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Yesterday I brought in my car to have an exhaust problem (possibly a split manifold) fixed.

Once the mechanics got a good look at it, it turned out there was a host of problems including major structural rot. To fix the CURRENT problems would be between 6 and 7 thousand dollars. And the mechanics were of the opinion that it wouldn't be worth doing.

Crossposts: https://seawasp.livejournal.com/581278.html

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From:

autopope

Mechanics don't have the final word, though.

Question is would you prefer to get all the work done so that your current car is SOLID and all the faults they found are known and fixed (so unlikely to recur in the next few years)? Or would you prefer a new car?

I had that problem a few years ago with a car that ate its own gearbox. I opted to replace the gearbox, even though it cost more than half the book value of the car, because then I'd know that problem wouldn't hit me again and the car—gearbox apart—was a known quantity.

It might be that you want a new car, in which case this is your Good And Sufficient Excuse to go shopping. But if I were you I wouldn't let the mechanics opinion force your hand.

From:

seawasp

The mechanic's opinion was the important one because the reason he said "not worth fixing" is that there were indications that OTHER parts of the car would come apart in the relatively near future -- not QUITE to the point of "needs repair" yet, but would be.

In other words, it wasn't just one thing. The steering assembly was coming off the frame. Parts of the frame had rotted out. Etc. So it wasn't a solid car if I got it fixed. The only part of it in REALLY good shape, ironically, was the engine and the four tires I got put on a week or two ago.