Average Age of Vehicles on the Road is Approaching 12 Years

Robert59

Robert59

Well-known Member
Location
Now I live in Tennesee. Did live in Michigan.
Vehicles on the road have only been getting older, a study from IHS Markit found, in part due to slow new-vehicle sales during the pandemic.

  • A study from IHS Markit found that the average age of vehicles on the road rose to 11.9 years this year, one month older than in 2019.
  • Fewer new-vehicle purchases as a result of the pandemic coupled with vehicles lasting longer and increases in prices have pushed the average age of vehicles on the road higher.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a33457915/average-age-vehicles-on-road-12-years/
 

I've just about lost all interest in buying a new vehicle. We only drive about 6 or 7 thousand miles/yr, anymore, and both our vehicles are in good shape. The truck is 23 years old, and just turned 100k, and the car is 14 years old, and has about 78K on it. I probably average spending about 2 or 3 hundred/yr, on average, to keep them properly serviced....oil, filters, tires, wipers, etc.,etc. When I consider the 10's of thousands it would cost to replace them, it just doesn't seem worthwhile. So long as the engine/transmission, etc. remains in good shape, and I don't see any evidence of rust, new car purchases are Way down on my list of priorities.

Besides, it seems that most new cars put more priority on the Gee Whiz "entertainment" options, than reliability and handling, etc.
 
I agree with Don M. With everything being shut down around here, and nowhere to really go anyway, a new car (or new to me car) is the last thing on my list. I think I have filled my car up with gas twice since March.
 

Funny how we change over the years I remember how excited I was to have my first hoopty and later the smell of my first new car.

These days I would just as soon stay home and let Jeff Bezos bring the world to me.

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My son recently bought a new car. Dealers are practically giving them away. It has all the bells and whistles you could want in a car. He got such a good deal as this pandemic has taken a toll on the car dealers.
 
When we drive around our area, I glance at the car dealer lots, and it seems that most of them are half empty....the dealers are not stocking many new cars, just to have them sitting around gathering dust.

We may get a new compact SUV sometime in the next few months....the car is almost too big for my wife to drive it anymore. I have shopped dozens of vehicles....on line....and for our needs the Honda CRV seems to be the most bang for the buck. However, I'm not in any big hurry.
 
We have a 2006 Honda Accord with 103,000 miles and a 2013 Honda Civic with 48,000 miles. My husband will every so often bring up the idea of a new car. Why? We are the original owners of both cars and have taken excellent care of them. Both the exteriors and interiors of both cars are in great shape having been garage kept. If we truly needed a new car I would be all for it but I would rather spend the money elsewhere.
 
Our 2012 convertible will probably have 30,000 miles on it by the end of the year. At my age I have no expectation of ever replacing it. Perhaps my grandson will like it when I am gone.
 
The reasons I prefer a POC to a new vehicle:

  • If I have a piece of crap it's not nearly as upsetting to me if someone hits it. If I had a new car & someone hit it I'd be freaking out.
  • It's less likely to be stolen. Who the hell wants a clunker that might or might not allow them to get away?
  • Cheaper tags & taxes not to mention vehicle insurance.
  • I go to work & back. That's it. I don't need a brand new car to drive 16 blocks a day.
 
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