“Should I junk it or fix it?” This is a very important question and decision you must make. Your vehicle was and still may be a luxurious ride, but now you are forced to make a very important decision.
When you vehicle breaks down, the first step is to identify the problem or find someone to do it for you. If you do not have the prober tools, you may need to have it towed to your local shop for a proper diagnostic. The two most expensive repairs on a vehicle are usually the motor and the transmission.
The average cost for a motor or transmission repair can range anywhere from $2,250 to $4,000. If your vehicle is relatively new, then it may be worth replacing or rebuilding these two very expensive parts. If the motor dies before the transmission does, you should really consider having the transmission inspected and serviced so that it will hopefully last for another few years.
Here are a few optional steps below…
- Find a used Motor and Transmission from a possibly wrecked car for a cheaper price. Although this may sound like a great deal, this may not always be the case due to the amount of work it will take to find an exact match for your vehicle.
- Have the motor or transmission rebuilt from a reputable mechanic shop
- Buy a new motor and transmission
- Junk it and use that cash towards a new or used car
If you know a good mechanic shop then the second option may be suitable, get a quote on how much to repair the motor. Most mechanic shops can rebuild or repair the motor, but you will usually need to find a transmission shop to repair the transmission.
The final step to figuring out if you should salvage or junk your vehicle for checking the KBB value to find out exactly how much it is worth. This ultimately will help you decide if you want to junk or salvage your vehicle. For example, why would you want to spend $5,000 for a motor and transmission for a car that is now worth $2,000? It would be cheaper to just go and junk your current car and buy a new one.
Every person is different just like every vehicle. There are so many factors to consider when determining your decision junking your car, truck, or SUV.
About 20 years for the body but this usually only applies to vehicles in a colder climate where rust becomes a problem. In warmer climates, you can always get a good cheap paint job on areas the paint has faded.
