i am the orginal owner of my 1998 acura integra and this car has been so awesome to me. my issue right now is that i have major body damage to the right rear end/bumper and i don't know if i should fix it or not. the lowest estimate that i have received is about $2100, but i don't know if i should trade-in my car and use the money i would use to fix it and out it towards the down payment. it's been nice not having a car payment and i am the original owner, so i know everything about it. there are some mechanical things that i need to service, but that goes w/ a ten year old car.

i need some advice!!!
It makes total sense to work with the body damage i have to my wonderful car. even my 6year-old son loves our car...how can i get rid of it now!!!

thanks for your advice on this pressing issue that i have been dealing w/ since 2001.

If it's paid for, why get into another hole? I'd spend the $2100. The longer you keep a car the better off you are. If you're seriously thinking about a trade in, put back some $$$ and go from there, after you've had the repairs done. Besides, you already have the seats set the way you like.

I recently spent over $2,000 of my own money after the insurance company blew their $3,500 wad repairing my '66 Chevy Nova after a collision. They only allowed for painting one panel, I ante'd up to paint the whole car.

The difference is that my 40 year old steel-bumper pre-smog sled is appreciating in value, whereas your "ten year old car" is slipping like a fat lady on a greased pole.

You are at the point all car owners arrive at eventually. If you spend the $2,100, how much longer will you drive the car? Do you really like it THAT much?

It is nice not having a car payment, but HEY . . . $2,100 is a PAYMENT!

I made my decision 20 years ago. We bought a car we really loved, and have replaced the transmission once, the engine and paint twice, the upholstery 3X and the brakes, oil, tires, alternator, water pump etc. too many times to keep track.

Any car is an ongoing expense. The cheapest car is always the one you own now, if you can afford the occasional down-time.
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