What do you guys think? I've got a '98 Camry with more than 180K miles on it, still runs like a top, but there's a target on the side of it that only deer can see.

Kelly Blue Book says it's worth $1,920 trade in, $3,600 private seller. The collision (extra insurance that doesn't include deer coverage - that's in comprehensive) insurance will cost me $166 for the year. But that covers my car if I slide on ice, etc. I've got a $500 deductible. The insurance agent suggested I keep the coverage until after the winter. I'd like to see if I can keep this thing running to 300K miles.

That means if I have much of an accident, they will probably total it, and I'll get about $3,000. For $166 insurance premium. But then I will be without my dependable car and back to square 1.

What would YOU do?

I've got an '88 Camry with a little over 80,000 miles on it.

Kelly lists private sale about $1,000, trade-in value around $800 (last I checked).

I still maintain full coverage including collision and comprehensive. I think I pay around $160-$180 for that privilege.

But then, I'm probably stupid doing this.

80,000 miles on it? That's like a brand new car!

Do you have the option of staying home when it snows or gets icy? If not, what kind of roads do you have to travel and how far, and how good are you generally at maintaining control in the snow and ice?

I would say if you can afford another good used car if something happens then drop the INS. But if it's going to strap you it might be best to keep it.

DH's car: 1998 Honda Civic, 160,000 miles
My car: 1997 Ford Escort, 140,000 miles

We plan on driving them until they won't drive no more.

We have neither collision nor comprehensive... just the bare bones of what we need to have.

Our thoughts: It makes more sense financially to save the money we would be spending on insurance for a new car, versus spending the insurance money for something that *might* happen.

Of course, his commute is just 15 miles away, and I work from home. We do a lot of weekend driving because of socializing, but our cars are probably on the road less than the average couple's. And, if we HAD to, and something happened to one of our cars, we could buy me an ol' beater to drive around until we could afford something better since I don't have to commute to work.

My advice: Do the math to figure out what works for you.

we've always had "back up" cars for "just in case". I don't know what we'd do without them.Sometimes carrying all the frills just ain't worth it. If it still runs real good,why would you want to give that up for the "unknown"?I mean aren't those things just getting "broke in" around that mileage? Do you want to out guess Fate? You might be able to go years before anything major happens.Me,myself would keep what I have. This dilemma is a toss a coin kind I think.

















And stop hitting those deer or I'm telling their mothers!

I think somebody beat you to it! The insurance agent told me this morning that they received 5 deer claims yesterday. I know they're moving around now - it seems like they're standing on the side of the road just waiting for a car to come along. Yet the guys all complain there's none in the fields.....

I would drop the collision and comprehensive if I were you....

The chances of hitting a deer are slim, IMO!

I have a 95 Previa with 196K miles. I also am shooting for a 300K minimum before I say goodbye to the vehicle.

I keep both liability and comprehensive/collision coverage on mine. High deductible on liability, low deductible on comprehensive.

A few months ago a deer ran smack into the side of my van and all I had to pay for the body work was my (lower) deductible.

It ended up being a $2,900 repair!

I was a happy camper when it was all said and done.

Well, the deer coverage is part of the insurance I HAVE to have, so that's not the deciding factor.

However, PennDot was spreading ashes or salt from Cowan's Gap all the way to Route 30 in Fort Loudon this morning because we had a coating of snow on the roads this morning at 5:30. The guy in front of me hit that curve going around the lake just a bit fast, and ditched his car. His front fender now has a crease where there shouldn't be one. I think I'm going to keep the fancy coverage until Spring, at least.

Thanx for sharing your thoughts folks!

Whoa, thats quite high regarding the deer coverage. I think you should not risk using you're camry on winter till its over. And shop around for insurannce in that way you can comapre rates and policies. I checked on the net found it to be easier to go online when shopping for insurance. The place I went to is http://www.insurancepaylite.com they were able to give a quote that was acceptable to me in the speediest time. Anyways hope this helps you.

Note: Yes this is an old thread, just to benefit the readers of this great forum who are or might be in the same situation as sheash.

i own a 95 ford f-250 pick up, i droped the insurance on it last year, at hopewell roadmy wife got sideswiped by a tractor and trailer on monday, the trucker got away, my ins, agent put it through uninsured moterist , its in the shop now getting fixed,