While some people try to hang onto their cars forever, there comes a time when it’s a better idea to sell or trade old Betsy for a newer, more reliable car. If you’ve been in your current car for a few years and you’re wondering if it’s time, here are eight signs that you need a new car.
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Frequent Breakdowns
Cars are machines, and machines break down occasionally, but if your car is spending too much time in the repair shop, it may be time to look for something newer. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t have more than two breakdowns per year. When referring to breakdowns, it means times when your car isn’t driveable. When things go wrong with your exhaust system, your radiator, water pump, transmission-these are breakdowns-times when you’re without your car.
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Emissions Failure
A good sign that your car is on its last legs is when you go to get it emissions tested, and it fails. Newer cars have technology that makes their emissions less harmful to the environment. Older cars don’t have this technology and may fail the emissions test when it’s time to renew the registration. The pollution control systems on these older cars can be quite expensive to repair or upgrade, and it may not be worth the cost.
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Fuel and Oil Costs
Automotive engineers continually try to make their engines more fuel efficient. If your car is 5 years old or older, you may be spending too much money on gas. Older cars have the reputation for being gas guzzlers and you may be well served to buy a newer more efficient car.
In addition to the fuel for the car, your older car may be burning oil. Over time friction cause some of the parts of your engine to wear down, and the result can be excessive oil consumption. If you’re having to add oil to your car between oil changes, it’s probably time to look at a newer model.
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Your Car is Starting to Crumble
Cars bodies are primarily made of steel, and no matter how much care is taken in the manufacturing process to prevent rust, rust will come eventually. If your car has holes in the floor, if the carpet is frayed, or if the upholstery is ripped or torn, it’s probably time to send it to the junkyard.
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Safety is Becoming an Issue
When a car reaches a certain age, it can become unsafe to operate. If you have an older car that doesn’t have airbags, antilock brakes, or other safety features, you may want to trade it or sell it. This is especially true for families with small children who want to have an extra margin of safety.
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Repair Costs are More than the Car’s Value
When your mechanic tells you that the new transmission is going to cost $ 3000 and your car is only worth $1500, it’s time to let the car go. If your car needs a new set of tires and the cost is close to or more than the value of your car, it’s time to get rid of the car. When paying to repair an old car is getting expensive and you are unlikely to see a decent return on your investment in the car, it is time to send that old car to the scrap yard.
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When Friends and Family Don’t Want to Ride with You
If your car is covered in rust, if the exhaust system is warning the whole neighborhood that you’re coming, or if your friends and family are ashamed to be seen in your car, you need to consider getting rid of the car. Even though these things may make you think that your car still has “character”, others just see an eyesore in your driveway.
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Insurance Costs
Older cars are more expensive to insure than newer cars. The main reason is that the newer cars have loads of safety features that make them safer to drive. Options like adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, and lane keeping assistance prevent accidents, but these types of features aren’t available on older cars.
Final Word
Go take a look at your car, inside and out. Then review your maintenance and repair records for the past year. You may very well decide it’s time to start car shopping.