The downside of keeping cars forever is that periodically the planets align just so and a bunch of things wear out or break at the same time.
Our van is a 2000 Toyota Sienna. I took it into the shop this morning for what I believe is a failing starter. The last time it was in for service, they also told me that the front brakes were due for replacing, the rear shocks were shot, the rear wheel cylinders were leaking and the tires were worn. I put off all that stuff at the time until we got past the Bat Mitzvah expenses, but today I told them to go ahead and fix everything. My wife has noticed the car slipping a bit on wet roads so I definitely wanted to get the tires done.
End result will be a nice big repair bill. Hopefully, though, this will hold us for a while. I don't mind spending $1,000 or so each year to maintain a good quality car.
Big car repair bill
November 12th, 2008 at 08:34 pm
November 13th, 2008 at 02:20 am 1226542851
November 13th, 2008 at 08:46 am 1226565970
November 13th, 2008 at 04:28 pm 1226593706
The best part is that when the bill is paid, it's over. No more payments with interest added on to it.