Re: Cheaper to keep and maintain 2 very old cars (vs 1 newer one?)

"John Yang, MD" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Charles M <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<Rx_xb.1906676> >
traffic.  That being said,  your 89 Corolla isn't very old, it's just
> > > not new.
> > >
> >
> > Which brings to mind a question. You (the OP, that is) say you spend
$500/year
> > on repairs? With only 129K miles, you shouldn't have needed any repairs
on
> > a Corolla, just basic service like  oil change. What's broken down?
>
> Hi,
> I bought the car at 94k miles for $1500.  In terms of repairs
> (admittedly, some of this is more like routine maintenance), among
> other things, lemme see...

id bought it... an 89 for $1500 isnt a bad deal
>
> 4 tires (I didn't know that the car's alignment was bad; found out
> when I got a flat in inner-city New Haven and saw that while the
> external side of the tires was fine, the internal side was completely
> worn away).  Luckily tires are cheap at Costco.

did you get the alignment fixed shortly after?
>
> Car was misfiring shortly after I bought it-- needed new spark plug
> wires.  I bought OEM ones, so they were like $60 or something.

ok, so it needed a tuneup
>
> front brake rotors x 2

normal, easy DIY thing, with pads. normal maintenance items
>
> Car was misfiring around 108k miles-- needed a new "throttle position
> sensor."  I was trying to fix this myself so I must've putzed around
> for 20 hours before I gave up and brought it to a shop.

not a normal maintenance item, but hopefully they didnt soak you.
>
> The remote trunk release broke a few times, but I fixed it myself, so
> I guess that's free.
>
> Muffler last year-- $200
>
> Car failed inspection b/c the "front end" was bad-- 2 inner tie rods,
> plus replacement of tie rod boots, plus alignment, ran me $540
> recently.

you must have some rough roads back east. that, and the salt.

doesnt sound like youve had anything out of the ordinary, aside from the TPS
, and yeah, they can die too.