Hello! I got Mazda MPV 2000, 118k miles, has been sitting in the garage for the last 5 years, after the alternator died. Now I'm thinking of fixing it, but it seems rusty. Do you think it is worth it?

The local mechanic said I have to tow it for him to take a look, which is costly.

Please take a look:



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Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise!

 

I am no expert and hopefully an expert will follow. I am, however, someone who lives in Central PA (York County). The rust looks typical for cars in our area. I wonder about the rest of the vehicle. I suspect you will need new tires due to their age. I would be concerned about the fuel system after being parked for that long. It may need a lot of engine work. Combined, the cost is likely in excess of the value. I would want to have a mechanic look it over and give you a full assessment before you spend much money on it.

Ask your neighbors if they know of a good mechanic or even someone who fixes their own cars. Hopefully someone would be willing to stop by and look it over.

 

Thank you very much for your reply! I sent the pictures to the mechanic and he said the same thing -- not too bad, in other words. I had it towed to him and he's looking at it. Thanks again

 

Make sure you get an estimate for everything it needs and a list of what can be deferred till later.

Now may be the time that so many of us miss, the day before you spent more than the car was worth to repair. Most of us regret spending thousands on a car worth hundreds and keep finding ourselves with just a few hundred more to fix it the next time and the next time and so on.

 

For a car thats around 20yrs old its retail value in good condition is about $3000. Looking at your pictures you could be paying upwards of $1500 / $2000 in repairs and preventive maintenance to make it road legal and reliable.

In my 20+ yrs automotive experience, scrap it.