Keeping a very tired car going?

[Gman88667733]

Sorry if in the wrong section!

About a month ago I purchased an RX300 on here to replace my 02 honda CRV.

This was mainly due to the CRV needing a few more suspension bits (I live down a very rough track, so suspension bits don't last anywhere near as long as they should) a brake issue (which I now believe to know the cause of) and a patch of welding needing doing in the rear wheel arch. 

Truthfully, I saw the Lexus ad and just got the itch to switch. It has been on my list for a while and the price was right.

Fast forward a month or so.... I like the Lexus a lot. Comfy, quiet and heated seats. It has got a few issues, as expected.. But I keep wanting to go back to the old CRV and I have an urge to sort that out and make it perfect again. 

I guess my question to everyone is - is it nuts to go back to an already old car that I know needs bits doing to it? This is already the second time I've owned it as I bought it back the first time around. 

Not sure if I'm wanting encouragement, or a wake up call!!

 

(The short version is...the Lexus is better than the CRV in pretty much every way, but I prefer the CRV - do I sort it out and keep it going?)

[grogee]

Rust will make your decision for you. 

The CR-Vs I've known have been a bit water-soluble. Not sure if that was what killed @Cookiesouwest's one? 

So if it's frilly in critical places, don't throw money at it. 

On the other hand if it's structurally sound then it's a car you know well and could probably squeeze a few more years out if it. 

[Gman88667733]

I've always kept a good eye on it as I was well aware of their reputation... It has never had rust mentioned on the MOTs and I can't find anything else. 

I haven't helped myself massively in that the welding that needs doing in the wheel arch has been there for about 2 and a half years. The garage never seem to notice it at the MOT and I wasn't exactly going to encourage them. 

It was used as a work car for a couple of years as I used to be a gardener, but it has an easier life now.

[bunglebus]

I tend to go with my heart rather than my head. 

Especially as you have another car to use, get the jobs done properly on the other one while you're not relying on it

[riek]

Do you want to prop it up and keep getting it through MOT or do you want it to drive like it should again?

I wanted to make my BMW drive like it should again and I've put most of a grand into suspension parts 

[Cookiesouwest]

  On 14/12/2024 at 18:24, grogee said:

Rust will make your decision for you. 

The CR-Vs I've known have been a bit water-soluble. Not sure if that was what killed @Cookiesouwest's one? 

So if it's frilly in critical places, don't throw money at it. 

On the other hand if it's structurally sound then it's a car you know well and could probably squeeze a few more years out if it. 

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My CRV lived to fight another day. Luckily the rust was restricted to the suspension on one corner.

[Gman88667733]

  On 14/12/2024 at 18:41, riek said:

Do you want to prop it up and keep getting it through MOT or do you want it to drive like it should again?

I wanted to make my BMW drive like it should again and I've put most of a grand into suspension parts 

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I think to get it into the best state it'll have been in for my ownership, it's basically just the suspension + the phantom brake issue. 

The cloth trim on the door cards has pulled off at the edges on 3 of the doors due to my gardening kit, but I can either replace them or do a DIY repair to tidy it up a bit.

 

[Cookiesouwest]

  On 14/12/2024 at 18:11, Gman88667733 said:

Sorry if in the wrong section!

About a month ago I purchased an RX300 on here to replace my 02 honda CRV.

This was mainly due to the CRV needing a few more suspension bits (I live down a very rough track, so suspension bits don't last anywhere near as long as they should) a brake issue (which I now believe to know the cause of) and a patch of welding needing doing in the rear wheel arch. 

Truthfully, I saw the Lexus ad and just got the itch to switch. It has been on my list for a while and the price was right.

Fast forward a month or so.... I like the Lexus a lot. Comfy, quiet and heated seats. It has got a few issues, as expected.. But I keep wanting to go back to the old CRV and I have an urge to sort that out and make it perfect again. 

I guess my question to everyone is - is it nuts to go back to an already old car that I know needs bits doing to it? This is already the second time I've owned it as I bought it back the first time around. 

Not sure if I'm wanting encouragement, or a wake up call!!

 

(The short version is...the Lexus is better than the CRV in pretty much every way, but I prefer the CRV - do I sort it out and keep it going?)

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Sort it. Keep it.

As you know, they are very useful bits of kit.

Only rust kills them off and yours has hardly any.

No ryme or reason to it, they either rust away (water soluable as @grogee said), or they don't rust at all, well much).

I've grown to love mine, so it will be getting some long overdue love, when the weather improves.

[Gman88667733]

When I bought it back nearly 3 years ago, I paid £800 for it (IIRC). So it really does owe me nothing right now. 

[Andyrew]

As said above, if its not rotten and the engine and gearbox are known good then crack on. 

 

[Gman88667733]

  On 14/12/2024 at 18:57, Andyrew said:

As said above, if its not rotten and the engine and gearbox are known good then crack on. 

 

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I would say it's far from rotten. 

It does need a patch welding in the wheel arch, but I've had a good look everywhere else and it's sound.

I've never had engine or gearbox issues with it. It has never failed to start or get me where I'm going, which counts for a lot!

[Marshall2810]

If parking isn't an issue try and enjoy as many cars as you're allowed

[Gman88667733]

  On 14/12/2024 at 19:02, Marshall2810 said:

If parking isn't an issue try and enjoy as many cars as you're allowed

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I'm very lucky in that we have nearly unlimited parking here. If it didn't cost so much to tax and insure an extra car constantly, I'd keep them both going at once.

[Marshall2810]

  On 14/12/2024 at 19:04, Gman88667733 said:

I'm very lucky in that we have nearly unlimited parking here. If it didn't cost so much to tax and insure an extra car constantly, I'd keep them both going at once.

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Just tax/sorn as you please then mate and switch between cars for variety. I've got an exempt one which is nice and hoping it will work enough one day to maybe drive. It's a nice perk but not the be all and end all, if there was a 90s car I really wanted I'd justify it. 

You never know how long these machines will be around or how long the stasi will allow us to use them! 

One life, live it 

[Gman88667733]

  On 14/12/2024 at 19:12, Marshall2810 said:

Just tax/sorn as you please then mate and switch between cars for variety. I've got an exempt one which is nice and hoping it will work enough one day to maybe drive. It's a nice perk but not the be all and end all, if there was a 90s car I really wanted I'd justify it. 

You never know how long these machines will be around or how long the stasi will allow us to use them! 

One life, live it 

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So would you just keep switching the car on the insurance policy as and when? It's easy enough now with it all being online, I suppose.

[Marshall2810]

  On 14/12/2024 at 19:14, Gman88667733 said:

So would you just keep switching the car on the insurance policy as and when? It's easy enough now with it all being online, I suppose.

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It is and if it's two "moderns" you have that probably the way to go, pay the £25 admin fee and change over for 3 months or whatever. 

I'll just have my daily policy and a classic one for say £100 if/when I need it. Day insurance is also an option for some, costs me £11 to for cover if I buy something which is OK but wouldn't want to do it every day obviously. 

[Gman88667733]

  On 14/12/2024 at 19:19, Marshall2810 said:

It is and if it's two "moderns" you have that probably the way to go, pay the £25 admin fee and change over for 3 months or whatever. 

I'll just have my daily policy and a classic one for say £100 if/when I need it. Day insurance is also an option for some, costs me £11 to for cover if I buy something which is OK but wouldn't want to do it every day obviously. 

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That makes sense. I'll use the Lexus whilst I get the CRV sorted and the switch over that for a bit.

I wouldn't be surprised if my partner tries to steal the Lexus actually... It's her kind of thing.

Perhaps this could end up giving me an opportunity to get another Panda to go alongside the CRV?

Always a plan forming ...! 😂

[Marshall2810]

  On 14/12/2024 at 19:22, Gman88667733 said:

That makes sense. I'll use the Lexus whilst I get the CRV sorted and the switch over that for a bit.

I wouldn't be surprised if my partner tries to steal the Lexus actually... It's her kind of thing.

Perhaps this could end up giving me an opportunity to get another Panda to go alongside the CRV?

Always a plan forming ...! 😂

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There's a phrase "if you have the space you'll fill it" 😉 

[Gman88667733]

I forget, these aren't exactly expensive cars I'm messing around with here. Combined total of £2k for both. 

Ive lost far more in depreciation in a short space of time in the past!

[Split_Pin]

In my personal experience, 'no' is the answer.

I've had several cars that just needed too much doing and would still need more to make them right. I tend to get rid after I've got about half way though rather than what a sensible person would do and make a proper assessment either before buying or at the least, right afterwards 😂

Conversely, I've got rid of several cars that had the quality of a 'good' one 🙄

An example is I spent quite a bit on my E46, even though it's not worth a lot, a rust- free one is a rarity now.

[Gman88667733]

It had 4 new tyres for the MOT in July and had front brake at the same time. So I'd be hopeful that it *shouldn't* need much else outside of the bits I've mentioned.

Over the past few years of having it back again, it has had next to nothing spent on it. My gut is telling me that this is just the refresh it needs after a few hard years.

At least, that's what I'm telling myself..!!

[Marshall2810]

I'd like to hear @sierramans take on this

[comfortablynumb]

Must admit @Marshall2810, day insurance scared me a bit last time I had to use it, excess on the policy was £4.5k😱

Not sure if I just picked the wrong one, or if they're all like that?

[Gman88667733]

Absolutely. I can see why people would have hugely different opinions on this. On the surface, it's a cheap car that probably needs more spending on it to get it properly sorted than it is actually worth

But - if I sold it, I'd probably immediately look on eBay or Facebook for another, which would almost certainly have the exact same issues or worse. 

I've looked after this one in terms of servicing (including gearbox servicing) which I expect lots neglect

[Lord Sterling]

It depends on a lot of differing factors. Money, time, how much work is needed and how much you're willing to do, plus how much you like the vehicle. I guess the CRV meets at least one of those points.

The Vectra I bought was fairly tired, not overly rusty but certainly needs some life breathing back into it, and whilst money is always a factor for me, I can always find some time and money to begin the process of getting life back into it.

The real work is yet to be started as I indulged too much in getting accessories, but it will be done as I want to continue running it as my daily.

[Marshall2810]

  On 14/12/2024 at 20:05, comfortablynumb said:

Must admit @Marshall2810, day insurance scared me a bit last time I had to use it, excess on the policy was £4.5k😱

Not sure if I just picked the wrong one, or if they're all like that?

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Fair point, excess on veygo is around £750 which is presumably how they can do it so cheaply. 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

So, it's not particularly rusty, it doesn't owe you much and you really like it? 

Get it fixed!

[stuboy]

what do they both look like?

[Madman Of The People]

 

If the bits to fix it don’t cost too much and you can do most of the work yourself, then the CR-V is worth keeping.  Speaking from personal experience, you can never have too many cars!

 

[Matty]

  On 14/12/2024 at 20:01, Marshall2810 said:

I'd like to hear @sierramans take on this

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"Fucking scrap it m8"