First, I know folks can go cheap on "old" vehicles, I just never saw the point. If I can't get in the vehicle and run to Los Angeles in a day and half (1400-miles) then it's time to get another. And, since I have no plans to do so, then strict maintenance and repair schedules are called for.
There are several cars/trucks in my family history the past 30-years able to always do this up to and beyond 15-years.
Age and mileage aren't the problem. Maintenance and repairs are. Commercial and military vehicles of every description are not otherwise operated or are sold/surplused if maintenance funds not forthcoming.
Second, a semi-useful vehicle has no place, IMHO, in a well-planned budget. Insurance (liability only), taxes, inspections and basic maintenance make for an awfully-expensive "part-time" vehicle.
Therefore, just because it is 9-years old and has over 135,000 miles on the clock is NO REASON to let things slide. It still has another 3 to 6 years of service expected from it. Go anywhere, do anything. I currently have two 2001 Chrysler vehicles (XJ Cherokee JEEP and 2wd DODGE Ram 1500) that will hit 100k this next year.
So, over the next calendar year each will be getting new: springs, shocks, alternator, starter, sensors, etc & misc, so that component failure doesn't lead to being out of service. (Have posted about this previously; strict annual fluid/filter changes; belts and hoses every 30-50k, etc).
My out-of-pocket expense may seem high, but my overall long-term cost-per-mile remains constant, and low.
Third, as to living in the country, I'd expect that the utility of a truck/SUV would be handy. (But ask yourself how it was done by folks in the same situation 40-years ago when there were but few pickups used as family vehicles; those folks still -- somehow -- did what was needed).
Sure, a trailer can be "inconvenient", but only a little planning can take care of that. (Or, paying for delivery by distributor/retailer is still cheaper than operating a truck/SUV.) Ask your brother what his operating expense is per mile.
All things are a trade-off. If I pay for "convenience" now, that is simply less money to be put to use for long-term return. A vehicle has no "return" outside of making my paid time more efficent. My unpaid time is sheer expense.(Thus the comment about ego. Twenty years ago few people drove Suburban-sized anything. And millions of mommies better off in minivans have suddenly -- dollar-wise stupidly -- decided that a 12 mpg truck is the better way to go).
That is the math that counts: Separating reason from unreason via dollars-and-cents.
Planning for retirement, education, unemployment, health crisis? Then I should ask myself WHY am (if average) throwing $25k out the window every decade or less. Before ROI and compound interest.
