When people see your car and begin to reminisce about the “good old days,” you might think it’s time to either trade-up or move out of the neighborhood, but just because your ride may not be the shiniest sportster on the road and has probably seen better days, if it still gets you where you want to go and the only real problem seems to be what you’re friends think, it may be worth hanging on to especially if you’re strapped for cash or don’t want to take on the burden of monthly payments. On the flip side though, let’s face it – if the city bus gets you to work faster than your car can, The 15 minute Jiffy Lube needs to keep your car for 3 days or your passengers have to hold on to a toggle strap or bungee cord for dear life just to keep the door shut, it’s probably time for something new.

Here are nine surefire ways to know when it’s time to buy a new car:

1. If the repair cost is more than you owe, or more than the car is worth, it’s time to look for a new car unless you really, really like the car you have a lot.

2. If your car refuses to go in reverse or can’t work its’ way up to the required speed limit, it’s probably time to look for a new car. Problems of this kind generally signal the need for a new transmission, which can set you back anywhere from $1,500.00 to $3,000.00.

3. If you’re close to spending your entire paycheck at the pump, it’s time to consider buying a car that gets better gas mileage. Even if gas prices eventually level off, this is still a decision you won’t regret later.

4. When your youngest child no longer fits in the backseat comfortably, it’s time to start looking for something bigger.

5. If you travel often, are prone to getting lost and your GPS system is a road map and a backseat driver, it’s a good time to be thinking about upgrading to something more current – like a new car with OnStar.

6. If you have children, buying a vehicle with the newest safety features may be all the motivation you need to trade up.

7. If the vehicle has been in a flood, it’s time to let it go. There’s no way to get the smell of standing water from the upholstery or carpet once the water recedes, and the cost to replace or repair the mechanicals could run into the thousands.

8. If the floor boards are rusting out, things start to fall off routinely or if your car has been spending more time in the shop than in your driveway, it’s time to move on to something better and more reliable.

9. Black smoke emitting from the tailpipe and/or the smell of exhaust fumes signal something is wrong with the exhaust system. This can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to approximately $1,500.00, depending on the age, make and model of the vehicle. If your car is older and parts are more difficult to find, expect to pay somewhere in the high end range for this repair.

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