[Retread]

How do others decide when it's time to break down and buy a new car? I've been driving this one for 7-8 years, but I really would like to buy a new one. I can't justify doing it right now, and my spouse wants me to wait until this one is on its last legs.

[Lindsey]

My car is going on 10 years but it's still low mileage and running fine. Most importantly I still love it. I guess if it started to cost me a lot of money and became unreliable, I'd look at buying something newer.

[Hotrod25]

I would say it's time to buy a new one when the old one costs too much money. I did drive my last one until things started to go wrong. Some people switch cars every 2 or 3 years, I'm not one of those people.

[sandis]

Cars can last longer than most thing but its up to the owner to take care of it properly too and sadly many people do not even think about this. Its just the same as your body, if you want to be healthy and last for a good chunk of time you need to take care of yourself, your car is no different.

[FenderBender]

I would say that if it is still in good working order, then there is no reason to get rid of it. I am having some problems with my car right now, but considering it is 11 years old and I have not put any money into it since I have owned it, I am doing pretty good. It only has 133.000 miles on it which is pretty good for a car that old.

[Rodney]

Originally Posted by Hotrod25

I would say it's time to buy a new one when the old one costs too much money. I did drive my last one until things started to go wrong. Some people switch cars every 2 or 3 years, I'm not one of those people.

I agree. If you're dumping tons of money into it, it needs to go. I have a Nissan Pathfinder that is almost 20 years old and I have no plans to get rid of it, but I also haven't had to do any major repairs either. Now, if I found out I was going to have to put $3,000 into it I think it would need to find a new home.