Should I keep paying to repair the car, or ride it until the wheels fall off?

Question

I have a 2001 Ford Focus that purchased in April 2015 for $1,500. so far I have spent $387 on repairs (new battery, tune up, and electrical. this excludes oil change) I am a teenager who is going to college in the fall. I personally feel that I should spend no more than $500 for repairs for this car because thats 1/3 of what I paid to buy it and my family and I have decided that I pretty much only need this car until I go off to college in August, but will keep it longer if it lasts, until it gives out one day. I left the auto mechanic today and they were telling me "severe repairs" that I need to get fixed soon, totaling $400.
My car does not give me any major problems besides shaking when idle.
I wanted to get some input from more experienced car owners as to whether i should pay for these major repairs, or just ride it until the wheels fall off

P.S. I currently am saving money each paycheck to purchase a new car, but if these repairs are vital, then the money I put aside will have to be used for the repairs.

Answer 1

If you ride it till the wheels fall off one of a few things will happen -

One day it will just stop/become un driveable and that could leave you and the car stranded anywhere.

Something could become or is already so unsafe that it causes an accident and your injury or death or that of others.



It will always be the case with any car that no matter what you pay for it you will have to pay out for maintenance, replacements and repairs and that goes for a $1500 banger as well as a £1000000 supercar

Answer 2

Ride it until the wheels fall off and save your money. Having a car at college is not a necessity (considering that the wheels have fallen off by then) bc you'll be surrounded by so many people with them, if you need to run errands. Just make sure to give them something for gas. Saving money is the key.

Answer 3

Stop using fractions when calculating ride ownership. When getting an old cheap car this is the way it is. Some techs will recommend honestly and some won't. You need to get some repair knowledge at this level of car ownership to guess the difference.

Answer 4

If each repair is done properly that's one less thing to go wrong, The problem is how much was wrong when you bought. Sometimes it's like trying to fix a leg amputation with a band-aid.

Remember whatever 'new' car you buy it will come with it's own list of problems. Even brand new cars are not 'perfect'

Answer 5

So, what things did they say were urgent to repair? Some shops just want to make money, other shops just want you to keep getting stuff done so they can keep getting money

Answer 6

Without knowing what vital repairs are and how much and how you drive it is impossible to give you a good answer.