Update and looking for advice...

[Schatzman]

So I haven't been around in a while as some of you know. I have had nine million things going on. Such things include my brothers wedding, house buying, dad has prostate cancer, and so on. My car has not been an issue which needed attention until now.

So the story begins with yesterday I was driving in Bedford crossing some things off my list when my check engine light came on. I called the dealership since I was next door to it to see if I could get the codes checked. It turned out that a wire was brittle and was causing an error read because the wire was hitting the engine block. So I figured the $550 repair sucked but at least the car was ok. I had told them to top off my fluids since I had just done a long trip to Baltimore and back this past weekend. When the mechanic goes to put coolant into the car it just starts to spurt out all over the passenger side floor mats.

So at this point the car needs a new heater core, head gaskets, Front timing  over, and all new spark plugs. The grand total is $5,000. So the question is for 5,000 bucks can I buy three years with no issues? I had a new transmission put in around 75,000 miles and I have the coil conversion done. With the exceptions of the becm, I have had everything done.

Everyone seems to have a split decision that it could work and buy me the time, but the odds nothing will go wrong are not great. With a drive from nashua/milford to boston, and the reliability of the car it all becomes questionable.

So what the question boils down to is "is it worth doing the repairs and can I buy time lets say 75,000 miles or 3 years, or should I move it to my front yard and use it target practice and buy an 06-07 LR3 for about 20 grand?"

All input is welcome

[Greatdivide1]

Honestly I would fix it 5k is alot cheaper then car payments and u already know that truck inside and out. Selling one rover to get another is like getting rid of the devil u know for one u dont.   I vote fix

[whatroad]

Andrew, I'm saying this very seriously. NO. You drive a P38,... think that's expensive, did your blend motors go yet? The P38 is the black sheep. What ever you do , do NOT bump the drivers side door handle. Your security for the truck runs through this, meaning, a little off road excursion(light off road) and you happen to "tap" the handle, the truck shuts off. Like unless you have T4 or Auto Logic you won't be turning it back on. I love the look of the trucks personally, but this is not the end of your repairs. This isn't opinion, just talk to five other people that drive these trucks, they'll tell. Sell the truck. I'm truly not trying to sound like a prick, just giving very serious advice.

Don, I hear ya, no payments kicks butt. However, those trucks are a bastard

[Greatdivide1]

hrmm i have yet to own one. I to love to style of them! Makes a hard choice i geuss.................

[whatroad]

I love the trucks, and I fight the urge to get one all the time. But after working on a few of them( which were very well maintained), .....
There are 2 Rovers I'll NEVER own, that's a P38 and a Freelander.

[Greatdivide1]

I couldnt agree with u more on the freelander!!!! effing turd boxs!!

[SafeAirOne]

Honestly, I don't know how you guys do it. It's bad enough that a tire valve cap for a coiler probably costs $50 at the dealer, but to bring it to Land Rover of Bedford so thay can replace the $50 valve cap for extra $150 in labor... I just don't get it.
 
I have the feeling we're in VERY different tax brackets.

[Greatdivide1]

Im just a poor mechanic!!!! I do all my own work and at every chance i retrofit any broken/upgrade parts with parts that readily available at the parts stores!!

[Schatzman]

So, I have made a decision on what to do. After several hours of phone conversations with various members of the community, whom I would like to thank for their input, I have decided to have the work done. Here is my reasoning behind it.

If I were to take the 5,000 bucks and put it towards a new car that costs 20,000 it would leave me with 15,000. Now I am looking for something to get my through the next three years. With that in mind 15,000/36 brings us to 416.66 a month. I feel I can keep this one going for way less then that amount a month.

Now, my parents had made me a promise that they have agreed to hold up to, which is if I graduate from Harvard, where my transfer application was recently accepted, they would get me any car I want. So my plan is to get that freaking diploma so I can get something new. At that point I can just beat the shit out of the P38 until it gives out.

Now when they take apart the gaskets lets hope the block isn't warped. In that case maybe a diesel conversion can be done:rofl::rofl::rofl: That would just be a disaster.

Now I have decided to post a list of all things done to my car since moving to NH 2 years ago and when my car first came out of warranty:

Battery replaced
Rear wiper motor replaced
Coil spring conversion
New front diff
New drag link and tie rod assembly
Throttle Body Heater Gasket kit
New windshield

Now back in NY when under warranty I had:

New transmission
New alternator x2
Air Suspension x2
New AC unit
New Blend motor

So now with these repairs to come it is safe to say everything but the BECM has been replaced. I can only hope that will go out too. The car is like a bad joke, but it is a bad joke I love. I do appreciate the help and advice given here. Just between family issues and buying a house:banghead: I don't have the drive to even want to do the research on a new car. On a plus side I get one of these rocking LR2 for 3 days:rofl: