Your "tipping point"?

[Eric]

If you own an older cr, at some point, something will break or need fixing that costs a certain amount relative to the worth of the car - and you decide to toss the car instead.

What's your personal tipping point?

For me, it's pretty fluid. If the car in question will run reliably for another six months or more, then I'd consider putting $500 into it even if it's only worth $1,500.

[TC]

If you own an older cr, at some point, something will break or need fixing that costs a certain amount relative to the worth of the car - and you decide to toss the car instead.

What's your personal tipping point?

For me, it's pretty fluid. If the car in question will run reliably for another six months or more, then I'd consider putting $500 into it even if it's only worth $1,500.

I am approaching that area.
I have a 99 Honda Accord that has only done 57,000 miles but the metallic paintwork has deteriorated rapidly in the last 18 months. This could be due to being out in the Florida sunshine for the last two years.
What with the paint and the camshaft belt soon needing replacement, I could spend a bunch of money on it and still have an old car.

[chiph]

Mine is when it's something vital and internal to the motor or transmission.

For example, the CR-V needs it's valve clearances adjusted every 30,000 miles. If you fail to do this (or if it was done poorly) it will typically burn the #4 exhaust valve. Going rate for replacing the head is in the $3000 range.

Chip H.

[Eric]

I dunno... your mileage is very low for the age. If all itneeds is a repaint (maybe $2,000 for a better-than-decent Maaco job) and a cambelt to be presentable and reliable for anothr 100k, I'd say that's a bargain....

[Eric]

Mine is when it's something vital and internal to the motor or transmission.

For example, the CR-V needs it's valve clearances adjusted every 30,000 miles. If you fail to do this (or if it was done poorly) it will typically burn the #4 exhaust valve. Going rate for replacing the head is in the $3000 range.

Chip H.

Valve adjustment... ah yes!

I get to do this every 7,000 miles on the ZRX.... and the shims are tiny little SOBs the size of aspirin tablets that can be rotsa fun to chase around!

[DonTom]

"For me, it's pretty fluid. If the car in question will run reliably for another six months or more, then I'd consider putting $500 into it even if it's only worth $1,500."

You can never be sure when you will have your next break down. I have made the mistake of keeping cars too long. Often, it's one thing after the other when the vehicle starts to fall apart.

I think a good idea is to junk the car when you spend more on repairs than you do for gasoline.

Now you know why I never junk my cars ;D

-Don-

[Eric]

"For me, it's pretty fluid. If the car in question will run reliably for another six months or more, then I'd consider putting $500 into it even if it's only worth $1,500."

You can never be sure when you will have your next break down. I have made the mistake of keeping cars too long. Often, it's one thing after the other when the vehicle starts to fall apart.

I think a good idea is to junk the car when you spend more on repairs than you do for gasoline.

Now you know why I never junk my cars ;D

-Don-

That's a good way of looking at it!

I plan to conduct a little experiment with our '98 Nissan. Since we're now out in the sticks (and have plenty of land) I intend to drive it until it literally falls apart. I figure it's good for another five years or so of road use; then I will get "Farm use" tags for it and just use it for jobs around the property, like hauling logs & loads of dirt, etc. I bet it gives me another eight years, at least, in that role!

[chiph]

I think the Toyota pickups have got yours beat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfZDtC9kjVk

;D ;D
Chip H.

[swamprat]

My tipping point comes when the car starts to cost more than $200.00 per month to maintain.

[Kwozzie1]

Mine nowadays is when the body finally rusts away

[Eric]

My tipping point comes when the car starts to cost more than $200.00 per month to maintain.

If that includes the cost of insurance, property taxes, etc. - then yeah!

But in VA., we have obnoxious "personal property taxes" on vehicles that can really put the bite on you... if you own a late model vehicle with a high "book value." But I pay $50 annually on the truck rightnow. If, however, I bought a new or near-new Frontier, it'd be at least a few hundred bucks per year for several years.... that adds up!

[DonTom]

"If that includes the cost of insurance,"

I could buy a new car every year with what I pay for insurance on my many cars.

-Don-

[Eric]

"If that includes the cost of insurance,"

I could buy a new car every year with what I pay for insurance on my many cars.

-Don-

Crikey!

You must own a whole bunch of cars!

I pay something like $220 on the Nissan pick-up; the bikes are about $70-90 annually.... .

[DonTom]

I pay something like $220 on the Nissan pick-up; the bikes are about $70-90 annually.... .

Both SF as well as Reno have high auto insurance rates compared to the rest of the country. Reno is high because they serve booze 24/7 and there are a lot of drunks.

Here, I think the problem is too many Chinese drivers ;D

-Don- (San Francisco)

[Eric]

I pay something like $220 on the Nissan pick-up; the bikes are about $70-90 annually.... .

Both SF as well as Reno have high auto insurance rates compared to the rest of the country. Reno is high because they serve booze 24/7 and there are a lot of drunks.

Here, I think the problem is too many Chinese drivers ;D

-Don- (San Francisco)

My parents tell me the same about Scottsdale, AZ.

I'm glad I live in the boonies!

[DonTom]

"You must own a whole bunch of cars!"

1979 GM RV 400CID
1996 Saturn 1.9L
1997 Sebring convertible 2.5L
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2L
1999 Mustang convertible 3.8L
2002 Mustang hard top 3.8L
1999 Dodge truck 5.2 L

And four motorcycles and a couple of gasoline boats.

Everything runs well, of course.

-Don-

[Eric]

"You must own a whole bunch of cars!"

1979 GM RV 400CID
1996 Saturn 1.9L
1997 Sebring convertible 2.5L
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2L
1999 Mustang convertible 3.8L
2002 Mustang hard top 3.8L
1999 Dodge truck 5.2 L

And four motorcycles and a couple of gasoline boats.

Everything runs well, of course.

-Don-

You've got me beat!

1976 Pontiac Trans-Am
1998 Nissan Frontier
1976 Kz900
2002 KL250
2003 ZRX1200R

[Kwozzie1]

"You must own a whole bunch of cars!"

1979 GM RV 400CID
1996 Saturn 1.9L
1997 Sebring convertible 2.5L
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2L
1999 Mustang convertible 3.8L
2002 Mustang hard top 3.8L
1999 Dodge truck 5.2 L

And four motorcycles and a couple of gasoline boats.

Everything runs well, of course.

-Don-

You've got me beat!

1976 Pontiac Trans-Am
1998 Nissan Frontier
1976 Kz900
2002 KL250
2003 ZRX1200R

Hey you forgot the Satoh Beaver ;D

[ChevyMan]

"You must own a whole bunch of cars!"

1979 GM RV 400CID
1996 Saturn 1.9L
1997 Sebring convertible 2.5L
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2L
1999 Mustang convertible 3.8L
2002 Mustang hard top 3.8L
1999 Dodge truck 5.2 L

And four motorcycles and a couple of gasoline boats.

Everything runs well, of course.

-Don-

You've got me beat!

1976 Pontiac Trans-Am
1998 Nissan Frontier
1976 Kz900
2002 KL250
2003 ZRX1200R

Jeez, Don and Eric, you must have a big property to be able to own that many vehicles.Are they kept on the same lot? I can only keep two cars if I ever have to buy a second wheel!

[Eric]

"Jeez, Don and Eric, you must have a big property to be able to own that many vehicles.Are they kept on the same lot? I can only keep two cars if I ever have to buy a second wheel!"

I've got a large (three car) attached garage, plus an outbuilding.. and I'm on 7-something acres, so I could park lots of cars in my yard, too!