Every car has its own shelf life, usually dictated by its owner. Some guys like to keep a car for a certain number of years, say five or 10. Other guys insist that after a certain amount of miles (like 100,000), a car is done.
The truth is that knowing exactly when you should dump your car is a little more complicated. Here are some factors that you'll want to consider.
Repair bills
Repair bills come in two varieties: the one big hit or the steady stream of smaller ones. If you're looking at a single large expense, it often pays to get a second opinion from another mechanic. Doing so will help you to determine whether or not you're getting a good price on the repair and if it's likely to last you.If you're the victim of a steady stream of smaller bills, try reading up on your car on ConsumerReports.org to see what other owners have encountered. Doing your homework will let you know if these repairs are the norm or if there's something worse and more expensive coming down the road.
Sometimes, you shouldn't wait for a mechanic to tell you that there's something wrong with your car. If you're picking up on a weird noise when you drive, the odds are good that you're going to have a problem soon -- if you don't already. Different sounds can mean different things, but if there's one common denominator to car noises, it's that they don't get better, they get worse.
If you hear something odd clanking or rattling around, get on top of it immediately and take your car in right away. An early catch can mean a cheap catch, and might save you from having to dump your car before its time.
Rust
Not only does rust on a car never disappear, it spreads like a disease. Check the likely breeding grounds for rust, like your wheel wells and fenders. Once rust sets in, the safety of your car declines -- along with its value. Dumping a rusting car sooner rather than later is always a good bet.Practicality
Cars are like toys for guys, so it's easy to forget that they serve a basic purpose. At the end of the day, you need a car that can help you accomplish what you need to get done. If the only problem with your sports car is the size of your family, that's enough of a problem to dump the thing.Conversely, if you're a single guy, that SUV might seem ideal for your road-tripping lifestyle. But if you live in a neighborhood without ample street parking, maybe you're better off with a smaller car.
Make a list of the things that you need your car to do, and then ask yourself if your current ride meets those needs. If it does, it's probably a keeper.
Major repairs
While most anything on a car can be fixed, not every repair on a car is cost-effective. If you're looking at something major like a new engine, a new transmission or a serious repair to the frame, it may pay to just get a new car instead. How can you be sure which route is the better one? Well, one way is to weigh the cost of the repair against the value of the car (check the Kelly Bluebook).Another perspective to take on the problem is to total up the amount of money you've spent on the car to date. Remember; a car isn't an investment -- as its value is constantly depreciating, it's actually quite the opposite. So every time you put cash into your automobile, you need to know that you'll get that much more use out of it.
Safety
Safety should be paramount when it comes to your car. If there's something that's unsafe about it, you need to take immediate action. After all, it's your life on the line. But don't go thinking that you necessarily have to dump the car. Check with a mechanic to see how much it would cost to fix the problem and make the car safe again. Not only can this save you the expense of getting a new car, but it might even help you get a little extra for your current one, because an unsafe car is worth next to nothing.Gas expenses
If you've had your car for a while, chances are that gas prices were significantly lower when you bought it. If the cost of filling up is putting a dent in your wallet, it might be a good idea to switch to a more fuel efficient vehicle. Do your homework and find out exactly how many miles you're getting to the gallon. Not only will this give you an indication of how much your current ride is really costing you, if you do end up shopping for a new car, you'll be able to determine your savings.Parts
High-performance car owners buy their vehicles with the expectation of frequent repairs. They also usually know that those repairs will be costly, because theirs are complicated machines that either operate at their peak, or not at all. If you have one of those cars, you're probably on a first name basis with your mechanic. But if the repairs have accumulated beyond what you can afford, maybe you'll need to give up your baby.time for a new set of wheels?
Throughout this whole process, you're going to have to rely somewhat on your mechanic. That might not be something you're entirely comfortable with, but that's why it's a good idea to find a mechanic that you can trust before you need him. When it comes time to sell your car, you'll know that you're selling it at a time that makes sense both in terms of safety and cost.Resources:
http://autos.aol.com/
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/20041029a1.asp
http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Car/Rust-Prevention.htm
http://csmonitor.com/2004/0419/p13s02-wmgn.html
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/19980708/press014304.html
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