Brand: Keep car or trade it in? - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Q: I own a 2005 Chevy Malibu with 75,000 miles on it. I have kept up with oil changes religiously since buying the car new. However, the Malibu is in great shape for 10 years old and runs like a top. The body and interior rate eight on a scale of 10. Should I buy a new car simply because of the age of the Malibu, or keep the Malibu and give it a major tuneup — change the antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, serpentine belt and the... It has been a great, trouble-free vehicle with the original starter and alternator. This would cover the tow to a repair shop for a failed starter or alternator — not both at the same time unless you have truly angered the automotive gods. Since a failed alternator is more likely to strand you than a no-start failed starter, a brand new alternator installed would run roughly $600, less for a “reman. ” Add to this the fact that there’s no expectation of an alternator or starter failure — “stuff” just happens. It is just as likely the A/C system could fail before the starter or alternator. Nor would I replace a starter or alternator until a problem developed. Should the Malibu be replaced just because it’s 10 years old with 75K miles. The MSRP on an ’05 Malibu was $20K-$25K. Today, that car with those miles is worth about $3,300 in trade, $5,800 retail. Source: www.startribune.com
