At a national average of $729 a month for new cars and $528 a month for used, car payments can take a big chunk out of the monthly budget. Even if you avoid car loans, the high cost of a vehicle can delay other savings goals. Either way, it’s rewarding when a vehicle costs nothing more than fuel and routine maintenance. In fact, it’s such a rewarding feeling that you might miss important signs it’s time to start car shopping again.

Being frugal is a great quality when it comes to vehicle purchases – while the average consumer purchases a new one every 3 to 5 years, today’s vehicles are designed to last 10 or more. Still, it’s possible to be too frugal and end up costing yourself more money in the long run. If you have any doubts about whether it’s time to buy a newer vehicle, consider these four signs.

1. Your Vehicle’s Safety is Questionable

Aesthetic qualities and luxury features are one thing, but safety is quite another. If there’s any question whether your vehicle can get you safely from Point A to Point B, it’s time to consider an upgrade. Here are a few examples of what might constitute a safety concern:

• Your vehicle sometimes has mobility problems. If this happens on the road, it could cause an accident.
• Your vehicle lacks important safety features. Newer vehicles are equipped with advanced safety features, but we’re talking about the basics – seatbelts, curtain air bags, traction control, etc.
• Your vehicle has been in an accident or has extensive rust that could compromise is structural integrity. The appearance of rust might not bother you, but the damage it does to internal parts could.

If you have an older vehicle and you aren’t sure if it’s safe, check with a trusted mechanic or vehicle safety inspector. In some cases, you might be able to pay for after-market safety enhancements that cost much less than the price of a new vehicle.

2. Your Vehicle Needs a Major Repair in the Last Year

Ditto for cars that frequent the auto repair shop. Occasional out-of-pocket repairs are less costly than a car payment, but if repairs exceed that $729-per-month average car payment, you might want to consider a newer vehicle. It’s easy to lose track of expenses that spread out over time, so get out the receipts and do the math.

3. Your Vehicle is Costing You in Other Ways

Maybe you work further away from home now and that gas-guzzler is jacking up your fuel budget and eating into other categories. With the mass adoption of electric vehicles, getting a cheap model may help you save in the long run once you factor in the tax incentives and the cost of electricity versus gas.

Another reason to consider replacing your car is if it frequently fails to start in the morning. If you can’t get to work on time (or at all), it’s costing you lost hours of work at best and putting your job in danger at worst. Be sure to consider these and other hidden ways your vehicle is costing you that might be grounds for trading it in.

4. Your Vehicle No Longer Fits Your Lifestyle

We tend to choose the size and style of vehicle that best fits our lifestyle, but preferences and lifestyles can change. Maybe you’ve become a new parent, sent your last child to college, or spend more time in your vehicle than in the past. All these changes can affect which vehicle is best for your needs. Just because you haven’t run your vehicle into the ground doesn’t mean it’s wrong to trade the car in for something else that’s a better fit for you and your family.

David’s Note: This situation describes a dilemma I have perfectly right now. I want to get into mountain biking but I drive a two door car without a good solution to transport the bike. Rack options aren’t exactly suitable either. I thought about buying a super old pickup but that seems pretty insane if I really just need something to transport bikes. I don’t want to give up my plenty new daily driver though. Decisions decisions!

Figuring out when to change vehicles is tricky. On one hand, it’s wise to avoid financing a brand-new vehicle that could put you in an upside-down loan, but it’s also unwise to drive a vehicle that’s unsafe and draining your finances in other ways. Use these tips and make the decision that’s ultimately best for you.

Tagged as: Budget, Car Expenses, Frugality, Lifestyle, Money Management, Shopping Smart

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