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Car Talk: When choosing between Camrys, let comfort drive your decision

Dear Car Talk: I need your advice. We have two cars: a 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid with 9,200 miles, and a 2020 Toyota Sienna with 1,900 miles.

My husband can no longer drive. I am 78 and will probably not put more than 5,000 miles a year on a car. I prefer the Camry. What should I do? Keep the Camry and sell the van or sell both and get a new Camry? — Dee

There’s an argument for keeping the Camry and selling the van, Dee. And there’s an argument for selling both and getting a new Camry.

Here’s why you might want to keep the 2017 Camry. First, you like it. You’re comfortable driving it, which counts for a lot. You’re used to the controls and how everything works. And it’s pretty up-to-date in terms of safety systems, including automatic emergency braking.

Plus, it’s got less than 10,000 miles on it. You’re 78, and planning to drive 5,000 miles a year. That means by the time you’re 95, Dee, you’ll only have 95,000 miles on the car. These Camrys, when well-maintained, can easily go 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

Now, the argument for selling them both and getting a new Camry now is that it’s easier to learn a new car at 78 than it is at 88. And if, for whatever reason, you do need a new car at some point, it becomes harder, as you get older, to master the new tech and touch-screen controls of newer cars.

So, the argument for getting a new Camry now is that you’ll have a car that’s eight years newer, which should be completely trouble-free for as long as you need a car. It’ll have some updated safety features, and you’ll be able to get comfortable with it now, while you still have a complete set of marbles.

My suggestion would be to go drive a new Camry. See how you feel driving it and operating it. If you like it, feel at ease behind the wheel, and don’t feel overwhelmed by the controls, sell both cars and buy one.

But, with either a new Camry or your current Camry, I think you’ll likely be set for life, Dee. So don’t stress about it. Let your own comfort behind the wheel guide you.

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