Repair 2001 Civic or buy new
 

I have a 2001 Civic LX that has been extremely reliable. Unfortunately some things need to be replaced, struts etc. and in order to repair everything it's going to be $4000. I have about 130,000 miles on my car, and like I said, it's been reliable.

Does it make sense to put in that money for all the repairs, or do you think I should put that money towards a down payment on a new car? My concern is that I'll get my car repaired and then not too far down the road I'll need to get more repairs done.

Does anyone have an experience or advice they'd like to share? Also, if I were to buy new, I don't think I'd get much if anything for trade in since it was hit in a parking lot and has a pretty big dent in it.

welcome to the forum. the car value est 2200.00 My 02 civic i gave to my daughter now has 280k+ miles, we have done the struts, radiator,timing belt 3x, and standard trans 1x. yes it cost money to do this but it has given us great service. but in your case, the cost to repair far exceeds the value of the vehicle, i would put the money down on a newer car, 4000.00 plus the 2000.00 you can get for your 01 civic. Just a suggestion.

how do you go from needing new struts to $4000 dollars unless you need a new engine and transmission $4000 dollars is completely absurd and out of the question. what exactly needs replacing besides the struts ??? it sounds to me your mechanic is completely ripping you off.

Hi acmech52 and lowlife9,

I appreciate your responses.

Lowlife9,
I need new struts, new sway bars, and something else...I can't remember the name, I'd have to look on my quote. I believe the whole front suspension needs to be replaced. The $4000 is what the Honda dealership quoted me on with parts and labor. Do you think it's worth looking into a non-Honda mechanic? I've only gotten my car repaired at Honda, so I'm not sure how much less it would be elsewhere.

Achmech52,
That's awesome that your 02 Civic has lasted that long. I had planned on driving mine until it basically fell apart, but I think you're right about the repairs far exceed the value of the car and not really worth putting in that type of money into the car. It's unfortunate, because I felt like it would run forever. We plan on looking for a new car soon, but like I asked Lowlife, I wonder if it's worth looking into a different mechanic. Did you get all your repairs done at a Honda dealership or elsewhere?

my work that I cannot handle is done by an ase mech but at his home. The timing belt with all bushings, water pump etc costs me 150.00 from honda, he charges me 100.00 to replace all. my struts and bushings I replace my own. But if you need a mx, ask your friends who have friends that fix their cars and how they feel of the mech. There are some good honda mech's that do good work for less than Dealer shops.