Should I keep fixing my 2008 Ford Focus or just move on?

Here’s what I’ve done to my 2008 Ford Focus so far:

Repairs and Maintenance:

  • Tensioner pulley replacement: $100
  • Serpentine belt: $67 (First belt got sliced by the water pump pulley when it slipped off :sob:)
  • Front windshield: $298 (Pebble cracked it, turned into a 7.5-inch crack in 3 days)
  • Front brake pads: $57 (Coworker fixed it for me)
  • Front tires: $120
  • Windshield wipers: $18 (I did this myself)
  • New battery: $110

Current Problems:

  • Passenger-side brake pads weren’t installed correctly
  • Calipers are leaking
  • Brake hose needs replacing
  • Needs a tune-up
  • High RPMs at low speeds and a ‘droning’ noise after driving 40+ minutes above 60mph
  • Slow acceleration from a full stop

I bought the car for $2,500, and while it’s a bit crappy, it’s been mostly reliable. I make about $600 every two weeks, and I’m on a tight budget. I used to DoorDash, but now I’m scared to drive it, especially in the rain. Should I keep fixing it, or is it time to start looking for another car? Also, can this car handle a 4-6 hour round trip if I don’t fix the brakes first?

Honestly, this is normal maintenance for a 15-year-old car. With older cars like this, expect to spend money on fixes once or twice a year.

Yeah, these aren’t serious issues. Just normal wear and tear for its age.

Lin said:
Yeah, these aren’t serious issues. Just normal wear and tear for its age.

Do you think it’s safe to drive on a 4-6 hour round trip? I have a dentist appointment two hours away and want to see a friend nearby, but I’m nervous about the brakes and leaking calipers.

Is there any rust? If it’s clean, it can still be reliable. But even in good shape, a 2008 Focus is only worth around $4k, so it’s not worth dumping a ton of money into.

Merit said:
Is there any rust? If it’s clean, it can still be reliable. But even in good shape, a 2008 Focus is only worth around $4k, so it’s not worth dumping a ton of money into.

Exactly! I’m basically living paycheck to paycheck and also need to save for a vet trip. I can’t afford to keep sinking money into this thing.

@Joey
Unfortunately, repairing this car will likely still be cheaper than buying a different one.

With your budget, buying another car isn’t a realistic option. Anything you could afford would probably have just as many issues, if not more. These cars are known to be reliable if maintained, and parts for them are cheap. Stick with it, fix what you can, and try to save a bit of money for future repairs so it’s less stressful when something else comes up.