Just factor a rental into the repair estimates. But as I said, it has been very reliable. It has had unexpected repairs only once in 13 years. Everything else could be scheduled.
You had originally suggested 2 years.
Notice that, in your example, the value of the car only shows up as reducing the net cost of buying the new one. It really has no effect on the fix or replace question.
A couple of other points. One is that $5,000 Explorer is only going to be 3 or
4 years newer than my $1,500 Explorer. You're going be back on the high maintenance curve before you've broken even.Another is that you only do essential maintenance (including essential preventative maintenance) on cars of this age. Once you have been presented with a $750 repair estimate, the value of the car declines by $750 until you fix it. The alternative is to foist it off on some unsuspecting buyer.
-- Doug
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