Current old car problems - fix or trade-in?

[mamboman777]

I've got a 2012 Ford focus SE. It's black and in decent condition. It's the non-turbo three pedal manual transmission (not the dreaded DCT). It's got 130k on it. I was hoping to sell it when my order arrives.

Well... The ac blower went out. I tried to fix it myself with parts from O'Reilly.... Despite YouTube, it took three hours to remove 3 screws and I still couldn't get the old blower out. Returned the part. Put the car back in running condition and have been driving around with my Windows down.

My question is: do I fix the blower? I could fix it and try to sell it. I don't know exactly how much it would cost, but I'm ballparking $400-600. (The part costs $130-200 and getting at the old blower is a PITA)

Or do I just trade it for however much at the dealer?

Would I make today money back on a sale?

I hate dropping money on this car when my truck is on order. Feels like a waste, but if I'll get the money back or get close, I guess it's worth it.

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[Rkbrumbelow]

I've got a 2012 Ford focus SE. It's black and in decent condition. It's the non-turbo three pedal manual transmission (not the dreaded DCT). It's got 130k on it. I was hoping to sell it when my order arrives.

Well... The ac blower went out. I tried to fix it myself with parts from O'Reilly.... Despite YouTube, it took three hours to remove 3 screws and I still couldn't get the old blower out. Returned the part. Put the car back in running condition and have been driving around with my Windows down.

My question is: do I fix the blower? I could fix it and try to sell it. I don't know exactly how much it would cost, but I'm ballparking $400-600. (The part costs $130-200 and getting at the old blower is a PITA)

Or do I just trade it for however much at the dealer?

Would I make today money back on a sale?

I hate dropping money on this car when my truck is on order. Feels like a waste, but if I'll get the money back or get close, I guess it's worth it.

I think you have a few options to consider: Dual 55s. Running W/O AC sucks, hard. My HCH2 has an electric blower/ac system that crashed a while back CTR(cost to repair) 2500, cash value of my car… maybe if the other guy is drunk, 1750.

easy option for me, keep running Dual 55s. Roll down the windows, drive 55.
Not easy in ATL or DFW. But you are near UTA and TCCD so you could sell raven a beater to a college student, just not when it’s 102 outside.

what’s the real cash value of your car? You won’t get that on a trade, but you won’t pay extra taxes (if I remember the way taxes are for cars in TX)

you Could do a short term lease, would cost more than a repair. Used car prices are starting to drop, but again summer in TX.

I would say hold it, do the dual 55, till you get a build date then park it near a Domino’s or Papa Johns closest to one of the campuses with a for sale sign on it for private sale, sans blower.

option 2 ever consider a Scooter/small motorcycle? You are not going to take a big hit on resale as they don’t cost much, cheap to operate and can be fun (just no iron butts on a scooter).

I don’t remember how Mass transit friendly NRH is, maybe that’s an option.

I personally would gamble on the hood it a few weeks till temp is 80’s and get it to a pizza guy plan. But I also was a daily driver on an old KZ750 (purple of all MC colours)

and when I was at TCCD North I literally lived in a hatchback in the parking lot. At UTA it was better (lipscomb hall).

my 2c keep it till temp drops, hope for a build date, sell it to student. But I also have not looked to see how much it’s worth now.

 

[joeboxer22]

Find a mobile mechanic locally, Ive had good luck with them, usually find them on craigslist or even facebook. Most are ASE certified and will give you a set price and YOU can buy the parts so no markup. Then sell the car privately when your truck arrives which will certainly be more than dealer trade in(most likely). Also not sure if you have adavnced auto nearby but you can usually google and find at LEAST a 20% coupon on parts if you order online and pickup in store. Another option is cross reference the blower part number on ebay, I bet you could get it much much cheaper than oreileys. Id fix it for sure.

 

[Old Ranchero]

I've got a 2012 Ford focus SE. It's black and in decent condition. It's the non-turbo three pedal manual transmission (not the dreaded DCT). It's got 130k on it. I was hoping to sell it when my order arrives.

Well... The ac blower went out. I tried to fix it myself with parts from O'Reilly.... Despite YouTube, it took three hours to remove 3 screws and I still couldn't get the old blower out. Returned the part. Put the car back in running condition and have been driving around with my Windows down.

My question is: do I fix the blower? I could fix it and try to sell it. I don't know exactly how much it would cost, but I'm ballparking $400-600. (The part costs $130-200 and getting at the old blower is a PITA)

Or do I just trade it for however much at the dealer?

Would I make today money back on a sale?

I hate dropping money on this car when my truck is on order. Feels like a waste, but if I'll get the money back or get close, I guess it's worth it.

you answered your own question? you already tried to fix it and wasted 3 hours with no success. Sounds like that really isn't a viable option. How much is your time worth? If you sell it now before your Mav comes in- do you have another vehicle to drive while waiting?

Getting a repair estimate or 2 is probably best next step to refine you choices/decisions...

 

[mamboman777]

I think you have a few options to consider: Dual 55s. Running W/O AC sucks, hard. My HCH2 has an electric blower/ac system that crashed a while back CTR(cost to repair) 2500, cash value of my car… maybe if the other guy is drunk, 1750.

easy option for me, keep running Dual 55s. Roll down the windows, drive 55.
Not easy in ATL or DFW. But you are near UTA and TCCD so you could sell raven a beater to a college student, just not when it’s 102 outside.

what’s the real cash value of your car? You won’t get that on a trade, but you won’t pay extra taxes (if I remember the way taxes are for cars in TX)

you Could do a short term lease, would cost more than a repair. Used car prices are starting to drop, but again summer in TX.

I would say hold it, do the dual 55, till you get a build date then park it near a Domino’s or Papa Johns closest to one of the campuses with a for sale sign on it for private sale, sans blower.

option 2 ever consider a Scooter/small motorcycle? You are not going to take a big hit on resale as they don’t cost much, cheap to operate and can be fun (just no iron butts on a scooter).

I don’t remember how Mass transit friendly NRH is, maybe that’s an option.

I personally would gamble on the hood it a few weeks till temp is 80’s and get it to a pizza guy plan. But I also was a daily driver on an old KZ750 (purple of all MC colours)

and when I was at TCCD North I literally lived in a hatchback in the parking lot. At UTA it was better (lipscomb hall).

my 2c keep it till temp drops, hope for a build date, sell it to student. But I also have not looked to see how much it’s worth now.

KBB pegged it between 1,000-1,500 trade, that was with working ac. Private, they estimated $2,500-3000.

The problem and maybe advantage of selling private is I've actually got the good tranny.

Thank you for pointing out the taxes. I hadn't thought of that. So, let's say I can get$3000 for it. I guess my taxes works be between $300-600. Which means I would need to get it fixed for <$1000. And that's risking that I can even sell a car with a manual clutch. I guess worst case, I can trade it if it doesn't sell.

I'm actually most worried about no defrost.

 

[mamboman777]

you answered your own question? you already tried to fix it and wasted 3 hours with no success. Sounds like that really isn't a viable option. How much is your time worth? If you sell it now before your Mav comes in- do you have another vehicle to drive while waiting?

Getting a repair estimate or 2 is probably best next step to refine you choices/decisions...

I know me fixing is no longer an option... I'm just seeking opinions/advise on whether it's worth it to get a garage to fix it for me to try to sell on private market.

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

KBB pegged it between 1,000-1,500 trade, that was with working ac. Private, they estimated $2,500-3000.

The problem and maybe advantage of selling private is I've actually got the good tranny.

Thank you for pointing out the taxes. I hadn't thought of that. So, let's say I can get$3000 for it. I guess my taxes works be between $300-600. Which means I would need to get it fixed for <$1000. And that's risking that I can even sell a car with a manual clutch. I guess worst case, I can trade it if it doesn't sell.

I'm actually most worried about no defrost.

Add a hairdryer and some fogX just don’t mention it.

what about all the yards in Irving (I assume the junkyards are still there) Worst comes to worst, find out the part/scrap value, just to set a bottom price. Beware some dealers will offer you a ridiculous price and try to add it to your base price(don’t remember who you ordered through)

 

[CoryDallas8123]

I know me fixing is no longer an option... I'm just seeking opinions/advise on whether it's worth it to get a garage to fix it for me to try to sell on private market.

I’m sort of in the same boat, you’re not alone!

My AC has been out and I’ve been dealing with it too, googled and to fix my AC is roughly $1,600. No chance sally! My 08 Audi A4 can’t be worth more than $3,000, she’s only got 73,000 miles though.

Only 1-1.5 more months of this heat then October! We can do it!

 

[mamboman777]

Add a hairdryer and some fogX just don’t mention it.

what about all the yards in Irving (I assume the junkyards are still there) Worst comes to worst, find out the part/scrap value, just to set a bottom price. Beware some dealers will offer you a ridiculous price and try to add it to your base price(don’t remember who you ordered through)

I ordered through Pack's five star nrh

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

I’m sort of in the same boat, you’re not alone!

My AC has been out and I’ve been dealing with it too, googled and to fix my AC is roughly $1,600. No chance sally! My 08 Audi A4 can’t be worth more than $3,000, she’s only got 73,000 miles though.

Only 1-1.5 more months of this heat then October! We can do it!

I still remember ‘80 I think we hit 110 a few times.

 

[CoryDallas8123]

I still remember ‘80 I think we hit 110 a few times.

very true. I’ve survived this week, highs upper 90’s. I just try to park in the shade. Everyone at work knows I get spot #3. That spot is full shade starting at 2pm. So when I leave around 4 it’s not terrible.

But I’m ready for November. Best weather month around here.

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

very true. I’ve survived this week, highs upper 90’s. I just try to park in the shade. Everyone at work knows I get spot #3. That spot is full shade starting at 2pm. So when I leave around 4 it’s not terrible.

But I’m ready for November. Best weather month around here.

If it makes you feel better, I had to drive 2 hrs to have a magnet stuck to me for 20 minutes in a Tyvek suit and CBRN gear today.

Oh and no AC either West georgia is a little bit cooler than NTX but only a few degrees. That’s what I will like best about the Maverick, working AC!

Erin, Jeff our friend from Prettier than Matt, and Myself in my go out in public besties

 

[CoryDallas8123]

If it makes you feel better, I had to drive 2 hrs to have a magnet stuck to me for 20 minutes in a Tyvek suit and CBRN gear today.

Oh and no AC either West georgia is a little bit cooler than NTX but only a few degrees. That’s what I will like best about the Maverick, working AC!

Erin, Jeff our friend from Prettier than Matt, and Myself in my go out in public besties

Oh damn! You sir are a trooper.

I’m lucky, shorts and t-shirt in the car.

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

Oh damn! You sir are a trooper.

I’m lucky, shorts and t-shirt in the car.

I never get to dress that way in public again ;( (shorts etc) but as you can see I can stand again! And sit! This is a big deal.
Hey we all go through things.

 

[flyjum]

Wait do people really get rid of cars simply because the blower motor went bad? That's seems insane to me to be honest

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