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discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,577 posts)
Thu Feb 11, 2016, 11:16 PM Feb 2016

Now and then the dreaded car repair rears its head

When I can plan for repairs, I check online sellers for deals. Among the good places my daughter (she's manager at a national auto service chain) and I found are https://www.rockauto.com/

Learning to do your own maintenance is a money saver and many youtube videos can help with that.

If you have minor damage and/or just can't afford the new part try:
http://www.uneedapart.com/

When I needed a new outside rear-view mirror the dealer wanted about $150 but a place I connected with in Nebraska on uneedapart got me one for $40 including shipping.

I have a good long term relationship with my repair guy who's happy to charge for labor only.

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Now and then the dreaded car repair rears its head (Original Post) discntnt_irny_srcsm Feb 2016 OP
Thank you for the info. SusanCalvin Feb 2016 #1
You're welcome discntnt_irny_srcsm Feb 2016 #3
That's some good planning. rusty quoin Feb 2016 #2
I'm driving a '92 Lumina that owes me nothing discntnt_irny_srcsm Feb 2016 #4
I have shadowrider Feb 2016 #11
Thanks for the info... Melurkyoulongtime Feb 2016 #5
You're welcome discntnt_irny_srcsm Feb 2016 #6
spending a couple of hours scouring internet or used bookstores w0nderer Feb 2016 #7
The manuals are a good idea but getting hard to find discntnt_irny_srcsm Feb 2016 #8
they are getting hard to find, but giving pizza, coffee or anything w0nderer Feb 2016 #9
i find the books easy nuff to find in pdf or w0nderer Feb 2016 #10
 

rusty quoin

(6,133 posts)
2. That's some good planning.
Thu Feb 11, 2016, 11:31 PM
Feb 2016

What use to get us were things like "the dreaded transmission", or the AC, in which you just wind down the windows and hope that traffic starts to move.

We had a Mercury sable that lasted us 10 years +. It had a few problems, though nothing big, and we had financial problems. The transmission finally went out, but we are in a much better place. I am thankful for that car.

shadowrider

(4,941 posts)
11. I have
Wed Feb 17, 2016, 10:19 AM
Feb 2016

a 16 year old pickup that still runs like new. It's been paid for for forever. It's SO nice NOT to have a car/truck payment, especially when scraping by.

Change the oil every 3,000 miles and the repairs, considering its age and mileage, are negligible.

Melurkyoulongtime

(136 posts)
5. Thanks for the info...
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 01:50 AM
Feb 2016

I'm going to need it! I just purchased a new-to-me '97 Jeep Cherokee last month (woohoo!) and just had to replace the battery and starter on Monday/Tuesday this week, rofl. I got a decent deal for my area on that but every little bit helps and I will definitely check it out next time.

w0nderer

(1,937 posts)
7. spending a couple of hours scouring internet or used bookstores
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 03:21 PM
Feb 2016

or even asking mechanics (some are willing to sell older books)

haynes manuals i think they are called
for every car me and my ex owned, i found one

first (saturn 1994 ) it saved over $2k
second plymouth it saved $1.4k


bet you treat that repair guy nice though and that is key...nice saves money often

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,577 posts)
8. The manuals are a good idea but getting hard to find
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 06:26 PM
Feb 2016

I've been with my mechanic for like 15 years. At one point I had an extra Mr Coffee so I gave it to them. Just good will.

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