Repair Investment

     Not everyone is in a funk over this recession. In these times, it’s time to get real. Getting real is revaluating you transportation needs. Taking a hard look at what your needs are and how to best achieve them. As repair facility we see these decisions every day. This January was better than last year as far as the volume of work is concerned. We did more work yet we wrote fewer work orders. This reflected a simple fact. We are getting larger repair orders because owners are deciding to repair their cars rather than patching them.
     They have made the decision to hang on to their rides for at least another year. It makes more sense to invest $2500 in your current car than purchase new. I fact, during a new car purchase, all a $2500 investment would buy you is reasonable stereo system , really not much. More Folks are coming to the aftermarket for service. Aftermarket? “non-dealer service”. In a recent JD Power survey smaller aftermarket shops top the list when it comes to owner satisfaction. Dealing directly with your tech makes servicing your car a personal thing. In tough times people find comfort in the fact that they have more control during the repair. Smaller shops are more intimate, they take the time, in fact, you’re usually dealing with the owner. Decided to get real?
     If you’re considering replacing or repairing your set of wheels, have the car audited. Get estimates on what it will take to keep you mobile for the next say 12 months. If the repairs are less than $2500 keep the thing on the road in lieu of committing to 5 to 7 years of payments. Most cars require a major service every year. Use these service intervals to verify the condition of your current car and make your decision then.