The minivan I have now,and the ptevious one both behaved that way and we found out each time it was a belt that was coming off. My husband and his friend (who is more of a true mechanic) would just have to come to my rescue on the rare occasion it would do this and change the belt themselves. It eventually stopped working all together several years later.
Now the current existing minivan is acting up in the same way,among other kinor problems. But its not time to buy a new one yet. We know how to work around those particular issues it has. However, after experiencing the same issues with the first, we know its only a matter of time. BUT its not immediate. There is probably another 1-2 years left on it before we have to seriously get a new vehicle.
btw, both were already older used minivans each time we got them,and they were each a gift . Anyway, with all that said, I think you may be able to work with your vehicles issues mayne even a short period of time (months at least) but thats based on my personal experience and what you described has happened. I had the same thing happen but we notice it only happens if I drive in very heavy rain. Is this an older minivan? What kind? Was it raining or did you possibly hit something on thr rd, before your steering/driving went out of whack ? I imagine it must have been scary . Have it checked out. If its something like just the belt,or power steering fluid , you may have a little time on your hands to try to get prepaired to buy something new.
I will be a first time car buyer in my late thirties because we used our vehicles ( that were given,but all the sake were old to begin with) all the way till they cant drive at all,anymore. I am actually planning for the purchase of the replacement vehicle that we anticipate will need to happen sometime next year, and after we buy our first home.
I dont work outside the home, so its not mandatory I have a new car asap. But I can understand if you also have to work or have lots of obligations, including having to drive the kids to school . I dont have to drive the kids to school but sometimes they miss the bus, and I also like to be able to take one of them to his cardio appointments or go grocery shopping or take the kids out, so they dont become house hermits ;-)
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Goal : 780
Seriously, unless you have been considering a new car already then an intermittent problem with your current vehicle is no reason to panic. I am not a mechanic in the least (that's what I have credit cards for) but running it by a shop they can get the codes that will tell them what's the matter. From there you can make a more informed decision.
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