Welp. The 2008 Saab I bought two weeks ago to replace the Mustang is a gigantic lemon/ "Mechanic's special". Fault codes everywhere, dangerously worn parts, malfunctioning electronic sensor tendrils. It's a nightmare.
Over a thousand dollars down the drain going to multiple mechanics for each one pointing out really sensible, but heavy repairs that all total more than $5000. So frustrating.
Spent over a thousand dollars going to two mechanics who told me it'll cost around $5000 to fix the stuff needed to have it pass smog and be a workable drivable car
So broadly I have three choices. I could:
A- Return the car and get the purchase price ($3500) back (eating ~$1100 in repairs I've already done) and go vehicleless for the rest of the year, using transit + taxis to bridge the gaps. Less overall recurring cost than a car, no repairs to deal with, but infinitely more time wasted trying to get somewhere since schedules aren't ideal yet for the bus/ BART.
B - Spend $5k + $1k on repairs and insurance to bring the car up to quality. Recurring monthly costs, gas/insurance/etc. Then I have a car, which changes/ improves my lifestyle a bit since the Mustang was more of an in-town runabout instead of an actual car. Longer road trips and such possible, but at a steep price.
C- I return the car, and move my workshop to a new rentable space within walking distance to my Apartment and spend the money I'd have spent trying to maintain a vehicle on higher rent. Doesn't help mobility any but makes the everyday easier.
**Switching to bikes is out of the question because I live on a dangerous stroad and my workshop is also located in a dangerous area for biking.
The problem is that I don't have the financial mobility to do the car repair thing. So far I've spent 90% (!) of my job income in March + April on vehicles that do not operate anymore between recovering the stolen Mustang and the used Saab.
I think at this juncture it's more trouble than it's worth to own a car, especially if I'm locked in this cycle of working many hours of labor to be able to barely afford to repair a vehicle that will continue to eat into my income forever instead of any actual benefit.
If the majority of my income is just to maintain a vehicle to go to my job, that's neither serving/respecting my time/labor nor really helping me in any way. If I eliminate it entirely that whole cost spiral stops.
Plus the Saab could be stolen at any moment and all that work goes down the shitter
What would YOU do if presented with these choices?
