​​Fixing An Older Car Versus Trading It In​ 

Is your car driving you crazy with constant mechanical work or with little things popping up more and more often? Should you fix an older car or just get rid of it for something newer? It’s a question as old as the car itself. The answer can be nuanced and often lies in the details. It always really comes down to cost.  

Your Current Car May Not Be Worth the Pain 

Sometimes the cost of repairing a vehicle isn’t worth it. If you’re spending $3,000 on a car that’s maybe worth $6,000 or $7,000, where is the value? When you modify or repair cars, that doesn’t always mean that you can get more money for them. In the end, a car, truck, SUV, or van is worth what someone will pay for it, and spending money to replace things doesn’t always make financial sense.  

Engine and Transmission Issues Are a Tough Cost to Bear 

This is especially true if you have a moderate to major engine or transmission issue. While some people will buy it and fix it on their own time, the amount of money that you can pour into an engine or transmission that’s not far from needing to be replaced can leave you spending thousands without a guarantee. The trick is to get out before you’re behind.  

Once You Reach a Certain Mileage, Be Mindful 

Keep in mind that the higher the mileage, the more things will need to be repaired, replaced, and fixed at the same time. Suspension components, including bushings, water pumps, thermostats, tire rods, cooling system components, fluid changes and flushes, brake pads, brake rotors, timing belts, etc., will all need some work beyond 80,000 miles. Most of these can be extremely expensive, meaning multiple thousands of dollars. And sometimes they all start to happen within a thousand miles or so of one another. And if you have more than 120,000 miles, it’s potentially time to start looking for something else if you aren’t a mechanic.  

It Can Seem More Expensive to Buy a Newer Car 

On the other hand, it is more expensive to buy a car than to fix one, at least up front. While it may cost you $500, $1,000, or more up front to put down on a newer car, you now have a new car payment, whereas it’s possible your old car was paid off.  

A Real-Life Scenario 

Let’s look at this logically, though. Let’s say you have $1,500 to either put down on a newer car from Alderman Automotive, or you can use that money to fix what’s wrong with your current car. After spending the money to “fix” your current vehicle, what is the assurance that that’s it, there will be nothing else? There isn’t. You could have all that work done, and then BOOM, a strut blows, or your heater won’t blow hot air, leading to a diagnosis of a failed thermostat. And while you’re replacing the thermostat, you might as well replace the water pump since they’re usually so close together. If you’re doing all of that, you might as well replace all of your belts and hoses. And then you have your cooling system refilled with coolant only to find out that your radiator may be blocked because it’s getting up there in age and has normal wear and tear.  

Buying A Newer Car Instead, So You Can Relax 

On the flip side, if you put that same $1,500, plus your current vehicle as a trade, you can drive away with a vehicle that’s newer, has fewer miles, and better safety and convenience technology. If you opt for the lifetime engine warranty that’s backed by Lucas Oil in partnership with Alderman Automotive, you have a vehicle that you don’t have to worry about for miles to come. It’s been inspected before going up for sale by the qualified technicians in the service department, one of the few used car dealers that even has its own service department with experts, and you can now rest easier, not worrying about what issue your car will present to you tomorrow.  

Alderman Automotive Can Help You Make This Decision 

When you are in need of a newer vehicle, the great sales team at Alderman Automotive will gladly help you find the right model that fits both your budget and lifestyle. And don’t forget to ask about the Lucas Oil engine warranty, which guarantees your engine’s health or replaces it if something goes wrong.  

Why Choose Alderman Automotive   

At Alderman Automotive, we are proud to offer some of the best prices and services to our customers. We sell some of the finest used cars, and our finance department will work within your monthly payment needs. Whether you are looking for a high-end luxury car or SUV, or if your budget is something under $15,000, we have a whole host of vehicles best suited for your wants and needs. Our state-of-the-art service department and helpful staff will ensure your vehicle is always in the best condition possible.