   Just bought a car, it died, now what do I do with it?
  I just bought a used 2000 chevrolet cavalier z24 with 142k miles on it. I bought it from a used car dealership and they said that it was a trade in car (somebody traded it in for a new car). I bought the car for $2,275.After buying it I noticed a noise coming from the engine. After a few months of driving with the noise, it finally died. I took it to a Chevy dealership a few days ago and they diagnosed it and said the problem is: Spun Rod Bearing.They estimate the repair to be at $5,600. I don't want to pay that much to get repaired. What should I do with the car?   
">The obvious;Quote:Original post by andreib142k miles on itI bought the car for $2,275.What were you expecting to get?Quote:Original post by andreibThey estimate the repair to be at $5,600. I don't want to pay that much to get repaired. What should I do with the car?Sell it to the scrapyard.   ;  When my car's transmission destroyed itself internally I just sold it for like 160 bucks to a junk yard. I got the car for a dollar from a relative so I made a profit.   ;  Craig's List?  Auto trader?  Just make sure you tell the buyer exactly what is wrong with it.  You might be able to get a little bit more for it that way (selling it as a parts car) than you would from the wreckers.   ;Quote:Original post by KazeQuote:Original post by andreib142k miles on itI bought the car for $2,275.What were you expecting to get?Being a (temporary) owner of a Cavalier myself, that's almost twice what it's worth.Either part it out (the Z24 sway bars and some other components are fairly useful for 'base model' Cavaliers) or scrap it. You can probably make a profit selling it piece by piece.Also, there's no way a new LD4 is $5600; I've had an entire replacement for the 2.2L pushrod engine quoted at $950 plus installation, and parts.net says a brand new LD4 in the box from GM corporate is $3051.70 (obviously plus installation). Ask around for good independent mechanics and have your car towed there from the Chevy dealer; dealerships will fleece you. An independent mechanic can find you a used engine, rebuild it to spec, and install it for very little. It doesn't make sense to put a new engine into a body that old.If you're willing to just write the car off entirely, $5600 plus however much you get from selling the car off will probably put you in a late 90s Honda or Toyota.   ;  Call Xzibit obviously. They'll fix the engine, paint it neon green and install four PlayStations in the trunk.   ;Quote:Original post by andreibI just bought a used 2000 chevrolet cavalier z24 with 142k miles on it. I bought it from a used car dealership and they said that it was a trade in car (somebody traded it in for a new car). I bought the car for $2,275.After buying it I noticed a noise coming from the engine. After a few months of driving with the noise, it finally died. I took it to a Chevy dealership a few days ago and they diagnosed it and said the problem is: Spun Rod Bearing.They estimate the repair to be at $5,600. I don't want to pay that much to get repaired. What should I do with the car?First, next time you hear unusual noises from the engine, go have it checked up. The longer you wait the heavier the cost.Second, take it to a real garage. I dont trust dealerships, especially not with cars they didnt sell. Likely you can have it repaired for far, far less.Last, if that dealership is a member of any kind of association (recommanded by AAA, etc), report them for trying to screw you up.   ;  Every time you interact with an automobile dealer you will find your behind feels a little sore.  Some people learn to relax and think about their country during the process but your best bet is to go to a local professional with a reputation to defend (rather than live down to) for a second opinion.On the other hand, you could just file off the VIN, pull the pates, and abandon the hulk in a nearby Wal-Mart.  Use the money to buy yourself another junker.   ;Quote:Original post by andreiba used 2000 chevrolet cavalier z24 with 142k miles on it.Problem 1: the car was almost dead to begin with.  You should have recognized it.Quote:I bought the car for $2,275.Probably a bit much for an end-of-life car, but perhaps not.  That's one of the good editions of the vehicle.Did you take it to a reputable mechanic (or two) and have it completely inspected before you purchased it?  The $50 or so is worth it. Assuming you did AND everything checked out, that could be a reasonable price.  If you didn't, well, you just learned about the adage "buyer beware".Quote:After buying it I noticed a noise coming from the engine. After a few months of driving with the noiseProblem 2:  You knew about a potentiality fatal problem and did nothing about it.Quote:it finally died.As expected for not maintaining the vehicle.  Vehicles require regular maintenance including fluid changes, plus regular mechanical inspections.  Too many people believe that just keeping the gas tank filled is enough.Quote:I took it to a Chevy dealershipThat's fine for a newer car that is under warranty or likely to have recalled stuff.  The dealership stocks the more expensive OEM parts, where the smaller garage can use OEM parts, off-the-shelf parts, and even salvaged parts that work better with the wear of your vehicle.  Older cars are far better serviced at a local garage.Quote:they diagnosed it and said the problem is: Spun Rod Bearing.Caused by dirty oil or lack of oil --- which is an obvious thing that any mechanic would check.  If you had checked it months ago the cost would have been a simple oil change. That kind of damage causes overheating and extra wear in other parts of the engine.  If you attempt to fix it you will constantly be paying for other repairs inside the engine block.  Those are expensive.Quote:What should I doYou learned a lesson.  Be glad it wasn't a more expensive car that you failed to maintain.If the car body is still in good shape, you might consider a full engine replacement.  Your mechanic can help you figure out the cost.  Depending on the source and quality, you could pay $1000-$2000 for a used or rebuilt engine, plus another thousand or so for labor and extra parts.  A good engine replacement would be about twice the cost, but could easily last another hundred thousand miles if you keep it serviced.Otherwise, scrap it for parts and shop around for another vehicle.   