Should I Keep My Car? 10 Reasons Why.

bigstock man thinking in his car ・ Photo by Bigstock

New cars are impressive, at least at first when everything works, the steering is nice and tight, it still has that new car smell, and the paint is shiny and perfect. But is it worth it? That expensive new car is going to develop scratchy paint, mystery squeaks, and depending on your hygiene habits, some smells that are anything but new. And what's wrong with your current car, anyway? If you've been thinking about buying a new car, the editors at Autobytel have come up with 10 reasons why you should keep your current car instead (or depending on how it turns out, maybe a few reasons why you should get rid of it after all).

1) It could be better for the environment.

Building a new car takes a lot of energy and a considerable amount of materials. Sure, some of the materials are recycled and some of the energy used is renewable, but if your current car is less than 10 years old, it should have a modern drivetrain with low emissions, and if it is nearly as (or more) economical than a newer model, it may be more green to keep your old car on the road for a few extra years. On the other hand, if your car is a big old clunker built before emissions controls were implemented, a new hybrid might be the way to go.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2) You know its quirks.

Most cars have at least one quirk or another. Sure, maybe they were annoying when you first noticed them, but now that you're used to them, they're almost endearing, and at least you know what they are and know how to deal with them. Who knows what issues a new car will have, and who wants to deal with annoyances right after spending that much money? Of course, if the quirks your car has are dangerous (like it randomly pulls in one direction or the headlights sometimes cut out), it might be time to get into something a bit safer (or at least time to get the issues resolved).

Photo by Ford

3) It's paid for.

If you've already paid off your car (and especially if you've just finished paying it off), do you really want to commit to another few years and tens of thousands of dollars for a new car? Think of all the other things you could do with that money, like go away on a nice long vacation, save for your retirement years, or take up an expensive new hobby (like auto repair). On the flip side, some people have enough money that they don't have to be too worried about the future, and for them, buying a new car might not be that big of a financial burden.

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4) You have to buy a new car.

Buying a new (or even a used) car is both stressful and time-consuming. First, you have to figure out how much you can afford; then you get to research the different cars to hopefully find which one is right for you. If you want the best deal, the next step is to shop around at various dealerships and haggle with the salespeople. After all that, you still have to sit around for what seems like days to arrange financing and finalize the sale. All so that you can spend a significant chunk of your hard earned money on something you already have.

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5) Selling a car can be annoying.

Tire kickers, people who set up appointments but never show, low-ball offers... These are only of a few of the things you have to deal with when you try and sell a car yourself. Sure, you could just trade it in, but if you want to get the most for it, you'd still have to wash and wax it, remove all the fast food wrappers from the interior and maybe even give it a good vacuum. That's a lot of work that could all be avoided (or at least postponed for a while) if you just keep your current car for a few more years.

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6) It's in decent shape.

If your current car is running strong and there's nothing really wrong with it, then why consider getting a new car? This is especially in question if you are a home mechanic or a member of an auto club and have a relatively modern car, as they often stay, running for hundreds of thousands of miles if you stay up to date with the recommended maintenance schedules. Conversely, if your car is rusting out, always breaking down, or if you just don't trust it anymore, it might be time to consider upgrading, but remember that just because a new car comes with a warranty, that doesn't mean it will be reliable.

Photo by Subaru

New cars are stressful

Have you ever accidentally driven into a curb and scratched a wheel, lost control and run into a snowbank or gotten into a minor fender bender? Any of these situations would be extremely stressful in an expensive new car, but in an older well-used car that isn't worth much you might be able to get a fast and inexpensive repair. There's nothing worse than coming out to your week old car and finding that first big scratch down the side, so save yourself the money and invest in some touch-up paint (or a few bumper stickers) instead of a buying new car.

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8) Ancillary costs.

The money you spend on a new car might just be the beginning. Do you need a trailer hitch and the associated wiring (and maybe even a trailer brake controller)? Aftermarket lighting? Another set of wheels and tires for winter (or maybe a fancier set for summer)? Each of these come with their own costs, and will require installation or fitting. Insurance costs for a new car can also be significantly higher than rates for an older one, routine maintenance can be more expensive, and you might find yourself splurging on more expensive parking in order to protect your car from the weather.

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9) Easy repairs.

If you are a home mechanic who likes to do their own work, you probably have a good understanding of the layout of your current car and how it all fits together. You might have even spent the last few years reading a forum dedicated to your make and model, so you're aware of all the common problems you might face. Modern cars, on the other hand, can be more difficult to repair, especially when you start talking about hybrids and electric vehicles (though there may be fewer parts to go wrong), and if it's a brand new model, parts might even be impossible to come by.

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10) Memories.

Many of us grow unreasonably attached to our cars. We might not give them a name (or maybe we do and just don't tell anyone), but they still hold many memories. You might have driven it on your first date with your wife, or to take a child home from the hospital, it might remind you of old friends, and then there was that year when you spent the whole summer following your favorite band across the country on an amazing and life-changing road trip. Does that sound like something that you could just trade in because now there's a newer and better model available?

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