How long do you keep your rig before re-selling???

[Exempt]

I just bought a 2011 Trail, I plan on keeping it for at least 10years, or until, as said above, the repair costs are too great to justify.
My father's advice was - always pay cash, keep it until it falls apart, save enough over the years that you'll have enough cash to do it again when needed. Makes sense to me.

 

[atomicbob]

Do you bother with Rust Check or undercoating?

I have never heard of "Rust Check", but I will look into. So I can the answer to part "A" is "No, I did not use rust check."

As for part "B", under coating. I do not think that would have helped me here. The frame was fine. It was the hardware on the brakes and the exhaust system as well as the windsheild frame.

I think had I washed the vehicle more frequently I would have less rust.

At the end of the day, I think I was happy to have this situation. I am enjoying my new ride.

Top Benefits

1. If I need to go under the hood (and I don't), I can use the hood release lever instead of a pair of pliers. And, I can actually shut the hood without a screw driver in hand.

2. If I want to change the temperature from Hot to Cold to Hot, I can use the dial in the truck rather getting out to the passenger side, reaching under the dash and moving the lever by hand.

3. I can actually use the key to unlock the doors. In my old truck I never did this until my battery discharged and I tried to open with the key. All of the locks were frozen (had to jimmy my way into the car).

I guess I sort of "saved up my repairs" to justify buying a new 4Runner. However, at the end of the day... 10+ Years and 247K Miles... it didn't owe me a thing.

 

[peter78]

I got my '07 new, it was my third vehicle. I drove some company trucks for 25+ years. Yes, plan to keep this V6 Sport for a while.

I keep cars for a long time. If I really like the car, I keep it about 15 to 20 years. To me 17 years is about right. I can see keeping my 4Runners that long. My son is getting my 2001 4Runner so I am not sure how long he will keep it. My guess is as long as it runs or when the girls no longer thinks it is cool.

I have a 91 Toyota Previa, so it is 19 years and that really is too long. My wife likes it and we would like to keep for another couple of years. To me, if it needs something major it is gone. (Those Previas seem to last, check your local Craigslist and you may find some 91 & 92 Previas for sale.)

I would like to keep the 2004 till it is about 17 years old. My guess is by then, mid sized full frame SUV will no longer be around.

 

[Maritimer]

3. I can actually use the key to unlock the doors. In my old truck I never did this until my battery discharged and I tried to open with the key. All of the locks were frozen (had to jimmy my way into the car).

I know I can't use the key on my rear hatch anymore, because the plastic hanger for the lock broke and the lock is tied up inside the door. I haven't thought of the keyholes on the other doors. Now I'm scared. Maybe I'll start saving for a new 4R.

 

[the_josh]

My 4runner will be the last to go if I ever has to sell any vehicles from the bunch (2005 tundra, 1977 mini Cooper, 2006 triumph speed triple) so basically I'll never sell it, I've already dropped a ridiculous amount of cash into it, no way I'm parting from it!

 

[Supra725]

going on 12 years in January..

Brought her brand new back in 99..

probably going to keep her till she can't go anymore..

I would like to hold on to her and give it to my kids in the future.

I had the 4runner since I was a sophomore in high school.

 

[00runr]

Had mine for 4 years now and I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon, as a matter of fact I wouldn't mind having another with the 3.4 to use as my dd and build my current 4runner strictly for the trails!!

 

[theizzardking]

i keep mine until it's no longer financially responsible to keep it running, or at which point it will cost more to repair then what it is worth,then i just sell it for a down payment on a another one or i part it out.
I never buy new and only buy used below 10K with as minimum payments as possible if any at all, this plan has worked out for me i'm 28 have 3 cars payed for my home more then 1/2 way paid off and no debt to speak of, maybe a total debt of around 2K.

buying new cars every few years just isn't worth it to me to look cool and have the latest and greatest, I'd rather just have a proven reliable rig and spend the extra money on other things, and to be honest i think it takes at least 4-5 years
to see if the newest models are up to snuff and that there aren't any major flaws or weakness in design or components.
really excited to see how the 5th gen trail edition pans out, will be looking to buy one of those in 2014-2015 if they hold up, lol

 

[Maritimer]

I never buy new and only buy used below 10K with as minimum payments as possible if any at all, this plan has worked out for me i'm 28 have 3 cars payed for my home more then 1/2 way paid off and no debt to speak of, maybe a total debt of around 2K.

Good work. I'm going to guess you don't like leases, lol.

 

[theizzardking]

Good work. I'm going to guess you don't like leases, lol.

hell no, lol plus i drive like 30K a year if not more no way am i getting caught up in some stupid contract stipulations.lol
i

 

[004Gunner]

buying new cars every few years just isn't worth it to me to look cool and have the latest and greatest, I'd rather just have a proven reliable rig and spend the extra money on other things, and to be honest i think it takes at least 4-5 years
to see if the newest models are up to snuff and that there aren't any major flaws or weakness in design or components.

:iagree: Although I consider 2-3 years enough time for real world reliability verdicts.

My 4Runner isn't getting sold. The fact that I've had 2 accidents with it, and 1 of them was a total, makes resale a little impractical. There is nothing on the market that can compete with my 4Runner imo. Plus I make little improvements to it all the time.

As far as leases go, if your the type that buys another vehicle immediately after selling/trading in the one you just paid for, then a lease is a smarter option for you financially. The only catch would be mileage and any damage you might inflict on it over the course of the lease period. It's generally recommended that you keep a 60 month financed vehicle for a total of 7 years minimum to take advantage of financing vs. leasing.

 

[ronp8]

I usually keep my vehicles until they are totalled - lol. Toyotas run forever. My last 4runner had 245k and ran extremely good. However, it was totalled out and currently shopping for a new vehicle. Which will more than likely be a toyota since that's all I ever owned - lol.

 

[ricktcole]

I say keep it. If you have engine troubles fix them. It's cheaper than buying new. My 2000 has been paid off for 3 years and I have no desire to get another car payment. Instead every 2 or 3 months I put about $500 into her maintenance,stereo ,rims, ext.Finally get the $runner I've always wanted.

 

[Acidmeld]

Keeping it till it dies. Then ill rebuild it and drive it more.

 

[Colemanfu]

Back for the dead.......

I'm going to answer my original question:

11 years, 92,00 miles $12,00.00 private sale. For me a good balance. Sad to see it go but excited about what the future holds.

Thinking about building this out to the ultimate moto hauler/camper. Minus the graphics ha. My inspiration Outside Van - Mercedes Sprinter Custom Conversion Camper Van Experts

Thanks for the interweb fellowship! eace: