It's The End - scrappage likely

[alphonsus]

So my poor little Roadster seems to be dying. It's had an intermittent fault for the last couple of months where it would just refuse to start - primes the fuel system, all the SAM relays click correctly but it doesn't turn over. On Saturday it just wouldn't start at all. Couldn't hear the fuel pump priming. Then noticed the engine management warning light was on. Added to this is the fact the turbo is knackered and needs replaced, got a quote of a minimum of 600 quid for that using a reconditionned part.

He's 8 years old, 79k on the clock and getting to the point where it's costing me 600 plus servicing just to keep him on the road each year. I really don't know what to do - get him shipped off to Glasgow (third time in two years) or just accept the inevitable and scrap him now.

[fortwo long]

Is there a reliable Smart independent nearby who, for a reasonable fee give him the once over to see if economical enough to save before making a painful decision??

[Thrumbleux]

So my poor little Roadster seems to be dying. It's had an intermittent fault for the last couple of months where it would just refuse to start - primes the fuel system, all the SAM relays click correctly but it doesn't turn over.

Well documented that the spade connector on the starter corrodes and fails. A tuppeny hapenny part. You would have to check current was or wasn't getting there before diagnosing anything else anyway. Awkward to do - but cheap.

On Saturday it just wouldn't start at all. Couldn't hear the fuel pump priming. Then noticed the engine management warning light was on.

I could be wrong - but wouldn't the engine have had to start to extinguish the management warning light?

Added to this is the fact the turbo is knackered and needs replaced, got a quote of a minimum of 600 quid for that using a reconditionned part.

Give it a new turbo and you up the car's value by more than the £600. (Put another way, sell it as spares/repair and get buttons)

He's 8 years old, 79k on the clock and getting to the point where it's costing me 600 plus servicing just to keep him on the road each year. I really don't know what to do - get him shipped off to Glasgow (third time in two years) or just accept the inevitable and scrap him now.

£600 on servicing or on repairs? Any 8 year old car will need repairs. A newer one less so, but the depreciation will be more savage.

I think you have to decide if you want to keep the car. If not, the decision is to spend and recoup on sale price or cut your losses and sell as is. If you want to keep it, get the starter fixed first of all - Tolsen has written plenty on the subject, then the turbo, and anything else as and when required. Just like any other car....

[Sam]

i am sure when i get older things will cost me more as the old body cant hack it, that said what would you rather have ? ie one that makes you smile and is less on petrol or new + monthly payments ?

[be99er]

remember you can't take it with you!