[quote=FlyerInHi]Flu, $1000 per year includes consumable such as brakes. Much better than car payments.

People don’t expect to do maintenance other than oil changes. So after 4 years they buy a new car and rolll over the debt. That means they end up with car payments all their lives which the auto industry loves.

The term “beater” sounds bad. But nobody needs to drive a “beater” that looks bad and doesn’t run well. Start off with a Corolla at 0% financing and drive it for 25 years. keep it clean and decent looking. That’s very doable.

If you’ve got a well paying job, 25 years is a bit long… but maybe 15 years if you really want to save money.[/quote]

Brakes cost that much? Man you’re either going to the wrong shop, or you have a shop ripping off your customers.

Front pads are like $200 tops every 2-3 years.
Front rotors+ pads are like $400 tops 4-6 years.
Rear pads are like $200 tops ever 4-6 years.
And rear rotors are like 6-8 years out.

Where is this coming out to $1000/year on maintenance? This isn’t a german car we’re talking about.