Check junkyards for a catalytic converter: you could probably find one for a fraction of the cost.

But I don't have a repair guy I trust for engine work.

My girlfriend is talking me into finding someone else to do the work for less.

I do love this car...

Prices for repairs are HIGH! Where did you go, the dealer?

All right all you car heads:

- 2002 Accord
- 4 door automatic
- 159000 miles
- runs like a dream
- pretty good condition, a few dings on the exterior.

- Just repaired ball joints, bushings and put all new brakes on.

Check Engine light and Brake light came on, so we took it into the shop.

Now it needs:

- New Catalytic Converter ($1600)
- New Rear Brake Drums (we did the front I guess?) ($250)
- And we still need to do the Timing Belt (important precautionary measure) ($600)
- And it appears to need a water pump ($100)

- Will eventually need a tune up and new wires too. ($450)



$3000+?!?!?

Is it worth it??

(Kelly blue book is around $3K for trade in, $5K for private sale.)

All right all you car heads:

- 2002 Accord
- 4 door automatic
- 159000 miles
- runs like a dream
- pretty good condition, a few dings on the exterior.

- Just repaired ball joints, bushings and put all new brakes on.

Check Engine light and Brake light came on, so we took it into the shop.

Now it needs:

- New Catalytic Converter ($1600)
- New Rear Brake Drums (we did the front I guess?) ($250)
- And we still need to do the Timing Belt (important precautionary measure) ($600)
- And it appears to need a water pump ($100)

- Will eventually need a tune up and new wires too. ($450)



$3000+?!?!?

Is it worth it??

(Kelly blue book is around $3K for trade in, $5K for private sale.)

 
No way.  The repairs you made already are justifiable but sinking that kind of money into it wouldn't be financially wise, unless you just REALLY like the car and you're planning to keep it and drive it.  If you want a new one, prices are crazy low - auto makers need sales badly.  

The new Accords are HAWT!

All right all you car heads:

- 2002 Accord
- 4 door automatic
- 159000 miles
- runs like a dream
- pretty good condition, a few dings on the exterior.

- Just repaired ball joints, bushings and put all new brakes on.

Check Engine light and Brake light came on, so we took it into the shop.

Now it needs:

- New Catalytic Converter ($1600)
- New Rear Brake Drums (we did the front I guess?) ($250)
- And we still need to do the Timing Belt (important precautionary measure) ($600)
- And it appears to need a water pump ($100)

- Will eventually need a tune up and new wires too. ($450)



$3000+?!?!?

Is it worth it??

(Kelly blue book is around $3K for trade in, $5K for private sale.)

All right all you car heads:

- 2002 Accord
- 4 door automatic
- 159000 miles
- runs like a dream
- pretty good condition, a few dings on the exterior.

- Just repaired ball joints, bushings and put all new brakes on.

Check Engine light and Brake light came on, so we took it into the shop.

Now it needs:

- New Catalytic Converter ($1600)
- New Rear Brake Drums (we did the front I guess?) ($250)
- And we still need to do the Timing Belt (important precautionary measure) ($600)
- And it appears to need a water pump ($100)

- Will eventually need a tune up and new wires too. ($450)



$3000+?!?!?

Is it worth it??

(Kelly blue book is around $3K for trade in, $5K for private sale.)

Good thoughts.  I know I need shocks.  But that wouldnt effect  mileage, would it?

It kinda depends on the options on the car. If you have crank windows, you need a special tool to take off the window crank (available at any auto repair place). It's cheap little metal thing that looks like an open ended wrench). Assuming you have power windows, though, you can pretty well just pull the panel off on most cars. They are just held in with plastic anchors (be ready to buy new anchors anyway - they never fit right again once they've been removed and they should be cheap). You will hear a ripping plastic sound that sounds much like you are trying to undo a zip tie. That is OK. Those anchors are all around the door panel (probably 20 of them). When you replace them, it's as easy as pushing the head of the anchor into a hole and lining them up with the holes in the door frame. The speaker is just held in with a few screws and can be easily replaced with a screwdriver. You can do it all yourself. It would be hard to screw up too bad.

Also on my To Do list. 

Good thoughts.  I know I need shocks.  But that wouldnt effect  mileage, would it?

That car likely is front wheel drive I'm thinking, and only has bearings in the rear. If you've had brakes replaced likely they were repacked.
Get the CV joints and dust boots inspected in the front, as well as struts and rear shocks. Note any fluid leaks. Buy a quality injector cleaner additive and change the air filter every 3 to 4 months, even if it looks clean. Make sure that there aren't any rotten vaccuum hoses. Keep oil and filter changed regularly.
I don't think 26 or 27 mpg with a light foot would be too much to ask.

Have you had your thyroid checked lately? Because maybe you should? Just in case?

20K miles/year? Damn, I thought you worked from homeI

If wheel bearings were costing you 2mpg they would be toast, and you'd hear them. O2 sensors usually either work or they don't, they don't degrade and affect mileage without the fuel injection computer issuing an error message. Injectors ditto—closed loop system. By the time they are bad enough to affect gas mileage the car will run terribly. More likely culprits:

When was your last tuneup? On a car this age you might be due for spark plugs.

Tire pressure. This can sneak up on you.

Wheel alignment. If it's costing this much it's costing you tires too.

Do you have a temperature gauge? Is it reading cold all the time? A thermostat can stick open as well as shut, the engine will run cold, and you'll see a drop in mileage.

Have you added any accessories, like a roof rack or cargo box? They cost more than you'd think.

Are you running the A/C more than usual?

Are teenagers driving the car between fillups? Teenagers are hell on gas mileage.

Has the composition of your fuel changed lately? Gasohol will give worse gas mileage.

There are a few more things that might be sources of trouble, if I think of any I'll post.

Anchors aweigh!

Have you gained a lot of weight lately?

Grown a huge goiter?Gotten into the bad habit of dragging your feet in the road while you drive?

Do you give rides to clowns?

Have you started towing an RV behind your car when you go on vacation?

Do you release the parking brake when you drive?

How do you like your steak? Well done or medium rare?

When did you quit taking steroids?

Have you gained a lot of weight lately?

Grown a huge goiter?
 
Gotten into the bad habit of dragg
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ing your fe
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et in the road while you drive?

Do you give rides to clowns?

Have you started towing an RV behind your car when you go on vacation?

Do you release the parking brake when you drive?

How do you like your steak? Well done or medium rare?

When did you quit taking steroids