Question: If the deciding factor is whether or not your parents will be happy… Tell them to buy the new car!
It’s worth a shot!

My philosophy is that its never time to replace a car – especially if it is running well. My last two Toyotas both had over 230,000 miles. A 1990 Jimmy, which had terrible problems the first 50,000 miles (covered by warranty), also ran fine up to 225,000. Just change the oil alot – and use synthetic oil.
My present car – make will go nameless – has 100,000 miles after 3.5 years. It still looks, rides, and feels brand new. No major mechanical issues. Predicting 275,000.
Door handles broke off both doors. Floor boards gone. Frame broke on both sides, and repaired by welding angle iron to them. Temperature and fuel gauge stopped working. Turn signal switch cancle mechanism doesn’t work. Front fenders flap in the breeze. More rust then paint. Gas tank leaks.
But it is more reliable than most new cars I know. I has (or at least could have) gotten me to work every day for the past 5 years.
I’ll get rid of it when it becomes unreliable. But for now I’d bet $100 that it would start on the first full engine revolution, even though it is near 0 degrees outside.
If you don’t mind a monthly payment, keep a new car. They are nicer, but they cost a lot of money. On the other hand, I get bumped into a couple times a year, and I don’t lose any sleep over it.
My wife has a 1999 Saturn. We take my truck when the roads get bad.

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