how often do you trade your car?

For the last five or so years I've been only able to keep a car no more than a year and a half before I trade it on something else. I just bought a MY00 C4 cab last Feb. and I'm already considering trading it again. Is there anyone else out there suffering from this restlessness or am I alone. thanks

I used to be that way but recently quit because I hate giving the state of California tax money every time I buy something. Once I heard that in other states you only have to pay tax on the stepped-up value of the transaction, it irked me. However, I too have not had any of my last 4 cars longer than 1.5 years either. Just got a 745i and after 3 months I wish I had the bigger Li instead - the infant car seat in the back takes up a lot of room. I think that is just our way. Always looking. If you can limit that habit to just cars and not women, you will save a lot of money in the long run

I have bought 4 cars in the last 13 years and I still own 3 of them. That answer your question? I simply hate to trade cars, as you're throwing money down the drain each time you trade a car.

i think the 911 i'll hold onto for longer than i held onto the m3 (6 months) and hopefully i'll hold onto it longer than the s2000 which kept me happy for a while (4-5 yrs). i'm tired of trading in cars as well it's a complete money dumping proposition

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+1 I agree with both points

1986 Mercury Lynx XR3 - 1992 to 1995 1995 Chevy Cav Z24 - 1995 to 2002 2002 Mazda P5 - 2002 to 2004 2003 350Z - 2004 - 2007 2004 Cavalier - 2006 to present 2002 C2 - 2007 to present I'd say I got restless as I started making more money. I'll be trading the Cavalier in for a BMW soon,but think I'll hang onto the PCar for a while.

Not me @38, I've owned 2 others before my current ride and this one will always be with me.

I hate trading cars....got my P for over 2 years and think I am going to keep it....I have to bring my X5 back (end lease) or buy it...probably buy it and keep it for as long as I can.

I tend to trade every two years, however, when the TT arrives, my plan is to hold it for many years. Working my way up to the "keeper".

Have 5 cars currently, but my only keeper is my '62 Bug cabrio because I did the frame-off resto myself. Somehow I don't think a new car can be a keeper.... My A3 Sport will be staying in the flock for a while though since gas is basically $4/gallon now.

Hah, I've had 35+ vehicles in the last 5 years. A couple of motorcycles, a slew of Volvo Turbos (all wagons), Saab Turbo, a few Hondas, a bunch of others, about a dozen BMWs/8 Porsches, from stripped out/caged track car to bone stock and pristine. I even bought back my 2nd Porsche for a Roebling Road track event with Chin Motorsports last year. Total ownership (2nd time around) was 13 days! I had originally owned it 4 years prior for about a year. Yeah, taxes suck. Anyway, just sold my last M3 and looking at either a Corvette or a 996 now. PS: You pay taxes every time you buy a car in N.C. as well. Ahmet -->clearly has issues...

Look at my signature (that's a very partial list), I change cars more often than my underwear...Yes I **** money away on cars, yes it is stupid, yes I should keep them longer..It's still cheaper than drugs, gambling or ex-wives... yada yada yada...I'll still retire cushy, my kids will go to college, etc. etc.. and oh yeah, I always say, "I'm keeping this one"...said that about my 06' M3...3 weeks later, bu bye..

As my mechanic (a guy from Chile) once said: "Cars are like women. You don't get rid of them just because they have a few years on them." Or do you ????

10 years ago I traded cars all the time, and then I realized how much money it was costing me to do so; it's like flushing money down the toilet. I've had the Miata since 2000...that's the longest I've ever owned a car, but I'm keeping my current cars ('cept the Miata) because they're WAY better than some of the other stuff I'd been driving.

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Agreed. I used to run through new cars all the time and it got to the point that the marginal benefits with each new model were just that: marginal. I've had my 911 cab for 3 years now and just love it more than ever. I have to admit that the mod bug has hit me but that just allows me to personalize the car even more and more fully tailor it to me. I think this car could be a lifelong keeper. One of my favorite things as a kid was to visit a friend's house and look at his dad's old Corvette convertible. Man, that thing was a classic and imminently cooler than most of the 'newer' models on the street.

86 944 2001-2007 98 540i 2004-present 94 f-150 2005-present 01 986S 2007-present I had a bunch more 944's but they only stayed a few months. I hope to keep the boxster another 5 years or so then get a 987 (no kids) or 997 (kids)

Only two 911's in the past 7 years.

In the past 12 months I have owned: '05 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution '03 SVT Ford Focus '01 Porsche 996 C4 '08 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution So, yeah, I'm crap with my finances.

In Canada, one method to get around paying taxes is if you do a private-to-private trade where both cars are of similar value. I'm currently contemplating a straight trade for an NSX with another private owner. Neither party would have to pay any taxes. As for the NSX, that's a discussion for a different thread.

I'm too cheap to trade cars in only because I don't want to pay sales tax on each transaction. If it weren't for that I would have traded up to a 2005, 997 by now.

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That's interesting, I wonder do we have that system in place in my area?

Current 996 will never be traded. If i really get the itch it'll go to friend or to another enthusiast.

We lease or purchase. I've traded/sold both of my S4's in the last 3 years - the first with 500 miles (to buy the P-car), and the second with 1200 miles (tranny issues) to buy a new Audi TTR. I think no more S4's in my future. I have no plans to trade or sell the Porsche. Wife's 328xi is gone next March at lease end.

Phil, I'd love to see picks of the Audi TT. I still remember seeing the TT show car before it's introduction at the Chicago Auto Show. Great looking car.

I had my last 911 for ten years. Coming up on ten years w/my Rover. Not into throwing money out the window.

I had my last Audi for 8 years (170,000 miles). I purchased the Boxster new in 2000 and I'll probably never sell it. The 996 will probably become my next race car (when it gets over 100k miles). I keep my cars a looooong time. It's the best way to control depreciation.

Given I've owned some articles of clothing, accessories, shoes, etc., that are 12+ years old, I wouldn't consider myself a fickle owner of anything. Strangely, however, I've yet to keep a car past 6 years (that being my 996). The majority of my cars have been traded in or sold around 3-4 years. Not that I grew tired of them; the family needs just changed for one reason or another. Since my 997 is a want and not a need, I don't see myself tire of it anytime soon. After all, I only traded in my 996 because of the lack of many options I didn't think I wanted, only to realize later they were must-haves. Now that my 997 is fairly loaded, there should be no reason for discontent.

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It will look like this - only with 19" RS4 style wheels and black leather interior since I ordered the S-line package. It's a 3.2L V6 with Quattro and six speed. This pic shows a car with 18"s and the stitched "baseball optic" seats, which I also considered. But, with the nice equipment and more aggressive styling of the S-line, I went with it as it also includes a short shifter - car's fun and should be a wonderful daily driver.

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Looks great!! I can't wait to see pics when you get it (hint...hint Tim put Phil down in your "owes" picture book)

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I will post pics of the TT next to the 4S when it arrives. I can't wait to see the car either! You don't have to warn me about Tim - he scares the crap out of me with his picture fetish.

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Until Phil took up this hatred of S4s he had the habit of trading his cars as often as he drove them... consequently he had lots of cars that got driven once, then sold, but the process took about 5 years to complete.

If I keep a car for more then a year my friends typically ask if something's wrong. Most times I am fortunate enough to make money on the transaction so it works out OK. Looking now for my next 911, C4 cab.

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Who said anything about the process being complete?

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i have a hard time believing this. break it down for us pls to prove your case.

TRADE UP: Yep, I have the bug already! Last year and half - 2004 S2000. Since October 99C2........Stop the maddness! I want a C4 Coupe or TT. 99C2

ive traded a lot but w/ much cheaper cars. im the only one of my friend like this, and thus the most wasteful... im only keeping cars on an average of 2yrs per car... CA sales tax sucks... recently i bought a Lexus GS new in 2005, sold and got the new Denali last year, and now looking to dump it for an 05 997. im gettin married in a month, so i'm trying to sneak in the sports car purchase...

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Check out my sig!

The most effective way for me to trade-up and still make money on the cars is that I tend to get extremely aggressive deals, lease the vehicle, and then get rid of the car on swapalease. since my lease payment is normally several hundred below market lease rates I can normally command a decent down payment from the assuming party. A couple recent examples. 1. Bought an 05 997S (had one of the first non-launch cars in Northeast Ohio) and got a 7% discount with tier 1 lease rates. 9 months later when I put it on swapalease I was able to sell the car and get a check for $4K. 2. Bought the 06 750i in my singature for almost $10K off sticker (dealer demo). The lease payment was around $900 per month and the going rate on a new 750 was around $1,300. The day I bought the car I put it on swapalease looking for a $3,000 down payment and got sold it the next day. I never put any money down on the leases and it helps if you are not emotional about the car you are buying since it allows you to make a killer deal in the first place. Also, living in Northeast Ohio there are certain times of the year that local deals can't sell cars because the weather is terrible. Though they could just as easily use the internet to attract buyers, it's not their strength. My next Pcar will be purhcased and I won't buy it with the intent to sell quickly.