This is a question that we hear just about every day. Certainly if you want to buy another car and enjoy a "new" car, than go ahead. Ultimately, this decision really IS up to you. If you feel that you need our blessing?... go ahead... you have earned it! No, really, sometimes we find that people just want that new car feel and that's okay too.  The bulk of our clients have learned the value and efficiency (as well as safety) of keeping their vehicles serviced as the most financially prudent thing to do for at least 10 years and beyond!

Now, just about any car can be repaired. Our overall concern is to ensure that you aren't putting good money into a car that will not meet your family needs.

It has been our experience that cars don't one day have an "attack"  and give up all together. None of that Hollywood stuff where the doors and hood fall off at the same time as the tires explode along with steam rushing from the grill. Mostly they just have more frequent needs that can sometimes compound upon each other to create a "situation" that requires the owner to make a decision that he/she may not want to make at that time.

A while back, Consumer Reports published a great article on this subject complete with tables and a worksheet to help you with your decision to repair or replace your older car. We try to counsel our clients to take a proactive and objective view of their car and their own personal situation. Make an informed plan and then try sticking with it.

Okay, we know that life conditions change and if you find that you must keep the car longer than planned, at least the decision will be yours.

What about your maintenance budget? Budget? That's right! Whether its a bus, taxi or your car, there are inherent transportation costs in creating personal mobility.  Owners must understand this fact and plan for it. We can help.

We would also stress to our clients and web visitors to have a "physical examination" of their car performed by someone who is well versed with Honda and Toyota products. After the physical, sit down with your service provider and prioritize each item, sort of like an "A" list, "B" list and so on. This way, together, a plan will be formed to return the car to and/or maintain safe and economical condition while not destroying your finances. Remember to consider the alternatives and out-of-pocket costs.

A Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection is performed automatically and included with each scheduled maintenance service visit to Motor Works, Inc. Doing so ensures we keep up on all of the little details and conditions that need to be monitored on a regular basis. We eyeball critical fluids and tire pressures at interim oil service visits for our regularly scheduled clients as well.

We partner with clients with over 300,000 miles on their odometers and their cars are still running beautifully. We also have seen cars on their first visits to MWI with under 90,000 miles that are about done due to lack of proper maintenance. The difference between the two usually boils down to the maintenance history and the client's understanding of the benefits of having the proper maintenance performed. The bottom line is...the car you own is usually the least expensive to keep.

So when should you replace your car? When you, armed with your service provider's advice, are ready to. MWI

photo courtesy Wheelersgate.com & ShaynaSkolnik.com