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MrsMojo 
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Joined: 18 March 2008
Location: Wellington
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 Topic: Mechanic/car experts needed
Posted: 06 November 2010 at 2:49pm |
My car well and truly failed it's WOF today and now we're trying to decide whether to get the car fixed or just go ahead and buy another car (which we're going to do next year anyway if we decide to TTC #3). We have a 1998 Nissan Bluebird which has:
- Rust to be removed on the firewall
- 1 worn tyre
- R/H steering rack end has excessive play
- oil due for a change
- battery voltage low
I have no idea yet how much that lot's going to cost us and with the age of the car whether we're going to have trouble at every WOF from now on.
What's your opinion?
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TheKelly
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Joined: 30 March 2010
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Posted: 06 November 2010 at 3:04pm |
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I vote new car,but thats just cos I'm getting a new car and I too have a Nissan Bluebird .....but Im no expert so do not take my advice
*cough* go car shopping *cough*
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mummy_becks
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Joined: 01 January 1900
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Posted: 06 November 2010 at 3:50pm |
Ouch there will be a lot of labour charges in there for that work that needs to be done. Go get a new car.
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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Plushie
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Joined: 21 May 2008
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Posted: 06 November 2010 at 4:07pm |
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Oil change you can do at home easily, will cost you your own time and the cost of oil.
A new tire doesnt have to be "new" it just has to be better - tire places often sell used but still ok tires for $60 - $80.
The battery voltage can be fixed either by taking the whole unit out and leaving it to recharge on a battery charger - or you can buy a new battery ($80 - $140 at a guess)
The other two might require a professional - but at least then they are only charging for two jobs, not five.
I'd get the warrent - even if you plan on buying a new car next year you will get more $$$s for this car with a warrent anyway.
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.Mel
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Location: Orewa
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Posted: 06 November 2010 at 4:09pm |
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I think rust to the firewall is a major... I remember hearing that somewhere. The battery will cost you upwards of $100+. Oil change is easy enough. I'd start looking and seeing what is out there for your budget now.. whats a couple of months?
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Mr Mellow (16)
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kebakat
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Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy North
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Posted: 06 November 2010 at 5:12pm |
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Shop around for the battery. Prices vary greatly from place to place. Same with tyres.. and bargin with them with tyres. I get my 4wd tyres which retail at $240ea for $180ish just by telling tonys to do better on price and sticking to my guns on it.
Do you know anyone who can help you do some of the prep work with the rust? That can save some $$.
Oil being due for a change isn't needed for a warrant its just something that technically should get done every now and then.
I'd just go get quotes from places and see what they come back as. Also have a look and see what cars that are the same are worth. you could always get the stuff done and then flick the car off. Having a warrant will make it easier to flick off.
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amme_eilyk
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Joined: 30 September 2009
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Posted: 06 November 2010 at 5:18pm |
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maybe phone a few places to get a quote
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_H_
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Posted: 06 November 2010 at 6:27pm |
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I know nothing about cars but DP said to get a new car!
he said the rust in the firewall is a major because its structural most likely you will need to get it certified
Edited by __H__
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Mucky_Tiger
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Posted: 06 November 2010 at 7:53pm |
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rust will be around $500 as its structural.
tyre you can get from beaurepairs for cheaper...tell them your husband is fulton hogan staff.
get a new battery for $120.
and the steering racks are abour $250.
get a new car, its honestly cheaper. my bluebird is about the same. next WOF it will fail on rust around the windscreens but everything else has been replaced parts wise.
oil filter is $18 and 4L of oil is $30 on special.
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Babykatnz
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Posted: 07 November 2010 at 12:32am |
Sorry I'm late, got your text but DP was out at the league game, only just got home and I had no credit 
He says rust on firewall will depend on how bad, if its just slight bubbling then it shouldnt be too much to have it removed, but if its eaten in a fair bit then it'll cost more than the cars worth ot have it fixed, if it even can (as I think someone already said, structural damage can be enough to cause a car to be written off!)
Most of the other stuff is minimal if you go to the right preson/place... but with all those things added up, you are probably better off looking for a new car instead.
Age isnt the issue, I have a 97, and DP has a 96 toyota, and they are both going pretty good, and should do so for some time, barring the occasional fix-up (like the radiator that decided to roll over on us a few months back  ) and if it was just little things like oil change, tyre, battery etc, then not so much a biggy... but add in the rust and steering rack and yeah... DP said he'd be looking at selling the old car for parts, and using the money towards a new car
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Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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MrsMojo
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Location: Wellington
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Posted: 07 November 2010 at 7:55am |
Thanks for your advice. I have no idea how bad the firewall is (I know zip about cars) but here's a picture of it. Is it likely that there is more rust behind there that we can't see?
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jazzy
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Posted: 07 November 2010 at 8:35am |
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I would take it in & get a quote then you will know just how much you are looking at & if it is better to get a new car now.
Our car needs some work for the next warrant about $1000. We are planning on getting a new car the end of next yr as we don't want a HP & have to save the cash. So we can get ours fixed & put back the new car if need be & use this one for a trade in or sell it or get a new one now & not get the one we want cause we don't have all the money or get a loan & pay heaps back & still stuck with a car that needs fixing or get stuff all if selling it.
For me I hate the thought of spending $1000+ for the car I have now but it will buy us another yr & the car I really want.
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Babykatnz
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Posted: 07 November 2010 at 10:51am |
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In DPs 'expert' opinion... its F%^&ed... lol. Rust looks like its eaten through too much to be removed without weakening the structure overly...
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Brandon - 05/12/2003
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Babe
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Posted: 07 November 2010 at 1:24pm |
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My DP is a mechanical engineer and he reckons just get a new car. You could always just trade it in on something better lol thats what friends of ours did, you'll likely get more off the new vehicle than you would by selling it IYKWIM.
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Feran266513
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Joined: 08 March 2021
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Posted: 09 July 2021 at 8:26pm |
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Hello everyone, I repair the car myself, the only problem is finding spare parts, sometimes it is almost impossible to find some spare parts.
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Marco266514
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Joined: 08 March 2021
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Posted: 09 July 2021 at 8:29pm |
Hello, there are often times when it is very difficult to find spare parts for a specific car. I do not know which parts you need, but I can recommend you to look at the yanmar yanmar parts catalog. Here I found all the necessary parts for the engine of my car, and of very good quality. Currently, my car is working properly, I think these parts will last a long time.
Edited by Marco266514 - 09 July 2021 at 8:30pm
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Mechanic/car experts needed
