How long do you keep cars?

[MichaelL]

I sold my 2003 Mini Cooper in August at 143,000 miles which I had owned since 2006. I would have kept it since it was setup to handle well I and enjoyed driving it. The thing is that I was getting it ready for a road trip and the list of maintenance and repairs came to twice what it was worth so I decided to let it go. I also just sold my 2000 Ducati ST4 motorcycle with only 12,000 miles which I had owned since 2013. I had paid to have all of the maintenance on it done but then decided that I just wasn't up for riding so much anymore. The buyer got a real deal. I still have a 2001 Acura CL Type S with 60,000 miles that my mother gave me four years ago with 25,000 miles. I'll drive it a bit longer but I'm looking to buy something about 2 - 4 years old that is more up to date and not as long. It's four feet longer than the Mini and I still can't get used to parking it.

 

[scrabbler1]

I still use Office 2000 because newer packages are simply different (not better), the same will soon not be true for our cars and new models, so I'm now considering altering my car replacement philosophy. But because so many others are more keen on the new features, they're pushing the blue book value down and so I might stay the traditional course.

Back in 2003, I was able to get a CD with Office 2000 for free and I use Word and Excel from it. Both work fine in Windows 10 even if once in a while I encounter some minor compatibility issues with newer versions of Word and Excel if I use my files with newer programs.

 

[Fabeetz]

Keep It But Keep an Eye on It

We have a 2003 Highlander with 112,000 miles. Bought it new and it’s the most trouble free car we’ve ever owned. It’s well maintained and only problem is a slow AC leak which means recharging each spring. Still looks good too. So just keep an eye on it for oil drips or odd noises or a different feel at different speeds that could signal an issue. Routine maintenance is way cheaper than a new one.

 

[DougJohnson]

I have a 12 year old pickup with 80k miles and a 10 year old coupe with 90k miles. Both are garaged, run well, and are well maintained. I pretty much split time between them and miles stay low. I have saved up $$ to replace them. I buy used cars only and have never had a problem with reliability.

My current thinking is to continue to drive both vehicles until they start to give me trouble, then replace; however, I thought it might be good to set a time limit of, say, 15 years and move them along BEFORE they start giving me trouble. I still enjoy both cars and have no immediate plans to replace either one.

What say you?

The cheapest car is the one that is paid for. You can pay for a lot of car repairs for the price of a new one, or even a good used one. We have a '95 Ford Explorer with over 136K miles (the odometer quit years ago). It costs $500 a year to insure and needs $500 or $600 of repairs every other year or so. We can put classic car plates on it next year.

We have a 2000 little sports car that the wife loves, but it doesn't get a lot of mileage. It costs about the same for repairs.

I know that sometime I'm going to have to say "that repair costs too much" and it will go to the junk yard. In my mind, that is about $1000 for the Explorer and $2000 for the sports car. Why that amount? Damned if I know.

-- Doug

 

[Jamie1101]

My Dodge Dakota

In February 2002 my 1995 Dakota pick-up was totaled out when it was struck by a drunk driver as it was parked in front of my house. From how the impact sent it around the corner and onto the sidewalk the police estimate the other vehicle was traveling at 60 miles an hour in a 25 mph zone. Mercifully no one was injured. That truck was replaced with a 2002 SXT Dakota with a 6 cylinder engine & manual transmission. That truck is still running with 265,000+ miles.
It chugs and shakes like a Model T touring car now and it really "rides like a truck" as the suspension is destroyed from moving too many tons of bricks. I travel with a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil behind the seat to add when the ticking gets too bad. The "check engine" light has been lit for over a decade. It is my only vehicle and it owes me nothing!!

 

[oscar1]

2003 Toyota Highlander, 198,000 miles. Costs me pennies to run daily. Funny thing is it was rated 22 MPG city and 26 MPG highway 16 years ago! Still achieves that.

 

[Janet H]

I've never sold a car before 10 years of ownership. Most I've had longer but the bottom line is that when it seems (meaning I am beginning to worry about it) to become unreliable or too expensive to repair, I sell it and start over. With some cars, I have been counting the days until I can replace (1998 Exploder, stick) and others I grudgingly give up. It's almost time to make this swap again as my 2008 Touareg is aging and has recently had what may be the beginning of age related expensive repairs (center bearing).

I use the Touareg to tow a camper and so replacement options will be limited. My wallet is crying in anticipatory grief.

 

[NW-Bound]

Some people drive their cars until a wheel falls off before they replace it.

Me? I pick up the loose wheel and see if I can bolt it back.

Many people like their old jeans because they are comfortable. I wear khakis, not jeans, but I feel the same about my cars. It's the devil I know, and at least I do not have to learn anew about maintaining another car.

When it gets to the point I can no longer do light work on my vehicles, I will change.

PS. Just took the head off my RV toad's engine last month. Not exactly light work, but it's the last time I do such work, I swear.

 

[steveark]

200k or bust

We have virtually unlimited resources but we are frugal by nature. We shoot for 200k miles per vehicle and have three right now, all with 145, 000 to nearly 180,000 on them. I buy used, sometimes ten year old luxury sports models. My wife buys new SUV's, once every 15 to 20 years. Needless to say, cars are not a significant expense to us. My last car, a luxury coupe with Porsche level performance, $7,000! The thrill of finding that little beast of a car for that price? Far greater than the thrill of driving a Lambo!

 

[NW-Bound]

I lost the thrill of driving a performance car more than 20 years ago. It's just transportation to me. If a car is reliable and does not leave me stranded, it's good.

I definitely will not drive a car with a dented hood, or mismatched painted or rusted fenders. There's certain decorum I follow. Oh, and the AC has to work too.

 

[DeborahB]

I don’t put a lot of miles on cars, so for me it’s time. I got rid of one at 9 years. These are cars I bought new. The others 9-11 years. But the current one is 15. Volvo V70 2004 wagon with 63,000 miles on it. I guess I’m keeping it forever. I need to check the cost of adding a backup camera, which I really could use. I want a different car but I just put $2300 into it (who knew) and it needs 2 tires really soon. First serious work in its life, one other significant repair. Mostly this was maintenance.

 

[NC 57]

2010 sedan just turned 115,000 miles. It was my commuter car when I worked. Kept it in retirement. Car was bought new and has been virtually trouble free. Will probably drive to 200,000 miles unless it starts needing expensive repairs.

1997 convertible, purchased used when 3 years old and 19,000 miles. My "male menopause" car. Now has 78,000 miles and still fun for pleasure driving on weekends on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

2011 Ford F250 diesel pickup for pulling a travel trailer. 90,000 miles. Hope to get 200,000 but recently had an expensive $4000 repair (blown turbocharger) so I am considering replacing it early.

Wife traded her 1999 SUV with 105,000 miles 2 years ago for a 1 year old 2016 dealer loaner car. Great deal on the loaner car and negotiated 7 year extended factory warranty in the purchase price. My wife hopes to drive it 20 years.

Our rule of thumb - buy good vehicles new or slightly used. Keep them well maintained. Run them until they start requiring expensive repairs.

 

[pacificlou]

We have a 98 E320 MB and 06 Chevy Silverado, Mercedes is 21 years old and has 165K miles on it runs great and no issues other than maintenance oil changes etc.. I did spend some money on brakes, alignment and a couple of other items that needed attention for replacement or worn parts a few years back. Spent around $2K but we've had the car since 2004 w/50K miles on it. Overall it'll it will drive and handle better than many new cars under $30K and it's safer. Wife doesn't want to get rid of it so we'll keep till it dies. Paid $25K back in 04 worth every penny.
06 Chevy Silverado has 196K runs great and burns 1 QT of oil every 2,500 miles since I bought it brand new, it's been all over and we lived in Michigan for about 8 years and worked great in the snow. Wife wants me to sell it since I rarely drive it and don't really use like I used to since I retired back in 2006. I don't want to give it up but I'll have to part soon. Paid $25K.
We do have a 2015 Genesis w/low miles and I'll probably have that for years to come, it's a great vehicle for the price, I bought it used w/5K miles for only $32K 3years ago, most reliable and better riding cars I've ever had.

 

[2177V]

I have a "3 strikes you are out" rule. If my current car breaks down 3 times and I needed to be towed 3 times, then I automatically get another car. Fortunately, I only used this rule only one time in 40 plus years. The other times, I changed cars because my needs changed.

 

[catii]

I drive a 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid, but only 2500 miles a year. Wife is wearing out her 2006 Hyundai SUV, which we'll replace this month with a new pickup. On weekends, we drive our classic 1996 Mercedes S320, which is a palace on wheels!

 

[mamadogmamacat]

I kept my 1992 Dodge Dakota 6 cylinder pick up for 20 yrs. Had about 180K miles on it when i donated it. Too many pesky electric problems that were difficult to chase down each time made me give up on it. Lots of fond memories of hauling various stuff in it or taking folks for a ride in it.

Current 2004 Prius (bought Nov 2003, built Aug 2003) just needed the second tow. Both were because i was lazy about getting the secondary battery replaced. Just picked it up yesterday, after it was fixed. Got a few needed maintenance items done as well. Runs great. Only about 140k on it now. So, hope to have it for 20 yrs or 250k miles whichever comes first. However, i am thinking about getting another Prius just to have a backup. Getting a rental was not too big a deal, but i did need a ride from a friend a couple times before I could get to the rental place. Would have been nice to just have another car in the garage when this one did not start.

 

[JAGOTI]

I just did the math on my last vehicle. I paid cash for 42K (including tax and registration etc.) I sold it in January of this year after owning it for 9 years and 10 months. I got $11,000 for it.
42K-11K-31K /118 months =$262.71/month.

But it gets better! In August of 2016 (after a wonderful break from employment!) I went back to work - they paid me a $600 car allowance until the end of January 2019 (I quit on Feb 1). So that is 29 months x 600 = $17,400

If we assume a 25% haircut on the $17,400 to pay taxes = $13,000

31K-13K=18,000/118 =$152.54/month

How'd I do?

 

[MoPops]

Three Toyotas. 04, 10, and 2012. We will keep them all for at least another 10 yrs.
All will run to 250,000 to 300,000 miles without doing much to them. When we switched to Toyota many years ago we quit paying for expensive repairs, but pay for scheduled maintenance instead. The 2010 (FJ Cruiser) is my daily driver. It’s closing in on 200,000 miles. Still drives like the day I got it.

 

[67walkon]

We have a 2010 Outback with 155,000 miles on it and a 2017 Hyundai with about 5,000. I'm probably going to replace the Subby when the 2020 model comes out but maybe not. It never needs oil added between changes and looks great. But I'll be 70 in October and the newer safety features are important now. It's hard tho wrote "I'll be70"

 

[rick55]

We generally buy new and keep them for 10+ years. DW has an 07 Accord with about 68k on it, and we will probably be looking towards the end of the year for a replacement. She wants awd, so we’ll look at the new Passport, and maybe the new Rav4 hybrid.

In ‘17 I bought a GMC Canyon and only have 8200 miles on it (retirement is great!). My plan is to make this my last vehicle.

Rick

 

[Sconie]

I have a "3 strikes you are out" rule. If my current car breaks down 3 times and I needed to be towed 3 times, then I automatically get another car. Fortunately, I only used this rule only one time in 40 plus years. The other times, I changed cars because my needs changed.

I used to use a similar rule, but then there is a 1989 Toyota 4Runner that I bought new----I used it, then my wife and then all the kids----and then we moved it up to the lake house. Well, long story short, at 318K miles, I finally decided to get rid of it-----the body and upholstery was long gone----but it still ran like a champ. As an aside, about 5 years later, I run into the guy who bought it from me-----he's still got it and the mileage is now up into the 400Ks! What a vehicle!

 

[chilkoot]

1998 Toyota 4Runner with 160000 mi (always nice to have a large-capacity available) and a 2008 Infiniti G37 with 50000 (a health issue prevented me from driving for about 4 years. As a result I’ve got a low-mileage vehicle that I like better than the model that replaced it).
Generally I shoot for at least 10 years, then start to look around for something that seems more interesting. That hasn’t happened yet.

 

[2177V]

I just did the math on my last vehicle. I paid cash for 42K (including tax and registration etc.) I sold it in January of this year after owning it for 9 years and 10 months. I got $11,000 for it.
42K-11K-31K /118 months =$262.71/month.

But it gets better! In August of 2016 (after a wonderful break from employment!) I went back to work - they paid me a $600 car allowance until the end of January 2019 (I quit on Feb 1). So that is 29 months x 600 = $17,400

If we assume a 25% haircut on the $17,400 to pay taxes = $13,000

31K-13K=18,000/118 =$152.54/month

How'd I do?

Pretty good. I like to buy used cars in cherry condition for no more than $20,000 and keep it for at least 10 years. $20,000/120 months = $166 month. If I get $5000 back then the number drops to $125 month.

I got a used 2009 Lexus RX350 in cherry condition from a Toyota car dealer for $19,000 three years ago for my daughter. I expect my cost will be between $125 to $175 a month.

I prefer not to pay more than $200 a month since I am retired. As long as the used car is in cherry condition, I am getting great value. I discovered most of the cherry condition cars are being sold by new car dealerships after a trade in because private sellers rarely have cars in cherry condition. If the dealer only wants a dealer kbb price in cherry or excellent condition, then I am will to pay this price.

 

[W2R]

We have a 2003 Highlander with 112,000 miles. Bought it new and it’s the most trouble free car we’ve ever owned. It’s well maintained and only problem is a slow AC leak which means recharging each spring. Still looks good too. So just keep an eye on it for oil drips or odd noises or a different feel at different speeds that could signal an issue. Routine maintenance is way cheaper than a new one.

2003 Toyota Highlander, 198,000 miles. Costs me pennies to run daily. Funny thing is it was rated 22 MPG city and 26 MPG highway 16 years ago! Still achieves that.

I saw these posts yesterday and went back to Edmunds dot com to read about the 2019 Highlander again. It sure looks like a terrific SUV, and even though it is pretty pricey I have enough money set aside to cover it. Just not quite motivated to go look at SUV's right now. I admit that I love my 2009 Venza a lot and that is a big factor for me. But, if my Venza starts needing more repairs, I'll take a Highlander out for a test drive, and maybe a Murano, a CRV, and a few others. F is driving a 2003 Murano with 260,000+ miles on it and it has impressed me, too.

At age 70, almost 71, it is hard to know if I should:

(1) Buy a new SUV now, because I don't have that many years left, I love new cars, I have the money, and since I keep them for about 10 years usually, it's now or never!
Or,

(2) Wait and not buy an SUV now, because I really don't drive many miles any more and that will probably decrease so I won't get the use out of it that a younger person would. Besides my Venza only has 30K miles on it (even though it is showing some wear and tear).

Decisions, decisions. Maybe this summer.

 

[JoeWras]

Just added a rear view camera to DW's 2009 hatchback. Nice system, it is integrated in the mirror, so nothing clunky.

DW is pleased as this was one of the now standard items she's been looking for.

Car is 10 years old. Not sure how much longer, but this at least puts off the decision for a while.