Will Your Vehicle Pass Inspection?

[Retired To Win]

In my state, the law requires an annual inspection of one's vehicle.

I always wonder if something wrong is going to show but...

...once again, my 1996 Dodge Dakota passed inspection with flying colors!

You DO NOT have to drive a new car to be driving a safe, reliable and comfortable vehicle.

You can read all about that in my blog post

My Frugal 1996 Dakota Keeps On Trucking:

http://retired-to-win.savingadvice.com/2014/03/26/my-frugal-1996-dakota-keeps-on-trucking_107944/

Cheers...

[bjl584]

I'm sure mine will. I do all my own maintenance and I don't foresee any issues.

[JoeP]

I'm sure mine will. I do all my own maintenance and I don't foresee any issues.

I wish you luck on that, but be forewarned: sometimes parts corrode and you'll get a CEL that cannot be fixed by mere mortals. For example, we had one 12 year old car that had a code indicating something like one or more valves in the evap canister was reporting a bad voltage. When I looked under there, the rust had corroded so many of the parts that it was difficult to zero in on the part(s) that were bad. For some complex issues like this, it is often easier to bring it in for repair. Plus I may have gone through a couple wrong parts (which cost around $80 each) before getting it right...the $140 I paid the mechanic was well worth it to me.

[bjl584]

I wish you luck on that, but be forewarned: sometimes parts corrode and you'll get a CEL that cannot be fixed by mere mortals. For example, we had one 12 year old car that had a code indicating something like one or more valves in the evap canister was reporting a bad voltage. When I looked under there, the rust had corroded so many of the parts that it was difficult to zero in on the part(s) that were bad. For some complex issues like this, it is often easier to bring it in for repair. Plus I may have gone through a couple wrong parts (which cost around $80 each) before getting it right...the $140 I paid the mechanic was well worth it to me.

My truck is only 3 year old and only has 33K miles on it. It's still under factory warranty, so if there are any issues GMC will be paying. Not me.

[ua_guy]

Good stuff, RTW. I love hearing about people's old battle-ax vehicles that they cherish and hang onto for a long time. Old doesn't necessarily mean unreliable!

[Retired To Win]

Good stuff, RTW. I love hearing about people's old battle-ax vehicles that they cherish and hang onto for a long time. Old doesn't necessarily mean unreliable!

Thanks, ua_guy. What about your vehicle?

[ua_guy]

Thanks, ua_guy. What about your vehicle?

Me? Inspections aren't required in my state and I also don't own an older vehicle. Not for lack of trying- I just don't have the discipline to hang on to vehicles for more than a few years. Vehicles are a hobby, so I get a lot of value and enjoyment out of them. I'm different from a traditional frugalist who would reject the notion of even owning a vehicle if it wasn't necessary.

[Retired To Win]

My truck is only 3 years old and only has 33K miles on it. It's still under factory warranty, so if there are any issues GMC will be paying. Not me.

Ohhh... no, no, no bj1584. I say you have already paid in advance for GMC to cover "any issues" that may arise during your new-vehicle warranty period. That was built into the price you paid for that shiny new doo-dad.

Nothing wrong with that if it is where you actually wanted your money to go. I have instead chosen to keep that money in my pocket by driving and maintaining an older vehicle. How much money have I kept in my pocket? Loads -- as I have detailed in my blog post <a href=http://retired-to-win.savingadvice.com/2014/03/25/my-oldie-goldie-thrifty-nifty-truck_107931/>My Oldie-Goldie Thrifty-Nifty Truck</a>.

[bjl584]

Ohhh... no, no, no bj1584. I say you have already paid in advance for GMC to cover "any issues" that may arise during your new-vehicle warranty period. That was built into the price you paid for that shiny new doo-dad.

Nothing wrong with that if it is where you actually wanted your money to go. I have instead chosen to keep that money in my pocket by driving and maintaining an older vehicle. How much money have I kept in my pocket? Loads -- as I have detailed in my blog post <a href=http://retired-to-win.savingadvice.com/2014/03/25/my-oldie-goldie-thrifty-nifty-truck_107931/>My Oldie-Goldie Thrifty-Nifty Truck</a>.

I can afford it. And I plan on keeping it for at least 10 to 15 years. Your old truck was new once too.

[Retired To Win]

... Vehicles are a hobby, so I get a lot of value and enjoyment out of them. I'm different from a traditional frugalist who would reject the notion of even owning a vehicle if it wasn't necessary.

Like they say, "that's a whole 'nother story." As you say, your vehicles are a hobby. That takes them out of baseline living and puts them into splurging fun. And that is perfectly alright if your finances can handle it.

I have the same situation with books. I tell it all in <a href=http://retired-to-win.savingadvice.com/2014/04/25/my-books-a-huge-frugality-exception_108537/>My Books: A Huge Frugality Exception</a>. So I definitely understand.

[scfr]

Our '99 vehicle has always passed (knock wood). Cosmetically it looks like doo-doo but it is well-maintained mechanically and runs great.

[Kell32]

I just took my 96 ranger in for inspection yesterday and PRAISE THE LORD, it passed again. It only failed one time and that was do to a PCV valve that I had to have repaired.

[Retired To Win]

I can afford it. And I plan on keeping it for at least 10 to 15 years. Your old truck was new once too.

I could afford it, too. But, aside from wanting to keep my "retirement magic number" low, I just find that <a href=http://retired-to-win.savingadvice.com/2013/12/14/playing-the-frugal-game-is-fun_106129/>Playing the Frugal Game is Fun! </a>. And so I do.

(BTW, you are correct that my truck was new once... but not on my watch! )