January 7, 2022
8 Signs That Tell You It’s Time to Get Yourself a New Ride
Photo by PublicDomainPictures under Pixabay License
Many people don’t like the idea of letting go of their cars, especially if they hold a sentimental value to them. However, all vehicles depreciate. After a certain number of years, a vehicle owner may have to replace their beloved ride with a new one.
Every car owner knows that even the sturdiest vehicle eventually wears out and suffers breakdowns. Driving an old car (no matter how powerful it used to be) for too long isn’t only costly and impractical, but it can be dangerous, too. You wouldn’t want to figure in a vehicular accident just because certain parts of your car are beyond repair.
So, what signs tell you that it’s finally time to get a new car? Here are eight of those signs:
- You no longer feel safe.
As soon as you feel that the safety of your car is already compromised, your better start thinking of buying a new one. Even though you follow regular maintenance schedules, your vehicle is bound to become unreliable in the long run.
Unlike newer vehicle models, older ones aren’t equipped with advanced safety features such as electronic stability control, blind-spot monitoring, rearview cameras, forward collision alert, and side airbags. That said, if you start feeling uneasy whenever you drive, you should seriously consider car hunting.
- You’re spending more on gas than usual.
As your car gets older, its fuel efficiency becomes less and less. If you bought your car sometime in the 1990s and early 2000s, you must be spending a lot more time and money at the gas station than a driver who owns a brand-new Ford Fusion.
Sure, you no longer pay monthly loan amortization on your car anymore, but all those trips to the gas pumps add up on your expenses. If you’re taking more than two gas station trips each week, it may be time to get a new car, preferably one that’s more fuel-efficient.
- Repairs cost more than your car’s worth.
When the total cost of repairs of your car is already more than its sales price, you need to buy a new one rather than allow those repairs to bleed you dry. Why spend $2,500 for an engine repair when your vehicle is only worth $1,500?
Once you realize that repairing your car will cost you loads of money and you’re unlikely to see any return on investment, that’s a sure sign that your garage is ready for a new occupant.
- Your car is failing emissions tests.
Another obvious sign that you should give up your car is when it no longer passes environmental emissions tests. This means that it’s already outdated.
Newer cars are designed with “drive clean” technologies that reduce emissions from the tailpipe. Older models don’t come with such features, making it impossible for them to pass emissions standards. Drivers have to shell out a pretty sum of money to add that technology to their old vehicles just so they can pass the emissions test.
In some instances, extremely old vehicles are no longer qualified to take an emissions test. If your car happens to be one such vehicle, you might as well buy a new one instead of spending hundreds and even thousands of bucks to pay for the installation of a “drive clean” tech in your car just to make it pass the test.
- Breakdowns are becoming frequent.
When your car starts to break down with increasing frequency, it’s likely telling you that you need to get a new one. Experiencing more than two breakdowns in a year means that your vehicle is already giving up on you.
It’s not minor breakdowns we’re talking about here, but those caused by major engine malfunctions. Once you’ve reached the point where your car breaks down every two to four months, you better start looking for a new ride.
- Spare parts are no longer available in the market.
Although you want to keep your car working efficiently for as long as possible, you have to accept that it will become more difficult to drive over time. One reason for this is that the spare parts it needs to run properly will eventually become harder to find. Most car manufacturers have already stopped producing spare parts of their old models.
If you find out that the essential parts of your vehicle are no longer available, or that you can only obtain them through special orders, the best solution is to buy a new car.
- Insurance costs keep rising.
Believe it or not, older cars are much more expensive to insure. Newer models come with safety features that are unavailable in older ones. Even if you have a spotless driving record, your annual insurance premiums will soar over time, especially if you regularly drive your car to work.
Be sure to pay attention to your vehicle’s insurance premiums. They’re just as important as the other costs associated with your car, including its repairs and gas. You might be surprised to discover how costly your insurance is.
- You’re a parent now.
Remember that time when you thought you’d be stuck with a convertible for the rest of your life? Well, now that you have a family to raise, you can forget about that and start looking for an SUV or maybe even a minivan.
When you realize that your car is no longer appropriate for your present lifestyle, you better head over to a dealership to shop for your ideal family car with your spouse.
Here’s a Meaningful Way of Retiring Your Old Car
If you’re looking for a meaningful way of retiring your old car, you won’t go wrong if you simply donate it to us at Veteran Car Donations. When you do that, you’ll not only avoid the hassles and costs of selling a used car, but you’ll also play a part in improving the living conditions of the struggling veterans in your community. These are our former service members who are homeless, disabled, jobless, as well as physically and mentally ill.
We serve as the online vehicle donation platform of IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are fully committed to serving our nation’s disadvantaged and underserved veterans. We sell vehicles donated to us and use the proceeds to help fund the vital life improvement programs of these nonprofits. They provide deserving veterans with free quality health care, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, psychotherapy services, and many other benefits.
As a donor, you get to enjoy valuable perks, one of which is getting entitled to receive the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season. You also don’t need to pay for our pickup and towing service. We offer them for free to our donors in all parts of the United States.
Above all, you’ll have the ultimate pleasure and satisfaction of doing something extraordinary that can help uplift the lives of our nation’s heroes.
We take almost all types of vehicles, regardless of their age or condition. Apart from standard cars, we accept RVs, motorcycles, mopeds, boats, jet skis, golf carts, snowmobiles, company trucks, and many others. They don’t even have to be in good condition.
For more information on our vehicle donation program, visit our FAQs page. Should you have any inquiries or concerns, don’t hesitate to call us at 877-594-5822 or write to us here.
Give Back to Our Heroes Today!
Photo by cottonbro studio under Pexels License
A simple vehicle donation can leave a lasting impact on our unsung and despairing heroes. Such a donation will surely touch their hearts and help transform their lives. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our secure online donation form now!
Last Updated: March 8th, 2023