1999 Honda CR-V clutch - replace or sell with 143K?
Hi all! I have a 1999 Honda CRV (standard not automatic) with 143K+ miles on it and the clutch needs to be replaced. First of all, I bought this car with 11 miles on it and have well maintained it for the last 14 plus years. Secondly, I now live in Brooklyn, NY where a car is not necessarily needed. Finally, the best mechanic I found in the area is charging $1100 after I just put $400 to replace 2 leaking cylinders which we hoped was the issue in the immediate. However, he did advise that a new clutch will be needed soon and, in fact, the clutch began to slip soon after leaving the garage. (FTR This is the first time I had to replace it.)
I am wondering, if I do replace the clutch, how much MORE I am in for going forward. She is a great and reliable car that has had only maintenance repairs including a timing belt plus replacing a catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, and the exhaust pipe underneath. New tires just this spring. (Side note: The mechanic offered me $600 for her. Ha!)
Basically, I love having a car (and this car in particular) but I do not want a money pit going forward and since I CAN exist without one... should I sell and be done with it? Or get her fixed and roll the dice?
Any old time CRV owners have advise? Thanks!
Answers
Well if we presume your car to be in average condition it's probably worth $3000 with a new clutch and probably about what your mechanic said without a new clutch---so it does make sense to replace the clutch--especially since you know the car so well.
Any old car is going to cost you money. As long as your averaged-out monthly repair bills are less than 1/2 a normal car payment, then it makes sense to keep putting money into it--at a reasonable rate. The average new car payment is something like $450/month, and you really can't buy a decent clean used car for less than $5,000, so even if you put in $100 a month or $150 per month to keep this one going, you are far ahead of the game.
You know, if it was a bad engine, I'd say let it go, but you should get another 50,000 miles out of this vehicle if you maintain it.