How long could they last?

[Mike Nel]

I bought my mom a Ford Fiesta two years ago.

The old bird is turning 65 next year and will retire. She works for George Municipality and is therefor forced to retire. Not that she wants to stay on.

So when you retire, you look at buying a vehicle that could last you along time because you don't want to fork out the money to replace it. She was lucky that I bought her the vehicle but I wont be able to do it again.

Back to the question then, or questions:

1) How long could her Ford Fiesta last her?
2) How long can any small motor vehicle last?
3) Is it unrealistic to think that her vehicle could last up to 20 years if looked after properly?

I must say that I do not have confidence in the newer vehicles lasting much past their warranty dates.

[ThysleRoux]

Mike, any vehicle will last as long as it is properly maintained and not abused. You just have to look at how many 20 year old plus cars are still running all over the place.

My 82 year old mother putters around in a 20 year old Isuzu Frontier. It has it's issues from time to time, but on the whole it's pretty reliable.

[Oppies3800]

They will last until they are broken

[XJ Junkie]

Mike even if the engine does go, it wouldn’t be expensive to fix. The engine would be the least of my worries with a normally aspirated petrol. It’s the rest of the vehicle that’ll fall apart eventually.

[XJ Junkie]

So when you retire, you look at buying a vehicle that could last you along time because you don't want to fork out the money to replace it.

This is why old people buy Honda’s in the UK.

[KurtG]

Keep the Ford and replace it when ( IF )the eventual catastrophe does happen, which is highly unlikely.

In the meantime invest the money that she would spend on a new car now, the returns will be way higher than the cost of financing the new car (or the cash paid, if purchased)

PS - I bought a 2012 Honda this year and I’m only 41.... I’m planning for retirement 22 years before it happens

[BushWacker]

Bought an Opel Corsa 130i new in 1990
and been used nearly every day since.
Did 1 clutch job and changed clutch cable
about 3 times else no problems in 28 odd years.
Goes like a bomb but its like
driving a go-cart compared with Landy 130 ...

[Ricof4e]

If the Fiesta hasn't given your mom any problems to date, I cannot see why you are concerned.

Old people have a tendency to look after a vehicle - Probably the reason why Thys's and Manny's 4x4 have lasted this long.

[ThysleRoux]

Jy speel nou met die leeus se knaters Richicory !!!!

[Mad Manny]

Old people have a tendency to look after a vehicle - Probably the reason why Thys's and Manny's 4x4 have lasted this long.

The SADF really didn't kill enough Owambo's during the war...

[Reenen]

Wat van n Pruis

[ThysleRoux]

Daai P***s-woord is die enigste vloekwoord wat nié op hierdie forum toegelaat ward nie !!!!

[Mike Nel]

So from the replies above I can then assume that my Mom can drive her Fiesta and I can drive my Kuga for a long time still

[ThysleRoux]

The Kuga may self-ignite at some stage

[Mike Nel]

The Kuga may self-ignite at some stage

Deep down I hope that happens. The sooner it burns, the sooner I can get my FJ back