One of the nice things about new cars is that it takes a long time before you need to shell out big bucks to fix them. For the first couple years or so, there are generally no major problems. Well Vanessa is about 4 years old now, and that time is gone. She's been running hot lately, the engine fan is always on, she has a check-engine light coming on, and she is overdue for a manual transmission fluid change. The dealership where I purchased her is no longer in business, so I took her to a different dealership yesterday to get these issues looked at.
The check-engine light is on because there's a certain emissions-related component which has failed. Replacing that component will cost $250.
The car has been running hot because the water pump is going, the water pump is covered by the extended powertrain warranty with a $100 deductible, so that will cost another $100.
The manual transmission fluid change will run another $150. (That is a lot, but apparently the job is difficult to do on this model. I had previously taken it to Jiffy Lube and they tried but could not do the work.)
The techinician who took the car for a ride said that the engine fan is much louder than normal, which he takes as an indication that the fan is going and will ultimately bind up. When that happens the car will overheat. The problem is that the component is extremely expensive ($500+) and installation isn't cheap either. To replace the fan will run me another $820.
It took 66,000 miles to get to this point, but yeesh, that's a whole lot of damage, and financially speaking, life sucks for me and mine right now. So, I told them to take care of the first 3 issues but leave the fan for another day. With the waterpump functioning properly, the fan won't need to be on as much, and hopefully I can get by without having to replace it for awhile.
I hope they finish fixing the car soon. I miss it already.
Sorry to hear of your issues Chuck, I sympathize. Years ago, I always thought that anyone who leased a car was a dope, well, after years of thinking it over, and actually LOOKING at the information, I believe I was wrong…here's why.
We got our Envoy XL, with 15,000 miles/year allowance for WAY less than we could have if we bought it. We'll likely turn it in early on another one…
1. Leasing a vehicle allows you to get a nicer vehicle than if you bought it outright. You could get the top of the line Widgetmobile rather than the base unit.
2. If you lease for 3 years, your vehicle is ALWAYS under the bumper-to-bumper warranty.
3. If you lease for 3 years, you should NEVER need to replace tires.
4. You have a guaranteed trade-in that is actually worth something, rather than a high-mileage, 5 year old car that isn't worth squat.
Think it over the next time you're looking for a vehicle. You can get leased vehicles with different yearly mileage options, so don't whine that you drive a lot
Tom
Is your car a PT cruiser or is that just a picture you put there?
Its funny, because as much as I'm a stickler for buying union (just bought a union-made laptop, and everything I'm wearing right now including socks and underwear are union-made) I don't think I can go back to American cars after driving a Honda. I have a 2001 Accord with 90K miles on it and have yet to have a single problem with the car.
I'd love it if Honda's and Toyota's plants went union, and I don't mind paying more for a car if it came to that (although that's largely a BS argument… all the union-made stuff I buy is generally not more expensive than non-union equivalents, its justt sometimes harder to find) but I can't buy a car that I know will have far too many problems.
If only the Big 3 spent their energy on improving quality rather than just trying to make everything bigger and bigger.
I'm sorry for all the financial hits you've taken lately. Maintenance (human, car, house) is a bitch.
Hopefully it will all keep you safe, happy, and healthy in the long run.
Is my car a PT Cruiser he says.
Yes. Vanessa is a gorgeous purple '03 PT Cruiser GT with a manual transmission. She's a blast to drive. I introduced her here on ULev a couple years ago with the article Driving Miss Vanessa. It's fair to say I've been a little obsessed with the car, considering I wrote poetry about it, bought custom rims for it, and have uploaded scads of photos of Vanessa:
New Windshield
Vanessa's New Wheels
Vanessa Tidbits
Vanessa's Bad Day
Vanessa Returns
Baby Needs New Shoes
We've owned 3 or 4 hondas/toyotas over the years. They are nice little cars, but when it came time to fix them, it was always a fortune. Maybe that's changed in the last four years.
Here's a history of cars I've owned. I was hoping it would turn into a meme, but it never got much attention.
Thanks Maggie. We'll figure it out somehow. It's just been a crazy year. Pat's car is beginning to act up too, so when I get back, that one will have to go in. *sigh* Like a friend of mine said today: it never rains but it pours.
Hey Tom, thanks. That's interesting advice. I'm not in the market to replace my car, and I'm kind of in love with it. But I'll keep that in mind.
Generally Hondas and Toyotas shouldn't cost more to fix than most American cars, unless you're going to the dealer or a mechanic who rips you off. The myth that all the parts for Hondas and Toyatas have to be special ordered from Japan is a load of crap. Most of the cars are assembled in the US of US components, at least according to my buddy who's job is to install automation systems into Toyota's factories around the world.
I know by the time I'd had my Neon this long I'd gone through two head-gaskets, and those aren't cheap repairs.
Well perhaps I got ripped off then, by several mechanics. Whenever I took my Honda or Toyota in for service it was always $700+. I eventually stopped going to the dealer and instead went to a very good mechanic based out of Bedford, which was less expensive but not cheap. I have no idea if American cars would be any cheaper to fix. I didn't buy the PT for union reasons, I bought it because it's a beautiful car.
Speaking of beautiful cars, I loved the Neon. Never owned one but always thought it was cute. The PT was based on the Neon, although it looks completely different.
Well, I've got a couple years experience working in the aftermarket for selling car parts, and I can say that I agree and can verify the Honda/Toyota sentiment. Generally, though most of the common parts which will need replacing on any car that's driven (brake shoes/pads/rotors/calipers, starters/alternators, pumps/motors, I can go on) do tend to be more expensive (~$20 for standard quality parts, ~$5 on cheap stuff), in most cases they don't need to be changed as often. The thing is though, Hondas & Toyotas have any major defects in the long run. For example, when you deal with Fords or Mazdas, you're going to have several thousand dollars worth of transmission troubles down the road. (Ford makes Mazda's transmissions in North America) Also, with General Motors and Chevrolet, you're looking at wheel bearing troubles & fuel pump troubles, and both of those can be close on $1000 to fix if it's done with decent parts & at a good mechanic — even more at the dealership.
Most garages around here charge the same regardless of the make/model of the car, and usually just on the work that has to be done. I don't know how well that applies considering how far removed I am from where you are, but just another thought.
One big thing too is that bringing the car to the dealer is a pretty hefty coster, and that goes doubletime for foreign cars. You're buying Honda parts and getting Honda technicians to fix your car, and they generally charge more for their parts & their skilled workers than, say, Chrysler or Chevrolet.
All in all, it's still all about what you'd prefer to drive, because there are few brands that will absolutely bankrupt you on maintenance (Ford anything & Mazda 626 are my running examples of what not to buy). But, for a car you intend to keep & when you're considering future upkeep costs, Hondas & Toyotas are pretty much the way to go for longterm sustainability.
Wow, I didn't intend to post that much when I started. =P
Hondas & Toyotas have any major defects in the long run.
D'oh.
That was supposed to be no major defects in the long run.
No worries GottaLoveElves, it's just nice to hear from you. You're one of those folks that posts comments only rarely, so each one is a special treat. Thanks for all the good information.
Chuck!
Sorry I haven't been around lately. Lot's going on. Sorry to hear about the out flow of cash. I feel your pain bud.
Lookin forward to lunch next wed!
Hooligan