When was the last time you replaced these fluids or done these maintenance items?
Fluids: CVT, front/rear diff, brake, engine oil, coolant
Other items: PCV valve/hose, throttle body cleaned, MAF cleaned, engine/cabin air filters.

 

Brakes were done last year, oil changes are on schedule with air filters, I am assuming radiator fluid was done when they replaced the hose last month. The differentials were done before I moved here.

Probably never MAF, PVC, or throttle body. I am pretty sure I did the CVT at my old dealer, been meaning to call them.

Should I plan on doing those prophylactically?

 

I have recently been thinking about “modern” vehicles and I have come to the conclusion that I do not think I could ever own any vehicle made between 2019 to 2022.

The reason I have concluded this is due to the fact that there seem to be so many “strange” problems in all makes and models in this year range. Typically the problems are with all the “bells and whistles” (cockpit control units, various sensors for things such as reverse braking etc). While these are not “key” systems they still are integrated vehicle systems and I just don’t think the vehicles in this range of years will be around when they are 15 or 20 years old.

The vehicles since 2023 seem to be much more reliable and therefore I think I will be waiting to get one of those year models in the future.

Getting back to the original topic I think you should keep the vehicle you have and continue to keep it well maintained. In the future if/when you need and can afford a newer vehicle consider getting a 2023 or newer vehicle.

As far as Hybrids go, with the type of use you describe I would be choosing a vehicle without a lot of newer technology (hybrid/EV) as that will ultimately make the vehicle more reliable in remote locations.

Seagrass

 

I have recently been thinking about “modern” vehicles and I have come to the conclusion that I do not think I could ever own any vehicle made between 2019 to 2022.

The reason I have concluded this is due to the fact that there seem to be so many “strange” problems in all makes and models in this year range. Typically the problems are with all the “bells and whistles” (cockpit control units, various sensors for things such as reverse braking etc). While these are not “key” systems they still are integrated vehicle systems and I just don’t think the vehicles in this range of years will be around when they are 15 or 20 years old.

The vehicles since 2023 seem to be much more reliable and therefore I think I will be waiting to get one of those year models in the future.

Getting back to the original topic I think you should keep the vehicle you have and continue to keep it well maintained. In the future if/when you need and can afford a newer vehicle consider getting a 2023 or newer vehicle.

As far as Hybrids go, with the type of use you describe I would be choosing a vehicle without a lot of newer technology (hybrid/EV) as that will ultimately make the vehicle more reliable in remote locations.

Seagrass

I have similar concerns about new tech that is not vetted. Aside from the radio being a little wonky sometimes, the eyesight has worked very well.

I will probably keep it unless I hit the lottery. Some days that percentage is 50-50. I love getting new cars. I would hate to not have that experience again

 

If you really need more space when camping, which I find hard to imagine but that's me, you could get a cargo topper. With my Yakima 16 I've done long weekend camping trips with 4 adults on board. Rooftop tents seem to have too many downsides to me unless maybe I'm camping in the Austrailian Outback.

 

I agree that a rooftop tent is not ideal for me. I would always need help installing it and in the summer it would have to stay up there. That would preclude an evening float on the kayak without getting out the trailer. I do that often after work in the summer. Sometimes the boat stays up there for weeks.

I don't mind sleeping in the back but sometimes I like to trail angel on the Pacific Crest Trail and would be nice not to have to move stuff when giving rides to through hikers.

The best solution is probably a custom mattress or platform in the back for sleeping because the uneven surface is hard on my old back.
Thanks!

 

While I am also thinking of retirement, I'm actually nowhere near retirement. I just like to dream about it.

I recently bought a lower-mileage 2015 3.6R Limited and love the car so much that I might make it my forever car. For me, it checks all the boxes. Deliciously smooth low-end torque, good enough MPG, great towing manners, plenty of passing power, early tech Eyesight features without the car trying to make decisions for me, still has some buttons instead of 100% touchscreen, reliability of a harmonically-balanced non-interference engine, built-in roof rack if I ever need it, massive interior cargo capabilities, and it's fun to drive. You will never find a vehicle that is perfect at everything, but this car does everything better than I need it to.

If you really love the car, and it checks all the boxes for your retirement, it could be worth keeping. I'm thinking about getting a salvage parts car with low mileage and stripping all the expensive parts, so I have discontinued factory parts when you can no longer buy them. However, if I didn't have mechanical skills and didn't want/need more power, I would probably opt for a basic 4-cylinder Honda. They run forever if you maintain them, and they are easy to repair, but they are boring.

 

I have loved my Hondas. We always bought them for our teens. I have considered an Odyssey for this idea but they are ugly. 😂

 

The dilemma is:

If this is my forever car, then should I put it on a plan to really keep it forever, up until I can no longer drive, which could be 25 years given my genetics;

Or, trade for a newer, more techy, more camping friendly (i.e. bigger) vehicle while I am still working.

You've touched on something that has become a factor in car purchasing: vehicle technology. More to the point, the technology that the driver and passenger(s) interact with.

The problem is that the older the car gets, the more dated that technology becomes, and it does not age gracefully. All it takes is one mid-generation decision to install a screen across the entire dashboard and suddenly last year's model looks primitive by comparison.

The point I'm getting at is that you may want to consider how much of a factor you want tech to be in a purchasing decision. Like you said, you potentially have 25-plus driving years ahead of you. Do you want to be looking at the same displays 25 years from now, or enjoying driving the vehicle?

 

Do you want to be looking at the same displays 25 years from now, or enjoying driving the vehicle?

Those aren't necessarily mutually exclusive ideas....

 

Just a different angle:
If I got it right, your car is almost ten years old with more than 200k miles? There is no significant economic value in it. On the other hand, now it runs well and fits your current needs, as well as the anticipated needs for the next couple of years.

I think it makes no sense to sell it now / buy a different car now. I would keep it as long as it works reliably and fits my needs. I would maintain it reasonably, but I would not burn money preventively on a car with this little (financial and sentimental) value.
When the car is no longer reliable, you still can trade it in later, without economic repercussions, and maybe your needs might have changed by then.

 

That's a good thought but in my HCOL area where it snows in winter it is still worth around $10k. I don't find that insignificant, but it is more financially sound to keep the bird in the hand until it's dead.