I get a lot of attention when I’m driving my 1971 Dodge. I bought my car when it was new, and it has lasted this long(2012) because I always take good care of it. Yes, I have had several garages over the years; some were good, some were great, and some were just fair. If I found a good garage, I stuck with them, and made sure my car was checked on a regular basis. For this reason, and because Dodges in the 70’s were considered to be well built, my car has given me good service.
Recently, my brakes went completely out!!! I didn’t know whether to fix it, because along with other repairs, such as a new paint job, scratches and bents, it would cost me quite a large sum of money. I was deciding whether I should buy a new car or get my “pride and joy” repaired. The decision was made when a friend of mine who loves classic cars, recommended a garage that is very excellent in handling old cars. I did, and I was happy with the results.
Now some of you may ask yourself, should I keep my old car and spend money on repairs or get a new one?
According to Westways magazine, Dave Skaien, manager of the Auto Club’s Approved Repair Program, suggests the following: “Have one shop that you go to regularly and trust, who knows you, knows your car and has access to its service history. They’re in the best position to check out the car and tell you what to expect.”
The next question to ask yourself is how much is your car worth? When I bought my car in 1971, I paid only $4,000 for it. I understand that if my car at the present is in good condition, I can get at least $8,000 for it. Since I am very happy with how my car runs and how it looks, and my being a senior citizen, I decided to keep my car. In another situation, a person has to decide, is it worth keeping their car or is wiser to buy a new car.
According to the author, Joseph D. Younger in his article, Over the Hill, in the Westways magazine, he states, “Many experts recommend the 50 percent rule: If the total cost of repair exceeds half the market value of the car, it’s time to consider a new vehicle.” He does add, however, that it is necessary to have the cash and have a job to be able to afford a new car. This is common sense.
It is important to realize that the newer cars have safety equipments that older cards do not have. For example, my 1971 Dodge does not have air bags, stability control, adaptive cruise control, and some of the conveniences that the new cars have.
In closing, you must think of the advantages of keeping your old car versus the advantages of buying a new car.
Source: Westways(magazine), article, Over the Hill? By Joseph D.Younger
