I have a fairly advanced OBD II reader, and a really good idea what the problems are…
1. The cooling system is shot (water pump/thermostat)
2. Electrical problems related to the battery
Not to mention all (4) brakes are history ($1500 + on a BMW) – I could do this myself…
I should have bought the Avalon.
Well, at least I got it out of my system.[/quote]
Although you might have gotten more “bells and whistles” with the Avalon for the same money, I don’t think the problems you mention here are that great or are insurmountable. Avalons periodically need brakes, too and they run $700 to $900 all around.
If you can install the brakes yourself and none of your rotors need machining, then do the job and then take it into a reputable German auto mechanic. Let them check your newly-installed brakes and water pump and install a water pump and thermostat (if needed) and do a flush and fill of the radiator and lines (if needed) and then test it with OBD II again. (It seems kind of young to me to need a water pump.) Then have THEM take it the THEIR preferred “Test only” station to get you a certificate.
This is all well worth it. Your car is just a toddler. It should run another $200K miles without needing major work (exc timing belt, brakes, etc and all the usual maintenance stuff). I don’t know why you would want to dump it at a loss. All vehicles cost money to keep running properly.
The CA DMV has been cracking down Big Time on older vehicles for a few years now (except those vehicles legally considered “Antiques”) and have stepped up their “inspection criteria” of what constitutes a biennial “smog check.” The state is obviously attempting to make it really hard for Joe and Suzy 6pack to keep driving their $2-$6K vehicles to work and back.
