Be Smart With Cars

With all the fancy model cars, listing a range of high flown gadgetry, it is a wonder that there are still old cars on the road. However, it is estimated that the average age of the cars that are still in active use on the roads is about 11.5 years old. While that may be true, a car that is 20 years or older can appear as a true dinosaur in our modern times as more than 15 million people feel the need to keep buying newer versions of cars each year.

So if you are one of the 55 percent of brand loyal customers who is thinking of succumbing to one of the ads in the more than $33 billion automotive campaign to sell new cars, here are some valuable reasons to keep the Toyota you are in. 

Maintenance pays off

While new cars offer the thrill of such things as computerized aids to help prevent collisions and dashboard video cameras for rear viewing, the real test of a vehicle is in how long it can last. Generally, in today's market, cars are considered to be long lasting when they are still 3 to 5 years old, but it is estimated that older Toyotas still give value for money, as they are within the top 3 percent of the most reliable vehicles.

The important thing here in getting the most from your vehicle is to keep up with your vehicle maintenance. If you started out by doing such actions as having the car regularly checked and maintained, while observing the manufacturers recommendations over the years, your Toyota might just be able to take you past the 300,000 mile mark. 

You have never had a friend

A Toyota that has never needed any major repairs and has worked reliably through the years can be like an old friend. While you may have to budget a little more than the recommended $1200 a year for maintenance, it can work out to be cheaper than the costs associated with getting a new car. A new car comes with additional expenses, such as the money to buy the car and additional insurance premiums for a new car, as well as the repayment that goes into any loans that may have been taken to finance the purchase. 

Additionally, and maybe just as important, is the personality and character that your car has developed in giving so many years of reliable service. It may not have that new car smell anymore, but it has probably gathered a whole plethora of other personal memorabilia that makes it feel like a second home. For more information on Toyota repair, click here.