This has been a debate for donkey years to know which is preferable, a new engine for an old car or a new car? The decisions people made revolve around many factors like cost, maintenance, registrations, side effects, and many others.
The entire thoughts jingle around which is more favorable than the other. Maybe you’re also in this feeling, ready to decide between getting a new engine for your old car or getting a new car instead. So, is getting a new engine like getting a new car?
Getting a new engine is not like getting a new car and can never be. This is because, while getting a new engine is cheaper, buying a new car saves you the stress of maintaining the old parts of the old car.
Is it worth putting an Old engine in an old car?
Now, let’s assume your engine just blew up and it’s your favorite car, you love it so much but you wonder if it’s a wise decision to get an old engine to replace the damaged one, probably because you can’t afford to get a new one.
It isn’t bad to cut down costs. I agree with your feeling of wanting to minimize expenses but looking beyond the replacement, is it truly worth it?
An old engine is called “old” because it isn’t new anymore and it has been in use for some couple of months or years, this means its life span is drastically calling back to being dead.
The price of obtaining a new engine rotates from around $3,000 to $5000 depending on what model of the car you drive.
Let’s assume half of the price can get you an old engine, which is about $1,500 to $2,500. You can only say it is worth it when you’re able to enjoy the benefit of the amount you have spent.
An old engine cannot function like a new one because it has lost some of its efficiency as it has been used before. Putting an old engine in an old car is more like adding a little pepper to an already peppery food, it only makes matters worst. It’s a terrible combination and you shouldn’t do it.
An old engine if you’re lucky might last you for a while but eventually, it will cost you more to maintain because engines or any part of a car doesn’t have the tendency to be immortals, which means they depreciate in value with time.
If you buy an old engine with a depreciating value, it will only keep depreciating and you’ll continue to spend to ensure it stays alive.
Avoid it as much as you can.
Is Getting A New Engine Like Getting A New Car?
Getting a new engine is nothing like getting a new car; they both have different costs and variables. The question is from a mind that is hoping to make a decision and placing his cards on the table, checking which is more favorable.
To know which is more favorable in getting a new engine for your old car, your car with a damaged or knocked engine, or getting a new car will require you to shuffle every variable you can. A major question you should ask is:
Is My Engine Repairable?
First, we need to consider if the engine is repairable or not. Anytime your engine gives you a problem, there are three things you can consider, they are:
It Maybe Needs A Maintenance
Maintenance as the name implies is just procedures implemented to prevent the worst from happening. Car owners make these moves quickly whenever their vehicle begins to show signs of some engine parts wanting to fail, if these signs are quickly discovered, it is easy to maintain with some preventive measures without having to do a repair.
To maintain doesn’t cost much, all you need to do is to drive it to your mechanic to have it checked so he can prevent greater damages from happening.
Some Part of the System Needs a Replacement
Now possibly you didn’t pay attention to the signs your car has been displaying for quite some time and it has advanced from being able to do some petty maintenance to fix a part of the engine, this will cost more than the earlier mentioned.
But, you’re still lucky that it’s repairable, though might cost you some money but you rest assured that it can be fixed.
Most times you can relate this damage to a replacement of a belt or hose or a further problem like a faulty transmission radiator.
Whatever the problem is, the clear fact is that it is repairable and it will only you cost you more than periodic Maintenance.
The Entire System Needs A Replacement
Now, maybe the problem has gone beyond the petty repairs that have been mentioned so far, possibly you have a blown engine that can’t be repaired anymore. You will need to replace the old one with a new one to be able to use your car.
A new engine could cost about $4,000 depending on what model of the car you are using. Now that you know what it takes to repair or replace a damaged engine, comparing it to getting a new car is way out of the league.
A new car possibly has a cost of about $40,000 at the least. Having it compared to $4,000 is a lot of money.
Though the benefits are visible, a new car gives you a new feel; it’s still sparkling and running at the best speed ever.
All of these are juicy but a new engine isn’t as bad as well, because the engine is the powerhouse of the vehicle so if the powerhouse is strong so is the vehicle.
If you have the purchasing power, a new car can be the best for you, but if you don’t have enough for a new car, ensure you get a new engine from reliable sources to avoid telling the same story all over again.
Can My Car Maintain A New Engine?
A new engine in an old car doesn’t sound too well. Maybe you’ve used your car for 5 years and it finally has its engine blown off; you might want to get a repair and finally get to know that all you would need to do is to replace it with a new one.
Replacing isn’t bad but considering the car’s condition; appearance is it worth a new engine? If it is, you can go ahead with getting yourself a replacement.
Replacing a car’s engine is nothing like getting a new one; each of them comes with different conditions and purchasing power. Find the one that best describes you and use it.
Pros Of Putting A New Engine In An Old Car?
Paying less focus to the mechanical barriers to what a new engine will function like in an old car, there are also some interesting benefits available for you, here are a few.
1. Your Insurance Premium Will Not Increase
Unlike getting a new car, you get to pay some insurance fees, which are most times higher than what you have been paying before but if you put a new engine in an old car, you pay the same insurance coverage you have been paying since when you had your car because it is considered the same car and not a new one.
2. There Will Be No Increase In Your Registration Fees
Every new car needs to be registered with the DMV in your state, you will need to pay some fees to drive it all around, and sometimes it is always higher than the previous amounts you paid, though the increase isn’t much it is something.
Having a new engine in an old car will not need an increase in a car registration fee. There’s always a warranty to keep you safe if you got a new engine, there is always a warranty of 3 years.
With this, you’re also safe and able to use your car as you want to without fear of reoccurring maintenance costs at least not within the warranty period.
Cons of Putting A New Engine In An Old Car?
We just concluded the good side to having a new engine in an old car; let’s also consider a few setbacks.
1. It’s Expensive To Getting A New Engine
The car’s engine is highly priced and you must be ready for it. If you’re not financially ready this can be the milestone you really want to avoid as there can be an even higher price if your car will also require a modification after a replacement.
If the engine is replaceable, it is advisable to settle for that if you don’t have the purchasing power.
2. You Can Damage The Car
A new engine needs professional fixing, if it is done wrong may cause a transmission problem which is an additional cost to the previous expenses. It is important if you choose to change the car engine that you have it done by professional mechanics.
Common Problems After Engine Replacement
Sometimes you can be lucky to have a perfect replacement but most of the time, there is always an error when a replacement is done, some common errors you should look out for are:
1. Check If The Oil Filter Is Working Well
The oil filter prevents dirt and impurities from the engine, sometimes after a replacement, errors always show forth from this angle which will require you to monitor properly if too many impurities are let into the engine it will reduce the performance of the engine.
2. The Engine Light Is Probably Still On
The check engine light isn’t expected to come on after a replacement has been done but if the engine light comes up, it means there is an error made while the replacement is being carried out and it must be attended to before you continue to use the car.
3. Leakage Underneath The Vehicle
A mistake can happen, maybe during the replacement some parts were left open or some parts got broken and starts to leak out, it is a danger to you and the car itself. If you notice this, you’ll need to return to the mechanic to do proper work on it.
There are other common problems you can consider, such as the color of the smoke from the exhaust, if it’s clear smoke you’re safe, if it isn’t it means there is a problem.
After a replacement, it isn’t a time to jolly away in excitement; it should be a time to watch closely how your car is performing to discover if there are still places to be touched.
Conclusion
A new engine or a new car should be a decision you make by yourself but before you choose ensure the variables explained are considered to avoid unwanted experiences.