2006 Scion Xa advice
Hi Scott, got this car for $100 last year and just been doing basic maintenance to keep it running, and it's been great. No major issues, new battery, new brakes only twice since getting it. It had a rebuilt engine, ex-ex owner wife burned it up. It had 135k miles when bought in 2021. Now sits at 146k miles. I have had wheel bearings replaced on back wheel passenger side, need to do other side. About to have spark plugs replaced and a/c recharged. No other issues besides the body work. It was hit by drunk driver via a parked car, that hit the Scion. Pushed in back, jammed the hatchback- and back passenger doors; now un-jammed!! So I have a pushed in metal support bar and broken mounts the plastic bumper was attached to. Toyota wants $271+ for bumper kit, but my concern is that metal support and the cost of that repair. Is it worth it to fix, It's an eyesore if nothing else? The paint is peeling, AutoZone has the correct color to fix that, what would I need to do that myself..the paint job I mean...primer, sealant, clear coat, etc? I think they said it's spray paint. Oh and I cannot find any bumpers in any pick-a-psrt junk yard..anywhere! Not in Indiana, Missouri, Maryland, S or N Carolina's either. I have asked all my friends who live in these places none of their junk yards have the bumpers either. The car is either totally junked or they are out of there still running..lol!
Any suggestions will be heavily appreciated!
Brigitt J {black}:blushed:
It’s a $100 car!
As long as everything works beneath the hood, and you only have to do the usual wear and tear items such as brakes, tires, wheel bearings, etc, I say keep driving it as is.
If it’s still structurally sound and drives straight, who cares about cosmetic damage on a $100 car?!
Thank you. Idc about cosmetic stuff .found paint at AZ and side mirror for less than $20. But it runs great! I will be selling it because I will be moving out of state. So that money will come in handy. But, I am only doing what I would do to my SUV..basic maintenance. Previous owner just treated it horribly. So a little TLC is all it needed.
All the best!
Welcome new member!
You pose a very difficult question. The car is certainly not worth dropping any money into. Even though in its current condition you can sell it for several times what you paid for it (list it for $999 on Craig’s list, someone will buy it), that won’t be enough to buy a reliable replacement.
If you were in CA or TX, I’d say take it to a body shop across the border in Mexico. Otherwise, if it were me, I’d get a rubber mallet, a rattle can of paint, and some Bondo and do the best I could. Live with it and save my money until I came across a replacement I could afford.
I get what your saying, but I still need it for basic transportation. The little money I am putting in it, is no different than any other car or my SUV. I do plan to sell it, but it's doing what I know Toyota vehicles do..last with basic upkeep ! If it ever needs more that it cost for 4 new tires($52ea) ..it's as good as sold!!
I would sell it and try to get some money out of it.
My mechanic says he will buy it from me, I mean he is doing the work on it so he knows all about it It's just funny how I cannot find any junked cars of this model. There are xb and xc, but no Xa in the junkyards I have looked in Indiana, Missouri, NC, and the DMV areas, nobody has these in their junkyards. Says either these little buggers are long lasting or there just isn't anymore out there. I saw 4 of the same car the day I got it home and was replacing the battery. There was 2 being towed and 2 drove past..lol!
If it is safe to drive and mechanically sound, I would keep it as a beater car. And maybe try to fix the rear end myself to be presentable.
