I have never bought a brand new car. The newest car so far was 6 years old. I like to look for cars that are rather old but in very good condition and then drive them until they drop. My youngest car at the moment, my DD, is a BMW 320 from 98. Great little car.

I would love to do the same but I have a big problem - I get attached and just don't want to sell. Plus, space is a huge limiting factor.

Jeep, 212K
Ram 160k
944 300k
62 Mercury 105k

No intention of getting rid of any of them yet. If so, the 944 would probably be the first to go. Mainly because it is the most beat up.

I mostly change when needs change or cost to repair seems uneconomic. So far we have changed cars about every 7 years.

My cars since college:
Integra (bought after graduation)
Jetta (car seat too hard to get in the back seat of the Integra)
530 (wanted to be able to fit adults in the back seat and wanted AWD after moving from Dallas to Pittsburgh)

My wife's
Mercury Tracer (college car)
Maxima (Tracer needed a major repair and wanted a larger car after I got the Integra)
Highlander (wanted third seat for car pools)
Enclave (cost to repair Highlander was going to be over $2k)

I have two beaters. One always works. I have less than $5,000 total invested. I'm never stuck without a car.

What if you have 200 miles to drive, it's 11pm and you have an important meeting early in the morning.......and the beater back home becomes the "working" one?

My cars have never left me stranded, both have significant miles. Any car can break down. You either fix it or call a tow truck. I would drive cross country in either of my old cars without any concern.

If the inconvenience referred to previously is being without a car, then a second car solves that problem.

I usually them until they are a pain in the rear. Usually the value is low enough that it doesn't make financial sense to fix things.

I have never sold a car for mechanical reasons. Living in the snow belt, rust does them in before mechanicals. My last few DDs had between 120,000 and 150,000 on them and were at least 10 years old.

Bernie P

I don't like the drive it 'till it drops philosophy. My wife does. Too bad she's not the one maintaining the cars. ;)

I just passed 222k on my DD Civic. No major repairs so far but I attribute that to a lot of PM and fixing things when they happen, not months later.

I bought the car for $3500 and could probably get $3000 now. Way worth it in my opinion. If I find another great deal like this one, I'll sell it. Otherwise I'll wait until it breaks down, sell what I can to Pick n' Pull and find another and still know I'm $$$$ ahead.

Bmw-150K - 500mi on radiator and fan clutch..
Chev Truck 286K on odometer and body, 10K on Engine, suspension paint and wheels
Pontiac- Odo flipped who knows, about 20Mi on drivetrain, and paint.

Ahhh dammit. The cooling system I just replaced sprung a leak. Now I have to sacrifice tomorrow evening to look into it. Nothing like doing the project twice or one and a half times. :(

I drive my vehicles until they start getting on my nerves with needing constant or major repairs. I recently bought my first new car and am really enjoying the no-hassles and having no money go to Autozone every month. I will definitely drive it to 5 years and then decide if I don't upgrade.

The OP's mileage is nothing and I would not "upgrade" to the same car. Nothing breaks at that low a mileage. Only reason to upgrade would be a newer, nicer model car. And even then it does not make financial sense.

G

I'm considering buying my friends '89 Accord for $800.

180K, 5 speed, AC, good shape.

NC - sounds like a steal.

I have been leaning towards newer cars for daily driving, I like the modern safety equipment. I'd worry about getting banged up really good in an old beater that only has seat belts where a 5-10 year old car would have been so much better.

G

i remember when I popped the engine in the Silverado and had to bail it in Vegas, then my Benz at the ignition switch in Phoenix (requires to be cut of the car) the same week. THREE cars, two out of commission, the third not good for daily use, let alone getting home- and I'm driving a rental....

I seriously contemplated scrapping the truck (fresh paint suspension and all) and setting the Benz on fire then buying a ****ing Toyota.

Some days, it happens. But, no payments :)

There's sort of a trade off point on this one. Unless you're using it for demolition derby or really need to buy a car that cheap.... me personally, I would rather have a newer, nicer car.

One big exception for me is the wife, she never drives the older cars like I do. Especially considering that she's normally hauling the kids around. If I break down I can handle it, if she breaks down I'm in a world of hurt.:cool: we always have something newer as our family car, currently a 2012 F150 Supercrew 4x4.

I have automotive ADD, so I can't seem to run a car until its dead. That's starting from fresh...I did retire a '77 Wagoneer to the woods after it wouldn't pass inspection, but it was a rust bucket when I bought it. I tend to keep a car no more than three years on average. 6-7 years is max (Porsche 930), minimum was a '74 BMW 2002 that I put up for sale within a week or two of buying it.

In recent years I am buying new. I like the smell:D