Is it Even Worth it to Repair Older Cars (10-15 years old)?

All kinds of people you know, and probably many of you like myself, have at least one car sitting around they just don't get rid of, or upgrade to a newer model. A car that keeps on running, and still looks alright, but isn't going to win any beauty contests anytime soon. In this economy many of us aren't exactly out there trying to drive home a new car so we keep maintaining one that is a little bit older because it still runs well, and it doesn't cause too many problems. What is the final straw when you stop getting a car repaired and just junk it for parts?

If you have to get your car, truck, or SUV repaired by a pro, odds are it comes a lot sooner than it would if you have the ability to repair a car yourself. If you have the desire to repair your own car, you most likely need some sort of auto repair guide for certain problems, or at the very least help with diagnosing your car troubles. Even if you don't plan to repair the car yourself, it makes sense to get an auto repair estimate online before you take it in and even bother with it right?

This is where you can save yourself a lot of time and headaches. Not only can you get a quick estimate on auto repair costs, but you can get help from auto owners that have the same car, and likely the same repair issue. You can even set your self up with an online repair and maintenance schedule that will tip you off on advice about repairs and proper maintenance. This is great for any car, not just an old one. Much easier to keep an online repair and maintenance schedule for me than trying to have a file I have to pull out and look through tons of paperwork.

There aren't many top notch auto repair websites that have an easy to use interface, with everything you need from self-help to just getting repair estimates out there. Being able to plug your make and model in and then get similar auto repair questions and answers for your vehicle is one of the most useful search functions there is for someone looking to get help with car trouble. Everyone else describes their car problems with the same kind of adjectives so even if you think it makes little sense someone else is very likely to know exactly what you mean, have made the repair themselves, or had someone do it.

So when is the point of no return on car repairs? Finding that out is pretty easy with a place like RepairPal, who will show you your exact make and model, and break it down to every conceivable automotive repair problem. You can ask other auto owners who have made their own repairs, and you can see what the cost of those repairs by a professional would run you in your area. You really can't be more prepared than this when making that decision on whether it is time to just put ol' Betsy to rest, or keep her on life support for a few more years.