OT: Amateurs…How not to save money in this recession…

[drboom]

As a former mobile electronics installer, I’ve seen just about every kind of DIY nightmare you can imagine. I’ve also seen a lot of “professional” nightmares: car audio installers are usually just one step up the auto shop evolutionary ladder from the Bondo slingers at body shops. I used to refer to one local shop (long since closed) as The Old Spaghetti Factory after seeing one too many of their alarm installs.

There’s a lot of truth to the article: if you have the slightest doubt about your mechanical ability, leave it to the pros. Myself, I have a ’05 Scion and maintenance doesn’t scare me a bit. Brakes, oil, plugs, belts, and the like are all within the reach of a home mechanic IF you have spent some time turning wrenches and have the ability to follow directions.

Speaking of directions, the Internet is a godsend for DIYers. I downloaded the full shop manual for my car for free (and legally). Back in the bad old days, it would have set me back $50-100 or more and occupied a bunch of shelf space.

[CricketOnTheHearth]

Which is why…
I will be hanging onto my ’94 Corolla til it drops.
And also because:
>It’s still in good shape, inside and out
>It’s paid for
>State license fees are CHEAP
>So is car insurance
>Gets as good a mileage as anything new on the road outside of a Prius
>I’ve grown fond of the body/interior style and haven’t found another car I like as well

I wind up spending several hundred a year on it for various amusingly-unheard-of repairs (still less than a monthly payment). Stuff like new contacts for the starter (the old ones simply wore down to nubs); new bushings for the brakes (not pads, I am into the 3rd or 4th set of those already); 2nd set of spark plug wires…

I suppose there’s some actuarial/accounting/depreciation/etc reason why this makes it “more affordable” for me to buy a new car instead, but I just don’t see it. I just look at my cash flow into the car and that seems just not that bad.

[CricketOnTheHearth]

Which is why…
I will be hanging onto my ’94 Corolla til it drops.
And also because:
>It’s still in good shape, inside and out
>It’s paid for
>State license fees are CHEAP
>So is car insurance
>Gets as good a mileage as anything new on the road outside of a Prius
>I’ve grown fond of the body/interior style and haven’t found another car I like as well

I wind up spending several hundred a year on it for various amusingly-unheard-of repairs (still less than a monthly payment). Stuff like new contacts for the starter (the old ones simply wore down to nubs); new bushings for the brakes (not pads, I am into the 3rd or 4th set of those already); 2nd set of spark plug wires…

I suppose there’s some actuarial/accounting/depreciation/etc reason why this makes it “more affordable” for me to buy a new car instead, but I just don’t see it. I just look at my cash flow into the car and that seems just not that bad.

[CricketOnTheHearth]

Which is why…
I will be hanging onto my ’94 Corolla til it drops.
And also because:
>It’s still in good shape, inside and out
>It’s paid for
>State license fees are CHEAP
>So is car insurance
>Gets as good a mileage as anything new on the road outside of a Prius
>I’ve grown fond of the body/interior style and haven’t found another car I like as well

I wind up spending several hundred a year on it for various amusingly-unheard-of repairs (still less than a monthly payment). Stuff like new contacts for the starter (the old ones simply wore down to nubs); new bushings for the brakes (not pads, I am into the 3rd or 4th set of those already); 2nd set of spark plug wires…

I suppose there’s some actuarial/accounting/depreciation/etc reason why this makes it “more affordable” for me to buy a new car instead, but I just don’t see it. I just look at my cash flow into the car and that seems just not that bad.

[CricketOnTheHearth]

Which is why…
I will be hanging onto my ’94 Corolla til it drops.
And also because:
>It’s still in good shape, inside and out
>It’s paid for
>State license fees are CHEAP
>So is car insurance
>Gets as good a mileage as anything new on the road outside of a Prius
>I’ve grown fond of the body/interior style and haven’t found another car I like as well

I wind up spending several hundred a year on it for various amusingly-unheard-of repairs (still less than a monthly payment). Stuff like new contacts for the starter (the old ones simply wore down to nubs); new bushings for the brakes (not pads, I am into the 3rd or 4th set of those already); 2nd set of spark plug wires…

I suppose there’s some actuarial/accounting/depreciation/etc reason why this makes it “more affordable” for me to buy a new car instead, but I just don’t see it. I just look at my cash flow into the car and that seems just not that bad.

[CricketOnTheHearth]

Which is why…
I will be hanging onto my ’94 Corolla til it drops.
And also because:
>It’s still in good shape, inside and out
>It’s paid for
>State license fees are CHEAP
>So is car insurance
>Gets as good a mileage as anything new on the road outside of a Prius
>I’ve grown fond of the body/interior style and haven’t found another car I like as well

I wind up spending several hundred a year on it for various amusingly-unheard-of repairs (still less than a monthly payment). Stuff like new contacts for the starter (the old ones simply wore down to nubs); new bushings for the brakes (not pads, I am into the 3rd or 4th set of those already); 2nd set of spark plug wires…

I suppose there’s some actuarial/accounting/depreciation/etc reason why this makes it “more affordable” for me to buy a new car instead, but I just don’t see it. I just look at my cash flow into the car and that seems just not that bad.

[Hatfield]

I think the rule of thumb is: when you’ve had 2 or 3 months of car repair bills that rival what a monthly car payment would be, it’s time to buy a new car.

[Hatfield]

I think the rule of thumb is: when you’ve had 2 or 3 months of car repair bills that rival what a monthly car payment would be, it’s time to buy a new car.

[Hatfield]

I think the rule of thumb is: when you’ve had 2 or 3 months of car repair bills that rival what a monthly car payment would be, it’s time to buy a new car.

[Hatfield]

I think the rule of thumb is: when you’ve had 2 or 3 months of car repair bills that rival what a monthly car payment would be, it’s time to buy a new car.

[Hatfield]

I think the rule of thumb is: when you’ve had 2 or 3 months of car repair bills that rival what a monthly car payment would be, it’s time to buy a new car.

[paramount]

For me it’s worth it to have an up-to-date car – they are usually safer, less chance of breaking down on the side of the road, more efficient, better power, brakes, etc…not unlike computers generally the newer the better.

I don’t buy a car every year, but all of my cars are in the 2000’s.

I value my life more than money.

[paramount]

For me it’s worth it to have an up-to-date car – they are usually safer, less chance of breaking down on the side of the road, more efficient, better power, brakes, etc…not unlike computers generally the newer the better.

I don’t buy a car every year, but all of my cars are in the 2000’s.

I value my life more than money.

[paramount]

For me it’s worth it to have an up-to-date car – they are usually safer, less chance of breaking down on the side of the road, more efficient, better power, brakes, etc…not unlike computers generally the newer the better.

I don’t buy a car every year, but all of my cars are in the 2000’s.

I value my life more than money.

[paramount]

For me it’s worth it to have an up-to-date car – they are usually safer, less chance of breaking down on the side of the road, more efficient, better power, brakes, etc…not unlike computers generally the newer the better.

I don’t buy a car every year, but all of my cars are in the 2000’s.

I value my life more than money.

[Author]

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