how long you typically keep your car

[JTK]

I maintain them with the plan of ownership until wheel separation. Unfortunately, my longest ownership was 4yrs ( a 2001 Windstar). Shortest is a little over a year (a 2005 Trailblazer). I've owned 14 vehicles in 22yrs of legal driving.

Joel

 

[Cutehumor]

I probably won't own no more than 10 vehicles in my lifetime

 

[mwsku83]

The first car I drove in high school was my dad's 1989 Pontiac Bonneville. He had the car for about 7 years before handing it down to me. I drove it for a year before going off to college, at which point my younger sister got it. So that car I only had for a year. I don't really consider it my car so much as borrowing my dad's car, so I don't know if it counts or not.

The first car I purchased myself (and I consider as my first car) was a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. I bought it with 60k miles and in immaculate condition the summer before my first year of college. I drove it for four years until at 130k miles it wouldn't run. My uncle, who is a mechanic, said he's work on diagnosing the problem but didn't know how long it would take or how much money it would cost to fix. Needing a car, I took advantage of a deal my coworker offered me on his 1997 VW Jetta GL with 118k miles and gave my dad the Cutlass providing he spent the money on getting it fixed. It turned out the Cutlass had a bad fuel injector that was shorted and causing the other injectors on that bank to fail intermittently, but it took a week to diagnose and needed some other repairs as well totaling about $500. So the Cutlass I had for 4 years and 70k miles.

My Jetta was so cheap and not planned that I always thought of it as being temporary until I could finally afford a car I wanted. Although it wasn't my ideal car, it grew on me for a couple reasons: it was my first foreign car, first manual (which I learned to drive AFTER buying it), and the car that I got my first ticket. It got great gas mileage in mixed driving, 28mpg in winter and 32mpg in summer. I drove it for 2 1/2 years until January of this year when I finally decided to upgrade in plans of starting a family. The Jetta was still running great, even though I neglected regular maintenance, when I gave it to my brother with 140k miles on it. So the Jetta I had for 2 1/2 years and only 22k miles.

My current car is a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor XLS AWD with 78k miles. This car I plan on maintaining and driving for at least 10 years. My wife drives a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT with 77k miles that she bought just over 5 years ago. It has been a pain to keep running: blown head gasket (twice), bad wheel bearings, bad O2 sensor, etc. I'm just hoping it will last another 5 years so we can go on 10 year cycles, meaning we will get a new car every 5 years (her, me, her, me, etc). And by new I don't mean brand new, but 2-4 years old. I refuse to buy a brand new car unless I suddenly become wealthy. They just depreciate too much. My Mitsu cost me less that 1/3 of the original sticker price and looks and runs like it did four years ago when it was new.

So I guess the answer is 10 years, or until the cost of keeping a car running exceeds the value of the car to the point where it would make more sense to put the money towards a car that will run much longer.

 

[kd5byb]

I buy new and drive them until the wheels fall off.

Longest was my 1995 Ranger with about 120k - only got rid of it because it was having weird electrical issues (IE: could only wash the windshield with the high beams on). Plus, we really needed a larger family car, hence the '07 Tundra.

I do all the maint/repair work myself. We have three cars and two drivers, so we've got a "spare" that gives me the needed time to work on them.

Took me a week to do the timing belt on my wife's car. But it was done right.

later,
b

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: paulo57509
I keep them until I can't get parts for them anymore.


Same here, or the cost of fixing it is more than the car's worth.

 

[H2GURU]

Any place where the temps dip below 32 the longest average time-frame averages 13 years for cars because of corrosion. Some vehicles with a commercial application may extend out to 15-18 years as some of their life was spent just sitting around as a spare.

 

[brianl703]

Temps dip below 32 in this area and rust is not a problem.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I've had a weird car ownership experience:

1991 Ford Explorer off/on 13 years

My parents got me a car to drive to school. I drove it through high school and college and then gave it to my little brother. Car came back to me for $1 after my brother graduated high school. We kept it until it died.

1997 Ford F-150 (4 years)

My first car out of college. Drove this truck to my first job in Ky, then Pa, then to NC. Gas mileage was a killer in 2001 (and we hadn't even hit > $3 gas). I traded it in on my Maxima.

1993 Mercury Sable (5 years)

My wifes college car, her Dad bought it for her used. After we got married, we drove it until it died. I miss that car.

2002 Nissan Maxima (7 years and counting)

Bought it new and have take meticulous care of it. I've gotten the itch here and there but am going to keep it a few more years...may trade it in on the new diesel Maxima.

 

[Shaman]

The first car I remember buying is a Prelude. Had some electrical issues from a bad alarm install. Took it to college, and sold it when I went overseas. Came back, and bought a Fox body Mustang as a toy, had it for summer. Bought a Grand Prix GTP my senior year of college, and then sold it before I came back to Japan.
Bought a Mazda MS-8 in August after I got here, and kept it until I found a cheaper car. that car was a Nissan march. I changed the tranny fluid and the tranny couldn’t shift 1-2 without banging. Friend sold me his Az wagon, and I have had it since May 06. Looking for another, newer, and turbo AZ Wagon or other kei-car, or a diesel SUV, see here https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/cheaper-or-less-fuel.85286/

Prelude 3 years
Mustang 4 months
GTP 13 months
MS-8 7 months
March 1 month
AZ Wagon 2 years

 

[M1Accord]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Temps dip below 32 in this area and rust is not a problem.


I am down the road from you and no rust here. even w/out undercoat.

 

[MGregoir]

Buy with 15,000 miles, used and a year old, drive until something happens that makes them not worth keeping. Usually around 12 years and 112,000 miles or so.

I am planning on running my current car out to 120,000 miles or so, right now it's just over 88,000 miles. If it's still alive then and in good shape, I'll keep it/sell it back into the family, but either way I should be due for something new-er by then.

Year old lease returns are the best. One good example is there is nothing like a half priced, low mile Cadillac. Sure it's not brand new, but a DTS with 15,000 miles for the price of a well equipped new Camry, I know which I would rather take.

 

[lovcom]

I was once guilty (in my youth) of buying cars every 12-24 months, regardless if I needed to or not. Often I purchased or leased cars that I could not afford at the time, and often I got into cars that cost lots of $ to run for their low MPG.

I no longer do this, but still the financial effects of doing so in the past are still with me today because if I had the $$ now that I blew back then on buying, trading, of selling for cheap, etc, I would have a sizable chuck of $ in the bank. A very large sum indeed.

The sad thing is that most the country has the old buying habits I once did. Just drive through the car ports of most any apartment complex in nice parts of most cities and one sees a sad thing: Lots of late model luxury cars, often costing $35-$40k plus....often big SUV's driven by single people, full sized pick ups that haul nothing, etc, etc....this materialism is a sickness that is killing the financial futures of millions of American's and leaving their families without braces, and other necessities just because dad or mom "deserve" the Suburban. With spinners, low profile tires and the like.

To the point of this thread, I will keep my 2007 Yaris until it drops dead around 300k miles, or longer. I'm done with wanting the latest and greatest and fastest and coolest....all superficial fashion....since getting my financial house in order about 6 years ago, I tend to place more value in things that can earn income down the road, and have since developed more of a sense of delayed gratification.

For me, getting 300k out of my toyota means it should serve me well for at least 12-14 years, and by then, I will be replacing it with a new car of the same class and relative price point.

 

[PandaBear]

Luckily I haven't gotten rid of a single vehicle in my life yet, and the oldest one we have is 13 yrs and 172k miles, and 11 years 210k miles. Got a new one due to wife's nagging, and old car stinks, and rattles, and all those keeping up with the Jones and all (she is feeling guilty now that I refuse to drive the new car and she isn't driving it more due to having old cars sitting around).

Parking them around and keeping up with the wash and maintenance is the hard part. Having a beater to go around the hood is good, and the stress level of worry about it all the time is lower.

Most likely keeping the 13 yrs old car till my mom wants her own car, or my niece (who lives with my parents) need a car later. She is 15 right now and won't get her own car until either college if you lives far, or graduating college if she still lives there.

 

[njcruiser]

Originally Posted By: MGregoir
Buy with 15,000 miles, used and a year old, drive until something happens that makes them not worth keeping. Usually around 12 years and 112,000 miles or so.

I am planning on running my current car out to 120,000 miles or so, right now it's just over 88,000 miles. If it's still alive then and in good shape, I'll keep it/sell it back into the family, but either way I should be due for something new-er by then.


Year old lease returns are the best. One good example is there is nothing like a half priced, low mile Cadillac. Sure it's not brand new, but a DTS with 15,000 miles for the price of a well equipped new Camry, I know which I would rather take.


Me too, the camry. .
Stop buying cadilacs or american and you will not have issues at 112K.

 

[02Pilot]

My rule for daily drivers is three trips home on a hook, or until they well and truly break. Minor mechanical issues are no problem, but major failures, significant rust in structural places, etc. are no good at all, and after three breakdowns leave me stranded, my confidence in a car is pretty well gone.

That said, I kept my 1983 533i out to 238k miles and 9+ years in my hands before rust at the rear subframe mounts put it down. The electrics were starting to get wonky as well, but it never once left me stuck. My 1999 Saab 9-5 went away at 130k and 2.5 years of ownership with transmission failure, which had been preceded by a spectacular turbo failure and belt idler pulley failure, all resulting in tows (one 800 miles from home) - done. My 1973 Dodge Challenger and the one BMW 2002 that I used as daily drivers both succumbed to rust in their third decades.

I'm hoping my current 2001 525i will have similar longevity to the 533i. It has 105k miles on it now, and I'd like to see 250k.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
Got a new one due to wife's nagging,


This was the reason most of our new car purchases occurred ... after we married. It took from 1980 to 2002 for "my turn" and the daughters put most of the mileage on my jeep. I had 7 brand new vehicles from 1975 - 1980...but only 4 since 1986.

I hope to never buy another new vehicle in my lifetime.

 

[mstrjon32]

I sold my 1997 Monte Carlo with 195K miles, and looking back it was one of the poorer decisions I've made. The car had another 50K in it without any serious work, and in my 90K of driving it, it never left me stranded or let me down. Sure it had a few problems, but it was a good car and I really miss it.

My 2006 Monte has 32K on it now, and I'll probably keep it at least another year, though I have been getting the itch to trade her in for something a little more sporty. I've had my eye on a C5 Corvette or perhaps a Saturn Sky. If good sense stays with me I'll hold onto it for at least 100K until the powertrain warranty expires, though I don't expect it to have any problems even after that.

The 1999 Jeep I bought just 4 months ago just broke 160K miles and I love driving it, but I'm not sure how long I plan on keeping it. If I trade in the Monte for a sportier car, the Jeep stays, if not, I'll probably unload it. I am going to have to repair the A/C if I do keep it and use it in the summer though, that is for certain.

 

[NHHEMI]

Generally I get a new vehicle every 16-24 months. Longest I have ever kept a new vehicle was 42 months and it almost killed me.

Think with the poor economy, high cost of living, crazy gas prices, etc... and things just getting worse by the day however the currrent 08 I have( bought in Jan )will be held onto for a while. Now is not the time to be shelling out money for downpayments and such. Now is the time to sock money away for the even bigger mess that is coming.

Here is my vehicle purchase history...

1988 Dodge Ram 50 2.6L 4WD RCLB Sport - 31 months
**91 - 94 = no new vehicle - drove a used beater**
1994 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L 2WD RCLB SLT - 28 months( new left over )
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L 4WD RCSB SLT - 42 months
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L 4WD RCSB Sport - 22 months
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L 4WD QCSB SLT - 14 months
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L HEMI 4WD QCSB SLT - 19 months( hated selling but soaring fuel costs forced it - I probably would still have it if not for gas prices - my favorite vehicle bought new ever )
2005 Toyota Tacoma 4.0L 4WD DCSB SR5 - 7.5 months( TURD! hated it! )
2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L 4WD ECSB LS - 11 months( new left over - destroyed by hail forcing sale )
2007 NBS Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L 4WD ECSB 1LT - 10 Months( gas prices forced it )
2008 Chevy Equinox 3.4L AWD 1LT - Since January 2008( it is dirty so time for a new one

)

 

[Kestas]

I have a 98 Escort ZX2 with 190K. I'm wondering when it'll give up. A lot of people want to buy it, but I know it wouldn't last more than six months in their hands. It needs a bit of TLC, but it's not overly needy and repairs haven't been that big a hassle. The day it needs some involved repair is the day I'll get rid of it.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Quote:
Got a new one due to wife's nagging,



I hope to never buy another new vehicle in my lifetime.


I never will again. Especially when I can find a 1 year old car with 10-15k on the clock and save 20-30% off the price of a new one. Besides breakin is a PIA.