I wonder how long it'll take for the extra ~10 mpg to make up for all the additional cost of the new car vs. the ~$500 to replace a wheel/tire, intake gaskets, brakes, and a few tools.

Someone said something about all the parts they were buying could have made 2-3 new car payments, what about the other 45-57 payments (depending on financing option)? Did you factor in new doesn't automatically mean more reliable? What if something breaks on the new car, then you still gotta buy parts, but have all the additional cost of the new car tacked on as well. Even if you have a warranty, unless the car is brand new usually runs ~$2k or so, enough to replace a 3800/4T65e combo at least twice.

I understand the want for something new, but trying to make it sound like it's somehow more economical to justify it is crazy. Not sure if your bonne was SC or not, but if it wasn't, then going from regular to premium fuel will make it take even longer to make up that mpg difference in terms of cost. Seriously, run the numbers with current fuel costs and see how many years it takes.

I only type all this so other people take these things into consideration when thinking if a new car will save them money over fixing their current one. There's a reason parts stores stocks go up when the economy goes down, more people keeping/fixing their cars vs. replacing.

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'99 SSEi: L36, XP/105's/titanium retainers, HAI, 3.5, plog, 3" dp, DHP
To be installed: SSIC and 3.2