Whenever I get into my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, or my 1997 Jeep Wrangler, there are times when I think to myself what it might be like to buy a new car. Then the reality of my financial situation sets in and I see all the benefits that come from owning an older car.
First I do not have any car payments and this is a really liberating thing. The idea of paying $250 to $300 per month for five years just sets me on edge. That is so much money that could be put to better use.
Second it is not always cheaper to insure a newer car since insurance companies will reduce the rate when you are not driving something so nice and new that people actually want to steal it! I don’t ever have to worry about that! In fact if they did steal mine and actually got it to run with all the quirks she has, then I would be truly amazed at that persons abilities. I would hunt them down to pick their brain and learn from the master.
Third reason is that you can get parts readily from at least two sources, the parts store always has what I need since there are still so many of these on the road today, and also the auto recycling places have some of these models on hand as people give up on them and go purchase a newer model.
Fourth reason is that I can always repair these vehicles myself as even their computer systems are not too complicated. So with my inexpensive ten year old “Actron” brand code reader I have always been able to figure out what is wrong with them.
Fifth reason is that neither one has ABS systems which I think is one of the reasons many people have become such lousy drivers. The fact is they do not know how to work with their vehicle to avoid collisions and or falling into ditches since the car pretty much does a lot of their thinking for them. These are the same people who are always going too fast in the snow and are the first to end up in a ditch. I blame traction control as much as ABS. If they were properly trained in how to use these advanced features then we may not have a problem.
Sixth reason is related to number five in that I can still work on the brakes myself without having to purchase a $4,000 code device for resetting the ABS computer. Some newer models have sensors in the pads that will not allow you to drive the car until the code reader resets the computer after the pads are replaced, not to mention that the high cost of parts, for example the pad sets were over $600 for my friends 4 year old Audi A4.
Seventh reason is that the styling on newer cars just does nothing for me. At least the older cars still had some style and character like their owners.
Eighth reason is that I don’t have to worry about someone getting mud on the inside or the outside as I know from experience it will wash off. New car owners are freaky about keeping them clean and I guess it makes sense if they just paid $25,000 or more for their new toy. They surely do not want someone putting their greasy hands on their steering wheel.
I suppose someday there will be a time when a new car will be necessary but I doubt it will be a brand new show room model. Those cars depreciate faster than a cash paycheck at a dance club. So maybe just a newer version of what I have right now, but we will just have to wait for a while and see how things go next year.
This article comes completely from personal knowledge and experience.
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