Well folks, the time has come to buy a new car. After buying eight cars in the first ten years out of college because of my early hearing loss, I’m now seriously considering this idea. All I want is to drive the same car forever to save time, trouble, and money.
However, my 2015 Range Rover Sport, which I purchased in December 2016 with only 10,600 miles on it, is starting to have one of many problems. Yes, yes, I know. The Rovers of the world are disappointed with the maintenance problems. But at least I had a good nine-year run, right? I think so.
The average monthly cost of owning the car, including all maintenance, comes out to $555. That sounds reasonable for what it is and how much I enjoyed driving it. I don’t regret spending $60,000 after taxes on a car nine years ago. So part of me wants to be another luxury car in the next 10 years.
Changing cars every 10 years is my ideal ownership cycle. With constant advancements in safety and technology, the decade feels almost right.
Recent problem with my car
One day the Check Engine light came on again. I ended up spending $600 to replace the oxygen sensor and oil gasket. Oil pulling was obvious in my driveway.
At the same time, I started getting a “low battery” warning every other day. Huh? I was already spending ~$500 to replace the main battery in 2024, after eight years of use. It should last another five years, at least.
So I drove around hoping again. Then, one morning, before driving my kids to Father’s Day tennis and swimming camp, I got the most delayed message yet:
“Warning, the program will close in 1 minute.”
Wtf?
Instead of pulling out of the driveway and risking a road closure, I just sat there idling for a few minutes. Nothing happened. But the warning caught me. I felt like I was in a rocket ship, ready to explode.
Total cost to fix so far: $1,115
When I got back to my car home, they found the small auxiliary battery dead. This is the battery that controls the Auto Start-Stop function, the sensors in the wheels, the trunk, and other electronics.
What upset me was that in 2024 I had told them directly that there was two batteries will be replaced. They said they only got one. Ah, the linside of saving money and don’t go to a country rover specialist. But boy, does the dealer charge a premium. In addition, the store was not a quick distance from home.
All in all, I spent $1,115 replacing the auxiliary battery and repairing the oxygen sensor and oil gasket. Totally manageable, if these were the only issues of the past year it has been one year and 10 months since I last visited the ship. Unfortunately, one potential problem remains: an evap air leak.
To fix or not to fix
The mechanic said he wasn’t sure if he could replace the oil gasket completely and solve the leak, because the oil was visible on the top and bottom of the engine. They recommended calling for a month and came back for a free check. If the oil is still boiling, I would need a technician to remove the transmission or similar. Performance alone: over $3,000.
And if it was ripe for oil at that time, it was advised -I Spending another $1,000+ to fix the evap leak. At that stage I might be looking at $5,000 in work on a ten-year-old car that costs less than $20,000.
I can continue to drive the car easily with a small oil leak and air leak for another year, but it’s not good. Finally, I will need to pass the smog check in two years, and if the Evap leak is not fixed, the car will not pass.
Care less about comfort or appearance In the car
As a Dad now, my number one will be safe. Reliability is part of safety. I once owned a classic 1989 BMW 635 CSI that completely shut down as I was driving in the best parking lot. Brakes, power, engine – all died at the same time. I will not repeat it.
Since I value my time more than anything these days, I want a very reliable car. My mechanic is nearby, so I just walk home after dropping the car off after dropping the kids off at school. But doing this year is getting old. It’s been three years in a row that something has to be fixed.
After trust and security, there- I will look at performance and appearance. I bought a 2016 range rover sport because it looks great and can drive in Tahoe in the winter without putting chains on. But now might be the time to say goodbye.
While I think the new range rover sports great and comes with a bumper-to-mile-to-bumper-to-bumperration-to-bumper warranty, spending $110,000 without this model feels egregious for unemployed drug-dealing parents.
If one of us is working on making a big tech making $1+ million a year or starting an AI atractup like Opelai, spending six figures on a car would seem reasonable. But for us, we will have to sell some cash bonds to pay us. Our cash flow doesn’t allow for such a purchase under my 1/10 rule for buying cars, and I can stick to my financial independence rules.
Most reliable cars: Toyota, Honda, and Tesla
Research shows that the most reliable brands are Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, and Tesla. European cars look good, but they eat your wallet alive.
And Tesla has the best ev technology and less maintenance as there are fewer parts and no fluids. Full drive is offered, though it’s an extra $8,000 if you don’t get the model x. Still, the tesla model 3 or model y sounds like a reasonable choice, and the prices are reasonable.
The downside is that TESLA designs are getting long in the tooth and need to be updated. Also, the $7,500 instant credit disappeared at the end of October 2025. The good news is Tesla offers incentives: $6,500 credit for one renewal of $2000.
Funny thing? My house already has a tesla fast charger built into it. Plus, I got over 21 solar panels on the roof. Charging was usually free during the day.
So the most obvious replacement for my 2015 Range Sport looks to be the $48,000 door tesla model. A three-year lease with zero down is $650 per month. WHAT DO YOU THINK? It would feel good to use some of the features of my house.
We also love hondas
Since I can’t care less about European luxury cars, Toyota and Honda are looking attractive again. I had a Honda Civic back in 2002-2003, and loved it. But as a 25-year-old finance worker in San Francisco, I ended up looking for something nice, so I upgraded to a BMW M3 and later a Land Rover II acquisition.
Wow, the Honda Civic Civic looks great. The social economy runs about $28,000 before taxes and fees, about $31,000 out the door. It sounds like criticism from the public, but these cars are very reliable. My only concern? Safety. A small car may not hold back in a collision.
That’s why I also see the Honda CR-V Sport. Clean design, Roomy interior, AWD for Tahoe Trips, about $38,000. It’s not bad, but the interior feels cheap compared to my Range Rover.
Toyota could be the winner
Then I looked at the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus GX 550, which is basically a luxury country cruiser for a few thousand dollars more. Prices run $72,000-$80,000 %% tax, feel bad. Perhaps the Toyota 4-Runner is a better car, priced at around $51,000.
The Sport Civic and Cr-V are not compact and reliable, and they do not appear. With my Range Rover Sport, I occasionally felt a little shy in the early years, as it drew attention. Now, ten years later, I don’t feel that way. In fact, it’s cheaper than most new people, corollas, cameras, and compatibility.
More worries of the year, less desire to buy
The funny thing is that I could easily negotiate a lower price from any dealer, especially at the end of the year. But I don’t feel like I spent my 20s buying and selling cars for fun.
Honestly, all I want is to pay another $1,300 or so to fix the evap leak and have the range rover plan for another two years. The car has 66,500 miles. My kids can kick the chairs all they want. Door Wings? Good. Bruises? No problem.
There is something peaceful about driving an old car without worrying about damaging it. But I’m not sure the Range Rover’s problems will abate. I have already replaced the vacuum pump, water pump, PCV valve, both batteries, oil gasket, oxygen sensor, and more. And new issues have arisen.
Help me make a decision My next car
Pretend you’re me: a 48-year-old father of two young children in San Francisco. He cares about safety and reliability above all else. My annual mileage is about 6 500. I don’t work and fly basic economy. But you have $360,000 a year in income after 26 years of saving and investing that almost covers your after-tax expenses. Finally, you can buy or rent for your small business.
Which car can you buy or rent?
- Sticking with an economy or midsize car? Model Y, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, TOYOTA 4-Runner
- YOLO and get a luxury car again? Range Rover Sport, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus GX 550, Rivian RS1
- Or just continue to fix the 2015 Range Rover for $1,100-$3,000 a year, hope it doesn’t crash, drive it into the ground?
My original intention was to keep the car until my son learns to drive in 2031 at the age of 203. If he dies, there is no big money. But I doubt the car will last long without expensive repairs. And if we move to Hawaii in 2029, I would hate to cover the car with a car only to sell it quickly after.
Please share what you are working on and what you would recommend. What kind of car do you drive, how much does it cost, and is it reliable? Thank you!
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