It seemed like yesterday when you bought your car. It had that new-car smell, the breaks didn't squeak, and you didn't have to pray to a pantheon of car gods every time you merged onto the freeway. Those were the good times.
Now, your car has aged. You pray to the car gods not just when you merge onto the freeway, but whenever you get into the car. Your friends mock you about its performance. You know the breaks are bad and that the steering is more misaligned than your uncle's values at Thanksgiving dinner. The question bears down on your mind: should I repair or replace this car?
The process of figuring this out can be financially and emotionally draining, but it does not have to be either of those. At Jackson's Automotive, we believe in presenting nothing short of excellence — beginning at the front counter and continuing through your vehicle's service. When deciding whether to repair or replace your car, we offer courtesy inspections to ensure that your vehicle is safe. Contact us today to learn more.
Crunch the Numbers
One of the easiest ways to determine whether you should repair or replace your car is by doing the math. For starters, how much are you spending on maintenance annually? Is this amount cheaper than getting a new car? If you are staring down the barrel of a massive repair, like a new transmission, compare the long-term cost of a new car payment to the repair cost.
Another metric to help you make your decision is the car's market value. If you are considering doing repairs on your car that cost more than the value of the car, it does not make much sense. However, if you think the repair will add to the longevity of your car, figure out by how much, and consider saving for that repair.
Another area that many people neglect to check is vehicle recalls. Before getting any work done on your car, check to see if there are any open recalls on your vehicle. Checking this could possibly save you hundreds of dollars.
Do you like worrying?
This isn't sarcastic — some people really like living on the edge. Now, whether they like that because it saves them money or because they enjoy thrills, the world may never know. However, as your car gets older, that statistical likelihood of a breakdown increases. If you are praying to the car gods every time you open your car door, it sounds like you might need some peace of mind.
The whole process of deciding whether to repair or replace your car is emotionally draining, but consider the emotional impact of keeping that bucket o' bolts — relying on it to take you from point A to point B every single day. Some people can't handle that kind of stress, while others thrive on it.
It's a Toss Up
The choice to repair or replace your car is unique to every situation. Some folks have trusted mechanics that take care of their old cars, while some folks don't. Others may have been saving for years to purchase a new car. For some, the stress of owning an old, high-mileage car may be too much.
Fortunately, you don't have to worry about finding a mechanic or stressing over your car's mileage if you visit Jackson's Automotive. We can give you a complimentary inspection of your vehicle. We want to make sure you have the best automotive repair experience, and we will go out of our way to ensure there is nothing short of excellence. If you are still on the fence about whether to repair or replace your car, visit us at Jackson's Automotive today.