Should I buy a new car? 98k miles

[Crispedoff]

So my little old car, 2006 plate with 98k miles has started to make a funny little noise. After a quick Google and a phonecall to a mechanically minded friend, it seems likely to be the timing belt that's gone. My friend said when you replace this it is likely that other connected components could need replacing to, so to budget for around £350.
My car passed its MOT in summer with a few advisories relating to the brakes, which I've had looked at since.

I'm currently saving for a house, and spending 5k on a car isn't ideal right now, although I would love a newer car.

So AIBU (or foolish) to fix my car, when it is so old and is worth £250 at resale value? Or should I repair the car I have so I don't put a hefty 5k dent in the house pot?
I'm just worried I'm throwing money away if it turns out I'll have to replace the car in the next 12months anyway, or that I'll be stuck in a panic trying to panic if I have a huge bill to foot if I suddenly need a new cat when we buy our first house next year.

Thank you, I really need to hear opinions on this one!

Should be 'suddenly need a new CAR'

I should have proof-read

What kind of car is it?
I'd be hesitant to get rid of it over a minor fix. Mine (same year) had the timing belt done last year and that was all that needed doing. It's got well over 140k miles on it and is running just fine.

My timing belt broke in the outside lane of the motorway. Car completely knackered, fortunately we were okay, so if you are going to replace it, do it soon!

It's a Kia picanto , so not really known for its longevity, but it's done great so far!

If your mechanic friend is reliable get it changed ASAP, if it just goes it will wreck the whole engine.

If this is the only major issue the vehicle has had in nearly 100,000 miles, yes I'd get it repaired.

And yes, agree with PP to have it fixed ASAP.

If a timing belt goes while you’re driving it will wreck the engine.
Happened to me and wrote the car off.

I’d not keep driving around in it at all either way.

It's only had wear and tear repairs; wheel bearings, brake pads and clutch at 70k.
I probably won't be able to get to a garage until next weekend, I'm worried it will snap in the meantime now

Repair a diesel; replace a petrol.

If the cost of the repairs is worth more than the value of the car, then personally I would get rid.

My last car was getting to the point where every MOT was costing me a few hundred quid. It was just throwing money into a bottomless pit.

You mustn't drive the vehicle at all, OP. Treat this as a non driveable breakdown. If the timing belt goes, the vehicle is dead.

If you have breakdown cover, I would call them and see if they'll tow it to the nearest garage. Otherwise, I'd call the garage you want to get it into and see if they can help you get it in.

They may even let you pay in installments if it's the money you are worried about. But please do not drive it.

Definitely don't drive it! Your engine will be fucked if the belt goes. If it's not a good time to part with a few grand for a new car then repairing it doesn't seem unreasonable, particularly given it doesn't sound like you've had to have much work done to the car to date.

I just replaced the belt on my otherwise reliable diesel 06 100k car. Got an eye watering bill - apparently they had to change water pump too. We were raging as bill was 3 times the verbal quote - about 4 times what the car is worth. We would have got rid and replaced if we'd known as we are only keeping the car while it's cheap to keep. We would prefer a tiny 1.1l run around and would rather have saved the money for a newer car. Now we will reluctantly keep it.

If the cost of the repairs is worth more than the value of the car, then personally I would get rid.
This is a simplistic calculation though. The resale value is irrelevant- except in an overall calculation of the total costs of staying mobile.

I would always repair. Everything else aside, it is way better for the environment.

OP is your Kia a first or second generation?
www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/70045/does-the-picanto-have-a-belt-or-chain-camshaft-

If it’s the chain then I wouldn’t worry about driving it. Chains rarely snap.

You mustn't drive the vehicle at all, OP. Treat this as a non driveable breakdown. If the timing belt goes, the vehicle is dead.

This.

Also as PP has said, because of the way the knee bone is connected to the thigh bone, it might be a sizeable job.

Do some research before you decide.

It's not just a 'it costs more than the car's resale value' consideration. It's also what the car is worth to you.

If the belt needs changing then it's normal practice to change the water pump at the same time, which is what pushes the cost up. I bought the parts on line for my car and a lad from a local car enthusiast club fitted them. It came to about 300 as opposed to the dealership who wanted 600.

First, I’d get a proper mechanic to actually look at the car, rather than rely on the guesswork of a mechanically minded friend over the phone and go from there.

Keep it.

I’d be inclined to replace at that age / mileage. You can get a decent little runner for less than 5k too - have a look at a Hyundai i10 for E.g.

98k miles these days isn’t that much. Get it repaired. It’s the best environmental option too.

If they cars near the 100k and needs a timing belt then I think it’s sensible to be looking and and considering a newer car. You said you had to change the clutch at 70k which is an expensive job and now the timing belt which is even more expensive.

I would stick it in a garage to get it looked at as it might not even be that. My car had an engine light come on last month (Rev counter wouldn't work and the smell of petrol in the car when I drove it to the garage was so throng I had to drive with all the windows down) some quick googling of my car make and model and symptoms suggested it would be the coil pack but it was actually the crank shaft sensor. Repair was about £200 cheaper that I was anticipating as it’s an easier job and a cheaper part to replace than a coil pack.

I would suggest getting it checked out properly before making a decision on repair or buying a new car. You might be surprised and it could just need a simple repair.

If the timing belt had gone you wouldn't be moving, The timing belt it worn. No other parts have been damaged yet (valves etc). Have the belt replaced, will be about £350.00. The car will be fine for the next week