Vehicle Safety Versus No Car Payment

Today, the average age of a vehicle on the roads in the United States is 11.5 year old, according to IHS Automotive. The average age of cars and trucks has risen steadily since IHS Automotive began tracking it in 2002.

While it’s nice to not have a car payment, owners of older vehicles are trading off the advanced safety features as well as increased gas mileage available in today’s new models. A new car or truck sold today is estimated to have a 6.5 year length of ownership before the owner trades it in; during that length of time, many industry advancements happen in the automotive industry.

For example, models like the Dodge Charger and Challenger now have available Blind Spot Monitoring to assist in safer lane changes. If a vehicle is detected in the blind spot zone, a warning icon illuminates on the exterior side mirror and a driver-selectable audible chime sounds.

At Melloy Dodge, our Dodge and Ram models also have available Rear Cross Path Detection to help you back out more confidently. When you shift into reverse, the sensors scan for people, vehicles and objects crossing your path and alert you with a lighted icon and driver-selectable audible chime.

There’s no rule for how long to own a vehicle, and many older models can easily go 200,000 miles or more. But older vehicles are missing two key safety features introduced in the last decade: electronic stability control and side curtain air bags.

Other models, like the 2015 Dodge Durango, are loaded with the latest technology for safety and comfort. The Durango offers 60 standard and available safety features, including Available Adaptive Cruise Control which automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you.

The Dodge Dart, a great model for a family or first-time buyer, starts at under $20,000. Yet it includes 10 standard air bags, and available features like the rear back-up camera, blind spot monitoring and rain-sensing wipers. The Dart also gets up to 41 mpg on the highway, saving you money at the gas pump when compared to older, less fuel-efficient models.

For those considering if it’s time to purchase a new car or truck or continue driving your current (and possibly paid off) model, do take into consideration the advancements in safety and fuel-efficiency in today’s new vehicles. If we can show you some of the included features in Dodge or Ram trucks, stop by Melloy Dodge on Coors, just north of Paseo del Norte in Albuquerque.