I have a 1999 Chevy Tahoe. I'm not getting rid of here, no matter how many times my kids tell me they are embarassed and I need a new car like all the other "mothers". :) They can have the monthly car payments -- I'm fine with none. Besides, I love my tahoe!

Oil changes, tire rotations, State Inspections is usually all you need. With the newer cars and trucks and computers that run them, they tell a sadder story. <><

Jesus "walked" everywhere he went.

It's true that regular maintenance on a known good vehicle is better than a car payment on a brand-new one. I've had my 2001 small SUV for a bit over 5 years and it is just about paid off and it's still running great. I plan to drive it at least few more years. That isn't because of the economy, that's just how I am about cars. If I made lots of money I might go for a new vehicle every few years, but I live and work in Waco which means I make big ticket items last as long as I can.

Still have my first truck that I bought 14 years ago. Bought my 07 Chevy 2 years ago, although would like to sell it to buy an older model and not have a payment. After buying a new car 4 years ago and only keeping it 2 years, I will never buy new again.

We've had one vehicle for 40 (yes, forty) years and the other vehicle for 23 years. Buy new? No, we prefer real steel to fiberglass.

Driving 2007 model I bought new. It is the last new one I will ever buy, and I won't even be buying a used one anytime soon. Costs too much now, and I can't afford it any longer.

Vehicle I'm in right now is a 2001. Very doubtful I'll ever buy anything brand new again. Last new car I bought was an 84 Volvo. Kept it until '98 and then gave it to my daughter. The only way to come out on cars is just drive 'em 'til the wheels fall off. It's really nice to go 8 or 10 years with no car payments. Y'all should try it. Regular oil change is the key.

I bought my F-150 in 2004. It still runs great. I've had about $2,000 in repairs including new tires, spark plugs, oil changes etc. I plan on keeping it a few more years if I can get away with less than $500 a quarter in repairs.