How much is too much to pay yearly in repairs for a paid off car?

[Anonymous]

$2k per year is nowhere near where I would consider getting rid of a paid off car. A new car costs way more per year to drive than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$2k per year is nowhere near where I would consider getting rid of a paid off car. A new car costs way more per year to drive than that.

Agree. $2k is a bargain to keep a solid car in working order. And find a reputable non-dealer mechanic and take it in for oil changes/maintenance every 6 months.
For me the breaking point(s) are if the car breaks down and leaves me stranded or if I want some of the newer safety / tech features.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who, years ago, had a monthly car payment, I appreciate being free from that financial burden. In 2018, I paid cash for a 2015 Acura TLX, and it has been a great car for me. I currently have 150,000 miles on it and would love to drive it for another 150,000. However, in the last three years or so, I have found myself spending about $2,000 annually on repairs. Just this past Saturday, I paid $450 on repairs, and I had to return today for another unexpected $125 repair.

While the car remains reliable, today's visit made me question whether it's time to start considering a newer vehicle, possibly within the next year.

After investing so much in repairs for your older car, at what point did you decide to buy a new or newer one? I take my car to the dealer. Since it's older, should I consider switching to a regular auto repair shop to save money? At what point did you stop going to the dealership for repairs?

https://caredge.com/acura/maintenance

Looks like you will be on the high side. I have seen expected cost in year 7-10 averaging about $2,000-$2,500 a year and reliability starts to decline. Your car has a life expectancy of 12-15 years and cost rise each year.

EVs are running some great lease deals(like a $180-$200 a month) which is the cheapest way to go. Even with that you will be spending more per year but a new or newer car will be more reliable.

[Anonymous]

At least as much as I'd pay for a new car plus its car tax and any increased insurance. I also don't really care as I buy and own cars because I like them, not because I care about their value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who, years ago, had a monthly car payment, I appreciate being free from that financial burden. In 2018, I paid cash for a 2015 Acura TLX, and it has been a great car for me. I currently have 150,000 miles on it and would love to drive it for another 150,000. However, in the last three years or so, I have found myself spending about $2,000 annually on repairs. Just this past Saturday, I paid $450 on repairs, and I had to return today for another unexpected $125 repair.

While the car remains reliable, today's visit made me question whether it's time to start considering a newer vehicle, possibly within the next year.

After investing so much in repairs for your older car, at what point did you decide to buy a new or newer one? I take my car to the dealer. Since it's older, should I consider switching to a regular auto repair shop to save money? At what point did you stop going to the dealership for repairs?

Ummmm you never go to a dealership unless it's under warranty. They charge at least 100% above average at dealerships for repairs.

[Anonymous]

You are no where close to needing to replace it.

When a single repaint is 50% range of car value you have a choice to make.

My car is 17 years old and fuel pump is dying- 2400 to replace but car is only Worth 4k; so i am at that crossroad.

[Anonymous]

$8,100 this year on my 2015 GMC. Acadia Denali. Car only worth $8,000. Had not had a repair since 2021 and then four years later a ton of crap went at once.

First AC went and coset $3,000
Drove away and starter went with battery $1,800
Then four new tires, $1,300
Now I need struts, shocks and brakes. Quoted $2,000.

I would have traded it in, but AC went and then at same time starter so I was $4,800 into it at that point .

Has 70,000 miles and a new one is like $55,000. I wish I could time travel to early 2025 and traded it in or bought a warranty.

[Anonymous]

Definitely switch away from the dealership, but I'm a bit surprised at your having so many issues. I have a 2008 RDX and absolutely love it - one of the reasons being my repairs have been few, infrequent and inexpensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$8,100 this year on my 2015 GMC. Acadia Denali. Car only worth $8,000. Had not had a repair since 2021 and then four years later a ton of crap went at once.

First AC went and coset $3,000
Drove away and starter went with battery $1,800
Then four new tires, $1,300
Now I need struts, shocks and brakes. Quoted $2,000.

I would have traded it in, but AC went and then at same time starter so I was $4,800 into it at that point .

Has 70,000 miles and a new one is like $55,000. I wish I could time travel to early 2025 and traded it in or bought a warranty.

You are paying some crazy money for repairs you listed, probably double what is reasonable. And you don’t need shocks and struts at 70k miles. Find an honest mechanic

[Anonymous]

Seems cheaper than getting a new car

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$8,100 this year on my 2015 GMC. Acadia Denali. Car only worth $8,000. Had not had a repair since 2021 and then four years later a ton of crap went at once.

First AC went and coset $3,000
Drove away and starter went with battery $1,800
Then four new tires, $1,300
Now I need struts, shocks and brakes. Quoted $2,000.

I would have traded it in, but AC went and then at same time starter so I was $4,800 into it at that point .

Has 70,000 miles and a new one is like $55,000. I wish I could time travel to early 2025 and traded it in or bought a warranty.

You are paying some crazy money for repairs you listed, probably double what is reasonable. And you don’t need shocks and struts at 70k miles. Find an honest mechanic

can you recommend one. I work in VA and live in MD so anywhere between is fine.

[Anonymous]

I try to keep cars 8-10 years, never taking them to the dealer beyond warranty. My general assumption is dealers win either way - by the up-charge or by the new sale. I understand the sales and service divisions of dealership are usually separate entities, but both serve the same master in the end.

I don't see any benefit toward paying the hefty mark-up a dealership charges for service on an 8+ year old car.

If you're otherwise happy driving the Acura - it's a nice car! - 2k / year is still far cheaper than purchasing new or used.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are no where close to needing to replace it.

When a single repaint is 50% range of car value you have a choice to make.

My car is 17 years old and fuel pump is dying- 2400 to replace but car is only Worth 4k; so i am at that crossroad.

I wouldn't look at it like this. How much are you going to spend on a working car in order to avoid spending the $2400? Are you going to buy another $4k car in better condition? Probably not because thats a huge gamble.

If you spend $2400 on a car that has a solid engine, transmission, and the frame isnt all rusted out, its worth more than $4k to your bank account.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are no where close to needing to replace it.

When a single repaint is 50% range of car value you have a choice to make.

My car is 17 years old and fuel pump is dying- 2400 to replace but car is only Worth 4k; so i am at that crossroad.

I wouldn't look at it like this. How much are you going to spend on a working car in order to avoid spending the $2400? Are you going to buy another $4k car in better condition? Probably not because thats a huge gamble.

If you spend $2400 on a car that has a solid engine, transmission, and the frame isnt all rusted out, its worth more than $4k to your bank account.

Valid point….but my previous car before this had a tape deck, and CD changer. Current car does not have a tape deck, just CD changer. You do the math on safety features and other things this car (and my previous) do not have compared to modern models.
So age of vehicle, cost of repairs and value of car are factors.
Especially if car has not been garaged after 10-15 years expensive structural/frame repair factors in.

[Anonymous]

We take our cars to a regular repair shop once the warranty ran out.

Our cars are Toyatos and Hondas which are easier to find off-market parts for and keep costs down.