# How old a car would you trust **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** outback, subaru\ **Created:** [April 11, 2023, 4:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036 "2023-04-11T04:57:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/21 "2023-04-11T20:10:20Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > Age isn’t the factor. Condition and how it was maintained is far more important. +1 When I traded-in my Outback a few months ago, it was 11 years old, had ~110k on the odometer and it still drove and looked like a new car, due to the care that I took of it. Whoever bought it from the dealership wound-up with a near-flawless vehicle that should have several more good years left–IF they continue to maintain it as well as I did. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 2:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/22 "2023-04-12T02:13:41Z")
My brother’s saving his 2006 Legacy Wagon for the kids to drive in a couple more years, currently it’s the winter driver and is one of the last years of the non-outback wagon with a manula. It’s been maintained by a local Subaru specialist since day one and it will stay with them for as long as it still works. Goes up to the ski resort in the winter where when he worked there it was a nearly 20yr old Jetta on winter tires with over 200k on the odometer. The newest in the fleet of 4 is a 2011 Toyota Sequoia which is the family car bought a couple years ago leaving the Legacy and his 2009 GTI as his daily driver’s split equally between the two cars. ---
**Author:** ![Scrabbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Scrabbler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrabbler)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/23 "2023-04-12T03:28:05Z")
Barkydog, I have zero mechanical ability (don’t even change my own oil) so if anything happens I’m not going to be in front of an auto parts store performing surgery. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/24 "2023-04-12T04:54:35Z")
Roadside service and a motel is plan B. ---
**Author:** ![john.smith0909123\_160324](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@john.smith0909123\_160324](https://community.cartalk.com/u/john.smith0909123_160324)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 10:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/25 "2023-04-12T10:47:41Z")
I think Some cars prior to about 1959 didn’t have seatbelts. Some people thought they would actually trap you in the car in an accident. I would not trust driving at highway speeds without a seatbelt. Also top speed, must be able to reach highway speeds, unless you just drive it “around town”. I think the majority of early 1900s cars couldn’t get to 65 MPH. Single piston designs. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 10:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/26 "2023-04-12T10:49:54Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > Roadside service and a motel is plan B. For road trips. What about at or on the way to/from a remote trailhead without cell service? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 11:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/27 "2023-04-12T11:57:32Z")
> [@john.smith0909123\_160324](#): > > Some cars prior to about 1959 didn’t have seatbelts. Lap belts didn’t become standard equipment in The US until 1965 (or 1966?). Prior to the mandate, some manufacturers offered lap belts as options, but few people ordered them. Shoulder harnesses were mandated as of… I think… 1968. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/28 "2023-04-12T13:36:28Z")
> [@john.smith0909123\_160324](#): > > I think Some cars prior to about 1959 didn’t have seatbelts Did you post to the wrong thread ? and what does early 1900 vehicles have to do with the persons question ? ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/29 "2023-04-12T20:27:04Z")
The title of the thread does state “how old a car” therefore mentioning older cars is appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/30 "2023-04-12T21:33:24Z")
I also own 2 cars, similar vintage and mileage, completely reliable but for a family road trip, no way! No matter how well maintained wear, corrosion stress and fatigue take their toll leading to an unexpected breakdown. And the prospect of my wife and kids hitchhiking down some remote road are chilling to say the least. It sounds like you still enjoy the vehicle so keep it for personal trips and pack a cell phone but for family ventures find something newer. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/31 "2023-04-12T22:43:39Z")
> [@Scrabbler](#): > > Is there a point beyond which you wouldn’t trust a car for a long trip based on mileage/age alone, even if the car was well-maintained and had no obvious issues? Can’t speak to your Subie, but I stopped driving my Corolla on long trips from Calif to Colorado when it reached the 10 year/120 K miles mark. I think it could still make the trip and return ok even now, but at 10 years it seemed best for a car-worry free trip and to reduce miles on the Corolla to rent a car instead. Renting a car for long trips has proved a good value as well, not overly expensive on a per day basis when renting for the entire week. Unlimited miles on most rental cars. ---
**Author:** ![john.smith0909123\_160324](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@john.smith0909123\_160324](https://community.cartalk.com/u/john.smith0909123_160324)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/32 "2023-04-12T23:14:48Z")
Right, I was saying I wouldn’t trust driving a car that was so old it didn’t have a seat belt that went across both the lap and chest. I wouldn’t drive a car that had one that only went across the lap or no seatbelt at all. But if the OP doesn’t mind, you get to the point we’re really really old cars don’t have a top speed high enough to go on the highway. There’s also other safety futures like air bags, or convince items like air conditioning to consider for older cars. I would stay away from cars that are to old were parts are no longer being manufactured for them either. I guess your several more times likely to get seriously injured in an accident without a seatbelt. I’m sure in 80 years from now the cars we are driving today will be considered very unsafe and people won’t want them as daily drivers either. AI driving may get so good at driving that you would be several times more likely to get into accident by manually driving and taking control of a vehicle then having the car simply drive itself, and more likely to get struck by lightening then get into an accident by a self driving car. But we likely have a few more decades before we get to that point. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/33 "2023-04-12T23:34:53Z")
Most of the cars in this show are driven long distances to be here. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/f/6/f6510bb573757510cf974c01f0df570a25b1a466.jpeg "2022 Back to the 50s [Spectacular Car Show] 1950s 1960s classic cars hot rods old cars Samspace81 4K") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC-9Zny8HzI) The fools! 😆 Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/34 "2023-04-13T00:45:50Z")
> [@john.smith0909123\_160324](#): > > Right, I was saying I wouldn’t trust driving a car that was so old it didn’t have a seat belt that went across both the lap and chest. I wouldn’t drive a car that had one that only went across the lap or no seatbelt at all. The person has a 2013 Subaru Outback . How about posting something revalant to his question ? ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2023, 12:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/35 "2023-04-13T12:14:42Z")
Christine was a ‘self repairing car’! Did not watch the entire video, got to the bullet nose Studebaker convertible, I really dislike any **exterior** modifications to bullet noses. Suspension and interior upgrades are fine. A 51 with a 232, I would bring it up to a 259 or 289 with a 4bbl. BTW, my 49 Champion easily cruised at the 65 MPH speed limit. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/36 "2023-04-13T14:17:56Z")
Lack of power steering is only a problem at low speed. My wife’s commuter car that she used o get from home to college had Armstrong steering and she said it wasn’t a problem for her except when parking. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/37 "2023-04-13T20:07:09Z")
Remembering my f150, power steering was out, but drove it probably 20 years. No high pressure hose maybe $450, like going to the gymn for upper body workout! ---
**Author:** ![Scrabbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Scrabbler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrabbler)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2023, 1:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/38 "2023-04-14T01:08:58Z")
Tester, I wouldn’t want to drive one of those cars five feet --not for fear of personal injury but for fear of scratching up a classic ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2023, 1:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/39 "2023-04-14T01:58:48Z")
Cars are meant to be driven, if you can’t enjoy it then you need to be buying art not cars… ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2023, 11:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036/40 "2023-04-14T11:36:41Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > you need to be buying art not cars… Why not both? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/9/d94b4970094731d49fef1d5dd9dbf852b9f66ffd.jpeg) [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-old-a-car-would-you-trust/190036.md?page=3)