2000 Honda Civic: Time to buy a new car? :/
I have always maintained my car and do not drive it very far. Over the past few years I feel like I've been putting more and more money into it and I am now debating whether it will last much longer or if I should start to consider looking at new cars. 
I just took my 2000 automatic Honda Civic 4dr VP with 110,000 miles into our dealership because the check engine light was on and it was making thumping noises and shaking. They got back to me with an estimate of $2100 (!!). The mechanic said I was unlucky to have everything hit me ALL at once but apparently my rear wheel cylinders where leaking, my rear shoes were worn out, I need a valve adjustment (to fix the oil leak), my distributor is leaking (??) my spark plug wires were soaked and I need new spark plugs, AND I need a new timing belt!
I do not mind putting the money into my car if it going to last me a couple more years, but I'm just REALLY worried that something MAJOR is going to go wrong (transmission ???). I'm stuck with deciding to put the money towards the car or towards a down payment on a new car (which I REALLY do not want to do if I don't). Any experience or suggestions would be really appreciated. Thanks in advanced.

I just took my 2000 automatic Honda Civic 4dr VP with 110,000 miles into our dealership because the check engine light was on and it was making thumping noises and shaking. They got back to me with an estimate of $2100 (!!). The mechanic said I was unlucky to have everything hit me ALL at once but apparently my rear wheel cylinders where leaking, my rear shoes were worn out, I need a valve adjustment (to fix the oil leak), my distributor is leaking (??) my spark plug wires were soaked and I need new spark plugs, AND I need a new timing belt!
I do not mind putting the money into my car if it going to last me a couple more years, but I'm just REALLY worried that something MAJOR is going to go wrong (transmission ???). I'm stuck with deciding to put the money towards the car or towards a down payment on a new car (which I REALLY do not want to do if I don't). Any experience or suggestions would be really appreciated. Thanks in advanced.

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It sounds like youc Civic has a lot of deferred maintenance that has hit you all at once. That timing belt should have been replaced after seven years. It's common to replace the water pump and belts at the same time.
That Civic is well worth putting the money into. It kinda sounds like very little has been done for twelve years and 110,000 miles. Now, it's time.
Think of it this way: If you don't do the necessary repairs now, how much do you think you will get for the vehicle? Let's say it's $2100 - the cost of the repairs - which I think is pretty realistic.
You're going to take that $2100 and either 1) buy another used vehicle for that amount, which will of course probably need work, or 2) use it as a downpayment and have payments on another vehicle, which will soon exceed the $2100 you'd be putting into the current car.
We recently had the same dilemma - in the past year on our old truck, we've had to replace the fuel pump, radiator, and a/c compressor. About the same amount - $2000. Problem is, no one would have wanted to buy it with those issues, so we had to fix them whether we sold it afterward or not. Even so, with the transmission and engine in good shape, $2000 at once is better than a car payment every month. If the engine & transmission are in good shape, the best bet is to fix the car. If you want to upgrade after fixing it, you should get the money back in the selling price of the car, because people will expect a DEEP discount on a car with much maintenance needed.
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I'm definitely going to put the rest of the fixes into it because I do agree with what you said about not having a car payment, keeping it in good condition and for resale purposes. I'm debating now whether to just start bringing back to the dealership mechanic or stick with my small garage guy. :confuse:
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If a car is new to a shop and they don't know if the belt has been replaced they can loosen a few bolts and pry back the timing belt cover and take a look at it with a flashlight. If the belt is fairly new they can tell right away.
I somehow get the feeling there isn't much wrong with this car and that she is being sold unnecessary work...but...I could be wrong!
I'd at least take it elsewhere for a 2nd opinion, even if it's to a different dealership. They need to be able to explain why the belt needs replacement already.
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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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