[kitty86]

I have a 1.8 Vauxhall Astra Convertible 02 plate car. She is an absolute beauty green with a matching green roof and a beautiful drive, shes nicknamed the 'shark' as she glides instead of drives.
I brought her last year April for 2200.00 she had 109,000 on the clock, but I was in love and made a spur of the moment purchase.
In the 1 year ive had her its been one thing after another, she was wonderful for 3 months and then since july ive replaced the clutch, engine, gearbox twice! and various other bit and bobs spending over 1500.00
Now I have been told the big end has gone in the engine, and the best option is a new engine and my brother will fit it free of charge.

Im in 2 minds about what to do, although it breaks my heart I have to get rid of her, its too expensive and as ive been told many times anytime u replace something new, something else will happen.

My question is this do you think I should buy the engine for around 300.00 have it done and then put it up for sale or just sell her to one of these car buying places and get what I can?
What would you do?

She now has just under 120,000 miles on her.

Thank you for all replies

[Daznvern]

Scrap it. Not worth the repair

[Sigurd]

Originally Posted by kitty86

In the 1 year ive had her its been one thing after another, she was wonderful for 3 months and then since july ive replaced the clutch, engine, gearbox twice! and various other bit and bobs spending over 1500.00
Now I have been told the big end has gone in the engine, and the best option is a new engine and my brother will fit it free of charge.

So you've had the engine replaced once, and now it needs replaced again? And the gearbox has been replaced twice? That seems a remarkable record of unreliability. Presumably the engine and gearbox replacements were from scrapyards and on their last legs when you bought them?

I agree that it's probably time to get rid of the car, but I wonder if you've had very good service and advice from whoever has been looking after it for you?

[kitty86]

The first case was that the engine they used was from a newer car, a 56 plate Vectra and it had 6 gears, when we put it into my car it put a strain on the old gearbox and that went. We replaced the gear box and all was fine until I think it must have been whilst driving in the snow my partner somehow (i still dont know how) managed to put a big hole into it, so that was replaced again.
Yes the parts we've purchased have been used parts.

[kitty86]

I think its a case of do I spend money to make money, or just cut my losses.

[Baboo Yagu]

Sounds like someone offloaded a right dog onto you. Personally, I'd take the financial hit and get shot, pronto.

[grumpyscot]

You've obviously used parts not designed to go together. Buying a(nother) second hand engine may cost you dearly. A proper reconditioned engine is likely to cost you about £1,000 - it's just not worth it.

I'd sell it "as is", as there might be an enthusiast out t here that has all the required working parts but a duff body.

[Waj_100]

Why have the big ends gone?

Lack of oil? Neglect by not checking the oil?

You might be able to get the sump off the engine and take a look at the big end shells and weigh up the damage.

It's possible you could replace the big ends and remove the presumed knocking noise that the big end failure is causing, then get rid of it whilst it still works.

That would be the most cost effective solution.

Having the Vectra engine fitted would not have caused a problem with the gearbox even if it had been run originally with a 6 speed box.

[Johnbee]

Get it repaired and save up, Buy a new one and look after it, getting a full service each year. Keep it a long time.

It is what I do anyway. I have had three cars in 40 years, and each was only replaced because I just wanted a new one and happened to be flush. My wife does the same, except she does not get fed up with hers. She has a 1984 Ford Fiesta which is as good as new - of course she has had it converted to take modern petrol. The number is FX71, give us a wave if you see us.

If you must buy second hand, wait until you can find someone else like me who has bought new and owned it for many years,

Every method other than these two will cost you more money and they will go wrong.

[MartinImber]

Repair it - big end shells are not that expensive.

Swapping engines is a last resort and usually only carried out to get a bigger one

[station31]

120.000 is nothing for a car that age, I question how its been looked after by previous owners and the quality of replacement engine used

[David (2)]

Originally Posted by kitty86

I have a 1.8 Vauxhall Astra Convertible 02 plate car. She is an absolute beauty green with a matching green roof and a beautiful drive, shes nicknamed the 'shark' as she glides instead of drives.
I brought her last year April for 2200.00 she had 109,000 on the clock, but I was in love and made a spur of the moment purchase.
In the 1 year ive had her its been one thing after another, she was wonderful for 3 months and then since july ive replaced the clutch, engine, gearbox twice! and various other bit and bobs spending over 1500.00
Now I have been told the big end has gone in the engine, and the best option is a new engine and my brother will fit it free of charge.

Im in 2 minds about what to do, although it breaks my heart I have to get rid of her, its too expensive and as ive been told many times anytime u replace something new, something else will happen.

My question is this do you think I should buy the engine for around 300.00 have it done and then put it up for sale or just sell her to one of these car buying places and get what I can?
What would you do?

She now has just under 120,000 miles on her.

Thank you for all replies

Had a 2002 Astra hatchback, and while it was quick, and very relaxing to drive, loads of things went wrong with it. Every couple of months a major repair was needed.

Things I had go wrong (not on your list),
Wheel bearings..
Suspension.
AirCon Pump (£600)
Alarm Sounder box.

There was some more, but it was a while ago (cant remember) and i made the harsh choice to change the car. Dont worry though, people love this generation Astra and will be more than happy to buy it from you - even more so if they have a test drive.