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?
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.
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.