Two years ago I ordered an Orange LT1 after 39k miles and never an issue or problem it became time to get a new one. This time it was a berry color LT2 with all the options. What a great car and its cool to only have 150 miles again.

 

why did you trade only after 39 k miles

 

Welcome back Steinywihhr, Did you get the steering wheel buttons this time?

 

Out of warrenty? I'm thinking of trading the HHR in after three years/36,000 at that period of time, the only maintenance that would be done is oil changes.

No money for breaks, tires, air filters, cabin filters etc. I'm seeing that dealer service "repairs" are outragously expensive.

 

Happy 2nd honeymoon with your new HHR

 

I think you'll find that your air filter and cabin filter will need changing within that timeframe. Get them from RockAuto - half the cost of the dealership for the exact same thing.

 

The cabin filter is not the same. The stock replacement from the dealers is a Delphi.

 

With financial logic like this, Its no wonder people get into financial hot water at such young ages,
There is no way any "repairs" will add up to the loss in paying interest and depreciation on TWO cars in 6 years.
If you financed $18,000 for 60 months when new Your payment would be approx $377 a month at 6.5%

You will OWE $8400 at the end of three years.
ACV Trade in may be around $9,500 (if you are lucky)

Then start all over. Another 3 years payments will equal $13,572 on a new HHR

IF you kept the HHR for just 76,000 miles or 6 years you would save $4000 plus the then value of the HHR which may be $5000 for a total of nearly $10,000.

Now what could possibly go wrong with a 75,000 mile well maintained car to have to spend $10,000 plus another addition $1500 interest in service costs?

The $1500 alone can buy a GM Major guard Warranty!

I can understand those who want that new car smell every three years and even those who errantly believe a car payment is a "fact of life" like a house payment or rent.

But to assume there is a financial benefit on any level in selling a car because the warranty is expired is not financially astute in the least.


The longer you keep a car the less expensive it is to drive. I have never owned a used car that cost the equivalent of $350 per month to fix, or keep running....... even on average.. Even after 6 years and 100,000 miles. When I really thought about it I traded or sold out of boredom rather then financial smarts.

Brakes $400
Tires $800 REALLY EXPENSIVE TIRES LOL

Hardly back breakers as compared to a new car loan all over again.

 

The cabin filter from RockAuto is the AC Delco CF125 (52493319) as listed in the owners manual.

 

Paid cash for the HHR, so its free and clear.

The trade in at the three year interval is just a possability. My last car I had for seven years and 100K+ miles, but the last two years had lots of expensive repairs.