Should we buy a new car?
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Anonymous
Yes- we bought a used 2007 Lexus that currently has 140k miles. We have had the car for 5 years and have spent a very reasonable amount in repairs. There was a look at one point that cost $1300 but everything else has been more minor. |
Anonymous
*leak |
Anonymous
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I'm more concerned that you still have a car payment on a car with 150k miles. How long was the loan for? Will you be able to pay it off if you trade the car in or are you in the negative with it?
If in the negative, I think you are stuck with this car. Pay it off and hope you get some payment-free years out of it. If you'll be able to pay it off with trade-in, I'd buy a new car that's more reliable and set up the payment terms so that it's paid off before the big repairs kick in. |
Anonymous
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Op, how many payments left?
For now as others have said spending 3k a year is considered upkeep. It’s probably less then your car payment per month and the goal is for you should be 5 years of no payments. So you can save that money towards a new or newer car. You did belts and hoses. At this point it should be oil changes and drive it till about 225k Miles. That’s about when you have to make the big choice. As then they need exhaust, rear main seals leak, tires again, etc. If you really want to replace because it stresses you out, I suggest the Honda Pilot. Find a low mileage 2016 or 2017. For around 30k. Make sure the tires are new since that can cost $600-700 quickly. And then enjoy it. Get the shortest payment plan you can afford. You will get 150k Miles with just oily changes now adays. And take both your cars to car max. Get a value. Trade in the one thy either nets you the most or in the worst condition. |
Anonymous
| Get the new car and its reliability sooner rather than later. |
Anonymous
| If the Ford is still running, keep it running as long as you can. What you're paying to upkeep is way less than what a new car would cost. I mean, you'll blow 3K in taxes on that new car on day 1. |
Anonymous
They are still paying on a 2013 Ford. No way on earth they will get 5 years payment free. I would not buy a new car now, but wait until it dies. Then, I would buy a Honda. Toyotas are not lasting these days. Don't buy used - you don't get much of a discount, and you can get cheap financing on a new car that you can't necessarily get on a used car. Drive that Honda into the ground. |
Anonymous
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Just so you know, the timing belt and water pump (not cooler) are things that you normally get replaced every 100k miles. Toyotas use a timing chain that never needs replaced. Think a rubber belt vs a bike chain. Domestic cars still use rubber belts. This video shows you what the chian vs belt looks like. It's pretty obvious why Toyota went to timing chains. Plus it saves you a massive maintenance bill ever 100k miles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=Tq-UMNzJkJk OP, I'm confused how you still have a car payment. Did you get a 6 or 7 year loan? Something tells me you didn't get a very good deal. I realize they're not cool but with a family of six, I would just get a minivan. |
Anonymous
+1. start saving now to buy a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna in the next few years, when your Ford Flex craps out. a Honda or Toyota will last 15 years easy. and your kids are getting bigger and will need more space. My sister's Sienna is 15 years old with 240,000 miles. |
Anonymous
Please don't buy into the Toyota or Honda myth. Don't buy these cars. My Toyota is a money pit at just 120k miles. I would never buy one again. These cars are full of cheap and unreliable parts. |
Anonymous
| With four little children I don’t understand why you didn’t get a minivan in 2014?? How are you still making payments on a Ford with such high mileage? |
Anonymous
Which brand do you recommend for reliability and low repair costs? |
Anonymous
Subaru |
Anonymous
| There is no myth. I have had both these cars past 200k with little to no maintenance. My 15 year old Camry is at 165k and still going strong. |
Anonymous
NO. SUBARU. NO. Of course every manufacturer has a few lemons. Not every single Toyota or Honda is going to be perfect but by and large, they are much more reliable than other manufacturers. Subaru is extremely unreliable unless you don't mind paying $2,000 about every 100k miles to fix the head gaskets. Horrible cars. I had one, will never get one again. https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-year-subarus-had-head-gasket-problems/78693 https://www.licmotorsports.com/blog/the-dreaded-subaru-head-gasket-issue |