Financial experts love to say that people should drive a car as long as possible, to ensure that they get the most out of it. After all, every vehicle is a depreciating asset. At a certain point, drivers are unlikely to get much of a return when the car is sold. Might as well drive it into the ground, right?
Well, not so fast. There are many reasons why driving a vehicle too long is impractical, costly, and even dangerous. While we support being thrifty, we also think there are telltale certain signs everyone should pay attention to when it comes to their car and knowing when to replace it. Here are 11 of those signs:
11. The Technology is Obsolete
Vehicles change very quickly these days. Technological advancements are moving at a breakneck pace and there are new bells and whistles added to cars all the time – whether to enhance safety or improve the entertainment value. One sure sign that it’s time to purchase a new car is when you feel that your current vehicle’s technological features are obsolete or missing altogether.
If, for example, you’re driving around with a six-disc CD player instead of Bluetooth and no built-in navigation system in your car, it may be time to consider upgrading to a new vehicle. Preferably one that was built this century.
10. Its Performance is Impacted by the Weather
If you’re driving a car that won’t start when its cold out or overheats when its hot, then chances are you need a new one. After all, your car’s performance and reliability should not be impacted by the weather. This only happens when a vehicle is really old, the battery is at the end of its life, or the radiator needs to be replaced. Not to mention other parts like the engine hoses and fan, etc.
This is a sad state for you car, one no owner should find themselves in. If you have to cross your fingers when you turn the key on a winter morning or summer afternoon, then it’s time to consider an upgrade. Think of this situation as the universe sending you a sign.
9. Breakdowns and More Breakdowns
The occasional breakdown on an older vehicle should be expected and paying for needed repairs every now and again is reasonable. However, when a car starts breaking down with increasing frequency, it’s time to start thinking about getting another vehicle. As a general rule, you don’t want to experience more than two breakdowns a year. And by breakdown, we mean incidents that prevent the car from being driven and require major, costly repairs.
We’re not talking about having to replace the windshield wiper blades or the air filter. Or routine maintenance like brake jobs or replacing a torn set of tires. We’re talking about replacing radiators, exhaust systems, and fixing major engine/transmission malfunctions. If you get to a point where your car is breaking down every two, three, or four months, then you’ve got a jalopy on your hands. Get rid of it.
8. Life Changes
That Toyota Yaris subcompact was great when you were single and starting your first job. With a second baby on the way and more than one car seat to install, it might be time to get a new vehicle. You know, one that actually fits your current lifestyle. This might be stating the obvious, but our lives and lifestyles change as we get older. That can directly impact the type of vehicle we drive.
You may have sworn that you would never be someone who drives a minivan, but at age 35 and with three young kids in tow, you will suddenly appreciate the roominess. Isn’t it great how the seats fold into the floor? One sure sign you shouldn’t ignore is when you suddenly find that your car is no longer compatible with what you need to use it for. After all, how much soccer gear can you really fit into a Yaris?
7. You’re Spending More on Gas
The older the car, the less fuel efficient it will be. Each year, a new crop of cars come out and each one is a little more fuel efficient than the previous model. If you’re driving a car you bought in the 1990s, chances are you’re spending a lot more time at the gas station than someone driving a 2018 Nissan Leaf.
While you might not be making any more payments on your old car, all those trips to the gas pumps add up in terms of costs. It depends on how many miles you drive a week. However, if you find yourself at a gas station more than two times each week, then you might be spending too much money on gas. Consider getting something more fuel efficient.
6. Spare Parts Are No Longer Available
You might want to keep your current car running as long as possible, but eventually it will become harder (and more expensive) to keep it on the road. This is because the spare parts needed to fix your make and model will eventually become hard to find. Mechanics will start telling you they will “order that part in” or they’ll have to “search the internet and see what’s out there” when it comes to the items needed.
Even worse, you might find that the manufacturer of your car has discontinued certain parts. This is a bad sign and a situation that will only get more expensive as time goes by. If you find that parts for your car are no longer easy to find and have to be specially ordered, then it is definitely time to start shopping for a new vehicle.
5. The Shame Factor
We’ve all heard the terms “rust bucket” or “bucket of bolts” to describe an aging vehicle. This terminology exists for a reason. Many people will continue driving a car even when it is truly an eyesore. Even if the owner may be oblivious to how the car looks parked in their driveway or cruising down a highway, chances are that friends and family are all too aware of how bad the vehicle looks.
If you suspect that your family and friends are ashamed by the car you drive, or make excuses not to be seen riding in it, that’s a sign that you need to get a new car. And no, different colored car doors are not cool. Time to get something a little less embarrassing.
4. Insurance Costs are Rising
It’s an odd fact, but older cars can be more expensive to insure. Newer cars come equipped with safety features that are not available in older vehicles. They also might be easier to steal, depending on the model. Even if you have a spotless driving record, older cars can see your annual insurance premiums creep up – especially if you use the car to commute to work.
Paying attention to the insurance premiums on your car is just as important as the other costs associated with operating the vehicle, such as gas, routine maintenance, and repairs. You don’t often think about your monthly insurance premium as a driving cost. It’s often lumped into that other category of “monthly bills I have to pay,” especially if you’ve bundled home/renters/life insurance along with it. It can be more expensive than you realize.
3. The Car Fails Emissions Tests
A clear sign that your car is outdated is when it no longer passes environmental emissions tests. Newer vehicles have various “drive clean” technologies that make the emissions coming from the tailpipe better for the environment. Older model cars do not have these technologies, and many will eventually not pass tightening emissions standards.
Some drivers have to spend a lot of money adding new technology to their vehicle just to get it to pass an emissions test. Some really old vehicles are not even be allowed to take an emissions test (unless they are a qualifying classic or antique car). If this happens to you, then you may want to consider replacing your car entirely, rather than shelling out to squeak out a passing grade.
2. Repairs Cost More Than the Car is Worth
The rule of thumb when it comes replacing an old car is when the repairs start to cost more than the damn thing is even worth. If you need to spend $2,000 for an engine repair, and the car is only worth $1,500, then it would be foolish to pay to have the vehicle fixed.
You can also do the “tire test.” When it comes time to put new tires on the vehicle, ask yourself if the car is worth the cost of a new set of tires. If the answer is a resounding “no,” than you should head out to buy a replacement. When paying to repair an old car is getting expensive and you are unlikely to see any return on your investment, then it is time to send that old car to the scrap yard.
1. Safety is Being Compromised
The biggest sign that you should buy a new car is when you feel that the safety of the vehicle is being compromised. No matter how well-maintained your car is, eventually it will become unsafe to operate. Old cars eventually become unreliable, and this can happen at dangerous times — like losing brakes or steering while you’re cruising down the highway.
Older cars do not have many of the advanced safety features that are found in newer vehicles. We’re talking about things such as side airbags, electronic stability control, rear view cameras, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision alert. If you (or your passengers) have a general feeling of uneasiness when riding in your vehicle, then it’s time to start shopping. Never compromise safety.
Shutterstock
Loading ...