If you’ve just been in a collision, your first impulse is probably to get your car fixed. Hold on for just a second, though – is it really worth the cost of repairs? Ask yourself these questions to figure out whether a repair job is a smart move, or whether you should simply invest the money in a new car.
How new is your car?
If you have a car you’re still paying off that’s fairly new, a repair job is probably a good idea. The price of the repair will be only a fraction of the actual worth of the car, and it will keep you from paying off a vehicle you can no longer use.
If your car is a lemon, however, go look up the blue book value for a car of your make, model, and repair needs. Then go talk to a qualified collision repair shop and get the worst-case scenario cost for repairs (get the low-end cost too, just so you have an idea of the range). Compare the two. If the cost of repairs is more than the cost of the car itself, you’re probably better off scrapping that car and getting a new one.
How badly do you need your car?
In some cases, the repairs may be worthwhile simply because of the time factor. If the repair guy can have you up and running in a few days and you badly need your car to get around, that may be worth the investment. Though it’s true you’d probably be better off in the long haul getting a new car, that hardly matter when you can’t afford a new car and you can afford the repairs on this one – especially if time is a factor. If there’s not a new car in sight and you need a car to get to your job, do the repairs. There’s no arguing with necessity.
Has your car needed recent repairs?
If your car has been giving you trouble lately, has an engine knock, slips gears, or has a slight delay when you accelerate, you’re probably heading for a major repair. If you’ve needed other repairs in the past, consider how much money you’ve been sinking into this car and whether a repair job is worth the excess.
If there haven’t been any problems in the past or foreseeable future, go ahead and get the repairs, but ask the collision shop if they can check for any problems with the car’s structure that may have been caused by the crash. For example, your suspension may now be out of alignment. Fix it now and you’ll save yourself a lot of car trouble in the future – and a good collision shop should be able to save you that repair.
For a great collision shop that also gives in-house repairs like that one, check out Vinart Body Shop in West Chester, PA
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