2008 CR-V: repair or trade in

[Anonymous]

Took my 2008 CR-V in to have the A/C fixed. Was told that would be about $1,500, plus I needed new tires (I do), plus I my suspension needs work (feels like it), plus my transmission needs work (I don't know), and I need new spark plugs (whatever those are for). In all it was going to cost almost $4,000. I checked and the current bluebook value for my car, in it's crappy state (also had body damage), is maybe a little more than $4,000.

I was planning to drive this thing into the ground and I'm wondering, have I done that? It has about 115,000 miles. To replace it we are thinking of an SUV with 3 rows of seats (Highlander, Pilot, Mazda CX-9). What the local dealers seem to have in stock is a little more than I wanted to pay ($40-45,000ish), but we can pay cash. I know our insurance rates will shoot up with a new car, but pouring thousands into my crappy old car doesn't make sense, does it?

[Anonymous]

Choice is yours. Your insurance may not go up much. Ours didn't last time we got a car.

[Anonymous]

No. You could get a new to you, but used car.

[Anonymous]

I would trade that in. I’ve got a 2012 crv with 78k. In two years time if I was facing this decision, I’d trade it in. And I’d suck it up and get the pilot too for the third row.

[Anonymous]

You haven’t received a second estimate for what needs to be done and how much it will cost? That is the first place you should start (goes without saying: not from a dealer).

p.s 115,000 on a CRV is not "driving into the ground", unless you really abused it and failed at maintenance. That is quite low for a Honda. I’m not saying you shouldn’t trade it in, there is nothing wrong with that especially if the numbers make sense and that’s what you prefer. If it truly is a 4k repair (questionable) it is probably worth considering going that route.

[Anonymous]

Did you take it to the shop you trust? So you haven’t done anything since you bought it in 2008??

[Anonymous]

Spark plugs run about 20 dollars for a set of 4. and require a $5-10 spark plug bit to pop em out. It is insanely DIY friendly but they will charge you at least 150 dollars to replace them, likely more.

[Anonymous]

get new tires and DIY yourself some freon. then proceed to drive into the ground.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the thoughts. We do typically trust this shop, and the other we called for a second opinion didn't have an appointment until the 11th. My car has had other maintenance though I never schedule it in advance, I just wait for the oil change guys or the auto shop to tell me I need something when I'm there for another reason. This is the second time the A/C has gone out and it was not $1,500 to repair it last time.

DH is pushing to replace it since new cars have much better safety features. And I have a kid who will be driving in 3-4 years so maybe he could start driving whatever we get now. After some soul searching about how much I hate driving big vehicles, I'm leaning away from the 3rd row of seats. I'm thinking of a RAV4 hybrid. Screw the car pool.

[Anonymous]

You need to learn to take better care of your car. Maintenance is not an optional thing. Japanese cars are built to last 250k or more. You are basically getting only 1/2 out of your car. You can buy a new car but you will end up at the same point in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to learn to take better care of your car. Maintenance is not an optional thing. Japanese cars are built to last 250k or more. You are basically getting only 1/2 out of your car. You can buy a new car but you will end up at the same point in a few years.

+1

Frist Toyota went to 300k, second one is currently at 250k and still running strong with no major repairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the thoughts. We do typically trust this shop, and the other we called for a second opinion didn't have an appointment until the 11th. My car has had other maintenance though I never schedule it in advance, I just wait for the oil change guys or the auto shop to tell me I need something when I'm there for another reason. This is the second time the A/C has gone out and it was not $1,500 to repair it last time.

DH is pushing to replace it since new cars have much better safety features. And I have a kid who will be driving in 3-4 years so maybe he could start driving whatever we get now. After some soul searching about how much I hate driving big vehicles, I'm leaning away from the 3rd row of seats. I'm thinking of a RAV4 hybrid. Screw the car pool.

I would wait for the 2019 Rav 4 that is coming out soon. It is much improved.

[Anonymous]

If you want a new car then buy one. But if you couldn't buy a car now, then I think $4,000 in competent repairs to the CR-V would be a good investment, since you can expect it to go many more miles, and you know its history.

About the poster who says spark plugs are easy-peasy: Maybe for them. Since you don't even know what they are, changing them right won't be easy for you. They're also hard to reach on many cars.

[Anonymous]

I would get a second opinion or even a third. I have a 2005 Honda CRV with 210,000 miles. At around 120,000 I took it to a dealer who said I needed 3,000 dollars worth of work on it. I went to a independent shop that specializes in hondas and Toyotas and didn't say anything about the long list of problems the dealer allegedly found. They said I needed 120 dollar ball bearings and some a coolant flush- the total was $200.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Took my 2008 CR-V in to have the A/C fixed. Was told that would be about $1,500, plus I needed new tires (I do), plus I my suspension needs work (feels like it), plus my transmission needs work (I don't know), and I need new spark plugs (whatever those are for). In all it was going to cost almost $4,000. I checked and the current bluebook value for my car, in it's crappy state (also had body damage), is maybe a little more than $4,000.

I was planning to drive this thing into the ground and I'm wondering, have I done that? It has about 115,000 miles. To replace it we are thinking of an SUV with 3 rows of seats (Highlander, Pilot, Mazda CX-9). What the local dealers seem to have in stock is a little more than I wanted to pay ($40-45,000ish), but we can pay cash. I know our insurance rates will shoot up with a new car, but pouring thousands into my crappy old car doesn't make sense, does it?

What ever you do DON"T trade it in. That's a rip off. Sell it to someone as is for the $4000. That being said if your new car payments are $400 per month in 10 months, that will be $4000 that you will have to pay too. I would fix it unless the car is a lemon with continuous issues, Honda's last.