Autosys: Money-Saving Car Care & Driving Tips
Keeping your car for 250,000 miles can save you $250,000!
You've probably heard that keeping your car for longer can mean some big savings in the long run. But according to Liz Weston, the author of "Deal With Your Debt," keeping your car around for 10 years instead of five can save the typical person close to $250,000 over a lifetime!Weston says you can save such a bundle of cash for three reasons:
- Fewer car payments. Most car loans are paid off in around five years, meaning you're payment free for years 5-10. Repairs and maintenance will almost certainly cost less than payments for a new vehicle. Weston says her repairs over those five years, including a transmission rebuild and valve replacement, averaged about $83 a month.
- Lower insurance costs. In addition to lower premiums for older cars, Weston notes that you can drop collision and comprehensive coverage when your total premium exceeds 10% of the car's value.
- More time to save for the next car. "Every month you can put off replacing a vehicle is another month you can build up a down payment for the next car," writes Weston. Save for long enough and you can pay in cash and forego monthly payments altogether.
Choosing the Right Repair Shop
The following advice should take much of the guesswork out of finding a good repair establishment. Don't just drop your vehicle off at the nearest establishment and hope for the best. That's not choosing a shop, that's merely gambling.
Preliminaries
- Read your owner's manual to become familiar with your vehicle and follow the manufacturer's suggested service schedule.
- Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one; you can make better decisions when you are not rushed or in a panic.
- Ask friends and associates for their recommendations. Even in this high-tech era, old-fashioned word-of-mouth reputation is still valuable.
- Check with your local consumer organization regarding the reputation of the shop in question.
- If possible, arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a facility solely on the basis of location.
At the Shop
- Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
- Professionally run establishments will have a courteous, helpful staff. The service writer should be willing to answer all of your questions.
- Feel free to ask for the names of a few customers. Call them.
- All policies (labor rates, guarantees, methods of payment, etc.) should be posted and/or explained to your satisfaction.
- Ask if the shop customarily handles your vehicle make and model. Some facilities specialize.
- Ask if the shop usually does your type of repair, especially if you need major work.
- Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area: civic and community service awards, membership in the Better Business Bureau, AAA-Approved Auto Repair status, customer service awards.
- Look for evidence of qualified technicians, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and ASE certifications - a national standard of technician competence.
Follow Up
- Keep good records; keep all paperwork.
- Reward good service with repeat business. It is mutually beneficial to you and the shop owner to establish a relationship.
- If the service was not all you expected, don't rush to another shop. Discuss the problem with the service manager or owner. Give the business a chance to resolve the problem. Reputable shops value customer feedback and will make a sincere effort to keep your business.
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