Economize Your Old Car
If you do keep an old car, you know the ramifications. Things don’t always function properly, replacement parts may not be available, it consumes more fuel than newer cars, and other little quirks and kinks that could drive other people insane, but you manage to tolerate them anyway.
Most of these problems usually translate into increased maintenance costs, and cumulatively, this could definitely be a detriment to your budget. A proactive approach must be initiated to avoid spending too much on your old car, either because you need to save up to buy a new one, or you just like having an old clunker in your garage.
The Usual Stuff
A car, be it old or new, will require the usual series of maintenance runs that will ensure its proper and trouble-free operation. Things like oil changing, keeping the fluid levels for your brake and transmission on the right level, the lights should be working, tire wear and inflation levels. Nowadays, it’s not that hard to find just about any tire size, so just check which ones are compatible for your old car and head on over to sites like Tire Crazy and get them for good prices.
Do take note of the “special” needs of your particular vehicle’s model. For instance, thicker motor oils may be better for your older car. Do check with your resident expert mechanic if your car can run with no issues on unleaded gasoline, too.
On Replacement Parts
This becomes quite a problem when your older car needs a part that isn’t on stock at your regular auto supply store on account that the model is over two decades old. Fortunately for you, there are online parts retailers that may have what you need. Parts for your old car, especially if it’s Japanese, are probably still being manufactured for 3rd world markets in which the model still sees some use.
If you know a really good mechanic, there is also the option of using newer parts on older models. There are no guarantees that it will work as well as it did, but this might be the only option when the part you need isn’t being made anymore.
Driving A Tad More Carefully
Knowing that your car is a “senior citizen” of an automobile, you best not ride it as hard as you did in the past, and that means no overloading, pedal-to-the-medal hijinks, sudden stops and turns, and all manner of stunt driving that will endanger the integrity and stability of your machine.
Old car or new, gasoline, diesel, hybrid or fully electric, I hope you continue to drive defensively. Happy cruising!
About the Author
Stacey Thompson is a professional writer, marketer, entrepreneur, and a lover of weird little animals. She is based in San Diego, California, and helps her dad maintain his old cars by looking for parts and accessories for them online. Stacey and her friends have a blog, Word Baristas.
Category: Saving Money
I enjoyed this article. Using old cars and fixing them until they die is great for the environment too!!! Makes it so that you do not have to build more stuff.
Lee Veldkamp recently posted..Worst Part of a Budget
Some folks take it as a challenge to see how long they can drive the old car.