Car problem

[skives]

Recently I posted on here about having rust on my jeep and whether I should fix it. In the end I did fix it but I was told there was other rust on the vehicle and the body would be in bad should after one more winter and maybe it would last two to three winters.

My problem is whether I should trade it in while it at least looks good and has some value or should I drive it till the body is no more?

[lorraineb]

What would the car be worth if you sell it now? it depends what you could get knowing the issues as to whether it makes sense to keep or sell.

[skives]

I'd have to get an estimate but if I guessed trade in would be 3-4k.

[sherylgray]

Car Insurane

The way, the drivers drive their cars on the city roads creates many problems. There is a need to give emphasis over safe and secure driving. Moreover, a good car insurance plan may help to sort out the loss made by car accidents.

[bjl584]

Can you afford a new car? Do you want a payment or can you pay cash? Is the Jeep still mechanically sound?

If you have the money set aside for a new vehicle, and the Jeep still runs good, then a strong case can be made to run the thing into the ground. If you can get 3 to 5 more years out of it, then that is 3 to 5 more years to continue saving up for a replacement car.

[greenskeeper]

What state are you in?

Is the rust a safety issue in which it would fail state inspection?

You'd be amazed at how much inspection stations vary when it comes to rust and putting stickers on a car.

[skives]

The jeep is fine mechanically and I do have money already for a new vehicle and I will be paying cash.

[disneysteve]

maybe it would last two to three winters.

The jeep is fine mechanically

If I had a car that was in good working order and I felt would last 2-3 more years, I'd keep it. I don't care much about appearance.

But this is really a personal preference question. You have the money to replace it so it's just a matter of what you want your car to look like.

[bjl584]

The jeep is fine mechanically and I do have money already for a new vehicle and I will be paying cash.

I may keep driving the Jeep and try to do a "soft" sell on it. Kind of half heartedly attempt to sell it. Ask around. See if anyone wants it. Maybe drop a basic ad on Craigslist. If you get a call on it and sell it great. If not, no big deal.

[Esozh]

I don't see the point in getting something else just yet. $3-4K on a trade in isn't worth the two to three years you'll save value wise. The average car payment is $200+ a month, easily. Say the jeep lasts 2 years, that's $4,800 in extra value, which is more than what you get out of the trade in or sale. In the long run, if you keep each vehicle until it is completely dead and it doesn't make financial sense to repair it, then you save 2-3 years on each car, and eventually save yourself the cost of a car.

[mrpaseo]

I don't see the point in getting something else just yet. $3-4K on a trade in isn't worth the two to three years you'll save value wise. The average car payment is $200+ a month, easily. Say the jeep lasts 2 years, that's $4,800 in extra value, which is more than what you get out of the trade in or sale. In the long run, if you keep each vehicle until it is completely dead and it doesn't make financial sense to repair it, then you save 2-3 years on each car, and eventually save yourself the cost of a car.

This is the financially correct response (I believe that is what you are asking on this site).

[greenskeeper]

The jeep is fine mechanically and I do have money already for a new vehicle and I will be paying cash.

If the rust isn't a state inspection issue then I would keep running it until it won't pass. Could be a lot longer down the road than your think

[skives]

There is no state inspection. The rust is on the rocker panels. Thanks for all your comments.

[autoxer]

My problem is whether I should trade it in while it at least looks good and has some value or should I drive it till the body is no more?

The value of your jeep will gradually decline over the next few winters, it won't just drop off a cliff to nothing. Trading it in while it still has some value won't put you into a better financial position, because the newer vehicle will undoubtedly depreciate faster than the old jeep. You are in a good position to make the decision of when to replace it based on the safety and reliability of the vehicle.

[Satrap]

I would trade it before it gets even worst.