How long do you generally keep a vehicle before thinking about a replacement?

[Golddollar]

I've never owned a new car, and I doubt I ever will as they don't build the Vic and Grand Marquis anymore.

My very first brand new car was my first 2008 black Grand Marquis LS. I have 233K miles on it now and it's chugging right along. The local dealership where I bought it says that customers are really disappointed with Ford's decision to discontinue the Mercury line. The Grand Marquis filled in a significant niche between the Ford Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car. I'm glad I made sure to get another one before I retired. My twin black Grand Marquiss are probably the best known cars in town.

 

[Badgerboy1]

We are a two car family. I am a believer one of the cars should be new enough and low enough mileage that if the need arose we could take off for a several thousand trip without worry. The other car 10-12 years and up to 150000 or so, as long as was reliable enough and not nickle and dime us.

This is my strategy as well...plus I usually have a low cost, older low mileage vehicle for weekend driving...you can find some clean mileage stuff nowadays easy on Craigslist. My weekend toy is a 1993 Ford Ranger Splash edition 4x4...only 80K miles and clean...not quite a show vehicle, but that is OK, because it is almost a daily driver. Anyway, I usually have one newer, and two older to make 3 rides between my wife and I.

 

[JohnRippert]

Most of my vehicles had over 100K on them when I sold them. I had a Ford Aerostar van with 249K. My present vehicle is 6 years old and has 21K on it. Since I use a company minivan during the week I no longer put miles on my personal cars. When the 10 year warranty runs out I plan to buy a 5 year extended warranty and keep on going. It will likely have about 35K on it then. I just change tires, belts and hoses every 5 years.

 

[Golddollar]

Anybody have a Buick Lacrosse? How has it been for you? Since Mercury was terminated after 2011 I may have to consider other "large" sedans if my current cars conk out on me.

 

[Frank46]

My GMC Sierra I bought in 2006 has a whopping 25K miles on it and outside of the radio not working as it should be a long time before I even think about selling it.Both the wife and myself are disabled and I have mobility issues. That and all the girls are married and out of the house. When I first bought it 3-4 hundred miles a week but now its just being used for drug run to the pharmacy, wally world, skoal run. So now mom and Pops taxi, Frank

 

[hostler]

My GMC Sierra I bought in 2006 has a whopping 25K miles on it and outside of the radio not working as it should be a long time before I even think about selling it.Both the wife and myself are disabled and I have mobility issues. That and all the girls are married and out of the house. When I first bought it 3-4 hundred miles a week but now its just being used for drug run to the pharmacy, wally world, skoal run. So now mom and Pops taxi, Frank

I thought my 2006 F150 had low mileage with just 60000. All it gets used for these days is monthly trips to the dump and the occasional vacation trip, stone run or trip to work.

 

[Old cop]

We buy a couple of years old w/pretty low mileage and drive them until the repairs begin to resemble a monthly car payment (7 to 10 yrs. on average), then we start looking again. Our last three cars were purchased from the same salesman at the same dealer b/c he treated us fairly and the dealer is a no pressure place. We’re both in our 70s so I’m not sure how many new cars are in our future.

 

[gregintenn]

I'll get rid of one when I get tired of it and want something different.


My wife treats a car like a Comanche Indian treated his horse; ride it till it dies then eat it.

 

[venomballistics]

Anybody have a Buick Lacrosse? How has it been for you? Since Mercury was terminated after 2011 I may have to consider other "large" sedans if my current cars conk out on me.

From what I've seen of the Lacrosse, it might be an upgraded replacement for the discontinued Century.
It kinda has a run forever vibe to it

 

[Rastoff]

185K on the Toyota Tundra
190K on the Jeep Wrangler
116K on the Mini Cooper S

I like all these vehicles and will keep them until they die. We had 285K on a Subaru Impreza when we gave it to a friend. I think I've only owned one car that I put less than 100K on.

We live in an area with wide open spaces. My commute to work has me putting at least 100 miles every day on a vehicle. I've only owned the Mini for 2 years and I've already put 50K on it myself.

 

[loknload]

Usually keep a vehicle about 7-8 years then I’m tired of it and got the itch for something else.
The wife is currently is driving a 2010 Chrysler 300C with about 75,000 miles on it, still in nice shape running very well so I see no need at this point to get rid of it. It was a 2 year old lease back when we bought it.
My 2015 Ram was a lease back as well with 24,000 on it. That one will be around for awhile yet.
It’s been a long time since I bought brand new, been getting great buys on these lease backs!

 

[Ethang]

I just went through this dilemma on Monday. My civic is now at 314,000 and ten years old. It needed a complete front brake replacement. $$$..I test drove some newer Accords, and was REALLY tempted by newer, larger, and way less miles. In the end, my paid off Civic, old as it is, starts every day and is still a solid commuter. Maybe in a few more years when it gets to 400, 000..

 

[jtcarm]

Till it won't run anymore.

Wife is on me to buy a new truck (isn't that a terrible problem to have!), but my 10-yo Tundra is still going strong after 236,000 miles.

I would like a backup camera, but vehicles are just like my guns: I don't want to be stressed out owning something pristine that I'd be paranoid about getting a scratch on it. Give me an accurate, reliable shooter with some wear and I'm happy as a pig in slop.


I guess she didn't specify "factory new". I could go look for a fire-engine red 1970 C10 with three-on-the-tree and re-live some glory days.

 

[REM 3200]

As long as they're dependable. GMC pickup's 14 years old, Chevy Astro van's 16. Both start on the first turn of the key, (summer or winter), accessories all work and the bodies have held up. So far, so good. And like someone else said, the prices of new vehicles make my knees buckle.

This is pretty much where we are at. 2008 Tahoe (65k miles)
and a 2009 HHR (35k).

Been looking, but the prices for a new one make you think about how
much longer can I run this one?

 

[NYlakesider]

Till it won't run anymore.

Wife is on me to buy a new truck (isn't that a terrible problem to have!), but my 10-yo Tundra is still going strong after 236,000 miles.

I would like a backup camera, but vehicles are just like my guns: I don't want to be stressed out owning something pristine that I'd be paranoid about getting a scratch on it. Give me an accurate, reliable shooter with some wear and I'm happy as a pig in slop.

A backup camera would be nice.

I guess she didn't specify "factory new". I could go look for a fire-engine red 1970 C10 with three-on-the-tree and re-live some glory days.

I had a black and white truck of that year 350CI and the 3 in the tree. (had it from early 1970 - early 73)

Had to keep a tire iron/jack handle handy as it liked to jam the linkage. Crawl under a few pries and or well place hits and you could drive for a few more days. Finely got disgusted enough and changed it over to a 3 by the knee!

 

[jtcarm]

I'll get rid of one when I get tired of it and want something different.


My wife treats a car like a Comanche Indian treated his horse; ride it till it dies then eat it.

Does she have a sister?

 

[hostler]

I guess she didn't specify "factory new". I could go look for a fire-engine red 1970 C10 with three-on-the-tree and re-live some glory days.

I've been thinking along those same !ines. When it's time to replace the Jeep I may start shopping for a late 60s-early 70s Ford f100 or an early Bronco if I feel really frisky.

 

[jtcarm]

I've been thinking along those same !ines. When it's time to replace the Jeep I may start shopping for a late 60s-early 70s Ford f100 or an early Bronco if I feel really frisky.

I’d love an early Bronco as well. Also a CJ-5.

 

[RGVshooter]

Auto technology has changed a lot in the past 15 yrs. In fact, back in the 70's-90's a vehicle that had more than 100k was considered near the end of it's life expectancy. My first car was a '79 Olds Cutlass calais that was a ex company car, well maintained, clean. But even still it would have been divine intervention if cars back then made it past 150k with no mechanical issues. My Cutlass was a basic carbureted V8 connected to a torque drive transmission kept alive by miles of vacuum hoses. It was the rotary dial version of automotive technology compared to today. Alas it only lived to 98k miles before it started to nickel & dime me as it slowly uttered it's death rattle.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see a car or SUV with 150k and running like new, as long as it's owners maintained it properly. With proper care I believe a vehicle can live to at least 250k miles before it's considered at the end of its life. maybe I'm wrong, maybe 400k miles. depending on factors such as location, highway vs city driving etc...

 

[Maddog 521]

I never pay car payments. When I have saved up enough money to buy a new vehicle i usually start thinking about buying a new one. Sometimes that thought process takes me 2 or 3 years to decide. Cash is KING and gets the best deals.