Ask Joe Mechanic: Replacing An Aging Vehicle

Much the same as last week’s subject of purchasing a teen’s first car, there are many factors to consider when trying to decide whether to keep repairing or replace that aging vehicle.

Of course, the first thing to consider is cost. Many times an aging vehicle can start to nickel and dime you and you do not realize how much money you are spending on it. Naturally, a
new or newer pre-owned vehicle is going to have a cost involved. But, what you sometimes do not realize is that what you spend each month to keep an older car on the road can often come near or even exceed the payment for a newer vehicle. When it gets to that point, it is a wise move to say goodbye to that older car as you are now throwing away good money.
 
Of course, a major problem such as an engine or transmission failure can make the decision much simpler if you are looking at a one-time repair of a thousand or two. I also realize that a person can become attached to a vehicle that they have owned for a long time. It sometimes can seem that the vehicle has become part of the family. But, if you are spending a lot of money on it, you need to separate your personal feelings and look at the situation objectively.

Another consideration is functionality and type of use. It is always important to consider the type of use your vehicle is to perform. Often, over the course of time owning a vehicle, your needs may have changed from the time when it was purchased. Some are simple decisions such as if your vehicle now is a car and you need a truck, or if you need the added space of a minivan or SUV to suit a growing family. But sometimes it is a far more subtle change in needs such as a longer or shorter commute for work.  Of course, shorter commutes are not really a problem, but a longer commute can put more stress and wear and tear on an aging vehicle, and fuel mileage now becomes a consideration also.

Now, if you have made the decision to replace that vehicle, you have to consider the options that are out there for you. This is a great time to look at new vehicles because new car dealers are looking to move out their remaining 2013 inventory and there are some fantastic incentives out there for you for either leasing or purchasing.

Another great option is Certified Pre-owned Vehicles. Generally offered by new car dealers of the same brand, CPO’s offer great extended warranty packages, attractive pricing, and often even have special financing available. And then, of course, there are always lots of late model pre-owned vehicles which offer big savings over the cost of a new vehicle. Check out this week’s ads as there are lots of great deals if you find yourself in the position of needing to replace your vehicle. And always remember to thoroughly check out any vehicle before making that purchase.