Well. My car is a (goes to check rego sticker) 1988 Ford Laser. The rego expires in a couple of weeks and the WOF in about a month.
The car is a fundamentally good car. But:
1) The boot cable is broken or slackened so the boot pops open randomly (tied down with bedsheet).
2) The fan belt is slipping so the car shrieks when it's cold.
3) The driver's-side passenger door is dented from a parking column.
4) The roof has a patch of rust.
5) The speedo cable has also broken or slackened so the speedo don't go.
6) The tyres probably need replacing.
7) The driver's-side rear indicator cover is broken (the light still goes).
8) The heating/cooling fan system needs a new fuse.
9) The horn doesn't work.
By fundamentally, I mean that the engine goes.
So. Should I:
1) Carry on with the ol' girl and get her fixed to WOF?
2) Sell the bastard for $X in the next coupla' weeks as "Needs work" while it's still in WOF and rego?
3) Invent a third option?
So. The car cost $1000 3 or 4 years ago. I need input on the following:
1) Should I sell it; and
2) For how much; and
3) How?
I feel all helplessly inexperienced, because I am.
It all depends on 3 variables. The first is your garage. 1,4,5,6,7,9 individually is enough to fail your warrant. But I have seen girls with great personalities get away with a lot more.
The second is your willingness to wing it, as you have fundamentally got yourself a scud missile on wheels. Potentially dangerous and no one is quite sure if the guidance system will deliver it to where you want it to go.
And the third variable is Cost. If you are willing to spend the cost of the car getting it repaired only for it to do the same next time, then don’t get it repaired.
If you can afford to spend another $600-Grand then you could get yourself something that’ll be what you had 4 years ago. And don’t underestimate the joy of a new car.
Selling it, I have never gone past the sign in the back window while it’s on the side of the road. Make sure its secure though as nothing says steal me like a car for sale.
If she goes I would put $300 on it. Trade me will give you a good list of prices. There is a hatch going for $80 in there at the moment.
Posted by: vincent at February 28, 2005 11:21 AM
I reckon that vincent has probably given you some good advice. Can you afford WOF+any fixing costs? Then again, can you afford a "new" car?
Yep, that is good advice. I think I will go and get quotes (separate quotes, because I can do some of the work myself, I hope) and work it out from there.
I never have money for anything, you know that! lol