Deciding if your car or truck is worth repairing can be tricky. Especially when you’ve been payment free for a while. Remember how exciting it was making that final payment? You had big plans for all that extra money. And it was pretty awesome, until the timing belt went out or maybe the AC compressor failed. Still, without the monthly payment, you can handle a repair here or there, right?
Now, it’s 90 degrees and you’ve got a busted AC. As the sweat pours down your face like real tears, you’ve got a decision to make. Should you continue to sink repair money into your vehicle or move on to a new ride? It’s a tough call. To help you make the right choice, here are some things to consider before investing your hard-earned money.
Know your car’s value – Let’s face it, math is going to be a major factor in your decision. So, start by getting the Kelley Blue Book value for your car.
Do the math – It might be tough to consider sinking another $1,000 into a car only worth $4,000, especially if you’ve already forked out considerable cash for repairs. The average monthly car payment for a new car is around $510. Over the course of a year, $2,200 versus over $6,000 might make it worth holding on to your paid- off ride.
How to know when to say when – Then again, how do you know $2,200 won’t turn into $5,000 or more down the road? There’s no way to know for sure. Talk to a mechanic you trust and ask them to shoot straight with you about potential problems in the future and do some research on what other people have experienced with the same make and model.
Consider the consequences – The most important factor to consider are the actual consequences of holding on to your current car or truck. Is it safe to drive? If it’s leaving you stranded on the side of the road, making you late for work, and generally just interfering with your quality of life than it might be time to say goodbye. If the financial burden of a new car is too much, be sure to find an experienced mechanic you can rely on.
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