Who actually keeps their vehicle forever?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Back in April 1994, Car and Driver ran an editorial by one of the editors entitled 'We Never did Learn How to Thow Away Stuff'.

It was the story of his brother, who after owning a few 'Vettes, bought a new Dodge 'plumbers van' new in 1975, and drove it for 18 years.

The essence of the artice was basically 'he didn't intend to drive it for 18 years...but some things just happen.' Of course, the article is full of all the stories that go along with putting up with a 1970's vehicle for 18 years.

It's a great read.
 
Originally Posted By: modularv8
I know we start out wanting the very best for cars and trucks when they are brand new. Some want to keep it forever in the same band new condition. But over time there will be door dings, paint chips, and other things that happen over time that change the we feel about our vehicle.

So has anyone kept their vehicle with the intent of keeping it forever?


Well, until the cost of repairs exceeds the cost of replacement.

For me that has usually been in the 15 years range, with the newest car being the "drive on vacation" car.

Since I moved over to synthetics about 35 years ago I have not had an engine wear out or a transmission require overhaul.

I have had a blown head gasket (Honda Civic) where the cost of the repair was clearly more than the value of the car at 15 years of age.
 
I'd like to keep my car forever. It would be nice to not have a payment for half a decade to a decade. I am not sure how much planned obsolescence is built in. I figure if I keep up with the fluid changes, hose and belt changes, good basic maintenance, I should reach at least 250k.
 
We got 2 cars in their 200s - a 1991 Lexus with nearly 241K and a 1996 Nissan with 230K. The drivetrain in both are original.
 
"Well, until the cost of repairs exceeds the cost of replacement."

And if you can find a good running replacement that is the same model, etc., for less than the cost of the repair, do you keep the car you have, the one you know the current history of? Sometimes you can buy an entire replacement, fix the problem with your existent vehicle, and be an entire "parts car ahead"...

Cheers!

I realize the term "fix" has a lot of "wiggle room" in it: the cost, for example, to pull an entire engine and transmission and correctly re-install it can be expen$ive. But, if that's all you need to continue on with "the devil you know" vs. meeting a new one it just might make (dollars &) $en$e.

This is all based upon the premis that the vehicle you are currently driving is the kind of vehicle you actually WANT to be driving.
 
I bought my car in 1981, a 242 GLT Turbo Volvo, my third Volvo and first brand new car. For business reasons, I leased Volvos in the intervening years, but I always loved and drove my '81 as my personal vehicle. I made the decision at 180k to refurbished it by replacing all the parts and systems that wear out - suspension bushings, shocks, brakes, bearings, fuel pumps, exhaust, cooling and various supporting bits and pieces. I put a wrench on every nut, bolt and fastener throughout the car and it runs essentially like a new car. I set an arbitrary budget of 1/3 the cost of a replacement vehicle and I'm good for another 200k.

The engine has the same compression and vacuum per factory specs, has never had the valves adjusted and I attribute this to religious changing of oil. I figure I have saved a ton of money on the car by owning it for 29 years (the leased cars were transparent to me as business write-offs).

My first Volvo saved my life and I've been loyal to them ever since. The money I've saved and will continue to save has been used elsewhere. That's my story...
 
Last edited:
We had the 94 Jeep since new in the family(between myself and brother)14 years w/225k miles. The Jeep engine was trouble free, started on a dime in the coldest and deadest of winters even after sitting for a year or two.

I had plans on taking it back and doing resto work on it but the damage by rust was far to much and among other things needing repair the parents used it as a clunker trade to get a new Camry(which they did need a new car as the 91 Lumina is a coolant/oil mess all over the engine) and other issues with it.
 
Still have my wife's '79 (maybe '77) Sedan DeVille, replete with 500 CID two barrel and 59,000 original miles. About seven years ago I paid someone to put everything back in roadworthy running condition, it was driven for a couple of days, and has not moved since. This car is mostly a pain in my behind.

I'll probably keep my 1994 Xj12 forever. It only has about 75K miles, and I'm figuring the market for sixteen year old near 4000+ lb luxo cars with V 12 engines is pretty limited in the age of $3/gallon gas, so I probably couldn't get rid of it even if I wanted to.
 
my 87 GMC 1/2 P/u had over 260,000 when I sold it after 13 yrs,
looked and ran super.
My current 2000 GMC 1/2 P/u has 190,000 + and looks and runs
perfect,
89 C4 convertible, excell cond w/ 86,000 ~ keepin it
 
I keep my vehicles between 200k to 250k miles. Usually sell them to people I know in excellent condition and running perfect. The only exception is if I get a dud or in one case bad paint work after a dent.

That is usually about 5 years and a lot of trailer towing. Since I have never had a major failure, I guess I have not kept any forever - but longer than the average bear.
 
There was a good story on Yahoo news a few months back... a guy with a 67" Volvo I think. He claims to have over 3,000,000 miles on it. He said he's rebuilt the engine a few times, but it still runs great, and he has no intention of getting rid of it.
 
I completly agree with you.!
Originally Posted By: Burt
I like my cars when they are relatively new and then when they are very old, I become attached to them like a comfortable old shoe. By the time they are old, I have done enough repairs that I know my way around them. It is during the in-between years that I get the urge to sell, but I just chant "money-in-the-bank" until the feeling goes away.
 
I baby my 04 Ranger as a home owner I figure I'll always have a need for a pickup truck. She'll be retired as a DD in around 5 years. Then I'll most likely buy something that gets 30+ mpg for my DD.
 
I have owned my 1970 Monte Carlo for 23 years and I don't plan on ever getting rid of it. I hardly ever drive it but it has too much sentimental value for me to part with it. It was the second vehicle I owned and I bought it while in college.

I bought my 98 ext-cab Z71 new twelve years ago. It only has 115,000 miles on it since I mostly drive my 92 cavalier. I really don't plan on getting rid of it. It still looks new inside and out. I've had the Cavalier for four years and plan to drive it as long as possible since it gets great gas mileage.

Wayne
 
'76 Gran Torino. Forever. Putting a motor in it later this summer. Then I'm swapping the FMX 3-speed automatic for an AOD 4-speed automatic with lockup. I'm changing from 14-inch tires and wheels to 16-inch CVPI tires and wheels to make it easier to find appropriate tires. I'm retrofitting the AC to R134a. This car stays with me forever. If someone totals it, they better be prepared to fix it. If someone sets it on fire, they better be prepared to find me another one just like it.
 
I'm the second owner of a 1954 Buick that I bought in 1975 and I plan to keep it until the day I die. It was originally bought by my aunt and now has 36,000 miles.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Boomer
My Random Thoughts on Keeping a Car Running for a while
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
6K
Starving Electrician
P
A positive review of a Lexus dealership
Replies
2
Views
293
Slick3914
Thermo1223
Daughter got first car....daughter also had first car accident. :(
2 3
Replies
53
Views
2K
Gasbuggy
Elkins45
Can we expect to see more salvage/rebuilt used cars in the future?
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
Donald
T
Insurance / Body Shop Dilemma after Wreck
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
t1snwrbrdr12
Back
Top Bottom