Lately, my YouTube feed has been full of new car reviews. How did this happen? I must have Googled a new car or watched a video of the car. Ah…I think I got it. Last month, I complained that a new car cost too much, and one reader commented that a new Chevy Trax sells for about $25,000. I looked it up and the AI masters concluded that I must be craving a new car. This is fairly accurate.
Our car is pretty old, but it’s still going strong. However, a newer car would be nice. Entertainment and safety technology have improved dramatically over the past 14 years. We are also richer now than the last time we bought a car. We can buy a nicer car this time. Should I trade my perfectly running car for a nicer car?
Our reliable car
Currently, we only have one car – our beloved 2010 Mazda 5. We purchased this car in 2010 after our BMW Z3 broke down. The RB40 lady was pregnant so we needed a more practical car anyway. We paid about $17,500 for this minivan and it has served us faithfully ever since.
The Mazda 5 was perfect for us when the RB40Jr was born. It had enough space for a stroller, baby seat, and many other baby essentials. It has 3 rows of seats which is very useful when I need to drive a few extra kids. There is enough space to bring everything for camping and road trips. We drove it up and down the West Coast and took it to Yellowstone. We made a lot of good memories with this car.
The Mazda 5 has good interior space and isn’t too large outside. We live in the city and park on a busy street, so the smaller space is a good thing. It was hassle free as well.
Repair and maintenance
We don’t drive the car much, so the mileage is still low for a 14 year old car. It only has 80,000 miles on the odometer. I change the oil every six months and follow the maintenance schedule strictly. However, there was one thing I missed…
The manual called for new spark plugs every 75,000 miles. However, we don’t drive like other families, and it took us 14 years to get there. Last week, I finally took the Mazda 5 to the dealer to have the spark plugs and serpentine belt changed. I knew the spark plugs could seize up after that long and the dealer would be better equipped to handle it.
Unfortunately, the bolt holding the valve cover was seized. They broke the valve cover when they tried to remove it. Ugh! The dealer had to order a new valve cover. This increased the repair bill by $900. There goes my tax refund. However, they were able to change the spark plugs and belt without any further problems.
Mazda 5 runs great again. Previously, it had little idle at stop lights.
Car maintenance advice Car owners must change spark plugs every 75,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. Don’t wait 14 years to change spark plugs like I did.
Extended driving test
I requested a loan while my car was in the shop and they loaned me a new Mazda CX-30. It was a small sport utility vehicle. The new car was beautiful. It had a leather-trimmed interior and many new features such as a start/stop button, a rearview camera, blind spot detection, and an infotainment screen. The extra power was great too. Mrs. RB40 liked it very much.
However, I missed the Mazda 5 and I’m very happy to have it back. The interior is old school economy car, but I like it. Everything is simpler and less distracting. I also like having a little more interior space. If I got a new SUV, I’d probably opt for something a little larger than the CX-30.
While at the dealership, I checked out a new MX-5 Miata convertible. It was awesome. I’m not a big guy so I sit perfectly in the driver’s seat. This is the car I want. However, it is not practical at the moment. We need a car with more seating while the RB40Jr is still small. I could buy it as a second car, but that doesn’t make sense either. We park on the street and all the cars are full of scratches and dings. I don’t want to put a shiny new car out there.
Finally, the Pacific Northwest has short summers. A convertible is not the best option here. The Miata will have to wait until we move to California after the RB40Jr graduates from high school.
Well, you probably guessed from the start that I wouldn’t get a new car while my Mazda 5 is still going strong. It works great now with new spark plugs. A better car might be nice, but I’m still too cheap to replace something that works perfectly. Moreover, the Mazda 5 has served us well for 14 years. I hate getting rid of it. It is a great vehicle for a small family. I just hope it lasts another 5 years without any major problems. As soon as the RB40Jr is out of the house, I bring out the Miata. Heh heh.
What about you? When can you trade in your old reliable car?
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