Is it already time to get rid of it?

Life is good, but it would be much better if our vehicles would warn us when breath-ceasing repair declares or inescapable deputizing lays in wait at the other side of the corner.

People in general need help to recognize it's time to dispose of their ride - be it an absolutely new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, a five-years-old Toyota Tacoma, or thirteen-years-old Chrysler LeBaron replaceable.

So, here we present five wise steps to help you make a not easy but satisfactory settlement.

1. Check your lifestyle reality.

Ask yourself, "Is what I'm driving really serving my current necessities?"

Mazda Miata might have made you the King of Cool when you were by yourself. But when you began to add little princes and princesses to your palace, that kind of car became rather unpractical. It's time to get a larger carriage.

2. Check your economic reality

Make certain you have a car you can afford. Embrace everything, not only the monthly auto loan payment. Count the price of maintenance and insurance, divided to a monthly average, and don't forget to include the terrorizing fuel prices and you'll see that auto loan payment isn't the biggest hole in your personal budget.

3. Pay attention to the effect of "Gut-Wrench-In-Its-Presence".

If you only think of driving your auto menaces to double you end up in pain, rid yourself of it. Seriously, if you hate your car and have no practical necessities that outbid your problem-solving, then trade it in or sell it. For real, life is too short.

4. Be careful with the "My Mechanic Knows My Credit Card Number by Heart" syndrome.

If your vehicle has been repaired three times during the past year - even reasonable repairs - it's not a normal auto to drive.

For those who own older autos, the rule to follow is: in case you have to make three repairs during any period of a year, add it up to the value of the car's resale, abate your losses and escape.

5. Watch with special attention for the two features of big trouble.

Take in account: blue smoke means bad news. That smoke out the eduction pipe means your oil burns, which probably means you will have to change your engine. Not cheap at all.