Have you been putting off necessary car repairs for months now? You’re not alone, as studies have shown that about 35% of Americans are in the same boat as you at almost any given time. Some people put off car repairs because they can’t afford to do them. Others do it because they don’t trust the mechanics who recommended them. And there are also people who simply aren’t sure if their cars are even worth fixing.
The next time you’re in a situation where you’re left asking yourself, “Should I fix my car?”, think long and hard about whether you should repair your car or scrap it. There are some surefire signs that’ll let you know which direction you should go in.
Repair Your Car If You Still Love It and Want to Keep It
According to a recent survey, more than 50% of people have a name for their car. Some of these people have come up with names designed to make light of the terrible condition of their cars. But many others have done it to express how much they love their vehicles.
If you still love your car today just as much as you did the first day you bought it, feel free to bring it to CSN Elite in North Vancouver for repair the next time it needs to be fixed instead of scrapping it. Before you even ask yourself the question, “Should I fix my car or…?”, just commit to repairing it.
Many people form strong emotional connections with their cars and want to keep them around for as long as they can. There is nothing wrong with taking this approach to owning a car if you love it that much.
Scrap Your Car If You Can’t Stand It Anymore
Does the mere sight of your car sitting out in your driveway send shivers down your spine? You might be ready to scrap it and move on to something else.
People hate their vehicles for all kinds of reasons. Some of these reasons include:
- Their cars look like crap
- Their cars don’t get good gas mileage
- Their cars never seem to work when they need them to
Whatever the case, you shouldn’t pay to repair a car that you can’t stand to look at anymore. Scrap it through a company that specializes in working with people interested in selling junk cars so that you can get your hands on a car that you love later.
Repair Your Car If You Think It Still Has a Lot of Life Left in It
If your car doesn’t have well over 100,000 miles on it and is in decent shape outside of the repair that currently needs to be made, repairing it might be a good decision. There’s a decent chance that it still has some life left in it.
Talk to your mechanic about what other repairs might be on the horizon. If they tell you that you shouldn’t have to worry too much about doing any major repairs in the immediate future, you can likely still get some life out of your car by repairing it rather than scrapping in it.
Scrap Your Car If It’s in the Repair Shop Every Other Week
Are you and your mechanic on a first-name basis at this point? This probably means that your car is spending way too much time in the repair shop these days.
At some point, you have to ask yourself, “When is it not worth repairing a car anymore?” You need to know when to replace a car as opposed to continuing to fix it.
Generally speaking, you should stop repairing a car when the repairs that are being done cost more than what the car is worth. The last thing you want to do is dump $5,000 into a car that is only worth $1,000, if that.
Repair Your Car If You Still Owe Money on It
If you still owe money on the car that you’re driving now, scrapping it will likely be out of the question. Unless you can get what you owe for it, you’re going to put yourself into debt if you scrap it in this situation and you’ll no longer have a car to drive around to boot.
It’s best to repair a car when you’re still “underwater” on a car loan. This will give you a car to drive and more time to pay down your loan prior to selling your car.
Scrap Your Car If You Could Use the Money You’ll Get for It
A bunch of recent surveys have uncovered a disturbing trend. It seems the majority of Americans don’t have enough money in their savings accounts to cover the costs associated with an emergency.
If you fall into this category, you might struggle to afford expensive car repairs. You might also be able to benefit from scrapping your car more than you would benefit from repairing it.
Scrapping your car, sticking the money you get for it into your savings account, and using public transportation for a little while could be your best option. It’ll be better than scrounging together money to repair your car when you can’t really afford to do it.
10 Additional Reasons to Keep Your Car
- Sentimental Value: For many, a car isn’t just a vehicle but holds sentimental memories, making it hard to part with.
- Potential for Appreciation: Classic or unique cars can increase in value over time, making them good investments.
- Lower Insurance Costs: Older cars often cost less to insure compared to newer models.
- Avoiding New Debt: Keeping an existing car means avoiding new car payments and the debt that comes with purchasing a new vehicle.
- Familiarity with the Vehicle: Long-term owners understand their car’s quirks and maintenance needs better than a new car.
- Lower Registration Fees: Older cars typically cost less to register annually.
- Customization and Upgrades: If you’ve invested in customizing or upgrading your car, it might be worthwhile to keep it.
- Environmental Considerations: Holding onto a car longer is more environmentally friendly than the manufacturing process of a new car.
- Reliability: If the car is reliable and meets your needs, there may be no practical reason to change.
- Secondary Vehicle: It can be useful as a backup vehicle or for specific purposes like hauling or long road trips.
10 Additional Reasons to Scrap Your a Car
- High Maintenance Costs: Older cars often require more frequent and costly repairs.
- Decreased Safety: Newer cars have advanced safety features that older models lack.
- Poor Fuel Efficiency: Newer models are typically more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.
- Lack of Modern Features: New cars offer updated technology and comfort features.
- Reduced Performance: Over time, vehicle performance can degrade, making the car less reliable and enjoyable to drive.
- Space Constraints: Keeping an old car can take up valuable space in your garage or driveway.
- Environmental Impact: Older cars often have higher emissions, contributing to environmental pollution.
- Insurance Savings: Some insurance companies offer discounts for newer models with advanced safety features.
- Reliability Issues: Frequent breakdowns can be inconvenient and unsafe.
- Resale Value: The longer you keep an old car, the less it’s likely to be worth when you decide to sell it or trade it in.
Stop Asking “Should I Fix My Car or Scrap It?” and Make a Decision
When your car begins to inch closer and closer to the end of its lifecycle, it can be difficult to know when it’s time to pull the plug on it. You’ll find yourself asking, “Should I fix my car or scrap it?” every time you suspect there’s an issue with it.
Final Thoughts
Deciding whether to keep an old car or let it go in favor of a newer model is a dilemma faced by many. The decision often boils down to a balance between emotional attachments and practical considerations. For those who find sentimental value or potential for appreciation in their current vehicle, holding onto it makes sense. The familiarity with the car’s performance, the avoidance of new debts, and lower insurance costs are compelling reasons to keep an older car. On the other hand, the allure of modern safety features, enhanced fuel efficiency, and the overall reliability of a new car cannot be overlooked. Environmental considerations also play a crucial role, as newer models are generally more eco-friendly compared to older, less efficient vehicles.
Ultimately, the choice to keep or scrap your car hinges on a mix of personal values, financial considerations, and lifestyle needs. If your old car still serves its purpose reliably without draining your wallet, it might deserve a longer stay in your garage. However, if safety concerns, rising maintenance costs, and inefficiency start to overshadow the benefits, it might be time to bid farewell and embrace the advancements and comforts of a new vehicle. Whichever path you choose, ensure it aligns with your personal circumstances and future plans, keeping in mind both the joys and responsibilities that come with car ownership.