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I am going into mechanics, so I’ll have my mechanics certificate in less then 2 years… my dodge stratus has 132,000 miles on it and may not last too much longer. I was wondering if I should just rebuild the engine and fix it once I have the ability and skill to, or should I just buy a used car? Which is cheaper?
It’s in good condition, I’ve had to replace the alternator and starter on it… but nothing too serious, just planning on the future.
Maybe get 1500 or 2000 for the stratus.

6 Comments »

1. 

   buy a salvage yard motor from an identical year car, that was hit in the rear or side..
   clean out the oil pan, replace the oil pump, water pump, serpentine belt, and sparkplugs before putting back in car 300-1000.00 dollars depending on salvage yard

   buy the engine while it is still in the car, so you can hear it run….

   Comment by Sophie B — September 10, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

2. 

   For some reason that Chrysler product seems to have overheating problems. It is up to you as to which you would rather do. I have always enjoyed restoring older cars with new technology. Hapy hunting.

   Comment by Bill P — September 10, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

3. 

   You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here – carinsurance.deep-ice.com

   Comment by Greg — September 10, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

4. 

   What do you think you could get for the Stratus ?? If the age / condition means you’ll not get much, keep it as a project, and buy another daily driver.

   Comment by rick29148 — September 10, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

5. 

   If you are a mechanic, its almost ALWAYS cheaper & better to keep an old car even if you have to rebuild it.

   At issue is will it last until you have the skill & ability to rebuild it ?

   Do you have a reason to believe it will quit soon ?

   If the cars worth $1500-2000 now, in reasonably good running condition, it would be worth $200-600 if the motor or transmission went out.

   You, being able to work on it yourself for just the cost of parts is a HUGE advantage that most people don’t have.

   So i say keep the car. And if it happens to break down, hang onto it rather than selling it for next to nothing. Then repair it when you can.

   Even if you couldn’t do your own repairs, the less you trade cars, the better.

   Comment by n — September 10, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

6. 

   Isn’t that the reason you are going to mechanics school. To maintain the car you have now and save you money down the road.

   A mechanic with a new car is like a PC repairman who goes out and buys a MAC rather than fixing his Windows machine. It ain’t right!

   Comment by mccoyblues — September 10, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

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