I'm going to keep the car for 10 years LOL! (joint, red light, gasket)

[TamaraSavannah]

Originally Posted by kent_moore

I always hear it from people who just bought a car. I also promised this to myself when I bought a car 5 years ago but I can't imagine myself driving the same car in 2025.

I'm tempting to buy a Tesla Model X next year and keep it for 10 years

Did you promise that to yourself when you bought your car? Did you keep your promise, why and why not?

Oh, yes! I said I wanted a car that ten years from now, I still would be driving.


It's 16 years now and I am still driving the Forester. On a related note, it's big brother, the F-250? 7 years and still going strong.

[V8 Vega]

I have Car Pro radio program on Saturday mornings. It's obvious a lot of people just like buying new cars.

[JONOV]

Originally Posted by YourWakeUpCall

I can't imagine why anyone would keep a car for ten years except out of economic necessity. There's been significant improvements in safety, performance, and emissions that these folks are missing out on. In fact, one could make the argument that driving an older car is irresponsible due to an older car's negative impact on the environment and the fact that it's lack of safety features (collision avoidance, etc.) places others in danger.

I remember so many more people getting killed in car wrecks in the early 2000's...actually, wait, no I don't.

And emissions? Do you really think that the net environmental impact of a brand new car (Remember all the emissions and metals and chemicals used to make the car) are going to outstrip the relatively minute emissions gains WRT what comes out the tailpipe of an early 21st century car vs a brand new one.

[TheProtege]

With my first car I didn't promise myself that I'd keep it for 10 years. I know I was going to keep it until the repair cost greatly exceed the value. A texting and driving person ended that possibility a couple of years short.
With the current car I told myself at least 7-8 years preferable 10+. 5 years so far, but the temptations are growing.

[Stagemomma]

Why is that so crazy? I only ever had one new car...my exhusband picked it out . It was a Ford Contour. It dropped dead on the side of the road and I walked away from that turd and never looked back. It may have been 10 years old but I doubt it.

Since all my other cars have been used, driving a 10 year old car is nothing to me. I'd keep them as long as they'd last, but to get to 10 years is indeed difficult! My last two cars were totaled through no fault of my own.

Currently driving a 2010 Prius with just over 200K miles on it.

[corolla5speed]

Originally Posted by Mr78609

The trick is to buy a proven model that is known to last and not become a money pit after 4 or 5 years

Talk to someone who has owned a car you are interested in and get their long term experience if you can..

My car is a 2004 Corolla 5 speed. At a gas stop yesterday my wife AKA (the navigator) informed me that the car did 40 mpg on a road trip (all highway). Clutch still original at 244,000 and uses 8 ounces of oil between 3,000 oil changes. Drive safe out there.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Todd

When I bought my truck I had planned on keeping it for 10 years but here we are at 18 but the truck is rusting away on me. The Northeast is a killer on frames. ... .



I really like my truck and to replace it option for option is today pushing $65,000 which is a really stupid price to pay for something that will depreciate to nothing or rust out before then.



I hate car payments.

Just fetch a used one from the SW USA, or left coast.

El Paso and Las Cruces NM is a pretty inexpensive, rust free used truck market. I have bought some from Tuscon as well.

[Pruzhany]

The oldest vehicle in my fleet is my Lexus GX470 at 17 years old. It just had it's yearly inspection at the dealership and all they could ding me for was the engine filter. Didn't even need a oil change.

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by kent_moore

I always hear it from people who just bought a car. I also promised this to myself when I bought a car 5 years ago but I can't imagine myself driving the same car in 2025.

I'm tempting to buy a Tesla Model X next year and keep it for 10 years

Did you promise that to yourself when you bought your car? Did you keep your promise, why and why not?

Sure. Still driving my 90GMC and my 08 CR-V. 400,000 miles and 175,000 miles. Bought them both new

[NC211]

I’m doing the 10+ year thing now. I’m sick and tired of buying cars every few years, and I’m a “car guy”. To keep mileage down, we have 3 instead of two and spread mileage amongst them. GTI is 5 years old now with 55k miles, MB E350 is 6 years old with 50k, and Toyota Highlander is 7 years with 125k miles. Toyota is getting replaced next year, and we’ve decided to buy something nice and expensive to replace it. Went to the 3 car route in 2017 when the Toyota was already at 90k and the GTI was at 35k. Since we’re able to spread mileage, and given our age and age of kids now, think we’re going to replace it with a new MB GLS or the like - a car my wife will “love” instead of “like” and will make fixing it more appealing than replacing it.

For me, key to long term ownership is fighting off the boredom factor. With an SUV, a luxury sedan, and a fun toy car, we can scratch nearly all itches as they come up. Each drives totally different. Get bored of little and zippy, go smooth and luxury for a week. Tired of sitting low to the ground, take the suv. Bad weather? Not a problem.