Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

henryn

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a23877/car-maintenance-costs-mileage/?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_news&date=112916

How car maintenance costs increase with mileage. Some interesting conclusions.

oldfarmer50

bwia said:

http://st.automobilemag.com/uploads/sites/11/2016/08/2017-Buick-LaCrosse-interior.jpg?interpolation=lanczos-none&fit=around|680:452&crop=680:452;*,*
Genuine luxury or a G3 pretender?

That ain't your grand dad's Buick.

stever

We're up to $30k (~10% under MSRP) and the new car manager is thinking his invoice number is a deal. We are working with a great sales guy but the manager didn't much appreciate me pointing out that invoice wasn't a real number.

I got there about 10 minutes early with my third baseman, our company from the UP, and dickered a bit.

When my wife walked in returning the car, I introduced her to the manager and told her that we were about $2,500 apart. She just said okay, we'll have to keep looking, thanks.

She's good.

driver100

henryn said:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a23877/car-maintenance-costs-mileage/?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_news&date=112916

How car maintenance costs increase with mileage. Some interesting conclusions.

henryn, I found that information very interesting. Some things I noticed were that VWs weren't that bad, just below the best cars........another myth exploded.

The most costliest cars at 100k miles included Mustang at #1 which I never would have expected, plus quite a few Fords on the list, bmw 328 was number 2 so I am glad we didn't end up with a bmw which was also on our list, and Audi A4 was number 8.....glad we dumped the A4 for the GLK. Mercedes did OK over the long term.

If someone was really good at math (snake or JM for example), it would be interesting to know, if a Mustang costs say $30000, and costs $27000 to keep on the road for 150k miles...and at that point it's value would be almost nothing, what would be the sweet spot for trading in the Mustang......before you hit major repairs and while it is still worth a decent amount as a trade-in.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

I thought there were two 1.4L options---perhaps both turbos, but different engines.

I believe that's right.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

bwia said:

http://st.automobilemag.com/uploads/sites/11/2016/08/2017-Buick-LaCrosse-interior.jpg?interpolation=lanczos-none&fit=around|680:452&crop=680:452;*,*
Genuine luxury or a G3 pretender?

That ain't your grand dad's Buick.

It is probably someone's grand dad's Buick

(just joking stever....btw, are you a grandad?)

stever

Old enough to be a great granddad, but never had kids. I am a great-uncle.

explorerx4

@driver100,
The article lost me when I read this:
We found that for the first 25,000 miles the average car costs $1,400 to maintain.
I guess it could if you cave for all those dealer recommended services every 3k miles.
I don't think I've ever had a car that cost more the $300 in 25k miles.
Maybe you could get there if you had to replace the clutch before then.

suydam

stever said:

We're up to $30k (~10% under MSRP) and the new car manager is thinking his invoice number is a deal. We are working with a great sales guy but the manager didn't much appreciate me pointing out that invoice wasn't a real number.

I got there about 10 minutes early with my third baseman, our company from the UP, and dickered a bit.

When my wife walked in returning the car, I introduced her to the manager and told her that we were about $2,500 apart. She just said okay, we'll have to keep looking, thanks.

She's good.

Good luck. I like it when it's easy and not a grind. For some reason it seems to rub off on how I feel about the car afterwards.

stever

What's the deal with the center armrest btw @suydam? Does that ever bug the passenger riding shotgun? Seems a bit of an oversight - I guess it makes it easier to fold the passenger seat flat, but still.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
The article lost me when I read this:
We found that for the first 25,000 miles the average car costs $1,400 to maintain.
I guess it could if you cave for all those dealer recommended services every 3k miles.
I don't think I've ever had a car that cost more the $300 in 25k miles.
Maybe you could get there if you had to replace the clutch before then.

Good point explorer. BMW was high on the cost list after 25k miles and they have free bumper to bumper for 3 years (snake, I know it isn't free but it is built into the price). My brother had Civics and he did all the service stuff they recommended so one visit could cost $500 or $600 a year. I am with you, I don't ever remember paying more than about $300....even 4 oil changes at $50 each wouldn't get you there.

Article must have been translated from the Philippines or something. Kia should be free for 100000 miles except maintenance!

driver100

Old enough to be a great granddad, but never had kids. I am a great-uncle

Oldfarmer was right, it isn't your grandad's Buick...it's your Great Uncle's Buick

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

henryn said:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a23877/car-maintenance-costs-mileage/?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_news&date=112916

How car maintenance costs increase with mileage. Some interesting conclusions.

henryn, I found that information very interesting. Some things I noticed were that VWs weren't that bad, just below the best cars........another myth exploded.

The most costliest cars at 100k miles included Mustang at #1 which I never would have expected, plus quite a few Fords on the list, bmw 328 was number 2 so I am glad we didn't end up with a bmw which was also on our list, and Audi A4 was number 8.....glad we dumped the A4 for the GLK. Mercedes did OK over the long term.

If someone was really good at math (snake or JM for example), it would be interesting to know, if a Mustang costs say $30000, and costs $27000 to keep on the road for 150k miles...and at that point it's value would be almost nothing, what would be the sweet spot for trading in the Mustang......before you hit major repairs and while it is still worth a decent amount as a trade-in.

The Mustang is only costly if you drive it right....and you subscribe to that article's sketchy logic.

suydam

We just push it back. In such a small vehicle it's only a nuisance.

js06gv

stever said:

We're up to $30k (~10% under MSRP) and the new car manager is thinking his invoice number is a deal. We are working with a great sales guy but the manager didn't much appreciate me pointing out that invoice wasn't a real number. I got there about 10 minutes early with my third baseman, our company from the UP, and dickered a bit. When my wife walked in returning the car, I introduced her to the manager and told her that we were about $2,500 apart. She just said okay, we'll have to keep looking, thanks. She's good.

You countered at 28,200, are up to 30,000 and the dealer still won't budge? Where did they start, at MSRP?

driver100

We haven't heard from him in over 3 hours...he must be being held captive at the dealership and they have taken away his keys. They are holding out for $32500!

roadburner

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
The article lost me when I read this:
We found that for the first 25,000 miles the average car costs $1,400 to maintain.
I guess it could if you cave for all those dealer recommended services every 3k miles.
I don't think I've ever had a car that cost more the $300 in 25k miles.
Maybe you could get there if you had to replace the clutch before then.

The 328i maintenance cost of $13,300 for the first 75,000 miles is beyond ludicrous; up until 2017 the owner of a new BMW paid for nothing but fuel and tires for the first 50,000 miles. No way would it cost $13,300 to run over the next 25,000 miles. I'd be surprised if the actual cost was much over $2,500- you are looking at tires, brakes(maybe), a couple of oil changes and a brake fluid flush.
And the Mustang skyrocketing costs don't look to be legitimate either.

stever

js06gv said:

stever said:

We're up to $30k (~10% under MSRP) and the new car manager is thinking his invoice number is a deal. We are working with a great sales guy but the manager didn't much appreciate me pointing out that invoice wasn't a real number.

I got there about 10 minutes early with my third baseman, our company from the UP, and dickered a bit.

When my wife walked in returning the car, I introduced her to the manager and told her that we were about $2,500 apart. She just said okay, we'll have to keep looking, thanks.

She's good.

You countered at 28,200, are up to 30,000 and the dealer still won't budge? Where did they start, at MSRP?

Yep. Actually they took off the $1,995 "desert protection package" immediately without us even asking so the starting price was cheap at MSRP.

Don't have good vibes about this one, it's just a small market here and we don't want to drive an hour or three just to kick tires if we can avoid it.

Oh, saw the van today (still didn't get pics), and they've already redone the sheet metal. Just have to wait on the axle parts, otherwise it looks ready for painting.

oldfarmer50

Cool dad or child abuse. You decide.

http://www.powernationtv.com/post/using-doorknobs-to-pull-teeth-is-the-old-method-now

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

Cool dad or child abuse. You decide.

http://www.powernationtv.com/post/using-doorknobs-to-pull-teeth-is-the-old-method-now

That parent is nuts! Using a beautiful car like that and then doing 0 to 60 in 5 seconds just to pull a tooth. It could have been done much slower with an old Chevy...waste of all that horsepower!

Just joking....that was so incredibly stupid the kid should be taken into protective services. Bad enough to pull the tooth out with the car...then the kid runs out on the road to pick it up. Crazy!

driver100

stever said:

js06gv said:

stever said:

We're up to $30k (~10% under MSRP) and the new car manager is thinking his invoice number is a deal. We are working with a great sales guy but the manager didn't much appreciate me pointing out that invoice wasn't a real number.

I got there about 10 minutes early with my third baseman, our company from the UP, and dickered a bit.

When my wife walked in returning the car, I introduced her to the manager and told her that we were about $2,500 apart. She just said okay, we'll have to keep looking, thanks.

She's good.

You countered at 28,200, are up to 30,000 and the dealer still won't budge? Where did they start, at MSRP?

Yep. Actually they took off the $1,995 "desert protection package" immediately without us even asking so the starting price was cheap at MSRP.

Don't have good vibes about this one, it's just a small market here and we don't want to drive an hour or three just to kick tires if we can avoid it.

Oh, saw the van today (still didn't get pics), and they've already redone the sheet metal. Just have to wait on the axle parts, otherwise it looks ready for painting.



So, your discount works out to about $2000 off without the desert package and then $1000 off MSRP for all your bargaining finesse. Those guys are dreaming...don't see how they will move any cars at that rate. Must be selling like hotcakes for that price.

driver100

roadburner said:

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
The article lost me when I read this:
We found that for the first 25,000 miles the average car costs $1,400 to maintain.
I guess it could if you cave for all those dealer recommended services every 3k miles.
I don't think I've ever had a car that cost more the $300 in 25k miles.
Maybe you could get there if you had to replace the clutch before then.

The 328i maintenance cost of $13,300 for the first 75,000 miles is beyond ludicrous; up until 2017 the owner of a new BMW paid for nothing but fuel and tires for the first 50,000 miles. No way would it cost $13,300 to run over the next 25,000 miles. I'd be surprised if the actual cost was much over $2,500- you are looking at tires, brakes(maybe), a couple of oil changes and a brake fluid flush.
And the Mustang skyrocketing costs don't look to be legitimate either.

Lots of questionable things on the chart, henryn has to give us his take on it. Maybe we are misreading it, or maybe it was done by the guy who wrote the article on the 2017 Chevy trucks that don't exist.

venture

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Cool dad or child abuse. You decide.

http://www.powernationtv.com/post/using-doorknobs-to-pull-teeth-is-the-old-method-now

That parent is nuts! Using a beautiful car like that and then doing 0 to 60 in 5 seconds just to pull a tooth. It could have been done much slower with an old Chevy...waste of all that horsepower!

Just joking....that was so incredibly stupid the kid should be taken into protective services. Bad enough to pull the tooth out with the car...then the kid runs out on the road to pick it up. Crazy!

Watching that I couldn't help but wondering, "Is he sure it's not in reverse?"

snakeweasel

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
The article lost me when I read this:
We found that for the first 25,000 miles the average car costs $1,400 to maintain.
I guess it could if you cave for all those dealer recommended services every 3k miles.
I don't think I've ever had a car that cost more the $300 in 25k miles.
Maybe you could get there if you had to replace the clutch before then.

I have to agree with you on that one. Outside things like oil changes there really isn't much to do on a modern car in the first 25K miles. Even with 100K miles most cars should only have fluids changed, new tires and brakes and such, just your normal wear and tear items. I have taken a few cars to 125K before any unscheduled maintenance.

venture

Got the new skins put on yesterday. $1,140, but at least they gave me extra air. Each tire was at 40 psi, but that was after driving a few miles to get home. I'll check this morning and make sure there is 35 in them instead of the 40 psi that was in them last night. I will also re-torque all the lug nuts. Who knows what they are at?

I decided to go with Michelin Primacy MXM4's instead of the ContiProContacts that came on the car. If you read the reviews, some love a tire and others hate it.

The Michelins have a bead of rubber that sticks out past the rim, right near the rim, that is supposed to help prevent curb rash. It looks like it would work unless a curb is grazed pretty hard. I had rash on both of my front rims from picking the kids up at school. Parking is tight there.

Now I have to get out my reading glasses and magnifying glass to figure out how the jack and spare is supposed to be re-stowed.

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

Cool dad or child abuse. You decide.

http://www.powernationtv.com/post/using-doorknobs-to-pull-teeth-is-the-old-method-now

All I can say is "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot".

OK a kid can be talked into doing some strange stuff, we all know that, we all have been there. But what is wrong with the person in that car and the one taking the video? Are they both grown ups and didn't at least one say "do we really want to do this?"

This is definitely a "Hold my beer and watch this" moment.

ab348

venture said:

The Michelins have a bead of rubber that sticks out past the rim, right near the rim, that is supposed to help prevent curb rash. It looks like it would work unless a curb is grazed pretty hard. I had rash on both of my front rims from picking the kids up at school. Parking is tight there.

The Michelins on my ATS have that rubber section that sticks out and I thought the same thing. But it did not help. In two cases, I believe both in the same parking lot, I was moving slowly in traffic to make a turn and cut it too close, making the rear wheel go up over a corner curb. In both cases when it came down (very slowly) it got the edge of the wheel. Very disappointing.

venture

ab348 said:

venture said:

The Michelins have a bead of rubber that sticks out past the rim, right near the rim, that is supposed to help prevent curb rash. It looks like it would work unless a curb is grazed pretty hard. I had rash on both of my front rims from picking the kids up at school. Parking is tight there.

The Michelins on my ATS have that rubber section that sticks out and I thought the same thing. But it did not help. In two cases, I believe both in the same parking lot, I was moving slowly in traffic to make a turn and cut it too close, making the rear wheel go up over a corner curb. In both cases when it came down (very slowly) it got the edge of the wheel. Very disappointing.

Rats!

stickguy

that is why I like extra tall sidewalls, like on my RDX. That has 235/60 tires, so plenty of rubber to take the curb abuse!

speaking of those tires, I might not push them as long as I expected to. At 36K miles, still plenty of tread on the Michelins (primacys I think). But, not sure about traction. Had to stop quick last night for a paramedic wagon that decided to run a light, on wet roads, and got more skid action than I expected. Which makes me wonder how they will do it real slick conditions. Not changing this winter though, that is for sure. Will just stay inside if it snows I guess!

But, will decide about this time next year if I need to pull the plug a bit early. Will see how many miles they are up to. Might actually hit 40K by then!

suydam

Q

driver100 said:

stever said:

js06gv said:

stever said:

We're up to $30k (~10% under MSRP) and the new car manager is thinking his invoice number is a deal. We are working with a great sales guy but the manager didn't much appreciate me pointing out that invoice wasn't a real number.

I got there about 10 minutes early with my third baseman, our company from the UP, and dickered a bit.

When my wife walked in returning the car, I introduced her to the manager and told her that we were about $2,500 apart. She just said okay, we'll have to keep looking, thanks.

She's good.

You countered at 28,200, are up to 30,000 and the dealer still won't budge? Where did they start, at MSRP?

Yep. Actually they took off the $1,995 "desert protection package" immediately without us even asking so the starting price was cheap at MSRP.

Don't have good vibes about this one, it's just a small market here and we don't want to drive an hour or three just to kick tires if we can avoid it.

Oh, saw the van today (still didn't get pics), and they've already redone the sheet metal. Just have to wait on the axle parts, otherwise it looks ready for painting.

So, your discount works out to about $2000 off without the desert package and then $1000 off MSRP for all your bargaining finesse. Those guys are dreaming...don't see how they will move any cars at that rate. Must be selling like hotcakes for that price.

I believe the Encore is Buick's best selling vehicle. So it may be harder to get good deals than when I bought mine 2 years ago.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Cool dad or child abuse. You decide.

http://www.powernationtv.com/post/using-doorknobs-to-pull-teeth-is-the-old-method-now

That parent is nuts! Using a beautiful car like that and then doing 0 to 60 in 5 seconds just to pull a tooth. It could have been done much slower with an old Chevy...waste of all that horsepower!

Just joking....that was so incredibly stupid the kid should be taken into protective services. Bad enough to pull the tooth out with the car...then the kid runs out on the road to pick it up. Crazy!

Oh, that ain't so bad. They were on a cul-de-sac. However, I agree it was a little overkill though.

You'd probably flip about what I did too:

When Son #1 was about to lose his second front tooth, I wanted to pull it out like I did the first one but he complained that it hurt too much when I did that. It probably did, but hey, I ain't no dentist...just should have been one like I have said in the past because, I like to work with my hands and cause pain. Anyway, he still wanted it out and was to squeamish to do it him self. So, being the jock type that I was back then, I tied a piece of string about 10 feet long to his tooth and the other end to a baseball and told him to open his mouth and throw the ball as hard as he could. He wanted to know if it would hurt and I said, "sure", but you won't be able to blame me. His mother thought I was nuts but she was tired of hearing him complain about it being lose so she sorta went along with my idea.

It worked just like the car thing and he wanted to know if he could do it again with his next lose tooth. He manned up by then and let me play dentist for all of his lose teeth after that.

I don't remember anyone that ever heard that story saying that my Son should have been "taken into protective services" like you said, but then again, that was back in the politically incorrect days.

jmonroe

graphicguy

Agree with everyone about maintenance cost projections. I have had 3 of the allegedly most expensive ones on the lists (4 counting the nearly antique Cobra). No way the numbers are close to reality. Caddy has 4 years free maintenance, and up until the '17 MY so did BMW. So, first 25K miles is gasoline only. And both the CTS and the BMW returned low-mid 20s MPG in mixed driving. So, neither sucks down the gas.

Acura TL? Short of oil changes and tire rotations (about $100/year), they were pretty frugal, too.

Poor article not researched!

dino001

This "article" is not a real article, it's an advertisement for extended warranty, masking as an article, published by a reference service website. I wonder if the author is even a real person. I'm almost sure the "data" is completely made up, just made plausible, as there is no source listed, other than "Your Mechanic". The internet, especially Yahoo is littered by those plugs.

PF_Flyer

"The problem with internet quotes is that you cant always depend on their accuracy" -Abraham Lincoln, 1864

Just sayin'

driver100

dino001 said:

This "article" is not a real article, it's an advertisement for extended warranty, masking as an article, published by a reference service website. I wonder if the author is even a real person. I'm almost sure the "data" is completely made up, just made plausible, as there is no source listed, other than "Your Mechanic". The internet, especially Yahoo is littered by those plugs.

Thanks for reporting in Dino......nice to be reminded once in awhile that just because it is on the internet it isn't necessarily true.

It was from popularmechanics.com so it must have been on a legit site...but, could it have been paid for?

jmonroe

dino001 said:

driver100 said:

henryn said:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a23877/car-maintenance-costs-mileage/?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_news&date=112916

How car maintenance costs increase with mileage. Some interesting conclusions.

henryn, I found that information very interesting. Some things I noticed were that VWs weren't that bad, just below the best cars........another myth exploded.

The most costliest cars at 100k miles included Mustang at #1 which I never would have expected, plus quite a few Fords on the list, bmw 328 was number 2 so I am glad we didn't end up with a bmw which was also on our list, and Audi A4 was number 8.....glad we dumped the A4 for the GLK. Mercedes did OK over the long term.

If someone was really good at math (snake or JM for example), it would be interesting to know, if a Mustang costs say $30000, and costs $27000 to keep on the road for 150k miles...and at that point it's value would be almost nothing, what would be the sweet spot for trading in the Mustang......before you hit major repairs and while it is still worth a decent amount as a trade-in.

This "article" is not a real article, it's an advertisement for extended warranty, masking as an article. I wonder if the author is even a real person. I'm almost sure the "data" is completely made up, just made plausible, as there is no source listed, other than "Your Mechanic". The internet, especially Yahoo is littered by those plugs.

Once again you and I agree. I didn't want to comment first because @driver100 would think I was picking on him.

BTW, does this mean you can't trust "Yourmechanic". Maybe you can trust "Mymechanic" or "Hismechanic' or "Bestmechanic" or maybe even ...There has to be a mechanic out there that CAN be trusted. Which I think is easier to find than a lot of articles on the internet with credibility when they talk about cars.

I don't know about the others in here but I'm tired of reading all the articles like the subject one that wants to "help" me.

jmonroe

driver100

jmonroe said:

dino001 said:

driver100 said:

henryn said:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a23877/car-maintenance-costs-mileage/?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_news&date=112916

How car maintenance costs increase with mileage. Some interesting conclusions.

henryn, I found that information very interesting. Some things I noticed were that VWs weren't that bad, just below the best cars........another myth exploded.

The most costliest cars at 100k miles included Mustang at #1 which I never would have expected, plus quite a few Fords on the list, bmw 328 was number 2 so I am glad we didn't end up with a bmw which was also on our list, and Audi A4 was number 8.....glad we dumped the A4 for the GLK. Mercedes did OK over the long term.

If someone was really good at math (snake or JM for example), it would be interesting to know, if a Mustang costs say $30000, and costs $27000 to keep on the road for 150k miles...and at that point it's value would be almost nothing, what would be the sweet spot for trading in the Mustang......before you hit major repairs and while it is still worth a decent amount as a trade-in.

This "article" is not a real article, it's an advertisement for extended warranty, masking as an article. I wonder if the author is even a real person. I'm almost sure the "data" is completely made up, just made plausible, as there is no source listed, other than "Your Mechanic". The internet, especially Yahoo is littered by those plugs.

Once again you and I agree. I didn't want to comment first because @driver100 would think I was picking on him.

BTW, does this mean you can't trust "Yourmechanic". Maybe you can trust "Mymechanic" or "Hismechanic' or "Bestmechanic" or maybe even ...There has to be a mechanic out there that CAN be trusted. Which I think is easier to find than a lot of articles on the internet with credibility when they talk about cars.

I don't know about the others in here but I'm tired of reading all the articles like the subject one that wants to "help" me.

jmonroe

True JM, If you said anything I would have taken it as a personal insult

As I studied it more I did find some things that couldn't be true......like the cost of repairs on a BMW that is covered for 3 years bumper to bumper. It seemed the dependability numbers could have been in the right order.

When we had the clutch problem with the Audi I wrote to AutoMD.com and you post your problem and hope a real mechanic will reply. I got back some excellent information and there was no selling as far as I know. I suppose they could have got my email address or something, but, I didn't have any problems as far as I know. I guess it would be easy to go on an nscrupulous site, leave your email information, then get hacked. I was told sometimes those pop ups come up, and if you press "CANCEL" or "X" then that just tells them you are there and a live one. Best to use the arrow icon and back out....slowwwwwwwly.......

sda

driver100--has your Passat been listed for sale yet? Curious minds need to know

jmonroe

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

dino001 said:

driver100 said:

henryn said:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a23877/car-maintenance-costs-mileage/?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_news&date=112916

How car maintenance costs increase with mileage. Some interesting conclusions.

henryn, I found that information very interesting. Some things I noticed were that VWs weren't that bad, just below the best cars........another myth exploded.

The most costliest cars at 100k miles included Mustang at #1 which I never would have expected, plus quite a few Fords on the list, bmw 328 was number 2 so I am glad we didn't end up with a bmw which was also on our list, and Audi A4 was number 8.....glad we dumped the A4 for the GLK. Mercedes did OK over the long term.

If someone was really good at math (snake or JM for example), it would be interesting to know, if a Mustang costs say $30000, and costs $27000 to keep on the road for 150k miles...and at that point it's value would be almost nothing, what would be the sweet spot for trading in the Mustang......before you hit major repairs and while it is still worth a decent amount as a trade-in.

This "article" is not a real article, it's an advertisement for extended warranty, masking as an article. I wonder if the author is even a real person. I'm almost sure the "data" is completely made up, just made plausible, as there is no source listed, other than "Your Mechanic". The internet, especially Yahoo is littered by those plugs.

Once again you and I agree. I didn't want to comment first because @driver100 would think I was picking on him.

BTW, does this mean you can't trust "Yourmechanic". Maybe you can trust "Mymechanic" or "Hismechanic' or "Bestmechanic" or maybe even ...There has to be a mechanic out there that CAN be trusted. Which I think is easier to find than a lot of articles on the internet with credibility when they talk about cars.

I don't know about the others in here but I'm tired of reading all the articles like the subject one that wants to "help" me.

jmonroe

True JM, If you said anything I would have taken it as a personal insult

As I studied it more I did find some things that couldn't be true......like the cost of repairs on a BMW that is covered for 3 years bumper to bumper. It seemed the dependability numbers could have been in the right order.

When we had the clutch problem with the Audi I wrote to AutoMD.com and you post your problem and hope a real mechanic will reply. I got back some excellent information and there was no selling as far as I know. I suppose they could have got my email address or something, but, I didn't have any problems as far as I know. I guess it would be easy to go on an nscrupulous site, leave your email information, then get hacked. I was told sometimes those pop ups come up, and if you press "CANCEL" or "X" then that just tells them you are there and a live one. Best to use the arrow icon and back out....slowwwwwwwly.......

I don't go out online to do much of anything but I'll keep in mind what you said about trying to keep you personal info safe.

In an earlier post you said, "It was from popularmechanics.com so it must have been on a legit site...but, could it have been paid for?" Popular Mechanics might have more credibility than some sites but I think they really missed the boat with the article that you linked. Seemed more like saying the "old myth stuff".

FWIW, I think Popular Mechanics was pretty credible back in the 70's when I got that magazine. I especially liked the car repair articles by Smokey Unick. They were pretty good and easy to understand for how to fix/repair the big 3 car manufactures problems back then. I made copies of a lot of those articles and put them in a three inch 3-ring binder that is completely full. I kept that binder at work in the shelf over the desk in my cubicle. It was there for anyone who wanted to use it because I worked with a lot of cheapo's that fixed their own cars back then.

I'd say that at least a dozen times over the years when I walked away from by desk and came back, there was someone sitting in my chair reading that binder for the problem they had with their car. If my employer only knew how many hours were spent talking about cars, fixing cars and reading through that binder, I don't think any of us would have made it to retirement with our company.

Another FWIW, I still have that 3-ring binder. It's fun to read some of the articles in it nowadays but it won't help fix any cars today. We live in some tough shade-tree car repair days now.

jmonroe

dino001

PF_Flyer said:

"The problem with internet quotes is that you cant always depend on their accuracy" -Abraham Lincoln, 1864

Just sayin'

All statistics are made up, including this one.

sda

We live in some tough shade-tree car repair days now. so true

I still have feeler gauges, a dwell meter multi-tool and a Sears Best timing light. Those were used often in keeping my cars running smoothly. I did most work that didn't need a lift or engine/transmission stand. Now I limit myself to air and cabin filters, washing, waxing, vacuuming and general detailing. Everything else I pay to have done.

stickguy

same here SDA. I know in my toolbox I still have one of those spark plug gap tools (with all the little rings), and a wrench. But, on some of the cars, I can't even find the plugs, under all the plastic, and would be afraid to try and get the coil pack off without breaking it. Besides, the plugs don't get replaced until 100k miles anyway!

I supposed if I root around in my garage box, I can find an oil filter strap wrench too, even though I am never going under the car again to take one off.

Air and cabin filters, tire pressure, topping up coolant and washer fluid, is about all I have left. And I can still change a bulb (most of them at least).

driver100

sda said:

driver100--has your Passat been listed for sale yet? Curious minds need to know

Keep reminding me to check. I have checked about every other day and I haven't seen it listed within a 200 mile radius. Autonation doesn't have a VW store in a 200 mile radius, but I suspect they wouldgive it to a Toyota or Nissan store possibly....just on price point.

The do show a 2014 model (ours was a 2013), it has about 2500 more miles but under 10k miles, it is automatic and diesel, listed at $14995. That sounds like a great deal if you don't mind the poorer than posted mileage. At $14995 for that car ours should fetch maybe $14k....so the $11200 wasn't too bad in spite of what JM says.

I will keep checking....I am curious too.

I did look up private sellers and I think for the year and model I would have had to go through a lot of hassle to get $14k. Dealing with the people, difference in sales tax, loan to keep 2 cars, transfer documents etc etc...life is too short to that any more.

henryn

driver100 said:

sda said:

driver100--has your Passat been listed for sale yet? Curious minds need to know

Keep reminding me to check. I have checked about every other day and I haven't seen it listed within a 200 mile radius. Autonation doesn't have a VW store in a 200 mile radius, but I suspect they wouldgive it to a Toyota or Nissan store possibly....just on price point.

The do show a 2014 model (ours was a 2013), it has about 2500 more miles but under 10k miles, it is automatic and diesel, listed at $14995. That sounds like a great deal if you don't mind the poorer than posted mileage. At $14995 for that car ours should fetch maybe $14k....so the $11200 wasn't too bad in spite of what JM says.

Say what? A diesel VW for sale, at this point in time? And you didn't immediately buy it?

driver100

The best site for doing car repairs is youtube, or almost any repair. A friend said his key FOB has lost it's juice for keyless etc and you can't replace the battery. He looked in the manual, no information given on how to do it. He has a 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

I found it on youtube and sent in on. The battery opening is well hidden, but once you see how to do it it is easy. I have fixed toilet flappers, a toilet tower thing, just found out how to set up Homelink on the C250, fixed the black screen of death on my laptop....all with youtube, for FREE!

driver100

henryn said:

driver100 said:

sda said:

driver100--has your Passat been listed for sale yet? Curious minds need to know

Keep reminding me to check. I have checked about every other day and I haven't seen it listed within a 200 mile radius. Autonation doesn't have a VW store in a 200 mile radius, but I suspect they wouldgive it to a Toyota or Nissan store possibly....just on price point.

The do show a 2014 model (ours was a 2013), it has about 2500 more miles but under 10k miles, it is automatic and diesel, listed at $14995. That sounds like a great deal if you don't mind the poorer than posted mileage. At $14995 for that car ours should fetch maybe $14k....so the $11200 wasn't too bad in spite of what JM says.

Say what? A diesel VW for sale, at this point in time? And you didn't immediately buy it?

lol...but, a used deisel Passat for $15k and with 9200 miles on it is a steal. I wouldn't care if my mileage wasn't as advertised or it polluted too much...it will probably last for 400000 miles and it will probably be a classic rare car one day

cdnpinhead

That repair cost article is, as others have pointed out, pure steaming feces.

I drive most of my cars well beyond 100K miles and some past 200K, and the incremental cost per mile drops for every mile past the warranty expiration.

The best theory put forward so far is that this cretin posted the thing in order to support the notion that add-on warranties make sense. P.T. Barnum was and is correct.

henryn

driver100 said:

henryn said:

driver100 said:

sda said:

driver100--has your Passat been listed for sale yet? Curious minds need to know

Keep reminding me to check. I have checked about every other day and I haven't seen it listed within a 200 mile radius. Autonation doesn't have a VW store in a 200 mile radius, but I suspect they wouldgive it to a Toyota or Nissan store possibly....just on price point.

The do show a 2014 model (ours was a 2013), it has about 2500 more miles but under 10k miles, it is automatic and diesel, listed at $14995. That sounds like a great deal if you don't mind the poorer than posted mileage. At $14995 for that car ours should fetch maybe $14k....so the $11200 wasn't too bad in spite of what JM says.

Say what? A diesel VW for sale, at this point in time? And you didn't immediately buy it?

lol...but, a used deisel Passat for $15k and with 9200 miles on it is a steal. I wouldn't care if my mileage wasn't as advertised or it polluted too much...it will probably last for 400000 miles and it will probably be a classic rare car one day

You missed the point, entirely. A 2014 Passat TDI, with 10k miles, is worth $30,107 on the buyback. Exactly twice the number it is being sold for. At this point in time, I don't think this could possibly be true, no one is that badly out of touch.

jmonroe

sda said:

We live in some tough shade-tree car repair days now. so true

I still have feeler gauges, a dwell meter multi-tool and a Sears Best timing light. Those were used often in keeping my cars running smoothly. I did most work that didn't need a lift or engine/transmission stand. Now I limit myself to air and cabin filters, washing, waxing, vacuuming and general detailing. Everything else I pay to have done.

I may have had the same timing light that you had. It sure was a nice bright light compared to some of the cheaper ones back then. I can't tell you how many times I used it and loaned it to friends because they needed a flash light to see the strobe light of the timing light they had.

I've already mentioned that I worked with some pretty cheap guys back then. My philosophy was to buy the good stuff. Therefore, I only had to buy tools and such one time. Like I always told those guys, "only a rich man can afford to buy cheap tools". They finally learned that the hard way. Maybe I had a part in their learning process.

I don't have that timing light or my old dwell meter anymore. I gave them to my youngest Brother when he inherited his MIL's '68 Impala back in the early '90's. I had to show him how to use them but he's a pro now. It sure was easy to adjust the points on V8 GM cars with a dwell meter back then because of the sliding door on the distributor cap. Nobody else had that feature, no feeler gauges were needed. Man, that was almost too easy to do.

Yeah, those were the "good old days" alright.

jmonroe

houdini1

Some futurists are saying that in 5 or 6 years no one will own a car. Electric self (computer) driving cars will have been perfected and you would just call one up. It would take you where ever you wanted to go and bring you home again. You pay by the mile or hour, etc.

Benefits would include:

Few if any traffic deaths. Maybe save a million lives a year. No insurance costs. No gasoline costs. Work (sleep) while you are commuting (if you have a job). Millions saved on infrastructure because of fewer cars, etc. Better air quality. Completely change cities because there would be 90% fewer cars. Parking lots could be made into parks, etc. No speed traps, no tickets at all.

He further stated that most current car mfgs. and auto insurers would go the way of buggy whip mfgs. and that they are scared to death of this scenario.

Our posts here will be talking about that great little self driver that we used recently. Keep in mind that I read this in an email so it must be true ! Just keep in mind that just as our ancestors would never dream of what our current world is like, someday we will be in the same boat, as things do change.