I don’t know what to do - should I replace engine or sell the car?

Posted by Desperate_Pair8235@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 10 comments

Long story short - just paid off 2019 jeep cherokee, 70k miles, still runs but failure is clearly bound to happen at some point soon, engine knock and piston issue, need new engine according to three auto shops. Dealership is quoting $18k but with Mopar/Chrysler coverage it would only be $10k (and that's likely not including the service fee). Repairs would likely take months since every jeep owner is apparently dealing with this right now.

Current auto shop quoted $9k for a gently used engine and would be fixed quicker. Asking for $5.5k for down payment.

I don't know what to do and just feel like crying. I don't have this kind of money, I can lean on a family member who would help cover the costs for now but I don't even know if that's the smartest choice in general, like money wasted kind of thinking. I have to drive to my initial job and then my second job is driving deliveries, so I need a car no matter what route I take.

What would you do? I'm not educated on cars or what options are for leasing, selling, etc.

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AgonizingGasPains@reddit

The first problem is you took it to a dealership (THE highest-cost option). If I where in your shoes, I'd be looking at the lowest-cost options. Try calling a few local Jeep/4x4 shops. Also, some wrecking yards will not only find you a good used engine with a (short) warranty, but will also do the installation.

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Desperate_Pair8235@reddit (OP)

Yeah, I really didn’t think it was initially an issue this big. I thought it was a brakes issue which the dealership had completely changed those last summer. After they quoted me for the engine, I then took it to our local autoshop and they inspected it. They told me engine knock and then suggested a local place to get the engine replaced. That’s where my car currently is and that was the $9k quote for a gently used, low mileage engine.

Are you saying there should be an even cheaper option than that?

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AgonizingGasPains@reddit

Well, the cheapest option is doing it yourself in the driveway (if you have a driveway). Unfortunately for you, if you have the 2.0L engine that's a very expensive one, even used. I looked it up on car-part.com and used ones are going for $7000, so a quote of $9000 isn't bad, actually, as that's only $2k for labor.

But now let's look at the real question. You need transportation. I usually say that fixing what you have is the better choice, but with Jeep Cherokees (particularly the 2019) being known for both engine AND transmission issues, I'd walk away before spending $9k. I would look for a used car for that.

FYI, I was a mechanic for many years and did my own maintenance and rebuilds, engine swaps, etc. on several Jeep models (CJ, TJ, JK, etc.) and I generally like them, but the KL's are unfortunately, complete garbage.

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Desperate_Pair8235@reddit (OP)

Thank you, I really appreciate your insight and knowledge! I will likely walk away and find something used but more reliable at this point.

Jack_ButterKnobbs@reddit

If the price of the repair plus the price you can sell the car for right now in its current condition is more than the value of it when its completely fixed then its not worth fixing.

Example: KBB says perfectly good is worth $14,500ish, say you can get $4500 for it right now with a bad engine and it will cost a shop $10,000 for a new engine all said and done then youre basically breaking even on the car and you could turn around and sell it as a fixed car for basically what you would have in it.

If the repair only cost 5K and the car is worth $14500 then you would have 4500+5000=9500 which is less than the value of the car completely fixed, making it worth fixing.

If you can only get $3k for it right now then youre better off selling it for 3k, using the 10k you would put into it, and buy a $13,000 more reliable not broken car.