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Top 10 New Cars Owners Keep the Longest

When in the market for a new car, one consideration is how long will it last. According to ISeeCars.com, the overall average age of vehicles on the road today is around 8.4 years. Because cars are better built now than in the past, that same report says 11.8 years is not an unreasonable time to keep a …

When in the market for a new car, one consideration is how long will it last. According to ISeeCars.com, the overall average age of vehicles on the road today is around 8.4 years. Because cars are better built now than in the past, that same report says 11.8 years is not an unreasonable time to keep a car. Based on the latest ISeeCars.com study, we now have a better idea of what cars owners keep the longest.

Please note, however, that five of these cars are sports cars. One of the main reasons sports cars are kept longer than normal is that owners may not use them for daily driving. Instead, they often choose to drive them only on special occasions. SUVs come in second for average length of ownership, with four of them being on the list.

Here is the list of the 10 new cars owners drive the longest.

10. Toyota Avalon

The Avalon is Toyota’s largest sedan, upstaging the Camry with extra space and a higher price. The standard V6 engine offers quick acceleration, as well as 25 mpg combined. It is also available in a less powerful hybrid variant that gets 43 mpg. With a starting price tag of $36,600, the Avalon provides near-luxury at a reasonable cost. The average number of years owned is 9.7 years.    

9. Toyota Sequoia

The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV that shares a platform with the Tundra pickup truck. Starting at $51, 230, the Sequoia has a 381-hp V8 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It comes in either rear- or four-wheel drive and has seating for seven passengers. Owners keep the Sequoia an average of 9.9 years.

 8. Porsche 911

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The two-door, four-passenger, rear-wheel-drive Porsche 911 has a sticker price of $114,000. It has a 3.0-liter turbocharged flat-6 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s also the default sports car to buy for anyone who wants something decently comfortable and reliable for around $100,000. Average time kept by owners is 9.9 years.

7. Toyota 4Runner

Kept by owners for an average of 10 years, the Toyota 4Runner features a 4.0-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. The 4Runner, which has been around since 1983, and it has a base price tag of $37,140. But while other SUVs have switched to a crossover platform, the 4Runner is still body-on-frame. That’s earned it a 10-year loyalty average.

6. Ford Mustang

First introduced in 1964, the Ford Mustang is one of the most recognizable cars on the road. Starting at $26,395 for the standard 310-hp turbocharged four-cylinder version, it is also available with several V8-powered versions. Owners keep the Mustang a full 10 years on average. 

5. Ford Expedition

As a large SUV with third-row seating, the Ford Expedition begins at $53,525. It has a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 , a 10-speed automatic transmission, and rear- or all-wheel drive. Average time of ownership is 10.1 years. 

4. Audi TT

Starting at $45,895, the Audi TT is kept by owners an average of 10.2 years.  The TT is available in both a coupe and a soft-top convertible. Your move, mid-engine Audi R8.

3. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class currently comes in two versions: the SL 450, which starts at $90,145, and the SL550, which starts at $114,545. The SL 450 has a turbo V6, while the SL 550 has a turbocharged V8. Owners keep this car for an average of 10.3 years.

2. Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette may be the ultimate weekend car.  Kept by owners for an average of 10.5 years, it starts at $56, 995.  That includes a 455-hp V8 under the hood, something few sports cars offer for less than $60,000.

1. Toyota Land Cruiser

Coming in first for the car kept the longest is the Toyota Land Cruiser. Kept on average for 11.4 years, this ultra-durable SUV’s 5.7-liter V8 engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, and full-time four-wheel-drive offers serious off-roading capability. But despite its Toyota badge, the Land Cruiser starts at $86,490.