When your vehicle reaches middle age...

[rationull]

I've had a new car itch for a while, but that's predominantly because I want something more fun and/or with more cargo room than my current car. However, as my car gets older (it's still very new now) there are two competing things that go though my head. First, I feel like it would be more "acceptable" to replace it, since the longer I've had it the more benefit I've gotten for its purchase. Second, though, the longer I've had it the more I want to keep it for various reasons:

- Older cars have more character.
- More miles "together" makes me want to keep that odometer going.
- As particular models go out of production I get more attached to them for some reason (you can't just go out and get a new version of the same thing anymore).
- The longer I have it the less concerned I am about small fit and finish issues, door dings, etc. Makes me worry about the car less.

In some ways I really miss having an older (but still reliable) car. The longer I keep the current one, the closer I get to having that freedom again

 

[Spazdog]

Definitely in that constant keep it or trade it flux.

The current state of affairs throughout the middle east and the certainty that fuel prices will rise have me looking into a Jetta TDi Sportwagen. Maybe a Cruze Eco.

I know my car is only good for about 25-26mpg in mixed driving if I hypermile it. I hate driving like that. Oh, it was entertaining for a few tanks but gets old real fast. 22 mpg mixed is much more common. 40mpg would be a lot better.

But my car is fun, looks good, handles real well, and can out-accelerate a fair portion of the cars and trucks on the road when I squash the skinny pedal on the right. And the Duratec is the cleanest engine I've ever seen with 100,000 miles.

 

[rjundi]

Our 2005 Legacy GT wagon just hit 105k. The turbo & 5 speed, heated seats leave my wife/I with no desire to trade. The 22MPG does not bother us as we spool the turbo and get that nice kick. I think 0-60 is 6-7 seconds.

The alternative is some horrible boring 7+ passenger vehicle family hauler which I cannot think of one interesting one out there. And the boring ones do not even get decent MPG either.

So trade in does not interest us.

The recent $400 timing belt change, pricey $550 90k service due to spark plugs, and $550 tires did sting a little.