Reasons to Keep an Older Car

[02SE]

My oldest car is a 2002 model. I bought it for my mom. She loved that car. It has approx. 60k miles, and looks and drives like new. The last time I had it emissions tested to renew the registration, the service adviser and dealer techs were gushing over it, with offers to buy it. I've been receiving regular offers from the dealer since then.

I've also received numerous offers from extended family, friends, acquaintances, and random strangers, to buy it.

I have no reason to, or desire to sell it.

 

[panthermike]

Great thread, when I was younger I frequently bought new vehicles. While I do enjoy new cars no doubt, I love the old ones to! Of our vehicles; I really do enjoy our Corolla. Low cost ownership, reliability, no drama, and 130hp if I'm feeling frisky

 

[willbur]

I've had my Club Sport for 30 years; it was my HPDE instructor car from 1996 to 2012.
I must be really be living on borrowed time...

living in KY you probably dont have to deal with heavy traffic... Bring that hooptie up north to say, Phily or NYC and see what happens LOL

 

[MCompact]

living in KY you probably dont have to deal with heavy traffic... Bring that hooptie up north to say, Phily or NYC and see what happens LOL

We obviously don’t agree on the definition of “hooptie”…

 

[willbur]

We obviously don’t agree on the definition of “hooptie”…
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We obviously don’t agree on the definition of “hooptie”…
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I had a suspicion you would do something like this LOL. But my point was about newer cars being safer, not about what is a hooptie. It could be someone's else car, too

 

[405fwy]

Congrats! Just bought one of these too! My first brand new car. Love it so far.

It's a great car, can't complain. Probably best time in my life to own one as a 20s person with not much obligations in LA.

 

[4wd]

Well you missed one reason for a new car. Wife says she wants a new car. Happy wife, happy life.

And it's Valentine's Day in a few days.

Honey, I want an old car said my wife - like never

 

[Carz2AirworthyStandards]

@Boomer nailed it
I've spent a lifetime collecting the knowledge, skills, tools, shop, etc so as to do ALL my own mx on all my ole vehicles (see signature).

Fulltime DIYer, retired pilot
12 MKX 3.7, Kirkland 5w30
07 Yukon 6.2, Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 0w-40 Euro custom blend
07 Toyota FJ 4.0, 5w30 Valvoline Restore and Protect
02 Corvette 5.7, HPL 5w30 PPCEO
96 Prevost XL40 12.7, Chevron Delo400 SDE 15w-40
51 Chevy 5w PU Resto 5.3 Mobil 1 FS Euro 0w40
83 Glasair1 TD AeroShell 20-50
90 Ez-Go 2-cysle GC Amsoil Sabre

Congrats on being a pilot and a mechanic at home. I have been acquiring tools knowledge building a shop because I find it awesome to keep up my stable of vehicles: 1998 5sfe Toyota Camry 341,000 miles. 2001 Audi Quattro 210,000 miles 2005 Ford V10 van (torqshift) 127,000 miles, 2006 Lexus LS 430 120,000 miles. I think the newer models have built in early fail designs and parts. An optimally maintained older vehicle (like an aircraft) can run like new or better. Do the suspension, tires, all engine maintenance/rebuilds. One other thing, Ive added a secondary oil filtering system called a bypass system to all of my rigs. After what I consider to be enough oil analysis testing, Ive found that the base stock oil remains viable and CLEAN (the most important thing about oil) nearly indefinitely. I can save a bit on oil, but the best part is that engines last a lot lot longer.

Looking at pilot training and simultaneously researching different aircraft for different missions, I learned that in order to pass inspection annuals , aircraft have to be maintained to very very high standards. In addition older well built airframes from 20 30 40 50 years ago are still in safe operation when this is handled. I thought, I can certainly do this for my cars. I'm tired of getting rid of the ones I like, and this Idea, doing my own work and holding the work to a high standards, has been a very rewarding experience for me. Periodically I drive new version of my cars at the dealers, and besides all the new tecno screen crap (for cars, techno screen for aircraft serve better purposes) the RIDE of my old vehicles with new suspension/tires is nearly the same quality as the BRAND NEW CAR. That, for me, was a wake up call and a revelation.

 

[Carz2AirworthyStandards]

But what is your safety worth? That old car maybe super reliable and look almost new but lack the engineered structural improvements and equipment to greatly increase safety. I am considering buying new cars just for that- I'm really afraid of the giant pickup trucks and overweight SUVs out there these days.

Safety itsn' in tech. it's nearly 100% in the hands and mind of the driver. Ive paid my dues to learn this, performance driving courses over decades. Safety "tech" also misfires, does the wrong things, and causes accidents as well. You ever had to replace a phone, or computer because of a failure. Ever power cycle because it didn't work ? Well its a bit different the failure risk when you are driving 70 on the freeway. You safety tech people are likely the worst manual drivers out there, bar none.

And to your allusion to vehicle mass being a scary thing, yes, no safety tech besides seat belts a strong body, crumple zones and air bags will help you in a wrong way collision with a vehicle of much greater mass. No lane changing reminder or the like is going to save you from your collision with a much larger mass. Most of those things are in your control as an alert and skilled driver. Some are not.

 

[CKN]

Safety itsn' in tech. it's nearly 100% in the hands and mind of the driver. Ive paid my dues to learn this, performance driving courses over decades. Safety "tech" also misfires, does the wrong things, and causes accidents as well. You ever had to replace a phone, or computer because of a failure. Ever power cycle because it didn't work ? Well its a bit different the failure risk when you are driving 70 on the freeway. You safety tech people are likely the worst manual drivers out there, bar none.

And to your allusion to vehicle mass being a scary thing, yes, no safety tech besides seat belts a strong body, crumple zones and air bags will help you in a wrong way collision with a vehicle of much greater mass. No lane changing reminder or the like is going to save you from your collision with a much larger mass. Most of those things are in your control as an alert and skilled driver. Some are not.

Those safety features make cars inherently safer.
We disagree-BIG TIME! It is no longer in 100% of the driver. I guess you are a much better driver than I-because my ego isn't such will I won't admit one or more of those safety features has helped me at one time or another.

 

[Kurtatron]

Those safety features make cars inherently safer.
We disagree-BIG TIME! It is no longer in 100% of the driver. I guess you are a much better driver than I-because my ego isn't such will I won't admit one or more of those safety features has helped me at one time or another.

Data doesn’t really agree with the idea that newer cars are saving lives.

Deaths went down dramatically in the 2010s, but have spiked in the last 3 years. The average age of cars hasn’t changed, so it’s not like the deaths are attributed to only old cars.

Deaths are increasing. Top three reasons are distracted driving, speeding, and DUI. Cars are getting safer, but idiots will always find a way to kill themselves and others.

I choose to drive an older car because I like to sing Kumbaya.

 

[CKN]

Data doesn’t really agree with the idea that newer cars are saving lives.

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Deaths went down dramatically in the 2010s, but have spiked in the last 3 years. The average age of cars hasn’t changed, so it’s not like the deaths are attributed to only old cars.

Deaths are increasing. Top three reasons are distracted driving, speeding, and DUI. Cars are getting safer, but idiots will always find a way to kill themselves and others.

I choose to drive an older car because I like to sing Kumbaya.

Well you have already explained while deaths are up. It''s not the cars. They are still inherently safer. Happy Kumbaya. There are also noted psychological issues that have come up "post C" years -and other factors that are increasingly creating a less caring (for others) society.

It's like this on here-those who can't afford a new car, or can afford it but won't buy one, or who are outright jealous (yes they are on here) will defend driving beaters to the end of time.

Nothing wrong with driving a beater-BTW. The anti new car threads are just so repetitious on here. You know-it's I have to justify driving my 20 year old-200,000 mile car.

 

[Elkins45]

I’ve bought new cars my whole life, the last ones being a 2017 Nissan Titan and a 2019 manual Ford Fiesta. My first used car purchase was in 2021when I bought a 2009 Scion xB beater on a whim. Now, five years later I’ve bought two more used Scions and a used RAV4. When you own one or more reliable vehicles it gives you the luxury to take a chance on project cars that might need a little work.

Plus, the sticker prices and insurance costs of vehicles with multiple mandated computer security aids have become a real disincentive to buying a new car. Before buying the RAV I considered a new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport but only because of the very long warranty. I like owning a car that has a warranty and that no one has dirtied up with their yucky biological residues, but the cost is starting to exceed the return for me.

 

[Bob in Utah]

I’m an old car guy…newest is an ‘11 GX 460

Oldest is this ole DD ‘01 Land Cruiser with 365K miles

Tags are $75 annually

Heater/AC work great along with the 4x4 system

Yea…I’ll add a quart of oil every 3500 miles…no big deal

The black salvage fender sets it apart from others

 

[MParr]

Agree! I bought this last April, one owner, 119,000 miles currently at 134,000 miles for $3,200. It’s our day trip poverty wagon and runs great. So far I’ve spent around $1,000 for some new suspension parts, one new rear brake drum, new windshield, plugs, air filter, fluids etc. Basic liability insurance $600 annually and averages right at 30 mpg. My wife’s 2013 CPO Lexus looks and runs like new with only 94,000 miles and she’s not interested in a new car. Between the 2 of us we’ve owned probably 12 new vehicles and could cut a check for a new car today but for us a new car doesn’t make $en$e.

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I like that Ford Focus wagon. What year?

 

[Legs4Arms]

At the expense of getting endlessly ridiculed I figured I'd showcase Ruby here anyway. Coles Notes; bought in 2006 for $3K CAD with 84,000kms as a grocery getter and for my wife to bump around the neighborhood in. Now has 185,000.

She didn't end up getting her driver's license and over the last 20yrs Ruby has singlehandedly gone about her business as being easily the most reliable car I've ever owned, and I've owned many and currently have 4. As mentioned before the only bulbs I've ever changed are the headlights due to a DRL issue that I had jimmyrigged so now I turn the lights on every time I drive it. Original everything and everything works.

33yrs young and runs the exact same as it did in 2006. Mobil 1 5W-30 the entire time pretty much (0W-30 AFE a few times) and Mobil 1 filters, always 8000km intervals. 3 sets of cheap tires, 3-4 alternators (GA16DE's go through them for some reason).

I'm probably into it for ~$6K all in for 20yrs of use. Ruby is my reason why hanging on to an old car makes sense. I'd drive it to California tomorrow without a single worry. Still has the newish car smell too