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Sometimes you want to keep your car forever, but mostly not.
- An aging car will usually send signals that it's time to start thinking about a new set of wheels.
- Signs range from weird noises to escalating repair expenses to outdated technology.
- While it's possible to keep a well-maintained modern car running for hundreds of thousands of miles, sometimes it makes better sense to say goodbye and start fresh.
Modern cars can, if treated well, run almost forever. Hitting 100,000 miles is nothing these days, and some motorists have rolled over a million.
That said, even well-maintained vehicles can send signals that it's time to think about buying a new car (or a new used car).
Read more: 21 cars that won't let you down and are worth splurging on.
Often, these signs are subtle - your car whispers rather than shouts. For the first few years of ownership, a new car is under warranty, and the manufacturer will repair major problems.
But once you get past 50,000 miles, unless you purchase an extended warranty, you're often on your own. That means listening to your car and studying its changes in mood.
The daily diagnostics will provide valuable clues and help you decide when it's time to say goodbye to your old car and hello to a new set of wheels.