Old Car vs. New Car?

[Smurf1976]

Bought a new car 9 years ago and still have it. I plan to keep it until either it starts to become unreliable or I need a different type of vehicle.

Overall, this strategy seems to be working reasonably well financially so far with the only things done to it being routine servicing, new tyres, one new battery and new wiper blades. Yes there's a fair bit of depreciation on a new car, but spread over 10, 15 or 20 years it becomes a fairly small annual cost.

Reliability is a must as far as I'm concerned, hence I'm not too keen on certain well known local cars simply for that reason. Parts may be cheap, but that's not much help when you're stuck in the middle of nowhere. And I hate fixing cars anyway - it's about the only practical task I'll willingly pay someone else to do.

My next car will also probably be new, though hopefully I won't need to buy one for a few years yet. No prizes for guessing that I'm no car fanatic. It's just another machine as is the fridge and the oven - I'll get a new one when I need to, not just because it's a few years old.

 

[disarray]

the premium you pay for "new" isn't worth it imo. a few years old is fine as long as it has been maintained and you give the car a good going over (or get the NRMA to do it) before you buy it. another one for the "few years old" camp.

 

[Julia]

I bet I can claim the distinction of driving the oldest car on this forum.
1990 Mazda 626 Hatch, only done 74,000kms and I've probably not spent more than $2000 on it all up.

Don't do any long distances (well, obviously) and nearly always have the dog in it. Ergo, dog hair throughout and dribble down the windows.

If I were to replace it with a new car what would you knowledgeable people suggest? I don't like really small cars and it has to be suitable for a big dog.
The current one has the back seats folded down flat so is like a station wagon.

Budget if buying something new would be around the $30K mark.
Suggestions?
Or should I just hold on to this until it falls apart? Not showing any signs of so doing at this stage and has way the best air con of any car I've ever had.

 

[ginar]

I've always loved the Torana's - nearly bought an xu-1 years ago, also nearly got an rx3, a gtv v6, a genuine xb cobra (before they got expensive - damn!!). I've just realised I'm a bloody tyre kicker!!!

i have a LX SS 5litre hatchback torana i bought in 1995 for 10k , now worth 75k . absolutely amazes me , might sell it when they crack 100k and go on a world holiday

 

[Sunder]

If I were to replace it with a new car what would you knowledgeable people suggest?

A couple suggestions

1. If your dog doesn't scratch, leather doesn't absorb dog smells. But it gets scratched easily by pets.

2. For 30k, I'd recommend going a near new Mazda 6. You've obviously loved your old 626, and I very much love my Mazda 6 MPS (the sports version of the Mazda 6)

 

[Datsun Disguise]

Budget if buying something new would be around the $30K mark.
Suggestions?
Or should I just hold on to this until it falls apart? Not showing any signs of so doing at this stage and has way the best air con of any car I've ever had.

If you don't care about driving an old car then just keep it until it becomes unreliable - you might get upset with dog dribble and hair all over a shiny new car!!

A tip for finding a used car to buy - go to one of the internet car sites, carsales, drive, carpoint etc and leave the brand of car blank then just enter in the things you want - 3 years old, auto, leather seats, station wagon, tow bar or whatever and the range you are looking at spending (keep it within a $10k window and hit search. You will see cars that you've never considered before and a few bargains will pop up. My mate bought a Mercedes ML270 (diesel 4wd) that way for a song.

 

[shag]

I bet I can claim the distinction of driving the oldest car on this forum.
1990 Mazda 626 Hatch, only done 74,000kms and I've probably not spent more than $2000 on it all up.

Don't do any long distances (well, obviously) and nearly always have the dog in it. Ergo, dog hair throughout and dribble down the windows.

If I were to replace it with a new car what would you knowledgeable people suggest? I don't like really small cars and it has to be suitable for a big dog.
The current one has the back seats folded down flat so is like a station wagon.

Budget if buying something new would be around the $30K mark.
Suggestions?
Or should I just hold on to this until it falls apart? Not showing any signs of so doing at this stage and has way the best air con of any car I've ever had.

wrong ive got a 87 vl holden-the 3l nissan donkey model
cant bring myself to sell it
still goes like stink considering.

 

[Julia]

Thanks Sunder and D. Disguise for suggestions.

The bit about the dog slobbering over new car and filling it with hair does get to me. She's just being a dog and I don't want to start not taking her because I'm fussing about a car.

And yes, I'd go for Mazda again. I'm just completely out of touch with the car world and wondered if there was something else I should consider if I do it.

 

[Timmy]

1990 Mazda 626 Hatch, only done 74,000kms

Must say I am gobsmacked. That's about 4,000 km a year!

At that rate Julia the car has another 40 years left in it, easily. And more.

If you are happy with it, keep it.

 

[ojm]

Thanks Sunder and D. Disguise for suggestions.

The bit about the dog slobbering over new car and filling it with hair does get to me. She's just being a dog and I don't want to start not taking her because I'm fussing about a car.

And yes, I'd go for Mazda again. I'm just completely out of touch with the car world and wondered if there was something else I should consider if I do it.

My mum got a brand new Getz for her dogs. Just got a special dog blanket thing that attaches to the seats, and put some more on the floor. When the blankets are taken out, its still like new (apart from the wet dog smell ).

 

[Julia]

Must say I am gobsmacked. That's about 4,000 km a year!

At that rate Julia the car has another 40 years left in it, easily. And more.

If you are happy with it, keep it.

Yep, I know it's unusual, Timmy. Any long distances, it's someone else's car.
It's still pretty much fine for my purposes, I guess. Just feel a bit odd having a 20 year old car. Maybe just feel it's a long time since I had a new car.

My mum got a brand new Getz for her dogs. Just got a special dog blanket thing that attaches to the seats, and put some more on the floor. When the blankets are taken out, its still like new (apart from the wet dog smell ).

How does she get the dog hair out of blankets? German Shepherd hair winds through that sort of material and you have to pick it out hair by hair.
I have the back seats down flat and a large piece of vinyl covering. Quick to vacuum and wash. Never allow wet dog in car or house.

 

[veni_vedi_vici]

As my law lecturer told us, "the best part (once your employed) is buying that shiny new BMW". He was serious and I can't say on this forum what I think of him.

V

 

[Smurf1976]

Must say I am gobsmacked. That's about 4,000 km a year!

My car's just about due for it's 6 monthly service. I might have to go for a decent drive first though - otherwise they're going to think I'm rather strange having travelled only 1100 km in the past 6 months.

I don't drive to work, live near the shops and so on. So a car's something I really only use on weekends anyway. And with all the rain we've been having plus some work I'm doing around the house I've been home more than usual, hence the very low km. Normally it's still only 5000 - 7000 km a year though.

 

[trainspotter]

Instead of getting a hot rod and a bit on the side I decided to bypass the midlife crisis and get me one of these shopping gophers. Cops leave you alone, people get out of your way, gauranteed traffic stopper! Helps if you wear a big floppy hat and let a bit of saliva dribble off your chin as well.

 

[chode84]

We got both of our current cars off ebay. A 97 excel and 94 Magna. $4500 for both and never had a problem with either. Magna has cruise control, alloys and new cd player and excel had brand new tyres and a full year rego plus its easy on the fuel.

The only time Im going to buy a new car is when I have ample disposable income to do so. Its pretty low on the priority list. Like others have said, as long as it gets you from A to B.

The thing with luxury cars too is that everyone else who sees you driving it thinks you look like a knob. Which is ironic as people generally buy them to look good.

 

[ajjack]

Hey trainman, instead of a hot rod or a shopping cart, heres a better
idea. Why not get a Segway.

They are not easy to obtain, and they are damn expensive,
but one thing for sure ... you will be the only kid on the block
to have one!

Saw one in action recently, and found it an amazing toy.
Just what's needed to avoid that mid life crisis!

Check them out on Google.

 

[fodder-oz]

Nothing better than a concourse condition 1973 V8 Triumph Stag in fire engine red. Oldie but a bloody beauty ! Always had second hand cars, generally 2 years old and about 20,000 kms. Full service history, excellent condition, yadda yadda yadda. Bought one from a deceased estate once. 1991 Toyota Camry CSi SV21 sedan. Magnificent little motor car. Still see it driving around town today. Turns out one of my mates daughter bought it off the fella I sold it to. Never had a spanner on it.

In saying all this I bought the V8 Toyota Landcruiser GXL100 series brand new for tax purposes. GST claim, depreciation etc. Gave it to the wife to drive. I get to put fuel in it and clean it. Drive it to the workshop to be serviced. Ho hum ... such is life.

I know what you mean by a triumph red stag, my dad owned one when we were kids. Nothing better then sitting in it with the top down doing 180 clicks on the freeway. Those things look great and go really well. My dad got rid of it unfortunately just before me and my brother got our license he didnt want us to drive it, was to quick for a new driver.. but loved that car.

 

[Savoy Special]

Hey Spoticus (Trainspotter),

A mate told me once he saw someone who was on a gopher which had a complete perspex cover over it that had tipped over on 1 side.

Because it fell over on the side door side, he was stuck in there and it took a couple of them to get him up.Apparently the man was liquered up and just ran down the curb at the wrong angle and it tipped.

I showed him your photo!!!

Did you get rid of the cover because of that experience or was the photo taken before you put the cover on??

 

[Miner]

Thanks Sunder and D. Disguise for suggestions.

The bit about the dog slobbering over new car and filling it with hair does get to me. She's just being a dog and I don't want to start not taking her because I'm fussing about a car.

And yes, I'd go for Mazda again. I'm just completely out of touch with the car world and wondered if there was something else I should consider if I do it.

Julia

I am throwing few suggestions which you probably know already

Mazda 6 still a good car. Please consider buying the demo cars with low km driven.

I always negotiate to ask for at least three addtional free services (Saves $950 or so) and extended warranty ($1250 for $30000 priced car) . They are wonderful and normally the dealers conceal a hefty commission on extended warranty. So drive your dollar.

Carsales.com.au or redbook.com.au or glass guide are excellent source of knowing old car values. Red book is a bit conservative valuation. If you pay some $12 an approximate price of your old car valuation is available.

It is not a very fancy car like Mazda but KIA Carnival is a good value for money at $29 K with no more to pay. Your dog will be happy with plenty of space. But it is no where near to Mazda 6

Camry 4 cylinder auto will be available easily at the price range you mentioned.

Or simply give yourself a break - buy SAAB 9-5 (no new model has come since last 8 months) but 2004 model cars would be available at around $28,000 - with 6 stack, air con and good pick up. Dealer executive models give excellent value Consider trading at a negotiated price. (My wife mostly drives this one and we bought it about 4 years back - very happy with the car and service)

 

[Aussiest]

The thing with luxury cars too is that everyone else who sees you driving it thinks you look like a knob. Which is ironic as people generally buy them to look good.

I'd never been so scared on the road until i bought a brand new Mazda 3. Even freaked out every time a bike rider went passed for fear of getting it scatched. Then i downgraded to a Honda. Got sick of getting scraped by irresponsible drivers, so finally decided to buy a "nurses car", a 1993 Corolla. It lacks LED lights and the bells and whistles. but i've grown accustomed to it now. I don't care what people think anymore, i just drive it, and take delight in terrorizing the occassional Merc driver. Lol...