$100 in 2004, still running, if uncomfortably.
Posted on 08/07/2013 3:50:29 AM PDT by 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....
(Excerpt) Read more at dailynews.com ...
Two reasons:
1) Most Americans cannot afford a replacement car, and
2) The few that can will not buy a car that can be hacked, remotely controlled (with possible fatal results), and that pinpoints your location at all times to the Federal government.
Lousy trade -in value, cars last longer now, new ones cost too much, they all look alike now.
We used to want a pretty car one that caught the eye.
They all look alike now.
The guy is wrong about people wrenching their own cars. The average driver now is about done after changing the oil. Everything else has to be done by a mechanic with a computer.
Because they don’t have GPS tracking systems in them, like the government has installed in new cars?
It’s just cheaper to keep her.
my 79 chevy pick up runs just fine and with nothing under the hood is easy to fix.
Chrysler stopped making PT Cruisers. Since the PT Cruiser is the most attractive car ever made, I’m holding on to mine for as long as I can.
And no, there is nothing opinionated about the above statement at all.
Because we’re waiting on the new wind-powered models...
You have a 72-year old car?
My car is 16 years old, but it works. Anything I can do to avoid indebting myself with car payments will be done (including living through our 3 week heat wave without AC). I’m in no position to make car payments, and will make do for as long as I can. Most of the infrequent repair bills are still lower than one month’s payment on a new car.
‘99 tahoe - 150k runs like a watch - of course most of the parts are new now.
THEY know where YOU are, whether in a car or not!!!
;-)
Because new cars are ugly and have a high belt-lines and windows like a slit trench?
“Because people avoid new large expenses and new debt for as long as they can when they may be laid off at any time and know they won’t be able to find a new job anytime soon.”
That’s right (and is the same reason why Americans don’t have new children); apparently “cash-for-clunkers” was a complete bust.
When I was young and couldn't afford new vehicles, I bought them new. Now that I'm older and can afford new, I buy used, and keep them as long as I can.
“If you know about them or want to learn, the best deal is to drive that sucker till the wheels fall off!”
I prefer to get rid of mine just BEFORE the wheels come off!(Sarcasm)
Drove my 74 Cordoba till 91 when it had 225K on it and sold it for 20% of what I paid for it.
Bought a T bird, it got wrecked in a storm in 93, replaced it with another which got wrecked in 98 when I bought a Taurus which I gave to my step daughter 3 years ago at 125K because she needed transportation. Have Hyundai now. Take care of maintenance, don’t abuse them, watch out for the other drivers and tornadoes and they ride virtually half a life time. So, why buy a new one every few years unless you are uber rich and like to show off?
Yep, a 1941 Willys MB, it came off the line on
Dec.16.1941.
I can work on it and the 75 chevy truck.
the 91 ford diesel is too modern to work on.
yeah I had to replace a water pump on an old ford festiva. I got it repaired at KMart for 29 bux. That included parts. They must’ve been running a special... that or accidentally charged me for an oil change lol.
That’s cheaper than a repair on my mower for crying out loud. No, I’m not going to get rid of the Festiva. Nor will I get rid of my 99 p/u truck.
$100 in 2004, still running, if uncomfortably.
Nothing compares with the classic, smooth, clean lines of the AMC Pacer.
The old Chev stuff is the best.
New alternator might run ya 50 bux or a bit more.
Couldn’t even touch a new alternator for the foreign crap for less than a buck seventy five... or even worse.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.