If everything else on this car is good, I would repair it and drive it another 2 years. JMO.
Complete Clutch Failure
My car is a 2008 passion coupe, with 90k miles on it. The clutch completely failed yesterday. I had it flat-bedded to the Seattle smartcenter this morning to be diagnosed, and they told me that the clutch had failed. I pretty much knew that from the horrible smell that it produced after it became stuck (1st) in 3rd. gear, and then in 5th. gear. Starting off from a redlight in 5th. gear is NOT a good thing. So..... I've been told that it's going to be approx. $2500 to repair my car. So..... my question is........... is it worth it?? I'm thinking that for a car that's 8 years old, with 90k miles, the value of the car isn't worth sinking $2500 into it, and not knowing how much longer the car will last before something else major goes out on it. I don't want to be tossing more and more money into it and have it just become a money pit. So..... what's the consensus amongst you owners that have a fortwo with 100k+ miles on it? How many more miles can I realistically expect to get outta this car before it just becomes one thing after another? Keep it............... or lose it?? Right now, it's an hour away from my house, and without repairing it, I don't really have a viable option for getting home again, and even if I did, what to do with it?? Is it worth trying to part it out piece by piece. The service guy said that he could check with their techs & mechanics to see if anyone would be interested in buying it as a project car. It mean, it's in good shape except for the clutch issue. Leather heated seats, smart premium sound system with multiple-cd player, etc. You can also send replies directly to my e-mail. [email protected]
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My 2009 Pure lasted me around 145,000 miles before it developed a low cylinder. If it was a clutch failure, I would have spent the $2500 and if something else went after that, I would have to compare the cost of repair to the cost of a new car and payments.
I was looking at a new head and install which would have been over $5k from what I have seen. That would be just for the head and not a clutch or anything else. I figured I got my moneys worth and sold it as parts for around $1500.. Afterwards I missed it too much and got a good deal on another 2008 that needed some attention. Now unfortunately due to Minnesota wildlife, it is waiting to be reassembled. I just had to get another one, they are too much fun!!
I was looking at a new head and install which would have been over $5k from what I have seen. That would be just for the head and not a clutch or anything else. I figured I got my moneys worth and sold it as parts for around $1500.. Afterwards I missed it too much and got a good deal on another 2008 that needed some attention. Now unfortunately due to Minnesota wildlife, it is waiting to be reassembled. I just had to get another one, they are too much fun!!
I found another thread here on the forum that showed the top mileage cars, and it pretty much changed my mind. 
With only 90k, I'm hoping for a lot more miles before I'm through. I still love my little car with the U.S. Flag Tear on the side, and the heated leather seats. Plus.... it's already set up for towing behind my motorhome and I never even know it's there. So..... I already texted the service guy & told him to go ahead and start the repairs. I'm not ready to give up on it yet!
With only 90k, I'm hoping for a lot more miles before I'm through. I still love my little car with the U.S. Flag Tear on the side, and the heated leather seats. Plus.... it's already set up for towing behind my motorhome and I never even know it's there. So..... I already texted the service guy & told him to go ahead and start the repairs. I'm not ready to give up on it yet!
I agree! They ARE too much fun! It's the best car I've ever owned, and I've never had a problem with it until now, so I guess I've been pretty lucky.
I would look for an other shop to do the work. 90k on a fuel injected car is nothing. Why it failed is more troubling to me. Typically they fail from driver error in operation. As the computer is operating this, well you get the point...
I would agree. A clutch kit is only about $350 for a smart. You can't tell me it's $2200 in labor...I would look for an other shop to do the work. 90k on a fuel injected car is nothing. Why it failed is more troubling to me. Typically they fail from driver error in operation. As the computer is operating this, well you get the point...
I'd be looking for an independent shop. Smart centers will charge you an insane amount of money for a task many shops will charge less than half for. Like, wheel bearings? Several hundred at your local smart center. My favourite independent? $100 per wheel.
Well, it IS the stealershipI would agree. A clutch kit is only about $350 for a smart. You can't tell me it's $2200 in labor...
These are always tough decisions. Through many years and cars I typically trade or donate a 100K mileage car when the repair bills become frequent and are more than car payments. That said, I drove a '78 Mercedes 280CE for 15 years. I loved that car despite many repair bills, though over 15 years it was an inexpensive car to own. I ulmately gave it to charity due to life changing events at home. Sometimes I wish I had it back, but my Smart gives me the same happy feeling. In your case, I believe you could find a low mileage newer Smart for only a little more than anticipated repairs.
I bought my 2008 Passion for $7500 last summer with 12K miles on it and tons of add-ons. I'd check the used market before putting $2500 into it.
I must agreee with you. So many people base their decisions purely on whether the car is "worth" fixing or not. Well yes I guess money can be a reason, but it's not the sole reason. As in your case the car is individualized for a particular purpose AND you ENJOY the car, then by all means profitable or not, fix it. As I have said many times on the forum before, I bought my 36,000 Fortwo and with in a month had had check engine lights and long story short I had a burned valve. Now the car lot gave me a tempting offer (as though they had a choice) to give me the full purchase price towards anything on the car lot. Well to me the only problem with that offer was that there wasn't anymore Fortwos on the lot. Now probably 99 1/2 % of all people would have taken that offer and ran. If I had taken that offer I wouldn't have been on this forum pestering everybody for the past year and a half, and my Smart legacy would have been started and ended in less than a month. I waited 6 years to purchase a Fortwo and I'm happy with it and common sense decision or not I'm gonna keep it and repair it until the wheels fall off it. So don't feel bad for your decision. If you're happy, you made the right decision regardless of what anyone else tells you. Talk is cheap,but action takes courage. DCO.
Well said DCO!I must agreee with you. So many people base their decisions purely on whether the car is "worth" fixing or not. Well yes I guess money can be a reason, but it's not the sole reason. As in your case the car is individualized for a particular purpose AND you ENJOY the car, then by all means profitable or not, fix it. As I have said many times on the forum before, I bought my 36,000 Fortwo and with in a month had had check engine lights and long story short I had a burned valve. Now the car lot gave me a tempting offer (as though they had a choice) to give me the full purchase price towards anything on the car lot. Well to me the only problem with that offer was that there wasn't anymore Fortwos on the lot. Now probably 99 1/2 % of all people would have taken that offer and ran. If I had taken that offer I wouldn't have been on this forum pestering everybody for the past year and a half, and my Smart legacy would have been started and ended in less than a month. I waited 6 years to purchase a Fortwo and I'm happy with it and common sense decision or not I'm gonna keep it and repair it until the wheels fall off it. So don't feel bad for your decision. If you're happy, you made the right decision regardless of what anyone else tells you. Talk is cheap,ut action takes courage. DCO.
In this society of disposable anything, most folks don't want to be bothered with repairs. It's easier to just tack on another monthly payment. I for one, an tired of paying "the man". I have 4 vehicles, and don't owe a dime on any of them. That's the way I intend to keep it. So many folks today look at a repair, and say "the car just isn't worth it". But they don't look at the whole picture. OK, so the car needs a 2000 dollar repair. In todays world of $40K cars, that's 4-5 months of payments vs another 6 years of payments. Just doesn't add up to me.
My smart is a perfect example. At 183K+ miles the car is worth about $1500... It runs great, costs me nothing but gas & oil, and is the perfect car for my son to drive back and forth to school. In that respect the car is priceless to me. I can't afford to get rid of it. I put $450 in it last year in new shocks, struts, ball joints & wheel bearings to make sure it was good to go for my son. In my mind that was a good investment. I'll keep it until it won't go anymore...
How sad is it that we are discussing dumping a car because it needs a new clutch? Seriously? This is not a dig on the OP, i can see the point he is making. How sad is it that the dealer is trying to charge $2500 to replace a clutch? I see a clutch kit online for a little over $400. $2,000 for labor? That's almost criminal! Even if it's an 8 hour job, it shouldn't be that much in labor.
I hope the OP is able to find a shop to do the job at a fair price.
I hope the OP is able to find a shop to do the job at a fair price.
I'll bet your son does tooWell said DCO!
In this society of disposable anything, most folks don't want to be bothered with repairs. It's easier to just tack on another monthly payment. I for one, an tired of paying "the man". I have 4 vehicles, and don't owe a dime on any of them. That's the way I intend to keep it. So many folks today look at a repair, and say "the car just isn't worth it". But they don't look at the whole picture. OK, so the car needs a 2000 dollar repair. In todays world of $40K cars, that's 4-5 months of payments vs another 6 years of payments. Just doesn't add up to me.
My smart is a perfect example. At 183K+ miles the car is worth about $1500... It runs great, costs me nothing but gas & oil, and is the perfect car for my son to drive back and forth to school. In that respect the car is priceless to me. I can't afford to get rid of it. I put $450 in it last year in new shocks, struts, ball joints & wheel bearings to make sure it was good to go for my son. In my mind that was a good investment. I'll keep it until it won't go anymore...
Are you referring to the clutch plate assembly or the clutch actuator? If it is the actuator that is a $600-$700 part and less than an hour of labor.
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