Does anyone buy a new vehicle and just keep it?

[lovemachine]

I know people that absolutely has to drive a brand new vehicle. They'll either lease one for a bit, and trade it in for something new.
Others, will buy a new vehicle for a while, then trade or sell it for another new vehicle.

Doe anyone buy a new vehicle, and just keep it forever?

 

[NavyVet]

Sending in the last payment on mine in June. Will be driving it until the wheels fall off while I save for the next one.

 

[Thegeek]

I buy new and keep them until they're too expensive to keep. Drive it till the wheels fall off.

 

[Classic]

I tend to keep them a long time. currently have a '92, '02 and '07, all purchased new.

 

[eldirector]

When I was younger and dumber, no. We replaced our cars about every 5 years. Looking back, that was a lot of wasted money.

Now, yeah. None of our vehicles are newer than 4 years. I intend to keep my truck until it dies (it is the 2009). My wife really wants a 4-door Jeep, but her Saturn (2005) has been paid off for years, and is running fine. I got a great deal on my '03 TJ used, and plan to keep it until it is unreliable, and then turn it into a weekend toy.

We have friends who lease cars. They always have something new and nice, and they don't mind the monthly payment. It is all about priorities, I guess. Mine have changed over the years.

 

[bobbittle]

When I was younger and dumber, no. We replaced our cars about every 5 years. Looking back, that was a lot of wasted money.

Now, yeah. None of our vehicles are newer than 4 years. I intend to keep my truck until it dies (it is the 2009). My wife really wants a 4-door Jeep, but her Saturn (2005) has been paid off for years, and is running fine. I got a great deal on my '03 TJ used, and plan to keep it until it is unreliable, and then turn it into a weekend toy.

We have friends who lease cars. They always have something new and nice, and they don't mind the monthly payment. It is all about priorities, I guess. Mine have changed over the years.

I've been doing the same and have recently seen the light.

I'm about to turn 30, this is my 6th car since I turned 16. This is also the first NEW car I've gotten. It's staying around for awhile.

I've learned my lesson for sure in not taking care of them.

 

[lovemachine]

I bought my 2005 Wrangler brand new. It's my first brand new vehicle.

As much as I like looking at other vehicles, I plan on driving this one til it dies.

And to be honest, if it wasn't paid off, I think I WOULD trade it in for something else.
Not having that car payment has spoiled me. It's nice to have that extra $350 a month...

 

[Fletch]

My 1999 GMC Sierra was paid off 7 years ago and has had, in the last year: engine overhaul, transmission rebuilt, new wheel bearings, exhaust repairs, differential rebuilt, and is coming due for a water pump.

Total cost has still been less than a single year's worth of payments on a new one, and it drives like the day I bought it, 12 years and 113,000 miles ago.

 

[Westside]

I bought an '02 S10 new and traded it for an AR10 and some other things just last week because it needed more work than I wanted to put into it.

 

[Colt556]

I bought my 03 Jetta at the end of 02 and it still looks and drives well. Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping a car running for years. I also have 2 92' Corrados, one is super nice and the other is a beater.

 

[phylodog]

I won't even buy a new vehicle. I've purchased one new car in my life and quickly realized what a waste that was. I'm happy that some folks have to have a new car every year or two, they can eat the depreciation and keep on providing decent cars for the used market.

 

[Giddaltti]

I drove my 92 Rodeo until it couldn't run anymore until 2003. I sold it then saw a painting crew driving it around with painting equipment and going strong. I got a 2002 Chev. suburban that gave out last year @ 130k. I have kept my 96 S10, and a 2002 Nissan. I keep them till they drop, I buy the cars I like and will enjoy. I'm currently driving a 2008 Ford Edge, which the kids picked out, since it has wirless features and lots of jacks for Iphone/Ipods.

 

[Bennettjh]

My newest vehicle is a 2004 Harley bought used. My two Jeeps (95 ZJ and 99 TJ) were bought used. I do have a PJ trailer from Mayes in Whiteland that was bought brand-spankin-new. It's a 2010. I buy used and drive the wheels off and put the wheels back on. I don't even want to go into miles on the Jeeps...

 

[Hogwylde]

I'm 50 this year. I've purchased 2 new vehicles in my lifetime. The first was an 87 IROC Camaro. I sold it in 2000 after i bought a 98 Ram 1500. I'm still driving the Ram.
I'll NEVER buy a new vehicle again. I also have a 2004 Durango I got in 2008 for less than half it's original 30K sticker price with only 24K miles on it. I'll let some other sucker pay retail and take the depreciation on cars. Used for me forever now.

 

[Thegeek]

If you can buy a new car outright, then trade every 40k miles with cash in hand, you'll get ahead. 40k and that's where the value really starts to drop off for a used car. Drive new and make your payments to your savings account.

 

[Whosyer]

I have only bought one new vehicle, in my 36 years of driving. I've had my 97 Wrangler since 2004. It's on it's second engine. My dually is an 04, only had it 2 years now. I did go crazy and buy the wife a 2010 Liberty, with 17,000 miles on it. That was in June of 2011. Never will drive what I can't pay cash for.

 

[Sticks]

2002 Saturn VUE - 232,145 miles and counting. (Going for 400,000!). It drives fine and I know what all the issues are - no need for a new one.

 

[kawtech87]

I know people that absolutely has to drive a brand new vehicle. They'll buy a new vehicle for a while, then trade or sell it for another new vehicle.

My dad does this. He will buy a new truck as soon as the warranty runs out on his "old" one.

Doe anyone buy a new vehicle, and just keep it forever?

This is my current plan however. I don't have the disposable income my dad does so I bought my first new vehicle ever last january. A 2011 Ford Ranger Sport. And I plan on having it for a good long time.

 

[Manatee]

I have a 2001 Toyota Tundra (built in Indiana). 170,000 miles and not slowing down. My son has the same truck, same year: 310,000 miles.

 

[karl77]

drive till it costs MORE than a new car note, or 30yrs. which ever comes first.