Don’t Kick That Elderly Car To The Curb Just Yet!
Before you start to think that this will be some kind of instructional post about putting grandma or grandpa out to pasture, just keep reading a little bit further. This isn’t about kicking real people anywhere, no matter how old they may be. It’s just a little bit of a way to describe what car owners struggle with when they have to decide when it’s time to say goodbye to their motorized longtime companion.
There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t hear the words “but I’m thinking of getting rid of it” or “It’s time to let the old girl just go.” Needless to say, that months or maybe even a years go by and that same “old girl” is still being dated by it’s original owner. Some things will never change.
But when is it really time to say goodbye to your car? Do you go by mileage? How many years you’ve owned it? How much the cost of maintaing it has become? What about just being plain old tired of it? All can be good reasons, but before you go ahead and scrap the mass of metal, do you have a good plan for replacement? Have you thought of what the cost of replacement will be? Do you buy new or used? Hmmmm, sure does get tougher when you put those questions in to the mix, doesn’t it.
Here’s some helpful tips that may help you decide just what the next course of action could be, and I’ll try to be as analytical as possible. I know that buying a car is an emotional situation for most and an inconvenience to many, so I don’t want to put to much stress in an answer.
First off, don’t let mileage scare you into getting rid of a vehicle. Even if it’s over 200,000 miles, there may still be life in that baby and if there is deal coming down the road, or you’re still saving for that dream car, then keep going until the wheels fall off. I’m emphasizing a really high mileage count here, but we see people all of the time completely panic stricken when the odometer reaches the 100,000 mile mark. It’s as if the owner believes that when a car reaches that 100K milestone, it’s ready for the gallows with a swift execution to follow. And, the words, “I’m trading it in” is spoken to let us know that they don’t want any of it’s blood (oil) on their hands. It’s too funny. All vehicles today can easily surpass 100,000 miles with ease if they are properly maintained. It’s absolutely false to say that vehicles start falling apart at higher mileage. (Secret: ALL CARS begin to break and wear down as soon as they reach MILE 1)
Trading or getting rid of car to lower debt is one of the next big mistakes a car owner can make. It used to be that when a larger than normal repair or maintenance bill was presented to the customer or even considered for the future (say six months down the road) I would get this look from some owners where they just roll the eyes to heaven, and state “that’s it! I can get another car for that price.” Right, and I’m buying the Empire State Building for only $129.95 a month! I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve had to sit down and struggle to get logic either into the owner or at least try to understand their logic in wanting to get rid of a vehicle for let’s say a service of $500 or so. I would always ask, “What’s more? $500 or $15000.00″ You’d be surprised at the answers. The truth is, trading when you owe on a car is the WORST thing you can do, especially if your goal is to eliminate debt. All you are doing is rolling any balance into the cost of the new one. Or, as I have seen, the balance is rolled into the financing of a USED VEHICLE. Wow, talk about a lose-lose. Fortunately, with all funding drying up for those with poor or no credit, those type of deals are just about dead. Good. Their demise means that those who attempt such deals will actually be saved by not refinancing old, valueless vehicles.
Look, there are times to eliminate a real burdensome vehicle. But not under situations like the ones mentioned above. We really do have customers who’s mileage is way over 150,000 and they have no problems driving it to the local shopping center or the downstate beaches. If it’s well maintained, there’s no problem. But if it’s a case where the repairs are becoming frequent, the mileage is very high, a major drive line component is necessary to repair (think engine or transmission) and you have no desire to get back behind the wheel of that jalopy, then it’s best that you put that “elderly” car to the curb.
If your older vehicle needs attention, just give Buckley’s Auto Care a call at 302-631-0532 or make your appointment online by clicking here.
