When is it Time for You and Your Car to Part Ways?

When talking about America’s love affair with the automobile, it may be hard for some of us to part ways with our beloved car, truck or SUV.

It’s not unusual for owners to hold on to their vehicle way too long – whether out of loyalty or attachment – until it leads to a slew of costly repairs.

Paying for auto insurance on a car that’s been emptying your bank account or maxing out your credit cards defies logic. Yet, many of us continue to fix the unfixable, wrongly believing it’s the last repair our baby will need for a while.

Trying to decide when to sell your current car can be difficult. After all, with proper maintenance, today’s vehicles can last 250,000 to 300,000 miles. But that doesn’t automatically mean there haven’t been or won’t be expensive repairs on the way to that mileage. Preventative maintenance is the key to help avoid the need for those repairs.

According to Ken Berman, a service advisor with Ralph Thayer Volkswagen in Livonia, Michigan, if a driver starts hearing abnormal noises – such as clicking, grinding or knocking – or sees excessive smoke from the exhaust, it’s important to have them checked out as soon as possible.

While vehicles have clearly become quite durable – it remains the owner’s responsibility to provide proper

preventative maintenance care. And, that owner should weigh the cost of the maintenance, as well as past and

potentially expensive future repairs to his current vehicle versus the monthly payments needed to replace it.

An added advantage to purchasing a new car is the extended warranty, which can be 10 years or 100,000 miles, depending on the automaker. This should also be a consideration as it could save you a great deal of money as opposed to a vehicle with an expired warranty – and, whose repairs will come strictly out of your pocket.

Furthermore, there’s an obvious connection between safety and getting rid of a vehicle that should not be overlooked. Newer vehicles have electronic stability control. This technology, designed to help drivers stay in control of their vehicles in certain low-traction driving scenarios, was made mandatory on all model-year 2012 vehicles. If your current vehicle isn’t so equipped, it may be another sign to trade it in or sell it.

The final choice is up to you. If your current vehicle shows no sign of giving up and has been properly maintained, then there is no reason to let it go. But, if you’re constantly paying to repair it or safety becomes an issue – it may be time for you to part ways – and not look back.

Regardless of your vehicle’s age, you need to make sure you’re getting the best auto insurance rates available. Paying too much for car insurance shouldn’t be an option – so why not get a free auto insurance quote comparison today?

Are you holding on to an older vehicle because you simply don’t want to let it go? Feel free to share your

thoughts in the comments section below.