So my car broke this morning..

[Cl0ak]

Nice way to wake up. I get up at 3:30AM and get ready for work, around 4:00am I go out to let the car warm up while I finish getting ready. Starts up and I walk in the house, on the way in I thought I heard it stall but than I listened and thought I heard it running still. Its a 2003 with 60k on it and i've been looking for a new F150 to buy, finally found one I was about to trade it in 3 days from now.

Finished getting ready and go outside it stalled. So I start it up again and the RPM's start dipping than it stalls, starts again and I move it off the hill figuring the clutch fluid just settled on the hill it happens sometimes. Move down the street it stalls and now it won't start again. Called my tow service they can't do anything until 8AM so its sitting on the side of a busy road right after a curve, tried to pop start it nothing will work. Checked the clutch fluid level its pretty low, I just replaced the master and slave so I don't see why it should be leaking.

Batterys dead now too. Had my father come over and we tried to jump start it, no dice. Won't even turn over. So now I had to call out of work, on top of having to repair this car I am missing a day of work and moneys already tight. Now I'm not going to be able to get my truck if this repair bill is too high. Wonderful morning. Oh and last week my wifes car broke down, fuel tank was leaking and cost me $571 in total. Hate owning cars.

*update*
Just got a call from the mechanic its $648.00 for the fuel pump.

[beef_bourito]

that's why i love my accord.

but that seriously sucks, hopefully the new one will last more than 4 years.

[Cl0ak]

Originally Posted by beef_bourito

that's why i love my accord.

but that seriously sucks, hopefully the new one will last more than 4 years.

Seriously considering an import at this point.

[Oz]

I'm really sorry to hear that mate It sounds like you're having a rotten day.What sort of car is it? What sort if your wife's?


What sort of reputation do they have for reliabilility?

[Cl0ak]

Originally Posted by Oz

I'm really sorry to hear that mate It sounds like you're having a rotten day.What sort of car is it? What sort if your wife's?


What sort of reputation do they have for reliabilility?

My car is a 2003 Chevy Cavalier, its okay but I mean its just a cheap built car. The fuel pump (after doing some research) turns out to be a flaw in the 03's and goes out right around 60,000 miles which is where its at now. Bought the car when I didn't have alot of money to spend and needed reliable transportation to work. Now that I have a better job and could afford a new vehicle I was trying to get into something a bit nicer, however this one is draining all my cash. Change the oil every 2500-3000 miles, tune up, all required service, don't beat on it or race it. I drive 30 miles to work each way and just expect it to get me there. Sucks for a car I bought new.

1.Master/Slave for the clutch due to a leak
2.Rotors
3.Gauge cluster is next its shot, speedo stops working in the cold
4.Fuel pump
5.Shifter nearly snapped in half, replaced with a b&m
6.Air vents broke while adjusting them (can you say cheap..)
7.Defroster for the windshield does not work
8.AIT sensor seems to be bad causes the car to shudder sometimes at stops
9.Sunroof came off track and jammed, I took it apart myself and found a screw sticking up through the tracks so I removed it and replaced one of the tracks it works now..

She has a 1992 Ford Tempo 4 door sedan picked it up for $2000 a while ago with 60k on it when her truck died. When I had the fuel tank fixed they told me that the car is in mint condition and appears to have been garaged and not driven very much. An old lady owned it before us and took care of it however the fuel tank rusting out in that spot is a weakness in that particular car. She doesn't drive much so its a good car for her but I just wish it would stay in one piece.

[clawhammer]

For cheap dependable transportation I'd seriously consider a Civic.

If you buy a set of tools and a service manual, you can save a lot of money.

[Steel]

The whole premise of being a 'cheap economy car' goes right out the window if the damn thing nickel and dimes you to death. Then again, fixing domestic cars isnt exactly cheap, as you've found out. Its a lot more expensive than people think, and they're suprised when they get the bill. 700 dollars for a freaking fuel pump my ass, that's stupifyingly expensive. I remember my 87 toyota pick-up's fuel pump went. 25 bucks and 15 minutes later, i'm back on the road.

And people wonder why the big 3 are going under.

[Cl0ak]

Yeah a new GM pump was $400, I should've picked up an aftermarket one I saw a price around $210 instead of $400. Its just a time situation, it broke early in the morning and I had already missed a day of work so I got it towed to my mechanic and told him to fix it ASAP he had it done by 6pm that night so I can't complain too much. Last time I changed a fuel pump was on a friends truck and it took us nearly the entire weekend and a case of beer.

After reading online that 54 people had the same problem with their 2003 at 60k I am suprised there wasn't a recall on this. Emailed GM, doubt i'll get a response but I saved the receipts of course. I had considered a Chevy Silverado/Colorado for my next vehicle, not anymore. Nissan Titan here I come.

[Steel]

No way, get one of the new Tundras!!

I can almost hear this thing growling at me.

[Fire-3]

Was it low on gas? That's what killed my Corsica's fuel pump

[Cl0ak]

Nope, had filled it up 2 days before that. Little over 1/2 tank still.

[Fire-3]

Yeah, what makes it such a pain is that the fuel pump etc. is INSIDE the tank. The people that did it ended up putting a hole in the tank.