When I had a similar question, I went to the Blue Book site linked below to see what my car would be worth if I were to sell it. I understand that these are estimates, but the values are helpful when making a repair, sell or donate decision.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Book

Time for a new car, although the mileage seems low for a car that old. Once one thing goes, it will just nickel and dime you to death. My 1996 Honda Accord has 150,000 miles on it and runs like a top. I'm thinking of replacing it because I don't want to get to the point of spending thousands to keep it going. However, it will be like getting rid of a child -- I love that car!

Thanks, forhgtv, I appreciate that. I did consult that a little bit ago. I would like to have your opinion, or take on how this sounds to you though. What's your gut feeling, if you have one? What did you decide in your own situation?

Dedtired, thanks for your reply. Yes, I think the mileage is pretty low for its age, which is one reason why I wonder about ditching it.

However, as you suggest, I also worry about the domino effect. Will one thing after the other keep falling apart, or will this take care of things for a while? I too, have enjoyed & been very fond of my car. I've always recommended Subarus to others because I've like this car so much.

Again, thanks.

Maybe I should add, the blue book value that Forhgtv was linking me to came in around $4500. If I spend $2500, I'm still ahead of the game right?

If you like the car and can afford the repairs (considering what a car payment would be) I'd ask your mechanic what you could expect to have to replace in the next 50k miles. Subarus usually last much longer than what you've driven it. If you take 7 or 8 more years to put 50k on it and amortize the cost of the repair vs what a car payment would be, you'll be way ahead of the game. I'd repair.

Olychick, thanks! You make excellent points. You seem to feel that the low mileage factors in significantly.

I wouldn't get another car if I don't fix this one. I'd just take DH to work & borrow his car when I need one. I know it would be a lifestyle change, & inconvenient at times, but I don't work, & don't really NEED a car. Yes, it's nice to have one, but I could adjust.

I really don't want to buy another car. I don't like buying cars. There are so many other things I'd rather spend money on.

Thanks again for your feedback.

I'd do just what Olychick said. Especially for no more than it sounds like you drive. Have you had to have any other major repairs on the car? I'd factor that in. If this is the only major repair, and based on what your mechanic says about other posisble repairs, etc. I would probably lean toward fixing the car. I agree that your car should be good for more mileage.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Do you ever listen to Car Talk on PBS? I'd check their column database and maybe take a look at the community bulletin board to a get a better feel.

I have a 2000 4Runner and put about $1,000 in it a few years back. With only 42,000 miles on it I'm willing to invest up to a point. I'd love to keep it for another 10 years if possible.

Here is a link that might be useful: Car Talk

SG, I tend to agree with oly on this one, but might have the car evaluated by another mechanic to be sure before deciding. Sometimes one mechanic may have a different take on what it will entail to keep it running longer. Not that your trust in the one you're using is not well-founded, but truly I've heard different analysis from different shops for the same problem. If you're confident the repairs are necessary and, though there are no guarantees in life, should get you through, I'd go ahead.

Cars, like anything else, can need a full blown overhaul or can get fixed just enough to get you through the next couple of years. When my main gasket had a small leak, I was initially advised to get it fixed, but that would have entailed removing the engine and was a very expensive repair. I opted not to, the leak didn't worsen, I never saw oil on the ground though it was evident on the gasket, and the car held up for 3+ more yrs. Then the radio antenna developed problems, but the cd worked so I still could enjoy music. When the a/c failed, that's when I was ready for a new car, but not until after using it for another full year while building as I didn't want to haul around bits and pieces of house decisions in a new vehicle. I managed to live w/o a/c, in FL no less, but if we weren't building I'd have been riding cooler asap.

All things being equal, since you do not like driving and don't do highways, a $2k investment seems reasonable. VA is quite punitive to new car buyers so there's that to consider as well. Your DH may prefer that you have your own wheels also. Always good to be as independent as possible, and not cave in to staying at home as I know that can sometimes be tempting.

In my case, the lowest price that was shown on blue book for a selling price was three times the cost of repairs. My car was like yours, older with relatively low mileage. It gets driven very few miles per year. I decided to go ahead with the needed repairs. That was two years ago and the car is still operating fine. In fact, when I took it in for a smog inspection last year, the inspectors were amazed at how clean the engine was running.

If I lived in a state where I could have junked it and received a cash reimbursement that was equal to or higher than the estimated selling price, I might have done that instead.

Ask them to put in a new thermostat! I had a car that did the same thing (overheated almost instantly when I started it). A new thermostat was all it needed. One guy said it was my gasket and if it blows it will be a disaster...blah, blah, blah. The other said try the thermostat first and I did. Very inexpensive!

75,000 miles isn't really all that much.

How do ya'll keep such low mileage on your cars? I have an '06 camry with right @ 90,000. My last two I sold at 100,00 and 130,000. Thinking to drive this one longer. The most we've done to one is a water pump, other than regular upkeep, tires, etc.

I think Abundant is right about getting another opinion. I meant to ask how well you trust this mechanic?

I only drove about 10 miles a day when I worked. Now that I'm retired my only driving is to run errands and we're convenient to just about everything. When dh is home we generally use his vehicle the most.

I have an '04 Dodge Durango with only 40,000 miles on it. We use my dh's truck a lot when we go places so my car is mostly for errands and such.

Stinky, I think you're car is now turning into a money trap. If you can afford a new one, even a newer used car, that's what I'd do.

Tell them to fix it where it will drive to a car dealership. :)

Thank you all so much for your replies! You have each given me a lot of food for thought. I was feeling so confused when I got home, & I really appreciate the guidance.

Tina, thanks for your reply. Yes, it's looking like Subi is a keeper, huh?

Natal, thanks for the link, I will definitely check that out. I love NPR & the car guys are great & so funny.

Hi AB! Thanks for your input. I appreciate all of your insights. Btw, Wow, you really ARE intuitive. Your last paragraph, & especially your last sentence, make me think you must give psychic readings from cyberspace! Interesting!

Forhgtv, thanks for sharing more of your story. Glad to hear your car repairs served you well. That helps.

Cyn, hmmm, well you bring up an interesting point. A thermostat was listed on the sheet as part of the repairs suggested. I could call the mechanic in the morning & ask about just trying the therm. first. Of course, I'm sure he'll toss out a reason why that won't work, but I can test the waters.

Tina, low mileage? Well, first this was DH's car & he had an 86 mile commute each way for three years driving this car, much of which was done in rough terrain & snow. Then, he bought his Toyota Corolla, & I inherited Subi. I don't drive so much, so the mileage hasn't climbed up a lot from my usage.

Since 1999, we've replaced brake shoes & pads, a few light bulbs, windshield wipers, & changed the oil. That's it! Until now.

As far as trusting the mechanic goes...well, he seems to really know his stuff. I was impressed with him. However, it could be that he's just a very convincing, persuasive person with a lot of charisma. He does have a very likable personality. He took a lot of time to explain things & even showed me parts in the shop. This could all be an act...who knows? I will question him tomorrow based on Cyn's remark. I can't be driving all over town getting estimates, though, since my car needed to be towed back to the shop from the test drive. I run the risk of overheating & causing further damage to the car, if not an accident.

Natal, yes, that's about how I use this car too! It's the larger of our two cars, so we do use it to pick up furniture, larger plants, etc. It's a small SUV & DH's Toyota is a compact car.

Oakley, Hi! I was at the Subaru dealership! I'm sure they'd love for me to trade in the dusty old Forester for a shiny new one!

That's the price I pay for living in the country I guess. On days I work I guess I'm around 20 miles or so to work. But I'm out and about and we do travel a bit - usually in my car, unless we're camping, then of course it's hubby's truck to pull the camper. Plus there's my dad and grandmother - I'm back and forth there, here, there, everywhere! LOL I don't usually drive in to the big city on days I'm not working.

Stinky - you've only had maintenance work done so far - so I'm sticking with my original thoughts. Who wants to shell out $$$ or make a car payment if your car is worth repairing.

Good luck!

Definitely check another mechanic. I was taken for a ride years ago at a neighborhood gas station/repair shop as the also-very-charismatic mechanic replaced part after part, assuring me each time that "this" would solve my problem and still I got stranded 3 times. It's a very embarassing memory because I consider myself very savvy. Not to say your mechanic is the same, but my situation started exactly the same way. Oh, and I would probably invest the money to maintain the convenience.

Dee

Stinky, we had a very reputable and well known shop here try to rip us off. They said we had broken tie rods that needed to be replaced, asap. Dh made me take the car to the dealership and have them look at it first. Nothing was wrong at all. They were shocked that this well known shop said that.

So, I would get a second opinion and I hope everything works out in the least stress free way as possible!

I second the second opinion. A blown headgasket is not something that is the first thing to think of when the car overheats. Has it a history of overheating? If it was just a sudden thing, then I'd replace the thermostat first. It take a lot of overheating for the headgasket to blow.

I had something like that happen with a vehicle...I swore it was the thermostat, but they said no and charged me a small fortune and I ended up having to get the car towed home (I was out of town) and long story short, hundreds of dollars later, it was a $8 part I needed.

Also, that does not explain the shimmying. My DH (my car guy) said it's probably a fuel issue, so tune up, etc should help with that. The AC blowing hot air means you need the system recharged with freon...can be done for about $100.

Also, if the 'idiot light' comes on, one of the dash lights, you can get it checked for free at almost any car parts chain store. That could save you a huge diagnostic fee.

So, get a second opinion!! And not necessarily at the dealer, they tend to charge a small fortune!! Wherever you go, mention these points to them, so they don't think you're uninformed. They'd be less likely to try to take advantage.

Oh, just a story...Son-in-law had the alternator in his 1999 Ford Ranger go bad. Took the truck to one of the 'best' shops in town and they quoted him over $900. DH had him buy a new one at the parts store for $50, and had a mechanic install it for another $50. SIL tipped the mechanic $50, since he ended up saving hundreds.

Subarus are known for head gasket leaks, according to my mechanic, a very trustworthy guy. Of course, that didn't stop me from buying a used 2001 Subaru Forester with just over 103,000 miles.:-)

Bought from the original owner, and since I drive only about 3K miles a year, I figured I should get a number of years from the car, as the issues it had were small. I love it, great shape physically, it runs well, does well in the winter, and is worth repairing for me, as the Subarus tend to run for close to 200,000 miles according to what I have been told.

Funny, tho, because I did look at a used Subaru Forester at a dealership, took it to my mechanic to check out, and sure enough, that one did have a head gasket issue. 63,000 miles on a 2001, so low mileage (this was in 2009), and in mint condition physically and pretty much otherwise mechanically. Might have been worth repairing the leak, except that they wanted $10K for that one, and I got mine for $5500.

Good luck with whatever you do.

My car is starting to shimmy when I'm slowing down for a stoplight after going fast. Does that mean it needs a tune up?

Deeinohio, thanks for the suggestions! Sorry you had such a bad experience, Dee. It's no fun to be stranded.

Bumblebeez, thanks so much for sharing that. I appreciate it.

Pesky, wow, you are quite informed about cars & auto service issues! That's wonderful. You make a lot of good points that I will keep in mind.

Les! Yes! I just discovered what you are talking about last night, after I left GW. I did a Google search--"Blown gasket, Subaru Forester," thinking really, that a search that specific would yield me diddly squat.

Guess what? It produced a full page of complaints, chat room discussions, & general angst about serious & frequent Subaru Forester head gasket issues! The 1999 Forester (& 2001) seem to be the most vulnerable to this. Amazing. Never heard anyone talk about this flaw in the system before, but it's evidently been a widespread occurence.

Looks like Subaru has responded & NOW builds their Foresters with a completely different sort of head gasket, so newer Subi owners, don't despair! Thanks for sharing this, Les!

Oakley, yes... I think so!

Again, y'all have been fantastic. So many good points have been raised & I feel so much better about this situation. Armed with your feedback, when I call the service dept. Manager this morning, I will feel confident to inquire about & dig a little deeper into the diagnosis.

Also, here is one of (The Many) links about the horrors of Subaru Forester gaskets! It's from a chatroom discussion & the last poster suggests getting a written guarantee on the work. Not a bad idea, either.

Here is a link that might be useful: A tisket a tasket, I think I blew my gasket...

Oakley, that could be your brakes/pads.

It's best to have regular tune-ups. I'm thankful that we have a mechanic we can trust. My hubby first started out in that field (went to an auto/diesel school)before changing careers. He does all our regular upkeep and although we do have a mechanic if needed, he can diagnose the problem.

He keeps a white board in the garage with the dates of all our equipment (cars/boat/mowers, etc.) oil changes, tire rotation, etc.

It amazes me how many people do not do regular maintanence on their vehicles.

tina

Tina, dh used to do all of ours too, but now it's just easier to take them in when it's time for work to be done. We each keep a tally book in our vehicles with a record of all maintenance.

My last sentence may have come across wrong - I didn't mean owners necessarily doing the maintenance, I meant owners not keeping up with regular maintenance, no matter who does it.

Your hubby sounds detail oriented like mine. A list in our cars also. That is one reason I sold my camry's so easily, a co-worker knew they had been taken care of and maintained, and bought two of my past cars.

Just doing some more "research" & found this incredible link about the gasket issue. Some of you out there who are curious about Subarus may find it of interest. ( I don't expect most of you really want to read up on car gaskets, but this site was just fascinating to me given my current situation, of course.)

Here is a link that might be useful: More than I ever wanted to know about gaskets...

I had a head gasket blow in my old truck. When I took it in for repair it was actually under a "silent recall". I had never heard of this before, but basically they would repair it for free if the gaskets were blown. I planned to pay for the repair so that was a great surprise. I drove it for several more years and only sold it when I needed room for carseats. If you could get a few more years out of the car, I would do the repair.