Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

benjaminh · 4:04AM

xwesx said:
I think that the argument of repair cost versus resale value is a logical fallacy. We don't own our cars because we plan to sell them someday; we own them to drive them! So, yeah, it might not seem to make sense to spend $2,000 on a car "only worth" $6,000, but does it make more sense to spend $6,000 on a different car over that same time period? I would rather spend $2,000 than $6,000, but maybe that is just me.

As such, the primary point of reasoning, assuming one doesn't just want a new car (in which case that IS the root of the argument, and the financial justification is only a way to sooth the conscience), is whether the vehicle has ongoing reliability concerns or will cost more than a replacement.

In most cases, the answer is that it is usually less expensive to keep what you have than to buy something else. I currently set that threshold at $4,500 per year, though that's probably even a little low today.

Good points.

Perhaps I'm misguided, but I thought that a car wasn't totaled out by repairs unless the cost to fix exceeds the market value. So it might still make sense, at lease for some people, to put $5k of repairs into a car worth more or less 6k. But if you're approaching the value of the car when it comes to repairs probably wise to let it go.

Interesting threshold you have of $4500 a year for maintenance and repairs. Seems like a lot. But I guess that makes sense if that's the threshold at which you think you probably need to replace a car.

My maintenance threshold at this point is low. I've spent a total of $2670 on my 2018 TLX since I got it, including a set of Michelin tires. That means I've only spent $360 a year on maintenance and repairs.

I was hoping that doubling that, to around $700 a year for maintenance and repairs, might be enough for the next few years.

But looking at average numbers it seems like I'm being optimistic. AAA says members spend an average of around $1450 a year.

https://www.acg.aaa.com/connect/blogs/4c/auto/how-much-to-budget-for-car-repairs

The site Car Edge says that by year 7 the average TLX owner will be spending at least a thousand a year, and that climbs steadily. More ominously is that the chance of a major repair according them goes up to 40% by the time the car is 12 years old.

https://caredge.com/acura/tlx/maintenance

explorerx4 · 5:46AM

Last night last time I checked, a couple of inches of snow had fallen and it was still snowing.
THis morning it was all gone. Temp rose overnight and precipitation turned to rain. YAAA!

tjc78 · 6:20AM

Nothing like waking up to a chirping fire alarm… then walking every room to find the offender.

venture · 7:45AM

kyfdx said:
Look how nice the yard was raked. My wife is so good at this!

My wife never met a leaf she didn't hate either.

fintail · 7:59AM

stickguy said:
there are kits to convert air suspension to standard. on a lot of the older luxury Euros (especially MB) that is what gets done. I new Mercedes has had a couple of versions of air/active suspension, one that is a lot more expensive to deal with.

Benjamin, we sat in the Camry at the auto show and it was impressive. I would get one of those over an Accord now, but neither of us actually wanted a large sedan. But if you do, a great option.

our debate with swapping out the Acura is multi-faceted. Part if financial, that even at almost 6 YO (real time, now 6 in MY time) with the miles, it is still worth a good amount. Some maintenance coming up (lots of fluids) but not a huge hit, and tires at some point. Mostly, it is to get something new (because I get bored easy), and there are some things the newer cars have that we would like to have. 360 cameras, wireless car play since my wife always has issues getting that to work). And probably some other things. No, we don't "need" it, but if we can, why not treat ourselves?

MB had "airmatic" (normal air suspension) and "active body control" (aka ABC) - the fancy active suspension that had numerous related components. The car belonging to ab's friend being a 2007 (W221) would have airmatic unless a highline car - the prior W220 platform was more likely to have ABC as a standalone option (although still rare and I don't know if it exists as such on a normal W221) and it is also seen more frequently in S coupes and SLs. ABC was standard on AMG cars as well. For a nearly 20 year old S-class, do not do not do not take it to a dealer for repairs. Find a competent indy and at least the bills will be lower. If the suspension hasn't acted up yet, at that age no matter the mileage, it is expected and a cost of operating such a car. I believe updated parts are more reliable, and conversions exist - still plenty of these cars on the road, and many appear cared for. ABC will be another level of complexity and expense, but the AMG and V12 cars are rare and I hope nobody buys one expecting it to be cheap to run even if they found what they thought was a bargain price on the car.

stickguy · 10:20AM

a couple of the youtubers (Legit street cars for sure) have dealt with the V12 MBs with the ABC. what a nightmare of pipes, valve blocks, and fluid. Not something any sane non-mechanic should ever go near.

tjc78 · 10:23AM

When I sold my 04 Grand Marquis in 2017 it was still rolling on its original air suspension. I suspect it wasn’t long before at least the bags needed replacement for the next owner. Rubber only lasts so long.

suydam · 10:55AM

Back to the repair/replace issue. Of course if you just want something reliable to drive you are better off keeping a good car for many years. But that’s not the only reason we have cars. The 2014 Buick Encore, while extremely reliable, is not remotely comparable to the 2024 Kia PHEV we replaced it with. I wanted similar technology to my 2017 Chevy Volt — a plug in, front and rear sensors, rear surround camera, voice controls. Not to mention way better acceleration. We drove each across the country and back — in 2022 and 2024 — and the difference was quite obvious. Not to mention more room and storage, which we didn’t need when we bought the Encore as we didn’t have grandchildren then. Time and Circumstances change and that often makes the difference when deciding whether to repair or replace. We hardly ever buy gas any more because the range in the Sportage is plenty for around town driving.
Same with replacing the Volt. We needed a larger vehicle and my various hip issues made the Volt impractical. Hence the Blazer EV, which is now our road trip vehicle too.

ab348 · 12:47PM

fintail said:

MB had "airmatic" (normal air suspension) and "active body control" (aka ABC) - the fancy active suspension that had numerous related components. The car belonging to ab's friend being a 2007 (W221) would have airmatic unless a highline car - the prior W220 platform was more likely to have ABC as a standalone option (although still rare and I don't know if it exists as such on a normal W221) and it is also seen more frequently in S coupes and SLs. ABC was standard on AMG cars as well. For a nearly 20 year old S-class, do not do not do not take it to a dealer for repairs. Find a competent indy and at least the bills will be lower. If the suspension hasn't acted up yet, at that age no matter the mileage, it is expected and a cost of operating such a car. I believe updated parts are more reliable, and conversions exist - still plenty of these cars on the road, and many appear cared for. ABC will be another level of complexity and expense, but the AMG and V12 cars are rare and I hope nobody buys one expecting it to be cheap to run even if they found what they thought was a bargain price on the car.

I don’t know which version his car has. At least it’s not a V-12.

He mentioned that the assembly on the front left had been repaired/replaced recently but it wasn’t working right in terms of ride height. He is sour on the dealer for a few reasons. They did the usual trick of not doing just an oil change as he requested and insisting on a much more extensive service he didn’t want. There was a lot of back and forth on that and I don’t know how it was resolved. Then his longtime trusted mechanic there passed away unexpectedly which was strike two. Then the indie shop he trusted shut down when the owner retired and sold the property. Since all that he has been seeking an alternative. He took it to one place that carried out the suspension repair but didn’t like them and they apparently screwed that up. There is another place here that seems his best bet but he is hesitant for some reason. He is in his late 70s and was always a quirky personality so changes like this are tough for him to process.

It’s all 20-20 hindsight but when he was younger he had a mix of older Benzes and Caddys and liked them both. When he bought this Benz (from the dealer; it wasn’t cheap) all of us in our group of friends thought he would regret it. He tries to keep it up but it is becoming more difficult.

stickguy · 1:15PM

just going from late 50s to mid-60s has taken a lot of my capacity to deal with "stuff" away. Much of which is probably be related to being swamped at work, and I am way too old for that nonsense. At least next spring that stops being an issue!

I highly doubt that 10 years from now pushing mid-70s (assuming I make it of course!) I would have the ambition to deal with a high maintenance anything, including a car. And not because of the money necessarily, just the desire to chase after anybody or deal with crap

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