Time to trade?

[fjclaus]

I posted a question about a tune-up and someone asked me the milage. That got me thinking. The truck has a tad bit over 99,000 miles on it. Should I start looking to trade it in, or does it still have a lot of life left in it?

['97ventureowner]

Properly maintained, these vehicles can last years with mileages approaching 200,000. Is the vehicle paid off? One has to decide if it's worth trading in and taking on a new monthly payment or an increased monthly payment, or squirrel away some money to cover any needed repairs should you decide to keep the vehicle.Most of the time it is less expensive to maintain an already paid for vehicle than to pay a monthly expense on a newer vehicle.

[paprius4030]

We just did a second tune up on our Venture is just turned 200k

[pastaben]

I just did a tune up on my 99 w/ 105K miles. First since I bought it with 48K. This tune up included new plugs, wires, pcv, fuel filter, air filter, plus rear brakes/cylinders, and low coolant sensor for about $700.

I love my 99 venture. Runs smooth most of the time. Starting to have some rust trouble on rocker panels (so I'm going to keep a closer eye on my wife's 04). Otherwise, for the features, and the excellent mileage, its hard to find something I can afford today with the utility I want. So, I hope to keep mine for awhile (or until it rusts out).

Oh, and by the way...I think a 99 Venture with almost 100K will get almost nothing in a trade, unless you sell it yourself.

[paprius4030]

Pastaben, your like me our 99 Venture is rusting out on the rocker panels also. 2 years ago I had the drivers side fixed and now the passenger side is starting. Keep a close eye out on your 04 like you said. I looked at an 04 last week (I was thinking of replacing ours) and was shocked to see some rust streaks starting in the same spots. So I decieded to keep ours. I wonder if there's something you can spay inside to stop the rust????

[pastaben]

I think if the rust has progressed to the point of you noticing it, its too late. I think w/ these Ventures, its mainly a design thing. I don't do body work, so I just try to keep my cars clean and hope it doesn't rust.

There are some threads on this forum about rust. Just search for it. There are a number of very detailed info on this very rust spot.

Good luck.

['97ventureowner]

Rust on the rocker panels is a big issue , especially if you live in an area that uses salt on the roads in the winter. Here is a link to a thread that another member posted concerning their experience with repairing the rust damage:http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=703221

[fjclaus]

Since i live in Buffalo, NY I get the "Undercoating" whenever I have a car wash done. Problem is I don't know what the guy did when he owned it before me. Plus I have no clue what a rocker panel is or where it is, so I can't say for sure if mine is rusted.

I think I'll just keep a close look at it as a whole. Gotta get a tune up on mine when the taxes come back. I don't think I need brakes, but I know I need 1 tire. Since I use it for work, I need some sort of truck, and right now all we qualify for is a car if we traded it in. Since it's not paid off yet, there is negative equity so I think I'll just take good care of it and see how far I can go.