Its a 2001 Ford Windstar. It's never stalled and been great so far this past year we have replaced
Intake gaskets, alternator, battery, both front door lock actuators, various bulbs, all 4 tires, aligned, all new brakes, new brake fluid, a number of oil changes, air filter, exhaust hangers and now need to replace spark plugs and wires..
So how much should you expect to put aside or pay for repairs and maintenance on an older paid off car, until its economically unwise to keep that car?How much should you put aside or expect to pay for car repairs on an older car?
Compare the cost of repairs (not normal maintenance like oil and filter changes because you will have that expense with a new car too) to the cost of purchasing a a replacement vehicle. The easiest way to do that is to take your annual repair costs and device by 12. Compare this to what a car payment would cost you. For example, if you pay $1200 for repairs, that is a monthly cost of $100.
Right now you have a van with good tires, and good brakes. With the tune up, it should run fine for a good while longer.
When the cost of repairs start to equal the cost of replacement, then it is time to replace the vehicleHow much should you put aside or expect to pay for car repairs on an older car?
Just keep money for Service and MOT and so about 200 pound - 370 dollars... and keep aside another 60 for minor repairs sounds like a good runner to meHow much should you put aside or expect to pay for car repairs on an older car?
If you stick in a fresh set of Motorcraft platinum spark plugs and AC-Delco ignition wires (they're better and less expensive than Motorcraft wires) you'll have less than $100.00 tied up in the entire project.
Sounds as if you have cared for your car very well. I only wish every questionnaire on this site could see exactly how well this baby has been taken car of. Particularly the importance of changing brake fluid. As you already know, brake fluid absorbs moisture worse than a sponge. When that happens its boiling point drops and the interior of the master cylinder, calipers, wheel cylinders and brake lines rust and corrode like mad.
The only thing I'd like to add is having the cooling system drained and flushed plus the transmission fluid drained, a new filter screen installed and NOT flushed.
Keep it and run the wheels off trill she dies.
