. 83

      arksysposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      that's a good way to look at it.

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5. 94

   lisavollrathposted 9 years ago

   Sometimes, you just get a vehicle that isn't worth the trouble, and it sounds like that's the case for you. Trade it in, and make it someone else's problem. Next time, choose a car from a dealership closer to you.
   
   I say this as someone who is currently driving a 1999 Ford Ranger, which I bought when it was brand new. Sometimes, you get a winner, which runs reliably, and doesn't cost much in repairs and maintenance. That's the vehicle you want to drive until it falls apart in the middle of the road!

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   1. 83

      arksysposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      true... i got a brand new Diahatsu from a local toyota dealer here... its small but i never had a single problem with it for the first 7-8 years. Now its about 14 years old and i can still touch the 140km/h mark easily. very little maintenance reqd.

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   2. 91

      davidlivermoreposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      This is what I did.  I traded it in and have a better car.  Thank you for the response.

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6. 81

   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   you should, when my 8 year old car keeps getting problems, i tried to repair, one after another problem, not worth it.

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7. 41

   ijdmtoyposted 8 years ago

   Sounds like it's time to bite the bullet and get a new car. A car with a slew of problems is really not worth the time or money.

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