Car troubles: advice please?

[xiphias]

So, the garage just told us that we likely need a new oil pump in our car. They're estimating somewhere around $2,000 in work.

It's a 2000 Toyota Camry with around 110,000 miles on it.

We're trying to figure out whether it's worth repairing, or if it's time to get a new (to us) car.

Usually, this would be a no-brainer -- Camrys are really reliable, usually, and 110,000 isn't a whole lot of miles on a Toyota. And this one has a new transmission because we replaced it last year. And brand-new tires which were just put in last week.

But, see -- new transmission, new tires -- if we do this work, it'll mean we've put $6,000 in the car in the past year. Given that we paid $6000 for the car to start with, that seems . . . well, it's time to ask whether we want to repair it or not.

As my mother pointed out, that's two major things in the four years we've owned it. As reliable as Camrys usually, are, it suggests that there may be something off with THIS one. . .

Any advice from y'all?

Comments

Car Talk

[(Anonymous)]

ummmm you have a 100,000 miles on a FIVE YEAR OLD CAR ???? That's pretty high mileage, and you don't do road trips! Before making a decision to spend that kind of money, all other things being equal, better check out the value of the vehicle that you're thinking about plowing that kind of money into. Look at Kelley Blue Book and some of the other Auto sites to see what a 2,000 high mileage Camry is actually worth. If you're having that kind of trouble already, you either need to look at your driving habits, or find another vehicle. BTW replacing a fuel pump doesn't cost any $2k, even in Boston

Re: Car Talk

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

We normally put 20,000+ miles a year on our car. Even just shooting around Boston. Anyway, that figure is for an oil pump, timing belt, water pump, and a couple other things that are all due -- not just the pump alone.