If you maintain it properly 10 years or a 170k should be easy and cost effective.
The way I look at it I always budget for a car payment. When the car has a loan, well duh, of course I have a payment. After the loan is payed I figure it'll cost 3 loan payments annually to take it to 10 years/170k. Certain years I may bump over three payments, most years I won't touch three payments. If the original loan was a 5 year loan then I get the next five years of my vehicle for 1.25 years worth of payments. I have enjoyed for (10 years) a great, safe, reliable, extremely well maintained ride for 6.25 years of payment. Assuming a $450-$500 payment and given the T4R's track record of durability it might even cost less than 6.25years worth of payments. I am sure it could be done for less but I can't live with something that's tattered, torn or lacks full functionality. My standard is I need to be able to go from SW Florida to Seattle and back in July or February on a moments notice with nothing more than an oil change along the way.
Fluid changes, all fluid changes, is what'll keep you from buying expensive transmissions, t-cases, axles, radiators, head gaskets etc. The occasional power window motor etc is a drop in the bucket and easily fits within my 3mos/year budget.
As far as gas goes, it's been discussed many times. Unless you drive tons of miles annually you'll never save enough to warrant trading or selling the T4R in a depressed SUV market.
My hopes for the future are to eventually have my 140k mile T4R relegated to 3rd car status. It'll be worth nothing and still a great vehicle.
Just my thoughts.
:cheers:
