Mitsubishi Repair: 2001 Galant ring job, little cars, older cars

Question
My son has a 2001 Galant. He's been told it needs a ring job, as it is using about 1 qt of oil/week. He's also been told that he'd be better off getting another car or replacing the engine, rather than doing a ring job. Can this possibly be true? I was a mechanic in the 1960's, and have done ring jobs. Have engines changed so much? Is an engine replacement as cheap as, or cheaper, than replacing the rings?
Thanks,
James

Answer
James: I need to be honest here, I mostly work on older cars than your son's. But yet I think I would ask around to other places. That really sounds odd to me. I guess if you had a garage, tools, knew how to do this and time than it would be better for you to do a ring job. I do know don't buy your rings on ebay as a guy did this and he did not get very good ones. So maybe if people are going to ebay for the rings it is costly. But gee for these older cars, finding a good engine is often than not hard, so then we do the work of overhauling the engine. I guess maybe your son and you should check into the cost of doing this. What every thing would cost you. And then decide for yourself. It is funny in a way in my state that there is not a lot of shops that will work on these little cars. Well imports, oh sure they will do a tune up maybe or change the oil but anything else. They say take it to a dealership which is a hardship for a lot of people. Because dealership's get well over $45.00 an hour to work on your car, and then add the parts on the top of that and there is no way. Most people get a different car or find a junked car; putting in the engine. These little cars can be a pain to work on but still I just find that hard to believe. But then if the shops where your son lives is like these here in Iowa then I can understand it. Just don't agree with it but still your son best be checking around for the cost of those rings and then see what he thinks. Because that sounds crazy to me. But then I have been told I am crazy because I work on them. :o) Hope this helps and good luck!