Hi Scotty,
I've always bought used cars like you. My 2008 Honda Accord 4 cylinder has 170,000 miles and 2010 Ford Edge AWD has 100,000 miles. I change all fluids myself but go to mechanics for mechanical stuff. Both cars paid for. The Honda burns 1 quart in 1000 miles and needs new catalytic converter. The Edge has no problems. I live in Wisconsin now. How long should I keep these running cars? How much should I invest in them per year? Shocks, front suspension parts can be expensive.
Keep them both until the wheels fall off. You’re making money every month by not having a car payment.
@satter
Absolutely! My insurance is $100 for both cars for me and wife with $500 deductible. Best car is one that is paid for.
Honestly, it's better to get rid of both cars. Ford is going to start to falling apart and the Honda will continue to run but will drink oil all the way to 300k+ miles lol
I would try a piston soak for the accord, search up marvel mystery piston soak for 8th gen accord.
@mrrangerzr1
Ford Edges are known to last over 300,000 miles if taken care of. You recommend I sell the Edge for $7,000 and buy another?
I've tried the piston soak 3 times on the Accord but no relief. And you recommend sell the Accord too and I may get $5,000 for it but what do I get for it?
I don't know if I agree 100%. Finding and paying for 2 good used cars? That takes a lot of effort and pays for a LOT of repairs. I'd get an aftermarket cat and wait until you have another major engine or trans repair.
@glen_stet
I likes this suggestion.
Run them until you have a engine or transmission failure. Then it makes sense to replace a vehicle. In the meantime, keep up with the predictive and preventative maintenance.
@heyinway
Got it. I change all fluids myself: engine oil, transmission, brake, power steering, radiator, PTU and RDU.
I would keep both the Edge and Accord but not put any significant money (>$1k) into either one. Drive 'em both into the ground. Suspension work can be expensive unless you can do the work yourself but often (not always) you can put off replacing things (like shocks) for quite a while. Ball joints, tie rod ends, and things that make the car safe to drive should be replaced as needed though. As far as the oil burning goes in the Honda, that's probably going to get worse but maybe only gradually if you're lucky.
@roscoe
I'm currently doing all the things you've suggested. Both cars have original shocks and I don't want to invest more than $1000 in each. I have gotten tie rod ends and drive shafts replaced.
I mean usually the Honda is more reliable but during those years both Toyota and Honda had a lot of oil burning issues. The Edge has the water pump issue so I think it will start to become a problem at like 120k miles or so. I would use the accord untill something major happens (1000$+ to fix). Like the transmission goes out or brakes start to become expensive (typical with 08 accords). I would get rid of the ford if you can get any money for it if it's worth nothing then just use it untill it dies.
@kerem-umut-kerem
I religiously change the engine coolant and oil on the Edge, therefore water pump can go 300,000 or even more.
The Honda transmission won't go since I change oil every 7,000-10,000 miles. It's silky smooth.
sell the ford. honda will last. just pull the head off and change pistons and pcv valve. take it to a mech it could be an easy job. you could also see if any good used engines out there too
Until the engine or trani or major rot issues appear, drive the wheels off them.
