I have a 2004 TL 6 speed manual that is approaching 208,000 miles. The clutch just went out in it. I'm wondering if it's worth paying the following costs to keep it going:

- To do the timing belt, water pump, t-belt hydraulic auto tension
adjuster, t-belt tension bearing, t-belt idler bearing, drive belt &
engine coolant will be Est$1225+taxes.

- The engine valve adjustment & replace spark plugs is also due.
Est$530+taxes

- To do the clutch with flywheel would be Est$2500+taxes

At this point we could schedule for the week of the 26th on. All prices
include our 15% off labor coupon.

I like the car, but these costs exceed the value of the vehicle.

 

This is my commuter vehicle. I commute 90 miles roundtrip each weekday. I plan on working another 2.5 years before I retire. My commute is 90 miles roundtrip each day. Trying to rationalize whether it is smart to pay the $4500+ bill to keep her running. She isn't in the greatest shape. Navigation system crapped out for the second time a couple of years ago and I opted not to have it repaired again. There are several scrapes, dings and hail damage, but otherwise pretty sound mechanically. I have a diesel truck and motorcycle I can commute with. I've had her for 9 years. Time to send her to the spare parts graveyard or worth saving?

 

To think of those costs compared to the current value of the vehicle is not a useful measure, IMO.

All those things you mentioned are big ticket items that should last for at least 100k+ miles and many many more years.

The big question is: is $4,000+ worth it to have all that done for and you're basically good to go for another 100k miles?

Because ANY other option (unless you buy a super cheap beater and do all maintenance/repair DIY) with buying a new car or buying a nicer used car will cost way more than $4000 (most likely)...and then when that car hits 200k you will have similar big ticket items due

 

How attached are you to it? Suspension, brakes and interior ok? That's all it comes down to. Nist is right, your car would be good for 100k miles+ assuming the other stuff is in good shape.

Personally, if I had other means of transportation I would do what I could. Tbelt and spark plug + valve adjustment aren't that difficult, would just require time. Clutch I wouldn't dare without a lift. But I'd buy the parts myself and save some dough there.

If I had to spend 4k on a vehicle it would be a down payment for a car that's 4-5 years old (10k total price). But I'm a cheap bastard.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I normally do most maintenance on my vehicles (oil changes, filters, brakes, tire rotations, etc.), but the only one of these I'd do on my own is the spark plug change out. If I tried to sell it as is, I doubt I could get more than about $1000 out of it. If I bite the bullet and spend the $4500, I'd have a commuter car for my last 2.5 years and then still be able to sell it when I retire (assuming nothing else major is needed). I'm finding the cost to commute with my diesel truck is not cheap. Diesel is running $3.00 a gallon here in Colorado and I get about 17 mpg with it, versus 29-30 mpg with the TL and gas being about $2.65 a gallon. Rough math makes my fuel costs almost double with the truck each week.

 

I've got 341K miles, and have had the car since new. The clutch & flywheel can be had from rockauto for around $400.
Labor for installation should be between $400 - $800.
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What kind of condition is the car in? Any car is going to need maintenance and quite honestly, your car sounds nice.

It's not about what the car is worth it's about what it's worth to you

 

Yeah, everything stated above makes sense. Navi broken, no big deal (most people use their phones now anyway). I Agree that if the total bill was $4000, it sounds high for the value of the vehicle, but I also know and see a lot of these cars creep mid 300K- some 400k miles. And if you’re going to retire in two years, is $2000/yr a hard pill to swallow for reliable, comfortable, economical, transportation to and from work? I’d say No, only because a new car would run you $300-$500/month (depending on car and how much you would finance).


My Vote is keep it, do some searching for a quality mechanic or Acura/Honda tech that could do some of that maintenance for less. DMZ just showed a clutch/flywheel for like $1200, even if it was $1500, that’s not horrible. And the other things you want done could also be cheaper if you look around. Or you could try to find a member of Azine in your area that does his own maintenance, and pay him to do some of the smaller stuff.

Ask all the questions you want in this thread, and people will be willing to help. This is the Best Automobile forum I’ve ever been a member of! Soooo much info, and help, if you ask.

The forum also has a section by “region”, so you could ask there for recommendations on shops that are honest and know what they’re doing.

 

I would consider what the car is worth as is vs what it would be worth after the 4K in work. So if you get back 2-3k back in the work when you sell it’s worth fixing.

 

Put the money in it and save another TL from destruction.

 

Worth

 

I'll echo the other responses on this thread; you ain't going to find as nice and as solid of a ride for your 90-mile commute for anywhere near the cost of those repairs; fix'er and drive'er!

 

I worked through the logic in my mind and decided to get it done. She goes in for her work on 26 April. This should easily get me through the next 3 years or so before I can retire and not need a commuter car.

 

I hope that you keep her into retirement. You may need to rely on her when you least expect it.

 

100% agree!

 

rmnelso,

When you do the clutch, get an OEM release bearing even though one is supplied with the LUK clutch kit. My Honda/Acura specialist highly recommends it.
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Does this also go for aftermarket clutch kits? @DMZ

 

Just for the release bearing. LUK clutch kit and flywheel from rockauto is the way to go!
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