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2003 mazda - repair or replace?!
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Lynsco
New User
May 29, 2016, 1:32 PM
Post #1 of 9
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2003 mazda - repair or replace?!
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 hi all I have a 2003 mazda 2 sport 1.6 70,000 miles and I absolutely love it. Sadly the garage has advised that it needs a new water pump and head gasket and is not economical to repair as the cost of the repairs is roughly the market value of the car. Overall this car has cost me hardly anything in repairs over the years, its solid, lovely interior and exterior great condition. I called a scrapyard and cannot get over the fact that they are only willing to offer me £35 for the car. I am pretty gutted as I love the car so much, and I find it hard to accept looking at it that its fit for scrap. However I am realistic and aware that a 13 year old car may not go on for much longer. Looking for a more knowleagable opinion please as I think my emotional attachment to the car is possibly clouding my judgement!!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 29, 2016, 2:05 PM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: 2003 mazda - repair or replace?!
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You always decide on what's best for you. I'd keep it. Only 70,000 miles and you know the car. You either buy new or don't know the car they way you know that one counts to me plus you love it and it's been good to you.
How much for the work? What could you buy for it's estimated value with it fixed and must say that getting only £35 for scrap is hogwash right now!
US based site but know what a pound is worth - close today was $1.46US to buy ONE pound so your scrap offer is garbage. I know if it was squished to just metal weight it should be worth about $200US but does depend on right where you are if they pick it up not running.
Not the point - cars are expensive any which way you slice it. Get a real good fix and done professionally and continue taking care of it would be my suggestion based on you like it AND say it's overall in great shape,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on May 29, 2016, 2:12 PM)
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kev2
Veteran
May 29, 2016, 2:31 PM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: 2003 mazda - repair or replace?!
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get a second opinion.... the scrap offer* is reason enough to warrant a second look.
*£35 is not realistic. To low.
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kev2
Veteran
May 29, 2016, 2:32 PM
Post #4 of 9
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get a second opinion.... the scrap offer* is reason enough to warrant a second look.
*£35 is not realistic. To low.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 29, 2016, 3:22 PM
Post #5 of 9
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Your post showed twice Kev2? It doesn't matter. For the stupid less the $60 bucks a scrap offer is, is a joke. You couldn't get a good hubcap for that off a used one.
OP = Original Poster. Try the game backwards. Call the junkyard and ask if they have a whole car that needs just a whole engine for fun. Then you tell them you can make their day as you have one all ready for them and see the cost change.
I don't know this car for diddle but it's a Mazda which isn't unheard of at all. I'm putting lots of value on it because you like it and know it forget the money game. What is free worth if you hate another car?
Think: If today you had no car at all and were going to buy one just like yours could you find one in the shape it would be well fixed? Probably not that easy,
T
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Lynsco
New User
May 29, 2016, 3:45 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: 2003 mazda - repair or replace?!
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Thanks for all the replies! Even more confused now! All the scrap websites are saying £35 (and less!!) for scrap - the garage that said the car shouldnt be repaired thought £200 (approx $240) My husband has been wanting me to get a newer car for a while as he feels my car is making a few funny noises as well as this problem plus it has been showing the faulty airbag light for a while :( still passed its MOT a few months ago though. Have been offeed a 2010 mazda 2 for £1100, been dealer serviced and MOD'd since purchase by my friends mum, also all repairs done by mazda also. Its got higher mileage however they are motorway miles which my mechanic says is better than low mileage sitting on a driveway in an old car....
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 29, 2016, 4:19 PM
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Arrrr? The money doesn't match up to me. If you plain want another car now fine. By all odds you'll get more for your car fixed if you know it's only costing 240 (pounds) to fix or trade as it is if using a dealer.
I don't know this exact model just the idea of car ownership in the UK - MOT tests and VAT taxes to consider in changing out a car for another is just more than some other places.
I don't put much stock in that age old claim that miles are "highway" or "motorway" miles and so easy on a car they don't count. It sure does when you go to sell one or an insurance claim it's by to odometer not that claim. Yes - any cared for vehicle and driven gently does better on average but real hard to put a value to that.
All your prices seem low to me for decent cars if really decent. If you change out, trade in or however you do it insist on checking out the next car first prior to any money exchange that it's condition is checked by a shop not affiliated with the seller. If they don't allow that I'd pass on that car just because of that.
Quote you back a post ">>£200 (approx $240)<<"
Now wait a minute. That's way to cheap for a proper head gasket job which would or should include sending out the head, all gaskets involved, new oil change, new antifreeze and any hoses or item that look like better replaced while doing it. Most would cost for real job about $1,500 or more for a responsible head gasket job not needing a replacement head here for a simple 4 cyl engine if so. That's pocket change for a good car again so I'm confused on what you are getting for those prices which can't be much.
Perhaps it's time for some second opinions on what the car really needs and what it's really worth to trade as is, sell privately as is, and fix for real and then what it's really worth. You should be able to sell it yourself privately stating what you think it needs and get lots more money than you are mentioning.
Second opinions as things are not adding up on this car. Whoever said "motorway miles" don't count is just not considering overall values of cars as that just doesn't count unless you are given a high mile car known from new from a friend or relative who was nuts taking extra care of one,
T
By the way the
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Lynsco
New User
May 29, 2016, 4:35 PM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: 2003 mazda - repair or replace?!
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Thanks for the reply - I wonder if the £200 was just the pump not the gasket also?? The other mazda is my friends mums car and yes they are taking it to a garage of my choice on tuesday for inspection so that I can speak to the mechanic independantly about his opinion of the car. I'm happy if the new car sees me through a period where I check out and research a longer term solution - eg maybe a much newer car within a year or two.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 29, 2016, 10:20 PM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: 2003 mazda - repair or replace?!
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Quoting YOU ">>I wonder if the £200 was just the pump not the gasket also??<<"
Let's do some math here: £200 would cost me in US Dollars about $300US which is just roughly cost of plain parts for a water pump and gasket set for a cylinder head. The parts are cheap compared to the finished price of that job on almost any engine.
Head gaskets easily fail to overheating and a failed water pump would cause the overheating.
I don't expect you to be or totally understand the nature of mechanical work it takes to do this job properly just know that I find that price all wrong for this type of work. I am saying that's WAY TOO LOW of a price and if all misunderstood on what needs fixing that would NOT be enough for a reasonable mechanic to say it is NOT worth fixing unless the car overall was in horrible shape overall at just a glance which is opposite of what you are saying.
To me this seems like someone want to get that car from you for about the cost of a tank of fuel (in the U.K. for a small car) and own it! Are we on the same page?
That's ridiculous.
Then you said another car was available for £1,100 pounds. (Math here is multiply the 1,100 "X" 1.48 = $1,628USD) You said this car had a recent Ministry of Transportation inspection and passed. I understand that is a tough check of a vehicle's condition both safety and emissions items throughout it. I couldn't rent a car for a week in the UK for that no doubt with all costs, rental, taxes and top price insurance which I would pay if doing so. Granted that would likely be a ONE year old car or less, maybe even new.
In short - Do get some help from an independent source for costs and help with the mechanical condition and prices for exactly what work or whole cars is really worth.
They do NOT add up to me at all is the point,
Tom
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