DEAR CAR TALK: I have a 2010 Ford Ranger that I use as a second vehicle. It's also on the "friends and family plan." It seems everybody needs help with a pickup now and then. It has only about 12,000 miles and probably is not going to get many more per year. I have the oil changed about every 18 months or 2,500 miles. Now the dealer wants to start changing the fluids. Which ones are the most important and would be cost-effective to have done? I am 75 years old and will need the truck for another five years or so, but I do want it to be dependable for that time. What fluids should I have changed, and which ones can I let slide?
-- Mike
DEAR MIKE: My pickup truck was on the "friends and family plan," too. That's why I got rid of it. It seemed like every weekend I had to help some distant acquaintance move a refrigerator.
Anyway, at 75, I'd be more concerned about getting your fluids checked than this truck's. I don't think you need to change any of them, except maybe the brake fluid.
Brake fluid can attract water over time, and that can lead to rusty, and then leaky, caliper pistons and wheel cylinders -- especially when combined with infrequent use. So after six years, I'd say a brake-fluid change is a good idea.
Other than that ... I'd probably change the oil and filter once a year instead of every 18 months.
But things like coolant, differential fluid and transmission fluid probably all are good for 100,000 miles on this Ranger. And at the rate you're adding miles to this truck, you won't get there until 2085. So, in 2085, change everything.
But given your super-low mileage, the only fluids you should need to worry about for now are brake, gas, oil and windshield washer.
DEAR CAR TALK: I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible with about 99,500 miles. A few thousand miles ago, the transmission started acting up. It has a hard 1-2 shift and is slipping between 2-3. I took the car to AAMCO and to the local Mini dealer, and both said that I need a totally rebuilt transmission -- cost would be $5,000 to $7,000, depending on which place I use and whether I want a warranty. In addition to the transmission, the Mini shop says I need several other repairs (strut mounts, engine fan, etc.). All in all, I estimate that it would cost at least $8,000 to put everything (that I know of) back into working order. The Blue Book value on this car is around $5,000 ... not taking into account the failing transmission. For this reason, I am thinking that I couldn't even sell it to anyone as is. This car is paid off, and I do not really want to have a new car payment. I am concerned though, that even after putting in $8,000 for repairs, something else will break and cost a few thousand to fix. I know that pretty much every car purchase is a horrible investment. How do I determine whether it is less horrible to fix up the Mini and keep it, or to buy a new(er) car and have to make payments? I know I could get "a" new car for relatively little money, but I'm not the type of person to drive just "a" car. I want "the" car -- the one that fits my personality and style. Should I trade in the Mini and take the $2,000 or whatever a dealer will give me? Or should I just keep it and drive it until it falls apart?
-- Coop
DEAR COOP: I think you've already "driven it until it falls apart."
You are very fortunate, really. Very few car owners get such a clear message that it's time to walk away from an old car. Usually, it's $1,100 here, $1,700 there, $750 a few months later. But you've had a car-repair lightning bolt come out of the sky: Spend $8,000 or get a new car.
So get the new car. You got 11 presumably happy years out of your Mini. Say "thank you" and trade it in.
Take the $8,000 you would have spent to fix the Mini and take the $2,000 the dealer will give you in trade, and you've got a very substantial down payment on whatever you want next.
And for $15-$20 grand, you can get a Mini Convertible that's three to five years old, if you want another one. Or look for something else that tickles your fancy.
This is a blessing, Coop. The skies have opened, a rainbow has appeared and the junkyard beckons. Go toward it.
Ray Magliozzi dispenses advice about cars in Car Talk every Saturday. Email him by visiting
cartalk.com
HomeStyle on 10/15/2016