u
s
i
e
s
s
n
d
s
&
u
n
t
e
r
v
i
isn't as bad as was expected; both new and
used vehicles are still being traded, though
not as briskly as say a few years ago, when
manufacturers were giving generous service
packages and maintenance programs, along
with irresistible financing plans.
purchase, are finding the importance of having
an auto repair shop that we can rely on. A car
is the second largest investment most of us
make after a house, so it only makes sense that
we want to trust the person who is going to be
repairing it. And it would make sense to take
care of that investment by maintaining our
vehicles even more carefully in a tight economy.
routine maintenance on their vehicles, putting
off their oil changes or brake pad replacements.
"We're seeing fewer cars, but the ones that do
come in are `train wrecks.' People are leaving
their brake pads go to the point that they
need new rotors. Instead of coming in every
8- to 10,000 miles." We asked him about that
3,000 mile figure and he explained that that
figure is arbitrary how frequently you need
the oil changed in your vehicle depends on
the vehicle and your individual driving habits.
Some people are harder on their cars than
others. (You know who you are!)
maintenance because it'll just cost you more
in the long run." Nationally, the average cost
to maintain a car is less than $800 per year
if you set aside $25 every week, you'll have a
comfortable reserve to take care of routine
maintenance (oil changes, tire replacement,
brake pads, belts, etc.) as well as any failures
that will occur. "It's more than just fixing the
car it's about communication between the
customer and the mechanic. If you bring your
car to the same shop, we get to know you, we
get to know your car, and we know how you
drive. We can tell you what it needs, what it's
going to need and what will improve performance."
Establishing a relationship with a local auto
repair shop is more than a matter of convenience.
It's another way that Keeping it Local builds
community. In the long run, it just makes
sense and can even save cents too.