Average US vehicle age hits record 11.5 years

Associated Press ^ | Jul 29, 2015 7:29 AM EDT | Dee-Ann Durbin

[Olog-hai]

In the age of Apple’s CarPlay, a lot of cars on the road still have tape decks.

The average vehicle in the U.S. is now a record 11.5 years old, according to consulting firm IHS Automotive, a sign of the increased reliability of today’s vehicles and the lingering impact of the sharp drop in new car sales during the recession.

Drivers behind the wheel of older cars aren’t enjoying some of the latest advanced safety features or infotainment systems that effectively turn cars into cellphones on wheels. Then again, they don’t have to worry about hackers finding their way in to the car’s computer network through the cassette or CD player.

IHS said U.S. registrations grew to a record 257.9 million cars and trucks, up 2 percent from a year earlier. …

[catfish1957]

Not going to pay $30,000 or more for a new car. A good used car will last me for years

When I was a kid, getting 70K miles out of car was about the norm. Everybody's making them better now days. And the stats have reflected that..

[Snickering Hound]

Nobody bragging about their awesome 2003 Aztek?

[RJS1950]

Just finally traded my 99 Ford Escort for a new 2014 Honda Civic. Hoping to drive this one for at least the 16 years my Escort gave me.

[GBA]

I had to replace mine recently, but, unless something amazing hits the market, what I have now are keepers.

Sorta like with moving, there has to be a very compelling reason to get rid of a vehicle, such as being totaled in an accident or rusted out from the winter salted roads.

I'm a maintenance sort of person and tend to be too loyal with people, places and things, even treating vehicles like part of the family.

I don't name them like some in my family do, but ever since that first car in high school, who doesn't make their vehicle their own with stereo upgrades, wheels and tires, suspension and engine upgrades?

And even more stuff if you're driving any sized pickup, such as running boards, sliders, winches, camper shell or tonneau cover, etc. etc. etc. (Toyota Tacomas are made to upgrade!)

Once you get something just right and how you like it to be, why get rid of it?

[ctdonath2]

“Average new car price in 1964 was $3,500. Average new car price in 2014 was $32,000. Even with inflation, that’s a hell of a lot more than twice.”

$3500 in 1964 is, considering inflation, $26,943 in 2015.
That’s not “a he11 of a lot more than twice”.
The $5k difference is probably more to do with expecting CarPlay and a dozen other then-inconceivable accessories as standard components.

[gymbeau]

I can dig it. I drove the new XJ long wheelbase for two weeks in May and it’s a wonderful car. Glad to hear they seem to have gotten the reliability part down pat, finally.

I plan to be buried in my A4 Avant. Well, except that I’ve donated my body to science (undoubtedly I’ll be used as a cautionary tale...).

cheers
Jim

[fredhead]

I have a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. There are a few upgrades I have done:

Bigger engine with dual carburetors
Electric windshield pump (original ran off the spare tire pressure)
Aftermarket wiper switch that gives me delay wipers
Boat bilge fans installed in the heating system to boost output
Front disk brakes

And basically I did a ground up body off restoration a few years back. I love driving it, and drive is every chance I get.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

:: Why would you do that on an old car? ::

I feel you brother but, if I ever get my mitts on a 1964 Impala coupe with a 327 (3-on-the-tree), I’d rather plop down the comprehensive.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

I'm betting he had one of these, too!

[SharpRightTurn]

“Average US vehicle age hits record 11.5 years”—another clear sign of the Obummer recovery, right up there with record numbers of food stamp recipients and more able-bodied people out of the workforce than ever before.

Aided and abetted by a big government Republican near you.

[N. Theknow]

I thought they got rid of that emissions tax scam in CT. Guess it was too good of a revenue stream to let die. Wonder when they will re-toll the Wilbur Cross/Merritt, Hartford bridges and I-95.

Still have tokens from the I-95 tolls. Had a plate for the Wilbur Cross/Merritt(Wallingford, Milford, Greenwich) and tear out tickets for the Hartford bridges.

Tough to be a traveling salesman in the '80's, early '90's in CT.

[IYAS9YAS]

I feel you brother but, if I ever get my mitts on a 1964 Impala coupe with a 327 (3-on-the-tree), I’d rather plop down the comprehensive.

If you do, I recommend going with Haggerty Insurance. If you don't plan on driving it much, and keep it garaged, the rates are quite low for comprehensive.

[IYAS9YAS]

Sorry, it's Hagerty, not Haggerty.

https://www.hagerty.com/

[Bluewater2015]

Lemme guess. You’re driving an older generation Avalon?

[central_va]

V6 Camry with a MANUAL transmission, very rare car. Should last forever.

[jennings2004]

I never dreamed that the smaller engine would be so productive...I failed to mention gas mileage, 32.5 mpg overall and we live in the mountains!

[Charles Martel]

Nobody bragging about their awesome 2003 Aztek?

Heh, the Aztek does have one significant virtue: you couldn't pay anybody to steal one.

Pity GM didn't put that AWD drivetrain behind a turbo V6, in something like the Pontiac G6 sedan. I think one of the GM "skunkworks" teams did piece something like that together - but the bean counters killed it. Had to fund the Volt, ya know.

[minnesota_bound]

In May of 2014 I bought a ‘new’ 2003 Honda Accord 4cyl.
My last car was a 1992 Honda Accord...

I cannot find it in myself to buy a $20,000 or $30,000 or more car or truck. Maybe when I am rich I will splurge.

[minnesota_bound]

#16 (it was made in Alabama)
Does the Honda have the standard Confederate flag painted on the roof : )

[caww]

1999 Ford Escort LX at 263,000 miles and still ticking well.

I have a good mechanic that understands we drive this til it won’t drive anymore. But I don’t risk it on long trips, rent a car. But great for jetting around the city...no concern if I get hit and no chance anyone would steal it...Insurance about $26 a month.