The realities of owning a paid off car | What no one tells you!
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- Опубліковано 20 тра 2024
- In this video, we discuss in detail the realities of having a paid-off car and things to look out for as an owner. We hope you find this video helpful, and if you have any questions, please comment down below!
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Who else is driving a 20 year old car and truck and absolutely loving it. My ford ranger got 200k miles and still going strong.
Solara is 22 years old 262k still rollin. What engine is in your Ranger?
My 16 year old car is still going strong
Rocking a lime green 2003 Hyundai. Do most of the work on it myself.
2007 Toyota 220,000 miles with very little maintenance. My last Toyota had 250,000 with no major expense. I drive a car until I no longer feel secure. I’d never buy a new car again. The interest I’ve paid on car loans would buy me a new car. As long as AC and radio works I’m good.
. I only get liability insurance which is minimal next to full coverage required with a loan. Buy used, save your payments for maintenance or to replace. If with new car you still have to buy tires, change oil, get tuneups, etc.
2004 Yukon Denali with 230k and running great.
getting married (then divorced) is the biggest expense a guy will ever have
Yup cost me like $600,000 plus
Agreed, around 250k here.
Plus the destroyed credit.
I’ve been married to the same woman for 21 years and we were only set up as bootie calls for each other and we got married in eight months later. Sometimes when you know you know.
And the worst decision a guy will make
My coworkers don't understand how come I'm the only one not struggle with the inflation right now, and I'm the only one able to save money and set money aside to invest. (none of them know how to invest money anyway...) Because I'm the only one driving a 15 years old car, while all of them either leasing/bought new cars and making payment on them...
Btw, there was an anecdote about my phone usb port broke. All of my coworker told me to get a new phone, but I was like, nah, I fix it with $30 part, and they all look at me like I'm crazy. You know how to fix cell phone? I don't, I told them I looked up a video show how to do that and I think I can handle it, and then I fixed it. Yes, it just cost me $27 and I have a fully functional phone now. No wonder everyone at work is struggling financially nowadays and I'm not...🤷♂
We definitely live in a disposable society now. Planned obsolescence!
I can relate. I drive a 2009 Honda Accord and have a Samsung phone from 2019 with a cracked screen. I track my total expenses year to year and it has not changed in past 5 years, in fact it went down last year because I stopped eating out as much when fast food and restaurant prices went up.
@@kesayo same we stopped eating out as much and started cooking more of our own meals. Despite groceries going up significantly we are still saving. The phone thing is honestly something people overlook. I try to keep my phones as long as possible and the savings there adds up. How many miles does your accord have?
EXACTLY! I am like you as well. I am the owner of a 2010 Mitsubishi Galant I bought brand new. I have taken religious care of that car and always had it serviced at Mitsubishi and it now has 220,000 miles and runs great! Honestly, the Galant looks and runs like new... I gave that one to my Vietnamese wife and I bought a new 2019 Mazda CX-5 paid-off as well. We also bought a smaller house back in 2014 for $103,000 brand new build, now appraised at $246,000. I told her we needed to hustle and pay off which we did 8 years later. Now we have extra money to invest and save.
@@kesayo screens can be taken in and fixed not that expensive of a fix.
My current daily driver has been paid off since 2007 and I have to say that I LOVE not having modern "features" like start-stop annoyance, displacement on demand or a stupidly large tablet in the middle of the car that needs to be tapped to do anything at all. I LIKE having analog switches and dials that can be found and adjusted by feel as I keep my eyes on the road. I don't mind having to use my phone for navigation as a newer radio did allow me to connect it via bluetooth which allows the audio and navigation data to go through the car instead of having to play with a phone while driving.
The best feature? NO PAYMENT and cheap insurance. The car gets me where I want and to costs almost nothing doing it.
That’s great! The no payment and cheap insurance is the best features of all!
2006 Matrix 4WD with 224,000 miles, and it still runs great. Bought used with 25,000 miles for $12,500 in 2010. I maintain and repair it myself, so I taught myself auto mechanics and spent a few grand on tools. Now, when the CEL comes on, I get excited, curious instead of fearful.
@@MarzNet256 those are great cars!
I love mechanical simplicity! This new fangled electric this, electric that, it's all bullcrap. Not to mention much more expensive to maintain.
I actually like the tablet. It offers you a lot of features & spec readings. Stop/start is pretty cool. Never had a issue with the last 2 cars that have had it. I drive a lot (about 25k/yr) so a local driver I am not. If I didn't drive so much a older car would suit me fine.
I bought and financed ONE new car. A painful, long lasting lesson I will never forget.
I learned my lesson after financing a USED car. She’s still mine though, 12 years later. These 2005 Toyota Matrixes never die.
That's what I drive too, what trim do you have? @@aylmer666
Once as well. Never again
Why, what happened?
I bought a Mazda 3 new in 2014. Paid it off in 5 years and have now been driving it for 5 years with no payments and no maintenance because the car is still fresh and healthy (100,000 miles) 🤷🏻♂️
@@I_know_what_im_talking_abouta lot of people get car payments that they can’t really afford
I’ve always said owning a 200k+ mile is an art form. You’re always listening and smelling for oddities and make a three ring binder of date & mileage of services and you’ll be good.
Definitely gives you something to do while Sitting in traffic. 😂 what was that noise? Is that the normal chirp or something new.
People are too stupid or/and lazy today.
@@markokrasinski8033people are stupid that's true. Most of the stupid poor people I know have 4 kids. The stupid is increasing rapidly. And people are Lazy in general why waste energy.
I am mechanically disabled, but after 5 years and 200,00 miles, even I learned when it was time to do various maintenance items even if I had no ability to do it, local mechanic did all the work. Binders for sure :) it turned 21 before I traded it in. Ended up costing me 11 cents per mile over the life of it.
@@tgj5680 11 cents per mile of ownership is amazing!
my 03 Grand Marquis that I have owned since 86,000 miles(2011), 460,000 miles now, $28 month insurance, $35 yearly tax, less than $1,000 in repairs since I got it from the original owner for $3,700...runs and drives like new still, it has allowed me to pay off a house and stay debt free.....for sure keep your old car until it totally falls apart....great video!!
That’s awesome!
Grand Marquis they were made to last forever👍
At 67 years old, I have NEVER owned a new car. Never had a car payment. Do 90% of my own maintenance and repair. In Northeast Ohio, my cars die from rust, not mechanical issues. I buy them at about tens years of age with about 75K. Drive 'em till the wheels are square, or rust takes its toll.
Drove General Motors till the abortion of a '77 Pontiac Bonneville. POS! Switched to Ford with a '76 Grand Marquis, and never looked back. Owned that, a '77 Grand Marquis, '77 Town Car I kept as a garage queen for 20 years. Also, '78 Town Car, '94 Town Car, '99 Grand Marquis, '04 G. Marquis, '06 Explorer (wife wanted mini-van, so this was compromise, because i will NEVER own a FWD vehicle), '06 Town Car Designer (garage queen shipped from Alabama), '06 Town Car Executive, and recently purchased '03 Expedition shipped from S. Carolina.
IMO, don't bother with a G Marquis if you can snag a Town Car. You'll NEVER find a G. Marquis with a sun roof, or as much rear legroom as the Town Car.
It would be great if Ford would make another vehicle as reliable as the Panther platform. Ford is no longer capable for various reasons or willing.
@@bnighter It could have been the venerable F-150, but due to the quest for ever more MPG required by the NHTSA, the formerly bulletproof engines have become nightmares with variable timing issues, along with over complicated sensors and EVAP crap.
Just had a 2003 Expedition shipped here from S. Carolina, with a 5.4L 2V, for this very reason.
Face it you will either have a car payment, repair bills, or you will be out there wrenching yourself. We have a family fleet of 9 cars, all paid for. But there is always something that needs to be done on one or more of them.
Dad's car repair facility! The art of deferred maintenance!
@@garybulwinkle82 haha no McDaddy's full service auto keeps those suckers running in tip top shape. I even have my own branded oil change stickers.
Exactly. I'm tired of these type of people not seeing value in their own time. It's a mid-level "pinch-a-penny" millionaire mindset. It's great to have paid off cars if you can afford the time to maintain them or you have "cheap" cars. I'm sorry but if you're looking to attain further wealth and enjoy high-end cars, you simply do not purchase a high-value depreciating assets. You put enough in it to hopefully break even and do not try to "pay" for the car unless you want to collect it. You finance, enjoy it, trade it/sell it.
We've gotten to a point in society where so many people either believe you need to spend so little money you live as a hermit and use your time fixing things vs the spend spend spend, credit mentality.
There is an in-between that actually let's you enjoy your life and your time while still be responsible. I also have a feeling a lot of the miser mentalities, think that scrounging for pennies for 20-40 years to only retire with $1.8M in the bank is somehow a good life.
. I've rarely seen a non-welathy elderly person enjoying their retirement. They're usually left broken and broke, so stuck in their misery ways that they essentially self hate themselves into not living life. Always aspire for more and for better, but be realistic and don't overspend trying to pretend..
Rant over
@@GoldenEagleXTNDDefinitley a balance is key. It all depends on what you value I suppose. I don't get the crowd that over spends on new cars and has little money left over to do anything fun. I've never bought a new car bc I just don't like having a car payment plus having full coverage.
@@keny46 I can understand when you have the type of view that cars are simply a tool for transportation between your destinations. But, even when those types of people you describe but cars (at least fun performance ones) they are typically getting transportation, a hobby, entertainment, and networking from having that car. It's the same argument of why would someone buy Snap-On tools when they could just buy Harbor Freight and continuously exchange them. But, yes balance is key. If you can truly afford to have a high car payment and you desire to buy let's say sacrificing having a bigger house/apartment, going out to eat, travel, etc then who cares? I could have this same argument with people who buy too large or nice of a house, vacation, night out to eat etc.
Best part of a paid off car is no more monthly payments
That's the ONLY "part of it !!"
I agree
And insurance
@@AdamTreierI do the most basic insurance coverage. $30/month on my truck.
Bought a new car. Don't drive a lot. After 5 years, replaced the battery, just because of the age of the battery. Also, replaced the tires, just because of the age of the tires. Two years ago, went for an oil change at the dealership. When I picked it up, they informed me that I needed a new cabin air filter. "But good news! We can do that for you right now for only $89!" I said no. Went straight to an auto parts store and bought one for $15 and then replaced it in about 8 minutes. Decided to buy and replace my engine air filter, which took about 15 minutes. Replaced my own burned out tail light blinker last summer for the cost of it and a little bit of time. My mechanical aptitude is average, at best. But as you said, most of us can do the small stuff on our own.
It’s so easy to do simple stuff, and even the more complex stuff isn’t rocket surgery. I’m going to be putting in a new clutch here soon myself, it’s literally just nuts and bolts, anyone who can jack up a car can do it
Had a dealer quote me $600 to replace my car's blower motor. I did it myself for $40 in parts and 35 minutes of labor. And I'm a orangutan with a wrench.
80 bucks to change a serpentine belt on a corolla, nah 20 bucks for the belt at autozone and already have a short socket 19mm
Avoid any car with "auto stop / start" feature.
The least electronics the better
@@diegotr1903 definitely agree.
You can turn them off when u start engine
@@garymiller7218 - while a small hassle, that isn't the problem. This is (explained by a master mechanic): ua-cam.com/video/TTBN8Ic57Gg/v-deo.html
U can't avoid it now, just turn it off before u drive off....yes, all these new things suck
I bought a new 1993 Volvo 240 for $21,600. Back then that was a ton of money, but I had already owned many 140 series Volvos and knew how these cars ticked. I still drive the '93 240 to this day. I never took it to the dealership for anything. I told the salesman that he would never see me or the Volvo again and neither would anyone else at the dealership. I was true to my word. The 240 now has a shade over 160,000 miles. I have 4 other Volvos of various years (1965 - 1992) and have all the parts I need. Dealerships must despise people like me.
my 93 240 has 235k on it running strong ! Cheers to you for keeping a volvo on the road !
good on you, mate!
I have a 92’ 960 I will never get rid of it
Paid off Corolla manual transmission in Arizona. No rust but the sun will beat the hell out of the car. Batteries only last 3 years max in 122 degree heat.
Same in central Texas.
@@Jody-kt9ev 02 Corolla purchased from Toyota of Killeen, best car I've ever owned.
Gee right next door in SW NM where it was 111* yesterday and my 2002 Subaru is on its 2nd battery in 23 years. Probably will need replacement within the next yr. Maybe you just do NOT understand the requirements of battery maintenance.
@@susancooper7701 You are probably just lucky. The battery in my Texas Nissan Frontier has survived for several years, but I have had to replace the battery in my wife's car three times in 9 years. The first just died, the second started leaking. and the third shorted. I had to also replace the alternator after the shorted battery.
@@Jody-kt9ev No, I have had many batteries over my past 60 years that have lasted a 8yrs or more. Its all in how they are actively maintained.
I was already a believer in having a plugger daily driver. I'm a senior who has owned 26 vehicles over the years; cars, trucks, vans ('70's craze), hot rods (10 second street freaks), a diesel VW (5 of my cars were VWs), a Corvette convertible (so many fun memories), a Jag XJ 350 Chevy conversion (still own), luxo barge Lincolns. I was blessed to live through an era of affordable new cars and cheap used cars - that era has been over for for awhile, and everyone knows that car costs have skyrocketed in the last couple of years. My current daily driver is a 25 year old Lincoln Continental factory stock with a zippy FWD DOHC 4.6 V8 and gets 25 mpg on the highway. Every guy used to be some level of DIY'er - but today's young people seem unwilling to get dirty and save big bucks and get the financial benefit of owning a paid off car. With average car payments being what they are, every month I keep this car in service is like saving $700. When you are driving down the road nobody really cares what car you are driving, they might like the car - but is it important to impress people you don't even know? Invest in tools nd technical knowledge - new cars are financially ruinous for the average person.
Sounds like a fun fleet of cars!
U had to go through so many cars and a 4.6 v8 is your daily driver. U already living g excess and preaching saving to kids.
@@c0583094 Every era has had its plusses and minuses . Most young people cannot recreate the life I have led - and not everything about the past was great. You work with what you have and make your choices. I suppose I am preaching when I suggest that no one cares what kind of car you drive (few people will remember your past cars), or when I suggest that buying a simple car and learning how to keep it going is wise. More than just saving money, I hope that some young people reading this will learn how being more intentional with your choices will lead to a more abundant lifestyle - there is great value in having the patience for the future.
Once paid off keep paying same monthly amount into a special savings account. This will be the 'Car Account' which is only used to pay for parts & repairs and eventually pay cash for next 'Needed' car purchase.
This is what I do. The problem most people have is they don't ever set money aside for routine maintenance. Then when something breaks it turns into a big deal and a struggle to pay for it.
Never thought of this!! Will start now🤯
Nothing brings more relief than a new paid off car (thats the real flex) thanks s&p500
haha yes, I bought a new F150 in 2018, financed it to get a 3k rebate, got the paperwork in 2 weeks and paid it off. Cost me about $30 in interest to get that 3k.
@@JohnSmith-dc1xfso I got a big load of a car.. for 80k😧😯😯👀 on a 2020 expedition and oo boyy let me tell you first 7 months alone... 800 in insurance!! And 1100 in the actual car payment.. the insurance has gone up and down... But now am paying a bit close to 600.. one point had it go as low as 450-435 something like that... So once I get this yr left am going to do yoube and learn how to edit.. get all the knowledge and do it right..since the age of 15 I worked in super hard labor small houses from top to bottom just the slab.. pouring forming digging. Prepping. Cutting rebar. Tieing rebar.. measuring.. laying down wire mesh.. then adding black chairs... Under the rebar of 5 ft leaving 5 incheswithin each rebar.. tie that off.. and also put chairs on the rebar for the sides to make that structure more durable.. and after all this... Pour another the same day.. take the wood stalks out.. organize it in the trailer to form.. or just lay it next to the other site... Start measuring.. and lastly also do 2-3 sidewalks from edging brooming and talking the wood out.. man remember like it was yesterday.. got a bad right shoulder being of the heavy lifting.. and a pretty bad back.. now I work in commercial.. which it isn't bad.. just pour concrete.. but the heaviest concretewe pour big slabs.. which is how I got to this position.. but it's not constant I come like I wish.. why I want to get my CDL for concrete trucker. And work that way.. invest that money into real estate a house . Make that a profit and slowly get 2 more at least to make me money in the long run.. and do UA-cam as well.. and a very very big goal of mine which is probably going to be around the same of if not more.. rebuild this house with actual block and rebar.. houses these days yes are expensive but it's not the most durable.. when I open the door or heavy days or wind the door just slammes itself or wanting to open the door you have to pull pretty hard or you won't open it... Noises from cutting grass pressure washing loud music.. would go away once I rebuild the entire house bigger rooms instead of grass pavers thicker durable concrete driveway.. replacing dranges with new ones.. black out tint for privacy.. and build a driveway for the cars so they last longer the color and shine to stay pretty nice throughout the years compared to letting them cook day in and day out rain humidity or beading sunlight.. and once I get rid of these payments first well be getting my CDL..why am learning it all and get out of this dumb.. want to keep my back as long as possible and use my license and brain to the max.. good for me to learn the roads..
If you actually knew how to invest you wouldn't have paid it off... you would have taken the APR on the car and made more in having the capital invested rather than paying off the balance. 7% is APR is free money nowadays with how much you can get back.
@@Mello675 The interest on 50k or whatver I consider a rounding error and not worth playing the makes a few dollars here or there. Its worth it to not have a payment and to have a clean title in hand.
I daily a 62 vw bug, with the stock 1200cc 40 hp engine. Every 1500 miles, change the oil, and every 3000 miles, check points/timing, adjust valves, lube front beam and then get it back to work! It takes some maintenance, but i do it myself, saving me tons of money.
Every notice how much better a paid-off car drives than a car with a payment?
Ever notice how much better a clean car drives than a dirty car?
I see all the people on the road driving 20mph under the speed limit because they are scared of hurting the car they can't afford. So yes... feels much better to drive a car like you actually own it. lol
@@JrSpittythe person driving slower is a better driver, the way you drive the car wasn't built to be driven that way and will start breaking down.
Doesn't matter if a car is clean or not makes no difference because other than getting from point A to point B, a car is completely worthless.
@@JrSpittyalso you're the one who is creating all accidents.
The odds of getting into and accident increase with every MPH you drive over the speed limit.
Realistically, they shouldn't even issue you a driver's license to begin with. Best thing is to keep you of the road so you don't go around killing babies.
@@JrSpittyI would race you for money anytime you want, I know I can drive better than you. And I'll put up money to prove it.
Yes yes!! Keep your car clean and wax your car every 4 months to keep the paint looking good. Most people don't take care of their cars. And yes change your oil every 3000-5000 miles.
In the last 40 years, my most expensive car purchase was $4,000. I've had 0 car payments for more than 40 years.
Driving a 2011 Crown Victoria PI. 79K miles on it right now. Every day I struggle with wanting to trade it in for a car payment vs keeping it and maintaining it. Currently thinking about buying a second cash car and continuing to live car payment free.
Correction: The third largest expense is a car.
The second largest expense is a house.
The most expensive is a wife.
😂
No …no no.. wife is 5x totally the first… you just ain’t been around enuf…🤣
@@jimhanty8149 You don't have to convince me. Ha ha. I've seen it, first hand!
I lucked into a lower milage 2004 crown vic from an ex cop who had got it for his daughter, he dinged it up a bit in parking lots but I love how it rides. I can't see ever getting rid of it.
Those are great cars!
Panther chassis cars are awesome!
Those crown vics last as long as a Toyota.
I drive a '97 Crown Vic for the past 13 years. Its still running strong and I'll drive it til the wheels fall off, the only down side is the little things that break and parts are hard to come by
@@pepsiholic4084 I've found used parts on ebay for cheap and they have all worked
I have a 9 year old Subaru. It is still just like new. It has been paid off since I handed them the check for it in the show room. I keep my cars until thy die. My Subaru just turned over 21,000 miles. It is the last car I will ever buy since it will outlast me unless some idiot hits me. So I will never have a car payment on this car and I can certainly afford to repair anything that goes wrong. I don't need or miss all the new electronic garbage they put on cars now. I use maps for navigation like I have for the last 60 years. They always work.
I also have and older 19 year old Subaru WRX that I love driving. I plan on keeping for as long as possible until I can afford something comparable in performance that I can pay cash for. Even if the engine were to blow I plan on putting in a new shot block because the car is worth it.
I bought my very first car, a 2007 328i BMW, while I was stationed in germany in 2006. I was 21 years old, and it is still the only car I've ever owned. Still looks brand new due to being garage kept, serviced every year, and waxed before/after every summer.
Those are great cars!
Got me one too! Paid off and it’s a 2011 . Awesome car! Definitely keeping it forever!
One thing not mentioned in this video that not alot of people do, but i cannot recommend enough is; whenever you get a car (new or used) the first thing to do is buy a notebook. Keep the notebook in the glove box and inside the front cover write the year, make and model, VIN, and any other info (like the interior and exterior paint codes, found on the sticker inside the driver door jamb, etc) the date you bought it, and the mileage it has when you first bought it. Then, EVERY SINGLE TIME that you do any kind of work or maintenance on it, write down what you did, the date you did it, and the mileage you did it at. And, put the receipts for the work/parts in the notebook.
This will save you alot of headache keeping up with when you last did something, and can really help troubleshooting issues if you notice a certain component you're replacing too frequently or something. Also, if you go to sell that car down the road, just having that notebook/receipts will increase the value considerably. Especially if its clear you have been diligent about both maintaining and logging in it, but even if you weren't that on top of maintenance, just having that info at the ready adds value. I wish every car I bought from someone had already started a maintenance log, and the one time I did buy an old used car that the guy did have a good log with receipts in it, I was happy paying a few hundred over KBB because I had that info coming with it, and could see it was well cared for and didn't have any persistent problems.
Plus alot of cars have oil lights that come on a bit prematurely IMHO. Some cars you can adjust the miles before the oil change light comes on, but some cars are just locked in at 3k miles, and my SUV is locked in at 5k miles. And considering I run full synthetic in all my cars (and this car takes 0w20 which is only available in full synthetic anyway) and I would check my oil when the change light came on and it was still golden clear, looking brand new, i don't go off the light. I used to run my car with extended life mobile1 10k miles between changes, so I could do it every other light, but then you have to remember, "oh did I do it last light, or was I supposed to do it this time?" And now that the car is a bit older and I'm trying to take better care of my vehicles, I do it around 7500-8k miles, where the oil is just starting to get dark, but isn't black yet by any means, so the maintenance log is crucial with this. I currently have 2 old Fords; 01 Focus and 06 Freestyle (its like an Explorer but with a little bit longer rear end for 3rd row seats) that both have over 300k miles on them. The Freestyle has the CVT in it. And I've literally never touched it. I only just had to go into the engine for the first time a couple months ago because the timing chain tensioner was worn out, so I put in new chains and tensioners and now its ready to go another 300k miles. I think i changed the plugs in it 1, or maybe 2 times. Other than that it was little outside-of-the-engine stuff. Changed the waterpump twice, the starter 1 time, and the serpentine belt once (and went ahead and did it a second time while doing the timing chain because I was in there) and then just various coolant hoses and batteries. Then just changing fluids and filters, brake pads and tires, and wiper blades. That car has been great.
The Focus is a wagon and I use
Was saying the Focus is a wagon and I use it like a pickup truck, and I run it hard. So I've had to do a bit more to it, it has timing belts so they don't last as long, I've changed it 2 times, but that little inline 4 is very easy to work on. Biggest issue i was having was it was going through wheel bearings, and they press in so it was a pain to do. But I realized the wagon has different alignment specs than the sedan or hatch, and the alignment shop had done it to hatch specs instead so that might have had something to do with it. So I took it to a better shop for a proper alignment. And then i finally stopped buying wheel bearings from Advance Auto, and I ordered a full set from Timken, went through the hassle of changing all of them out to the Timkens and never had another issue with them. Both cars have been great, and all the amenities still work, power windows, seats, ice cold AC, boiling hot heat, etc. Great cars, just gotta take care of them, and maintenance logs make taking good care of them so much easier..
I love the excuse that people claim to need a new car because it has advanced safety tech. That tech doesn’t stop anybody else from hitting you, it only compensates for your own inattentiveness. Put away the phone, pay attention to the road, and you’ll be fine.
Money talks. I drive a paid off car thats 28 years old in safety technology. If i had more money i would like to have side curtain airbags, better crumple zones, bigger heavier car, etc. Your life is worth something. You cant control someone else hitting you.
@@wl6020 That's not what I was talking about but a fair point nonetheless. Curtain airbags have been fairly ubiquitous since the mid/late-2000s and crumple zones have been around for a while as well. It's something to keep in mind when choosing a car but you definitely don't need to finance a new 2024 to get those features. Saving up and swapping your 28-year-old car for something 10-15 years newer would likely be a huge leap forward in safety, it just won't auto brake or prevent your from merging into an occupied lane, which is what I was originally getting at.
I have owned numerous vehicles in the last two decades. Charger, Edge, Evoque, Pilot, Verlar, and Rav4. Out of all of them the Rav4 was the best one when it came to maintenance. Very easy to maintain and find parts.
I agree with everything you said. Dave Ramsey always says a good way to stay broke is to have a car payment. Ignore the haters!
It's fine if you can afford it. My wife and I have not made a car payment in years, but we could afford payments, without going broke. Look around when you're driving. You're surrounded by debt. Don't assume all these people are broke, because the majority are not.
@@1972Rayyour missing the point of having debt vs no debt
@@lobo176 and you are missing his point.
Dave Ramsay espouses that for people who have issues with their finances/will never truly achieve more than $40-60K/yr. He himself has a vast car collection and a private jet. His principles are good to get out of debt. But you need to be growing your value and your wealth rather than living like a miser if your debt free already. There is always more money to be made, and I'm not even talking about this dumb "grindset" BS that's all over social media these days. Sometimes you need to take a leap to get ahead. I doubled my salary at a job from $40K to $80K by striking up a conversation at a motorcycle dealership with a guy who was also getting his bike serviced. Be confident in yourself and/or learn a skill that's valuable. Both things payoff
I mean my car payment literally costs less than insurance for the same car. And making loan payments improves my credit while paying cash doesn't affect it.
Still driving my 2004 Tundra. That sweet truck gives me zero problems. I keep it regularly maintained and it rewards me with great reliability!
Great truck! That’s the million mile truck
Personally, i cant stand driving anything new enough for side curtain air bags. I feel like i cant see anything out of them. Of course new cars are much safer but the automobile peaked mechanically in the late 90's, early 00's. Fuel injection, manufacturers had the overdrive transmissions sorted out, etc. very economical, still basic enough to work on, modern enough you can "plug it in" and itll tell you why its not happy. I absolutely love my 99 camry. Parts are cheap, its crazy simple to work on and reliable as anything on the road. For what its worth, i work on cars for a living.
99 Camry is a great car! As time has gone on cars have definitely gotten far more complex and now features are coming with subscription fees!
@@atpgarageatl that absolutely baffles me. People act like it's new but OnStar has been out for how long now? I've been seeing people praise it when the cops have stolen cars shut down but how long before they overstep their boundaries? Forgot to pay a parking ticket? Sorry! Car no start until that's paid. Before you know it, we saw what you posted on social media. Car no start for you! I'll stick to my 80's-90's junk. I haven't heard a sound system in a new vehicle that sounds better than what I can install on a Saturday for about the cost of a truck payment and it won't shut my car off or sell my information.
Drive a car fast around a canyon bend with a b58, s58 or a newer c63 amg and see if you still feel that way. Traction control is amazing in these cars and you almost can't lose traction.
@Rzn8958 no. I don't want a babysitter when I'm driving. I'd rather drive a first gen viper than anything today.
I have a 2003 Pontic Vibe I paid $1,400 for and a 1995 F250 7.3L I paid $6,000 for a couple years back. Best vehicles I’ve ever owned.
Once you start doing your own repairs that take less than 5 hours, then an old car will save you tons of money over time. However, once you start doing your own work, you will need a spare car.
Having an extra car certainly does help the diyer. From running to the parts store during a repair to also helping with down time when the car needs repairs.
Just changed both rear brakes on my only car. Yeah it would be nice to have a second car but it being your only option gives you motivation!
I'm wary to do my own work if I break something I have to wait for new parts having a 2nd car would alleviate that but it's too expensive with insurance and everything
@@clydedoris5002 third car should be a beater truck with only basic insurance. Beater truck only gets enough repairs to keep it reasonably safe to drive. Never do a cosmetic repair on a beater truck
@@clydedoris5002 insurance on a second car is not just 2x normal insurance. It was only a few more dollars a month to add a second car to my existing insurance, like $20-30
Why people are in trouble? They will purchase vehicles & finance upwards to 100k financing 84 months. By the time they pay it off ( if they aren’t in repo or bankruptcy situations by then ) purchase gas, high insurance, tags & repairs, they will have spent 150k-200k to drive a plastic vehicle. On the financial wealth building side of the equation they will have to make an additional amount to equal what was spent on the vehicle plus inflation to bring them back up to where they were financially when they purchased the vehicle because after 84 months their vehicle won’t my be worth very much.
Hello there! Love this vide! I am (was) in this mind set recently. My 2009 Toyota Venza is awesome however I took a ride a friend's new $600 a month Acura and wanted a new car. Leather, ventilated seats, sunroof, etc.!!! Suddenly the two things I don't like about my car began bothering me. Your video helped put things back into perspective; I never though about upgrading my radio for better features. I also wish I had a power tailgate but I can live with it. At 139,000 miles my Toyota has no issues. I paid $7K cash for it five years ago and there's no new car that serves all of my family's needs the way our car does. That's for helping me come back to reality!
2010 Mercedes ML350 190k miles. Runs like new. Spend about $800 a year on maintenance when most people pay that every month on a payment. I could pay cash for a new one but it's pointless. I value my mutual funds more than impressing people at stop lights. Probably why I retired at 36.
That’s awesome! $800 a year in maintenance is very good.
Good for you. It’s so funny when I see people driving new cars and barely have anything in the bank. I drove a hoopty for years and had plenty in the bank to replace it and my friends couldn’t understand why I held on to it for so long. 😭
ML’s are fantastic- I have a 2013 ML and I can’t get over how well it runs. Just keep up the maintenance.
Suprise it's not a money pit machine yet. Does your have air suspension?
@@eman0828 It’s an E, not an S so no air suspension. A Mercedes V6 is a rock solid engine from 2007 and was very well built. Also, the car tells you when service is needed- that will run $500-900 annually. But if you do the “Service A, B, C,” etc when you are supposed to - you shouldn’t have many problems. Yes, an Oxygen sensor will go out or you can have a thermostat issue- but you are dealing with a 17 year old car- I would think Toyotas would have a similar issues. Plus- you get to drive a Mercedes- and that can be worth an additional $500-1000 annually.
The ML finally hit me with a $1500 repair bill after 2 years- I paid it and expect to pay it again in another 2 years.
The Porsche? That makes me sick spending that much on a headlight. Just a footnote- I have a 2016 V6 Cayenne- this SUV drives like a sports car. No joke.
I haven't bought a car in 10 years. Have a 2006 Lexus. Awesome car. No payments, low insurance, low licensing fees. i also have a 1995 Toyota T100...... 30 years! Excellent. As PT Barnum is often quoted, "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American consumer"..........
Lexus ES 330?
@@Bruddly No. Lexus GS300 130K and a gorgeous riding and running car. 30-33 mpg on the highway. Camel interior and three stage red with gold metal flake paint.
@@curtgomes
I have a 1998 Lexus GS 400 240k miles no leaks or rust anywhere even the underbelly. It's a Florida car. The interior is in excellent condition. The driver seat has a few cracks and it looks and runs better than any new car and I get a lot of compliments. I paid $2200 for it in 2019 with 207k miles and I keep up with all the necessary maintenance.
I drive a 1957 Chevy Bel Air. I've had it 16 years and total cost plus upgrades has been $9,000. Easy to repair.
Nice! Bel Air is a sweet ride! What engine do you have in it?
I had no idea Cuba has yt
@@atpgarageatl 350 SMALL BLOCK and T350 trans
Great advise as I’m am about to have my car paid off. Planning on keeping it for as long as I can. Tired of bills almost ready to retire too! Thank you for sharing 😊
We have a paid off 2013 4x4 tacoma. bought it since new. now has 231,000 miles. Still looks 8/10. We are keeping it as it doesn’t really need any maintenance. It just needs an air filter once a year for $9.99 and a $19.99 oil change. insurance is only $45 bucks a month and that’s basically it. The cost is just like riding the bus. Some things that we need like tires, we source them from a local enthusiast shops where owners get rid of their OEM tyres and rims so we buy them like $55/piece with 7/32s and 2-3 years from date of manufacture. and if we really need parts in the future, we have a wrecker shops here that we can take out parts for like $5 bucks and tacomas are everywhere.
Tacomas are great trucks!
I say this to everyone who buys a car on finance.. It's great for the first 3 months, and then the reality of the monthly payment sets in, then most people have buyers remorse. I personally love upgrading my old car, like bushings, shock absorbers. It's great satisfaction in feeling the difference after the work you put in.
That’s a great point. That can be true of most purchases. I’m the same way I enjoy fixing things and making them last longer.
Me: buying 40k car
Them: spending 40k on 1 day wedding reception
them; 40k wedding, 100,000 lifted truck, 3yr divorce
Me: spending $40k on a down payment for a home, f the wedding and car
@@aygwmagreed, the only time I’m dropping 40k in a day is a down payment for a house or my dream car.
Luckily I already bought the house, so dream car here I come!
I have an 03 Volvo s80 and I love it. Had to get a new cat, needs a new purge valve and heater core but it’s high mileage and I knew it wasn’t going to be perfect when I bought it back in November last year. Thankfully UA-cam and forums have helped me with doing research and finding tips. Older cars just have more character in my opinion. Not having a car payment makes me happy and being able to tinker on my car makes me happy
This is the video I needed I’ve been in the car market not sure what to do .
LIKED AND SUBBED
This is all excellent advice. I’ve never had a car payment and my vehicles have tended to be 10-25 years old, so this advice has kind of been my way of life for a long time. I’ve always wanted to buy a brand new vehicle once in my life and actually paid cash for a ’24 4Runner last month once I realized that a 5th gen 4Runner would probably be more suitable for me than a 6th gen that are expected to go on sale later this year. The FOMO was actually reversed for me because I knew time was limited to buy a new 5th gen. It already looks old because that design came out in 2010 and hasn’t had a refresh since 2014, but I’m actually really comfortable with that as the design has aged gracefully. I think you have to love a vehicle more deeply to buy a new one who’s design is long in the tooth or is paid off, quite old, and it still makes you turn around to admire it. I’ve been told often that I’ll regret buying new, but that hasn’t happened yet, perhaps because I waited until I could do it without a payment and the people who say that aren’t really enthusiasts. It’s a dream come true for me and I intend to keep this dream for 20+ years based on these concepts of owning older vehicles.
Last model manufacturers tend to work out all the kinks so you're good. Most options are now standard on last year models.
That’s awesome and you picked a great vehicle! We enjoy our 5th gen 4Runner.
The people who said that you will regret it, don't want to see you have nice things. They are jealous. DO not listen to them.
Buy any used, well maintained Toyota. Your welcome
Avoid 2AZ-FE after like 2006 (came in Camry’s and some Scions) and some Tacomas and 4runners have MAJOR MAJOR frame rust issues
@@billbob4856 Toyota will replace the frames on those vehicles for free. They did it on my buddy's 20 year old Tacoma and he lived in the east coast with plenty of salted roads in the winter.
What about Honda???
Never. I would put that money in down-payment on a newer car and avoid the stench .
@@c0583094Then basically always having a payment. Even a couple thousand $ repair every year would be well below the annual average car payment. If the car has been decently maintained they likely won't need anywhere near that much in annual repairs.
We have 3 paid for cars, and it is glorious!
Great video. Pretty good and realistic advice, especially about the psychological aspect of owning and keeping an older car.
90’s BMW here owned for 12 years. Paid off after 3 years and been payment free for 9 years. In that time the car has needed shocks, clutch, window regulators, tires and brakes. So, I pay $300 to $600 in repairs 2 times a year and then I have no car payments the rest of the year.
Just found your channel really enjoying the content. Keep it up !
Thank you!
Great advice. My 26-year-old Corolla is still going strong. Over maintained and garaged with careful driving over the years has paid off.
2013 Tundra and a 2006 Ford F150 (I did install a better integrated radio). No car payments. Both vehicles run awesome and we keep them well maintained. I have a take home car for work so works out even better. I could care less about the guy with the 2024 Truck. I did not spend 100k+ and no payments! I get to invest and save like crazy and improve my property!
That’s awesome! That gen Tundra will run forever!
I only buy older used Toyotas straight cash with no loans. They are some of the best used cars that money can buy esp if they are well maintained. I still drive a 2006 Camry SE model which is one of the more rare trim models of the 5th gen. It sort of looks in-between a Mazda 6 and a Lexus. It's got about 213k miles on it with 98 of the parts on the car that are all original.
Great choice in vehicles!
I'm 42 and never borrowed money for a car. That's foreign to me. If you have to borrow money for a car, you can't afford it.
Exactly!
sometimes people just want new things or something better...there no shame in taking a loan if you don't have to scramble and can comfortably make the payments...used is used...it's someone else's reject for whatever reason..i know a guy who has been renovicted 3 times from his rented apartments etc, can't have guests over at certain times, can't make noise, can't have pets, cant even paint his walls....dead set on never taking out a mortgage though...always says he's gonna pay cash for his house...he's heading towards 50 years old now...he will never own a house as he will never save enough money to buy it cash...years that go by are years you never get back..Guy A - in his younger years always in debt, had flashy cars, many women, recognized by name when walking into a restaurant/bar...trips all around the world, fun times and memories galore...bankrupt 4 times. Guy B- a hermit keeps all his cash under his mattress, never owned anything other than a clapped out 74 Vega, never went anywhere...both die at age 80...who really won at life?
I used to be like that. Always paid cash.
They would be fine until they weren't.
Every time I had to put the car into the shop it was an expense, not just in whatever mechanical problem had to be dealt with, but in time off work.
My credit score was really good and my $3000 car needed $2000 worth of maintenance to get registered, so I said fuck it and got a car loan.
Now my credit score is even better and the car I have is actually decent (and more to the point worth repairing).
Yes, I CAN afford the car. I can afford the monthly payments and the comprehensive insurance and it is not costing me in time lost working when it needs to be repaired. The specialist is around the corner from work and they have loaner cars if I need them.
@@adifferentangle7064This is the growth mindset part of credit.
I did it once, and never do it again. I learned one thing about making payment to the bank is, I can quit the job I hate because I had to paid back to the bank.
Since then, I just save money and buy cars with cash, so I won't tie down to the job I hate...
My 2009 Toyota Camry has 210K miles. I bought at 101K in 2017. Outside of 3.5K mile oil changes and 30K mile transmission fluid changes done with my own tools I did replace the battery at 195K mile in November of 2023, it was $325. Most reliable car I have owned. If I ever needed to get a part or two, this car sold about 1 Million copies between 2007 and 2009. No payments no worries. Always looking over the underbody of the car due to the frequent oil changes this process gives me confidence that if parts do wear out I can get a repair done before the breakdown.
Times have changed and maintaining a reliable car for a long time is the new "best practice". All the best!
People frown and smirk when they see my 1991 Toyota pickup coming. It's ugly now, but it's still ultra reliable at 370,000 miles with the so-called "3.slow" engine that many hate. I maintain it myself and it's still fun to drive my way. My yearly maintenance and upkeep costs me less than one of today's monthly car notes. Great video.
I just bought a low-mileage 2024 Integra with the 6MT earlier this year. Saved several thousands since it was on the lot for 2 months. I love it, and on track to paying it off by next year. Let's see how long this one lasts!
Nice! I’m sure it will last a long time. Acuras are well built!
Shout out to everyone here who is being smart through these tough times !!! May we all be healthy , wealthy and at peace financially ❤️ these coorperations and dealerships wanna screw us so bad .
Very impressed with the way you`ve presented the facts with hardly using your notes. Buying a used car from someone who`s taken care of it (be watchful) will save you lots of headaches and money. If you check out how much the average person spends yearly on a newer car and compare to a used (pre-owned), you will be amazed.
I have a 2015 Traverse that I bought new and paid cash. It just turned to 89,000 miles. I am 75 and this vehicle will probably outlive me. It is well maintained.
22 year old car. Great! I’m inspired to keep my 2006 Jetta for another 4 years!
Paid off 2011 honda crv daily beater with 170k, no issues still running strong! Don't borrow to buy a car, its a scam.
No it isn't.
Yes it is you preprogrammed bot
@@nebulainfinite599 lol. How did u get to that conclusion ?
Great ideas. Thanks!
Thanks for doing this video as a good educational talk for a lot of people out there that lack this knowledge. As a car enthusiast I have known about all your points for years. If people would simply do their research before buying their next car they could save themselves future headaches.
As a car enthusiast I mostly owned sporty cars like a 95 Acura Integra and 05 Subaru WRX that I still have. The added benefit of owning enthusiast specials is that they will usually always have a big community and aftermarket support. There is a wealth of information and high quality aftermarket support to keep performance cars running for years longer than the average car.
Plus performance cars will always be sought after by other car enthusiast no matter the condition. Once in awhile I get people asking me if I would sell them. One of which had stopped me while driving my Integra because he had been looking for an older Honda to put in a built race engine he has had sitting in his garage. But I said no because I plan on keeping to do a full restoration myself.
Great point. Any enthusiast car will certainly have a ton of info and parts readily available online.
My plan for last 3 cars has been... buy new (reasonably priced) car, pay off in 4 years and keep for 6 more years. I just sold my last car at 12 years old due to post covid pricing and dealer craziness and got a good deal on an outgoing 2024 model. Having no payments for the past 8 years allowed me to save money that I was able to use as a hefty down payment on the new one. i was able to get about 25% of original msrp of the old car on trade in. It is a bit of a balancing act... if you know there are going to be problems coming soon, get rid of the car before the big bills start coming in.
Great video ,I have learned over the years to buy a reliable car brand, mostly Toyota's, and keep them going for as long as possible
Toyotas are definitely a great choice!
My first was a 1987 celica, which I really purchased for the looks, but it was super reliable
@@bryanfews5295 Nice! It’s a shame you don’t see any of those around anymore. I feel like those might have gotten scooped up during the cash for clunkers era.
I firmly believe in keeping a car as long as possible. You can do a lot of repairs for the amount of one new car payment.
After making payments for five years on my 2016 Honda Fit, I decided to saave my money for the next three years and buy a used 2021 Acura RDX. It is a lease return with only 30,000 miles, and in good condition. I ended up paying almost the same amount of money for the Acura RDX as I did for the total of monthly payments and the down payment on the Honda Fit. Paying cash for a used car is the best way to purchase a car, just make sure that it is in good condition.
I have a 1998 Lexus GS 400 240k no leaks or rust anywhere even the underbelly. It's a Florida car. The interior is in excellent condition. The driver seat has a few cracks and it looks and runs better than any new car and I get a lot of compliments. I paid $2200 for it in 2019 and I keep up with all the necessary maintenance.
Important to save for repairs. Amazing common sense video!
I drive a 2004 Pontiac Bonneville that I call my "Hooptie". It has the GM3800 engine and has 190,000+ miles on it. Hint: Change fluids like religion.
Had a 1993 Buick Regal Gransport w/ the 3800 - went 16 years and 320,000 miles before I let her go (was starting to give out - powertrain was fine, but everything else was starting to fail) - if I'd had a storage spot in my garage I would have kept her for a hobby car - beautiful!
Can’t kill the 3800
@@OakJex Leaky plastic coolant lines will. Replace/upgrade those to the metal ones if you haven't already.
You skirted around one very important point. I thought for sure you'd mention it, but yiu didn't.
You have to decide, the day you buy your new vehicle, if you're going to keep it till the wheels fall off, or sell it in few years.
A new car is like bringing a newborn baby home from the hospital. You have to start looking after it immediately!!
How I kept my '07 Ranger 15+ years......
I undercoated it the day i bought it. Then twice a year for two years, then yearly after that. Within the first month I had the driveline fluids changed, and changed them yearly.
Akways drove the spoed limit, or slower if i wasn't impeding traffic. Crawl on rough rough roads.
All i ever had to replace on that truck was tires brakes, batteries, & one pair of rear shocks.
I save all my service invoices - helps make the sale when you show it to a prospective buyer when you sell it soneday.
I’m very happily driving a 12 year old car that’s been paid off for 7 years. Sure, there are maintenance items that come up, some of them kind of expensive like new tires or a new fuel pump, but nothing like the engine or transmission, which seem to be running well, and nothing even close to a year of payments on a new car. During the pandemic restrictions, when the dealer stopped taking walk-ins, I started learning to do minor repairs myself to avoid long waits for an appointment, and I found a good independent mechanic who is reliable and less expensive than the dealer for repairs I’m not comfortable doing myself. Having one less monthly payment in my life is a real benefit.
That’s awesome! What type of car is it?
A modest 2012 Nissan Versa Hatchback. I know, the CVT transmission is notorious for problems, but I’m not an aggressive driver-just getting from point A to point B, and at around 78K miles, no trouble thus far.
@@dgoldfar nice! Solid daily driver and they get great MPG!
you should start making a "payment"' to yourself for the next car. Stash aside what you can every month into a high yield savings account. Say you get another 6 years out of the car, when it is time for a new (or used one) you should have enough cash saved.
Great video and spot on! Some other benefits of older cars include cheaper car insurance and lower annual car registration especially if your state does a tax assessment based on value. Older paid off cars pay you back in the long run.
Thank you and those are great points!
What's crazy to me as well is the cost of parts from big box auto parts store. I bought a crappy autozone tie rod end the other day for my Mercedes for $17.89, the nut was bad on it and I couldn't get a replacement quickly, so I ordered a fresh one from the FCPEuro for $9.99. I also order about half of my parts from the dealer because parts are cheaper and usually better.
I have a 2018 focus I paid off early. It's at 150k miles with the notorious DPS6 transmission that Ford fumbled with. I will drive it till the trans gives out. Rebuild the clutch and cluch arms and keep driving it. I love the focus platform. Heck I might even turn it into a stick shift vehicle.
Most apartments are okay with regular maintenance on your car (oil changes, etc) so long as you are clean and quick. It's the repairs that they frown upon!
I totally agree. I have done my own work on a parking spots at my apartment complex that are secluded as much as possible for years without problems. The only time I have seen someone get in trouble was some people that tried to do a transmission flush and leaked the fluid all over. But from my observation the people looked like it may have been their first time doing any time of maintenance work.
I ALWAYS use Everstart batteries. Last 5-7 years and way cheaper. I also order new car stereos from Crutchfield as you get all the the factory wiring harnesses, faceplate, instructions, and a full support team if you have a problem.
Same! Crutchfield is awesome! I Should have mentioned them in the video.
I bought a new car in 2020 specifically because I was expecting a horrific commute and wanted distance following cruise with stop and go, and of course ended up fully remote so it didn't matter. It replaced an '01 Subaru devoping frame rot and whose ongoing maintenance costs were about 2/3 of my new car payment. I'm extremely happy with the purchase, and fully paid it off in 2 years.
A few things I looked for were an older model, as my previous two cars were both newer models and both experienced expensive ongoing issues related to the design not being proven, and also being the heaviest vehicles built on their platform. Long term parts availability and cost as well as the cost of oil changes and the like were also important. Beyond that, the car needed to fit my needs and be enjoyable to drive.
For me that was the Edge ST, the established CD4 platform, and I can pick up mulch at Home Depot on Saturday and go to the track on Sunday if I want. Oil changes, battery replacement, and similar at the dealer cost less than if I just bought the supplies myself. And it's a dream on road trips, and has all of the electronic gizmos while still having physical controls.
Having no payment and a vehicle with another 15+ years of life left in it, means my next car is going to be 100% for fun.
You have got to get the right car. A 90s Toyota is always a good choice. I used to have a '99 corolla which was a great car; it had around 250k miles on it, didn't leak a drop of anything or burn any oil. In my 3 years of owning it the only issue it ever gave me was the serpentine belt. A tree sadly fell on that car and ended it.
I currently own a 1992 Volvo 240 with around 330k miles, a 1989 Volvo 240 with only 114k miles, a 1998 Honda accord with 196k miles, and a 1995 Toyota Tercel with 165k miles. All of those cars I got for under $3k (except for the Honda, it was free,) and all of those cars (except for the Honda) should outlive me if no outside forces take them away like what happened to the '99 corolla.
If you get the wrong car though, it can be a nightmare. Stay with Japanese cars and mainly Toyota for the best chances, Honda is good as well but have transmission issues (unless it is a manual, in which case great.)Avoid Ford, Chevy, and Chrysler unless it is really old, or an exception to the rule like the panther platform. Also avoid Hyundai, Kia and Nissan; they made some okay stuff, but just get a Toyota. Anything European with close to or over 100k miles will be a money pit and not worth it (Volvo is the exception, but only the older ones. Same thing goes for 80s and older Mercedes.) JUST GET THE TOYOTA.
I've owned several paid off cars. In my experience age effects a car as much as mileage. Once a car is 14 years old, it becomes very expensive to maintain. After that it is better to buy a new used vehicle.
I think maintenance and how the car is stored/parked and geographical conditions play a huge part in that. A car that is in the rust belt that has to get driven through the winter will absolutely show its age more than a vehicle in the SE. I’ve seen plenty of daily driven cars in the SE that are driven everyday and parked in garages and they look brand new outside of a few rock chips.
@@atpgarageatlI agree. Had a 20 year old car before and I’m in NY so it was rusty but more than anything the previous owner didn’t maintain the car so it had some issues that were very much preventable. Thing still drove like a beast though. It was a Honda lol
I agree. All of my cars age kills them before miles. Plastic connectors get old rust set in, etc.. where is my neighbor has a 2020 Camry with nearly 200,000 miles on it and it literally looks and drives like new
@@atpgarageatlI friend of mine was going from the SE up to Ohio to buy 6.0 LS engines and got one back home without inspecting it properly and the side of the block was rusted through.
2005 cavalier. Best car I've ever owned. I drive it daily for 10 years. 40mpg highway. Basic maintenance only zero problems
Nice! 40 MPG is awesome. Is it an auto or manual?
@atpgarageatl it's a manual. It only gets that on highway. Mixed driving is only 29mpg
@@internallycombusted1 awesome! 29 combined is excellent especially for a 2005.
A friend had an automatic one back in high school. I was surprised how fun it was to toss around, and the drivetrain was eager and fun. I helped him change the oil once and I remember the filter being super easy to access too.
He never had any problems with it but unfortunately it was totaled (hydroplaning, no one hurt).
I am kindred spirit and believe that a paid off, well maintained vehicle is by far the most affordable way to own a car.
However, here in the snow belt, the DOT dumps tons of salt on the roads every winter.
Salt and rust has been the downfall for all of my previous cars. Preventative treatments such as Fluid Film does extend the lifespan but any vehicle driven throughout the winters here eventually succumbs.
Good info, thanks.
One thing is do not have worry about the repo guy get your ride
Own a 2017 ford focus w 115k miles, put a transmission in it and been reliable as hell since! i have $5500 into the car
That’s awesome!
Hopefully you didn't scammed into overspending for a new transmission. You may have only needed a clutch; the DPS6 powershift Getrag automatic has dual dry clutches and no way to relieve the clutch dust which clogs up the forks. The Luk 07-233 full kit is the one to good. I've figured out how to tap in a quick-connect air connection to shoot in compressed air to agitate the dust (annual maintenance); I'm still trying to work out a good spot to drill in a hole to hook up a shop vac to suck up the dusty air. I hope you drive the wheels off your Focus; it's actually a good car save for the dry dual clutch (there's a reason all the Audis and BMW's use wet dual clutches)
@@chrisschultz6129 Yeah i put a clutch in it someone put a used transmission in it before i bought it lol things had a life but super clean interior damn there brand new reliable ass car love that thing
I have a 2013 Focus hatchback that hasn’t quit yet. A bit over 100,000 miles on it. I’m fanatic about oil, coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid changes. I do all the maintenance myself. I bought it new, cash
I should point out that the only reason my Focus has been reliable is because it has the rare 5 speed stick
@@jerrykorman7770 Thats so awesome!! id be surprised it it doesn't reach 500k such resilient cars, i am not as particular with mine i beat it and it has the automatic lol starts every time gets me where i need to go no doubt i only use it to drive to work and back tho i use my truck for longer drives
IN 2004 we purchased new a Volvo C70 convertible. We gave it away for junk in 2014. We had an extended warranty that paid for almost all repairs. The last 3 years of ownership it seemed everything broke at once. I always repaired it at the dealer. On the final day I had it towed away I went to the dealership and got a print out of all repairs done. The total came to $42,000!! This was more than the purchased price.
I have a 2003 Solara SLE with 200k+ miles and a 2011 Sienna LE also with 200k+. I have not made a car payment since 2016 and I love it. I exchanged my vanity for thousands of dollars in savings.
Change your oil & filter every 5000 miles and auto trans fluid every 75000 miles and a good quality Japanese car should be able to make 300,000 - 400,000 miles. The new ones with all this electronic B S ... I'm not so sure.
Oil and filter changes every 5K with full synthetic is fine, a little bit too far with conventional oil. Change automatic/CVT fluid every 30K miles if you want the trans to outlast the vehicle. You're only changing 1/3 of the fluid without draining the torque converter plus a few quarts inside the trans.
Good video in reference to driving a paid off vehicle! FYI the average monthly car payment currently is approx. $750! Thanks as I have a nice paid off Dodge!
Lol my payment is $145
@@teagancombest6049 Good for you!
I just bought a new vehicle, not because I wanted one. But sometimes your current vehicle is either totaled or unrepairable. After pricing used vehicles, I decided I would be better off getting a new one.
Nice video and great content - i agree, too
My daily is a 2007 Accord V6 sedan with 270,000 miles. I’m the original owner. We also have a ‘13 accord with 113k we paid off in 2016. We also have a 2016 sequoia platinum we paid off in 2020. We have no more payments and will keep it that way forever. We’ll just pay cash for our next replacements when the time comes. I also do most of the maintenance, even the timing belt on my v6 Accord.
Nice! Great choice of cars as well! All are known for reliability!
Doing the timing belt impressive!
I love my paid off Civic, but I get itchy feet when I see last call Challengers and more recently a really clean, low mileage older v6 Accord. I just worry that it will be harder to find vehicles like that in the future.
It will be! thats for sure, look at the garbage they are putting out and having huge problems not even making warranty without enjoying huge repair bills, get your better vehicles now while nobody even thinks like you!
@@gkauto1959just got on here to say that! Alas! I just bought a 2024 Civic. I also had to part with my 2003 Honda Accord which, though I bought used, has 268,000 miles. I’m sure my civic will outlast me, but you can’t compare the quality of 20 years ago, civic, accord or otherwise.
My oldest car is a 95 Acura Integra that has been a joy to drive since 2001 when I bought it used with 100k miles. It now has 276k. I kept it after buying a 2005 Subaru WRX because my insurance was going to be cheaper with two cars on the policy and I have since used as my daily beater to keep miles off my WRX. Now I plan on restoring the Integra and keeping it for ever.
I have a 2003 Subaru Forester with 200k miles and I try to maintain it. I just changed the alternator. It cost me $200. I need to change the transmission filter and oil soon and check brakes because the brake fluid is low. I also should check or change the differential oil. I’m a 61 year old lady and it helps to know how to fix your own car. I’m not an expert but I get through. Thank you for this video.
Good job. I have a 2005 Subaru WRX that I have maintained and repaired myself as much as possible. There is a wealth of information on the Internet on how to fix just about anything on these older Subarus. One of my cheapest repairs has been fixing my power steering pump that was leaking. I found a company on the Internet that sells a seal kit for it for like $20. Then I simply took out the pump and replaced every seal in the kit with the exception of the pulley seal because I did not have the special tool for it. But the pump has helped up fine now for 5 years. I decided to go this route because I had read that even remanufactured pumps don't last as long as OEM. And OEM pumps are expensive.
Still got my car I purchased at 22 years old! Also have a car I have had 9 years due to needing an suv for family. Out of 40 years driving had monthly payments for about 8 years of them. Only one slight problem on my 10 year old Bmw (purchased it 1 year old) saving all this money has massively helped me retire over a year ago and live the dream. My bmw has years left in it.
That’s awesome!
I bought a new Subaru a few years ago. I wasn’t happy with all the bells and whistles involved with the car including the giant touch screen in center of dashboard. I sold it off and went back to driving my 2007 outback and invested $1000 in suspension upgrade. Love the way it handles and the acceleration is so much better than the newer Subaru models. And I also love not having all the gadgets or plastic pieces all over engine compartment
My newest car is a 2005 Subaru WRX that has been a joy to drive. Anything else I could afford would be a downgrade in performance compared to the capabilities that my WRX has. All those new modern bells and whistles would just be dead weight when I need the capabilities.
@@evoman44I have a 2020 STI because I'm in the snow belt so an older one would be a rust bucket lol. It's paid off with CPO extended warranty good for a few more years so I'm okay for now.
But I agree that bells and whistles add nothing to the car except weight, cost, and failure points. I don't use the touchscreen for anything that couldn't be done on a 2005 car's infotainment unit. (Just switching audio sources).
Fortunately there's still a CD player too for maximum options.
A lot of people have no spare cash these days, so when their car is a few years old, and they they are still paying it off, they have no money for repairs and ot maintenance (such as tires, brakes, timimg belt replacement, etc.). So they trade the car on on a new one and start a new payment, rather than keep up the old one, fix it and pay it off.
The hope is people can break that cycle by learning to do some repairs on their own. Once a car is paid off maintenance tends to be cheaper than a payment when annualized. If you take those savings and invest you can then save for a nicer car in the future. It’s not easy but not impossible.
Not doing proper oil changes has been a recent problem.
Hehe, I drive a 2006 Scion Xb. The past couple years have seen me replacing a bunch of original parts after passing the 200k mark. I've probably spent more than the car's worth in repairs. But even with that, it's still worth it compared to the cost of a new car. Plus, I still love my car. The only thing I don't like about it now is that since I replaced the radio last year, the audio's no longer tuned for the car. But I bought some better speakers so hopefully that'll be remedied soon. It's awesome that there are so many self-repair vids on UA-cam now. I would've never attempted some of the upgrades/repairs myself if not for those vids... ;)
2003 Tahoe Z71 just over 150 k miles Lowered 1 inch front 3 inch rear clean interior and pretty decent exterior Everything works Previous 1996 lasted me 14 years had this since 2019