Swift+ 2004 - Live or Let die?

[staticguard]

Hi everyone,

I own a 2004 Suzuki Swift+ and I would like your advice on if I should move on with an other car or go with a full maintenance with my actual car.

My car is almost at 240,000 km (149,000 miles) and the following maintenance is required :
Timing belt replacement (Replaced 70k miles ago)
Idler pulley replacement
Water pump replacement
Prestone flush and refill
Cabin and engine air filters replacement
Both link kit and the sway bar bushing must be replaced.

I must also consider the following :
I'm really bad with car repairs, I'll have to go to the garage.
I already invested 300$+ for a crankshaft sensor and a valve gasket replacement.

Never replaced the thermostat housing as recommanded in this forum.
Never replaced the sparkplug and wiring.
I drive over 20,000 miles / year.

So, LIVE or LET DIE?

[Daox]

It all depends on a lot of different things:

Have you got a quote on that work?
Do you have money for a newer car?
Do you really like the Aveo?

[xintersecty]

I would also add onto that are you still getting good gas millage. If so a lot of those things can be under the same repair. So you should get a set price once as the water pump and timing belt stuff are on the same side. Also would they warranty the work.

[staticguard]

It all depends on a lot of different things:

Have you got a quote on that work?
Do you have money for a newer car?
Do you really like the Aveo?

No quote, but based on my previous maintenances (I kept all the bill), it will cost me 1000$ +
No money saved for a newer car.
I actually liked my swift until I started getting oil leaks and suspension problems around 220,000 Km. I just dont want to start dating with my garagist.

[staticguard]

I would also add onto that are you still getting good gas millage. If so a lot of those things can be under the same repair. So you should get a set price once as the water pump and timing belt stuff are on the same side. Also would they warranty the work.

I still get good gas milage. For sure, I would repair the timing belt and water pump at the same time. Probably the Idler Pulley too.

My garagist told me that repairing the Link kit, even if they are useless now, is not really necessary. What do you guys think of that?

[Thud Slamrod]

You'll want to keep the swaybar connected. Aveos have the roll stability of the Costa Concordia.

[Thud Slamrod]

I don't know if there is a Canadian equivalent, but an Aveo with 149K miles on it is worth a whopping $729 USD according to KBB.com. Personally, I wouldn't fix a thing and run it into the ground. But, if you know any neighbor kids who like fixing cars they'll work for cheap.

[petrified.rabbit]

the thing about this is, is it cheaper to fix it than to buy a new one? or based on what you can afford? any used car will cost about $1000 in the first year of ownership to fix something.

I would say you have about $500 in repairs based on local rates. I would think you could to it for less than $200 finding it yourself.


If you have kept up on maintenance, and know that the rest of the car is in good shape. FIX it. If the rest oft he car is questionable, and you don't want to put more into it to have something else fail. then move on.

[06T200]

Personally I would fix it, even if I was paying for repairs. Would you rather pay for the costs of maintaining your car, or do you prefer car payments and high insurance costs?? I think you are ahead at this point, just do the full maintenance and roll another 60K miles.

[xintersecty]

Unless you are buying new or near new, I would keep it. You have stated a bunch in favor of it already. Also when you look at cost per mile you are still way ahead.