When to say "good bye" to your car?

[ILOVETHIS]

So my car is 12 years old, 220k KMs. No rust, runs ok.

Its just the other mechanical stuff that goes wrong and gaskets needing replacing.

I have spent a few bucks replacing the struts, ball joints and control arms. Probably around 3k in 3 years.

I have 3 more repair to do, a minor leak in the axle seal. Solenoid pack and tranny oil pan are sweating. Around 8 hundred more.

The minor leak is about 150, so I think that will by me time to drive a bit more and look for a new car.

How much more of repairs did you do before you got a new car?

 

[George The Curious]

I love when people say "my car runs great", then list 55 problems you have to repair and costs thousands to fix.

 

[onthebottom]

Just had my Toyota Land Cruser in for an oil change, 256k miles... I'm going to drive it until it dies, runs great (carpets could use a shampoo now that the kids are not so messy).

 

[Scarey]

Mine just turned 12 years old.252,326 km's? maybe? I spent Approx $600.00 on it last year.Take care of your car and it will take care of you.People who buy brand new off the lot may as well burn $50's leaving the lot as a expressive metaphor........

 

[thumper18474]

14 years old ...422,000km and still going great
I spend $1000/yr on it
with the 3800 seriesII V6 it'll run until the body falls off!!

 

[Scarey]

Actually, come to think of it this is a good thread to ask this in.Any mechanics here on TERB?.
List of repairs
1.Replace High Mount Brake Lamp
2.Replace Broken Washer Hose(1 foot)
3.Left Rear Tail Lamp.Replace Lamp Socket
4.Replace Licence plate light.
5.Front Signal Lights.Wrong Colour (that was a new one)replace them

Provided there was no complications, what would be a average labour time for those repairs?

 

[Sugar-D]

Ever 4 years.

 

[exceed]

So my car is 12 years old, 220k KMs. No rust, runs ok.

Its just the other mechanical stuff that goes wrong and gaskets needing replacing.

I have spent a few bucks replacing the struts, ball joints and control arms. Probably around 3k in 3 years.

I have 3 more repair to do, a minor leak in the axle seal. Solenoid pack and tranny oil pan are sweating. Around 8 hundred more.

The minor leak is about 150, so I think that will by me time to drive a bit more and look for a new car.

How much more of repairs did you do before you got a new car?

If is a chain of repairs get a new car. it's better to invest in a new car instead repair after repair. Canada's winter are tough on the electrical wires once they start rusting everything will go downhill..

 

[plumber2]

Never replace it keep on fixing it with better parts "......"..just had all my brake lines replaced with stainless steel lines and complete brake parts replacement drums pad shoes rotors springs everything oh my truck is a 1997 and not made anymore .....this spring more restoration

 

[LeeHelm]

I love when people say "my car runs great", then list 55 problems you have to repair and costs thousands to fix.

And exactly how much do you think a new car will cost?

A thousand or so a year to keep a car on the road is cheap.

If you feel you want a new car and can afford it go and buy it. Life is too short.

If you are happy with your current car then keep it till the engine falls out.

 

[LeeHelm]

If is a chain of repairs get a new car. it's better to invest in a new car instead repair after repair. Canada's winter are tough on the electrical wires once they start rusting everything will go downhill..

Not true. A new car can easily cost $20K and up. That is a lot of repairs for a lot of years.

Again nothing wrong with buying new if that is what you want. It is what I just did. I could have kept my old car for a number of years longer(it was 15years old). But the car just didn't fit my lifestyle anymore so it was time for a new one. Wish I would have kept the old car for a few more years but also glad I got a new car.

 

[whitewaterguy]

I love VW diesel owners who boast about their high mileage cars and how great they are. In the meantime they have replaced practically every frigging part in the car two times over...there's usually nothing original about their cars but the frame and maybe a few body parts

 

[kherg007]

Anytime you get 10 years from a car you bought new you have won. So with 12 years, you are in gravy territory. Look up consumer reports about your car, its year, and get a fix on the trend for that make/model/year. See what value you can get from it on a trade or private sale (in the US there is the kelly blue book which gives that info). And if you are anticipating those sorts of repairs, then maybe time to trade it in. If you are a handy type guy who can do some of those on your own, maybe you will enjoy hanging on to it a bit longer. I just traded in my car that I bought new 15 years ago. Always regular maintenance, drove gently, only 250k kms ...still got around $1500 on the trade in. Very much enjoy the new car, and now cannot imagine life before having rear-view cameras when parking or backing into spaces...

 

[t.o.leafs.fan]

I say good-bye after 10 yrs. I need reliable transportation or I'm screwed.

 

[redwood7]

Sorry whitewater guy, I must be an exception to your rule.
I have every invoice spent on my 2002 TDI.
Most I have paid per year was $2300 and that was one of the years I had to replace the water pump and timing belt. (Every 125,000 kms)
Most years I spend $1000 - 1200. This includes wipers, lightbulbs everything.
I have had two vw's first had 427,000 kms on it when I sold it for $1500.
Current car has 673,000 kms and I spent $1800 last it last year. This included $800 for my first ever set of snowtires and rims.
I look at it this way. I know my car and everything that has been done to it.
Until it starts costing me significantly more than a regular car payment each month. I am sticking with what I know, not what I might get in a new car.
Oh ya, show me another car out there that gets over 1200 highway kms per 45 litres of fuel!!!!!!!
Second set of brakes and second clutch also.

 

[Hurricane Hank]

I know most people disagree with me, but I like leasing cars.

Only thing I pay for is regular maintenance. Paid an extra $600 up front so that I'm not on the hook for tires or small scratches when I return it. I'm sure some of you will point out how it isn't great value for my money. The payment is about the same as 90 minutes of hobbying. If I really like the car, I can buy it out after 3 years.

 

[SexyFriendsTO]

So my car is 12 years old, 220k KMs. No rust, runs ok.

Its just the other mechanical stuff that goes wrong and gaskets needing replacing.

I have spent a few bucks replacing the struts, ball joints and control arms. Probably around 3k in 3 years.

I have 3 more repair to do, a minor leak in the axle seal. Solenoid pack and tranny oil pan are sweating. Around 8 hundred more.

The minor leak is about 150, so I think that will by me time to drive a bit more and look for a new car.

How much more of repairs did you do before you got a new car?

Cars are like people. They older they get the more problems will acure. Now ask yourself if you really need a reliable vehicle or do you need just a ride to get from point a to point b and breaking down is not an end of the world. If you are in a delivery, taxi or escort outcall business then for sure you need a reliable vehicle. If you have a regular job with sick days then you shouldn't worry too much. In case if your car breaks down you can always call in sick or show up a bit later. CAA is pretty cheap if you sign a year contract or something like that. If you don't really need a brand new vehicle then just fix major things in your old ride and continue driving. Now if somebody is in a driving business like me then every 4-5 years brand new vehicle is a must. My love mobile is getting close to 300,000 and I find myself dropping it off at Bento's auto at 5 in the morning more often now. Means it's time to let my iron horse go and invest into a new one.

 

[rags]

Have a 1995 GMC Jimmy with 647,000 kms on it. Was at the auto show yesterday and started looking for something new, guess it is about time

 

[oldjones]

The real question is what it costs you over time (don't forget to include the inconvenient downtime as a cost) and whether you think that's a fair price for what you're getting. You may think the money's worth it to tool around in a classic Rolls, but object to paying the exact same sum for transport in my 13yr old PT Cruiser. That's a personal choice, not a matter of dollars.

What can be a matter of dollar-arithmetic is cost over time of equivalent rides, but then you have to factor in acquisition costs and disposal revenue/cost as well. Until you've picked a potential replacement, don't calculate the numbers on whether continuing repairs 'are worth it'. When you pick the possible replacement do your spreadsheet, but—and it's a very big 'but'—remember it'll only give you a definitive number for equivalent cars.

As for your car and question, keep it if you're happy with it. Not worth owning it if it just annoys and disappoints.

 

[spraggamuffin]

Really depends on your financial situation.

The rich lease BMWs and Benz every 3 years thus avoiding the hassles when repairs and unreliability set in.

The ballers and wannabes then take them off dealerships hands at ridiculous prices and bear the burden of repair after repair.

Not everyone can lease a new vehicle every few years. 220km is not much depending on the make of the vehicle and how well it was maintained.

In many cases it makes sense to buy used after the initial owner has taken the brunt of the hit from depreciation.

Some makes are more reliable and regular maintenence may prolong a cars life.

Repairs can be divided into necessary vs not urgent.

Brakes are necessary while a body job is not urgent.

If you have the cash and wish to avoid the hassles, now is definitely the time to get rid of the old for couple bucks and get in the new.

If you are in the know about cars and can do work yourself or have a cheap and honest mechanic and are attached to the car...

If you can't afford a new car right now, simply prioritze your repairs and stay away from dealerships, while searching for more reasonably priced garages like igarage in Markham etc.