Anonymous
Post 09/04/2024 13:59     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
We have a Dodge minivan with 196K on it. Bad cats, burns oil, notorious 3.6L ticking. Just running it til it dies. Expecting cam wear/misfiring to commence anytime given the ticking but its not worth fixing imo. Last 2 times had to waiver through emissions. Getting tiresome but no way I'm putting 3000$ in cats on a car worth 3000$, never mind the cam/lifter issues ($1500+), so...here we are

Too bad because it still drives great and is very comfortable.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2024 09:08     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
1994 manual transmission Honda Accord

Ignition went so I had two keys—one for door and one for ignition
Windows no longer went up and down reliably
Carpet had been torn out due to mold from a prior leak
Finally, in year 16, the speedometer failed so you couldn’t see how fast you were going.

That’s when I replaced the car. It went to the junkyard.

Still miss that car.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2024 09:02     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Usually, OP, people get rid of cars when they get too expensive to fix compared to the price of a functioning used car, or a new car.

We have a 19 year old Toyota Corolla that is still working fine with low maintenance costs. I wish I could get a snazzy new car! But I feel guilty wasting the money since my existing car works so well.



Anonymous
Post 09/04/2024 08:57     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Both of our cars are >15 years old. One is doing okay, but the other we plan to replace soon… it’s been making a mystery noise for a few years, the trunk leaks when it rains, and when we take it for an oil change, they ask how long we plan to keep it, because it needs some expensive but non-urgent repairs. It’s ok for short trips around town, but we already wouldn’t trust it for a road trip. We are the car’s third owners.


No regrets… in general we try to use things until they can’t be used anymore.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2024 08:26     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
I keep every car till the bitter end. Last time it was a transmission. Time before that it wasn’t going to pass VA inspection without several thousand dollars of work.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2024 08:25     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A little over 290K miles. Never died, just was traded for another car. Did need some work, and I did consider fixing rather than buying another car.

As far as regrets, I have contemplated the best time to trade. I have bought used cars that have already depreciated, driven them for years and years, and traded them when they’re high mileage and not worth anything. I have wondered whether it would be better to trade earlier, like maybe between 100-130K miles, when repairs start adding up, but the car is still worth something. But you’re paying taxes every time you buy a car, so not sure.


This is what we do. I’m not saying it’s better, but for us it feels like the right balance of being fiscally responsible while still updating the safety features periodically and not being worried about unexpected repairs/being car-less without warning.

Anonymous
Post 09/04/2024 07:12     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Honda. Drove it until someone rear-ended me - their fault. Insurance declared it totaled.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 23:27     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
1998 Pontiac Bonneville just over 300,000 miles, A drunk driver ran a stop sign in front of me and totaled it.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 14:13     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Skoda Octavia 200k miles. DH bumped into a car that braked hard for no reason. Minor damage, but the insurance company no longer wanted to pay for repairs and offered 9k for this old car. We have now an electric vehicle and are very happy with it.


That's an interesting way of saying your husband was following too closely
NP here and I'm sorry to go off subject but rear ending a vehicle doesn't always mean that you were following too closely. I've had people pull in front of me and suddenly slam on their brakes because they stopped to pick up someone who was waiting for them. Also had people pull in front of me while approaching an intersection to turn right, and they have braked hard because they want to make the same right turn. Dash Cams can be a great friend.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 11:57     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
The transmission broke while I was driving it (thankfully I was close to home and not on a dangerous street). It was a Honda Civic hybrid. Bought it used for pretty cheap, don't remember how many miles or how old.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 11:22     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Anonymous wrote:Skoda Octavia 200k miles. DH bumped into a car that braked hard for no reason. Minor damage, but the insurance company no longer wanted to pay for repairs and offered 9k for this old car. We have now an electric vehicle and are very happy with it.


That's an interesting way of saying your husband was following too closely
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 11:11     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Transmission. Cost way too much to fix - way more than the car was worth.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 11:11     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
17 years old weak A/C. Break line rusted out. Lots of little things.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 11:10     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Skoda Octavia 200k miles. DH bumped into a car that braked hard for no reason. Minor damage, but the insurance company no longer wanted to pay for repairs and offered 9k for this old car. We have now an electric vehicle and are very happy with it.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 11:01     Subject: If you drove your car until it died
Still driving my 25 year old Landcruiser. Runs great!