I currently have a 2006 PT Cruiser with 145,700 miles. I have had no problems with the car just regular maintenance. How crucial would you say it is to trade it in for something else? Should I wait for the market to settle a bit?
What do you have lined up?
I have been looking at a mazda 6 2015 with 81k miles for $16k. I have seen some Honda civics but they are around $25k which seems too high for me.
The market may not settle. If you want a change, mazel do it now. If your current car is running well, I’d just keep driving it (you won’t get as much for it as it is worth it to you)
Do you think the PT will last much longer? Or is it worth getting an upgrade to a more reliable brand?
Not really. But you’re playing with proverbial “house money”. What I’m saying is: if you want to change cars and you have the $, then go for it. A Mazda 6 is probably a good car. But your current car has been good to you, and since I doubt you would get much in trade, you’ll save money by keeping on with it until it dies.
Have you already had your PT Cruiser evaluated? How much have you been offered for it?
I have seen some Honda civics but they are around $25k
I haven't gotten that far in the process yet. I did there online evaluation through the dealer and it said $600.
For $600, what the heck, just keep driving it till it drops. Especially since it’s running fine now..
Would it be worth to sell it privately and get $2 - 3k?
You won't be able to replace it for that kind of money. If that's all it's worth run it until it drops.
Given the offer for the PT definitely keep it and drive it until it dies or starts needing expensive repairs which then won't be worth it. But while you do have this PT and it's running do keep an eye for finding a reliable car and buy when you can/find a good deal so you have a back up and you don't end up having to rush into buying a car when the PT dies.
Would it be worth to sell it privately and get $2 - 3k?
It's near impossible to find a decent replacement vehicle even for $2 - $3k. Just drive it until it dies.
2006 PT Cruiser with 145,700 miles. (...) How crucial would you say it is to trade it in
It is right about the right age/millage to consider trading it or buying a new/newer car.
BUT, first you should check what its trade-in value is!
If it's under $3.5k, just keep driving it, or maybe even keep it just as a second car.
Should I wait for the market to settle a bit?
Realize that this is a 16 year old car with millage,
after the market settles it'll probably be worth much less than it does now.
Used prices are high right now so you may get a lot for it -
BUT it's a Chrysler, so maybe it's still not worth much.
So overall I think you should keep it, unless you're planing to buy new.
Decent used cars are currently trending around $10k+ and your one seems to be holding up fine.
So I do not think it's worth $7k just to get a car that's 4-5 years newer and has 30k-50k less miles.
EDIT:
I did there online evaluation through the dealer and it said $600.
Definitely keep it!
it's not worth selling an issue-free car for $600!!!
Considering the crazy prices in the new/used market right now I'd just continue to maintain the PT and wait until the prices drop.
My advice would be to keep it since you know how they say: "they don't make'em like this anymore". The PT has simple mechanics, not too much electronics on it, and as far as you don't need to repair something, the regular maintenance might be cheaper than it would be for a newer car. And to top it all off, the prices for cars of this age aren' t going to go any lower. I have an 04 2.0 n/a PT and if I keep it for a few more years in this condition (only 115k km, no rust,etc) I will probably get more money on it than I would now.
