Due to the struggling economy, most drivers are holding on to their cars longer than ever before. In fact, a recent survey conducted by DriverSide.com found that around 82 percent of people are planning on keeping their rides longer.

While there are a number of ways to extend the life of your car through regular maintenance and upkeep, sometimes you have to know when its reached its limit. According to Jacksonville's WJXT, there are a few tell-tale signs that it may be time to get behind the wheel of a new or used car.

Among the most distressing signs your ride may be on its last legs is that it's burning through oil. There are a few easy ways to tell if you have this problem but if you notice that your car is using up a lot of oil (about a quarter a week) and there's no puddle underneath it in your driveway or garage you have a problem.

"The oil is just burning it up because the engine is tired and it's not tight anymore," industry expert Mark Larsen told the news channel. "It could be the rings or the valve seals could be so hard that they just can't hold the oil anymore. It tends to be expensive [to fix]."

Any significant transmission problems may mean it's time to get a different car as well. According to the news source, a typical transmission replacement can cost you anywhere from $2,500 to $3,000, so if you notice your car slipping when it shifts gears it might mean you need a new ride.

New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide selection of cars available at affordable prices to anybody looking to replace their worn out model.