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Some Helpful Tips When Faced With A Major Repair
(Everybody Has The Same Idea)
When was the last time you thought about selling, or trading in, the car you drive? Was it when you thought you were about to need major repairs? Believe it or not, you are not the only person that thinks like that. An overwhelming majority of vehicles (71+%) on the used car market used to be owned by people who think just like you do
Denial Is Not A River In Egypt!
It's not surprising most consumers want to deny they are financially responsible for major automotive repairs.
Consumers would like to think they can get rid of their current car, minimizing repair expense. The reality is, the used car market they plan to purchase their next vehicle from is full of vehicles just like, or worse, than the one they are trying to get rid of. Over 71% of the time, the consumer is just trading problems. Gambling meccas are built on lesser odds. Car repair is an investment, not an expense
The Blame Game Consumers often ask shops "how long will it last?" -OR- to partially repair major problems, or have junkyard components installed to put the car in a sellable condition. What takes place is the car winds up being a potential time bomb to the unwary buyer. This is why buying a used car has received so much negative publicity. The used car dealer usually gets the bad end of the deal because: Most consumers will try to transfer the responsibility for major repairs to someone else! After all, who would sell a dependable car with no potential problems?????
The Blame Game's Top Ten
Consumer's top 10 favorites for shifting the blame listed in order of favoritism, are:
1. Who they purchased the car from.
2. Who manufactured the car
3. The next owner (when selling car)
4. Who worked on the car last
5. The shop recommending the repair
6. Who drove the car last
7. Extended warranty company
8. Insurance company
9. Family member
10. Themselves
The Crap Shoot
Buying another car is like rolling the dice at a crap table in Las Vegas. When a consumer is faced with a major repair getting rid of the car is rarely the best answer. Unless the car has a history of mechanical problems (i.e. a lemon), or the owner just doesn't like the car, repairing the vehicle correctly is the best bet. Buying a used car is just like Vegas, the odds are against you and the prudent thing to do is not to gamble at all. Keep what you have.
The Sure Bet
By properly repairing what you currently drive, you gain several major advantages:
FIRST, you know the history of the vehicle. It's hard to place a value on peace of mind.
SECONDLY, with the right frame of mind, a consumer will shop for warranty, not price, on major repairs. If you are going to keep your current vehicle, you don't want to pay twice for the same repair.
LAST, even if you do choose to sell your vehicle, a long warranty on major component(s) will make your car easier to sell. Plus, you can eliminate the worry of having a purchaser coming back on you for a major car problem after the sale. After all, who wants to be the #1 target in the Blame Game?
The Ultimate Solution
Once considered an extreme and expensive proposition, restoring a vehicle to like new condition is the best deal on the planet. A case in point is a where a local resident took a $500 1992 Buick Century and spent $8,000 restoring it. He took out an auto loan at the bank for the project. He did the motor, transmission, paint, brakes, all engine accessories, tires, and etc. Most people thought he was crazy. That was 5 years and 100,000 miles ago. That works out to less than $94 per month for dependable transportation, and the car is still going strong. This does not include the money saved with low registration fees, low insurance rates, and low risk of theft or vandalism. You can restore your vehicle all at once, or you can do it as each major component fails. Either way, keeping your current vehicle in good shape is the best deal of all. One trip to the new car dealer will make fixing your current vehicle seem like the bargain it really is.