Can you guess why Americans keep older cars longer?

The Los Angeles Daily News / The Associated Press ^ | August 6, 2013 | Tom Krisher

[2ndDivisionVet]

Americans are keeping their cars and trucks longer than ever, and even with new car sales increasing, the average age will continue to rise, an industry research firm says.

The average age of the 247 million cars and trucks on U.S. roads hit a record of 11.4 years in January, the latest figures available from state registration data gathered by the Polk research firm.

That's up from 11.2 years in 2012, and nearly two full years older than in 2007, before the start of the Great Recession, Polk said Tuesday....

[BwanaNdege]

Because they can’t afford the grotesquely overpriced newer models

We bought a Mazda 626 DX (basic model) new in 1990. MSRP was about $14,000. They had a $1000 rebate deal, so with some haggling we paid $11,453.

I just ran that through the inflation calculator at US Inflation Calculator

In 2013 dollars, that equals $20,456.17

Then I checked the MSRP for a new 2014 MAzda6. MSRP from $20,990

It looks like the US Government's policy of "Print More Money" has raised the price, not Mazda. In fact, when you look at the features, MPG and performance on the base model, Mazda has LOWERED the price for a better car.

[old and tired]

You know, here in the Northeast, where our roads are salted pretty much all winter long, it's tough to keep a car for more than 15 years or so. And that's really pushing it. I suppose if you're really diligent about taking it to the car wash, you can keep the rust at bay.

We once had an 11 year old car that had rusted so much you could literally sit in the back seat and stare down at the black top under your feet. Thank God we can afford decent vehicles these days.

[Sooth2222]

"Cars are just lasting longer," he said.

Well, duh.

I have one car with 200k, and my wife is driving one with 130k. As long as a car is fairly reliable and not annoying to drive, why spend the money?

[patriot08]

Cars have all begun to look like bugs.

[woodbutcher1963]

In addition, here in NH, we pay our registration based on the KBB book value. It starts out at about $400/year for a $30k new car value. It goes down to about $100year after 10 years. An antique costs about $25/year. I guess that is why there are so many auto parts stores around here now. I think there are FIVE within about one mile from where I sit in Nashua.

It is similar to our real estate tax system. The people with the expensive water front real estate pay all the taxes(Romney types).

[citizen]

I have an 05 PT Cruiser.

[BwanaNdege]

Great visibility! I consider visibility the best safety feature-ever. Looks like nobody in Tokyo,Berlin or Detroit agrees with that anymore.

Better visibility - 2004 Honda CR-V

[SoothingDave]

I see. You are talking about going from having just liability to having full coverage. I was talking about the difference in full coverage based on a change in vehicles.

[woodbutcher1963]

How is your frame?

I traded in my 1999 Tacoma last year. I had both sides of the frame repaired over the years. I bought a 2012 double cab long bed($30K)because they gave me KBB full retail x 1.5% for my 1999. I think they were only doing that for 1995-2000 Tacoma’s though.

[SoothingDave]

You know, here in the Northeast, where our roads are salted pretty much all winter long, it's tough to keep a car for more than 15 years or so.

True. I had a 13 year old Escort with about 60k miles, but traded it in when I was looking at body work and a new catalytic converter due to corrosion.

[redgolum]

A friend of mine only drives ten to sixteen year old BMW’s.

Great cars.

[xeno]

Because new cars are ugly and have a high belt-lines and windows like a slit trench?

Great visibility! I consider visibility the best safety feature-ever. Looks like nobody in Tokyo,Berlin or Detroit agrees with that anymore.

central_va, I feel the exact same way. I recently upgraded to a year 2004 model because I did not like any of the cars after that time for the same reasons you stated. I drive in a lot of fast-moving traffic and I want to easily see what's around me for quick lane changes.

[redgolum]

My goal is that if the yearly repair bills are less than six month of car payments, keep the car. My bride’s Buick is getting to the point were that is an issue. My truck’s only issue is AC, but that is what windows are for.

[woodbutcher1963]

There are not that many left of the older 240 Volvos left.
I had two. The first was a 1976. It was green. I called it the tank. I bounced it off a couple trees one winter day. It hardly scratched the paint. It was stolen from the place that was replacing the clutch at 91,000 miles. I replaced that with a 1980 two door Volvo 240 coupe. I traded that in for my first Toyota pickup truck in 1988($10,600 new). I sold that and bought a 1999 Tacoma($22,500). I traded that in and bought a 2012 Tacoma($30k). Each Toyota I put about 110K miles on before I sold or traded them in.

[paterfamilias]

I can’t speak for others, but if I have a good car that is running well, why trade it in? Anyway, the older cars are simpler, and until repair costs become too high, it is worth keeping them.

So, my daily driver is still a 2002 VW Golf TDI with about 180,000 miles. It is easy to park in the city, and I don’t mind accumulating a few dings and dents.

As far as modern conveniences, for a few hundred dollars, I replaced my factory radio with one that has USB input, bluetooth and satellite radio.

[rintense]

I adore my 2004 Grand Cherokee. Mileage isn’t that great but with a 9 mile round trip each day for work, I’m ok with it. It has 170,000 miles, regularly maintained, and has very little rust. I will own it until it dies.

[Mad Dawgg]

I will be skewing that data set when I finally find my late 60's early 70s Chevy or Ford Pickup that I will never sell once I get it.

I am going Old Skool and staying there!

[Farmer Dean]

1974 Vega.Now that was a car.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Honestly so.

[Notary Sojac]

I owned a 1976 Gremlin for three years. The most appropriately named car in world history.