How to Get Cheap Auto Repairs
I was driving along a few days back when my air conditioning suddenly died in my car. That’s part of the territory as I opted to keep an older car to save money on payments. But when my car breaks, how do I keep from going broke repairing it?
I looked around a little for hints and resources to help me fix my car now and in the future. Here’s what I found:
- Have a student do it. MSN Money and other sites mention having students do the repairs. That, however can involve some patience and perhaps a willingness to deal with letting your car be the test subject. I haven’t tested this idea personally, but I’m willing to give it a shot in the future.
- Do it yourself. Naturally, I’ve had to do some of the minor repairs myself. I’ve found auto repair shops to be helpful (they do have motivation to help people do repairs). I can do certain things, including replacing brake rotors, but I can’t venture much past that. As they say, your millage may vary. There are many auto repair books
out there, as well as forums online that can help. One blogger even went so far as to take photos of his auto repair job.
- Coupons. I’ve noticed mechanics and dealers will put coupons out there from time to time. Be willing to shop around a bit and you may save money.
- Haggle. Not all mechanics may do this, but it’s always worth asking.
- Shop around. Not all mechanics are created equal. Well, at least their pricing and service for auto repairs are equal. I’ve found a place near my home that beats dealer prices and does great work. Also, if you’re willing to wait, you can look for parts online.
With that said, I’ve had to hand this job off to my trusty local mechanic. I don’t feel too bad about it – this time. The job of diagnosing a faulty AC relay is beyond my abilities and the bill was less than a single payment on a new car.
Got a car repair tip or story? Share it in the comments below…
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