Its a question of when do I take the plunge and get rid of the car. With each service some new incomprehensible bit needs replacing, so I say "I'll keep the car for another year now I've sunk the cost of a zingding spiffler into it". The problem arises that next year, while the zingding spiffler is still fine it's the wangle joint flanging seals that needs replacing, and they cost £300 a pop. So I shell out for these and then say "seeing as I've just bought new wangle joint flanging seals for it, I may as well keep it another year ..."
Better the Devil you know maybe??
Once you've replaced
all the sprocket wobblers, and left threaded valve compression differentials.. Then you've pretty much got yourself a new car.
Having said that, there's also throwing good money after bad...
In
my book once the body work is starting to cost big time, then its fond farewells.
A couple of years back. I was really lucky.
My ancient estate car was going to cost £500 to get thru Mot.. Neither too much, nor too little, to be able to make a decisive call on repairs.
Then, someone spotted me a bargain hatchback for £250 - 10 months mot,
And then unbelievably I sold the engine out of the old one for £180.
With cheaper tax and insurance for a smaller car, which was all I needed, I felt like a proper winner for once..
Just occasionally, things land sunny-side up..