Topic: When to put a car out of its misery?

[shoehorn]

I have a 1994 Nissan Sentra.  Paid $4500 for it in November 1999.  It has had numerous problems lately...alternator, fuel pump, misc suspension and exhaust components, brakes, etc.

Recently I pulled out to pass and got no acceleration despite increased revs.  Then after a big hill, no acceleration at all.  Just revs.  Also had a bit of a sulphur/burning rubber smell.  Is this the clutch?

And when do I dump this money pit?

[Sterling]

You have described textbook symptoms of a fried clutch. You don't mention the mileage but you are probably well along the path of diminishing returns. If the mileage is reasonable you may want to fix the clutch and then try to sell it. With no clutch it is worth basically nothing. If the mileage is very high, it's worth nothing either way.  

(Message edited by Sterling on November 26, 2004)

[barrie1]

From the sound of it you may have finished off the clutch. The car is not worth much with out one. With a new clutch you will drive for a while yet as it is cheaper to replace then the car itself.

[jeeper]

torque conversor problem?

[barrie1]

No Torque Converter with a standard transmission. Only the auto trans have them.

[brian]

When to dump a car is a tough call to make.  Factors like:

- Hassle of getting another car.
- Maybe some problems are just annoyances, but the car still drives, so one more fix will get it running again.
- Condition of car and value versus cost to fix it.

I say if it has more than one serious drivability or mechanical problems that potentially pose a safety issue, and are expensive fixes, that may be reason to just ditch the vehicle.  Moreso if the car is in rough condition anyway.  My family spent $1200 on a rebuilt transmission on a 10+ year old minivan last year simply because to replace the vehicle would cost MORE, the body is in pretty good shape, and the fix pretty much fully restored drivability.

[johngenx]

There comes a time in a car's life when it's time to let go.  Our old 626 reached 300K and it's just plain got too many problems to put one more dime into.  The trans is going, the front struts leak, and even the wiring harness is starting to rot away.  The $3500 to make it right again is better spent on a newer car.  With a 99 Protege available for something like $8000, spending $3500 on an 88 626 is plain stupid.

There is no hard a fast rule.  Go with your gut and your wallet.

[maritime_storm]

Price around, a clutch job typically runs around $300 to $1000 depending on the model & labour required. Memory serving me correctly{and it rarely does} doing a clutch job on a Sentra isn't a major hassle you probably get it done for the lower end of that scale. I did one on my old VW Jetta {1991 1.6L/NA Diesel}, required special tools & patience, I had it done for me{not known for my patience} total cost $330 taxes in.