My wife has an '01 allroad 2.7t with 93k. It's paid for, but it is also at “that age”.

She has been visiting this forum a lot, but never joined. She loves car, but we are starting to have some issues:

Jan 09- $500 for a CV joint
Dec 09- $1,400 for CV, leaking air suspension, and unrelated dash led switch

Now, it's throwing codes for a bad catalytic (No, I don't have the exact codes, but I could get them.) Shop says just over $1k to replace.

Yesterday, the codes threw again after being cleared Monday, and after sitting in the heat, it started squealing/moaning when the wheel is turned anything more than a degree or so to the left. Regardless of speed, engine revs, or tire angle.

PS Fluid was just touching at the bottom of the dip stick. I am hoping the temp and front end work last month just let the fluid get low.

Also, it needs it's timing belt, $1k.

And it will need tires in a few months, brakes, etc.

It's rust free, but has some degraded rubber seals in the body seams. Otherwise, very clean body and interior. All maintenance performed, oil changed regularly with synth, driven moderately in manual suspension position two.

So why all this? We are $1,900 deep and looking at $2k plus repairs- all within 60 days.

She has read the turbo blows at 100k and costs nearly $10k. She has a laundry list in her head of very expensive things that could break.

As much as she loves the car, she is now scared of it.

What can we expect? Not WORST case scenarios, but some kind of probabilities?

For example, is it worth it to go another $2k into it, or is it 90% the turbo will blow in 7k miles?

I know these are hard questions to answer, but I would like a consensus of experienced voices to weigh in.

I feel that if we could get 20k miles out for $2k in plus consumables (oil, tires), that would be better than buying a new car.

But if we are in for an average $4k a year relationship, then maybe we should end it.

We have both searched this site a bunch, and the horror stories make us look lucky.

Eager to hear your thoughts.

 

Now, a tie rod, 450 in brakes and air injectors for the exhaust.

This car needs an additional 4-5K in retail labor and parts.

Not that anyone responded, but we pulling the plug on it.

 

Crap, I'm sorry I missed you.

You should've kept it. Yes, you had some things piling up, but the turbos were not one of them. The things you were doing would have gotten you another 100k out of the car - still cheaper than buying a used Kia. I'm missing where you came up with the 4-5k. I came up to about 2.

Seems to me the exhaust code was related to the air injectors (? did they mean EGT sensor?) not the cats. So you had:
$450 brakes and ?EGT?
$1k TB
$5 PS fluid
$500 tires

If you've still got it, keep it. ESPECIALLY since you already sorted the suspension!!!

 

You really need to learn how to be self sufficient with this car, or it will bankrupt you. Brakes are a single example: I just changed my rear brakes, including brand new rotors for $68! And it's easy! Air suspension ... same deal. For almost half the $ you mentioned, you can replace one left + right (front or rear) yourself. And it's easy!

I've almost traded mine in twice. Each time I couldn't pull the trigger. Enjoy it too much and keep hoping for good luck. Many of the items you mentioned are maintenance items and you shouldn't hold it against the car, although I understand they all add up!