I love my 2009 Ford FG Falcon, from its cushy seats to its smooth inline six. I know I should just be enjoying what I have but I’ve now had it for over two years, the longest I’ve owned a car. As it creeps closer and closer to 200,000km on the odometer, I find myself wondering what I’ll get next. All my instincts tell me to try something fresh and new but, the other day, I thought about returning to something familiar. My question to you is: would you buy a newer version of a car you’ve already owned?
As I write this, I’m tossing up between a 2015-17 Hyundai Genesis, an Infiniti Q70, or a 2014+ Lexus IS – don’t worry about remembering those, I’ll probably change my mind countless times over the next year or two.
One thing about my Falcon is that it lacks many things, at least the kind of things I increasingly find myself wanting. Just to name a few: Bluetooth audio streaming, blind-spot monitoring, a sunroof, heated and ventilated/cooled seats, Android Auto, front parking sensors, and a head-up display. No, I don’t need any of those but, well, they’d be nice. Upgrading to a used luxury sedan like those I’ve mentioned would net me most if not all of those. You know what else would? A VF Holden Calais V.
If you’ll recall, I owned a VE Calais V from 2014-16 and I wasn’t a huge fan. That was mostly down to its uncomfortable ride quality, being an early VE Calais with the firmer FE2 suspension tune. The fact it required an expensive repair sealed its fate for me and I off-loaded it. So why on earth would I want a newer version of the same car?
Well, the VF refresh brought with it a much improved, more premium interior. It also brought with it more features, among them a head-up display and blind-spot monitoring, while ride quality had been improved during the VE’s run.
If you’re wondering why I’m not considering a newer Falcon, the final FG X Falcon merely added a new infotainment system and was otherwise largely the same, right down to the steering wheel buttons that don’t light up at night.
If I was feeling really silly, I could get a Calais with the 6.0 V8 (349 hp, 376 ft-lbs) or a VF II series with the 6.2 V8 (408 hp, 420 ft-lbs). I was never a huge fan of the 3.6 anyway, although it was improved since my 2007 model and mated to a superior transmission. With a V8 Calais in my garage, I’d have perhaps the definitive Aussie car and, sadly, one of the last.
And yet, I still find the idea of buying a newer version of a car I already had just a bit… unadventurous. Sure, I’ve had two Falcons but those were two different series and completely different inside and out. Additionally, I went from a sporty model (XR6) with a manual to a luxury model (G6E) with an auto. It’s nice to figure out what you like but, by the same token, buying a Calais would make that a total of four Aussie sedans in a row if you forget about those nine months I had a Subaru. I feel like it’s time for me to expand my automotive horizons, even if Aussie cars are tremendous bang for your buck.
Does the idea of buying a newer version of the same generation of car/truck appeal to you? Have you ever done it?
I think I would have been better off replacing my 1985 1/2 Escort w/a newer version instead of getting a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron Turbo Coupe. As for replacing my current 2005 Ford Focus, I heard enough horror stories about the transmission in the newer models to dissuade me from getting another one.
Your remark, “No, I don’t need any of those but, well, they’d be nice” sums it up. Today there’s little motivation to replace same for same. Our 2012 Golf mk VI is running strong at 60k miles, and 8 model years later there isn’t much different in the 2020 to draw me into the dealership.
Yes my current car is a A4 Golf also, it’s predecessor was an A2 (86) GTi (well, I guess a Golf GTi)…and the one before that was a ’78 Scirocco…all of them manual, and even the same platform…I’ve owned no other car since 1981, so “yes”…when I find something I like that works for me I tend to stick with it (for almost 39 years so far). The thing for me is that as I’m getting older, the manual is less practical (I live in a big city where shifting is constant, have had injuries where an automatic would have been nice, and no one else in my family drives standard, so my car isn’t universally usable…but I hang onto it mostly to forestall having to get an automatic, which I’m sure I’ll do one of these days.
My Dad was pretty similar before he passed, he owned 2 Chevy Impalas in a row (2000 and 2006, which my Mother now drives)….before that he had 3 Sables in a row (’89, ’94 (leased)..and ’96). Going farther back he had a ’69 Country Squire Wagon and right after a ’73 Country Sedan Wagon…and his first pair was a ’61 Rambler Wagon then a ’63 (my Dad traded cars pretty often, which is very unlike me….I’m only on my 5th car (in 45 years of driving) whereas if I counted both his cars and the ones he bought for my Mother, we’d be in about the 30’s (albeit over his 60 year driving time). I’ll probably never even get to 10 by the time I pass away (unless something changes drastically).
I will say I never owned or driven a Beetle, despite my longtime VW ownership (my Dad had a ’59 and also drove them in the Army)…so I guess I started with the watercooled generation which of course is all they’ve made pretty much shortly after I started driving (well, I guess the Beetle did last into 1980 in the US).
1993 Audi 80, upgrading to 2000 or 2003 Audi A4 next year.
(Keeping the 80 though)
It depends on the basic goodness of the car. If finances permitted I would gladly buy another Mazda5 since it was very well suited to our needs and unique in the US market, although a Transit Connect is close. I’d also consider another Ford Ranger although I’d go for the 1998-2012 generation generation rather than our 93-97 since the regular cab is longer and the 2WD got front A-arms in place of the Twin I-Beam.
On other hand I never want another Saturn S Series or A1 Jetta and I see no reason to replace a perfectly good Mazda CX-5 with another one when the only additions I’d want are bolt on accessories.
I have the newest model of the “old” Ranger–a 2011 (2012 was a brief fleet-only model year)–and prefer it over the current model b/c the size is much more manageable & you can’t get a Regular Cab anymore. Another factor is that the ’09-’11 came STANDARD with a trailer hitch receiver regardless of model or engine choice; now it’s back to being OPTIONAL even though all models have EcoBoost power! The only 2 big things I would want to add to my existing 4-cylinder truck are 4WD (which could be had with the 4-cylinder up to ’97) & amber rear turn signals (which lasted from ’93 to ’99, although the Mazda versions retained amber through their entire production run). Otherwise I like it just the way it currently is–simple trucks like this just aren’t made anymore.
Every other motor vehicle (as in excluding trailers) I’ve owned/currently own is no longer in production (’96 Aerostar, 2005 Astro). Final-year Aerostars (’97) are undoubtedly rare, & the Astro was retired in ’05, so I could only buy newer versions of both in my wildest dreams.
Yes, I have. 1986 Crown Victoria, 1992 Crown Victoria, 2001 Crown Victoria.
I’ve done it one other time, recently, but I’m not talking about it yet.
Ooh, New conversion van ?
😄
No. And not other Crown Vic, either. I can’t disclose everything. 🙂
Shafer bought a Town Car?!? 🤔😂
Me, too, and me, neither… (c:
This isn’t exactly what was asked in this QOTD, but I’ve recently been pining for another late-edition Fox-platform Mustang LX 5.0 hatchback like the 2.3L I had once owned. But, of course – with the V8 this time.
Not quite the same but after my ’87 ALFA Milano was hit head on and totaled I bought another. Then when I T-Boned a clown who didn’t stop I got a third. Sure loved those cars.
I’ve had several generations of Accords, consecutive Chrysler minivans, and I am looking to supplant my ’03 Avalon with a newer model. In case it ever breaks…
Which it doesn’t…
I always fear that the “magic” won’t be there if I buy a second car of the same model. I know people who’ve done it and been disappointed. The closest I came was a ’76 SWB Tradesman 100 van with a slant 6 one-barrel and three on the tree after having a ’77 LWB Tradesman 200 slant 6 two barrel automatic. I was happy with the second one because the it was closer to my ideal, being a manual.
Let’s see…
Same car? 1980 Mercury Capri RS turbo, 1985 Mercury Capri RS 5.0L and a 1986 Mercury Capri 5.0L Sport Coupe. 1986 and 1987 Yugo GVs. 2001 Pontiac Aztek,
2004 Pontiac Aztek Rally (Orange) and 2004 Pontiac Aztek Rally (Silver).
Same platform? GM Epsilon bodies: 2006 Chevy Malibu Maxx, 2009 Pontiac G6 Sport Sedan of my own, plus children’s 2007 Saturn Aura XR, 2009 Pontiac G6 GT and 2016 Chevy Malibu LS. GM J-bodies: 1997 Chevy Cavalier and 1995 Pontiac Sunfire GT, along with child’s 2004 Pontiac Sunfire SE1. If you count my 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette, it’s actually a U-body along with my Azteks…
I would love to buy a 2019 Pontiac G6, but alas, no longer possible. I can go for the current Epsilon 2 Malibu, but I’m a bit leery of the 1.5 turbo and the CVT. I would probably go for a 2016 through 2018 Malibu, though.
The older I get, the more I want familiarity and dependability. For some things, I can upgrade my current car(s) with aftermarket accessories, but not quite to the content level of the new cars. OTOH, I’m not all that enamored with all of the new stuff on cars either. And even after having experienced them, quite a few of them I feel I can live without.
But, at 10 years and 150K miles, the ol’ Poncho keeps on truckin’, along with the Oldsmo-minivan, so I will continue to enjoy my motoring in the past into the future.
Geo, I’m not sure I would trust the stop/start feature either. Although it’s pretty seamless, I would be afraid of premature wear on many of the systems that make this.
Not sure. I suppose I could go down to my local Chevrolet/GEO dealer and have a look at the new 2020 Prizm…
Yes. 1993 and 2000 GMT400 series Chevy pickups. 2000 was the last model year for that generation of truck.
I would also replace the Honda Fit with another one.
Yes, after driving it for 4 years we traded our 2010 Kia Soul for a 2015 model, and drove it until this past summer. Great little cars for what we needed at the time. Sold it and bought a Subaru BRZ because I’m old and you only go around once.
Yes, I have owned newer and older versions of the same generation car in the past. The most was the 77-90 GM B-bodies. I owned 5 different 77-90 GM B-bodies, and they went from older to newer and sometimes back to old versions. I really like those cars, and they were cheap and plentiful on the used car market for some time. I would buy another again too, if I found the right one (and I build that second garage). I’d also buy another ’72 Chevelle, and a dentside Ford truck (although Dad actually owned the truck not me).
As for my current daily drivers, if I had to replace both today, I would without hesitation buy a newer version of my Tundra. I would be strongly tempted by a F-150 with a 2.7 EB (those things have great power and awesome fuel fconomy), but I love the simplicity and reliability of my Yota. Plus, as nice a that 2.7 EB is, it’s doesn’t sing like a naturally aspirated V8. Actually, if it wasn’t for rust killing cars, I’d be okay with driving this truck forever.
As for the our Outback, I probably would not replace it with another. It’s been a decent car so far, but I have had a bad taste due to a warranty issue and Subaru’s sub par customer service. Although I still plan on keeping it for a while yet, I will likely look at replacing it with a Rav4 Hybrid when the time comes. I really prefer a wagon over an SUV/CUV, but the new Outback has less cargo room and less fuel economy – two strikes for me. Of all the modern cars we’ve owned, I have been the most satisfied with Toyota. They are boring, but they are well built and pretty bullet proof when it comes to reliability – which is pretty the top of my daily driver requirement list.
Absolutely.
20 years ago I replaced a ’91 Aerostar with a ’93.
My last 3 cars have been a pair of Olds 98s & a Buick LeSabre.
After the demise of my current Ford Escape (not imminent), I will go going offshore, to the east.
Yes, if it’s either a worthwhile upgrade or the original one was very good. I’ve even bought basically the same car again but in a different form factor (sedan to wagon). If you like it, buy it, it can always be sold again.
I would, but those cars aren’t made anymore (Concorde, Intrepid). I am seriously considering a Charger or 300 as a DD once I relieve my 2013 200 of that duty, but I would definitely buy a modern day LH new and off the lot — something I normally don’t do — if FCA suddenly decided to produce it.
Hint hint, if Tesla ever goes through serious enough trouble that they go under, FCA should purchase them. The Model S could very well be a remolded LH, just underpin the great drivetrain that is the 3.6/ZF RWD (an EV LH would be too expensive and just weird) and do some changes to Chryslerify/Dodgify the interior and exterior. Plus, they could take the EV technology and apply it to other cars. The gullwing Model X could be a premium CUV that FCA so desperately needs for their Chrysler division.
Just yesterday I saw an Eagle Tsi (?).when I came out of a donut shop that I frequent. A very basic looking car (no hubcaps). But I have often thought that the LH was a good looking car, the colors they painted them though, made them look like they were made entirely of plastic.
Yes I’ve bought the same vehicle a number of times, sometimes newer, sometimes the same year, and sometimes an older version.
Most recently it was another 2013 C-Max Energi with about 1/2 the miles of the 2013 C-Max that it replaced. The big difference is the Energi is an SEL as they all were in that year with all of the few options you could add to the SEL while the other was a former fleet SE w/o any options at all. My wife loved the old one but by MIL needed a different car and I didn’t like the fact that is was a SE w/o any goodies. Note the first one was purchased because my wife’s previous car was wrecked and this one went cheap at the auction.
I’ve had several;
E-150s and a E-250 79 E250, 79, 82, 87, 09
F-series 50 F1, 79 F250, 83 F350, 06 F250, 02 F150
Panthers, 92 CV, 93 GM, 92 CV, 02 GM, 03 Marauder 300a, 03 CVPI (daughter’s) 05 CVPI, 05 CVPI, 03 Marauder 300b.
Oh I forgot a 1973 Scout II and a 1972 Scout II but technically they aren’t the same model since the 72 is a Travel Top and the 73 is a Cab Top. So one is a pickup and the other a Wagon.
I take your question to be quite narrow, as you (correctly) don’t regard ownership of a BA Falc and then an FG as answering it. I’ve owned strings of model names that are linked – including Falcons – but aren’t actually the same car.
With one exception.
I’d once had a sweet, if fast-decaying, early 1980 Peugeot 505 manual, and thought it was just the knees of the bees. Years later, due to circumstances entirely within my control, I ended up with a super-clean, undecayed seven-years newer 505 injected 3-speed auto. In every way, it was an inferior device, and a mistake. Unresponsive, silly-slow, quite thirsty, a creaky Legoland dashboard so ’80’s it practically had shoulder pads and a worse ride on lower suspension. Its only claim for refuge from the wreckers was that it could not be killed, and to spite the bastard, I DID try. A storm got it in the end – teehee, it didn’t see THAT coming.
So my answer, albeit arising jaundiced from ill-judgement on my part, is a resounding “No”.
They say that the past is another country, and you can never go back.
Having tried it, I can attest that they are right.
Ok its not an upgrade in fact its older than all but one Ive owned but I’m on my 8th series 3 or 3 A,B or C Audax Hillman some were badged differently Ive had a Singer Gazelle Commer Cob several Humber 80s but Ive had the current one seemingly forever it turns 60 by date of first registration/sale in December the day I plan to pay the licence fee so it can drive legally again, so yes Ive already bought the same car again several times when I count them.
Very interesting. I once owned a Minx 3C for a coupe of years because I like its styling so much. Also, like the old-fashioned-ness about it – bench seat in front, sterring column change. Had two friends who both owned a Mk1 Humber Sceptre (I prefereed the Minx). In the end I decided it was not for me as a daily car because I could do with a bit more power. Still, lovely cars and good luck with yours.
My favorite car is the Acura Legend, I’ve owned some ~75 odd cars in the 12 years I’ve been driving and fell in love with a 1993 Legend sedan in 2011. Ten of the cars in the years since have been Legends and RLs of the same and succeeding generations. The 2005 AWD RL is hands down the most sophisticated vehicle I’ve ever driven. My heart holds dear though, the 6 speed 1994 Legend Coupe I foolishly wrecked… I remember thinking I’d found my dream car and just had to keep it safe until I reached retirement someday.
I wouldn’t get another Camry (my first car) though there was nothing really wrong with it, until it swallowed a large puddle.
I would get another Mitsubishi Lancer in a heartbeat though, my 2009 was a fantastic combination of power, economy, handling, and reliability (except the ABS module which is a known issue).
My current 2007 Hyundai Getz has a lot less power, and uses more fuel, but it’s such a lovely overgrown go kart of a thing I will definitely be owning more Getzes (Getzi?)
A newer version of my 2004 Focus ZTS. Very difficult to say if the 2018 Focus 5 spd. with 2.3L engine would be any better than my 2004 version. However, based on the probability that mine has less computerization, I would stick with the 2004 since it is clearly proven itself.
For most of the cars I owned there was no real newer version. Before 2000, I only drove classics.
Citroen 2CV – no newer version. Hillman Imp – no successor. Triumph Herald – its successor was a very different car.
Triumph 2000 Mk2 – its successor for me was a 2000 Mk1 (the other way around) which I still own and like more than its newer version.
I chose a TR4 as a fun car because I preferred it to its newer versions (TR6, TR7), still have it.
After 2000, I have owned a (1991) First Gen Subaru Legacy. Choose a (2001) Third Gen Outback as its successor but I preferred the Legacy.
Now I have a Jaguar X-type for which there is no newer version. Well maybe the XE but that is not available as an Estate.
I have no clue what will be the next car after the X-type. There are not much modern cars I like.
1982 Metro 1.0 to a 1987 Metro 1.3 with 5 doors and the revised interior. Both rusted
1990 Renault 19 1.4GTS to a 1993 Renault 19 RN1.4i – accident induced early change as they say. Different headlights, power steering and fuel injection were the big differences
2001 (Euro) Focus Mk1 1.6LX to 2006 (Euro) Focus Mk2 1.6LX ….
so I guess the answer is yes.
I’ve gone both ways. Bought a 2001 Miata, then a 1995 Miata, then a 2019 Miata. Given that Mazda seems to understand what the Miata is philosophically about, I have no doubt that when it comes time to replace the 2019 I’d be happy with another Miata if it’s still around.
Same for my 2015 3, although I’d want to see how the new “diesel cycle” engine behaves before making a decision (which won’t be anytime yet) about a purchase.
Well, given the vintage I pretty much bought the same car over again – not much changed in five years here. ’94 and ’99. Already knew how to work on it and didn’t need to buy a new shop manual. I bough them used.
I actually like the front end of the older Bonneville. The 92-95 models have an attractive front end. The 96-99 look too Oldsmobile like with that front end
I have owned a 4th, 5th, and 6th generation Honda, so obviously yes…however, would I buy a new Civic? Not necessarily. For me, buying a newer version of the same car comes down to the pleasure I get from owning, modifying, and driving a car.
My desire for what features my next car possesses (?).has stayed the same for about 25 years: cruise control, ABS, a useable trunk, and (hopefully) a decent sound system. Which goes a long way to explaining why my current car is 10 years old.
Newer version of the same car is a bit ambiguous, but I’ll bite. In the case of our migration from a white w/black interior New Beetle 1.8T to a similar colors Golf VII with the updated version of the same powertrain, we came pretty close. Although some may consider these very different cars culturally, the Golf is a cheaper and more practical version of the Beetle, not to mention hugely improved, which was the transition we wanted.
A few other notes. Unlike Sam who commented above, I’d seriously consider moving from my 2016 Tacoma to a 2012 (2nd gen) Tacoma. Functionally very similar, but “lower tech” and perhaps more satisfying and practical to own for a long time than the more refined and economical 3rd gen Tacoma. If we had a greater need for an AWD car, I’d consider a Subaru Crosstrek or Outback, but ironically probably wouldn’t consider a new Forester, despite owning one for 10 years. Come to think of it, I’d consider the AWD Prius, and we did own a FWD Prius for 100K miles as well. Also briefly considered in the past, I had been intrigued by the Monaro GTO, perhaps a spiritual successor to my ‘81 TransAm, as well as the 100 Series Land Cruiser, years after we sold our 80 Series. But those were brief infatuations.
I have done it backwards
I went from a 2005 Lesabre(big turd) to a 1997 Lesabre(a great car)
I also went from a 2008 Taurus to a 2006 Taurus to a 2003 Sable
I had the opposite affect when it comes to LeSabres. The 97 I had came with a transmission shudder, handled like the Queen Mary and the dash was terrible. The 3800 was also rather noisy.
The 2000 redesign was a whole different car and felt so much more solid, handled light years better, still had a beautiful ride, the 3800 was noticeably quieter and it even got better mileage despite being a few LBS heavier. The only issue I ever had with the 2000 was one rear window regulator that took less that a half hour to replace. The rest of the car was bulletproof and dead reliable with well over 100k miles on the clock.
Several times:
2004 Focus when my 2000 model got rear-ended.
1992 Jaguar XJ8 and 2006 XJ8.
2003, 2010 and current 2016 Mustang convertibles.
Already done it: between 1976 and 2005 I was smitten with the Mercedes coupe, acquiring in succession a 1974 280C, a 1983 300CD, a 1991 300CE, and a 1999 320CLK. Wouldn’t do it again, though, spent a fortune on these indulgences.
I would, however, absolutely buy another Thunderbird, although my current 2003 is still going strong with still only 17K miles on it. But if a new version with an automatic convertible hard top came out, I’d be first in line!
I had a ’73 AMC Hornet hatchback for a few years in college; it got totaled in an accident. After a handful of cheap drives (Pontiac Lemans, GMC van, Ford Pinto), a few years later I bought another ’73 Hornet hatchback that lasted a few years with me and then my brother.
Of the new cars I’ve bought, I’d get another Isuzu Trooper if they had been updated and modernized. I really love my ’01 LS; most comfortable seats and I like its just-right proportions – roomy, but not too long or wide.
I already have:
Old car
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/910/qrsyQx.jpg
New Car:
Had a 2005 Ford Escape with V6. Put 220k miles and enjoyed each mile. Only gave up because the tin worm was progressing rapidly (NY state road salt) and A/C gave out just before I returned to the Deep South to retire.
Replaced with 2012 Escape with V6. Interior is a case study in hard plastic, electric steering has no feedback at all, transmission has become iffy at 117k miles. Ford took the fun out of the vehicle to appeal to a broader mass market.
Not too excited about the latest edition Escape that looks like a guppy.
A new Camry to replace my 2007? No way. The current generation of Toyota/Lexus are way too butt ugly.
I’d replace 2003 Park Avenue with a new one if they were still made.
I’m on my fourth Impala and loving it very much. Was looking forward to a mid cycle refresh that was supposed to happen for 2020 but GM decided to abandon most of it’s sedan segment like Ford and Chrysler so that is out of the question. Seriously considering a Regal hatch or wagon if they are still making them for my next ride but we will see.