by Ashley
I purchased my new-to-me (used) automotive in October 2021. I used to be so pleased with myself once I paid off the automotive mortgage (initially a few $20,000 observe) in two years! It was paid off by October 2023, virtually precisely one yr in the past. And right here we at the moment are…. Solely 3 quick years with this car and I’m contemplating changing it. Let’s again up.
My Automobile Historical past
I’m not one to purchase a brand new automotive each couple of years. I’m 40 years previous and have solely owned 5 vehicles in my complete lifetime! My final car I had for almost a decade! I like to purchase a automotive, deal with it properly, and maintain onto it for a very long time. I’d somewhat pay it off and have an older car versus buying and selling in for brand spanking new and having a automotive fee.
The Story of This Automobile
With my final car, I drove it till the metaphorical “wheels fell off.” No, the wheels by no means truly fell off. However that’s what I think about it when it received to the purpose of possession that the automotive continued to interrupt down and the repeated repairs price greater than what a automotive fee would price. I had the automotive like that (with fixed break-downs) for over a yr earlier than I lastly bit the bullet and acquired my present automotive.
The issue is, this was throughout the center of the pandemic. Bear in mind when every part was waaaaaay on backorder at the moment? Used vehicles have been promoting for dearer than new (this isn’t hyperbole! I take a look at drove a used automotive priced for greater than a brand new one as a result of the brand new one was months and months on backorder).
I say all this to say that this automotive was by no means my favourite. It was one of the best car accessible on the time that match my must-have necessities. I insisted on a small SUV, one thing with 3rd row seating so I might taxi round my children + their buddies. Nevertheless it was older than I favored (2017) with larger in mileage than I’d’ve favored. And now it’s beginning to price some huge cash.
Routine Upkeep
For the previous two oil modifications now, I’ve been requested to do expensive upkeep. That is one thing I’ve at all times achieved up to now as a result of I need my automobiles to final a very long time. However it is a “luxurious” car (an Acura MDX) and the elements and labor and every part about it’s EXPENSIVE!
I agreed to the 100,000 mile fluids flush (not low cost) two oil modifications in the past. However this most up-to-date oil change, additionally they really helpful changing entrance shocks and struts and higher/decrease management arms. The to tune of $1800/every. $3600 in routine upkeep!
That was a troublesome tablet to swallow. I declined the work, got here residence, and began calling round to different outlets to do some value comparisons. Seems, that’s concerning the going charge. I discovered I might save a pair hundred going to a different mechanic, however even one of the best value quoted was for $3300.
Resolution Level
After I purchased this automotive, my thought was that I needed it to final lengthy sufficient to be my women’ first automotive. I’d drive it till then. When the women received to driving age, I’d get myself a brand new automotive and present this to them. However now with the price of even routine upkeep, I’m not so certain that’s one of the best thought.
The ladies are solely 12 years previous. My automotive now has over 105,000 miles. Is it going to final one other 4 years till the women flip 16? After which one other 2 years or so previous that, to get the women by way of Excessive Faculty? That looks like a stretch.
So if this automotive isn’t going to final, ought to I think about making a swap sooner somewhat than later?
Present Plans
I don’t like automotive procuring. I don’t desire a new automotive fee. None of that is due to self-importance causes of wanting a brand new automotive or something like that. And my automotive is completely functioning proper now, even with out the routine upkeep being achieved (I’ve been suggested the upkeep will make for a smoother trip, nevertheless it’s not a security problem). So this isn’t an emergency. No choices must be made proper now.
However simply forecasting to the longer term….I don’t suppose my unique plan of getting the women take this car in 4 years goes to be real looking. I do plan on getting a car for the women to share when the time comes. And I do NOT wish to find yourself needing to buy TWO new-to-us automobiles on the identical time (one for me, one for them).
I’m virtually tempted to purchase myself a more recent car within the subsequent yr or so, use this one as a trade-in, after which plan to get the women one thing smaller and cheaper once they get to driving age? An alternative choice is to purchase myself a more recent car within the subsequent yr or so, maintain this one however stop driving it, and nonetheless maintain it for the women to inherit in a number of years? BUT that doesn’t remedy the problem that this car could be very costly to keep up. Even oil modifications are almost double what my previous Explorer used to price.
I’m crowdsourcing ideas, opinions, and so forth. Should you have been in my place, would you do the costly upkeep and maintain this car, hoping it would proceed to final for one more 6+ years? Would you begin planning to purchase a brand new car, and both use this one as trade-in or maintain it for the children sooner or later?
Hello, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at coronary heart. Lover of working, running a blog, and all issues cheeeeese. Freshly 40, married mom of two, working in academia. Making an attempt to lastly (lastly!) repay that ridiculous 6-digit scholar mortgage debt!
