Advice on My Car - Sell or Keep? (Hyundai Santa Fe 2007)

silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 06:11

Hey guys,

Just wanted some advice on what to do woth my car.

It’s a Hyundai Santa Fe 2007 turbo diesel with 256 000 km on clock.

In the past I’ve had the oils switch replaced , intercooler and clock spring.

Just been told it requires a AC compressor with A second hand it will cost appro 600 no warranty or new 1.2 k. But one mechanics advised me that getting the timing belt change at the same time which will cost me a further 1 k. I bought it 200 000 and have no idea if it was done in the past as there is no log books. Which the mechanics said it’s a massive risk not to change it. I did get further advise from a second mechanics who looked at the timing belt and said it still looks new and not worn and to leave it until 300 000 km service.

This is my family’s main car and we use it to tow the caravan away on weekends, so need to make sure it’s reiable. But I’m really torn on what to do. Should I keep investing ? Or better to sell as is and buy something newer with less Km

Automotive Car

Comments

  • garetz on 06/03/2019 - 06:44
    +1

    There is a point when every car becomes more expensive than its worth keeping, if your ongoing expenses become more than the value of the car, then its time to cut your losses.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 06/03/2019 - 08:02

    I would get a new car, replace it with a 2019 model, it's going to cost >$45k, but if you keep it long term, then in the scheme of things it is really only a $4-5k per year inclusive of depreciation - and to have many years of should be, worry free motoring.

    • HighAndDry on 06/03/2019 - 09:19
      +16

      OP bought a 200,000km 2007 Santa Fe with no logbooks. Buying a new 2017 model might not be an option.

      • inherentchoice on 06/03/2019 - 11:36

        Buying a new 2017 model might not be an option.

        Why, because it's 2019 now?

        • HighAndDry on 06/03/2019 - 11:37
          +1

          Wait dammit, I mistyped. I meant to say "buying a new 2019 model". But more a budgeting thing - someone who buys a 10 year old 200,000km car with no logbooks is generally not in the market for a new car.

      • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 12:30

        Hey mate, I bought it 6 grand 2 years ago, reason was my dad is a diesel mechanic so I was covered. But he past away a few months ago.

        • HighAndDry on 06/03/2019 - 12:55

          Sorry for your loss. If you can afford it - definitely buy (near-)new, especially for a family. Lots of benefits, including much better safety features, better tech integration, (generally) lower unexpected costs, (often) fixed price servicing, and the balance of the factory warranty for peace of mind.

          • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 13:02

            @HighAndDry: Thanks mate, do you have any recommendations for SUV, looking at diesel as I need to tow a caravan.

            I’m trying to find something that is not to much to servicing .

            I was looking at Kia Sportage

            • CheapSticks on 06/03/2019 - 15:34

              @silkysmooth: I dont think Sportage is good enough if you are going to tow caravan frequently which it seems you are.

              • Euphemistic on 06/03/2019 - 17:34

                @CheapSticks: Depends on the size of the caravan. You don’t need a land cruiser to tow an 1100kg pop top.

    • crentist on 06/03/2019 - 13:29

      $4-5k per year is heaps. You could buy an older car for less than that every year, and then just torch it before doing any minor servicing to reduce costs even more

  • Hithere on 06/03/2019 - 09:21
    +7

    Change the timing belt, don't take the chance, they break without any warning and no mechanic will guarantee it'll last for another 40K+.

    Fix the AC and for less than $2000, as long as everything else is in reasonable condition, you have a vehicle that should last you a few more years and won't depreciate much more than it already has.

    • HighAndDry on 06/03/2019 - 11:36

      Seconded - a snapped timing belt would destroy the engine, and taking that risk all to delay that expense for another 40,000kms, because it'll have to be done sooner or later, doesn't seem like a good idea to me either.

    • inherentchoice on 06/03/2019 - 11:38
      +1

      This depends on whether the vehicle has an interference engine. If it's a non-interference engine it won't damage the engine. You'd just need a new belt and a tow to the garage.

      Pretty sure all Hyundai's are interference though.

      • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 12:36

        Mechanic said if it breaks the cars rubbish after not worth fixing.

        • inherentchoice on 06/03/2019 - 14:18

          Yes that's true. If another mechanic said wait until 300k, I would do that. I bought a car that was well past its due date for a new timing belt, and the belt was giving audible noises as a sign that it is starting to become frayed.

          So just wait for at least a few months maybe if you can survive without AC?

          Maybe keep it until rego runs out? Might be harder to sell unregistered though, it won't be worth very much.

          • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 16:10
            +1

            @inherentchoice: I think I’ll wait as winter is about on us. Once spring is in I might do timing and air con and service than as it will be due. Hopefully get a better price to do all at once. If I can get a few more should be good.

            Hoping I can get another 100k from it

            • inherentchoice on 07/03/2019 - 21:54

              @silkysmooth: I think that is wise. But if you start to hear any funny noises from the engine bay, it might be the timing belt starting to fray, so if that happens then get it checked out earlier. I noticed it at idle on my last car.

              You might want to phone a few different workshops and ask for a quote. In my experience some shops can be much cheaper than others. Also ask if they would fit an after market part from eBay. I have had that done a few times too. They usually won't warranty the labour but I think the risk is low.

              I noticed there are some new compressors listed at $500…

              https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Air-Conditioning-AC-Compressor-s…

              Also it looks like you can get one from a wrecker for $200?

      • brendanm on 06/03/2019 - 14:42

        All diesels are interference.

        Also timing belts can look fine externally, while internally they are about to break. It's the fibres running inside it that give it its strength.

  • thatonethere on 06/03/2019 - 09:37
    +1

    How much did you buy the car for? You don't want an unreliable family car.

    • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 12:32
      +1

      I got pretty cheap at the time 6 k

  • Freitag on 06/03/2019 - 10:02
    +4

    You have to pay maintenance on any car. Just because value of your car is low doesn't mean it isn't worth keeping, if it still meets the needs of your family I would keep it as long as the cost to maintain it isn't too high. $600 to fix the AC is cheap, just fix it and keep the car for a bit longer.
    The longer you can hold onto it without any really big issues the better as it means putting off an expensive upgrade.

    • inherentchoice on 06/03/2019 - 11:40

      There's also risks with getting another car that could have worse problems.

      Personally I would get the timing belt done, but wait till September/October to do the AC before the next summer, just in case it blows a transmission or something. I have seen a few high km Santa Fe's advertised with a blown transmission, which probably is too expensive of a repair to be worth fixing.

      • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 12:35

        That’s what I’m worried about , if transmission goes after

        • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2019 - 14:01
          +1

          wreck it when the transmission fails (or go to the wreckers and buy a new one and install yourself - if you want to keep it running)

          for me a new engine or new tranny is pretty much end of life if it's a really really old car.

          consumables such as brake pads, clutch, shocks and tyres are more or less DIY and keep things going.

        • Freitag on 06/03/2019 - 14:11

          New car's will probably have less issues but it's no guarantee. You could buy a newer car only for the transmission to go. If there is nothing wrong with the transmission why worry about it?
          Keep the car until it starts to show signs of needing replacement, it's only 12 years old, it should still have plenty of life left in it.

        • inherentchoice on 06/03/2019 - 14:29

          It might give you some signs before it goes completely. I think you'll know if it starts to shift funny, regardless of whether it's auto or manual.

          According to Scotty Kilmer, mechanic of YouTube fame, on a lot of cars the auto transmissions won't last as long as a manual one.

  • EightImmortals on 06/03/2019 - 11:52
    +1

    For comparison I have the same dilemma, spent 2.5K on the 2004 Magna last year. Thing is, it's a great car and runs well, it doesn't cost me money 'all the time' just servicing and wear and tear. So I figure to replace it with a 2nd hand car would be at least 15K for something half decent or 40-50K for a new Hybrid (but I hate all the electronic BS in modern cars). So spending a few grand to keep a good car going is probably worth it. And get the timing belt done too, we passed on a great looking car for my son a couple of years back as there was no entry in the log books of the TB having been replaced.

    • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 12:34

      It was a big mistake on my behalf, I thought it was a chain

      • EightImmortals on 06/03/2019 - 13:03

        Not to worry, they only need doing every 100K or so I just time mine (punny)to coincide with a major service which cuts down on the labour charge.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2019 - 13:12
    +1

    Can't understand why some manufacturers use a belt on diesels instead of a chain.

    • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 16:11

      It’s stupid I agree, apprently after 2009 all Santa Fe are chains

  • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2019 - 13:23

    i'm still running 20 year old cars and never changed the timing belt on them. they say you have to do it after a certain number of years regardless of kilometres. i didn't and they are still running.

    i think it's more of a preventative thing because if they snap then the manufacturers want their asses covered.

    i doubt when it passes 90-100k it's guaranteed to snap.

    but if you've gone 256k without ever having it done. it might be a good idea now.

    why not just set aside 5-6k ready to buy a second hand replacement car and run this one into the ground?

    • inherentchoice on 06/03/2019 - 14:23

      There are HEAPS of cars for sale unregistered with a broken timing belt and engine.

      I recently bought a 2005 Holden Viva with only 80,000 kms. On that car the timing belt is due every 60,000 kms. It was making noises and it was on it's last legs. It was really quite shredded/frayed, but was still holding on barely.

      It's just a piece of rubber and it really needs replacing in the same way that other belts, tyres and rubber gaskets wear out.

      Would you really keep wearing your old shoes when the sole wears too thin?

      • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2019 - 14:38

        belts do fail i'm not denying that, but depends on environment and usage as to when it will fail, as well as how well that rubber is made with interwoven kevlar.

        Would you really keep wearing your old shoes when the sole wears too thin?

        you really asking that question on ozbargain? :)

        • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 16:13

          I’m guesssing towing a caravan would more pressure on it

          • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2019 - 20:39

            @silkysmooth: dont think so as far as my knowledge of timing belts go.

            accelerated clutch wear is the big thing in towing stuff.

  • Brucet on 06/03/2019 - 13:36
    -2

    Don't keep it.

  • tanksinatra on 06/03/2019 - 14:44
    +1

    If the car meets your needs (sounds like it does) then keep it and spend the money on the timing belt and A/C. At least you know that's sorted.

    There're always risks with getting another (younger) car that could have the same worse problems. Many cars have timing belts and A/C compressors often go between 100-200 k km.

  • myusername on 06/03/2019 - 14:54
    -1

    $5 worth of fuel and box of matches

  • dcep on 06/03/2019 - 15:25

    depending on your finance position / planning ,

    i'd do the minimum and run it down until it shits itself

    • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 16:13

      That’s true I’ll just keep paying roadside assist and pushing it

  • Euphemistic on 06/03/2019 - 17:42

    Can you afford to replace if it did blow up? Spending a few dollars now to keep it running is probably worth it because you know the car and it’s oroblems. Buying something newer, but out of warranty, could lead to spending the same amount because you don’t know the true history of the next car. Being prepared to buy a new car at short notice is a good idea in case the current one develops a major problem.

    Don’t forget that if you sell without fixing the AC you will lose money because the new owner will probably use it as leverage to reduce the price.

    • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 18:49

      I know your right will take it in soon and get both ac and timing belt and service. Only other options is get a new car on a loan but hate to get another loan . House loan is enough ,

  • TimApple on 06/03/2019 - 18:13

    Can't wait until all electric cars are affordable. No more timing belt change.

    • tanksinatra on 06/03/2019 - 20:03
      +1

      or just a car with a timing chain?

      • mini2 on 08/03/2019 - 09:47

        Chains stretch and tensioner gets worn out. Even they will all let go as well.

  • silkysmooth on 06/03/2019 - 18:51

    Any mechanics here in Melbourne north? Happy to give me quote

  • mini2 on 08/03/2019 - 09:54

    Had similar predicaments as OP on a 04 Forester XT, probably worth $1k on a good day and I've recently splurge out on quite a few things including a $300 AGM battery and timing belt change. Yep, twice the value of the car itself. Cars are going to cost you regardless whether that be depreciation, maintenance or both. Might as well be the devil you know…

    • silkysmooth on 08/03/2019 - 17:59

      Yeh gona leaning towards keeping it . Can’t afford new SUV they so expensive . I just had one mechanic back off and doesn’t want to do job apprently to big of a job so I need to hunt around

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