37hayden

So i have a 2004 Rx8 and it has exactly 131k miles on it.
I know this is reaching the later stages in its life.

Also someone backed into me on a hit and run and smashed
the driverside fender along with the entire headlight casing.

So getting to my question. I've been saving up for a while to fix this, but is it worth it?

I don't have the finances to pay for any unexpected problems that could occur but I absolutely love my 8.

Any advice?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Sell it.

I would say: "Get insurance to cover you against other people hitting you" since it doesn't appear that you have this, but if you are so financially strapped as to not being able to afford insurance, you shouldn't be driving an RX-8. The failure points are many, the costs add up to stay ahead of problems, and the costs are REALLY high if you can't/don't stay ahead of the problems.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

This is a question only you can answer. I bought my 2004 new and I don't foresee a time when it will be replaced. There are RX7 owners, with cars that are 20 yrs older, that are taking care of there cars.

37hayden

I paid full cash for my car. its not like i'm poor or anything.
I just started college and that is an obvious financial strain for just about anyone
putting themselves through college. I am 18 if you were wondering.
I also have insurance, only liability though since i paid cash and thats cheaper for me.

I could pay for all upcoming and unseen expenses but would have no money to save for other things that might come up in life other than a vehicle.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

My response was based on this line of your original post:
However, you then contradict it with this:
So I'm a bit confused and not really sure what your question is.


Accidents and parts failures are both going to be rather expensive, and if you can't afford to cover them then you should trade it for a car that you can.

Having liability only isn't a good idea just because you paid cash. Having liability only is only worth it if you could replace the car, or repair the car, on your own dime without trouble. This car isn't cheap to repair at all, having to save for a while to repair the fender and headlight indicates that you can't meet that financial requirement.

37hayden

What i was trying to say is that if it came down to it and my motor goes out in the next 15 or so
thousand miles i could pay for it but wouldn't be as easy as replacing the headlight and fender.

explaining this without being to difficult is a bit hard. I had the money no problem to fix the car and then my scholarship was dropped for school and was forced to pay for it with the money i had to put into the car. That was almost a month ago and now i have the money again to fix it.
not to paint it but to fix it.

I have taken good care of my motor obviously or wouldn't have made it to 130 but i am still worried that it could go out very soon. The main reason i don't
want to sell my 8 is because in its current condition its not really worth but somewhere around the 5k range and trading in a 5k car will probably be around a 3.5 to 4k trade in or so
and then i will still be putting money into another car as far as payments are concerned because i definitely couldn't drive a car thats only as worth as much as my 8 in its current state.

sorry if you actually read this for it being so long. Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

bladeiai

iTrader: (1)

I think the wise decision would probably be to sell it, but that is a decision you have to make for yourself. From what you are describing it sounds like you are in a position where you could come up for the money to do things such as repair/maintain, but can't really afford them.
If this leads to a lapse in general maintenance (which can already be a large expense for the 8) you may end up with catastrophic failures that may be more than the value of the car.

Believe me I understand loving the 8, but you may be better off with something that won't stress you so much emotionally or financially when it breaks.

That is just my opinion though, it can be a hard car to give up though...

monchie

If you really love your rx8 that much, then just fix the damages. It all boils down to your budget and finances. If its really a hardship to fix it and keeping it, then just let it go and move on, good luck.

kevinande

Just get one of these (or similar)until you get out of college. It's cheap all round. Maintenance, fuel, and insurance. When your done with college and start your exciting new career, get a sports car.

djfa

iTrader: (3)

If your car is paid off and doesn't have any unsual sounds or major problems that you can see or feel (mechanically) I think you are ahead of the game. Yes, the rx8 is expensive in parts but there is always a way around it. Ebay, rx8club for sale/wanted. There are so many DIY that you can probably do just about anything you want. The only time I brought my car to the dealer was when I knew I did everything right and my motor was shot. And trust me you will know if your motor is dying.

Are you having power issues or misfires? If not then you should be ok for awhile. I spend 350$ a year to change my coils, plugs and wires regardless of the miles. Keep your air filter clean and your MAF, change oil regularly and future problems could be prevented. And if you do have any problems, they would most likely not be your fault.

Buying another car will most likely cost you more. You will lose on the value of your car during trade in, between 1500-2000$, you will pay taxes on another car, probably would need to cover the cost of finance in interest, and more likely pay more on insurance. The only thing you might save on is gas.

Keep your car.