Hey All!
First off, love this forum. I grew up tinkering with car with my dad, and now understand why he was always looking on forums for stuff!
I'm in quite a complicated situation with lots of variables, so bear with me here. I'll try to keep it short, but I'm mainly looking for opinions on what you think the best coarse of action would be, knowing that each one has unique pros/cons.
Right now, I have a 2010 Forester AT non-turbo (not sure on actual model. quick tip on figuring that out would be also appreciated :wink2: ). She has just over 190k on her right now; I bought her used at around 120k a few years ago. I've done most of my own oil changes and the head gasket has a small oil leak on the driver side.
Earlier last year, took her to a shop, whom I use regularly and trust, just north of Seattle for some routine stuff and to replace the head gasket. They actually suggested that they look into a noise coming from the transmission (which i knew about and was annoyed by but ignored it for the most part). Turns out the pinion bearing and gear on the front diff were wearing at a more than normal rate and were causing the noise. An expensive repair later, Scuby was nice and happy again. but still had a slow leaking head gasket. Not even a month ago, I was driving down from Stevens Pass and the noise (which slowly was coming back) suddenly got really aggressive to the point where I took her back to the shop on the way home. They took apart the front diff again and the pinion bearing was suspect again, this time with a roller or two that were sideways in the bearing itself. Luckily, all this was was under warranty still.
So here we are today, approaching 200k. If money was no issue, i'd have the shop replace the gasket with a 6star and a few other components since the engine will be apart (timing belt, water pump, some hoses, etc) and drive off into the sunset ready to go another 100k+. Now, I don't need the repair done right now, but it will need to be soon. We all know $ doesn't grow on trees, and although I am pretty good with my hands and repairing stuff, ive never removed an engine or anything big like that. I also would need a reliable form of transportation IF i were doing the repair myself. Anyway, the way I see it, i have a few options.
Current plan: bite the bullet have the shop repair the head gasket and strategic "under the hood" components; upgrade stuff for fun (suspension, lights, etc.); plan on driving car for a long time.
Reasoning: I don't really want to get another used vehicle--i'd just be buying more problems, plus dont have the money for that either. I also still owe a little bit on the car. On a good day, I could only sell it for maybe $6500 after the repair. I need a AWD or 4x4 for driving up to the pass (I work there part time) and I strongly prefer an SUV for my dog and gear for all of my hobbies. I have a motorcycle, which I am planning on selling to help pay for this repair (or payoff debt in general) plus riding a street bike in the winter is a lot more dangerous. I could lesson the cost of the repair by replacing parts myself, but either I or the shop would be redoing some work (fluids, removal, etc). The shop does have a limited warranty with their repairs (so far, good experience with that!).
Worries: something will happen to the transmission again (which I hate having only a 4 speed). finances (duh). something out of the blue will need replacing sometime soon. the repair will cost more based on what the engine and components look like when they take it apart.
Other considerations: dropping a crate motor in. buy an older, cheaper one with the head gasket already done. sell it as is and find a cheaper car to get me by for a while. buy a 4x4 to work on. probably had other thoughts too.
Guess that wasn't very short... Oh well.
Thoughts?
First off, love this forum. I grew up tinkering with car with my dad, and now understand why he was always looking on forums for stuff!
I'm in quite a complicated situation with lots of variables, so bear with me here. I'll try to keep it short, but I'm mainly looking for opinions on what you think the best coarse of action would be, knowing that each one has unique pros/cons.
Right now, I have a 2010 Forester AT non-turbo (not sure on actual model. quick tip on figuring that out would be also appreciated :wink2: ). She has just over 190k on her right now; I bought her used at around 120k a few years ago. I've done most of my own oil changes and the head gasket has a small oil leak on the driver side.
Earlier last year, took her to a shop, whom I use regularly and trust, just north of Seattle for some routine stuff and to replace the head gasket. They actually suggested that they look into a noise coming from the transmission (which i knew about and was annoyed by but ignored it for the most part). Turns out the pinion bearing and gear on the front diff were wearing at a more than normal rate and were causing the noise. An expensive repair later, Scuby was nice and happy again. but still had a slow leaking head gasket. Not even a month ago, I was driving down from Stevens Pass and the noise (which slowly was coming back) suddenly got really aggressive to the point where I took her back to the shop on the way home. They took apart the front diff again and the pinion bearing was suspect again, this time with a roller or two that were sideways in the bearing itself. Luckily, all this was was under warranty still.
So here we are today, approaching 200k. If money was no issue, i'd have the shop replace the gasket with a 6star and a few other components since the engine will be apart (timing belt, water pump, some hoses, etc) and drive off into the sunset ready to go another 100k+. Now, I don't need the repair done right now, but it will need to be soon. We all know $ doesn't grow on trees, and although I am pretty good with my hands and repairing stuff, ive never removed an engine or anything big like that. I also would need a reliable form of transportation IF i were doing the repair myself. Anyway, the way I see it, i have a few options.
Current plan: bite the bullet have the shop repair the head gasket and strategic "under the hood" components; upgrade stuff for fun (suspension, lights, etc.); plan on driving car for a long time.
Reasoning: I don't really want to get another used vehicle--i'd just be buying more problems, plus dont have the money for that either. I also still owe a little bit on the car. On a good day, I could only sell it for maybe $6500 after the repair. I need a AWD or 4x4 for driving up to the pass (I work there part time) and I strongly prefer an SUV for my dog and gear for all of my hobbies. I have a motorcycle, which I am planning on selling to help pay for this repair (or payoff debt in general) plus riding a street bike in the winter is a lot more dangerous. I could lesson the cost of the repair by replacing parts myself, but either I or the shop would be redoing some work (fluids, removal, etc). The shop does have a limited warranty with their repairs (so far, good experience with that!).
Worries: something will happen to the transmission again (which I hate having only a 4 speed). finances (duh). something out of the blue will need replacing sometime soon. the repair will cost more based on what the engine and components look like when they take it apart.
Other considerations: dropping a crate motor in. buy an older, cheaper one with the head gasket already done. sell it as is and find a cheaper car to get me by for a while. buy a 4x4 to work on. probably had other thoughts too.
Guess that wasn't very short... Oh well.
Thoughts?
