I do love the car. The problem is that I don't have a lot of equipment
on my hand to fix the car with. For example, I'm more than willing to
replace the waterpump myself, but I don't have the tool to suspend the
engine.


On Sun, 28 Nov 2004 05:56:35 -0700, "Michael Pardee"
<michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote:

>"Mo Zhang" <mz62@cornell.edu> wrote in message
>news:45miq09pcn6b262ai8suie2ntodvblansn@4ax.com.. .
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I own a first gen Integra that has 130k miles on it. There seem to be
>> a problem with the fuel pump, which will take me $250 parts alone to
>> fix. However, I'm hesistant to get it fixed due to several problems.
>> First, the engine also needs a new water pump, as the old one is
>> leaking quite badly. There are also fairly loud "tap-tap" noise coming
>> from the engine head area. Furthurmore, The e-brake return spring on
>> the rear cliapers are quite weak so the brake won't loosen up after I
>> pull the ebrake.
>>
>> Otherwise the car is fairly well maintained. all oil changes are on
>> schedule, fuel + air filter replaced on time; the rad, clutch, and
>> drive axles are all fairly new. The engine + tranny is seldomly pushed
>> hard.
>>
>> My question is, is it worth fixing up all the problem there is on such
>> an old car? Given the car's age, problmes are going to be popping up
>> intermittently. With the ever increasing cost going into fixing the
>> car, I might as well buy another one.
>>
>> Your opinions would be appriciated.
>>
>My take on the matter is: if you are asking, you aren't in love with the
>car. I recommend trading it in on a new car. You aren't usually expected to
>say what problems you have with the car. Normally the dealership takes a
>look and decides for themselves. I think you will lose less value doing that
>than you would spend on repairs - it looks like you are facing more than
>$1000 for all the repairs. And dealerships view parts and labor at their
>costs, not at retail costs.
>
>Do not put off doing *something* about the water pump. It is driven by the
>timing belt, which not only makes it expensive to replace, it puts you at
>ever increasing risk of the timing belt failing. The damage from that would
>be heartbreaking. (I'm suspecting the timing belt is overdue for replacement
>anyway - it was due at 90K miles IIRC. The water pump and timing belt are
>normally changed at the same time because of the large amount of common
>labor between them.)
>
>This is a good time of year to find deals on new cars. The Christmas season
>lures buyers away and the salesmen still need to sell. Cut your best deal
>and have no regrets.
>
>Mike
>