So my 17 yo civic is turning 240,000 kms mid of this year and will possibly need few major works that'd cost more than the price I bought it for. The thing is I want to continue the relationship with her at the lowest spending as possible.
Is it better to buy Road Side Assistance for emergency breakdown (e.g. timing belt, water pump whatsoever expensive stuff..) or to get this all checked up and pay for the fixes?
Cheers.
Roadside Assistance can include towing depending on your membership level.
Fill it with petrol regularly
Put a screw driver in the glove box.
Drive it til it breaks down
Remove rego plates
Walk/taxi/uber/lift from family home.
Cash in remaining rego.
Purchase new car with money saved on servicing.
alternatively, learn how to roadside fix stuff you can and patch it up and keep on driving.
Don't bother replacing a timing belt or other major service if it will cost more than the car is worth.
What happens to abandoned cars anyway?
AFAIK the owner arranges for a scrappie to come and pick it up, or the council drag it away then try to find the owner and make them pay the costs.
not a bad idea but may cost a fair bit of time sorting out debris.
"(e.g. timing belt, water pump whatsoever expensive stuff..) "
lol, roadside assistance won't be fixing these issues, your car till be towed to home/repair shop. still lolling
Honda vtec still kicks in shes all good just keep driving it.
Mmmm, sounds like you love your car…..does she love you back? Scratch you in just the right places….? Good.
17 years and 240000k is not the problem, but how it was serviced, treated/driven and repaired from new until now. These 3 factors will say what conditions she will be in when you spend a few dollars negotiable on a thorough condition report.
Then, a few quotes on immediate issues, next service issues, and have a cuppa while mulling it all over.
RSA purchased via any means is really only nowadays a jump start, new battery(only on some cars) fuel or tweak of very minor issues, plus they are are a so restricted on their can/can't do contracts all you get is a few free tows within a set Kilometer range.
Good to have, unless you are a mechanic, with tools, and parts and a semi mobile workshop……which you don't have.
Get the check up, do the sums, get RSA and save the old girl from the roadside scrap angels.
17 years on a looked after Honda is bugger all really. Interest and depreciation on eg a 25000 newbie is a lot of down the drain compared to your love affair with her.
would you recommend any condition report providers? I don't think I'd go to Honda dealer? Thanks.
Not by name down there no, but any workshop supporting or authorised by NRMA, and good sized and clean looking workshops, any workshop someone you know there recommends, and also does Roadworthy inspections. Older staff, and older shops have more experience on what to look for, how to report, and different levels of inspections. Plus the older guys tend to speak your language, and are more down to earth. It really is an experience is best thing.
Both, your car wil get towed if it needs repair and will be at your expense.