My normal thinking is I buy new and keep at least 10 years or 100,000 miles...
So, my last few cars and what happened...
85 Cougar that had lots of problems... sold in 95 with 125K miles on it.. (10 years)
95 Monte Carlo Z34 with hardly any problems.... sold in 2009 with 97K miles with cash for clunkers... (14 years)
97 Firebird Formula bought 1 year old... sold it to buy the Acura.. had 95K miles (6 years) BTW, had a huge amount of problems with this car...
04 Acura TL with 6 speed manual... the best car I ever had... loved this car and would still have it today if not totaled in an accident about 3 years ago... had 47K miles... (10 years but would still have it) zero problems with this car...
09 Elantra bought with cash for clunkers.... still have with 85K miles on it... this will be my daughters car when she starts to drive next year...
10 Elantra acquired when mom when she stopped driving... 30K miles on it and son is driving it... will probably give it to him soon so he can pay insurance etc...
15 Pilot 4WD, bought for DW who wanted to go out on trails... we have done it a few times, but actually pull the boat more times than off road... 45K miles but will keep for a good while as DW does not like the look of any of the new ones...
13 Genesis... bought a year ago from oldest sister who bought a new one... had 23K miles.... will keep unless sister buys another in 4 to 5 years and I will buy her current car
I skipped a couple but put most down...