Time to retire?

ifkristen

I'm strongly in the new market for a new car for my business (tax write off) but I'd like some opinions on the timing:

I drive a 1995 Mitsubishi Galant that just crawled over 100K. Aside from other non mechanical problems, the car has started to run more and more ratty. A few days ago it added a deep rumbling noise to its assortment of squeaks and rattles. The engine has become much more sluggish (it feels like there is a cantelope under the gas petal) Today I was flooring it trying to get on the highway, and usually, it drops a gear and shoots forward. The engine revved, but not much performance. This has continued. Sometimes it shifts VERY hard with a "CLUNK" noise. This is happening more and more frequently as well- definatly all getting worse day by day. I've checked fluids, and they're fine.

In addition to all of this, the AC blower fan doesn't work (drive 70 and you're good), the moonroof is burned out, dash board lights flicker occasionaly, it burns out headlamp bulbs frequently, the weather stripping on the trunk is gone (LEAKS!) and an assortment of other uninteresting but obnoxious problems I've learned to live with.

I've been offered between $500-$1000 trade in value for the car at various dealerships. Should I ditch it now, before it actually requires a tow and $200+ of repairs just to get it running to a dealership? Or worse, its transmission falls out?

nippononly

transmission sounds like it is on its last legs, and that leaking weather-stripping in the trunk is going to cause the fuel tank to rust until there is a hole, at which time expensive repairs will be required.

I agree it might be time to call it quits.

swschrad

dump and run, quickly. everybody has super financing on something. starting to sound like a segway is better than the car, which has dropped enough letters to be an ISH.

fleetwoodsimca

Punt!
It is likely to soon be a resident of a wrecking yard, giving its parts to buyers with similar cars. Be happy. Get a new ride! (:o]

ifkristen

Ya'all might get a chuckle about the car at the dealership.

Today I was at the [forgiving] dealership, with my ultra-classy ride. Did I mention that someone ahem...relieved themselves on the car several months ago and now there is some mysterious gray MOLD growing IN the WHITE paint of my rear spoiler and surronding areas affected by "dribble".

Because it was so humid, the car was especially unsavory (leaky trunk+hot sun+no airflow= YUCK!) The car runs EVEN WORSE in humid/wet weather. It sounds like an ancient spring-bed with 5 kids jumping on it. It was just in its finest form.

It shimmied its way around the parking lot with all the class of a first-rate belly dancer, complete with an orchestra of squeaks, rattles and rumbles to compliment every move. No clunking, though. Small favors, eh? It saved that for the drive home.

 The salesguy looked at my car, and said, with (suprising) geunine pity, I could take one of the cars off the lot instead of driving it home. The car I MIGHT take is being driven in from 90 miles away tonight, so they'll know I'll be back. (this dealership does not do the 'drive it for a few days' gimic)

I'm very suprised they didn't try and high-ball me seeing the state of my ride. But I did make sure I negotiated the price BEFORE they went over the Mitsu!

fleetwoodsimca

Keep us informed on the further adventures in this replacement saga. What are you now going to look at, as a potential new ride? I wonder if washing the "moldy" paint with Clorox would help? When a drunk misidentifies your Mitsu for a latrine, it's time to trade!

ifkristen

Today it so nice and warm after last night's storm. My car is so savory, just smelling like mildew and cloth rot. Today it nearly stalled attempting to downshift for the steep climb into a parking garage. "Chugga-chugga-chugga- CLUNK!" is it's new chant regarding inclines. I could start a conga line.

I called the dealership and asked if my car (a '03 Nissan Altima) had arrived yet. Nope. Of course not. In fact, it's not going to arrive because it was sold. I almost took the silver one on the lot, but couldn't bring myself to pay $25 extra a month for a zillion obnoxious buttons on my steering wheel and power seats. Phhht. Convience packadge. More like a $1600 crap-you-don't-need-but-have-to-buy-just-to-get-ABS-and-curtain-a ir-bags-packadge-which-is-an-additional-$700.

So I told them I'd commit to buying a suitable base model, gave them 5 exterior color choices and 2 interior choices. I included a check for $1500 to grease things. I get the sneaking idea that they never really TRIED to get the other car because they wanted to waggle me into getting the silver one on their lot. Thankfully, I blamed it on my accountant and my bottom line.

 But now that I've turned that one flat-handed down, given them a check and plenty of options, I'm hopeful that one may magically appear sooner rather then later....

All told, I am now housebound (I work at home though) I refuse to drive my current car for fear it will REALLY die! The next time I drive it, it better be 7 miles to the dealership.....

vidtech

wow,and i thought my ride was bad.

nippononly

...and this car is only 8 years and 100K old!

fleetwoodsimca

Mitsubishi may not be one of the more durable lines. I had a 1982 Plymouth Sapporo that I bought new. This captive import from Mitsubishi struck me as being an excellent car, except for the paint durability and the fact that I had to reupholster the front seats at 35K. From the mechanical point of view, it was a treat to own, and far higher in performance than competing cars of the day.

andre1969

...didn't those things have a Mitsubishi 2.6 mated up to a Chrysler Torqueflite tranny? I always thought they were neat little cars, and one of the last "true" hardtops that were offered.


I've also heard that a Mopar smallblock will fit right in!

fleetwoodsimca

...had a 4 speed manual linked behind the 2.6L 4L engine, with rear wheel drive.

nippononly

time warp! I can't remember the last time I saw one of those...it had a good look actually...I don't really remember how good Mitsus were for the long haul 20 years ago, but they are not that great now.

ifkristen

The Mitsu, for anyone who cares to know, has now moved onto greener pastures....er, grayer asphalt?

I traded it for $1000 to the VW dealer on a 2003 Passat (which I verified does not have the defective coils- they got titchy when I demanded to check for myself!)

The Nissan dealer just couldn't seem to get me the car on time- even though it was the most unpopular color (pewter) with the most unpopular drive train (manual) with the most unpopular options (none!) and there were scads avaliable in the state, they all seemed to get sold before they could negotiate a deal. Yeah, right. They just wanted to twist me into the optioned out ones on the lot.

swschrad

have fun with your new ride.

Mr_Shiftright

I think they should drive that Sapporo off that cliff back there before they ruin their relationship. I like his "Italian lover" shirt though. Her shoulders need work don't you think?

(I'm so CRITICAL today. Must be the caffeine).