My 1995 Escort is going to turn 18 in September.
My "new" car is a 1999 Alero.
My "new" car is a 1999 Alero.
Average car age in America at 11.4 years!
- Thread starter KrisZ
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Another reason why I don't like new cars (besides the pricing) is I don't want power everything and I hate 4 door cars. I would probably buy a new car if I could get a fuel efficient 2 door hatchback made in USA like my Escort. And it would have to get better gas mileage than my Escort (which most new cars don't or barely do).
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Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Buy a used car for around $10K and drive it till the wheels fall off.
No need to buy a new $30,000+ vehicle on payments, just max out your retirement contributions, that's what I do.
Smart man, exactly how I was able to retire at 55...
Buy a used car for around $10K and drive it till the wheels fall off.
No need to buy a new $30,000+ vehicle on payments, just max out your retirement contributions, that's what I do.
Smart man, exactly how I was able to retire at 55...
I tend to buy what I like and since I like it keep it for a very long time.
Unlike a lot of people I really hate car shopping and find switching vehicles to be a PITA.
Unlike a lot of people I really hate car shopping and find switching vehicles to be a PITA.
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I tend to buy what I like and since I like it keep it for a very long time.
Unlike a lot of people I really hate car shopping and find switching vehicles to be a PITA.
We ran a ton of cars through this household as small money makers and cars for my kids and stuff like that for two decades.
Given a choice I MUCH prefer the same car if it can provide me with what I need. That makes a small pool but it is still much better than having 10 cars in the driveway costing me time and money!
If and when I buy a new car I keep it till the wheels fall off. Chrysler is 8 this month, door still shuts like a bank vault. I may have it forever...
I tend to buy what I like and since I like it keep it for a very long time.
Unlike a lot of people I really hate car shopping and find switching vehicles to be a PITA.
We ran a ton of cars through this household as small money makers and cars for my kids and stuff like that for two decades.
Given a choice I MUCH prefer the same car if it can provide me with what I need. That makes a small pool but it is still much better than having 10 cars in the driveway costing me time and money!
If and when I buy a new car I keep it till the wheels fall off. Chrysler is 8 this month, door still shuts like a bank vault. I may have it forever...
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Originally Posted By: rjundi
I grew with idea of never getting rid of a car from parents and grandparents. Buy a nice car barely used or brand new. My parents drive 14 year old cars. Me no plans on dumping ours either if we can help it. They are paid for.
Same here....and I'm also from NE. Still driving my grandfathers 95 Camry -- and love it. Drives great and is about to hit 100k. I always keep up on the maintenance. And prefer to buy new and keep til she is dead!
I grew with idea of never getting rid of a car from parents and grandparents. Buy a nice car barely used or brand new. My parents drive 14 year old cars. Me no plans on dumping ours either if we can help it. They are paid for.
Same here....and I'm also from NE. Still driving my grandfathers 95 Camry -- and love it. Drives great and is about to hit 100k. I always keep up on the maintenance. And prefer to buy new and keep til she is dead!
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I tend to buy what I like and since I like it keep it for a very long time.
Unlike a lot of people I really hate car shopping and find switching vehicles to be a PITA.
We ran a ton of cars through this household as small money makers and cars for my kids and stuff like that for two decades.
Given a choice I MUCH prefer the same car if it can provide me with what I need. That makes a small pool but it is still much better than having 10 cars in the driveway costing me time and money!
If and when I buy a new car I keep it till the wheels fall off. Chrysler is 8 this month, door still shuts like a bank vault. I may have it forever...
I have owned 14 cars/trucks/vans in 40+ years and the Kitacam is the tightest most solid...@ 8+ years/100k miles and like you I plan on taking it to its grave...if not mine...
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I tend to buy what I like and since I like it keep it for a very long time.
Unlike a lot of people I really hate car shopping and find switching vehicles to be a PITA.
We ran a ton of cars through this household as small money makers and cars for my kids and stuff like that for two decades.
Given a choice I MUCH prefer the same car if it can provide me with what I need. That makes a small pool but it is still much better than having 10 cars in the driveway costing me time and money!
If and when I buy a new car I keep it till the wheels fall off. Chrysler is 8 this month, door still shuts like a bank vault. I may have it forever...
I have owned 14 cars/trucks/vans in 40+ years and the Kitacam is the tightest most solid...@ 8+ years/100k miles and like you I plan on taking it to its grave...if not mine...
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My main reasons for different car have always been the same. Changing life circumstances.
2dr(worn old)>4door hatch(for one baby)>SUV(two kids+friends in back)>potentially minivan(2.3 kids now) if current SUV does not work well
4door hatch should have been a Minivan and would be in a good place and skipped two car purchases. But WRX far more a hoot.
2dr(worn old)>4door hatch(for one baby)>SUV(two kids+friends in back)>potentially minivan(2.3 kids now) if current SUV does not work well
4door hatch should have been a Minivan and would be in a good place and skipped two car purchases. But WRX far more a hoot.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Originally Posted By: FowVay
I can't speak for anyone else but the unrealistic prices have kept me from shopping for a new car. A recent thread on here where a forum member was looking at trucks was a perfect example. A 2-wheel drive pickup truck that stickered for $38,000 is just ridiculous.
Its not only ridiculous its not true. My bare-bones full size 2012 pickup truck cost $21.5. Bare bones ain't what it used to be, as vehicle had radio AT AC cloth seats considerable interior storage space and 300hp. There are plenty of vehicles in the 22K or less price range (real world, not msrp) with high powered engines, better than average interiors, 6 or more speed transmissions or sporty suspensions. You pay up the minute you option up, but that's a function of the PT Barnum effect.
Thank you.
Actual retail prices for even a semi-savvy buyer aren't that bad.
In August 1999, we bought a new Accord LX for $16,800.00.
This car is in my sig even now.
In November 2012, we bought a new Accord for $19.159.00.
Not much of an increase over the intervening years, and the '12 was a more expensive car to build, being considerably larger and having an automatic.
The reason that the average age of cars on the road is as high as it is is simply because cars last longer now than they did forty years ago.
No amount of frugality or shade tree skills will keep a worn out POS on the road reliably as a daily driver, unless fixing an old car after work a couple of times a month is something one regards as a hobby.
I once did.
I haven't in many years.
Originally Posted By: FowVay
I can't speak for anyone else but the unrealistic prices have kept me from shopping for a new car. A recent thread on here where a forum member was looking at trucks was a perfect example. A 2-wheel drive pickup truck that stickered for $38,000 is just ridiculous.
Its not only ridiculous its not true. My bare-bones full size 2012 pickup truck cost $21.5. Bare bones ain't what it used to be, as vehicle had radio AT AC cloth seats considerable interior storage space and 300hp. There are plenty of vehicles in the 22K or less price range (real world, not msrp) with high powered engines, better than average interiors, 6 or more speed transmissions or sporty suspensions. You pay up the minute you option up, but that's a function of the PT Barnum effect.
Thank you.
Actual retail prices for even a semi-savvy buyer aren't that bad.
In August 1999, we bought a new Accord LX for $16,800.00.
This car is in my sig even now.
In November 2012, we bought a new Accord for $19.159.00.
Not much of an increase over the intervening years, and the '12 was a more expensive car to build, being considerably larger and having an automatic.
The reason that the average age of cars on the road is as high as it is is simply because cars last longer now than they did forty years ago.
No amount of frugality or shade tree skills will keep a worn out POS on the road reliably as a daily driver, unless fixing an old car after work a couple of times a month is something one regards as a hobby.
I once did.
I haven't in many years.
I have to admit, I'm starting to really like these gizmos. Like outside temp readout. One one gripe about my truck is that it lacks auto up/down on the windows--I got used to that pretty quick. The RDS readout on the radio is nice too. And boy is the six speed a nice step up.
When I purchased my new Elantra I did so with the understanding that if has to fit into my future plans. Children, space, economical, etc....
I hope to get 15+ years out of it and make my son buy it from me.
I hope to get 15+ years out of it and make my son buy it from me.
I no longer look at cars in terms of age but now gauge them on mileage. The cars for the kids will go minimum 165k unless lost to an accident. So when I see the kid's 2008 Rav with 80k it is only half way into it's life in our fleet. Another 6-7 years should do it.
Kestas
Staff member
17 years is average for the cars in my stable, if you don't count my classic car. Cars could certainly be kept much longer around here if it wasn't for the salt.
Modern cars last longer. I think its just about impossible to actually wear a modern motor out.
What kills them is abuse, lack of maintenance, or normal attrition, ie accidents.
Their is no reason a properly maintained car can't run for 15 years or 200k without much in the way of work done to it.
What kills them is abuse, lack of maintenance, or normal attrition, ie accidents.
Their is no reason a properly maintained car can't run for 15 years or 200k without much in the way of work done to it.
Originally Posted By: Shannow
I'd be very very interested to see wha tthe trend line would be if the "clunkers" programme hadn't been done, probably an uptick
"Cash For Clunkers", along with far fewer new cars bought in 2008-2010, has pushed up the price for used cars. One effect of this might be that if someone's older car is worth more, then it's worth fixing up and driving longer, compared to 5+ years ago.
I'd be very very interested to see wha tthe trend line would be if the "clunkers" programme hadn't been done, probably an uptick
"Cash For Clunkers", along with far fewer new cars bought in 2008-2010, has pushed up the price for used cars. One effect of this might be that if someone's older car is worth more, then it's worth fixing up and driving longer, compared to 5+ years ago.
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