What makes more sense...driving a long paid for old truck, or making huge payments??

[Retiredguy2]

It'll be interesting to hear his description of a clunker.

My 1985 LTD Crown Victoria that is stored in the barn might qualify as a clunker....:laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

My 1985 LTD Crown Victoria that is stored in the barn might qualify as a clunker....:laughing:

I'm pretty sure everything I drive qualifies!!!!

 

[bdog]

In OP's case with his low mileage usage his vehicle makes sense.

I drive close to 30k mikes a year. My vehicles are used for business purposes and a day of downtime can cost me thousands. I have found I am money ahead trading for new vehicles every two years. We do so with cash. We once bought three trucks brand new and tried to get six years out of them. The downtime and constant nagging repairs were not worth it. We put about as many miles in 18 months as OP does in 16 years though.

 

[ovrszd]

In OP's case with his low mileage usage his vehicle makes sense.

I drive close to 30k mikes a year. My vehicles are used for business purposes and a day of downtime can cost me thousands. I have found I am money ahead trading for new vehicles every two years. We do so with cash. We once bought three trucks brand new and tried to get six years out of them. The downtime and constant nagging repairs were not worth it. We put about as many miles in 18 months as OP does in 16 years though.

Good stuff right there. This is why we have people driving new vehicles and people driving old vehicles!!!

 

[Soundguy]

I have owned a Y2K GMC Yukon XL 2500 since it was new, and love to brag that I have saved tens of thousands of dollars by keeping it all this time rather than "trading up" as GM would have me want to do. Mine is very low mileage (currently about 47000) but has never been in the shop for parts or service unless you count the one set of new tires it had installed back in late 2014. I have religiously changed the oil and filter every year and it has also had three new batteries installed, as well as two sets of radiator hoses and belts installed as well as coolant flushes and refills as well as a change of both drive belts each time. I have kept track: My total outlay for parts and service over that period has been probably a total of $2700 spent for everything involved inclusive of a pair of rear window motors and one set of new rear brake discs and pads. I still have a set of new front discs and pads ready to install. I should mention that everything done in the way of maintaining my truck aside from the new tires I have done myself.

Now...my GMC has always been 100% reliable and has never let me down in any way. It amazes me that GM now prices HALF TON models of my truck ($33,000 new) at a price of $75 grand. My selling dealer is long gone but they GM knows I have the truck so they send me email and snail mail all the time to trade in and trade up.

Makes me laugh...what would be the purpose of doing that? No thanks. I will stick with my Y2K model. I always wonder why so so many people just HAVE to HAVE something new that depreciates a third once you drive it home. NO THANKS.

If I owned ANY Government Motors vehicle.. I would immediately trade it in and upgrade to ANY other vehicle made.

That said.. keeping an older vehicle going, in general terms, vs buying a very expensive new?

I'm keeping my old 99 F350 going. It just underwent it's first really major repair ( transmission ).. Looking at the price of a new diesel f350.. I'm just as happy to keep the old one going.

 

[oldballs]

I guess My 1999 Crown Vic and '99 F250 parts, service and fluids will probably outlast my parts, service and fluids. About all i ever wanted anyway was a throttle, a brake and some gears. The AC and heater is nice however.

 

[Deere Dude]

I bought a new Delta 88 2dr with the 3.8 and drove it for years and was very reliable, nice riding and sporty for a Delta. Around 1998 or so I found I needed new brake lines. Not a problem. A year later I needed new fuel line and some other stuff. I figured as long as repairs weren't over $300 a year I was ahead. But by the third or fourth year I found it was a pain it the but havig to take it down every year so I sold it and bout another new car.

Once it gets bothersome or starts nickel and diming you, then I would change up. If you like driving it, keep it.

 

[aczlan]

If I owned ANY Government Motors vehicle.. I would immediately trade it in and upgrade to ANY other vehicle made.
That said.. keeping an older vehicle going, in general terms, vs buying a very expensive new?
I'm keeping my old 99 F350 going. It just underwent it's first really major repair ( transmission ).. Looking at the price of a new diesel f350.. I'm just as happy to keep the old one going.

Meh, we have been very happy with the wife's 2005 Yukon XL (5.3L engine, 4x4, ~140k miles) for the last 2(ish) years and 20k(ish) miles. So far I am happy with my Ford (2008 Taurus X, AWD), but I have less than 500 miles on it so far.

Aaron Z

 

[ovrszd]

I guess My 1999 Crown Vic and '99 F250 parts, service and fluids will probably outlast my parts, service and fluids. About all i ever wanted anyway was a throttle, a brake and some gears. The AC and heater is nice however.

My Dad died in 1995. He never owned a car or truck with AC. My Mom bought her first car with AC in 2000 at the age of 78.

 

[Soundguy]

Meh, we have been very happy with the wife's 2005 Yukon XL (5.3L engine, 4x4, ~140k miles) for the last 2(ish) years and 20k(ish) miles. So far I am happy with my Ford (2008 Taurus X, AWD), but I have less than 500 miles on it so far.

Aaron Z

our 2000 yukon had more miles, and nothing but problems... if I hadn't had the extended warranty on it, it would have been gone sooner.. that lemony fresh government motors vehicle squeezed that extended warranty plan for thousands of dollars... it permanently turned me off on government motors vehicles I must say.