It’s a common dilemma faced by many car owners: your vehicle has clocked 150,000 miles, and now a significant repair bill arrives. The question, “should I repair my car with 150,000 miles?”, starts echoing in your mind, especially when faced with a hefty quote. Financial independence forums are full of similar questions: “My car has 150,000 miles and needs a $2,500 repair – does it make financial sense to fix it?” I used to be firmly in the “replace” camp, having discarded three cars around this mileage mark. However, my perspective has shifted. Repairing your car might actually be the wiser decision.
My early car experiences involved compact American vehicles that reliably reached the 100,000-mile mark. But between 130,000 and 150,000 miles, expensive repairs became frequent. The car’s value had depreciated to under $1,000, yet repair costs often matched or exceeded that. My thoughts would spiral: “How much more of this can I handle? I’ve driven this car for years. What if it breaks down on the highway? New cars have so much advanced technology. These repair bills could cover new car payments!” The perception was that cars have a limited lifespan and mine was reaching its end.
Then Came the Honda.
In 2007, I transitioned from American compacts and bought my first Honda, a mid-size truck. Opting for new over used due to a minimal price difference, it was the most I’d ever spent on a vehicle. I committed to rigorous maintenance, curious to see how far it could go. For the first seven years, it performed exceptionally with only one minor repair—an axle issue around 100,000 miles, a consequence of my daily sharp driveway turn into the garage.
Shortly after hitting 100,000 miles, a significant rear-end collision occurred. Sandwiched between two cars by a mini-cooper at about 40mph, my truck sustained damage. The mini was likely totaled, as was the Mercedes in front. My truck’s damage was borderline repairable. The rear damage was moderate, and the front was mainly cosmetic with a radiator issue. Given the truck’s overall excellent condition and maintenance history, I opted for repair. The unexpected perk was experiencing new car tech in the rental – the backup camera and satellite radio were appealing.
The 150,000-Mile Revelation (or Two):
By eight years old and 150,000 miles, the truck’s maintenance needs escalated. A prematurely failing replacement radiator led to a substantial bill, followed by a catalytic converter failure during a state emissions test. I was suddenly facing nearly $3,000 in repairs on a 150,000-mile vehicle. Familiar consumerist thoughts resurfaced: “Wouldn’t a new, fancier car be nice? Maybe I need something ‘safer’! What if this car leaves me stranded? Am I just throwing money away?”
New models were constantly being released. As a manager, I was driving one of the oldest vehicles in the company parking lot. The internal narrative intensified: “I work hard! I’m the boss now, yet I drive the oldest car. What about my image? Don’t I deserve heated leather seats?” My colleagues drove Lexus coupes, BMW sedans, new Toyota 4Runners, and classic Land Cruisers. I resisted this pressure, reminding myself that a car is a tool for transportation, not a status symbol.
These feelings subsided, and I continued driving the truck. Almost five years and 70,000 miles later, there have been no further repairs. The photo below captures a milestone moment in November 2019.
The Indispensable Role of Maintenance
After 100,000 miles, I diligently tracked the truck’s maintenance, including proactive replacements like the water pump and timing belt, done twice. A maintenance log proves invaluable for scheduling and for resisting upsells from repair shops, especially for easily DIY-able items like filters (thanks to YouTube tutorials).
| Honda | Date | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 10/19/09 | 52000 |
| Water Pump, Timing Belt, Coolant, Spark Plugs | 07/09/12 | 100,000 |
| Front Brakes | 10/17/12 | 106,600 |
| 120k Servicing | 09/17/13 | 126,600 |
| Tires | 10/15/13 | 128,000 |
| Oil Change, Rear Differential | 08/23/14 | 146,500 |
| New Radiator, Radiator Fluid | 12/02/14 | 150,000 |
| Oil Change, Tire Rotation, Transmission Service | 01/03/15 | 153,500 |
| Alignment, Steering Fluid, Brake Fluid, Battery | 01/29/15 | 154,000 |
| Catalytic Converter | 02/09/15 | 154,500 |
| Oil, Tire Rotation, Cabin Filter, Alignment | 09/02/15 | 165,729 |
| Oil Change, Rear Differential | 03/09/16 | 172,529 |
| Oil Change, Tire Rotation | 09/30/16 | 178,900 |
| Oil Change, Airbag Replacement | 06/01/17 | 184,777 |
| Oil Change, Tire Rotation, Air Filters | 03/30/18 | 196,934 |
| Balance, Steering Fluid, Brake Fluid | 04/15/18 | 197,400 |
| Tires | 06/23/18 | 200,740 |
| Oil Change, Battery | 08/01/18 | 202,000 |
| Inspection | 10/09/18 | 207,126 |
| Oil Change | 11/12/18 | 208,100 |
| Oil Change | 04/10/19 | 213,500 |
| Oil Change | 08/21/19 | 218,495 |
| Water Pump, Timing Belt, Plugs | 09/12/19 | 219,538 |
| Upholstery | 10/15/19 | 221,500 |
From the radiator replacement at 150,000 miles to reaching 222,222 miles, the truck ran reliably without major repairs. My fears of being stranded proved unfounded in the five years following those initial doubts about its reliability and the urge for a new car.
Conquering the New Car Craving
My desire for a new car stemmed from two main factors: technology and appearance. I’d never been a car tech enthusiast, content with basic features like power windows and automatic transmission. Recently, a friend’s new Tesla showcased technology that was both impressive and, at times, excessive (does a car really need to play Christmas music while vertically opening its doors?).
My primary tech desire was smartphone audio connectivity for podcasts. A $70 adapter and a friend’s help solved this. For other tech upgrades, resources like Frugal Engineers’ cheap car upgrades offer great solutions.
Vehicle appearance was always important to me. As a professional meeting clients, the car felt like part of my professional attire, needing to pass a basic “acceptable” standard. This meant keeping it well-maintained: repairing cracks, preventing rust, and maintaining a reasonably clean interior. The biggest challenge was the paint. Living in the sunny Southeast with limited covered parking exposed the car to harsh summer conditions.
Sun damage on the truck’s roof prompted me to start waxing it. Using an affordable Turtle Wax Ice Kit (affiliate link), I wax it three to four times annually after handwashing. Sun damage has minimized, and people are often surprised by the paint’s condition when I reveal the car’s age. While interstate driving leaves minor front-end marks, the protective wax coating helps. Though I avoid the heavy road salt exposure faced by those in northern climates, the truck has seen minimal salt exposure.
Recently, I invested in new roof upholstery. Purely cosmetic, sagging fabric triggered old insecurities of being the “poor kid.” Financial independence allows choices, and I opted for professional repair over makeshift fixes. While seemingly wasteful for a non-mechanical issue, it was a worthwhile investment in curbing new car desires.
Evolving Goals and Final Thoughts
My target for this truck’s longevity has evolved. Initially, surpassing my previous cars’ mileage—ten years and 200,000 miles—was the goal. Now, I aim for 300,000 miles. Used for car trips despite no daily commute, another 78,000 miles and three years would mark a resounding success for this Honda.
Facing the repair-or-replace decision often leads to worst-case scenario thinking: repair costs, inconvenience while the car is in the shop, no apparent financial advantage over a new car. However, consider the best-case: a few repairs followed by five more years of reliable, low-cost driving. A paid-off vehicle with minimal taxes and insurance can significantly boost your financial goals. Considering the staggering levels of US consumer automobile debt, perhaps more repairs and fewer replacements are needed.
They don’t make as much news as student loans but I’m shocked how much automobile debt there is: $1.2 trillion, up half a trillion in a decade.https://t.co/F2V3mXQZa9
— Morgan Housel (@morganhousel) November 11, 2019
2021 Update:
The 2007 Honda ultimately reached 251,002 miles. It was replaced at the end of February 2021 due to several converging factors:
- Anticipated car shortages presented a purchase window for a 2021 model at a reasonable price.
- Rising used car values allowed me to sell the 2007 for $4,200 after a six-week wait.
- Planned relocation to Hawaii made selling advantageous, avoiding high vehicle registration taxes in my current state and sales tax in Hawaii after 90 days of ownership in the original state.
I remain grateful for the investments made into the truck around 150,000 miles – it proved to be a significant financial win!
