Random: What's the oldest car you'd drive?

CleoKitty

I'm in the market for a used car and it got me wondering: what's the oldest car you would consider buying? Is five years too old? Ten years? Would you buy a car that was manufactured before airbags became standard?

firefightersgal

I think mileage is more important to me than the year.  My current car is a 2006, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a slightly older car if it had low miles.

brightning

I'm in AZ and I don't think the age of the vehicle matters as much out here. When I was in MI, you had to worry about all the cold starts on the engine and rust damage, but those aren't really factors out here.

DH's car is 11 yrs old and he bought it a year ago.

I wouldn't drive a car w/o airbags.

jettagurl

Our 2 are 8 and 9 yrs old.  Airbags is pretty much a must, as are shoulder seat belts for all seats (not just the lap belts that used to be all the back seats had).  

We bought our van when it was 7 yrs old - I was a bit leery, but it's what we could afford to just drop the cash on w/o financing anything. We've had zero issues since we bought it...just new tires/regular maintenance.  I'll drive it (hopefully) til I go back to work FT - maybe in 3-4 yrs.  DH will get something in the next year, probably - likely something that's 5-6 yrs old. 

My first car was 8 yrs old when I got it (I was 16, it was a hand-me-down), then a 6 yr old, then a 3 yr old, then 7 yr old, then 2 yrs old, then new, then new, and now the van.  Our next van would ideally be 2-3 yrs old with low mileage.   

femmegem

We just bought a 90s Camry with really low mileage. It's a great car.

emiliemadison

Assuming it had airbags and functioning seatbelts and active head restraints, I wouldnt care. Well, obviously mileage (and make/model) would be a big consideration. But the actual age of the car? Not so much. One of our cars is 11 years old and just fine.

MommyofAlissa

In 2008, I bought an '05 w/ 19k miles on it. Right now it has 51k on it. But I agree, mileage means more than age. And of course, the proper safety equipment.

JOEBunny

We tend to off load our cars when they hit about 80-90,000 miles, but will likely get rid of mine when it is 9-10 years old, since it is 7 years old and only has 44,000 miles.  My first car, I had until it was not reliable, which was around 90,000 miles and 10 years.   I think it depends on your tolerance for reliability.  I have a very low tolerance. 

We just sold my grandfather's car that was 8 years old and had 33,000 miles.  I almost bought it (It was a bigger Volvo than I have).

AggieCouple

I don't think I'd BUY a car older than 1-2 years. But I'd DRIVE a  20 year old car if it's a Honda or Volvo or something similarly reliable.

Temp970088312507122

We just bought a car - 2009 Dodge Journey. We got it slightly used but when we were looking, we were looking at 2007+ and nothing more than 25K miles. Mileage is definitely more important, but we wanted a car that we'll keep for 7-10 years, so we didn't want to go too old.

hikerbeth

DH is dying to get a Vanagon.  I think 1984 was the last manufacture year.

Rebekah1021

We have 3 cars and one of them is a 2000 jeep cherokee. It's my favorite to ride in.

I think as long as the car is in good condition and mechanically sound then it wouldn't bother me to use an old car. I will say, My DH is very anal with maintenance and our jeep has only had 1 repair on it and have had the tires and brakes replaced. I would totally buy a car from him or my FIL who is the same way.

 

heatherglen814

Drive: DH has an '07 Pontiac Grand Prix. I have an '09 VW Jetta. 

What we would buy: Preferably, something 2000 or later with less than 50k on it. I really like VW and have had no problems with them. DH likes anything he can work on.  

Side note: My dad has an antique '73 Dodge truck. It was his father's; now, my brother and my dad keep it up and drive it. They also just traded in their '03 VW Jetta for a '10 VW Jetta with better features. Best of both worlds, I guess.