2000 Honda Odyssey REPAIR OR REPLACE

SOUNDS LIKE YOU LIKE THE VEHICLE. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE REPAIRS AS THEY GET OLDER. IF YOU DUE YOU'RE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO AVOID MAJOR FAILURES.
A FEW HUNDRED IS BETTER THAN A FEW THOUSAND A YEAR IN CAR PAYMENTS, UNLESS YOU JUST WANT A NEW ONE.

[quote:00a8c466cd="dtrmtr"]Other Category problem
2000 Honda Odyssey Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 130k miles
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We have had this van for 8 years. It has been very reliable. Due to a recall the transmission was replaced in 2006. It now needs struts and a catalytic convertor. I am wondering if it makes sense to repair it. Or are these problems the sign of things to come. I would like to hold off buying a new vehicle for a while. But I don't want to put more $$ into it then we will get out of it. Your thoughts.[/quote:00a8c466cd]

I'm having this same discussion with my wife with our 2000 Odyssey. I had to replace the timing belt, the transmission (under recall), and other small things. I guess it comes down to two things:

1. Does the car still look good, do you like to drive it and be seen driving it? If the answer is no, head to the dealership.

2. Is the money that you are putting into the car less than the money you would put into a new car (either financing or the lost opportunity cost is you pay for the car outright)? If your repairs are costing you about $1000 /year, seems to me that you are better off sticking with what you have. If you are spending much more than that, you may want to strongly consider purchasing a new car.