2 vehicles not running, fix 1 sell 1:
got two vehicles that aren't running:
1999 Chevy Cavalier 2DR coup, 2.4 liter 4 cy with a blown engine-otherwise was clean & good before i took it to a neighborhood shop when it ran hot; they disconnected the O2 sensor(it never showed again when it ran hot) & guess that's how the cylinder got cracked. no blemish, spare never used
1984 Jeep Pioneer Wagon 4 sp, 4 cy, 4x4 with an unknown electrical issue=headlights blink on/off, radio in/out, dash lights flickered~no job/$ when that started so i parked it
i'm the 2nd owner of both cars, they've been sitting uncovered on concrete @ my home-no leaks...
so here's the question, which should i fix? i don't like power w/d & these provide roll ups...my affection is toward the Jeep but i can only afford to fix 1 & sell other...
Personally I would fix the Jeep. Jeeps are easily sell-able and have a huge following. Parts are easy to come by and given that it is just an electrical issue, it would be cheaper to fix.
How about selling both and using the cash and your repair money to buy something newer. In my area, scrap yards will pay $300 each and take them away.
sorry i beg to differ, the jeep no doubt has a lot more problems than just that as its an 84 and not a clean car,4x4 has lots more parts always breaking, the chevy will go anywhere the jeep will for daily use at less fuel also, to pay for the engine it needs,and a used engine is everywhere plus cavalier has a good resale also for this I say keep the chevy
Definitely sell them...as BOTH will continue to nickel and dime you. Replacing the engine on a less than stellar Cavalier isn't cost- effective and Jeeps (and any other Chrysler product) are money pits. Odd that you don't like power windows, but since you don't...you can try to get a base model stripper car, say a used Nissan Versa, Madza 3 or Honda Civic and have ONE reliable car that won't be a daily PITA.
I was thinking of the Jeep as a fun factor.. It is a 4x4.. And a Jeep.. But I guess if she is looking for a gas sipper then all of you guys options are good. Personally, I hate boring vehicles. Not to mention she could prolly fix the Jeep for not much more than what she would make selling the base model cavalier. It sounds like a loose ground anyway. It also may use more gas but there will be no car note +++.. And as far as repairs.. Unless she buys new.. She just inherits someone else's problems. Sometimes it is better to battle the demon you know.. That is just my opinion at least.
@Michael...I agree with you on not liking boring vehicles..I'm a driving enthusiast, so they go against the grain with me. I know nothing about Basmin, so I'm going to take a guess and say that having reliable transportation is first & foremost on her mind. Also, if you buy a used car with a good reliability track record, low miles AND a clean Car Fax from a reputable Dealer, you'll make out fine (Basmin..I highly recommend checking Consumer Reports for car reliability histories). With that said, she can have have a reliable and fun car with the Mazda 3...I had one as a rental...it's looks great, has a peppy 4 cylinder engine, and will not disappoint you by spending unnecessary time at the mechanic for BS repairs, like that old Jeep will.
I would fix the Jeep. Bog simple to work on, parts are plentiful and cheap, and with the 4 cylinder/5 speed, not too bad on gas. On the Jeep, when these symptoms happen, is it all the items blinking in unison? If so, I would suspect a ground problem in the dash wiring. The ground is likely loose, and making intermittent contact. May be as simple as tightening one screw, and cost nothing! Oh, and the 84 was before Chrysler got into the act, so you have the real Jeep parts on this one. Should be a rugged little truck. Also, there is only about 5 horsepower difference between the 4 cylinder and the 2.8 V-6 that was an option. Good luck.
sell both, the cavalier is a problem child and if the jeep had the 4.0 inline six it would be worth it but its not... the 4 cyl in the 4x4 wont get great gas mileage
gratitude for all guru responses! Michael Tutty is the winner for me on this; right now i'm paycheck2paycheck & i've never been 1 for a car note...i haven't been under the hood years now but i want something i can work with myself...the Jeep served well when i had to commute between St Louis & Knoxville so gas mileage was great, never really had affection for the Cavalier...B4 the Jeep the 1 i miss the most was my '70 Mustang rag top 3sp straight 6; parted much from my 1st car ('73 Mustang Grande 302) off on it. Talked to a guy here parting out a Jeep that will freshen mine up ;-) Racer_X; my odd electric thing came from a guy i knew who had a front end accident-electric shut down, couldn't open the doors/windows to get out & was burned alive in the car...seems electric is the 1st to go wrong in new 1's. a well maintained older vehicle where the engine isn't clamped down & stuck in sideways always more appealing to B! Scrap is $80@ton here so i'll try to sell Cavalier to someone who can drop an engine in it & go...i'll check back when funds allow me to start working on the 1958 Biscayne 4DR ;-) thanks again Car Guru's!!!
Glad to be of some help, Basmin...I'm sorry that incident happened to your friend...and I'm not sure how long ago nor what make/model of car that was. I can see that happening in a Yugo or the first Kias/Hyundais on the market (maybe even a Plymouth/Dodge product)....But I think that with today's stringent Government mandated safety measures on cars that your concerns may be displaced. Also, they do sell an inexpensive device to break the car window, if this should ever happen...see picture below..this device will cut a seat belt AND break a window. It's called "The Original Life Hammer" (Just something to consider).
With no electrical current, such as a damaged battery, the power locks should not be able to over ride the manual unlock. Also, on older fords, the lock is over-ridden by the inside door handle. Pull on it and the door unlocks. The Original Life Hammer is something everyone should have in their car, power locks and windows or not. Doors can jam shut, and all the unlocking in the world won't help. Glad I was able to help, with my suggestion above. Years ago I knew someone with one of those jeeps. It was great, if a little slow. Lasted seemingly forever, too.
Gratitude again to CarGuru guys wanted to give u the update: turns out a lot of guys in the area want me for my Cavalier body, its so clean i should get a good price...a book @ the library has 1999 Cavalier as a 'classic' worth $1932 in its condition(i won't be asking that much) my JEEP; after sitting 10 years started up strong on Saturday like just tune me & let's go!! best possibility from the car search weekend 1996 Geo Metro 4 cylinder 5sp clean as a whistle 181,000 miles...96 & 94 Jeeps to see before i decide...found an outstanding mechanic but i'll check back with this forum~especially during 1958 restoration time ;-)
thanks to Racer_X; if i end up with a power window deal i know the tool i need to keep in the ride!
My pleasure, Basmin! I really do hope you overcome your aversion to power window cars :) Are you SURE you really want a 70 HP Geo Metro 4 cylinder instead of a Jeep?? I remember back in the day...looking at the 1993 Geo Storm (kinda cool looking at the time)..but GM used super thin and cheap interior plastics (felt like if you slapped the dash with your wrist, you'd have a gaping hole) and a weak engine on that car...I ended up with a far superior car: 1993 Toyota MR2. In your case, I'd recommend the '96 or '94 Jeep ..it's a much more substantial vehicle...you'll be struggling to pass those itty-bitty Smart cars in the Geo...lol. Best of luck, whatever your choice though :)
i feel u Racer_X, a 96 Red Jeep Cherokee i saw Saturday was pretty to see & scary underneath-sounded like a small bird trapped under the hood while it was running. Scheduled to look@96 Jeep in my area & just saw a 94 Jeep Cherokee 5sp that got hit in our record snowfall today-tie rod bent on right side, body banged a bit asking $700...Hard to explain how i felt when my Jeep turned over so strong after sitting so long, anybody know how i feel?? my mechanic says if i don't find anything i like the ole' Tazmobile can be running in 2 weeks! Pulling out my Haynes repair manual, tool sack & gloves right now :-)
