How many years can you hold on to a particular car model?

[B2Bomber]

I don't know how long I'll hold on to my car but I would say it'd be for a long time too like our old family vehicle -- 25 years later is still with us. Most likely there'd only be one reason to let go of it - financial.

.02

[dr. d]

first off, there is no such thing as "investing on a car", because you can never get back your money. and you will always have to spend on it. it's like having a child who never grows up.
but for as long as maintenance parts are still reasonably available at an acceptable price, and the car actually spends more time with you than in the fixit shop, and the car can still perform the transportion jobs that you want it to, i would hold on to that car. nice thing about your old car, is that you already know its quirks.
if you are allergic to fixit shops, or if your time is very expensive, then 3 years is just about right. in those 3 years, your trips to the casa wil be for the PMS only. after that, things will start breaking down and need replacement.
as an extreme example, you might want to talk to volkswagen fanatics. they hold on to their daily drives of 30 to over 40 years of age.
but if vanity is first on your list, then all bets are off.

[redorange]

I wouldn't say there is no such thing as investing in a car. Yes, a majority of modern cars will not retain or gain any value for the simple reason that they are mass produced. If you drive a Civic, Corolla or any modern car don't expect it to gain value. However, there are exceptions to the rule such as American muscle cars made in the 60's and early 70's. A lot were sold for $3k-$5K brand new and now some of them in stock condition with the proper papers can sell for 10X their brand new price with some going as far as six figures. Taking into consideration that the owners used them and changed oil, bought gas, etc. it may not seem like an investment that hadn't gained anything. But the owners also enjoyed those vehicles when they used them and if there is one with low mileage then the cost of maintenance would also be low. So in essence the owner would have a car that appreciated in value but also had the chance to enjoy their vehicle(which to me is priceless). There are not many things that you can enjoy using and still gain value as it ages. An investor can't drive or enjoy a stock or mutual fund and even a house and lot really doesn't gain value if you take into the account the cost of maintence and taxes.

[badkuk]

is it possible to maintain a car forever? The better question is, do you have the passion, dedication, time and money to do so? heck ,if you have all the money in the world, you can get someone to custom build you whatever parts you need.

[ghosthunter]

is it possible to maintain a car forever? The better question is, do you have the passion, dedication, time and money to do so? heck ,if you have all the money in the world, you can get someone to custom build you whatever parts you need.

Its possible as long as spare parts can be found or made for the car. Older cars with less electronics are easier to maintain forever because electronics do have a limited lifetime. Classic american muscle cars are examples of what is worth maintaining. There are even a few Ford Model T cars still in running condition.

[dr. d]

I wouldn't say there is no such thing as investing in a car. Yes, a majority of modern cars will not retain or gain any value for the simple reason that they are mass produced. If you drive a Civic, Corolla or any modern car don't expect it to gain value. However, there are exceptions to the rule such as American muscle cars made in the 60's and early 70's. A lot were sold for $3k-$5K brand new and now some of them in stock condition with the proper papers can sell for 10X their brand new price with some going as far as six figures. Taking into consideration that the owners used them and changed oil, bought gas, etc. it may not seem like an investment that hadn't gained anything. But the owners also enjoyed those vehicles when they used them and if there is one with low mileage then the cost of maintenance would also be low. So in essence the owner would have a car that appreciated in value but also had the chance to enjoy their vehicle(which to me is priceless). There are not many things that you can enjoy using and still gain value as it ages. An investor can't drive or enjoy a stock or mutual fund and even a house and lot really doesn't gain value if you take into the account the cost of maintence and taxes.

hey readers! who among you would exchange your hard-earned monies for a 40 year old, 50,000 dollar car that you'll have to construct a garage for, that you won't dare drive in the rain, and whose spare parts are about as common as a tasmanian tiger?
like i said. all bets are off. vanity. for it hath many faces. the driving force behind the exhilirating prices of these "highly sought-after" cars, is not economics, but vanity! the "i want to own it - look what i have" syndrome! for without vanity, no one will fork out large sums of money for these old cars...
and i won't expound on the economics of how much money you can get when you invest 5,000 simoleons over a 40 year spread. suffice to say, i would sue my banker if all i got was 50,000 clams...

[wren]

4-5 years, 100K miles, or until the warranty expires. i don't get attach to my cars. i enjoy them while i have them.