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When two different mechanics strongly hinted it was time to sell because the clutch was going out. Plus the AC had a leak and it is summer.
I sold it to my neighbor for cheap and she is sooooo happy. She and her family are all mechanically minded. I am not. The already have the AC going again and fixed a lot of the nitpicky things.
Besides, I have a relatively new truck to drive around in. How could I sit here with two vehicles and listen to my neighbor sputter down the street in a car that barely runs.
But I'll confess: I'm already glancing around for an econowagon to drive to the mountains.
For me it depends. Some cars I offload when they are not serving their purpose. Had a stick shift Camry with 2nd child on the way and wife was still driving the beater car/would not drive the stick. So sold it and got her a decent automatic. Had a relatively new Honda CRV, but learned quickly that it was noisy and uncomfortable, so before any major depreciation, sold it. Monthly cost of ownership turned out to be very low.
Other cars, I repair, fix and maintain until they start falling apart, like our Dodge Caravan now with 160K miles on the ODO. It has leaks and a lot of new parts, paint has peeled off, still drives. The interior is starting to smell despite all the cleaning, so it might be time.
I have a Camry with the weak engine that is known for stripping head bolts. Am considering selling it before this happens to mine and cut my losses, will see.
When my '97 F150 starts costing me for monthly repairs, I'll go find another used one I will buy for cash. However, the '97 has only cost me $190 for the past 12 months for a used set of tires, so I'm not looking to replace it.
We have all been there... The car is paid for, you just drive it to work, and you are not ready to make the plunge for another car...
But, triple A just sent you a letter, your AAA towing insurance has been suspended, for over usage.
You white knuckle any time you drive out of town.
You make sure you never leave the house and drive that car in jammy pants and flip flops.
Car repair bills are a monthly expense.
When do you finally cave in?
I have never had AAA. I would never wait for 2 hours for a tire change I can do myself in 15 minutes, I don't run out of gas, can handle basic mechanics myself...... That being said, I do not tolerate cars that break down, never have...never will. I have 4 vehicles right now, 2 of which are 9+ years old and I would get in any of them and drive cross country.
You sound like you are already making the monthly payment, just not on a new car!
I just bought a new one today. Looked at the prices of used ones and the new ones are cheaper than late models used. I same car I bought today was priced $2,000 more on the used car lot. What's the point of buying used?
If your repairs cost more than the value of the car itself it's time to sell it. I count on always making car payments. It seems that cars just aren't built to last and while I don't buy a brand new car and still stay within a reasonable budget, I own the best car I can afford.
Well, I must comment on the above post. The truth of the matter is that the automobiles of today are built much better than in the past although it is commonly believed the opposite. In the "old days" when the car exceeded 50,000 miles it was usually best to think about replacing it. Today, it is not at all uncommon to see vehicles with 150,000 to 300,000 miles on the clock and still going strong. The other day I saw a '97 Ford F-150 and the odometer had 368,000 miles. Other than the expected weathering of the paint and interior from the sun, it probably will last indefinitely. It's a daily driver.
Virtually any vehicle made in Japan, Korea, GM and Ford should give many years of relatively trouble free service. I can't speak of Chrysler vehicles since they have had a spotty repair record in the past although I'm sure they are much improved nowadays.
Cars are seldom traded in because they are worn out. They are traded in, sometimes at ridiculously low mileages, simply because the owners didn't like them for one reason for another.
The other reason cars are traded in is because when gas prices drastically increase, panic sets in. Customers will trade a new or nearly new car in on a worn out "economy" car for "economy." It's craziness. It is said that Americans will "pay anything" for economy.
When mother nature says so, otherwise known as rust. I love my Taurus (yes, my Taurus ) and I don't ever plan to get rid of it. I can't stand rust, though and that would make me part ways with it. With over 193,000 miles on the odometer and almost 16 years old luckily there is very little of it and it's not in a noticeable area, so I can fix it without having to worry about it looking professional. I do plan to get another car next year as I just want something newer. The Taurus will be relegated to part time duty.
- you have to drive over 40 miles on I-95,
- in the breakdown lane,
- in the dead of winter,
- with the hazards flashing,
- at no more than 25 MPH while the car is bucking the entire way,
- after having the engine serviced the third time FOR THE SAME ISSUE less than a week before.
It was the final straw for me and my Ford Escort, the worst piece of excrement I ever drove! I bought it new and dumped it three and half years later. To this day, I reflexively cringe at the thought of buying a Ford product. I bought it, BTW, at the height of Ford's "Quality is Job #1" campaign ... what irony!
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) and I don't ever plan to get rid of it. I can't stand rust, though and that would make me part ways with it. With over 193,000 miles on the odometer and almost 16 years old luckily there is very little of it and it's not in a noticeable area, so I can fix it without having to worry about it looking professional. I do plan to get another car next year as I just want something newer. The Taurus will be relegated to part time duty.
