Didn't buy new car

[IndyIan]

We test drove a few new SUVs and came to the same conclusion: the old Jeep does what it's supposed to. Drove a VW Atlas Crossport and a new Grand Cherokee. Now no longer in the market and no plans to look at others. I just have no faith that any 2026 model would last 20 years.

I would think almost nothing in the mid-size or large luxury-ish SUV market today is going to good vehicle to keep for 20 years?

TBH I thought they made the same GC WK all the way from 2005 to 2021, so I was going to say, just buy a 2021 and run it, but it was updated or "improved" in 2011, the WK2(with a bunch of complicated features, like air ride suspension!).
I did a quick query on which one was more reliable at the 8-10 year mark, and the WK had a lot less problems than the WK2.... So you are probably right in just keeping what you've got and do some research on what you want to replace it with, if yours starts to have expensive issues.

 

[QwikKota]

What did you test drive?

He's leaving us in suspense!

 

[Dave Hess]

I test drove a BMW M2 and M4.

I’m undecided until I test drive C8 Z06.

 

[The Critic]

I would think almost nothing in the mid-size or large luxury-ish SUV market today is going to good vehicle to keep for 20 years?

I'm hoping to keep my TX500h for 20 years, but I'm probably dreaming.

 

[dogememe]

Lots of discussion on the internet about the complication of new vehicles. There is at least some truth to it.

Components now tend to require replacement rather than being repaired, a simple bulb change, etc. Have you priced the cost of replacing a tail light? (Often, you can't just replace a bulb any more). A tail light on my Tesla is around $500. Ouch.

Engines and transmission which (10 or 20 years ago) were pretty reliable are not so much anymore. You never had to wonder about the cost of having your intake valves blasted with walnut shells for example.

So I'm keeping my 2007 Honda Accord. If I'm ever forced to replace it I might go for a used Lexus E350 or GS350 with their relatively old timey technology. And I'm really impressed by the 2013 Chevy 3/4 ton truck my friend just bought. There is room around the engine. You can maintain and repair that thing with fairly basic tools.

The headlight for my Tesla was $1600. That sounds expensive until you compare what it delivers compared to a traditional old bulb that comes out of the housing and can be had for $20 at your local auto parts store or walmart.

The matrix LED automatic headlight functionality is AWESOME. Basically at night the high beams are always on and it uses the camera to dim individual sections of the light to the low beam brightness to prevent glare for oncoming traffic and other stuff.

Then I get in my Tahoe and high beams or not I can’t see a thing haha. Is safety worth $1600? That’s a decision you have to make.

So you do get what you pay for to some extent.

 

[Allaned]

New vehicles are good for the features and driving comfort, that is it. Neither of those vehicles I would have much faith in either. Have you considered the WK2 (2013-2020) Grand Cherokees? My father is on his second WK2 with the 5.7L V8, the first 2013 had just over 200k and his current 2020 has over 100k. I own a 2019 Grand Cherokee with the 5.7 as well and just ticked over 70k. I know several who own the 3.6L version which is much more common and they like them as well. The best thing to do is find one as basic as possible. Mine is a limited with heated leather, but no sunroof, no air suspension, and no collision avoidance or radar cruise.

My 2007 Grand Cherokee (built by Daimler/Chrysler) has the slightly unusual 4.7 L V8. Good enough power to easily pull my boat and trailer up the ramp and head home.

 

[QwikKota]

My 2007 Grand Cherokee has slightly unusual 4.7 L V8. Good enough power to easily pull my boat and trailer up the ramp and head home.

The Dakotas I have owned both had the 4.7L. Pretty fun with a manual and cams/tune.

 

[GON]

The headlight for my Tesla was $1600. That sounds expensive until you compare what it delivers compared to a traditional old bulb that comes out of the housing and can be had for $20 at your local auto parts store or walmart.

The matrix LED automatic headlight functionality is AWESOME. Basically at night the high beams are always on and it uses the camera to dim individual sections of the light to the low beam brightness to prevent glare for oncoming traffic and other stuff.

Then I get in my Tahoe and high beams or not I can’t see a thing haha. Is safety worth $1600? That’s a decision you have to make.

So you do get what you pay for to some extent.

Tesla might very well be the only holistically well designed vehicle manufactured in the U.S.A. In 2026.

If I had to buy a new 2026 car, it would be hard to not see if a Tesla would match needs and wants.

I think GM,Ford, and Chrysler should have spent a lot of time trying to understand Tesla. But it is reasonable to assume making a best in class vehicle is not a deep down goal of GM,Ford, and Chrysler. In fact, it was reported Mary Barra sold millions of dollars of GM stock, and no GM insiders purchased GM stock in the recent filings.

 

[ecotourist]

The headlight for my Tesla was $1600. That sounds expensive until you compare what it delivers compared to a traditional old bulb that comes out of the housing and can be had for $20 at your local auto parts store or walmart.

The matrix LED automatic headlight functionality is AWESOME. Basically at night the high beams are always on and it uses the camera to dim individual sections of the light to the low beam brightness to prevent glare for oncoming traffic and other stuff.

Then I get in my Tahoe and high beams or not I can’t see a thing haha. Is safety worth $1600? That’s a decision you have to make.

I had the same problem with my Accord. I took it out one night and couldn't see a thing. I think the bulbs had just gotten old. Replaced those old standard bulbs with high intensity bulbs and wow, what a difference. That upgrade didn't cost $1600 (which would be $3200 for both sides).

We have bushes along both sides of the road coming into our neighbourhood. When I drive our Tesla the high beams won't stay on unless I keep the high beam lever pulled back. On my Accord the high beams stay on when I put them on. Score one for old tech.

 

[Allaned]

I really love my 2017 VW All Track. Bought it new 9-1/2 years ago and just turned 70,000 miles. I maintain it well and aside with my recent replacement of the water pump/thermostat unit, all I have done is tires, fluid changes and spark plugs. Runs like a top. Still has knobs for control of heat, AC and radio. I looked at a new Tiguan R Black unit and was not impressed by the giant screen and lack of easy to use controls. I would have to put out over $40,000 and it may not run as well or last as long as the All Track. And there is that pesky 6% Pennsylvania sales tax.. lots of money for nothing. So on it goes. No car payments, which I also like although I usually buy for cash.

2017 may have been peak VW. My 2017 GTI has knob controls like your All Track. In 10 years it has had oil changes and new tires. That’s it.

 

[Allaned]

He's leaving us in suspense!

I answered that in a post above. No suspense.

 

[jeepman3071]

My 2007 Grand Cherokee (built by Daimler/Chrysler) has the slightly unusual 4.7 L V8. Good enough power to easily pull my boat and trailer up the ramp and head home.

We had a 99 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L V8 when I was a kid. Used it to tow a camper and a utility trailer quite often. It went over 200k with regular maintenance before it was traded in.

 

[dfarr67]

My 2007 Grand Cherokee (built by Daimler/Chrysler) has the slightly unusual 4.7 L V8. Good enough power to easily pull my boat and trailer up the ramp and head home.

They had a nice diesel around that time too.

 

[MCompact]

I fall on both sides of this discussion; I’ve owned my 1995 3 Series since new, and I kept my Wrangler TJ for 21 years. I have no plans to sell the 3er.
However, I also appreciate some of the newer technology. With the above exceptions, after 6 or 7 years I’m ready for something different, newer and -most importantly- faster.

 

[meep]

I’ve gotta admit, radar cruise is the bomb. I use it daily. Reduces fatigue, lowers drive tension, and as long as I know where it’s good and where it gets confused, that feature has been valuable to me, a lot.

But I’m regretting having departed with the last 2009 s60 I had. I could keep it running all day long. As I’m reading about my Tacoma with radar cruise, I’m not entirely sure I can change the 12v battery myself, which confounds me.

 

[MCompact]

I’ve gotta admit, radar cruise is the bomb. I use it daily. Reduces fatigue, lowers drive tension, and as long as I know where it’s good and where it gets confused, that feature has been valuable to me, a lot.

But I’m regretting having departed with the last 2009 s60 I had. I could keep it running all day long. As I’m reading about my Tacoma with radar cruise, I’m not entirely sure I can change the 12v battery myself, which confounds me.

My C43 has Level 2 autonomy, which makes long interstate slogs much more enjoyable. What I like even more is being able to switch from cruiser (geezer) mode to hooligan mode at the flip of a switch.

 

[Allaned]

You are to be admired. We live in a consumer society, where everyone wants the latest thing, and few people these days can find satisfaction with the car that they already drive, when compared to a new car. And it is a rare exception to be satisfied with a 20 year old car.

There is nothing wrong with being able to be satisfied with what you have. And it is even more admirable if you continue to keep it well maintained, so it serves you reliably.

Thanks for that but not looking for compliments. We also have a "new" car, just 10 years old. I would take either the 20 or 10 year old vehicle on a transcontental trip starting this minute. No preparations needed because the maintenance is up to par. Not to say something couldn't break on the way, because anything is possible. But I feel confident in either.

 

[Silverado12]

FWIW I'm trying to get my 2012 Silverado to last as long as possible. It should, being it's the 4.3 V-6 iron motor with a 4L-slippy transmission and an Eaton G-80 rear. My brother has a Silverado with the little 2.7 motor and an 8 speed 4WD. It's been perfect so far but it's only a couple years old.

 

[64bawagon]

Outstanding. The only way we fight back against all this overcomplicated electronic garbage is by refusing to buy and letting the vehicles rot on the dealer lots. Well done.

The way you vote also impacts the "electronic garbage" content of new vehicles. The Government hand lies heavy on the auto industry.

 

[IndyIan]

I'm hoping to keep my TX500h for 20 years, but I'm probably dreaming.

Well, Lexus is probably the best bet for that? In your locale and maintenance level, I would think it has pretty good chance. I guess it has lot of systems/parts that just don't exist on something like a late 2000's WK, but usually Lexus doesn't cheap out on part quality either!