Should I give up on repairs and move on?

Posted by CompetitiveSpeech426@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 14 comments

Hey all,

Bought 2009 lacrosse (3800 motor) last year with 50k miles at $7500. Out the gate worked with my mechanic on some basic upkeep issues we were aware of. Since then every few months its had gremlins come out and my mechanic and others have said it must have just sat too much. Carfax was super clean, oil changes every 3k miles but it of course was not driven alot. Below is the long list of repairs ive had:

Known at purchase:

-coolant elbows

-bearing

-rear struts

-tires

-engine mounts

Misc repairs that were optional:

-door handle broke

-door lock actuator

-intermediate shaft

-transmission fluid change

Issues that came up later:

-bearing #2

-cv axle

-ignition coil cracked and module (car stalled)

-starter

-timing chain kit, water pump, oil pump, oil pan gasket

-rear brake calipers

-misc fluids, alignments, etc.

-unknown issue (pulley bearing i believe) happened yesterday

Im about $5,500 in on repairs and labor, some things ive done myself and im learning alot but unfortunately at this time im having to pay for mechanic help. I keep telling myself its all wear items but also I could easily be making a car payment at that amount of spend. Transmission running good and engine is tank though.

The unending repair anxiety and unknown of having reliable car is eating at me. Should I move on at this point or keep plugging along? Thanks for your thoughts and input!

[-]

Snag710@reddit

Sounds like it's had a lot of cold starts which put a lot of wear and tear on the motor, I can see that causing issues with things like the bearing

The rest of it mostly sounds like normal damage from age

Rubber and plastic components handle normal aging pretty poorly

After you get the major things fixed it should be pretty solid but I can't give you an accurate account on the car without seeing it in person

Careful_Thought_8386@reddit

With those repairs in it I would imagine your repair cost is about to dip pretty big honestly. I'm honestly surprised on the cv axle needing replaced at that mileage even at the age it is.

TapeDaddy@reddit

This is, for the most part, wear and tear stuff that every car needs at some point.

Old cars are better if you can do your own work, that’s where the real savings come in.

CompetitiveSpeech426@reddit (OP)

Absolutely right. I'm taking on more myself and future me will be thankful once I learn all the ins and outs. Thanks!

Minuuven@reddit

I take car fax with a grain of salt. It's usually reported by insurance companies and some mechanics. I do all of my own work, so there's huge gaps in my vehicles

Very valid on the car fax. The lady took it in for all maintenance to dealer so I at least saw the oil change schedule was on point. Thanks!

SpaceCat72@reddit

Ah the gm situation. Especially at a certain time. Do every last thing you can, maintenance wise. You'll get on the other side of it. The new stuff is getting really scary. Hang on to the old stuff if possible.

throwaway007676@reddit

Sounds like your mechanic did a great job of draining your wallet. Timing chain? Oil pump? It didn’t need any of that. Now that it has been rebuilt, it should last a long time.

Ok_Today_475@reddit

Yeah wtf, never heard of timing chains being a problem on the 3800s. I thought correct timing was optional on those/s

I've got a different mechanic on it now. Some I take responsibility for. I pushed for some repairs that probably could/should have waited. Thanks for input.

Narrow_Sig_280@reddit

The 3800 is bulletproof. A 300,000 mile motor easily with oil changes.

Much of what you said at first are normal. The rest seem excessive. But they all seem a lot for a Buick with less than 60,000 miles. What are the chances that the mileage is not what it says?

Pretty slim. Some is definitely excessive and on me. I pushed for some repairs that could have waited and I see that now. But now those items are done I tell myself.

jrileyy229@reddit

Just keep going. Anything else you get for $7500 is probably going to be the same deal... So you're just resetting. These.are things old cars need. Even the trusty Corolla or civic is going to need ongoing repairs with wheel bearings, and CV, and calipers replaced/rebuilt... That's every car

Willing_Sink_3623@reddit

This is a very typical experience of buying old low miles garage queens. Cars have to be driven. Flat spotted rod bearings will be the end of that engine.