What a month for car maintenance. We spent $1386.48 in total for both car. Granted we did 90k services on both cars, but still it was an expensive month for car maintenace.
I mentioned previously the springs on our 2000 Ford Focus blew out. One of them completely broke, the other spring was close to going. The car was undriveble, and because the springs were in such poor shape, they caused usual wear and tear of our struts. Ford Motor Company covered the cost and replacement of the spring and the struts. But we had to buy all the extra parts. So to replace the springs, struts and sway bars we paid $457.25.
| Repair | Labor | Parts | Subtotal |
| Springs, Struts Sway Bar | $144.00 | $313.25 | $457.25 |
| Spring Assembly | $34.13 | ||
| Sway Bar | $59.52 | ||
| Strut Assembly | $95.07 | ||
| Strut Assembly | $97.37 | ||
| Bearing | $7.18 | ||
| Mounting | $19.98 | ||
| 4 wheel alignment | $89.95 | $89.95 | |
| 90k Service | $90.00 | $113.81 | $203.81 |
| Ignition wire set | $49.65 | ||
| Fuel Filter | $14.68 | ||
| Spark Plug | $27.92 | ||
| Fuel Injection Cleaner | $21.56 | ||
| Tire Rotation | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| Subtotals | $338.95 | $427.06 | $766.01 |
| Supply Charges | $22.98 | ||
| Taxes | $22.50 | ||
| Total | $811.49 |
Thank God for the warranty. Otherwise we would have been paying for the springs and labor of all those parts. Ouch. The reason why Ford covered so much is they didn’t want to do a national recall and collect publicity but apparently this problem was SO common and causing so much problems, that if it occurred they covered the costs of repairing the springs and the struts.
For the 1999 Corolla we just took it in for the 90k Service. They found a couple of things needing to be done including replaing the tensioner shock and tranmission service totaling for $574.99. Otherwise the mechanic told me the car was in impeccable shape, excellent routine maintenance and I should be able to drive it another 10 years. He also said Corollas are the cheapest cars to keep running and they last a long time. If I ever wanted to sell he’d be more than willing to buy it.
| Repair | Labor | Parts | Subtotal |
| 90 Service | $99.95 | $25.55 | $125.50 |
| Brake Cleaner | $3.99 | ||
| Fuel Injection Cleaner | $21.56 | ||
| TC Belf Tensioner | $108.00 | $214.20 | $322.20 |
| Accessory Belt | $185.82 | ||
| Multi Rib Belt | $28.38 | ||
| Transmission Service | $72.00 | $24.90 | $96.90 |
| Transmission Fuel | $24.90 | ||
| Subtotals | $279.95 | $264.65 | $544.60 |
| Supply Charges | $16.34 | ||
| Taxes | $14.05 | ||
| Total | $574.99 |
So while it was a pricey month for us on our cars, they should be good for awhile. Yes it was expensive, but it was a lot cheaper than buying a new car or even a used new car. Both these cars we’ve had since new, so we know the repair history, the maintenance, and overall care and condition of the cars. Until the wheels fall off the cars I think we’ll be driving them.
I’m not sure we’ve hit the point yet where it costs less than having bought a used car, but I think we’re getting close to that point. If we keep either car another 5 years I think it’ll have cost less. But maybe I’m wrong.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Money Dieter // Jun 13, 2009 at 9:45 pm
I hate car problems. I had to get my car tires rotated and balanced. It was not a lot, but nowadays, every little bit counts.
2 JoeP // Jun 15, 2009 at 8:15 am
You can trim quite a bit off your bill by doing some of the work yourself. For example, oil changes, fuel filter, spark plugs, ignition wires, tire rotations. The adventurous can do brake pads. I think we save something along the lines of $200 a year …not a ton of money, but every little bit counts.
3 LAL // Jun 15, 2009 at 9:13 am
Yep, it does add up.
JoeP, can’t be done at home. And I’m not sure I would do oil change if we had a parking garage or space. We share with our neighbors and I don’t think they want us jacking up the car and using the space.
I don’t even wash my car anymore! In our old condo complex at least there was a car washing spot. Now we share both the parking area and street parking for our building.
I only change the air filter myself and battery. Stuff that is easy and doesn’t require much space.
Besides with oil for $20 you can get an oil change, and doing it yourself, you have to buy the oil, filter, and pay the disposal fee at a mechanic anyway.
4 JoeP // Jun 15, 2009 at 9:27 am
LAL, sorry, I wasn’t directing it at “you.” I was meaning the collective sense, as in the population in general. Some states don’t have disposal fees for used oil.
5 LAL // Jun 15, 2009 at 10:03 am
I asked about the supply fees, turns out they were all the disposal fees for the stuff they did. We’d have to pay them even if we did it ourselves. I’ve never lived anywhere that there wasn’t a fee involved.
6 JoeP // Jun 15, 2009 at 10:43 am
Right, but as I mentioned, some states do not have disposal fees. I know for a fact that my state requires any shop that does automotive repairs to accept used motor oil without any fees.
Might not fit everyone, but for some, the lack of such fees could make a DIY project more affordable.
7 LAL // Jun 16, 2009 at 11:21 am
I’ll post more about it later in the week about saving on an oil change.
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