Looking for advice

[kjmiles]

Usually, I would never do this, but I'm thinking economically and wanted someone to talk me down. I've got a 2003 Avant 1.8T with 131K that I've kept in pretty good condition. I always do my maintenance and take care of problems that arise quickly. I have a broken rear spring, a leaking rear caliper, and need to get my clutch done. The car runs very well and I have loved it since it was new almost 14 years ago. I'm inclined to do all of this work even though it will probably set me back about $2,000. On the one hand I think that I couldn't get a car like this for $2,000. On the other hand I think that I could take that money and start leasing a new VW or something for almost a year. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
KJ

[old guy]

Can you do any of the work yourself? You can pick up a rear caliper and rear spring for well under $100. A valeo clutch kit can be had for under $400. You should be able to find someone to replace the clutch for $600→$800 labor.

If your car is in good shape other than the aforementioned issues and you still enjoy driving it I would say make the repairs. Once repaired you should be good to go without an added monthly lease or loan payment.

[Furly]

It blows my mind how people think its logical to buy a new car VS maintain their current.

Maintaining your car = roughly $1k a year average
New car payments = $500 a month average

That means $6000 a year not including the higher insurance cost for a new car.

Not only that, but you dont own the car. The bank owns it til you pay it off.

I see so many people complain that their 10 year old car needs maintenance and that they want to sell it and buy a new car lol.

[Northern_B6]

It blows my mind how people think its logical to buy a new car VS maintain their current.

Maintaining your car = roughly $1k a year average
New car payments = $500 a month average

That means $6000 a year not including the higher insurance cost for a new car.

Not only that, but you dont own the car. The bank owns it til you pay it off.

I see so many people complain that their 10 year old car needs maintenance and that they want to sell it and buy a new car lol.

For some it's simply the idea of not having to wrench on your car or worrying "what's the next thing I'm going to have to fix?".

From a financial standpoint you're spot on. I would much rather pay minimal insurance and make $0 in payments every month towards my vehicle.

[old guy]

For some it's simply the idea of not having to wrench on your car or worrying "what's the next thing I'm going to have to fix?".

From a financial standpoint you're spot on. I would much rather pay minimal insurance and make $0 in payments every month towards my vehicle.

Reliability is certainly a factor. If I read KJ's post correctly he has owned his B6 since new. He has fairly low mileage for an '03. If he has properly maintained his vehicle (and he indicates that he has) there is no reason why he can't get 75→100k more reasonably trouble free miles out of it.

A leaking rear caliper is no big deal. I replaced both of my front calipers earlier this year because the boots had deteriorated and rusted the pistons. I believe I paid around $70 for two OEM rebuilds from Rockauto. A clutch replacement at 131k is also pretty normal. Typically you don't hear of suspension springs breaking but a used one can be picked up for $25. Again, no big deal.

[BumblebVR6]

Usually, I would never do this, but I'm thinking economically and wanted someone to talk me down. I've got a 2003 Avant 1.8T with 131K that I've kept in pretty good condition. I always do my maintenance and take care of problems that arise quickly. I have a broken rear spring, a leaking rear caliper, and need to get my clutch done. The car runs very well and I have loved it since it was new almost 14 years ago. I'm inclined to do all of this work even though it will probably set me back about $2,000. On the one hand I think that I couldn't get a car like this for $2,000. On the other hand I think that I could take that money and start leasing a new VW or something for almost a year. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
KJ

Is the spring an oem spring KJ?

[eljay]

Rear calipers are not bad to fix. If you can check where it's leaking, you could even just replace the seals if you really want to save $. That's what I did, but as OG points out above, a reman caliper is so cheap, it's not worthwhile rebuilding your 132k old one. The other side is usually not too far behind, so for $70, I'd replace both. I am a complete newbie at this and learning as I go. If you need any pointers for the rears, I would be happy to share my trial and tribulations to get you ready. But it sounds like you're way ahead of my knowledge since you've maintained your car for 14 years.

I would be curious if it's possible to replace clutch on my own as that's something I need to do eventually as mine is nearly worn (175k!).

Financially, I've poured thousands into my B6, which I've owned for only a year, so I better hold on to it for a while as no one will pay me back what I've put into it. The only issue is the reliability and downtime and I agree there that it sucks having to park your daily driver for a couple of weeks while I learn and sort things out. But I love the learning process. My wife, not so much, but she loves the car and wouldn't want to drive anything else, so I do get (some) support.

[kjmiles]

I knew that this would gather some quick response! Let's see if I can answer some of the questions. I'm handy to a degree (fixed all of the stereo stuff in the back and front, glove box, swimming fuse in ECU, wiper transmission, lots of little wiring and bulb issues, all the normal maintenance stuff, etc.) but I'd rather not do any of these things myself. I have two mechanics who are pretty honest. I was told by one mechanic that he can only get the springs OEM and are $128 each. The caliper is remanufactured.
Regarding Furly's comment, I'd just say that I'm all for fixing my car. I think what I meant is what's the breaking point? Yeah, it is a "what's the next thing" for me. I've only every broken down once and that's because of the water pump going. I had it towed so as to not take any chances. Plus my wife drives it. She's the reason why the clutch didn't last longer, but she swears she's a "good driver."
And I would disagree on the $1K a year on this car in maintenance. Maybe more like $1,500-$2,000 depending on what I can do myself. And paying $500 in new car payments? I'm not getting a luxury vehicle, that's for sure. I guess it's perspective. But point taken on having $0 car payments and higher insurance. I'm a teacher and I get all the work I can on both cars (2009 Jetta) done in the summer so neither of us is inconvenienced. Good posts. Keep 'em coming!

[Furly]

Uhh a regular audi a4 brand new will cost you $750 a month in payments alone
Thats for a base model
Tack on insurance and you are dipping into paying as much as your b6 would cost in yearly maintenance, for a monthly car payment on a car you dont own.

Its simple. But im just being honest.

[kjmiles]

No, you're right Furly. I was lucky enough to inherit money when I bought this one. I'd be more in the "$199 to lease a Golf or Jetta" territory. Plus I don't have a job at the moment.

[BumblebVR6]

Is the spring an oem spring KJ?

Not sure if you saw this. I'm asking because I have my oem springs as well as as a set of H&R sport springs and Konis FSD shocks for sale if interested.

[texasboy21]

If your constantly chasing a problem thats one thing (time is money), but once things like the axles, control arms, brakes, suspension components, vac lines, engine sensors, etc. have all been serviced/replaced, the car doesnt cost much to own on an annual basis.

Its just pricey getting to that point..

[BumblebVR6]

If your constantly chasing a problem thats one thing (time is money), but once things like the axles, control arms, brakes, suspension components, vac lines, engine sensors, etc. have all been serviced/replaced, the car doesnt cost much to own on an annual basis.

Its just pricey getting to that point..

Well said. The 1.8T is a pretty simple motor as well and lots of info out there about it in the archives if a problem arises. Kind of like my other car, a MK3 Gti VR6, I've had everything in that car apart so many times and just nice to drive a car you can maintain yourself for the most part.

[kjmiles]

If your constantly chasing a problem thats one thing (time is money), but once things like the axles, control arms, brakes, suspension components, vac lines, engine sensors, etc. have all been serviced/replaced, the car doesnt cost much to own on an annual basis.

Its just pricey getting to that point..

I'll echo texasboy21 as well. I've had very few ghost chasings thanks to forums. Even the dealership tried to steer me wrong when my fans went ballistic. Caused by water getting into a crack in the ECU housing. $50 relay and some ABS shaping and voila. They said it was the fan control module and wanted to charge me over a grand. Cracked thermostat housing was a ghost as well, but again, forums helped me diagnose that. Thanks for the offer, BumbleVR6. They're already in transit. Having them replaced Tuesday along with the caliper.

[eljay]

If your constantly chasing a problem thats one thing (time is money), but once things like the axles, control arms, brakes, suspension components, vac lines, engine sensors, etc. have all been serviced/replaced, the car doesnt cost much to own on an annual basis.

Its just pricey getting to that point..

Amen.


Basically, once you replace everything on the car, there's not much more to replace on it. lol

[kjmiles]

Never had the axles replaced. Yet.....