Working Poor
Related: About this forumNow 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.
SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,577 posts)rusty quoin
(6,133 posts)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.
discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,577 posts)I'm so grateful to have it.
shadowrider
(4,941 posts)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)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.
discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,577 posts)Good luck with your Jeep.
w0nderer
(1,937 posts)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)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.
w0nderer
(1,937 posts)w0nderer
(1,937 posts)in hard copy in used bookstores
for older cars at least