My 91 Toyota Celica that I bought last year for $200 and has 223,000 miles is approaching it's first problem. The clutch is starting to slip. It's not bad right now, and only happens when the car is cold and it only happens in 3rd and 4th gear. I know that in the next 10,000 miles, it's going to need a clutch.
The car is physically in really rough condition, but mechanically has had a lot of work done to it (before I bought it...almost $1,100 worth) and it is very dependable. I even drove it from Mid-Missouri to Omaha, then to STL, then back to KC in one weekend, not even a hickup, and got 34 mpg. Mechanically, this car easily has the capability of reaching 300,000 miles.

SO, is a car like this worth putting a clutch into, or do I dump the car for $500 bucks? How much would a clutch cost in this car (2.2L 4 cyl)?
Is there anything I can do to minimize the cost of installing a clutch besides doing the work myself? (Im at college and I dont have the tools)

 

The perpetual problem with beaters -- knowing when to stop dumping money into them!

With most of my recent beaters, I have owned them since new, so I have a pretty good "feel" for when to stop throwing repairs at them. But with a car you've only owned for a short while it is obviously a more difficult proposition.

However, since your limited experience with the car seems to indicate that it is mechanically reliable, I don't know that I'd have that big of a problem dumping a few hundred bucks into a new clutch.

Besides, lets assume you do sell it for $500. What kind of vehicle are you going to be able to go out and buy with that kind of money? The answer: one that is probably going to require some repairs in the near future!

The way I see it, unless your telling me that you are now through with beaters and are going to upgrade, I'd rather repair the car I had rather than sell it and hope for the best with another beater.

 

I dont think Id be looking for another beater right away anyway if I dumped this car. Problem is, this car looks like s#it....I mean we've crashed thru entertainment centers with hit, one fender is orange thanks to my drunk roommate, my buddy ripped the spoiler off the back, so now it's just got flares on the back fenders where the spoiler used to wrap around, every body panel is dented/crushed/scratched, front bumper was ripped off last week when I was being pulled out of a ditch (thanks to 13" of snow)

But everything works great on it and I wouldnt hesitate to hit the road in it. It's even got new axles up front which would be an expensive repair I wouldnt have to make. Radiator is fine, tires are brand new, etc.

Only problem is I'm going to be starting full time work soon since I graduate next week and I think this car would be found offensive to any place of employment I choose. Should I care?

 

Not one damn bit.

 

If you're graduating that soon and will be starting a "real" job, I might be inclined to move on from the beater.

Let's face it -- one of the reasons you went to school and toughed it out until you graduated was so that you wouldn't have to drive cars like that all your life!

Now I'm not saying to go out and buy a brand new loaded 4x4 Lariat as your first vehicle out of school, but something that is clean and reasonably presentable would probably be in order. While driving a wreck like that is humorous in college, it's probably a little embarrassing when you're trying to impress the new boss, don't you think?

Just my .02......

 

I work with some people who make big bucks and drive beaters.
From your description they would trade with you straight up.

As far as being 'offensive', maybe if it was blowing smoke, extra loud, leaving stains in the parking lot or if your job somehow directly involves this vehicle.

But concern about driving an 'aesthetically' offensive vehicle? No way.

 

it's quiet, doesnt smoke, or make any other sounds,etc.
Ive still got my truck which is in great shape. I think Ill drive my truck for a while and once I get a little scratch in my pocket, Ill look for an older Civic/Celica,etc maybe for around 2 grand thats in decent shape.

 

Buy a haynes manual for $40 bucks and a cheap chraftsman tool set for 120 and do it yourself. Dont bother getting the throwout bearing or resurfacing the flywheel. Just get the clutch disk and do it yourself. Should be able to do it for less than 300 and learn something in the process

 

biggest mistake most kids make when they get their first job is going in debt buying a nice new car. Fix the beater, save up for your new car and dump as much as you can into a retirement account. Do it while your single, as its much easier.
Would you rather be crashing into ditches, entertainment centers, misc. other things in a nice car?
As far as impressing the new boss with a car, don't worry about it, at that point you already have the job and he probably wouldn't care what you drive as long as you do a good job on the job.

 

Hey Green
Does your school have any auto repair classes? Any nearby tech/votech schools? Lots of times they will do all the work for free if you buy the parts.
If not, I agree with Scott and fix it myself. 34 mpg is not going to be easily replaced

 

What kind of job will you have where your car will matter? Where I work, I could drive any car I wanted and no one would know the difference. If you are going to be entertaining clients or transporting co-workers then I can see how they might not be so excited in riding in that type of vehicle. Otherwise, you shouldn't really care what most others think.

 

First, Im extremely conservative with my money, and I dont plan on having a car payment for a long time. Plus, i already have my Ford truck (which is paid off), so the last thing I want is a car payment. I'm smart with my money.
I've got plenty of tools and ability to do the clutch myself, I was just seeing if you guys think it would be worth it or not. I couldnt care less about impressing people with what I drive because I know that it means relatively nothing, but some people see it as a serious thing.

Guess Ill go ahead and fix it...maybe myself

 

DIY the clutch. I have a 91 ford probe GT that's had a slipping clutch for like 40,000 miles. If you baby it it'll last longer. Don't stomp on the gas as much. I can make mine slip in higher gears, like 5th on the highway, drop a gear and it won't slip near as much. It's hard to baby a clutch when the car is a torquey turbo like mine, but I've done it.

 

Clutches aren't that hard to do. The hardest part for us was getting the transmission lined up properly. But then again, it was in a 1977 Chevy 4x4 with T-case. Damn thing weight about 800 - 1000 lbs