How Long Do You Keep New A Car For?

Ljflcon88229 on 04/07/2021 - 18:26
Last edited 04/07/2021 - 18:27

Will be buying my first new car towards the end of the year and was curious as to around how long people typically drive a new car that they paid with their own cash or financed (i.e. not leasing)?

Many people in my neighbourhood bought a new car in the past year or so and these people usually have them for 12 or so years, or in some cases, until the car dies. Up until a few years ago, you would still find cars from the early 90s parked on the streets and in driveways in my neighbourhood. I have a few friends on the other hand that change their car every 5 years (which to me doesn't really seem worth it?)

Personally would keep for at least 10 years but interested to hear what other people usually do.

Poll Options

  • 19
    Less Than A Year
  • 8
    1 - 2 Years
  • 172
    3 - 5 Years
  • 56
    6 - 8 Years
  • 204
    8 - 10 Years
  • 48
    10 - 12 Years
  • 46
    13 - 15 Years
  • 363
    Until It Dies
Automotive Car

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2021 - 18:31
    +3

    Dont think financing or cash is a factor. Personal preference.

    • jflcon88229 on 04/07/2021 - 18:34

      I think you're right. Leasing would be the oddity. Changed it accordingly.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 05/07/2021 - 00:53
        +12

        How Long Do You Keep New A Car For?

        I don't buy new cars; but if I did, I'd look after it so that it stayed new for as long as possible.

        • Franc-T on 05/07/2021 - 11:23
          +3

          I was like that but 7+ year warranty has sold me on new for my next car. Sick of having to pay major maintenance.

          • Euphemistic on 05/07/2021 - 12:01
            +8

            @Franc-T: You still need to pay for maintenance.

          • greatlamp on 05/07/2021 - 12:21
            +14

            @Franc-T: Don't fall for that. Those warranties cover things that don't fail anyway. when is the last time you had to replace your car's drivetrain or the engine failed?

            • seraphim2017 on 05/07/2021 - 14:24
              +23

              @greatlamp: depends, ever owned a land rover? :)

              • Smol Cat on 06/07/2021 - 15:57
                +4

                @seraphim2017: Haha yes, was about to say: owned a Jeep - NEVER again!

                • knk on 06/07/2021 - 20:18
                  +4

                  @Smol Cat: Jeep compass, 37000kms. New gearbox.

                  2 months out of warranty from memory and jeep still covered it thank god otherwise it would've been costly.

                  • Smol Cat on 07/07/2021 - 17:48

                    @knk: Yeah my Cherokee was about 6 years old. Cost like $7500 for a 2nd hand engine.I was stupid and got it repaired, should've just copped the loss and scrapped it.

              • vinster55 on 07/07/2021 - 13:39
                +1

                @seraphim2017: I can personally confirm that.
                Bought a brand new Range Rover Evoque in 2016. After 2 weeks at the dealership, Needed a complete engine replacement just after 10K kms on the odo.

                Luckily it’s covered under the warranty

              • salamandersushi on 08/07/2021 - 13:25

                @seraphim2017: My Freelander 2 has never missed a beat!

            • cantanga on 05/07/2021 - 14:30
              +1

              @greatlamp: Engine 8 years ago on a 4 year old car
              Engine 1 year ago on a 5 year old car

              • spaceflight on 05/07/2021 - 15:01
                +4

                @cantanga: Do you not look after them?

                Having 2 engine results failures in 2 different cars seems very unlikely

                • cantanga on 05/07/2021 - 15:44

                  @spaceflight: All serviced regularly. One was just a dodgy model, didn't find out until afterwards but it was just out of warranty.
                  The second was serviced by the dealer and generally this model was considered to have an extremely reliable engine, I let my guard down and didn't check the oil levels for a bit, stupidly trusting the dealer. Looks like they didn't change the oil like they said they were. The service after warranty expired was a minor one so did it myself, thick black oil and a f'd engine not long after.
                  Driven multiple other cars long into their life, while I'm not a fanatic about my car they are looked after.

              • El Grande on 06/07/2021 - 01:49
                -1

                @cantanga: Ford, Holden or Kia/Hyundai?

                • smartazz104 on 06/07/2021 - 07:39
                  +4

                  @El Grande: Never heard of a Ford or Holden needing an engine replacement when still almost new…

                  • resisting the urge on 06/07/2021 - 14:07

                    @smartazz104: Not uncommon at all, main bearing failures causing 'crank walk' or a failing journal have always been quite common. May even be worse if your car has a commodity engine made in the US. Plus these days, a host of other electronic gremlins every time the dealer can't troubleshoot better than the diagnostics tool, which is surprisingly often.

                    I personally have had GM cars with failed transmissions. Design faults the consumer was expected to live with. Fords are more reliable, but more conservative in design. Even though, the Focus and many others are now well known for engine and trans failures, IIRC. VW with their stupid part failures and DGT transmission design troubles. Not to mention dieselgate and a slew of global emissions test disasters left unfixed in many markets.

                    Also, many if not all with direct injection (high pressure) engines begin to suffer foul valves sometime after 100k which can't be solved with aftermarket cans of cleaner. Later systems include low pressure injectors as well as direct to the chamber ones for this purpose. But adds complexity as you have two fuel systems…

                    • greatlamp on 06/07/2021 - 15:15

                      @resisting the urge: The electrical issues and valve problems are common issues, but would they br covered by a 7 year warranty?

                      Even getting DSG issues covered under warranty is difficult

                      • resisting the urge on 12/07/2021 - 14:49

                        @greatlamp: Yep they are common. And I'd not expect any coverage unless they produce a major fault (and the customer is describing it and pushing them to fix it correctly, using the ACL and a lot of professional tenacity). Otherwise they will get symptomatic resolutions, ineptness, bodge-ups and any manner of inappropriate type fixes, only.

                        Fouled valves tend to cause a slew of other problems; failed catalysts, intermittent running problems, pollution problems (the last go unnoticed in Oz as we don't have emissions tests), they can keep 'addressing' these, instead of the root cause, and drive their customer towards a trade-in at scrap value, rather than covering an engine replacement.

                • cantanga on 06/07/2021 - 15:58

                  @El Grande: Holden Astra diesel was the first one
                  Second was a Hyundai (maybe I was wrong in my first post, maybe it was a 7 year old car either way just out of whatever warranty it was)

            • Franc-T on 06/07/2021 - 11:00

              @greatlamp: A5 Transmission 12 months ago, CX7 Engine about 2 years ago.

            • Djfhsd1 on 06/07/2021 - 22:23
              +2

              @greatlamp: I had a 2015 Nissan xtrail that needed the whole transmission replaced at 18k kms.

            • Freitag on 09/07/2021 - 09:00

              @greatlamp: Correct, warranties don't stop a car from breaking. My mom's car was always going back into the mechanic and they couldn't figure out what was wrong, the fact that it was covered under warranty didn't really help.

          • Hahuh on 07/07/2021 - 14:16

            @Franc-T: This. Mines 10 and for my next one, I'm going to get rid off it at 5 or 7 whenever the capped prices servicing craps out.

        • Hugh G Rection on 06/07/2021 - 15:28
          -7

          Eww, buying a used car is like buying used underwear. I always buy new everything. I also never understood buying used homes. You have no idea all the nasty and disgusting stuff they have done, always buy new.

          • Scrooge McDuck on 06/07/2021 - 18:03
            +1

            @Hugh G Rection: Are you nude inside your car?

          • Hahuh on 07/07/2021 - 14:17
            -1

            @Hugh G Rection: Can you say privilege?

            • Hugh G Rection on 08/07/2021 - 11:16
              -8

              @Hahuh: privilege? if privilege was coming from nothing, working hard to get my degree and working hard at my job to earn my first million at a young age. Then yes, I am privileged.
              I never passed judgment on your preferences. If you think really hard, think about how you were able to purchase a used car. hmmmm. maybe its from people like me that buy a new car every few years so you can finally afford a vehicle because the price is too high for you brand new. hmmmm, just a thought.

          • Franc-T on 07/07/2021 - 14:48

            @Hugh G Rection: Yep, and also when you get born make sure its a pristine unused vagina, no nasty used ones here.

            • Hahuh on 07/07/2021 - 23:16

              @Franc-T: Probably a gold star C- section baby.

              • Hugh G Rection on 08/07/2021 - 11:11
                -7

                @Hahuh: don't now why you would assume that, but actually I was a natural birth from a private hospital. I guess sense we are making assumptions from absolutely nothing, i would assume you are a Centrelink baby.
                You need to be thanking me, if people like me don't buy new cars every few years, you wouldn't have a used car to purchase. ahhhhhh enlightenment.

                • Hahuh on 09/07/2021 - 00:24

                  @Hugh G Rection: You think you're being some sort tactful funny individual but you really aren't. Your statements are so dense that I wouldn't know where to start to tackle them.

            • Hugh G Rection on 08/07/2021 - 11:12
              -4

              @Franc-T: that's so silly and ignorant. ask your mommy and daddy how babies are made.

    • DarkOz on 04/07/2021 - 18:49

      Financing or cash could be a factor how long you keep the car. When we finance it’s usually 3 to 5 years so we usually won’t be getting rid of it until it’s paid off.

      We are at the end of the 3rd year with our current new car which was financed for 5 years. Although we would love to upgrade to a bigger car but we won’t be doing it until it’s paid off.

  • bobbified on 04/07/2021 - 18:33
    +17

    It's different for everyone - some people see a car as simply a "tool" to get from A > B and they'll drive it until it dies or until it's not economical to fix any issues. Then there are people like myself who enjoys driving and every few years or so gets sick of their current car and wants to switch.

    • dmcneice on 05/07/2021 - 15:03
      +7

      agreed completely. I am in the "tool" to get from A >B and will continue to drive until its not economical to fix. We bought it new and its now almost 10 years old, still going well.

      My boss gets a new car every 2 or so years, trading in his old one. His car is one of his greatest enjoyments and I cant believe he splurges that much, but each to their own.

      • resisting the urge on 12/07/2021 - 14:55

        He leases, so in effect the taxpayer pays the rental due to accelerated depreciation, and he pays a negligible but possibly increasing swapover fee.

  • djones145 on 04/07/2021 - 18:34
    +4

    5 minutes, any long and it depreciate 50 percent a minute !

    as long as u want and still enjoy or can afford a new car and u wanna sell and buy.

    if you got a European car, once it gets to around 10 years, it goes down hill, everything needs repairing

    Toyota u can run them until all the parts are rusted and fall off lol

    • DiscoJango on 05/07/2021 - 12:25
      +3

      10 years for euro? More like throw it in the bin straight as it hits the 3 yr warranty period.

    • TightBungholio on 06/07/2021 - 11:00
      -1

      My clk goes well 99 and my 98 mazda better than a lot of newer cars

    • Matt P on 08/07/2021 - 15:44

      I currently have a 12 year old Euro and a 13 year old Japanese car in the driveway. Both have "common failure points" which come with age. In the case of the Japanese car, cooling system failures and oil use/starvation issues, the Euro needs its timing belts religiously done on time or a little before time (90k interval) and all the aftermarket water pumps made for them never last the distance and if it happens you can cook the motor if not paying attention. Overall, both models are fairly well regarded for longevity in their communities (both sporty cars)

      The thing that has shocked me the most, the parts for the Euro are CHEAPER! Mostly due to the fact that they fit about 20 different models due to the engine/drivetrain being common with so many other cars in that model/sister brand and it has good aftermarket support. The Japanese car is a semi common engine but in a different configuration and was a low volume seller. It has a strong aftermarket but the OEM isn't interested in selling genuine stuff at reasonable prices and has about tripled most part prices from when it was a current model.

      Edit: and for the record - both have been reasonably well bulletproof the last 5 years of their life

  • jonagrah on 04/07/2021 - 18:40
    +14

    My Toyota Aurion was 5 years old when I purchased it in 2016. I'll probably drive it until it dies.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2021 - 18:47
      +3

      Glad that you have an Aurion. :)

      • chriskq on 05/07/2021 - 14:18
        -1

        Whats the lesser of two evils between a Camry and a Aurion….. Neither they both suck!

        • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2021 - 14:34
          +5

          I would disagree. 2GR remain to be one of the best ICE to-date.

        • hothed on 05/07/2021 - 17:48
          +5

          Have you driven one? The V6 in the Aurion is a cracker. Faster than a straight or V6 from holden or ford.

          • mousie on 06/07/2021 - 15:51
            +3

            @hothed: especially with TRD stickers

          • Franc-T on 07/07/2021 - 16:36

            @hothed: Im not sure that 1/4 mile times are really part of the Toyota experience.

          • resisting the urge on 12/07/2021 - 14:57

            @hothed: That's not hard. Those cars have old engines and weigh nearly 2T. Aurion wins on weight by a significant factor, alone

        • Tnetennba on 06/07/2021 - 09:00

          they both suck!

          because it's the same car with a v6 in it

    • m34nstav on 05/07/2021 - 15:22
      +3

      Too true. Had a 2008 Aurion since near new, only had an oil pump fail ($700 job). Not the best handling or most fun car, but great if you need a bit of power and the cost of ownership is great.

      Also have 2 other cars (both Nissan's), both great cars too, one a 1998 and the other a 2007. Would have to say both the RB and VQ are arguably better motors though.

      • diddypc on 05/07/2021 - 23:12

        hey hey, glad to find a 2008 Aurion owner here. My dad purchased a second hand one from work in 2011, and it's been great to learn driving in, though can't say we've had as lucky an experience as you have!

    • derrida derider on 06/07/2021 - 13:01
      +1

      " I'll probably drive it until it dies". Or you do - whichever happens first.

  • sharkyoz on 04/07/2021 - 18:44
    +4

    until the wife finds out about it

    • poboy on 04/07/2021 - 21:15

      You derty dog you.

  • pharkurnell on 04/07/2021 - 18:49
    +18

    Dont buy new cars… Im happy to let someone else lose the thousands in drive-it-out-the-lot tax

    • jflcon88229 on 04/07/2021 - 18:52
      +4

      I never have in the past. But my next car will be new due to thousands extra accumulated in interstate holidays that have not transpired in the past two years due to obvious reasons.

      • poboy on 04/07/2021 - 21:16

        COVID?

        • jflcon88229 on 04/07/2021 - 21:48

          Yep. And at this rate, I wouldn't plan on going anywhere in at least the next year or so.

          • pharkurnell on 07/07/2021 - 10:29

            @jflcon88229:

            I wouldn't plan on going anywhere in at least the next year or so.

            Agree 100% - sadly… Not even worth booking interstate trips.
            I have so much AL up my sleeve work are screaming at me to take it… but with nowhere to go - whats the point.

      • endolphin on 07/07/2021 - 00:43
        +4

        I don't understand the correlation? Because you have saved money this year, you'll feel better about throwing a chunk of it down the toilet by buying a new car?

        • ItsMeAgro on 07/07/2021 - 17:12

          Insane, isn't it?

          Put five seconds of thought into the total cost of ownership of your car and you're instantly in the bottom 10% of oldest, cheapest cars on Australian roads, because every idiot is buying a shiny new car on finance.

    • godfather on 07/07/2021 - 08:34

      That’s or way of looking at it, but If someone is looking now, and can wait for the stock, it is better to buy new. My 10 year old lancer went up $6,000 due to shortage in market. If you can afford the difference, you’d be better off buying new and waiting for the stock to arrive. Many cases you’d get 5-7 years warranty, fixed price servicing, don’t need pink slip for 3 years, cheaper insurance, can claim more on depreciation (if applicable)… different benefits. Sometimes peace of mind is worth the price difference.

  • DarkOz on 04/07/2021 - 18:51
    +1

    8-10 years. Both our previous cars, Toyota and Mazda, lasted about 10 years.

    • gimli on 07/07/2021 - 18:05

      genuine toyota would last 30

      • DarkOz on 08/07/2021 - 08:49

        It was an Aussie built Camry so not sure if you would classify that as genuine Totoya?

        • gimli on 08/07/2021 - 13:05

          Haha i was just joking.

          Camry is solid.

  • whitelie on 04/07/2021 - 18:53
    +5

    Who voted "Less than a year"? lol
    Taking the mickey? Cop the max depreciation and move it on?

    I'd rather buy ex demo or maybe 1 year old than brand new and probably keep it 6-8 years.

    • pegaxs on 04/07/2021 - 20:21
      +22

      I'd rather buy ex demo or maybe 1 year old than brand new

      Well, you can thank all the people that turn cars over every 12 months or less.

      • whitelie on 04/07/2021 - 20:33
        +3

        That's true. I don't imagine many of them to be on a bargain page though

      • Harold Halfprice on 05/07/2021 - 20:38

        What is even the point of that? Are there really that many people out there getting new cars every 12 months? I can't imagine there would be.

        Unless it's a midlife facelift or brand new model, cars get barely any improvements year on year, if any at all.

        • Gumster on 06/07/2021 - 18:34

          Its mostly people or company's that are leasing cars

          If your on the higher income brackets leasing a car makes more sense as a way to reduce some of your tax; plus they can upgrade every year or 2

        • pharkurnell on 07/07/2021 - 10:31

          Are there really that many people out there getting new cars every 12 months?

          no… there aren't

    • djones145 on 04/07/2021 - 21:18
      +10

      me flip cars every few days

      after u open the door, the new car smell disappears after a few drives. boom new car time

      • DiscoJango on 05/07/2021 - 12:26
        +11

        you need to shower more often if the new car smell dissapears 'after a few days'

    • SBOB on 04/07/2021 - 22:18
      +1

      I'd rather buy ex demo or maybe 1 year old than brand new and probably keep it 6-8 years.

      if you were after a car now, those two options are likely above the price of a new car :)

    • meowsers on 05/07/2021 - 12:06

      More like I let you, the taxpayer pay for my depreciation in the form of a business expense and then move it on. New cars with less than 10k on the clock don't depreciate nearly as much as you think they do especially in this market.

      • Jackson on 05/07/2021 - 15:07
        +3

        I hear this a lot, but I'm yet to see the numbers. Spoke to my accountant and he said he's never seen a lease deal make sense unless the person was going to buy the new car anyway because they had their heart set on it. Happy to see the details

        • meowsers on 05/07/2021 - 17:51

          Are you talking about a business or sole trader / PAYG? I'm not talking about a novated lease here.

          • Jackson on 05/07/2021 - 19:11

            @meowsers: I am talking about novated leases yes, but I would be curious to know other ways this works for people

            • meowsers on 05/07/2021 - 19:15

              @Jackson: Yeah so for us given our business structure the business (well actually a subsidiary) takes on the asset and claims an immediate write-off for the entire value of the vehicle under the immediate write-off scheme for businesses earning up to $10 million revenue. This includes getting the GST back up to the luxury car limit.

              When it's time to sell the asset you obviously have to include the purchase as income which is why we just tend to buy a new vehicle in the same FY we get rid of the old one.

              • Jackson on 05/07/2021 - 19:45

                @meowsers: OK so say you buy a car for 40k, you immediately write that off on your income, so you get taxed on 40k less, if you are a company what is the tax rate 25%?, if so then you are saving around 10k off the bat, and then you say you also claim gst so around $3600 so effectively saving a big chunk the year you buy it. Then when you sell it in 5 years say for 25k, you have to list that as income for the business and then you buy a new 40k car? Am I on the right track?

                I guess therefore you could do exactly the same thing with a second hand car e.g 2 years old and outlay less up front, but still get he same benefits just with less depreciation which might be the best of both worlds?

                • meowsers on 06/07/2021 - 09:56

                  @Jackson: During the instant write-off yes, but if you have to depreciate using the ATO's depreciation for motor vehicles it is over 8 years from when you purchase the vehicle. It depends if you do diminishing value or prime cost.

                  The difference between a second hand car and a new one is the warranty and maintenance requirements etc. Even if it's still in warranty after 2 years. It's just easier to buy new. Documentation wise etc. Not worth the hassle as a corporation.

    • Philthy on 05/07/2021 - 16:25

      depends on the car..

    • sunshineandrainxox on 06/07/2021 - 13:39

      Some car companies will include free use of a car for 6 months or so to certain employees. My friend gets a brand new car every 6 months for her work. She works for a car company.

  • Hybroid on 04/07/2021 - 18:55
    +1

    3-5 years on average is reasonable.

  • apsilon on 04/07/2021 - 19:01
    +1

    My average works out to 4.5 years but individually there's a wide range in there.

  • Ryanek on 04/07/2021 - 19:09
    +3

    Until the warranty runs out

  • cheapisgood on 04/07/2021 - 19:10
    +3

    We have a few millionaires here. Why replace a car under two years?

    • FireRunner on 04/07/2021 - 21:09
      +12

      Buying a new $80k high yield investment vehicle every year

    • BobLim on 06/07/2021 - 11:46

      Limited edition Ferraris probably increase in value?

  • SF3 on 04/07/2021 - 19:33
    +1

    Before it starts to have problems that would cost heaps to repair.

  • nubzy on 04/07/2021 - 19:43
    +3

    IMO the best value is buying cars <5 years old, driving for another 5-7 years then selling and doing the same thing. I'd never buy a new car unless it was electric with the right features and at a price I considered reasonable.

    • ItsMeAgro on 07/07/2021 - 17:15

      This is the obvious best way to go, but like with GPUs, COVID has changed things a bit.

      Second hand car prices are so inflated that it's actually not too crazy to buy new in some cases, as long as you have cash.

  • Platinumtelecom on 04/07/2021 - 20:57
    +2

    I have fallen in love with Car Subscriptions! Currently have a brand new Subaru Outback from HelloCars.

    I travel around 50,000kms per year, when I see how much I have lost in depreciation in the past, I am very happy to not having to deal with selling cars anymore.

    • SBOB on 04/07/2021 - 22:25

      when I see how much I have lost in depreciation in the past

      their pricing seems pretty strange though.
      a new Outback is about the same per week as a 2013 cx5, 2015 cx9 or a 2021 i30.

      • Platinumtelecom on 04/07/2021 - 22:32

        I don’t think they own the Subaru cars. It’s Subaru directly using them as an agent for subscription services.

        There is a Subaru co-branded flyer in the car in regards to roadside etc…

        • toomuchdogfur on 05/07/2021 - 11:19

          Yeah Subaru seems to be using it as a low-key way to provide car subscription services.

          Amusingly they're also the first to do so AFAIK in Australia, well ahead of the other brands putting out news releases announcing they were going to do so.

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