Car Maintenance Costs to consider before Purchasing
Whether you are planning to purchase a new car or have your eye on a bargain secondhand model, it is important to take in to consideration the likely maintenance costs that will accrue after you take ownership of the vehicle. The initial down payment for a car is really only the start of what can be an expensive period of future repair bills and auto tune-ups. Potential car owners need to take their budget in to consideration and calculate the real costs of what a car will incur; some makes and models will naturally be more expensive to run, and particular car choices may prove difficult to secure parts for when essential repairs are needed.Also keep in mind that a car's engine will need a regular tune-up; oil will need replacing; filters, batteries and tires may require a changeover; wheel alignments, suspension work and general mechanic's fees need to be factored in too. The vehicle will need regular cleaning, not to mention insurance and registration fees being added to the bill. Some websites offer a handycar operating cost calculatorin order that consumers can work out an approximate total for projected yearly maintenance fees. It can be a smart idea to thoroughly calculate the likely maintenance costs of a particular model before purchasing in order to not blow the budget.The real cost of a carFor most potential car owners, the number one consideration concerning ongoing vehicle maintenance is, will it be practically affordable? It is all well and good to splash out on buying the car of your dreams only to find that the mounting bills and high priced parts replacement actually make ownership of the dream automobile one long, expensive nightmare! Smaller car models, like the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta, Honda CR-Z, or the ever impressive Honda Insight, are not only cheaper when it comes to fuel consumption but have also been rated as being some of thecheapest car models in the world to maintain. At the other end of the scale, expensive sports cars and luxury models can be incredibly expensive to maintain, especially where replacement parts are concerned; the Jaguar XK-Series, Mercedes models and the notorious 2011 Nissan GT-R can end up costing owners thousands of dollars in upkeep and repair work according toautomotive.com.Repair billsDepending on your car's make and model, repair bills can easily add up to a substantial amount of money. Some car buyers who thought they were getting a real bargain with an inexpensive vehicle from a used car lot can actually end up paying several times the value of purchase in mounting auto repair fees: rust removal, engine tune-ups, tire replacement, body work, the list can go on and on. No matter what the make of vehicle, all cars require regular replacing of oil, air and fuel filters; the cost can run to $100's annually and many automotive experts recommend that car owners should invest in the best quality replacement parts possible in order to preserve the health and running capacity of any vehicle. If you try and save money in the short term you may end up paying a lot more over time in repair bills.Replacing tiresThe actual cost of replacing tires will be directly affected by the quality of the tread purchased. Generally speaking, the best quality tires will cost the consumer more but should last longer than cheaper models. Along with the periodic replacing of worn tires, wheel alignment and balancing will also need to be paid for to ensure the ongoing safety of the vehicle. The air pressure in the tires also needs to be regularly checked and maintained and this can attract an additional charge if it is included in a wheel alignment service. Puncture kit, jack and spanner sets may all need to be bought, along with a spare tire for the trunk of the car.Other maintenance costsMost people are not practically inclined enough to do their own mechanical work on their car and will likely need to visit an auto mechanic from time to time so that essential repairs can be carried out. Suspension problems may need correcting and an entire overhaul should be done every 8 - 10 years; this can add up to $1000's of dollars, depending on the car and labor costs. Car engines need regular tune-ups, without these the overall maintenance costs of keeping a vehicle can escalate with future wear and tear. The battery in a car should also be regularly checked and maintained and replaced when needed. Cleaning and detailing fees should be factored in; car wash expenses can mount up unless the car owner washes their own vehicle by hand.Insurance, registration and incidentalsEssential bills that need to be paid by all car owners. Even for the most basic insurance cover, many $100's of dollars may need to be outlaid annually. Registration will also be essential, without it the car will not be legally drivable on the roads, which may lead to even larger fees in fines and legal costs. Other costs to take in to consideration include car seat covers, steering wheel protectors, floor mats, windscreen protectors, windscreen wipers, electrical repairs, sound system and GPS maintenance.Sources citedNRMAGood Year TiresCNY New CarsAutomotive.com
