Dilemma is that I have no credit due to foreclosure. Have finally saved some money but the Acura TL 1996 (which has been a great car) is starting to wear out. Since I cannot get a loan, which is better; spend the money to fix as much as possible on the Acura or use the money to buy a used car more than 5 years old? Every place I look, it says don’t buy a used car older than 5 years, but this is impossible! The Acura cost $12k in 2000, but now would cost me more than double that. But I have seen used cars 10 years old that range from $5-8000, which I could pull off. Just don’t know what my best bet is and unfortunately, haven’t met a mechanic or car dealer I trust. Recommendations? Thank you
You give no info on what is wrong with your Acura? Start looking for a mechanic you can trust.
Why not start with what is needed, are you willing to do some work yourself?
How many miles on the Acura? Do you live in the rust belt?
Sorry, while I understand the workings of the car, I’m no mechanic. The 1st problem was the oil pan was “broken” by a large company who refused to take responsibiity; $1400 gone. The check engine light is on. The SBS light comes on, the ABS light comes on, the battery light comes on (since the battery is only a year old, guessing that’s the alternator), and after the oil pan replacement (a month ago) now the oil light comes on. The shift is soft, so I’m guessing the tranny is going, the brakes are soft, lots of creaking in turns so tie rods or shocks. The shop that did the oil pan had great recommendations, but they did not go beyond replacing the pan (took 5 days) and the oil filter. Did not even ask if they should check anything else, nevermind the constantly lit check engine light. I guess I could trust them, but since it was so much to replace just a pan (that price includes tax), not sure what I’m going to get hit on for the bigger items.
About 153k, I live in WA state. The car came from the northeast when I bought it in 2000, but has been in WA since then.
Wow! That’s some laundry list of problems. Doesn’t sound promising.
The car is kind of like a human. Up to 40 you’re good, then things start falling off, at 50 it picks up speed. It was great w/regular maintenance up to 150k and then zowey! things just started all going wrong at once.
Well - If you decide to go ahead with the repairs I would first have it examined underneath for structural rust deterioration. After all it’s 19 years old. With the transmission failing and the oil pressure problems and even the ABS light could really cost far more than the car is worth.
the car is 15 years old and has 153K miles on it - it is tired, and that’s to be expected. If the body and frame are solid with not too much rust, repairs might be worthwhile. A newer used car can be a money pit too. I think you need to find an honest shop that knows Japanese cars. I won’t trust the shop that hit you up for $1400 for a new oil pan either.
I think you are at the point where you either spend more money on this car, or just drive it into the ground until it is junk. Hopefully before it dies you will have some resources to replace it with a better car.
How do you “break” an oilpan?
The comment about a broken oil pan and the oil light coming on now could mean the engine was run out of or very low on oil and suffered damage. Factored in with the other issues it may be time to start looking for something else.
Even a mechanically inclined DIYer would likely balk at the laundry list of problems on a 20 year old Acura. Getting it all done puts the cost and benefit aspects on different planets altogether.
You’d be way better off spending your time looking for a good used car. Don’t go to a dealer. Find a motivated seller. Or somebody who has no idea how much their car is worth. Or somebody who will cut you a deal because they like you. You can’t be fixing that heap.
Wow, you really do need to find a good mechanic. Check the mechanics files on this site or ask neighbors where you live. Look for a place that is always full of cars, that indicates their prices and practices are fair and their customers come back. Expect to have to make an appointment.
Here’s what I’d do. Ask your mechanic how much it would cost to do the following jobs for three cars, 1-your Accura, 2-Honda Civic, 3-Toyota Corolla, all roughly the same vintage, or for the other two, vintages you could afford.
Repair 1. Replace water pump.
Repair 2. Replace radiator.
Repair 3. Replace power steering pump.
Repair 4. Replace spark plugs & engine air filter.
Repair 5. Replace 2 front brake calipers.
Repair 6. Replace brake rotors and pads on all 4 wheels.
Once you get those numbers, come back here and we’ll have some data to base a decision on.
That’s quite the list of issues. The one that scares me the most is the oil light, which I assume is the oil pressure light. If it’s reading accurately (which should be verified by a mechanic) and if you’ve been driving it with the light on, then the engine has been damaged, possibly enough that it will die soon. I wouldn’t put more money into the car if that’s the case, given that the transmission is also acting up. (If this had been addressed immediately, then maybe it would have been worth trying to fix this car up.)
If you decide to drive this car until it dies, you still have to fix the brakes. That’s a safety hazard affecting everyone around you.
Washington is a state whee there is low rust. Where in Wa. could make a difference. NW corner might be average rust but central and eastern is dry.
Normally, I would say that a known quantity (the OP’s current car) is a better bet than an unknown quantity (another used car with an unknown maintenance record). However, in this case I think that I have to revise my theory.
The known problems with this Acura are so extensive–and potentially so expensive–that I would recommend ditching it and buying a used car that has passed a pre-purchase inspection by the OP’s own mechanic.
Reality is fixing it only delay the likely soon replacement at this point.
I would get the alternator checked and estimated and you may find your “christmas tree” on dash goes away when power is correct! I believe old cars used to have oil and battery light on to indicate failing(ed) alternator. A working alternator may make the ABS, SRS, check engine lights(christmas tree) go away or some of them.
I would be hestitant in fixing other items besides alternator as this car has done you wonders with 15 years of service! Limp around with this broken rolling relic and seek out your replacement slowly. $5k-$8k can get a decent car if you choose correctly and have time to look
Too late now, but what was broke on oil pan? Please don’t say drain plug was stripped. Paying a mechanic 1400 for oil pan on 19 yr old car only confirms my thoughts on people’s values.