Rep Power: 687

I bought this car back in August and i have not had the time or money to get it safetied. I took it to one Canadian Tire in september and the guy said all i needed was rear pads, a battery hold down, and a upper control arm bushing (passenger front). I have been driving it since then i have replaced the fuel pump since it went for a crap, plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor. I took it to another canadian tire and they said i have a exhaust leak which is true, i have holes in the fender walls, i need new rotors and i may need cv joints. I bought the car for 500 and it runs amazingly no rattles or shakes starts everytime ( a little harder in the cold, carbeurated), sure it engulfs itself in blue smoke at start up but thats it. So i was wondering if anyone could shed any light on my situation, is it worth it to fix it??? I am moving into an apartment next month, i have a loan to pay, then insurance, visa all the good stuff. I make enough to finance a cheap car like 5000 but i think i should stick with this wat u think?

Specs: 2.0 Carbeurated 4cyl 242,000kms
Automatic No hesitation smooth shifting
4 door lx
I have installed a Clarion Deck and 4 Infinity Reference 4 1/4's

Any advice is greatly appreciated

 
Rep Power: 818

sounds like the maintenice wasn't properly done on the car and now your paying for it but than again you can't expect to get a perfect running car for $500, I say take it to a few shops and see what they say about what else needs to be done like that you will find out what actually needs to be done instead of relleying on one shop (especially CT)

 
Rep Power: 707

Your biggest mistake was going to Canadian Tire. There are a ton of cheap, honest places in Hamilton that will do the work for you for cheaper. Too bad you're in Hamilton because theres a place in Toronto that does exhaust work for reasonable prices. If you don’t mind driving down here then check out Star Auto on Keele St just south of Keele and St. Clair. Long story short, the flex pipe on my car broke, cat back fell to the road, dragged it all the way to CT, where they quoted me $800 in parts and labour plus 2 days of work. Went across the street to Star Auto and the guy fixed it in 45 min for $30.

Anyways check out torontoaccords.com. There are a number of helpful accord owners on the site and you might be able to pick up any parts you need for cheap as well.

Good luck!

 
Rep Power: 762

doesnt matter who you go to, your not go to get a safty with holes in the body, an exhaust leak, cv joints....ect.

if you dont have cash to fix it all the time then go finance a car thats in good shape. that way you know what your paying each month. a $500 car is for someone who can kinda do thier own repairs.
but if you want to fix it cheap then here's my advice.... the holes fix them your self, metal, rivits, bondo, whatever then spray rocker gaurd to cover the work. as long as its not noticeable when the tech looks at it.

the exhaust.... go to a muffler shop and get them to cut and weld. if you go to the dealer or ct all they do is replace parts and thats more $$$!

the other..... stuff thats easy, find some used cheap parts, get one of you buddies to slap them on then go back to ct to the same guy who looke dat it the first time and get your cert. and you shoulnd have to pay agian aslong as its withen the 36 days

 
Rep Power: 762

oh..... just wondering, why did you buy a sterio instead of licence plates?

 
Rep Power: 786

pm Boostedteg he runs a shop in the auto plaza beside Focus. i'm sure he can help you out. his labour rates are cheap.