I've been getting tons of long-overdue work done to my car.

[NightTrain]

Since I bought my car used--excuse me, pre-owned--in the summer of 2000, it has needed a bunch of things done to it. Unfortunately, I never had the money to get it done, so I tolerated those things--until now.

I finally got a real job, so now I can afford to have my car repaired. A gearhead buddy of mine, Doug, has been doing the work, which so far has included a full tune-up, replacing a rusted-out signal light socket, plugging up a fuel leak, replacing a broken transmission mount, and installing a new set of shocks. This coming week, Doug will replace the alternator (so I no longer have to charge a dead battery every couple of weeks) and put in a new carburetor. (The current one has long behaved abominably in cold weather.)

That may sound like a lot of stuff to get done to a 17-year-old car that's about to hit 100,000 miles, but Doug charges a hell of a lot less for his labor than what a garage would. Plus, his garage (actually a restored barn) is filled to overflowing with about $20,000 worth of car-fixing equipment, and the quality of Doug's work is beyond professional. Doug also gives me rides to and from my job free of charge while my car is at his house.

So for the time being, I'll sink several hundred bucks into the car, after which I hope to start socking money away to buy something newer in the next few years. Wish me luck!

[vpigrad]

1. I don't understand...

how anyone anymore can afford to keep a car in good shape with the huge price of car parts and expensive labor. I just spent $60 on a damn gas cap and $250 on a used taillight, so I'm still mad.

[NightTrain]

2. Doug only charges me what he himself pays for the parts.

And his labor rates are low, as well. Today, Doug must have spent six to seven hours replacing my shocks as the old ones were rusted on and fought him every step of the way as he took them off. And what did Doug charge me for his labor? Only $150! A garage would've charged me that much for about two hours of work.

[n2mark]

3. I went for an oil change the other day it cost me

$400.00 I was told one of the mounts on my engine was broken. Of course the mount I needed was the most expensive. What turned into a $20.00 job cost me more money/.

[NightTrain]

4. That's why it pays to have a mechanically inclined friend!

Doug rebuilt his first engine block at age 14. That was 34 years ago, so I daresay the man knows his stuff!

[Robbien]

5. Sounds as if you already stumbled into a bit of luck

Having a reliable mechanic who does not charge outrageous mark-ups is a fantastic piece of luck.

Hope the trend continues.