When do you guys call it quits on vehicles.

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted By: Doog
My optimal time I have learned is 200,000 miles and trade in for a cpo model of similar type. I get the absolute most out of factory parts and with a $100-150 detail get $6-8k for the trade in.

wash rinse repeat

What kind of vehicle gets $6k-$8k trade in at 200k miles. Or is this an arbitrary # used in deal to make it sound good and the sale?

I cannot imagine ANY vehicle actually sold for $7k+ at 200k miles unless sent to buy here/pay here lots.

 

[Tdbo]

When do I call it quits on a vehicle?

1. When it ceases to be dependable
2. When it spends as much or more time in the shop as it does on the road.
3. When it is worn to the point that there may be difficulty in the vehicle completing the tasks required of it.

 

[Y_K]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
What kind of vehicle gets $6k-$8k trade in at 200k miles. Or is this an arbitrary # used in deal to make it sound good and the sale?

I cannot imagine ANY vehicle actually sold for $7k+ at 200k miles unless sent to buy here/pay here lots.

Sold a Lexus LX for double and a half of that once

 

[Nate1979]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
Originally Posted By: Doog
My optimal time I have learned is 200,000 miles and trade in for a cpo model of similar type. I get the absolute most out of factory parts and with a $100-150 detail get $6-8k for the trade in.

wash rinse repeat

What kind of vehicle gets $6k-$8k trade in at 200k miles. Or is this an arbitrary # used in deal to make it sound good and the sale?

I cannot imagine ANY vehicle actually sold for $7k+ at 200k miles unless sent to buy here/pay here lots.


Trucks and large SUV's can.

 

[dlundblad]

My Jeep is probably worth 2.5k as is. If the engine was to die today, I would be looking for a rebuilt unit. If that procedure was to cost about 3k, I would still do it.

It'd be hard to find a mint dependable 4x4 Jeep for 3k IMO.

I say to run them until the rust takes over or an accident happens.

 

[Fteenthousand]

I just sold a 94 Cavalier a month ago. 235k and ran like a top, did replace the cylinder head myself at around 200k with a reman off ebay for $200. Biggest deal for me was the lack of airbags in what has become some pretty heavy traffic coupled with aggresive drivers. Just not the safest feeling, and it was reflected on my insurance premiums as it was more expensive to insure than my 99 Cavalier.

Generally I'll drive a USED car ten years. I've had the 99 for nine years and have only replaced the alternator and lower radiator hose. Not bad for the $2700 I paid for it.

Replaced the 94 with a 2015 Nissan Versa Note. Payments are a scant $253 a month for four years. Being new I'll try to get about fifteen years out of it.

 

[SLCraig]

There are lots of variables.
For me, cars like my Saturn. They are just so cheap to run... I have put a lot of new parts in it over the last year so I'd probably continue to fix it. For me, the real thing that will stop me from driving a car is if the body goes back. I can turn a wrench, but I am not interested in fixing holes in the floor or the frame..... Thats when its truly done.

Mechanical problems though, especially on a cheap car like my Saturn, I will just keep tackling. It will be 20 years old in a few months and I drive it every day back and forth to work.

 

[Robenstein]

When it it requires MAJOR engine repair/rebuild or the trans goes out and the body starts rusting out.


I miss having lots of old GM's with 3800 engines in them around. I used to pick them up around 9 or 10 years old with about 100k on them cheap and drove them till they died.

 

[Panzerman]

I think I look at all the issues and the car. I just put $520 worth of rear suspension on the Lincoln. They came with a Lifetime warranty. The car still runs Great and I had it since new. It always got regular maintenance. Being in Florida, the body is rust free underneath still has production stickers on it.Uses no oil and has no issues. If it had a lot of issues like using oil, slipping transmissions or rusty out. I would probably not have spent $520. Its probably worth $2000 tops. I don't count regular wear items like brakes and tires, that's gonna be there weather its a older paid for car or brand new with payments. You shouldn't count that.

 

[Hollow]

I'm actually about to throw in the towel on our beater.

Got a "free" 1992 Oldsmobile 88 Royale with 75K original miles that was neglected to hades and back. I've replaced the the passenger side mirror, radiator, upper and lower radiator hoses, valve cover gaskets, 4 new tires, and a full tune up. Mechanic has replaced the rear drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, and coolant bypass hose. Suspension is shot, parking brake cable is seized, intake manifold gasket just let go, ABS is malfunctioning, cam sensor is shot, front bumper is missing, interior is in extremely rough shape, and it needs front pads, rotors, a caliper, brake lines.

Car can barely run right now it is misfiring so badly due to th bad sensor and coolant soaking the engine due to blown gasket(s). Getting it road ready (again) is more than it is worth to us anymore. I hate ditching a vehicle with only 80,000 miles but it is breaking faster than I can keep it fixed.

 

[supton]

I don't like running past 200kmiles any more. I will probably try again, maybe running a VW of all things was not the brightest idea... Loved the car, put with its issues, but in the end, my life got too busy to drive hours to find a qualified mechanic to do the repairs that I could not do. Once the list of things that were worn and coming up were tallied, it seemed like time.

I don't like running past 10 years either. Road salt is a bear. I've lost brakes once, and really have no desire to have that happen again, much less to the wife. Sure, I could replace the whole brake system every 10 years--but at what cost? I have no idea how to deal with the ABS pump, so is it worth that kind of money at a garage? 10 years old, 250kmiles?

Hate to say it, but I will be tempted to get rid of my truck before 200k, only because of the transmission. Sure, replacing it would be cheaper than a new car payment--but not by much!

 

[Greasymechtech]

Quits? Never. Just plant them on the front lawn, or in the back yard, and save 'em for later.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Greasymechtech
Quits? Never. Just plant them on the front lawn, or in the back yard, and save 'em for later.


Wouldn't they rust away? Or sink into the ground?

My wife parked her car for I think 3 months after our first child was born. It locked up a drum due to rust, and wound having all braking surfaces turned as a result, basically a full brake job IIRC. [Yeah, I should have driven it once a week or something. In my defense--I wasn't sleeping much at the time.]