I purchased my new-to-me (used) automobile in October 2021. I used to be so pleased with myself once I paid off the automobile mortgage (initially a few $20,000 word) in two years! It was paid off by October 2023, nearly precisely one 12 months in the past. And right here we at the moment are…. Solely 3 brief years with this car and I’m contemplating changing it. Let’s again up.
My Automotive Historical past
I’m not one to purchase a brand new automobile each couple of years. I’m 40 years previous and have solely owned 5 automobiles in my complete lifetime! My final car I had for practically a decade! I like to purchase a automobile, deal with it effectively, and maintain onto it for a very long time. I’d relatively pay it off and have an older car versus buying and selling in for brand spanking new and having a automobile fee.
The Story of This Automotive
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 acquired to the purpose of possession that the automobile continued to interrupt down and the repeated repairs price greater than what a automobile fee would price. I had the automobile like that (with fixed break-downs) for over a 12 months earlier than I lastly bit the bullet and purchased my present automobile.
The issue is, this was through the center of the pandemic. Keep in mind when every part was waaaaaay on backorder at the moment? Used automobiles have been promoting for dearer than new (this isn’t hyperbole! I take a look at drove a used automobile 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 automobile was by no means my favourite. It was the very 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 youngsters + their mates. Nevertheless it was older than I preferred (2017) with greater in mileage than I’d’ve preferred. And now it’s beginning to price some huge cash.
Routine Upkeep
For the previous two oil adjustments now, I’ve been requested to do expensive upkeep. That is one thing I’ve all the time performed previously as a result of I would like my automobiles to final a very long time. However it is a “luxurious” car (an Acura MDX) and the components and labor and every part about it’s EXPENSIVE!
I agreed to the 100,000 mile fluids flush (not low-cost) two oil adjustments in the past. However this most up-to-date oil change, in addition they advisable changing entrance shocks and struts and higher/decrease management arms. The to tune of $1800/every. $3600 in routine upkeep!
That was a tricky capsule to swallow. I declined the work, got here house, and began calling round to different retailers to do some value comparisons. Seems, that’s in regards to the going fee. I discovered I might save a pair hundred going to a different mechanic, however even the very best value quoted was for $3300.
Determination Level
After I purchased this automobile, my thought was that I needed it to final lengthy sufficient to be my women’ first automobile. I’d drive it till then. When the ladies acquired to driving age, I’d get myself a brand new automobile and reward this to them. However now with the price of even routine upkeep, I’m not so certain that’s the very best thought.
The ladies are solely 12 years previous. My automobile now has over 105,000 miles. Is it going to final one other 4 years till the ladies flip 16? After which one other 2 years or so previous that, to get the ladies by Excessive Faculty? That appears like a stretch.
So if this automobile isn’t going to final, ought to I think about making a change sooner relatively than later?
Present Plans
I don’t like automobile procuring. I don’t need a new automobile fee. None of that is due to self-importance causes of wanting a brand new automobile or something like that. And my automobile is completely functioning proper now, even with out the routine upkeep being performed (I’ve been suggested the upkeep will make for a smoother trip, however it’s not a security problem). So this isn’t an emergency. No choices should be made proper now.
However simply forecasting to the longer term….I don’t assume my unique plan of getting the ladies take this car in 4 years goes to be lifelike. I do plan on getting a car for the ladies 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 nearly tempted to purchase myself a more moderen car within the subsequent 12 months or so, use this one as a trade-in, after which plan to get the ladies one thing smaller and cheaper after they get to driving age? Another choice is to purchase myself a more moderen car within the subsequent 12 months or so, hold this one however stop driving it, and nonetheless hold it for the ladies to inherit in a couple of years? BUT that doesn’t clear up the problem that this car could be very costly to keep up. Even oil adjustments are practically double what my previous Explorer used to price.
I’m crowdsourcing ideas, opinions, and so on. In the event you have been in my place, would you do the costly upkeep and hold this car, hoping it would proceed to final for an additional 6+ years? Would you begin planning to purchase a brand new car, and both use this one as trade-in or hold it for the youngsters sooner or later?
The put up Pricey Automotive Repairs appeared first on Running a blog Away Debt.
