The combined ages of your cars?

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heyyou
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The combined ages of your cars?

Post by heyyou »

Just to indirectly brag about your thriftiness, what number is the combined ages of your cars?
I live in a low humidity area, where the winter roads are not salted, so my two vehicles, 1994 and 2004, have a combined age of 46 years (counting back from the 2022 model year).

My truck with 200,100 miles on it, has a stick shift so the clutch has been replaced, but so far, not the transmission. My car is small and light so its automatic tranny is not stressed by the work it does, and the car has 159,000 miles on it.
elle
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by elle »

6 and 7 for a combined 13.

Fell into the car upgrade trap when we had our kids.
fatcharlie
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by fatcharlie »

1 5 year old car
tibbitts
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by tibbitts »

heyyou wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:00 am Just to indirectly brag about your thriftiness, what number is the combined ages of your cars?
I live in a low humidity area, where the winter roads are not salted, so my two vehicles, 1994 and 2004, have a combined age of 46 years (counting back from the 2022 model year).

My truck with 200,100 miles on it, has a stick shift so the clutch has been replaced, but so far, not the transmission. My car is small and light so its automatic tranny is not stressed by the work it does, and the car has 159,000 miles on it.
I suggest asking about average age, not combined age: what about people owning one, or fifteen, cars? Also I don't agree that thriftiness, as expressed by age of cars, is anything to be proud of. Even with cars the ages of mine (10 and 16 years), I feel somewhat foolish for being able to afford more modern safety features, but not having them.

I don't understand your comment about transmissions; I don't see any reason to assume one type or another will be more or less durable/reliable/efficient, except for specific models of both varieties with known design shortcomings.
InNameOnly
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by InNameOnly »

13 yr old with 168k miles
12 yr old with 170k miles

25 yr Total and they both run great.
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LilyFleur
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by LilyFleur »

one car, two years old. Less than 15,000 miles on it.
I appreciate the safety features on my car.
pasadena
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by pasadena »

Also one car, also (almost) 2 years old, bought juuust before the pandemic, because I'm that great of a market timer.
sawhorse
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by sawhorse »

1 car from 2007
Barsoom
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Barsoom »

I had a 1983 Toyota Celica GT that I kept until 1996 when the engine finally gave out. I then bought a 1996 Acura Integra and kept it until it gave out in 2013. Then I bought a Ford Fusion Hybrid which I still drive.

After I got married, I bought a 2001 Toyota RAV4 for my wife, which she kept until it died earlier this year. I then got her a 2021 Acura RDX in March, just before the new car shortages began.

So, that's 13, 17, and 8 for me; 20 for my wife.

-B
TropikThunder
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by TropikThunder »

I think I’m in last place. Custom-ordered BMW 3 series, picked it up just less than 7 months ago.
Last edited by TropikThunder on Tue Oct 26, 2021 4:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
Chip
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Chip »

Currently 12 (9 & 3).

Highest ever was 60 in 2007 (37, 14, 9).
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stickman731
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by stickman731 »

23 - 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 with Magnum V8. (110,000 miles)

12 - 2010 Ford Edge AWD (178,000 miles)
Tdubs
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Tdubs »

15 and 4. A 2006 Civic and a 2017 Kia Forte.
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Harry Livermore
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Harry Livermore »

I agree that it should be the average age of your personal fleet. In my family's case:
2015 Pilot (91,000 miles)
2015 CRV (46,000 miles)
2008 Pilot (171,000 miles)
For a combined age of 25. But, since it's three cars, an average age per car of 8.3...
And just to point out, Bogleheads are not defacto "frugal". I am, but many in this group spend freely and enjoy a more materialistic life than I, which I am perfectly OK with, and don't judge... just like I don't judge folks with millions in investments who put up with a rundown house (by my standards) for example. Some here are "car guys/ gals" and enjoy driving a luxury vehicle of recent make. Others enjoy spending a similar amount of money cruising the rivers in Europe for 6 weeks every summer. Whatever floats you boat and does not sink it!
If I were to characterize Bogleheads as group, it would be more along the lines of analytical thinkers who want a path to financial success. That comes in many flavors.
Just my thoughts on you original post, not looking to offend.
Cheers

ETA: mileage
Last edited by Harry Livermore on Tue Oct 26, 2021 5:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
namajones
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by namajones »

1 car. 17 years old. 98,000 miles.
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dogagility
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by dogagility »

If'n a person wanted to humblebrag, the person would also include how many repairs they have made to their cars in the driveway/street/garage.
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markjk
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by markjk »

2012
2015
2017

For a combined total of 19 years. That is an average of 6.3 years. However, the numbers are skewed a bit. The 2017 is a third "fun" car I decided to splurge and buy a couple of years ago so it's completely a discretionary vehicle. I like to keep cars 10+ years. I look at the years more than the miles. I live in an area that can have tough winters.
Silverado
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Silverado »

21 and 9. Owned by us: 13 and 9.

Repairs? One radiator. One alternator, one thermostat, one starter. Two batteries, 4.5 sets of tires, one set of brake pads, one brake line (hired that one out), and one set of sway bar linkages, combined. It’s been a really good run without a doubt.

The argument of safety features….never mind, won’t touch it today.
FireSekr
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by FireSekr »

tibbitts wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:43 am
heyyou wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:00 am Just to indirectly brag about your thriftiness, what number is the combined ages of your cars?
I live in a low humidity area, where the winter roads are not salted, so my two vehicles, 1994 and 2004, have a combined age of 46 years (counting back from the 2022 model year).

My truck with 200,100 miles on it, has a stick shift so the clutch has been replaced, but so far, not the transmission. My car is small and light so its automatic tranny is not stressed by the work it does, and the car has 159,000 miles on it.
I don't understand your comment about transmissions; I don't see any reason to assume one type or another will be more or less durable/reliable/efficient, except for specific models of both varieties with known design shortcomings.
Automatic transmissions don’t last nearly as long as manual transmissions. They are extremely complex so when they fail, at minimum it’s a few thousand to rebuild if that’s even possible. Many of the transmissions now are so complex that most shops won’t rebuild them, and even if you find one that will rebuild it, the car will likely not shift the way it was supposed to. These days the solution to a failed automatic transmission is usually to replace it with a new part at a very high cost assuming the manufacturer still makes the part or taking a chance getting a transmission out of a wrecked car at a junkyard. Either way, you’re not getting your automatic transmission fixed for less than $3k but in many cases it’s closer to $5k

A manual is much simpler. Assuming you regularly change the transmission fluid, the only wear items are the clutc and flex disc. On most cars it’s not too hard to change these items yourself, and even if you had to take it to a shop it would cost around $1k depending on the car.

Many but not all automatic transmissions start to exhibit issues around 150k miles. Some are better or worse than others. Manual transmissions are dependent on how you drive them. I have a 1998 BMW M3 the clutch had to be replaced at 102k miles and my 2003 330xi lasted until 145k miles.
FireSekr
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by FireSekr »

1998 BMW M3 160k miles
2002 BMW M5 150k miles
2003 BMW 330xi 190k miles

Total age 62
Avg age 20.6
stoptothink
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by stoptothink »

fatcharlie wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:09 am 1 5 year old car
This is the ultimate "thriftiness brag"; two profession household, 2 kids, and 1 car. Ours is also 5yrs old.
WannabeBogleHead01
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by WannabeBogleHead01 »

2019 Lexus ES350 - 24,000 miles
2016 Hyundai Tucson - 55,000 miles

So 7ish years.
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hand
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by hand »

One 2011 w/ 90k miles and one 2004 with 107k miles, for a final answer of 27.
260chrisb
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by 260chrisb »

Had to do some math here; 229.
ScooterBob
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by ScooterBob »

One 20 year old Nissan Sentra with 154,000 miles. Recently sold 2014 Toyota Camry to Carvana for $1400 less than we paid for it 7.5 years ago! Had to take that deal since we plan on getting a Toyota Carolla Cross once they become available. The small SUV will better fit in with our lifestyle than the Camry did.

Bob
sschoe2
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by sschoe2 »

2009 Honda Fit 120k miles
2010 Hydunai Elantra 60k miles (I got it for my late mother)

Both are going strong though cosmetically the Fit is a bit beat up which I don't care.
Swansea
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Swansea »

1998 BMW 96000 miles
2008 BMW 31000 miles
Broken Man 1999
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Broken Man 1999 »

Only one vehicle, 13 year old Ford E150 Econoline Van, 102,000 miles.

Broken Man 1999
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head gamez
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by head gamez »

Newest is a 2008 Fit with 335k miles. Oldest is a 91 Chevy Truck with 165k miles.

2008 ~ 335k miles
2004 ~ 200k miles
2002 ~ 150k miles
1999 ~ 290k miles
1991 ~ 165k miles

Total age = 106
Average = 21.2

Total miles = 1.14M
Average = 228,000
smitcat
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by smitcat »

Nine years
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8foot7
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by 8foot7 »

2006 SUV with 153,000 miles is 16 years old now
2020 minivan with 9,000 miles is (let's round up) 1 year old

17
carolinaman
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by carolinaman »

8 and 15 = 23. Both are Toyotas and still going strong.
Elena
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Elena »

26+18=44.

I will be renewing and downsizing to one soon (once the microchip issue is resolved, probably in a couple of years).
pizzy
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by pizzy »

Own, no loans = 5 years + 1 year = 6 years

Lease = .5 year
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basspond
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by basspond »

17 (200,000 one major repair 7 years ago) + 8 (95,000) = 25 (avg 12.5).
Ramjet
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by Ramjet »

Two cars with a combined at of 23 years
KlangFool
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by KlangFool »

OP,

1 X 2021 new car -> less than 1 year.

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exodusNH
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

Post by exodusNH »

tibbitts wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:43 am
heyyou wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:00 am Just to indirectly brag about your thriftiness, what number is the combined ages of your cars?
I live in a low humidity area, where the winter roads are not salted, so my two vehicles, 1994 and 2004, have a combined age of 46 years (counting back from the 2022 model year).

My truck with 200,100 miles on it, has a stick shift so the clutch has been replaced, but so far, not the transmission. My car is small and light so its automatic tranny is not stressed by the work it does, and the car has 159,000 miles on it.
I suggest asking about average age, not combined age: what about people owning one, or fifteen, cars? Also I don't agree that thriftiness, as expressed by age of cars, is anything to be proud of. Even with cars the ages of mine (10 and 16 years), I feel somewhat foolish for being able to afford more modern safety features, but not having them.

I don't understand your comment about transmissions; I don't see any reason to assume one type or another will be more or less durable/reliable/efficient, except for specific models of both varieties with known design shortcomings.
Manual transmissions are much simpler and will almost never fail, even from companies with bad automatic transmissions. The clutch is a wear item, but the wear is somewhat controlled by the skill of the driver.

Automatics are a different story. IF the same transmission is used across a line of cars or across engine sizes (4L, 6L, +turbo), then the base model, naturally-aspirated version will probably last longer. Not driving like a maniac helps as does coming to a complete stop before reversing or putting it in park. But being small and light is no guarantee. A friend of mine learned that with his Ford Focus, whose dry, dual-clutch automatic burned itself out just outside of the warranty period and just before it became public that Ford knew the transmissions were garbage.

As for me, until 2017, I was driving a 2002 until it was totalled through no fault of my own. I drove a replacement beater for 2 years until I got my current car, which will be 3 in January. I expect to drive this for 10 years. I'm hoping it's my last car whose internal combustion engine is the primary.
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Re: The combined ages of your cars?

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