How long to keep a car

[joemilitary]

Have a 2005 Hyundai Tucson

has 135,000 miles......runs good but is coming up for some maintenance-----tune up, a transmission seal needs to be replaced (very slow leak)

try to make it last 200,000 miles or go for new car?

[tcu2003]

200,000 miles. We have a 2006 Escape with 140,000-ish miles that runs well - we'll be driving that thing until at least 200,000, barring something unforeseen.

[Deleted]

My vote is 200K too.  My van has about 153K and that's my plan.  I just found out it's going to need a $400-$600 repair and that's kind of sucky but still cheaper than a new/newer vehicle. (I tried the ArchietheDragon remedy of turning the radio up, but apparently my wheel might fall off now, so better get it fixed). 

[Ombud]

I vote for doing a transmission seal. I replace when the repairs exceed edmunds.com value and tune ups aren't repairs IMHO

[ArchietheDragon]

Oct 14, 2015 21:05:25 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

My vote is 200K too.  My van has about 153K and that's my plan.  I just found out it's going to need a $400-$600 repair and that's kind of sucky but still cheaper than a new/newer vehicle. (I tried the ArchietheDragon remedy of turning the radio up, but apparently my wheel might fall off now, so better get it fixed). 

The wheel won't fall off. Turn it up louder and stop listening to body shops.

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2015 21:06:21 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Oct 14, 2015 21:05:25 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

My vote is 200K too.  My van has about 153K and that's my plan.  I just found out it's going to need a $400-$600 repair and that's kind of sucky but still cheaper than a new/newer vehicle. (I tried the ArchietheDragon remedy of turning the radio up, but apparently my wheel might fall off now, so better get it fixed). 

The wheel won't fall off. Turn it up louder and stop listening to body shops.

Except it's my stepdad and one of his best friends telling me this.  I'm pretty sure they aren't trying to screw me over.  The wheel bearing is shot and I probably already trashed the hub by driving it as long as I did (hence the extra $200 I might end up paying but they won't know till they take it apart.)

[haapai]

I'd advise doing a lot more research and a lot more math.  You'll need to find out what the upcoming maintenance will cost and then you'll have to do your own, highly personal, analysis of risk and reward.  Two people facing the exact same maintenance issues on a vehicle of similar make and mileage can reach very different decisions. 

I live in a no-fault state, which results in fairly high automobile insurance premiums, which makes financing even a cheap car pretty damn expensive.  (The lender usually insists that a borrower carry full comp and collision until the balance is $1000 or less.  This cost about $80 a month the last time that I priced it and I estimated at the time that $20 of the increased premiums was overhead and profit for the insurer.  In other words, I get very little benefit from that $20 a month that I have to spend and it pushes my cost of borrowing way up.)  I also live a mile from work and could hoof, pedal, or pinecone my way to work if necessary and mooch rides for months if I just felt lazy.  Not surprisingly, I'm in the "drive it until the wheels fall off camp". 

I'd probably be in a different camp if I had a 200-mile a week commute, fewer alternate methods of getting to work, and lower insurance costs. 

It's called personal finance because it is personal.  Do your own homework or get canned answers. 

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2015 20:54:28 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

Have a 2005 Hyundai Tucson

has 135,000 miles......runs good but is coming up for some maintenance-----tune up, a transmission seal needs to be replaced (very slow leak)

try to make it last 200,000 miles or go for new car?

I drive a 2003 Honda Accord with ~150k miles on it.  I bought it new and I'm holding on to it for as long as I can. I just spent over $600 a couple weeks ago for some maintenance on it. 

Taming my lust for new cars is one of the most valuable lessons I learned from YM. This is the first car I've kept for more than 3 or 4 years. The fact that I haven't had a lot of problems with it helped a lot. So far, I've spent more money on maintenance than repairs. That works for me, since I'd have to spend money to maintain any car I owned. I always feel like I might jinx myself when I talk about my little old car, so I'll shut up now.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

2006 minivan with 125k.  It's a little shopworn and has a little rust on one of the doors (gotta love New England winters), but is otherwise in great shape.  No major repairs, yet (crossing body parts).  Hoping to make it to 200k but, at the rate I drive, that could be in another 10 years.  Not sure I'll be able to continue to be able get parts for it for that long (discontinued model), LOL!

[haapai]

I live in the Midwest.  At least wait until rut is over to replace the car. 

[weltschmerz]

I have a 2000 Hyundai Tiburon with about 40k miles on it. Yeah, you read that right.

The undercarriage is corroded from slush and salt, (always parked outside) but otherwise, it's in pretty good shape. I LOVE that car, and plan to replace it piece by piece. Where am I going to find a used car with that kind of mileage?

It will  take a loooong time to reach 200,000k.

[whoisjohngalt]

Well, I would be the wrong person to ask as we are putting $400 body work into my 1997 Nissan.  Evidently it won't pass inspection with all that rust and "little" holes. 

It has 182K miles on it but now that the kids are older and can get in and out of the car by themselves - I take it everywhere I can.

ETA:  except for oil changes, this car only had one tune up  - at 30K - to keep the warranty valid.  After that - I didn't let anyone get their hands into it unless it was absolutely necessary. 

[TheHaitian]

2008 Kia Sportage with 185,000 miles on it.

Hoping for another 2-3 years out of it! I do not want another car payment at the moment.

[cronewitch]

Depends on your age, gender, finances and if you have towing insurance. Dad always made mom get new when he didn't feel she was safe, I pretty much don't want to be broken down next to the road. Now with towing insurance and a cell phone it is less bad to be stuck 50 miles from the nearest gas station, men never worried as much they could hitch hike safer but for people who are female or handicapped it was more important to have a good car. Now I am retired with enough money I don't need to baby the last miles out of a car so will get new whenever I want. I have about 45K miles now at age 67 so if I have 100K miles at 75-80 I might get a new car for no reason but if I knew someone who needed a car I might sell them mine and get a new one much sooner. My next new car will be my last so buying sometime after 70 will last as long as I plan to drive. Also people can change cars if family size or commute changes, if I had to drive to work a long distance I would want a comfortable ride and good mileage so maybe a new car. Retired I don't care that much as long as it runs.

[bobosensei]

A good exercise for me when I start wanting to upgrade is to look at what a new car would cost.  That stops it pretty quick.  I bought my 2004 civic less than a year old with 10k miles.  I never thought I would still have it in 2015, much less that I would be willing to pay a few thousand to ship it back to the States.  But here I am about to start grad school with a DH that will be out of work after we move so I am willing to pay to ship in order to have a car I trust that will last until I am done with school and working again- likely 2018.  Right now it only has 145k miles, but my last civic had 230k when I gave it back to my mom.  She sold it and the person who bought it got it to 300k then wrecked it.  So I know the car will last, but I'm not a total miser.  I do want some upgraded features and will be willing to buy new in a few years.  Right now my car doesn't even have keyless entry!  For fun I looked at what a new accord would cost- 24k for what I'd want.  Even with the .9% financing the payment would be 509 a month for 60 months.  Seeing that stopped any thought in the back of my mind that I could swing a new car payment.  And that doesn't even count the increased insurance that would happen- right now DH and I pay 40 a month for both of us for 2 older cars liability only.

[Shooby]

Oct 14, 2015 22:31:15 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I have a 2000 Hyundai Tiburon with about 40k miles on it. Yeah, you read that right.

The undercarriage is corroded from slush and salt, (always parked outside) but otherwise, it's in pretty good shape. I LOVE that car, and plan to replace it piece by piece. Where am I going to find a used car with that kind of mileage?

It will  take a loooong time to reach 200,000k.

Do you ever leave home?

[giramomma]

Oct 15, 2015 5:39:16 GMT -5 Shooby said:

Oct 14, 2015 22:31:15 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I have a 2000 Hyundai Tiburon with about 40k miles on it. Yeah, you read that right.

The undercarriage is corroded from slush and salt, (always parked outside) but otherwise, it's in pretty good shape. I LOVE that car, and plan to replace it piece by piece. Where am I going to find a used car with that kind of mileage?

It will  take a loooong time to reach 200,000k.

Do you ever leave home?

I'm sure she does, but public transportation.

We when we were up in Canada, even as tourists, we took public transportation or walked as much as possible. So much easier than trying to drive.

I'm never home and I put on 300-500 miles on my car a month.

[gooddecisions]

My car was pretty reliable until it was 10 years old and then I also had some hefty repairs- radiation, the alternator and I don't even remember what else. It was about $1200 to fix/replace everything it needed. I did it knowing it was cheaper than a new car. I haven't had any major repairs since then and my car is 18 years old now. I bought this car used for $10K cash in 2002. I get one or two oil change/year and inspection. I replace the brakes and tires when they fail inspection. And grab a battery or light bulb when they stop working. That's it and is all the maintenance I do on it. I don't trust garages, once they start pulling spark plugs and replacing things that work fine, all sorts of things go wrong. The last straw was when a lube time drained the transmission fluid and left it empty. 

It sounds like you're at that 10 year hurdle. My vote is to repair it and keep on going for another 10.

[swamp]

Don't you people drive anywhere? I have 43,000 miles on a 2014 Honda Odyssey. I got it in January 2014.

I plan on drving it until the wheels fall off. Or at least until it's paid for which will be December 2018.

[movingforward]

I have a 2012 Hyundai Tuscan.  It was bought used about 1.5 years ago.  It had 23K miles on it when purchased and now has 39K.  It is good to know your Tuscan is 10 yrs old and still runs well.  I hope to keep mine until 200K miles. 

[Regis]

2007 RAV4 with 132k miles on it.  Gonna keep on going with it as I've basically put no money into it outside of routine maintenance.

[cael]

1999 Camry, 206k miles. We're driving her until she won't go anymore - even if it cost $500/year for repairs or maintenance (which it hasn't this year), still doesn't compare to what we'd have to pay for another second older reliable around-town car.

My 2011 Yaris has 86k miles on it. We've had it for 3 years and it had 39k miles when we got it... plan to drive this one forever too. It's been super low maintenance so far, but I think it's going to need new brakes and at least one set of tires soon.

I'd always say shoot for 200k+ unless you're literally bleeding money maintaining it and it would be more worth it to get a new car for what you're putting into it.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I'm not even contemplating replacing it, but, when I do, I am going to be sad.  There are many fond memories in this car.  We have been as far north as Acadia National Park in Maine and as far south as Key West and as far west as Indiana in this car.  The kids learned to drive in it.   We've done all of our many college visits in it, travelled all over the Northeast for lacrosse tournaments, and made our annual treks to a cottage in Maine with it.  I've had some of the best, most meaningful, conversations with my kids in it.  It has treated us well.  Maybe I'll just tuck it in the garage or somewhere in my yard when it comes time to move on.  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I am not sure how many miles the 1993 Taurus had on it before I stopped driving it. It was 10 years old when I bought it. I drove it almost another 11 years.  

I drove it until it pretty much literally fell apart.  We scraped it the day the break line snapped b/c it rusted out. Don't recommend driving your car that long.

I paid $800 for it in college.  We got our money's worth.   It's a testament to my dad's mechanical skills that we kept it going that long.

I now drive a 2005 Chevy Impala with over 215K miles on it.  It is an excellent car.   I just recently had to have the battery and starter replaced.   This is only the car's second battery and it was the original starter that was replaced so not too shabby.  I hope to pretty much drive it into the ground like I did with the Taurus.

[wvugurl26]

Oct 15, 2015 7:15:22 GMT -5 swamp said:

Don't you people drive anywhere? I have 43,000 miles on a 2014 Honda Odyssey. I got it in January 2014.

I plan on drving it until the wheels fall off. Or at least until it's paid for which will be December 2018.

I do. I got mine in February 2014. I have 53,000 miles on it I think. I drove my previous car until it was totaled with 150,000ish miles on it. I need new tires before winter. This will be my first time putting tires on it.

[NancysSummerSip]

89,000 miles on a 2010 Versa. Dayum, I thought I was doing a lot of driving until I read a few posts here.

90,000 mile service coming up shortly. I would like to keep it until it is as close to 200,000 as possible. It has been very inexpensive to own. Aside from washing and waxing, tires and regular maintenance, I have not done much else.

[Cookies Galore]

Oct 15, 2015 7:15:22 GMT -5 swamp said:

Don't you people drive anywhere? I have 43,000 miles on a 2014 Honda Odyssey. I got it in January 2014.

I plan on drving it until the wheels fall off. Or at least until it's paid for which will be December 2018.

I just hit 15,000 a couple of weeks ago on my 2013 Fit, purchased in October 2013. Tee hee. :-)

We also have a 1999 Civic with 161,000 miles.

[resolution]

I have 35,000 miles on a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon. I got it from my mom in 2010 when it had 15,000 miles on it because her friends couldn't get in and out of the passenger seat. It is a beautiful car and I still get stopped in parking lots by people with questions and compliments.

I love my car but I am getting really tired of us not having a vehicle that can seat more than 2. Our other vehicle is a truck (2004 with 55k miles), so when we want to go somewhere with friends or family there is no option for us to take them as passengers. It does have a tiny back seat but no one we know will sit in it. It is also so low to the ground that I can't take it to our good friend's house on a poorly maintained dirt road.

If I go based off of mileage I know I will never be able to replace it, because I will be 80 before it has 200,000 miles, so I guess eventually I will break the YM code and just buy another car for no good reason.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I have about 60k on my 2007 Forester.  I put average mileage on it until I got sick in 2011, then the car sat undriven for nearly 2 years.

We have 3 cars in the driveway now.  My commute to class is about 4x what it used to be to work, but when we go out, 85% of the time TD drives one of his cars.

[Lizard Queen]

My 99 Civic is leaking oil.     The other is a 2004.  Both have around 170,000  miles on them, I think.  DH's commute has been piling on the miles on the Civic~80 miles/day.