3 Signs You Should Upgrade Your Car
One thing you can never avoid is the need to upgrade your vehicle at some point. Even vehicles from the most reliable and noteworthy brands eventually have an expiration date.
You may know the explicit signs that you need to upgrade your vehicle, such as when it breaks down completely. However, it is generally not advisable to wait until it gets to that point. It just might stop running at the most inopportune time, such as when you are on the highway at night.
So, you need to determine the most suitable time for an upgrade is, which in some instances will be unique and personal to you. Below are three key indicators that you need to upgrade your vehicle. Save yourself money, time, and headaches by not holding on to the old one
3 Key Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Vehicle
The brand and look of a vehicle are always important aspects and can determine quality sometimes. Still, they are not a guarantee that you will get a reliable vehicle to stick with you for many years to come. That’s why you need to look beyond aesthetics and consider both your current and future situation.
1. Reliability
The reliability of your current vehicle is the number one concern to keep in mind when determining whether or not you need to upgrade it. Suppose it stops working or stops having smooth operations (e.g., understeer or heat and air conditioning aren’t working properly). In such a situation, it’s of little use for you to keep on holding to the vehicle since it will just slow you down.
You should also not forget about technology when thinking about reliability. Car technology advances at a rapid pace each year and significant changes occur every two to three years. Today, cars have advanced features such as GPS and Bluetooth and some of the technologies are actually required to pass environmental emissions tests.
If your vehicle is 20 years old or even older, you will probably need to spend extra money to get these technologies installed to pass such tests. To make matters worse, depending on your car’s model, you might not even be able to install such advanced technologies. Furthermore, with the advances in car technology, it is now safer than ever to upgrade your vehicle.
Many older vehicle models lack the latest safety features, such as a rear-view camera, side airbags, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Ensuring that your vehicle has the essential technical features will give you peace of mind.
2. Maintenance Costs
If your vehicle frequently breaks down, such as more than twice a year, then it is time to upgrade it. This refers to the major breakdowns that require costly repairs in the thousands. In this case, determine the value of your vehicle.
Is it worth more than the repairs you would have to invest in to use it within a year? If repairs exceed more than what the car is actually worth, plus what is needed to buy a newer and more reliable vehicle, you should consider upgrading and spare yourself the frustration.
3. Space and Storage
If you plan to have your vehicle for several years, consider your lifestyle along with how it is likely to change during that period. You might currently be a student without much to carry around, but in five years, you may have a business or family that requires you to transport a lot of stuff.
Whatever the case, if your vehicle does not fit your current life or the life you are working toward, it may be time for an upgrade. It is simply better to look ahead and prepare so that you can find the right vehicle for you.