Whereas visiting my mother and father in Honolulu this previous winter, I ended up driving my dad’s 28-year-old beater for eight days. He purchased that Toyota Avalon new in 1997—again once I was a school sophomore and he was stationed in Guangzhou, China for the U.S. Overseas Service.
I’ve identified this automotive practically so long as he has, and for greater than half my life, I’ve pushed it throughout my visits residence. Certain, it drives like a ship and shakes once I hit the brakes on the freeway, but it surely reliably will get my household across the island.
Not Getting a New Automobile After 10 Years After All
I as soon as deliberate for summer season 2025 to be the yr I’d lastly improve my experience. I all the time believed the very best time to interchange your automotive is when it hits about 10 years outdated—lengthy sufficient for security and expertise enhancements to kick in, which is essential while you’re transporting your loved ones.
But, after spending time behind the wheel of my dad’s outdated Toyota in Hawaii, I returned to my very own automotive in San Francisco feeling like I used to be driving a brand-new luxurious car!
My present automotive—a 2015 Vary Rover Sport HSE that I purchased in December 2016, simply earlier than my son was born—feels wonderful by comparability. It handles easily, the steering is tight, and there’s no annoying shake once I brake.
The Vary has Bluetooth for tunes, a backup digicam that beeps when one thing will get too shut, and even twice the horsepower of my earlier experience. The paint remains to be shiny, and the tires boast about 80% tread remaining. There’s even leather-based seats, that are beginning to odor wonderful once more.
If my dad’s automotive may final 27 years, I’m assured my Vary will simply final no less than one other 5 years, for 15 years whole.
New Vehicles Are Simply Method Too Costly
I’ve checked out a number of new luxurious automobiles akin to my Vary Rover, and each one in every of them prices between $115,000 and $170,000. Perhaps I’m a bit nostalgic, however at this time’s new luxurious automotive costs appear completely absurd. Despite the fact that I’ve been diligently saving and investing in a brand new automotive fund for 9 years, the considered shelling out six figures after taxes for a brand new car feels utterly off.
So, the logical different is to stay with what I’ve. I’ve additionally thought-about extra budget-friendly choices, just like the absolutely loaded Honda Civic for about $28,000, but it surely’s too small for our household highway journeys and lacks options like four-wheel drive—which means I’d need to tack on chains in snowy circumstances on our approach to Lake Tahoe. No thanks.
The subsequent choice I checked out was the brand new Honda CR-V, which runs about $42,000 absolutely loaded (roughly $46,500 after tax). Whereas that is perhaps acceptable for somebody with out a automotive, I have already got a superbly nice household automotive.
Lately Spent a Bundle on Automobile Upkeep
Over the previous two years, I’ve invested roughly $5,400 in sustaining my Vary Rover, which has round 61,000 miles on it. Right here’s a fast rundown:
- New battery: $500 (2024)
- Two new 22-inch tires: $825 (2024)
- Water pump: $1,250 (2024)
- Vacuum pump and PCV valve: $1,050 (2024)
- Oil change service: ($199, January 2025)
- Brakes and rotors ($1,600, Jan 2025)
- Heater manifold: $1,025 (potential value possibly in April 2025, however the coolant is not leaking anymore)
Luckily, my mechanic is only a one-mile stroll from my home, so dropping off the automotive for upkeep is rarely a trouble. After $5,400 in repairs and maintenance to this point, the thought of promoting my automotive to purchase a brand-new one simply doesn’t make sense.
If I have been to eliminate my automotive, I ought to have carried out it earlier than reaching 50,000 miles and earlier than these bills started to pile up. Now that I’ve had these repairs carried out, I anticipate my Vary to be in nice form for one more 5-10 years or 60,000 miles.
The Pleasure of Driving a Nicely-Worn Automobile
After 9 years of driving my 10-year-old automotive, I’ve grown accustomed to its quirks—very like my father’s steadfast 1997 Toyota Avalon. Each time I head to the grocery store, I really feel no stress about door dings. Actually, when a brand new ding seems, I simply see it as one other character mark on a automotive that’s been a dependable a part of my life.
I additionally love that because the automotive ages, it attracts much less consideration. I purchased my Vary as a result of I liked its look and efficiency—ever since I used to be a middle-school child in Malaysia, I’ve been a fan of Vary Rovers. And attracting consideration isn’t my objective, which is why I admire the tinted home windows.
Lastly, if my outdated automotive can final one other seven years, it will be good for educating my son tips on how to drive. Hopefully, he received’t crash it—but when he does, its bigger measurement ought to present some further safety. Plus, by then, it received’t be a lot of a monetary loss both. Hmm, now that we’re speaking security, possibly I’ll purchase a safer automotive at the moment.
Ultimate Reflection: Maintain Your Outdated Automobile For Longer
Driving my dad’s outdated beater for one final hurrah made me notice that generally the most effective determination is to stay with what works. As a substitute of spending a ridiculous sum on a brand-new automotive that won’t drive any higher, I’ll save and make investments my cash. My RR Sport has served me properly and nonetheless has loads of life left in it, and that reliability is price greater than chasing the most recent mannequin.
In a world the place new automobiles are prohibitively costly and fixed upgrades could also be extra about standing than performance, holding on to a well-maintained car is a brilliant, financially savvy transfer. Let a automotive’s depreciation be just right for you by getting your Home-To-Automobile Ratio as excessive as doable, if you wish to obtain monetary independence sooner.
Though I’ll say, automotive buying is among the most enjoyable issues I’ve loved as a child and grownup. That could possibly be a enjoyable father son, father daughter bonding expertise sooner or later. Nevertheless, I am hoping by the point my youngsters are in a position to drive, they will not on account of safer, self-driving automobiles.
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