Yesterday I put my car in the shop. Its get up and go got up and went. It would barely climb the hill leaving my house, and I figured crawling along a major street at 5 mph was not going to endear me to the Korean people. I know next to nothing about auto mechanics, but since the engine seemed strong I suspected a transmission problem, although it was not “slipping” when it shifted gears. Unfortunately my assumption was correct to the tune of 700,000 Won. I was also advised I had a broken motor mount which requires 100,000 Won.
So I paid $1000. for the car in January. It has 155,000 miles on the odometer. Do I invest another 800 bucks to put it back on the road? I could buy another hoopdee for less, but of course when you are dealing with vehicles in this price range it is always a gamble. I could just be buying another problem of similar magnitude. Since buying a new car is not an option right now (but I am lusting after that new Mustang), I have to decide what junk heap is the best bet.
I bought my car from a co-worker who moved to Japan. He had bought it new in the US back in 1993. It has a good body and interior. Tires are fine. So, if I look at this as buying a used car with a new tranny for $800, I would probably say ok. Decisions, decisions.
On the plus side, I will be walking to work for the next couple of days at least. Lord knows the exercise will do me good.
And finally, last night I actually won a league pool game. Broke a 3 week losing streak. Since my gracious teammates have come to expect so little from me, the rare victory is always sweeter. High fives all around.
So there you have a slice of my life in Korea. It’s a thrill a minute.
Many years of “Hooptie” experience in Korea taught me to never own an American car, and if my assumption is incorrect please excuse me. Anyway, I would fix the trannie and motor mount and immediately put that puppy up for sale, heavily emphasizing the work that has just been done.
If you know a Korean speaker have them help you and go to a Korean used car lot and pick up a 5 or 6 year old Hyundai. Reason being, Korean cars are relatively cheap to repair in Korea and the bigger models, i.e. Sonata, Grandeur ect. are dirt cheap and mechanicaly pretty reliable. I sound cold in reference to selling your car, but cars are like the card game “old maids” everyone passes them along as quick as they can to avoid loosing the game. Former Korean resident, 78-80 and 92-2000.
While I cannot speak towards anything Korea-specific, let me say that if the car is otherwise in good working order, I would say fix it. Any new purchase would be an unknown risk …
And I am also lusting after an 05 Mustang GT Convertible … mmmm
/TJ
After years of owning second-hand cars, I finally made up my mind to buy a new one after I retired from the military and got hired on in my new job. I decided on a Korean car (SM5) because an American car with the same options would have been twice as much and it would also have been more expensive to maintain over here.
Of course you’re in a different boat – you’re looking at short term whereas I was looking at long term since I’ll be here a while yet. When buying a used car, it is better to buy one on the local economy or from a Korean you know/trust vs. buying one from from a departing GI. As one of the above said, most of those cars have been passed down year to year and very few people take care of them, knowing it’s a temporary vehicle.
Hi – I’m waiting and wondering what you decided to do about the car! Thank you so much for leaving your comment on my blog. You’re right, I am feeling purdy lonesome these days, and I appreciate the fact that someone’s relating. So thank you.
Well, I fixed the car. It’s high mileage, so that’s a risk, but it was a one owner car brought from the states and reasonably maintained.
I’d love a new car though. If I had one I might actually venture out on the highways more. Then again, it is nice to have no payment and cheap insurance. And you can’t drive to Thailand….
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