I need serious help, I have a 2002 nissan xterra I bought over a year ago. It needs some work about 3k or more worth. Head gaskets, timing belt water pump. Muffler, spark plugs, a/c was recharged last summer but still won't work, rusted under body but not bad, new tires needed, basically you name it it needs. My question is do I throw the money into it or get a different car? Only has 139k for miles on it. I need it to last me a few good years if I put the money into it. Please help me make a decision! 🙏
It needs some work about 3k or more worth
Head gaskets, timing belt water pump. Muffler, spark plugs, a/c won't work, rusted under body, tires, basically you name it it needs
Nope, it doesn't need that work - the only thing it needs is to go to the scrapyard!
It's a money pit and will continue to be a money pit. Get rid of it.
I get what your saying but scotty said these are good suv's and the work needed is typical maintenance stuff. I think the owner( only 1 owner) before me just didn't want to keep up to it anymore and let it go so then I bought it not knowing any better. So here's the thing let's say I do get a new used car spend all my money trying to find a good one but I'm not a car person so I end up with another pickle now I don't have money to fix it cause I spent the money to buy it. Or I keep this xterra that's got good ratings for an suv and put half of the cash I have into it and have a good car for a few years. Or is that not how it usually goes? Honestly I've had it like I said over a year now and the thing still starts every time and has continued to work with this oil leak the whole time. I really think it's a well made vehicle and that's why I keep going back n forth with getting a new one. I dont want to be in the same position except with no money to fix a new used car. I really hate this crap I tell ya!
You're talking about thousands of dollars worth of work if you have to bring it to a shop to do the head gasket, etc. It's a 20 year old vehicle going on 21. How much longer do you expect it to be reliable for regular use? Until it's 25 years old? 30? Most don't make it that far without needing constant repairs, not to mention the rust which you can expect to get worse over time. Now if you can do your own repairs you're talking a lot less money and it may be worth it.
Now, admittedly my own daily driver is 26 years old with well over 360,000 miles. However I do my own repairs. I also have other vehicles at my disposal if and when my primary is down for repairs or does finally crater on me.
the work needed is typical maintenance stuff.
head gaskets are not "typical maintenance"
For most people this diagnosis means the car goes to the crusher. Especially 20yo cars.
I've never had to replace a muffler.
basically you name it it needs.
that doesn't sound like a keeper to me.
so I end up with another pickle
then don't buy pickles! Find a decent car, and get it inspected BEFORE buying.
have a good car for a few years. Or is that not how it usually goes?
No. The money vortex grows deeper and faster.
Yeah, I understand your desire to want to keep this vehicle going but it seems from your description of all of the problems it has that you purchased a car that was quite possibly never properly maintained. In addition to all of the needed repairs (that you are aware of) you state that the previous (original) owner “just didn’t want to keep it up anymore and let it go.” But what proof do you have that they ever maintained it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations? Most people that properly care for their vehicle over the full course of it’s life don’t just suddenly stop taking care of it. So if the engine oil and filter, the transmission fluid, the coolant, air filter, etc were never serviced as they should have been, you may have serious underlying problems that have yet to surface. It’s unfortunate because if it had been well kept, it could be worth maintaining with “typical maintenance stuff” as you state. But I think that you are past this point and should invest the $3k+ repair money into a well maintained vehicle that passes the inspection of a reputable mechanic.
