Few things are as bad as repeated car repairs

Since I don't want a new car payment, I've been continuing to drive my 2016 Ford Focus. It's been a good car but three weeks ago it started falling apart. Three trips to the shop, 30 hours of OT work, and over a thousand dollars later she's running as good as ever (knock on wood). I hate car problems.

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ElwoodBlues · M

Yeah, once you start paying 1 or 2 thousand a year in repairs, it's a sign that trade-in time is near.

The sweet spot for you might be a not-very-old used car. We've gotten a two cars that way over the years. One we think was a repo, very well kept; the other might have been a dealer's loaner, 1 year old low mileage.

Also, the rental car companies are essentially in the business of manufacturing used cars. They have many nice sedans with not bad mileage and reasonable prices.