So I've got an old car that I've had for 9 years now. I've been wanting to drive it into the ground for the last few years and kinda hoping it would just fail. But it just keeps going.. It's a 2007 Mazda 3 MT with 213,000 miles, I got it for $4500 9 years ago and have barely needed to do any work to it. It's honestly been pretty amazing. It's currently worth about $500-1000.
The engine is in fine shape. But there are definitely many smaller problems and maintenance costs that I've been avoiding for some time because I don't want to sink money into it.
Mechanically
(1)Front suspension is pretty much completely shot. It bounces around quite a bit and has become much less enjoyable to drive. $800+
(2)Haven't done the brakes since 2015 so that will need to get done soon. $400+
(3)Tires have like 10,000 more miles on them. And I got a flat in one of them a few months ago which messed up the TPMS $600+
(4)ABS light is on. $XXX
(5)Check engine light is on, I'm pretty sure it's the purge valve. $200+
(6)Hood release cable is broken so I need to unbolt the entire hood latch if I want to open the hood. $200+
(7)Rear wiper arm is broken. $XXX
(8)Windshield washer reservoir is broken and is not an easy replacement. $200+
(9) A/C isn't blowing cold air and Summer is coming.. $500+
(10) Driver side door needs to be manually locked $XXX
(11) Clutch feels fine, but it's got 200,000+ miles so that could start to go..
(12) Definitely in need of new spark plugs. They have like 60,000 miles on them and they're only rated for like 20,000. $150+
Cosmetically..
Window tint looks like crap..
Paint oxidation all over the place, cracks and scratches all over..
Theres probably a couple things I'm forgetting. But nevertheless, I could probably get an oil change and then drive this thing for another 5000-10,000 miles exactly the way it is..
If I wanted to get this car back in great mechanical shape. It would probably cost at least $3000-3500.
So does this clasiffy as "into the ground"?
Submitted May 06, 2023 at 12:39AM by SPER https://ift.tt/ARkzoqU
