[mantispf2000]

I've just gone over 330,000 miles on my 2000 Mazda MPV, and on my way home last night, it decided it didn't want to move. Lost power, shuts down, doesn't want to start. Get it towed to my mechanic, and describe to him what happened. Says it is probably the alternator, with a side of battery.

I figure I've been very, very fortunate with this van, as we've had it new off the lot, and it's the only van Alaina was in. It's paid for, though wife nags me that it will be a repair whore, and we need to look at new/er vehicles so we don't keep dumping $$$ in to this one. Yes, there have been repairs done, though my feelings are repairs are cheaper (for the most part) than a constant monthly payment. Besides, my mechanic knows this vehicle inside and out, and I've trusted him for over 15 years with his work.

Maybe I need to, maybe I won't get a new vehicle. Damn, maybe I just need to go on a ride and find some rattlesnakes.........

 

[Pesqueeb]

330,000 miles on my 2000 Mazda MPV

Dude.....

Put that thing out to pasture. That's amazing. It's only going to get worse. Maybe send a picture of the ODO to Mazda, they might hook you up.

 

[stevew]

and it's the only van Alaina was in.

if the van means that much....just fix it/park it/use it for back up and go ahead and get another vehicle.

the trade in value is probably nil.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Keep fixing it until the engine or trans poops the bed. Then donate to your local public radio station.

 

[mantispf2000]

You 3 make very valid points. My mechanic still says as long as I'm getting from A to B, keep driving it. After all, it is paid for, so repairs are only an immediate hit. Yes, the trade would be nil, yet to use it for taking junk to the dumps or such, well, nothing wrong with keeping it parked safely. And never thought about sending a pic to Mazda. I wonder what that could lead to, if anything.

I do feel safe in it, as I have slept in it when I went to the Kamikaze Games or Sea Otter. Very comfortable with the right sleeping bag.....

 

[canadmos]

Find out what is busted on it. If its greater than a certain amount, ditch it. If not, fix it and drive on. If its gotten you this far and still works without sounding like a ticking time bomb, then it should be good for another few miles.

Look at Eric's Volvo...

 

[Scrub]

Sell it on CL or get a quote from a salvage yard for parting out before you donate it to a "non profit" charity if it goes that route. If repairs are not terminal (tranny or engine) repair it if costs are minimal


Ask me why and I can tell you my experience about the "non profit" donation

 

[mantispf2000]

Scrub...... Why??

Wasma, I'd do the work myself, however, I is ignant of the ways of cars beyond changing the brake pads myself.

Though the final answer is/was, repairs came in at a tick over $500. As far as I'm concerned, to be the original alternator for 330k miles, I'd say I got my money's worth.

Time to van-camp in Mammoth!!!

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

Wasma, I'd do the work myself, however, I is ignant of the ways of cars beyond changing the brake pads myself.

Though the final answer is/was, repairs came in at a tick over $500. As far as I'm concerned, to be the original alternator for 330k miles, I'd say I got my money's worth.

If you can do a brake job....you can do a battery and/or alternator swap. Save yourself ~$250, assuming that $500 is $250 battery/alternator and $250 labor.

 

[profro]

I have this reoccurring question often with 4 vehicles over 200k miles. But I look at it this way, all are paid for and they all are very reliable vehicles; f250 PSD, 2 Land Cruisers, and Toyota Matrix. All combined with maintenance and upkeep the 4 of them in total are less than a single new car payment. F getting a new car.

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

I have this reoccurring question often with 4 vehicles over 200k miles. But I look at it this way, all are paid for and they all are very reliable vehicles; f250 PSD, 2 Land Cruisers, and Toyota Matrix. All combined with maintenance and upkeep the 4 of them in total are less than a single new car payment. F getting a new car.

We call this the anti-stoney theorem.

 

[profro]

I hate that little car. However, it gets 30ish mpg, has a utilitarian interior, is a manual tranny, and has been dead reliable. Well, I guess the only bad part is people seeing me in it. But I tinted the windows to help.

 

[CBJ]

I hate that little car. However, it gets 30ish mpg, has a utilitarian interior, is a manual tranny, and has been dead reliable. Well, I guess the only bad part is people seeing me in it. But I tinted the windows to help.

I will remember to bring some uber liberal bumper sticker for the Matrix next time I come by.

 

[Scrub]

Scrub...... Why??

I wanted to donate a perfectly running Pontiac Grand Prix that was just taking up parking space to an animal rescue thinking that they should get at least 1k for it since bluebook was close to $1500. After patting myself on the back for thinking I was doing good for a lot of animals I contacted the charity to get a copy of the donation sum for my taxes, $60. What?! I asked what happened to the car? They sent it to an auction company and get a small piece of the sale price after towing and auction fees. I would have been better off selling it on CL. If it had sentimental i would've really been pissed for $60. So eveyrtime I hear/see those ads for "donate your car" it rubs me the wrong way knowing that its just a waste of money.

 

[profro]

I will remember to bring some uber liberal bumper sticker for the Matrix next time I come by.

You missed your chance. It was in the lions dens back in April. Don't you remember that Brooklyn-nite hit the hood with her bag when I tried to turn right at a cross walk.

 

[mantispf2000]

CJSP, thank you for the vote of confidence. Yes, I very well may have been able to do the job myself, however, my mechanic has worked on the van since new, and I feel confident with his work, and appreciate it being done right the first time.

Scrub, that is flat out wrong. I'd feel torqued, too, if all I received for a donation deduction was $60. The only car I've donated that way was the Cadillac my grandma gave us, and it went to the church that held Alaina's service. What ever they received, they deserved......