Posted on: 06-07-09 09:45:27
Hi Guys,
I need your advice.
I was coming from NJ(USA) to Canada (Ottawa) and my car broke on highway in PA.
Car info:
Toyota Corrolla
1997
Non-AC
I bought in $5500 before 4 years
It was working fine. I had no problem at all in this 4 years.
While returning from USA, I saw engine oil light on/off and after some time noise was started. I check the engine oil but it was empty.
I bought engine oil from GAS station and fill it up (4 qt). Noise was still there. Not able to repair it because of Sunday.
Someone at Gas Station advice me to go slowly and take next major exit and you may find garage.
I drove on highway for next 5 km and car stopped. Something broken into engine and all oil came out on the road.
Police help me to get out to next exit (Motel location). Police called tow truck and guy towed my car to the Motel. That guy has
his own garage. He looked into car and he said it is engine problem. You have to replace the used/new engine. He told me the
cost will be around $1500 to $2000 for old engine and $2500 to $3000 for new engine but he can confirm only on monday.
It will take 2 to 3 days for repair.I saw myself engine oil was spread all over and oil was on the road and on his tow truck.
I thought not to spend this much money on this car. I also asked him how much will you give me if I want to sell it.
He said, I don't want to buy this car but I can ask someone else but they will not paid much. I asked him to
give me exact cost of repair on Monday (today) and how much I can get if I want to sell it?
I gave him my license to note down my name and address. He may have note down my license number. He has my contact number too. I have
his contact number and address.
I left the car on his garage and I travelled to Canada (Ottawa) with Taxi (It cost me $450 for 275 miles (one way)).
[I was not able to find rental car for one way from USA to Canada. Only National was ready to give me car from buffelo airport to
Ottawa airport which was wrong way for me. it would have cost me $210 CAD + Taxi from PA to Buffelo airport ($350 USD)]
I may be wrong but I doubt about it can be fix within $1000 without replacing engine. (doubt about something wrong with motor)
What should I do if it cost me $2000 to $3000 to fix? (In this case, I will have to travel back to pick my car from PA)
I had decided to sell it or donate it instead of spending this much money to fix it. So, I took number plates with me.
I have Road Side Assistantship from Canadian tire but I was not able to contact them using my cell phone. There was the message like "Number
is not reachable from your area". I have not paid anything to garage man. If I'll have to pay for tow my car, I can ask CT to refund that money.
OR Do you think I should tow my car to Canada (Ottawa). My membership expires on 17th july. I have gold membership and I think it allows me to tow
for 200 km.
I have third party insurance, I haven't talk to insurance company yet. (Waiting for estimation to fix and may have to stop insurance)
Do you think I can claim anything to insurance company?
Thanks in Advance.
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Success is Never Ending and Failure is Never Final.
Quote:
Originally posted by meitsme
Hi Guys,
I need your advice.
I was coming from NJ(USA) to Canada (Ottawa) and my car broke on highway in PA.
Car info:
Toyota Corrolla
1997
Non-AC
I bought in $5500 before 4 years
It was working fine. I had no problem at all in this 4 years.
While returning from USA, I saw engine oil light on/off and after some time noise was started. I check the engine oil but it was empty.
I bought engine oil from GAS station and fill it up (4 qt). Noise was still there. Not able to repair it because of Sunday.
Someone at Gas Station advice me to go slowly and take next major exit and you may find garage.
I drove on highway for next 5 km and car stopped. Something broken into engine and all oil came out on the road.
Police help me to get out to next exit (Motel location). Police called tow truck and guy towed my car to the Motel. That guy has
his own garage. He looked into car and he said it is engine problem. You have to replace the used/new engine. He told me the
cost will be around $1500 to $2000 for old engine and $2500 to $3000 for new engine but he can confirm only on monday.
It will take 2 to 3 days for repair.I saw myself engine oil was spread all over and oil was on the road and on his tow truck.
I thought not to spend this much money on this car. I also asked him how much will you give me if I want to sell it.
He said, I don't want to buy this car but I can ask someone else but they will not paid much. I asked him to
give me exact cost of repair on Monday (today) and how much I can get if I want to sell it?
I gave him my license to note down my name and address. He may have note down my license number. He has my contact number too. I have
his contact number and address.
I left the car on his garage and I travelled to Canada (Ottawa) with Taxi (It cost me $450 for 275 miles (one way)).
[I was not able to find rental car for one way from USA to Canada. Only National was ready to give me car from buffelo airport to
Ottawa airport which was wrong way for me. it would have cost me $210 CAD + Taxi from PA to Buffelo airport ($350 USD)]
I may be wrong but I doubt about it can be fix within $1000 without replacing engine. (doubt about something wrong with motor)
What should I do if it cost me $2000 to $3000 to fix? (In this case, I will have to travel back to pick my car from PA)
I had decided to sell it or donate it instead of spending this much money to fix it. So, I took number plates with me.
I have Road Side Assistantship from Canadian tire but I was not able to contact them using my cell phone. There was the message like "Number
is not reachable from your area". I have not paid anything to garage man. If I'll have to pay for tow my car, I can ask CT to refund that money.
OR Do you think I should tow my car to Canada (Ottawa). My membership expires on 17th july. I have gold membership and I think it allows me to tow
for 200 km.
I have third party insurance, I haven't talk to insurance company yet. (Waiting for estimation to fix and may have to stop insurance)
Do you think I can claim anything to insurance company?
Thanks in Advance.
It looks like engine run out of the oil; during the last oil change they didn’t fill it enough.
It would be best to sell the car as it, because engine and repair cost is minimum @ 3000 US $ and you will not able to sell it in this price.
If you donate you will get nothing (may be some tax benefit), it could some mechanic will buy it @ for 500 to 750 US$ for spare parts.
Where in PA your car is located it is on 81 or 90?
Parth
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"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win" - Mahatma Gandhi
It was broke on I-81.
I know I'll not get even $500 for this car from this garage man or someone else.
If anybody would be ready to buy it in few hundreds, he will ask first my ownership paper first? Should I send him ownership paper?
Is it possible the garage man will charge me for keeping my car in his garage?
(We had no discussion about it. I have not given my credit card info. He may have my license number.)
Is it okay to give up the car and forget it without doing any legal process?
Should I use my number plates for new future car? OR Do I need to submit to MTO?
Thanks
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Success is Never Ending and Failure is Never Final.
Also, I am looking for list of 6 or 7 seater cars. (Prefer 6 seaters)
Please let me know +ve and -ve of those cars if you have an experience.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Success is Never Ending and Failure is Never Final.
I can completely relate with you. Coincidentally my car too broke down last week with a broken timing chain in the engine. Except that I was about 70 kms from home so I could get it towed back to my mechanic. It is a big pain to not have car and at the same time have to move around looking for a new car.
I traded my car for an another preowned. Not that I got much for my old car.
Quote:
Originally posted by Iceberg
I can completely relate with you. Coincidentally my car too broke down last week with a broken timing chain in the engine. Except that I was about 70 kms from home so I could get it towed back to my mechanic. It is a big pain to not have car and at the same time have to move around looking for a new car.
I traded my car for an another preowned. Not that I got much for my old car.
bye the way which year of car you have it? bcos whatever i know timing chain is last long items would not break very quickly.
May be i am wrong.......
Guys,
I got estimation of USD 1300 for replacing used engine. It includes $75 for Towing expense (not sure but I may get this refund from Canadian tire) + oil + filter + Tax.
I'll have to spend around $200 for pick up the car from PA to Ottawa. So total cost would be $1500.
What do you suggest?
Should I fix my car and use it for next couple of year?
I'll have to decide today. Your opinion will be appriciated.
Thanks,
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Success is Never Ending and Failure is Never Final.
