by Ashley
I purchased my new-to-me (used) automobile in October 2021. I used to be so pleased with myself after I paid off the automobile mortgage (initially a few $20,000 notice) in two years! It was paid off by October 2023, nearly precisely one yr in the past. And right here we at the moment are…. Solely 3 quick years with this automobile 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 whole lifetime! My final automobile I had for almost a decade! I like to purchase a automobile, deal with it properly, and maintain onto it for a very long time. I’d somewhat pay it off and have an older automobile versus buying and selling in for brand new and having a automobile fee.
The Story of This Automotive
With my final automobile, I drove it till the metaphorical “wheels fell off.” No, the wheels by no means really fell off. However that’s what I take into account it when it obtained to the purpose of possession that the automobile continued to interrupt down and the repeated repairs value greater than what a automobile fee would value. I had the automobile like that (with fixed break-downs) for over a yr earlier than I lastly bit the bullet and acquired my present automobile.
The issue is, this was through the center of the pandemic. Keep in mind when every little thing 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 most effective automobile out there on the time that match my must-have necessities. I insisted on a small SUV, one thing with 3rd row seating so I may taxi round my youngsters + their mates. But it surely was older than I preferred (2017) with greater in mileage than I’d’ve preferred. And now it’s beginning to value 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 finished prior to now as a result of I need my automobiles to final a very long time. However it is a “luxurious” automobile (an Acura MDX) and the components and labor and every little thing 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 really useful changing entrance shocks and struts and higher/decrease management arms. The to tune of $1800/every. $3600 in routine upkeep!
That was a tricky tablet to swallow. I declined the work, got here dwelling, and began calling round to different outlets to do some value comparisons. Seems, that’s concerning the going fee. I discovered I may save a pair hundred going to a different mechanic, however even the most effective value quoted was for $3300.
Choice Level
After I purchased this automobile, my thought was that I needed it to final lengthy sufficient to be my ladies’ first automobile. I’d drive it till then. When the women obtained to driving age, I’d get myself a brand new automobile and present this to them. However now with the price of even routine upkeep, I’m not so certain that’s the most effective thought.
The women are solely 12 years previous. My automobile 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 College? That seems like a stretch.
So if this automobile isn’t going to final, ought to I take into account making a change sooner somewhat than later?
Present Plans
I don’t like automobile procuring. I don’t need a new automobile fee. None of that is due to vainness 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 finished (I’ve been suggested the upkeep will make for a smoother experience, however it’s not a security problem). So this isn’t an emergency. No selections have to be made proper now.
However simply forecasting to the long run….I don’t assume my unique plan of getting the women take this automobile in 4 years goes to be practical. I do plan on getting a automobile for the women to share when the time comes. And I do NOT need 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 recent automobile 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? Another choice is to purchase myself a more recent automobile within the subsequent yr or so, preserve this one however stop driving it, and nonetheless preserve it for the women to inherit in just a few years? BUT that doesn’t clear up the problem that this automobile may be very costly to take care of. Even oil adjustments are almost double what my previous Explorer used to value.
I’m crowdsourcing ideas, opinions, and so on. Should you have been in my place, would you do the costly upkeep and preserve this automobile, hoping it can proceed to final for an additional 6+ years? Would you begin planning to purchase a brand new automobile, and both use this one as trade-in or preserve it for the youngsters sooner or later?
Hello, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at coronary heart. Lover of operating, 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!
