Comments on: JLP’s QotD: How Much Do You Spend on Auto Maintenance?

By: sam

sam — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 18:35:45 +0000

My car is under warranty and includes scheduled maintance, so I haven’t paid a dime so far this year. I has been into the dealer twice for recall and warranty issues.

By: Leslie Turek

Leslie Turek — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:39:44 +0000

2001 Subaru. Last year $766 ($500 for new tires, also maintenance, exhaust system, battery, and oil change). This year to date $105 for minor stuff, including $50 just to diagnose a Check Engine light). According to the Check Engine light I need a new “knock sensor” for $300, but haven’t had it done yet, as the engine seems to be running fine.

In my experience, modern cars are much less expensive to maintain in terms of their mechanical components, but the electrical and pollution control systems seem to be adding a new expensive layer of complexity.

By: Leslie Turek

Leslie Turek — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:39:44 +0000

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 12:38:59 +0000

So far for the year we’ve spent $75. But we have two new Honda’s so that’s just oil changes (which I do myself) and a state inspection. The total would be much lower if my wife didn’t put 700 miles a week on her new Civic.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 23:31:49 +0000

From 1/1/05 thru 6/30/06 $2584 which includes some goofy things: replace 2 handles on my since-traded-in ’98 Sienna’s sliding doors (lots of wear and tear, and perhaps poor design…) and replace my husband’s electronic passenger mirror (apparently, a mailbox attacked him while driving…)

Throw in a transmission flush (163)and a 30K checkup (331) and tires (429)and rear drums on prev. van and it doesn’t take long to get to the $2,584. Without the above, oil changes would have run us $340 for 2 vehicles for the 18-month period. Now with an ’05 Avalon and and ’06 Sienna, it should be smooth sailing with just oil changes and perhaps EOY tires for my husband’s high-mileage Avalon.

By: Foobarista

Foobarista — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 21:37:27 +0000

We have a newer Honda and an older Toyota: so far this year, we spent $600 on the Toyota for its 75K miles service and about $20 on the Honda for an oil change. The last time I changed the tires, it cost about $60 each on the Toyota at Costco.

By: mark

mark — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 21:12:08 +0000

I have a 97 Honda Civic and so far all I did this year was pay $75 to have it inspected after the airbag light came on. (turns out its the passenger side airbag so I didn’t have them fix it) However, that’s all I can think that I have done in the past 2 years. I highly reccomend Hondas.