When do you replace your car?

[big brown horse]

My father drives a '90 toyota tercell with over 450,000 miles on it. It has had the engine rebuilt and then again replaced with another used engine, but the car is strong and running. He LOVES to BRAG too. I don't blame him. Beaters are the new black!

 

[inchworm]

I went to Kelley Blue Book's website and plugged in your info. I don't know your exact model and I plugged in my own zip code. It says the value of your car is $1725 if in good condition. Transmissions probably cost a bit less than that, but not a lot less.

I think in your shoes (and it seems like you don't have any great love for this car except as reliable transportation), I'd start saving money with the idea of replacing the car.

 

[SKR8PN]

Why don't you tell us what kind of car and age and mileage? And then list the repairs you have done recently and cost and what still needs to be done. I bet by the time you finish, you'll have a clearer idea of what you need to do.

Inchworm

1996 Nissan Altima. 165k. Since Halloween it's gotten new tires, struts, alternator and battery. One mechanic said it will need a tie rod eventually. It has an automatic transmission and doesn't shift the way it used to so I'm worried about the transmission. I've owned it since it had 11k and have done all the scheduled maintenance.

I've seen charts on when appliances should be replaced rather than repaired but I guess cars are a case by case basis.

How many times have you serviced the transmission since you had the car?

Here is another way to look at whether or not it is time to replace the car. Never put more money into a MAJOR repair than what you can replace that car for. In other words, what is the car worth to you? What are identical vehicles in the same condition/mileage selling for WHOLESALE?? 1500.00? If the transmission goes, I'd have to look at what you have already replaced and what else might be ready to fail before I would replace the transmission. If the car is worth 3-4000.00,I'd stick another tranny in it and drive it like ya stole it! I would not have the transmission that is in the car rebuilt(way to expensive!) I'd go with a lower mileage used unit and have it replaced.

 

[Wifezilla]

I don't replace engines. When that goes, time for a new used car. Same with transmissions. Most other things can be taken care of by me, hubby, or one of our mechanic friends.

 

[patandchickens]

Most places I've lived, the frame does not generally outlive a well-cared-for engine (due to road salt).

My first car, a 1980 Dodge Colt which despite the model's reputation was a GREAT little car if rather minimalistic, was sold at 140k miles to a fellow grad student who ran it up to almost 200k miles and I am under the impression he sold it to someone else but I lost track. It was still going fine when last seen, although obviously bits (including the clutch) had been replaced over the years.

My second car, a 1990 Subaru Legacy, was junked at just over 210k miles, but ONLY because there was just enough rust damage to the frame that it would not have made economic sense to have the work it'd require to import it into Canada. Had there been only 'normal' state inspection and commonsense issues involved, it would have gone a lot longer, possibly to 300k even, and I hated to give it up because it was still running really well with minimal repair expenses.

Before I had kids, my attitude was 'buy a (used) reliable last-a-long-time car and drive it into the ground, repairs are still cheaper and easier to afford than a replacement car'. But I have to say, now that there are 2 little kids in the back seat, I REALLY REALLY do not like the idea of breaking down in a snowstorm or in the middle of nowhere, and reliability is a much bigger factor than it used to be. We got rid of a 1995 Ford Escort that we owned for only like 2 yrs (in its middle age) and not very high mileage, because it was just breaking down all the time; and I expect that when my current car gets that way it will be its time to go, too.

So, I'd say it depends, more than I woulda said that ten years ago

Pat

 

[freemotion]

Another factor is the safety factor. For me and dh, I get the newer, more reliable car since I drive all over the place for work and breaking down puts me in much greater danger as a smallish woman than it puts him, as a big brown guy built like a linebacker. His car has 230,000+ miles on it and is still going! We traded mine in last winter at about 150,000 and several repairs. It needed brakes and tires and the exhaust was sounding a little funky, so off it went to be traded in. Of course, that means we have one car payment. We got a newer used car, a lease car with 14,000 miles on it.

 

[k0xxx]

In 2005, our '93 Ford Aerostar van had 275,000 miles with only minor maintenance items. I'm sure that it would still be going today, had we not had an ownership dispute with a family of squirrels.

One day, after it had sat idle for a few days, it wouldn't turn over. I opened the hood and the engine compartment was filled with leaves and squirrels. The dang little tree rats had eaten though the complete wiring harness where it entered the firewall, as well as other tasty items.

About that time we were given a '92 Mercury Grand Marquis with 135K on the speedometer, so we relegated the van to use as storage. We are still using the Mercury today and it is at 200K+ now.

We have recently purchased a used '97 4WD Ford Aerostar with about 150K. It had been used as a delivery van and has a wire cage enclosing the entire area behind the front seats. It's great for hauling everything from lumber to small farm animals (although next time I will remember to put some hay down for easier cleaning!).

 

[VT-Chicklit]

We currently have 4 vehicles. We have gotten to the point of a used car lot because the status of our vehicles gets down graded as their reliability is diminished. We have our "work/yard" truck, a 1994 Chevy S10 with over 180K miles. This truck was everyday transportation for DH until gas started to get expensive in the fall of 2005. The body of this truck was also starting to deteriorate. We have added a plow package to it in 2007 so that it can now plow our private road and driveway and it can still earn its keep. We also use it for hauling messy/nasty things like manure for the garden from a local farm.

When the Chevy S10 was down graded, we purchased a 1994 (?) Toyota Corolla with 140K miles on it for $1100 from our car repair guy. The Toyota became DH's everyday car. It gets good mileage (over 30 MPG) and is reliable. We maintain it and it now has over 200K on it. DH uses it to get to work daily during the spring, summer and fall. It is not so good in snow, so on bad winter days he takes the new Dodge Dakota which has 4WD.

We bought the new Dodge Dakota in the Summer of 2007. DH wanted a new truck that he could drive and haul. The price was good for a 4WD truck so we purchased it. We, at the time thougt the Chevy S10 was not going to be road worthy much longer. The S10 has fooled us and the body has not deteriorated much further since then.

We traded our 2 yr old Hyundai 4WD SUV back in 2004. There was nothing wrong with it except that it used more gas than I wanted to use and I could see where the gas prices were headed. We had received a notice from our dealer offering us an exceptional deal on a different car if we traded the SUV in. They had a big demand for the used 4WD version of the SUV and was offering extra incentives to get them on to their lot. Our SUV was getting ready to have a very evpensive, mandatory maintainance service at 60K. The expected cost of this service ($800), plus the cost of gas helped us determine that we should get rid of the SUV. We at that time purchased a dealer loaner car, a Hyundai Elantra with leather seats, AC and a sunroof for less than what we owed on the SUV. The car had 7,000 miles on it when we purchased it. I drive this car now and get 39-40 MPG. It has 75K miles on it to date and I expect to keep it for at least 8 or so more years.

Reliability and the cost of gas and repairs for us is the key to whether we get rid of a vehicle or not. Because we live in a rural area, we drive long distances daily to get to work, shopping, Dr visits, and other meetings that require travel. When I worked 3rd shift, a reliable car that was good in the snow was a must. I use to drive in to work at 11PM in very bad snowy/sleeting conditions. There were long stretches of road that were desolate with no houses for miles. If you went into the ditch, got stuck in a drift (lots of those), or got into an accident, you might not be found until morning. Cell service was spotty out here then so you could not even rely on that if you had a problem.

I guess what I am saying is the reason each of us has for keeping or getting rid of a vehicle depends on our situation. As you can see, we had several different reasons for keeping or getting rid of our vehicles. The key is to really think about the change before you do it. You need to evaluate all the costs of keeping the vehicle VS the cost of getting a new one. You also must consider other issues such as how the vehicle is used and how reliable a vehicle you really need.

 

[FarmerChick]

At what point should a car be replaced? In the past it has always been obvious. One car had a large electrical fire, with two the engine blew up. This car is 13 years old with 165k. Ive replaced the tires and struts last Fall so I could make it through the Winter.

Last month the alternator went out. I dont expect any more problems but who knows? I dont want to put any more money in this car. I figure I should sell it before something else goes wrong. I want to keep the car as long as possible but dont want to throw good money after bad.

A co-worker bought a used car for $8,0000 then put $6,000 in repairs $200 here $600 there over the course of four years. How do you know when repair costs are no longer worth it?

Depends on your financial situation also. Can you afford a new vehicle or want to pay that money? A $1,200 repair is certainly cheaper than a vehcile cost of say $8-10,000.

BUT if the car looks older, rusty, all that mess, it would be time to replace before the bills start to pile up.

I am like FM, I want a safe car. I drive everywhere and dependable is for me....but I do drive my cars into the ground. Your gut also knows when it is time....we can only drag so much out of a vehicle.

Tony's truck has 130K or more now and we are currently saving money for a huge downpayment on a new one and will keep this one as a farm truck since it is still in good shape......but I know he has a $700 repair coming. Can't remember what he said the maintenance guys said, but it needs to be replaced soon at that cost...again, $700 beats a new truck at about $35K.

So also go with your gut feeling. It sounds like it might be new buy time for you.

 

[Wifezilla]

I am like FM, I want a safe car.

Do you think people driving 1972 Pintos WANT to drive a bomb on wheels?

LOL

Sorry, that struck me as funny.

I know what you are saying, but I once knew a guy who's family was in financial trouble who used "safety" as justification to buy this huge, expensive SUV. As he was telling me about how great this car was "Aren't you guys tight on money right now?" slipped out of my mouth

He got all defensive and went off on this safety speech. At the time I was driving a 1982 Chevette. He basically accused me of child abuse. It was so hilarious!