If you’re the owner of an older car, chances are you already know a thing or two about how to properly maintain a vehicle. However, like everything else, cars and truck have finite lifespans. At a certain point, it may be better to move on rather than keep an aging vehicle on the road. Safety issues can be a problem with many older vehicles, and fuel inefficiencies and high emission rates are damaging to the pocketbook as well as the environment.
If you’re wondering whether to squeeze another year out of an aging vehicle or invest in a new car or truck, there are a few important details to keep in mind.
Is It Time to Move On?
If you’re unsure whether or not it’s time to get a new vehicle, evaluate your current ride according to these vital criteria:
- Mileage. There’s no magic formula for determining when your vehicle’s mileage is too high, but experts recommend that you do some digging. Check your make, model and year to compare your vehicle’s mileage against other owners of the same car or truck. Did people find that the vehicle began to tail off after passing a particular mileage milestone?
- Performance. If your car or truck is sluggish despite proper, regular maintenance, or if it’s using more fuel than it used, age could be the problem and getting a new car or truck might be the only solution.
- Maintenance costs. Beyond fuel inefficiencies, older vehicles can cost a pretty penny to maintain. Ongoing repair issues coupled with expensive, hard-to-find replacement parts can send your maintenance costs soaring, and in most cases, it’s just not worth the extra money to keep an old car or truck on the road.
The Benefits of Newer Vehicles
Upgrading to a newer vehicle offers immediate and profound benefits to drivers of older cars and trucks. Some of the key reasons for making the switch include:
- Improved design and performance technologies which boost safety as well as efficiency
- Lower maintenance costs, thanks to reduced wear and tear on working parts and fuel efficiency improvements
- Superior reliability
- Better system functioning, leading to increased comfort and easier driving
- Reduced insurance premiums, depending on the make and model you choose
If you’ve been grappling with a “repair or replace” dilemma and keeping your old car or truck on the road has already proven to be a financial liability, chances are it’s time to move on.
Vehicle Insurance Calgary: What to Do with Your Old Car or Truck
While selling your old car or truck can help you finance the purchase of a new vehicle, it’s not your only option for getting rid of an old car. People are choosing to donate or recycle their old vehicles in growing numbers. Vehicle donations may be eligible for tax deductions, and you’ll also enjoy the satisfaction of helping someone in need. Recycling your vehicle can also pay off; scrapyards and junk dealers are usually willing to offer decent prices for older cars and trucks.
Here are some links to further resources you can use if you’re interested in donating or recycling your vehicle:
- Automotive Recyclers of Canada
- Kidney Foundation of Canada Car Program
- Donate a Car Canada
- Alberta Cancer Foundation Car Donation Program
- Calgary Humane Society’s “Donate Your Car” Program
Vehicle Insurance Calgary: Resources and Support from Lane’s Insurance
At Lane’s Insurance, we take pride in providing vehicle owners and client with extensive resources for all their car- and truck-related needs. If you’ve decided to retire an old vehicle, there are important considerations to keep in mind as you shop for a new that could save you big money on your vehicle insurance in Calgary.
Predicting insurance premiums is an important part of the due diligence you need to perform when shopping for a new car or truck. Lane’s Insurance is pleased to offer fast, free quotes on Calgary car insurance; feel free to take advantage of these tools whether you’re researching a new make or model, or seeking a better price on your vehicle coverage.
