I have found that 200k on the clock is my optimal time to keep a car. I take pretty good care of them and at 200k seem to have avoided any major repairs while getting the best enjoyable life out of the vehicle.
How long do you keep your cars?
- Thread starter qdeezie
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When cars get old and have high miles, I get rid of them. But, by this time, they have little value to anyone...
I've driven my share of clunkers. I'm going to stop doing that. It really does not save money to drive a piece of junk. Repairs cost money and my time spent fixing things has value too.
My current Jaguar X-Type has 150,000 miles, and still runs great. However, it is showing it's age (plastic parts are falling off due to deterioration) and it's about time to let it go.
I've driven my share of clunkers. I'm going to stop doing that. It really does not save money to drive a piece of junk. Repairs cost money and my time spent fixing things has value too.
My current Jaguar X-Type has 150,000 miles, and still runs great. However, it is showing it's age (plastic parts are falling off due to deterioration) and it's about time to let it go.
Excepting my first car, which I hated but had to drive for a year as it was all I could afford at the time (mk1 Renault Clio, 1.2l)
I've always told myself that I'll keep my car until its cheaper to buy a new one than to repair what I have.
I've had the Scirocco for 6 years, prior to that a Golf GTI was going to be a 'keeper' until an older gentleman forgot which side of the road he was meant to use and ran in to me, head on.
Meh since lost his license, and I still mourn the golf. The scirocco is fantastic and overall probably the best car I've ever owned, but the golf was magical. Made me feel like Walter Rohrl and drive like him too
I've always told myself that I'll keep my car until its cheaper to buy a new one than to repair what I have.
I've had the Scirocco for 6 years, prior to that a Golf GTI was going to be a 'keeper' until an older gentleman forgot which side of the road he was meant to use and ran in to me, head on.
Meh since lost his license, and I still mourn the golf. The scirocco is fantastic and overall probably the best car I've ever owned, but the golf was magical. Made me feel like Walter Rohrl and drive like him too
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Timely thread for me, this one. Yep, mainly because I'm beginning to suffer from automotive restlessness, boredom if you will, with what I have. How lucky to have such a problem, though. The Subaru has been loyal and dependable but doesn't get driven a whole lot because I commute in a rag arse 2003 Impala provided by where I work. So the Forry has only 40,000 miles. But here's the thing: it's a 5-speed manual and I'm bone dog tired of shifting, partly because I'm 51 and partly because this town is chock full 'o stoplights and stop signs. Craving a luxury sedan 'specially after recently tasting one in the form of a Chrysler 300 base model rented for a short 1-way interstate jaunt. But homeownership and practicality dictate either a small SUV (CUV) or truck.
So, if the Forester gets the heave-ho it may be for a mid size truck. Heard something about redesign of the chevy colorado, might check that out when it's out if not already out.
But mainly it's being tired of a manual trans that's driving the urge to trade right now.
So, if the Forester gets the heave-ho it may be for a mid size truck. Heard something about redesign of the chevy colorado, might check that out when it's out if not already out.
But mainly it's being tired of a manual trans that's driving the urge to trade right now.
Keep my cars..eg $10 000 = 10 yrs.
We usually keep our cars until our needs change, or there is a big repair bill and it looks like more to come... I have no problem putting $1000 into a $1500 car if I feel the car is going to go for a lot longer.
Probably the Tracker will be kept as farm/trail beater as the plan is to get a more family friendly 4wd with more towing in a couple years.
Probably the Tracker will be kept as farm/trail beater as the plan is to get a more family friendly 4wd with more towing in a couple years.
Until now I have tended to keep my cars too long. When I was married my wife and I went through three cars that were "hers" in fifteen years. But, I personally had two cars during a 33 year period. The first one was mine for ten years and was eighteen years old with 212K miles on it when I sold it. It was a significantly rust perforated 1972 Pontiac. I drove my 89 Accord for 23 years and 353K miles before having an accident and replacing it with a 2012 Mazda. I really don't want to keep a car that long again. I did the vast majority of the work on that Honda myself. Don't kid yourself. Even the best cars will require lots of effort in 23 years if you want them to look nice and continue performing reliably.
I think ten years or 150K miles is going to be my limit at this point. We'll see if I can stick to that schedule.
I think ten years or 150K miles is going to be my limit at this point. We'll see if I can stick to that schedule.
I purchased the Accord in 2004 with the intent of seeing how long it would run with proper maintenance. After 142k it runs like a top, but my initial intention is slowly eroding from the constant bombardment of new and shiny things.
So it takes more of an effort as time goes by to remind myself of all the reasons to keep it.
The pure pleasure dividend on the Miata is still so great that I doubt I'll ever sell it.
The pure pleasure dividend on the Miata is still so great that I doubt I'll ever sell it.
Originally Posted By: Bud_One
I purchase vehicles to keep them till the value of their repairs surpass the value I hold for them or they get totaled beyond my abilities to repair them at a reasonable cost.
That's kind of it for me: the value the car has in my eyes. I don't change cars every 2 years or anything; I tend to replace after about 4 years, and two of my cars got into the 6-7 year range. As long as I still enjoy driving and looking at the car, and its cost of repairs is reasonable for the return I get, I keep it. But if I'm no longer enjoying the ownership experience -- and I run across something that suits me and is affordable -- then it's time.
I purchase vehicles to keep them till the value of their repairs surpass the value I hold for them or they get totaled beyond my abilities to repair them at a reasonable cost.
That's kind of it for me: the value the car has in my eyes. I don't change cars every 2 years or anything; I tend to replace after about 4 years, and two of my cars got into the 6-7 year range. As long as I still enjoy driving and looking at the car, and its cost of repairs is reasonable for the return I get, I keep it. But if I'm no longer enjoying the ownership experience -- and I run across something that suits me and is affordable -- then it's time.
It's somewhat different today, than it was 10 years ago. Today's cars, in the same class, do get significantly better MPG's. The fuel savings do help somewhat offset the cost of a replacement vehicle.
I have 2 F150's, the newer one is 5MPG better!! That's a big deal, when it's 14.5, vs 19.5MPG. Objectively, the monthly savings is roughly $100 or put another way, $1200/yr.
I have 2 F150's, the newer one is 5MPG better!! That's a big deal, when it's 14.5, vs 19.5MPG. Objectively, the monthly savings is roughly $100 or put another way, $1200/yr.
About 5 years used to be my norm. Our Escape we've had for 8 years and never plan on getting rid of it. The Focus we've had 3-4 and been in the family since 03. It'll be traded when we can afford to do so. The 4cyl/auto is a bit boring. When it comes down to it if you can afford it and want something else buy it.. in 100 years it won't matter to anyone.
The RV will be replaced in 10-12 years with a big Class A (our new home).. unless the front half starts giving us trouble.
The RV will be replaced in 10-12 years with a big Class A (our new home).. unless the front half starts giving us trouble.
I think that where you live and your driving habits might go a long way toward dictating how long you keep a car if you really like it. Some faults can be over looked but if the car turns out to be less that you expected then the first major repair might just be the ticket to a replacement.
Many people in the rust belt just expect a car to be like a t-shirt that soon fades and gets tossed.
Many people in the rust belt just expect a car to be like a t-shirt that soon fades and gets tossed.
My plan is to keep it as long as possible; that's the way to justify a new car in my mind. For me, the depreciation on a newer car easily exceeds my gas cost. Those last few years when you are driving around for practically nothing but the car still drives well, are the sweet spot.
Of course, I don't have a job where I am expected to drive a spiffy car. Nor am I a high-mileage driver where the economics might change.
Of course, I don't have a job where I am expected to drive a spiffy car. Nor am I a high-mileage driver where the economics might change.
Till its no longer feasible to fix/repair them. Usually in the 200 to 400 thousand mile mark.
Using oil as an undercoat gives me a rust free vehicle.
Using oil as an undercoat gives me a rust free vehicle.
I wait until the price of the next repair significantly exceeds what the car is worth. In the case of the Saturn, I sold it just as cylinder #3 fell below specs on compression. Someone else has to suffer driving a car with completely dead cylinder in it.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
In the case of the Saturn, I sold it just as cylinder #3 fell below specs on compression. Someone else has to suffer driving a car with completely dead cylinder in it.
In the case of the Saturn, I sold it just as cylinder #3 fell below specs on compression. Someone else has to suffer driving a car with completely dead cylinder in it.
Originally Posted By: babyivan
Originally Posted By: artificialist
In the case of the Saturn, I sold it just as cylinder #3 fell below specs on compression. Someone else has to suffer driving a car with completely dead cylinder in it.
Well, I traded in in, it wasn't a private party sale.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
In the case of the Saturn, I sold it just as cylinder #3 fell below specs on compression. Someone else has to suffer driving a car with completely dead cylinder in it.
Well, I traded in in, it wasn't a private party sale.
200,000 miles
No real reason. Rust is not a concern. When I hit 200,000, I typically buy something newer.
I might keep the Mazda a bit longer. I had to buy a new Bank 1 Catalytic Converter (rear cylinder bank) at 160,000 miles so I plan on getting my money's worth out of that. (the catalyst just fell apart...must've used the same manufacturer as the Nissan QR25DE)
No real reason. Rust is not a concern. When I hit 200,000, I typically buy something newer.
I might keep the Mazda a bit longer. I had to buy a new Bank 1 Catalytic Converter (rear cylinder bank) at 160,000 miles so I plan on getting my money's worth out of that. (the catalyst just fell apart...must've used the same manufacturer as the Nissan QR25DE)
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: babyivan
Originally Posted By: artificialist
In the case of the Saturn, I sold it just as cylinder #3 fell below specs on compression. Someone else has to suffer driving a car with completely dead cylinder in it.
Well, I traded in in, it wasn't a private party sale.
Haha, no worries... I don't judge, cannot judge, refuse to judge
Originally Posted By: babyivan
Originally Posted By: artificialist
In the case of the Saturn, I sold it just as cylinder #3 fell below specs on compression. Someone else has to suffer driving a car with completely dead cylinder in it.
Well, I traded in in, it wasn't a private party sale.
Haha, no worries... I don't judge, cannot judge, refuse to judge
For me it varies greatly. I usually buy my vehicles new and drive them to about 200k miles. In some cases that takes 5 years, in others 10+. I typically have two or three of my own at a time. I also have in one case, bought a new truck and sold it less than a year later - I just didn't love it. I drive my cars hard and expect them to last and still look and drive perfect when I sell them.
My wife typically buys used cars with very low miles (<20k) and trades them around 120k miles, with a couple notable exceptions. In her case the standout was the Audi she bought new and was spending more money monthly to maintain it by 40k miles than payments would have been on a new one - it was traded at about 64k. She has the perfect commute so a car should last forever. She leaves our neighborhood and sets the cruise control at 82mph for 60 miles and then parks for 6 hours, then comes back the same way.
My wife typically buys used cars with very low miles (<20k) and trades them around 120k miles, with a couple notable exceptions. In her case the standout was the Audi she bought new and was spending more money monthly to maintain it by 40k miles than payments would have been on a new one - it was traded at about 64k. She has the perfect commute so a car should last forever. She leaves our neighborhood and sets the cruise control at 82mph for 60 miles and then parks for 6 hours, then comes back the same way.
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