3 VITAL CONSIDERATIONS TO MAKE WHEN BUYING A REPLACEMENT ENGINE

Killing an engine is never fun, particularly if it happens while you’re on the road. Your first instinct might be to get a replacement engine any way possible, but that’s not necessarily the right approach. There are several different engine replacement options out there, and they’re not all the same. What might be right for one owner might not be right for you. Here are three important considerations that you need to make before you buy an engine replacement.

Are You Keeping the Car Long Term?

One of the first considerations is how long you intend to keep your car. If you’re going to keep it for as long as possible, then you’ll need to look into a remanufactured engine. This is the most expensive replacement option, but also the longest lasting and most reliable on the market. Remanufactured engines are also sold as “new” and crate engines, so don’t get confused by marketing language.

Will You Be Selling Soon?

If you’ll be selling your car soon, then you might decide that the expense of a remanufactured engine isn’t justified. If this sounds like your situation, you should look into a rebuilt engine or perhaps even a used engine. A lot will hinge on just how much you think you can get for your vehicle on the open market. If you can get enough to justify the cost, then a rebuilt engine will be ideal. If you’re just looking to get it in drivable condition, a used engine could be the ideal solution for you. Rebuilt engines are less expensive than remanufactured ones, and offer better reliability than used engines. However, used engines are definitely the cheapest of the three.

Are You Trading In Soon?

If you’ll be trading in your vehicle to a dealer when you buy a new car, then you really don’t need to worry about drivability that much. Dealerships will never give you fair market value for your trade-in, and as long as it’s drivable, you should be given a decent trade in amount. In these instances, going with a used or salvage engine is going to be your best choice. These are the most affordable options on the market, but they’re not the most reliable or long-lived. Both are technically used, but salvage engines are taken from junked or wrecked vehicles, and sometimes from those that have been sold for scrap (salvage vehicles no longer deemed drivable).

It’s important that you choose an engine replacement option that fits your budget, as well as your goals where the vehicle is concerned. If you need something reliable that will continue to be driven for years to come, then there’s no substitute for a remanufactured engine. The same thing applies if you’ll be handing the vehicle down to a teen driver in your household. However, if you don’t need to worry about it holding up for years of use, then you can consider one of the less expensive options.