He wants to fix the paint

@911Ricki (13588)
Canada
April 1, 2013 7:56pm CST
Now my car is over the hill it's 6 years old, and I may get 10 - 15 years in total. I have a large amount of miles on it. I really don't want to put money in it, if I don't have too. I don't care what I looked like driving a crap pot, just as long as it runs. My trunk is functional (all I asked), and I paid for the tail light $60 (well I gave my Dad $60 and told him to keep the change). I went to leave today, and he said about touching up the paint, there are some scratches, and paint chips. I know he carries on how it will rust, but do I really want to throw in more money.
3 people like this
6 responses
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
2 Apr 13
I'd keep it and put the money into it as opposed to the car payments of a new vehicle which are almost equivilent to renting an apartment. I only drive used cars that I can pay for in cash. I refuse to do the car payments. My car is 13 yrs old and so far I have had it for a year and only now am I putting money into it. I had an oil change and undercoat done which is normal maintainence. now i have to replace the struts and wheel bearings which I was quoted at under 500.00. it is a lot of money for me but way less than taking on car payments. I live on my own so I don;t have the kind of money that would afford car payments to begin with. The car I have now i bought last year for 800.00 and so to add 500.00 to keep it on the road for at least another year...i'll do it. And actually the guy quoted me at 350.00 but added that it could run a bit higher once he gets working on it...that was at a glance. do the math. I would imagine it would be cheaper to touch up the rust spots than to invest in a new vehicle. do some math before deciding.
2 people like this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
2 Apr 13
Oh, I see. Well if you aren't buy brand new and not getting into payments then that makes sense and especially if the transmission is going. Transmissions are a huge expense. It sounds like you buy cars pretty much how I do. I go with used parts as much as I can. Whenever I get rid of a car, I sell it for parts or to someone with the expertise to fix it up. A couple of my cars have been bought by guys that use them in demolition derbys or something. I use the money toward my next car. It works out well that way.
1 person likes this
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
2 Apr 13
I would buy the car in cash, I would never put payments into it (not worth it at all my SIL did that her car was scrapped and she is paying for the car, plus her new car). I have money set aside for that, in an emergency (usually happens that way). My transmission, and engine is going so it's a matter of time. Why put money into it, when it can blow up tomorrow. I just did an oil change which was $30 and I do that 2 -3 times a year. I've had to replace a few parts which go with time like the temperature gage, and such. I get the parts used at the scrap yard. My last caar, he touched it up, and I put all this money into it, and it rusted within a few years anyways. I expect to replace my car in 4 -5 years anyways with the km on it already.
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
2 Apr 13
Did he happen to mention how much he thought it would cost to fix the paint? I hate spending money on my car and try to spend as little as possible. My car is 13 years old right now and running pretty decent right now, but I did have to put a whole bunch of money into it late last year and early this year.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Apr 13
How much does a can of color-match paint cost? That's all you need to prevent rust. You don't have to repaint the whole car.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
2 Apr 13
she'd need primer first..right?
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
2 Apr 13
still would be cheaper than a new car. a can of primer at Walmart is under 10.00.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Apr 13
Depends on how big the exposed areas are. Just scratches, I think wouldn't need primer.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
2 Apr 13
If it will cause a great deal of damage then it might be better in the long run but then I am not sure. Is there a cheaper / easier way to touch it up? If so it might be worth considering but if its' not going to do much damage then I wouldn't worry about it right now.
1 person likes this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
2 Apr 13
He does have a valid point about it rusting. If he is just wanting to do a touch-up, I would go with it. Rust spreads and you could end up with holes in it.
1 person likes this
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
6 Apr 13
I know a man who painted his car with house paint and a brush. It kept it from rusting and for an old car didn't really look all that bad. Like you said. It's old and looks do not matter. Find some old paint of any kind around the house. Try a spot. It will prevent rust and you can get a great paint job when you desire and have the money.