My 17 year old van

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

I took my 2000 Chevrolet Venture van in to get a face lift today. I bought the car new in 2000. It only has 48,000 miles on it. I love the way it handles and drives. It has nice big windows so easy to see out of.... and no bells or whistles....like the new cars today have. Just a BASIC CAR. That is why I I love it so! The interior and exterior are still really nice. It has never been in an accident. I do not drive it much anymore other than a trip to the grocery store or to the dentist. Thus the low mileage.

I had had everything fixed that needed fixing or looking at. Things just wear out over the years. .I had new Brakes, a tuneup, new water pump, new power steering pump, filters, new battery, an oil change, and more. It all came to $4600. Seems like a lot, but, I really have not put much out money wise into the car over the years other than oil changes tires, one tuneup and such. With such low mileage I should get at least another 10 years out of it I would hope. I know the blue book value of the car is less than what I spent on it today. But, I think it was a good investment, and I could not buy such a nice car for the money I spent getting the van a face lift.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@SeaMaiden I have one almost as good as yours. I got it new in 2003, a Saturn Vue SUV which now has 53,000 on it. I hit a deer when it was only 3 months old and did $6000. in damage which was nicely fixed but now the paint on the damaged side is starting to flake off so I suppose I'll have to have it painted. It always starts and runs well. That's all I ask.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

@SeaMaiden The value of something cannot always be assigned a dollar amount. If the van means something to you your investment was more emotional than monetary!! That is priceless.

I hope you get to enjoy your van for many more years!!

MickD · ‎03-10-2010

@SeaMaiden Wow, that's great! My DH had a 1998 Toyota 4Runner that lasted forever, but he sold it last year for a newer model. I have 2001 BMW that needs a few things done and we need to decide if we want to keep her or not.....we really get attached to our vehicles, don't we?

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.... ~ S & G

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

My daughter and her husband take really good care of their cars (i.e. oil change, etc). They have Toyotas and the Acura that was mine.

The Toyotas have over 300,000 miles on them! They recently sold one of them for $4,000, it was a 1994 Camry that she got when she started college!

If you take care of cars (she put a water pump on my old car) that will run for a very long time.

My sisters never change the oil or do anything to the car. They've run more cars into the ground than I care to think about.

Good for you. That's the way people used to treat cars "in the old days". Ha!

Natasha218 · ‎07-23-2017

As long as you're happy. That's all that counts.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@SeaMaiden

We keep cars a very long time as well. When you love what you have, and are comfortable driving it, it only makes sense to keep it.

Andrewsgrandma · ‎03-16-2010

I have a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It only has 140,000 miles. It's our spare vehicle. I love it. It needs a new paint job and some cosmetic fix ups. It's such a joy to drive. Dollar value is probably low but we should be able to get many,many more miles out of it. Hubby keeps it running smooth. I told hubby that I want to restore the exterior. I'm willing to spend the money because it's such a good looking vehicle with a lot of life still in it. No fancy interior, no fancy cup holders but it's just such a workhorse and fun to drive. V8 engine which is fast and fun.

software · ‎06-08-2016

That's a great story to share. When you take the $4600 divided by all those years of faithful service, anyone would be happy.

Unfortunately for me, I drive at least 20,000 miles per year. I'm driving a 2005 Camry with 270,000 miles on it, never been in the shop except for oil change, tires, normal maintenance.

I'm looking to purchase a new car this year, I'll retire next spring and bye-bye to 20,000 miles per year! This next purchase will be my last.

@SeaMaiden wrote:
I took my 2000 Chevrolet Venture van in to get a face lift today. I bought the car new in 2000. It only has 48,000 miles on it. I love the way it handles and drives. It has nice big windows so easy to see out of.... and no bells or whistles....like the new cars today have. Just a BASIC CAR. That is why I I love it so! The interior and exterior are still really nice. It has never been in an accident. I do not drive it much anymore other than a trip to the grocery store or to the dentist. Thus the low mileage.

I had had everything fixed that needed fixing or looking at. Things just wear out over the years. .I had new Brakes, a tuneup, new water pump, new power steering pump, filters, new battery, an oil change, and more. It all came to $4600. Seems like a lot, but, I really have not put much out money wise into the car over the years other than oil changes tires, one tuneup and such. With such low mileage I should get at least another 10 years out of it I would hope. I know the blue book value of the car is less than what I spent on it today. But, I think it was a good investment, and I could not buy such a nice car for the money I spent getting the van a face lift.