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Should I repair or replace my vehicle?

Good question. Many Des Moines drivers ask themselves that same question every day. The answer depends on several things like; how old the vehicle is, the mileage, and the way you drive it, just to name a few.

Typically, it is almost always less expensive to repair a vehicle than to purchase a new one. Here are some interesting things to think about:

• Even a large repair such as replacing a blown motor or transmission, that would cost you anywhere from $3000 to $7000 to fix, is still more cost-effective than buying a new car. It certainly would make a nice down payment, but don’t forget, you would have monthly payments to keep up with as well.
• Insurance and registration fees will be more expensive with a new vehicle.
• Typically, a new car loses around 22% value the first year you drive it, your current car has already taken the depreciation hit.

When to say Goodbye

Let’s face it, even if you have taken good care of your vehicle, it will wear out eventually and sometimes saying goodbye is your best option. Consider trading in the old clunker when:

• The repairs are turning out to be more frequent and the costs are getting hard to keep up with.
• If your car is leaving you stranded more times than not.
• If a large repair is needed that costs more than half the value of the vehicle.

How to extend the life of your vehicle.

Keep your vehicle up to date with regular maintenance schedules. Here are a few tips to keep your ride purring along as long as you can.

• Stay on top of oil changes. Skipping regular oil and filter changes will lead to sludge build-up, reduce the efficiency and eventually, engine failure.
• Keep up with fluid changes. Engine oil isn’t the only fluid that needs to be changed. Transmission fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid are all fluids that require attention. Leaks can cause major damage if not fixed soon.
• Change your filters. Cabin filters, fuel filters, and air filters get clogged over time and need replacing periodically.
• Keep it clean. By keeping your car clean both on the inside and outside, you will retain a higher resale value by making it look great. It is especially important to keep the outside clean in the wintertime. Road salt and grime can cause rust.
• Stay up to date on repairs. Putting off needed repairs can cause further damage to your vehicle. For example, ignoring squealing brakes not only reduces your stopping power but you could end up having to replace the brake rotors as which makes a big difference to your pocketbook.
• Store it in the garage if possible. Keeping your car inside protects it from the harsh elements outside that could damage the paint.
• Driving habits do matter. Jackrabbit acceleration and hard braking will take a toll on your vehicle causing the parts to wear out faster.

If you’re planning to keep your vehicle for a while longer, stop by Hilltop Tire Service today for an honest evaluation of your vehicle. We’ll give you an estimate of any repairs that are necessary or if no repairs are needed, we’ll tell you that too. The most important thing is your safety and we are here to ensure your ride is safe to drive.