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I have a 98 Acura with 267,000 miles. I thought seriously about getting a new one 2 years ago at 180,000 miles when the transmission went and I was looking at $2500 to have it rebuilt. After looking at the prices of cars, not seeing anything I would like as much as this car (I would get another used Acura in a second were it not for the fact they all require premium fuel now, which I don't want), the insurance hike, taking so much out of savings, etc, I decided to get it fixed. Once I did, I committed to driving it as long as I can.
Aside from the tranny, I've only had to replace parts as they wear out. I did have a slight oil leak a few months ago, but my mechanic replaced the oil pan and gasket and it's been fine (knock wood!). My mechanics are amazed at how good the engine still appears, and told me even of I bought a new Acura, it wouldn't be built as well as this one was. Now I'm looking forward to having a car with 300,000 miles, as it feels like an accomplishment! When I get there, I'm going to pull over and take a picture of the odometer and send it to everyone, lol. My brother thinks I should try to put enough miles on to get Acura to do a commercial about me, lol. Maybe Mobil One will do one too, as that's all I use!
Unless there is a safety issue, I would spend the money to keep the old beater on the road. I was on the fence and considered buying a 2012 Honda Civic. But I realized my 2006 Civic still gets 28 -30 mpg and runs well with 95k miles. All it needs is a paint job and CV boots. I admit that is a hefty sum of money for a six year old car, but I can't see spending $400.00+ per month on car that will depreciate the minute I drive it off the lot.
yeah I am going to do the same with corolla. It has 90K miles on it and has been amazingly reliable so far. Mechanic tells me that it needs struts well I'll bite the bullet and have it done.
I have a 98 Acura with 267,000 miles. I thought seriously about getting a new one 2 years ago at 180,000 miles when the transmission went and I was looking at $2500 to have it rebuilt. After looking at the prices of cars, not seeing anything I would like as much as this car (I would get another used Acura in a second were it not for the fact they all require premium fuel now, which I don't want), the insurance hike, taking so much out of savings, etc, I decided to get it fixed. Once I did, I committed to driving it as long as I can.
Aside from the tranny, I've only had to replace parts as they wear out. I did have a slight oil leak a few months ago, but my mechanic replaced the oil pan and gasket and it's been fine (knock wood!). My mechanics are amazed at how good the engine still appears, and told me even of I bought a new Acura, it wouldn't be built as well as this one was. Now I'm looking forward to having a car with 300,000 miles, as it feels like an accomplishment! When I get there, I'm going to pull over and take a picture of the odometer and send it to everyone, lol. My brother thinks I should try to put enough miles on to get Acura to do a commercial about me, lol. Maybe Mobil One will do one too, as that's all I use!
Do that! I'd like to see that Its nice to see those who keep their cars for the long run, and not constantly being on the 'car payment' wheel.
As far as a beater vs. new....it really depends on what one calls a beater. Beater cars are usually those that just keep up with minimum maintenance to keep it on the road, and not really caring too much else about it.
In my case, I have the '87 Pontiac 6000 wagon, which just turned 204,000 miles today. Think about this....with the cost of a newer car with car payments...that money can make alot of repairs on an older car (and cheaper too), even tranny and engine replacements.
I have done alot of work on my wagon (all myself) in the last 3 months: Replaced the gas tank, fuel pump, sender, and ran new fuel lines. Replaced brake lines along with front rotors and pads. Replaced shocks and struts, changed water pump, thermostat and flushed and changed the coolant and hoses.
Cost of all of this? Still less than 3 months worth of car payments, and I have a car that will last for commuting trips and long distance driving. I know without a doubt that I can trust my car for a long road trip with no issues. Even upgraded the oxygen sensor (unheated) by installing an heated sensor. Eventually I am going to do a restoration project on the wagon as its one of the rarer cars to se eon the road nowadays.
New cars and new car payments with high insurance costs? Nope, not for me!!
Buy a beater from a private seller, make the necessary repairs and keep it until the next repair will cost more than replacing it. You will save a lot of money if you do all of this with cash. Work the system for yourself, not the bank.
Drive it till the wheels fall off. And you consider 50 miles a day a long commute? I know many who double that.
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Its nice to see those who keep their cars for the long run, and not constantly being on the 'car payment' wheel.
