Time for a new car?

[slobake]

I have a 99 Honda CRV with a little over 80,000 miles on it. I bought it used with low miles and as you can see I don't drive it much. It runs great but the body is a little dinged up like any older urban car that is parked in the street.
I have taken good care of it but now it is deciscion time. I replaced the timing belt a year ago but now the engine mounts are starting to wear. In other year or two I will need to replace those. Right now that would cost about $700. I don't mind spending the money if I keep the car but it is a 16-year-old car. What other things will wear out? I'm talking about major expensis not minor things like belts, hoses etc.
I probabably have another year or two on the tires as well.
I can afford to pay cash for another low mileage used car. I buy a used car and save my money while I get as much as I can out of my current car. I HATE paying interest.
What do you say Talkbass?
Should I buy another car or keep this one?
If I buy another used car, should I buy another Honda CRV or something else?

 

[Phalex]

I usually drive them until the wheels fall off. I've only ever gotten more than $1,000.00 trade in one time.

 

[Pilgrim]

A Honda at 80K miles is just broken in. (And I don't workship at the "temple of Honda," I'm not a big fan...)

Motor mounts (which usually don't "wear", they either work or they fail) are cheap compared to a new or used car. If someone told me that my engine mounts were "starting to wear," I'd look for the third eye on the back of their head. Any repair short of replacing the engine and transmission as a unit is much cheaper than a replacement car.

For that matter, if you're quoting a dealer price for the mounts, dump that idea and check with an independent shop and install aftermarket mounts, not Honda OEM. I'd be very surprised if you can't do it for less.

Financially, it is silly to replace the car. You can get another 80K miles out of it and just pay for repairs as needed.

 

[ReneB]

I agree with Pilgrim. I would ask a trusted, perhaps non-dealer affiliated mechanic, to evaluate your present car for you in terms of what types of repairs could be on the horizon for the next few years.

Then, you'll have a basis to compare the cost of continued ownership of your current CRV vs. paying for another used car. Because it's a Honda, you usually can count on good reliability, but there may be some model-specific issues that are known to a good mechanic with Honda experience. For example, it may be that your model is known to need a timing belt or something at 100,000 miles or so.

And, let's not forget to also consider that any repairs you may have already done to this car (e.g., brake rotors, ignition parts) are things you know you most likely won't be repairing in the near future. With a different used car, there may be some repairs it'll need despite having low miles and good care. Then again, you may luck out too.

On the other hand, a newer used car could be cheaper to run if you get better gas mileage. But, insurance will be more expensive. Depending on where you live, that difference could be substantial.

I think this info will help you decide on whether to go with what you got or replace.

 

[Mktrat]

Keep what ya got. You already know what's wrong with it and how it is supposed to sound/run etc.

If you buy used, even certified used, your still buying a mystery regarding maintenance and general care.
Once I learn my car inside and out, I will NOT let it go until it's being hauled away on a flatbed (taps may or may not be heard playing in the background).

That's just me, I do probably 95% of my own automotive repairs, so YMMV!

 

[slobake]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far. A few points of clarity. This mechanic is not a dealership and he is very trustworthy. He has five stars on Yelp with a lot of reviews and has never tried to sell me something I don't need.
He told me I don't need to replace the motor mounts for a year or two and that I would know they are in bad shape when the car starts shaking badly on the highway. He also said he has had bad exeriences with the after market mounts of this car. He said the that in this case the Honda parts last a lot longer. He is not a dealership so there is not a huge profit motive in him telling me that plus his good repuation is at stake.
He checked the brakes and rotors and they are in good shape. I also replaced the timing belt at around 70,00 miles. The Honda book says replace it at 60,000.
The newer CRV's get about 29 MPG on the highway, my 99 gets about 27 mpg on the highway. Not a lot of difference there. I also have a trailer mount on my current CRV to slide my bike rack into. I don't know if the trailer mount will fit a new Honda.
A lot to think about here.

 

[fisticuffs]

Two Words. Jet Pack.

 

[slobake]

Two Words. Jet Pack.

Does Honda make those?

 

[slobake]

If I keep it I will replace the spare tire cover that rotted and look into touching up the black paint that is peeling off on the strips around my windows.

 

[David Jayne]

I'd say if it's not rusty, keep it. You could get anther ten years out of it.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

 

[kentiki]

A Honda with 80K is barely broken in. The last 2 that I had got over 200K, with no major engine work.

 

[Pilgrim]

He checked the brakes and rotors and they are in good shape. I also replaced the timing belt at around 70,00 miles. The Honda book says replace it at 60,000.
The newer CRV's get about 29 MPG on the highway, my 99 gets about 27 mpg on the highway. Not a lot of difference there. I also have a trailer mount on my current CRV to slide my bike rack into. I don't know if the trailer mount will fit a new Honda.
A lot to think about here.

Not really, unless you're just tired of the car and ready to make a change. You'll be well off to stay with this one. Mounts in TWO YEARS??? That's so far off that it's not even a maintenance item at present. Hitches for new models don't come free, either.

If I keep it I will replace the spare tire cover that rotted and look into touching up the black paint that is peeling off on the strips around my windows.

See, it's that kind of simple thing that makes people more inclined to "sell the old car". Keep up with the cosmetics and the little stuff that happens all the time, and your car is much more pleasing to you. Even replacing that cover will improve your attitude toward this car.

 

[slobake]

Not really, unless you're just tired of the car and ready to make a change. You'll be well off to stay with this one. Mounts in TWO YEARS??? That's so far off that it's not even a maintenance item at present. Hitches for new models don't come free, either.



See, it's that kind of simple thing that makes people more inclined to "sell the old car". Keep up with the cosmetics and the little stuff that happens all the time, and your car is much more pleasing to you. Even replacing that cover will improve your attitude toward this car.

You are probably right and I am going to keep the car. Man I hate admtting it when you are right.

 

[slobake]

I will be a classic car in 40 years.

 

[Pilgrim]

You are probably right and I am going to keep the car. Man I hate admtting it when you are right.

That's OK, it doesn't happen often so you won't be inconvenienced much.

 

[Tom Lane]

Two things, you CRV has plenty of life in it so I would plan to keep it until it needs a major repair, say $3,000 or starts to become less reliable - electrical problems, computer issues, rust, what have you. But, if I remember correctly, you're about 60 years old. In a few years, you're likely to want to retire. Your life may change significantly then and you'll feel the need for a different type of vehicle. Maybe a van to move your portable quilt making machine or a sports car to attract young women that you con into paying for dinner at swank restaurants (completely kidding, of course). You might be wise to wait until you decide where you'll live and what you'll do in 5 or so years.

 

[David Jayne]

Why kidding? I do that now and I'm fifty.

 

[NG51]

Just my two cents- I've worked on cars most of my life,was a pro mechanic for decades, and service manager for a couple of dealerships, too. I would also keep the Honda-that is very low-mileage. It will probably last a long time, especially since you have such an ethical and competent mechanic(let's face it- how many mechs give a two-year warning on motor mounts?). Motor mounts are no big deal, especially considering the nightmare you could get into by buying another car.
That being said, if you decide to get rid of it, I'm right across the Bay from you, and would be happy to take it off your hands...

 

[slobake]

Two things, you CRV has plenty of life in it so I would plan to keep it until it needs a major repair, say $3,000 or starts to become less reliable - electrical problems, computer issues, rust, what have you. But, if I remember correctly, you're about 60 years old. In a few years, you're likely to want to retire. Your life may change significantly then and you'll feel the need for a different type of vehicle. Maybe a van to move your portable quilt making machine or a sports car to attract young women that you con into paying for dinner at swank restaurants (completely kidding, of course). You might be wise to wait until you decide where you'll live and what you'll do in 5 or so years.

I don't plan on moving and I hope to keep playing music, maybe more so. This is a great car to hual my equiment in. I also take it on longer trips sometimes. Usiing it to haul three of us and all our to Lake Tahoe soon.
I also thought about the retirement thing. I hope to retire in about three years. For me that means working even more but probably for no pay but doing the things I love. I might be on a fixed income.
Recently my wife told me to buy any musical equipment I need now (Man I love that woman) because we might not be able to afford it after we retire. What does that mean about a car? If I need a new car then will I be able to afford it? My logic for that is that if I spend less money now and get as much mileage as possible out of this car withoug major expendetures I will have more money when if I need a new care. Makes sense to me.