How much do you spend on Maintenance yearly?

[PinkSander]

I hope this isn't considered nosy, but to help me figure out what car I'm going to get, I'm wondering how much everyone spends on their car every year on maintenance? The reason I ask, is I don't want to buy a super cheap car and then find out that the monthly-yearly maintenance is outrageously expensive. Like all in all, oil and filter changes, fluid checks, trans, break and engine checks?Also please tell me the year and make of your car. :o:o:oIf this is too nosy please let me know, I don't want to wear out my welcome:o:o:o, I want to frequent this board for years to come, even when I have kids of my own.

[ketchupqueen]

Including oil changes (including the cost if he didn't do it himself, he usually does), brake checks, and other incidents, I'd say over the past 6 years (how long we've had this car) we've averaged about $100/year. We live in a hilly area and drive it every day. We have an 03 Corolla. Some years it has been less, some years more. That includes 2 new sets of tires in the average. It's a pretty problem-free car. :thumbsup:

[PinkSander]

Including oil changes (including the cost if he didn't do it himself, he usually does), brake checks, and other incidents, I'd say over the past 6 years (how long we've had this car) we've averaged about $100/year. We live in a hilly area and drive it every day. We have an 03 Corolla. Some years it has been less, some years more. That includes 2 new sets of tires in the average. It's a pretty problem-free car. :thumbsup:

Wow KetchupQueen (great sn btw! I love it!) That's not bad at all! I was expecting it to be in the hundreds, possible thousands. Shows how much I know about cars! lol

[ketchupqueen]

Well, it also helps that our mechanic is very reasonable, and doesn't charge for a little look-see if nothing is wrong. Some years it was in the hundreds (the years we got new tires); some years it was $30. We never pay more than $15 for an oil change.

I'm not counting the deductible we paid from the times my husband has crashed it, either, lol.

And we bought it used in its model year, a rental company had been the previous owner. So it was really well-maintained and fairly lightly used when we got it.

[PinkSander]

My uncle owns a towing company as well as a junk lot(cars from accidents) So I'm going to ask him to teach me to change my own tires, oil and filter and then see if he can do the engine checks and what not. I just don't want him to think I'm taking advantage of him, because he is my uncle. I would very much like to do a lot of the stuff on my own, if I can. Also, would having a car detailed every year be considered maintenance or just ascetically pleasing? I just found a site that tells you when you should have everything checked and it mentions washing your car and using 5 Star Shine on it, but doesn't say anything about the inside.

[ketchupqueen]

Hmmm. Some people like their car detailed every year. We've never done it. We vaccum it and use a protective product on the dash and such.

[ginny4]

YIKES i just looked up in our money program & OMG we spent ALOT on maintance but it included new tires (special ones) & we bought a newER van recently so we had all lil plugs & such replaced & it needed a new seatbelt (boy did that cost an arm & a leg). we have 3 vehicles - we must rid of one very soon..... . it was a BAD maintance year. if i dvide the year cost over 3 cars it was about $375 per vehicle for the 2008year. thta os much larger than the previous year. (less than 1/2 that cost in 2007)

oh our vehicles are a 93 jimmy, 94 gr caravan & a 2001 gr caravan

[BW1426]

I would plan on spending substantially more than $100 a year. A single axle brake job alone will be around $250. Especially in MI when you're dealing with salt, you have other issues. My exhaust system needed to be replaced which had a lot to do with the salt used on the roads and the corrosion it caused. That was $490.

Also, changing your own oil isn't always such a good deal. Here we have to pay to dispose of oil. It's a much better deal to pay $25 and have an inspection come along with it. When you consider the time it takes and the cost of disposing the oil, it just didn't end up being worthwhile in our case at least.

[sirrahn]

Last year we spent about $2K between our two vehicles. That was about $500 on my '04 Sienna and $1500 on DH's '02 Passat.

We always have the dealer recommended maintenance every 10K which usually runs $300-500 and then oil changes in between. Mine included having the A/C looked at and recharged (it was blowing warm on one side). DH drives his car a lot (70 mi commute) and his total included a brake job, new tires, and fixing a small oil leak along with the normal maintenence. Still for a long paid-off car with 125K miles...not terrible.

[ketchupqueen]

Wow, hold the phone, there are places that make you pay to dispose of your oil?

We do it at my dad's house, he collects it in an old jug of some sort, takes it to the recycle center and they dispose of it for free.

Guess some things really really vary by where you live!

I would probably budget an AVERAGE of $200 per year, knowing that some years it will be more and some less, personally. Like I said, we have got very lucky! It also helps to have a good mechanic who you know and trust, and we always look for coupons for oil changes and get good deals. (That junk mail is good for something!)

[LuvBug03]

you know, I have never kept track of it. I know I get my oil changed about 2-3 times a year(I go 4-5k between). I've had 2 full front break replacement and 2 full sets of tires... I've only had a complete lookover once at my 50k mile mark, everything was normal. I've got a HUGE crack in my windshield I am about to call about today, my insurance includes free windshields so I don't expect that to cost anything. I also buy my tires where I get a lifetime of free rotation and balance on those said tires, so that costs nothing. My window is off track and I need to call and see if it is under warrantee because I know we got the extended one. I've had my car since march 02 and it was bought new(03 corolla s). It has a little over 78k miles on it. If you don't include the complete lookover, then I'd say I average $200 a year? This is our only vehicle.

Oh I've also replaced my battery twice, but the 2nd time I got it free because it went dead before their 2y guaruntee.

[DustysSweety]

I drive a 2007 Nissan Quest bough new Jan 07. All services done at the dealership my van as of 1/5/2009 has 28,292 miles on it, that is 3 long trips to near Reno NV the 1st yr we had it.

So far we've spent : $405.43
18750 scheduled maintenance on 5/19/2008 at $172.56
22500 mile peak service on 8/21/2008 at $189.90
Oil change on 12/24/2008 at $42.97

Oh yeah it's also been to the bodyshop when it was 2wks old because the dealership scratched the drivers side door:mad:,I've had 1 tire already replaced, back taillight replaced it burned out, we did all the extra warranty so that was covered,i've had the armrests of the driver and passanger door replaced due to peeling plastic:mad:, Just this wk i had the whole new head unti for the stereo replaced because my speakers went out:mad:, i also had fabric on the back bench replaced because somehow fabric was popping out from under the plastic where the headrest attaches to the bench the dealer said it was from shrinkage when no one really sits back there.

My van isn't even 2yrs old yet:(

I was also told the the next scheduled maintenance will be $600:eek: but i think it depend on if it's the supper detailed maintenance and the just regular one since they have 2 options and one includes way more stuff

[christineka]

We have older vehicles and aren't real interested in spending a lot on the upkeep. Apparently the clikc and clack guys claim you don't need your oil changed.

I get the oil changed once a year when I have the vehicles in for the state inspection. The oil change is $35 and the state inspection is $15. We have to replace at least one lightbulb a year which costs a couple $. (Even non mechanical people should be able to change the light bulb.)

The 1994 Ford Tempo is averaging about $600 a year in repairs. It is a bit much, but we could only afford a similarly priced vehicle that would likely need just as many repairs or die completely in a year, so we stick with it. (Our last two vehicles were free and when they died we did without.)

The 1997 Ford Aerostar (van) had a new battery put in last year , which cost $65. (It is the 3 year battery since I plan to be rid of the van soon.) The year before we got new tires at about $300.

The car is the commuter and drives long distances every day. I think dh has put 50,000 miles on it in the past two years. The van on the other hand has only gained a few thousand miles in the last year. It is for driving around town mostly.

[2 blueberry eye girls]

In our 2004 Passat, which we bought brand new. There is 40k miles on it. My husband drives it to and from work, about 15mi round trip. We have never had to put any money in to it besides regular oil changes, about $35 every 5k miles. about $215 in 4yr in oil changes. We have had to change the wipers once a year, $44 (winter ones) $176. a few light blubs $50. The car had its first major maintaince done in October and that was $900, new spark plugs, new tires. the tires were $400. all oils and fluids changed. The maintaince was the first time we have had to put money into the car. It has been a very good running car for us. in 4years we have spent $1341. I do get all my maintaince done at the dealer ship. Only because I had been taking it to Midas. When I brought it to the dealer ship to get winterized, the midas workers did not put the right airfilter in. Since then I take it to the dealership were I know they have the right parts for the job.

Olivia 4.26.04 40lb 45in regent/gn
makayla 9.16.06 30in 27lb rf wizard

[MustangMama]

I drive a 2006 Mustang and the only thing I have done to it is change the oil every 3 months :thumbsup:

Never had a problem with it!!







(Knocks on wood!!) :whistle:

[southpawboston]

we've spent $597.37 over 2.5 years (about $239/year) for regular maintenance on our 2006 mazda, which we bought new.

that includes two complete detailings, five oil changes, a flat tire repair, two sets of windshield wiper refills, and four scheduled services.

it does not include the ~$850 we paid for top rated snow tires and an extra set of alloy rims. i don't see that cost more as a new car option than as maintenance.

[TXAggieTech]

DH is a nut about the Excursion and we spend over $3000 a year on maintenance. That includes detailing and all the electronics. We drove about 70,000 miles in 2008 so we put quite a bit more mileage than the average home. Our X has over 200,000 miles on it and runs like it is brand new.

I swear he treats the mechanic like it is a spa! And I think he sometimes fudges a bit on what he spends....

[PinkSander]

we've spent $597.37 over 2.5 years (about $239/year) for regular maintenance on our 2006 mazda, which we bought new.

that includes two complete detailings, five oil changes, a flat tire repair, two sets of windshield wiper refills, and four scheduled services.

it does not include the ~$850 we paid for top rated snow tires and an extra set of alloy rims. i don't see that cost more as a new car option than as maintenance.


Thanks sooo much everyone! Especially KetchupQueen and Southpaw, since I'm looking at Corollas and Mazda3s, but even the ones I'm not looking at thanks all the same, it will give me an idea when I get a bigger car. What about Toyota's? Are Toyota's in general pretty cheap on the upkeep? Right now my favorite that I have looked at are Toyota, Mazda and Scion. I really hope that these makes are awesome to drive because I am really in love with the Toyota's. I don't know why, because I have never know anyone who owns one. I just seem to lean towards them.

[LuvBug03]

I just realized ketchupqueen and I both have 03 corollas that we have been the only owners of. That is pretty cool to look at her average and mine. I have had 2 sets of tires and 2 sets of front breaks, we live in a really hilly area as well.

[niccig]

I just found a site that tells you when you should have everything checked and it mentions washing your car and using 5 Star Shine on it, but doesn't say anything about the inside.

Can you give the details of the site. I need to be on top of the car maintenance more.

THanks.

[disbugsmomma]

BW1426, where in MI do you live? I know Valvoline will take your oil and not charge for it. I think any of the quick oil change places should take it without charge.

[emandbri]

I haven't really kept track on how much we spend. We have a 2004 sienna and a 2000 camry. We get oil changes of course but don't do much else. I know in the last year I got new breaks and we got new tires for Brian's car. Something was wrong with the heater on Brian's car I think it was $300 to fix.

If I had to guess I would say we spent around $1000 last year. We will spend more this year because we need to get the timing belt in the camry changed and that is around $1000.

[PinkSander]

Can you give the details of the site. I need to be on top of the car maintenance more.

THanks.

Yup Sure thing
http://www.all-about-car-selection.com/car-care.html

Check the whole site out, they offer lots info.

[BW1426]

BW1426, where in MI do you live? I know Valvoline will take your oil and not charge for it. I think any of the quick oil change places should take it without charge.

Northern lower peninsula. My dad did it once, I can't remember how much it cost. I have 0 interest in changing my own oil. If my dad wants to do it great, but no way no how am I changing my own oil. Isn't going to happen :p

[ketchupqueen]

We will spend more this year because we need to get the timing belt in the camry changed and that is around $1000.


For a timing belt? Really?

My dad got one changed in his old Corolla and it cost him about $400, I think.

[ketchupqueen]

I just realized ketchupqueen and I both have 03 corollas that we have been the only owners of. That is pretty cool to look at her average and mine. I have had 2 sets of tires and 2 sets of front breaks, we live in a really hilly area as well.

Well, a rental co. owned it before us.

What color is yours? That would be freaky if it was the same (we have an unusual color.)

[LuvBug03]

it is um... what color did they call it? like... thunderstorm grey or something lol! It has a stupid name, but really it is just a dark greyish color. Not rare at all.

[Morganthe]

We have older vehicles and aren't real interested in spending a lot on the upkeep. Apparently the clikc and clack guys claim you don't need your oil changed.

Yep, that's me. I put synthetic oil in my car once a year. I buy the oil +filter and have someone do the work. I used to do it myself at the base auto hobby shop, but with dd, it's easier to pay someone $15 to do it. Oil disposal is included.



We will spend more this year because we need to get the timing belt in the camry changed and that is around $1000.
Someone is ROBBING YOU! :jaw:

I had the timing belt + the other 2? belts on my 99 Camry changed in late 2006-- total cost = $250 at Firestone. I can't remember if that included new fuel filter, or not, which wasn't cheap either due to its location. As soon as I bought it a few months earlier, I had a tune up done too.. That's about it other than the annoying transmission mentioned below.

Get a second & third opinion on that timing belt. That really is an elevated price. :( Dealership quote, perhaps? :whistle:


Other than one vehicle, both dh & I have always bought used. The new vehicle was thankfully under warranty for 5 years. It would have beggared us if it hadn't. Every 2,000 miles on that truck, something went wrong. On average, we spend about $200-400 per vehicle for maintenance & repair issues. I really don't count tires either. But I will have to get new ones before pcsing. What I have on the car is decent for Texas, but anywhere else? :ROTFLMAO: :o

We're mostly around the $200 level of that amount. DH had particularly bad luck with his US specs Jetta.. but the Camry didn't need much during that year (2007?) so it evened out.

My only problem with the Camry has been the transmission. It was under warranty, so I was out proportionately few $$s to what it could h ave been. Still, it's our only automatic and I'm more likely to blame the troubles on that fact than not having a brand new car.

I figure as long as we continue to pay $200-$500 yearly for upkeep, it still is nowhere near the amount it would take to purchase & insure a brand new vehicle. :shrug-shoulders:

[jdchic3]

So far we've haven't spent too much on vehicles. This year was really high on the Jeep though since we got new tires. Usually it's around $100 per year per vehicle. One year we did have to have the motor replaced in the Jeep's driver window twice though, and that was another higher year. Thankfully it was under our warranty plan so we only paid the deductable.

[Davids-Coco]

We had two Mazda3s and now drive a VW Passat and a Mazda CX-7. Let me tell you - the shock on the services for the Passat has killed me.

Mazda service is really well priced, IMO. We probably didn't spend more than $200 a year on DH's car and he drives at least 65 miles daily... so there was some service going on there. I think you can't go wrong with Mazda - great company, great cars, great service (here at least).

[PinkSander]

OOOh yah! Another ping on my Mazda3! Now I just want to hear of the Yaris and the Scion xB and xD! Thanks for all the info guys!

[Jeanum]

Off the top of my head, we have spent under $100 on our '08 xB so far (purchased new in Aug. '07). Scion included the first two oil changes with purchase of a new Scion, and I think this is still the case now for Scion buyers. We spend about $100 a year on maintaining our '05 Sienna for misc. maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotation. No repairs needed so far on either car.

[PinkSander]

Awesome thanks Jeanum! Anyone out there with a Yaris car to chime in, or maybe know some one of a Yaris? I just want to make sure that non of the cars I'm considering are money pits.

[emandbri]

Get a second & third opinion on that timing belt. That really is an elevated price. :( Dealership quote, perhaps? :whistle:








I haven't gotten a quote yet, someone online said it would be $1000. I'll keep you updated on what prices I find! :D

[ketchupqueen]

My husband says I now have to change my answer in this thread to "a lot less than I spend on carseats yearly." LOL!

[ketchupqueen]

Oh, and we too had 3 belts changed on our Corolla for $175 including labor.

We never go to the dealership now that our warranty is up. Find a mechanic you trust (preferably through a friend) and you'll save a looot of money!

[PinkSander]

My husband says I now have to change my answer in this thread to "a lot less than I spend on carseats yearly." LOL!

lol I got my GED Test scores back, and I passed, so now I'm looking at finding a job so I can save for my car, I'll also be going to community college so I'm aiming at great insurance at a low cost.

[ketchupqueen]

Congratulations!

[PinkSander]

Thank you! :D

[southpawboston]

I haven't gotten a quote yet, someone online said it would be $1000. I'll keep you updated on what prices I find! :D

it may very well be the normal price for that job on your particular car. just because a timing belt can be replaced on another car for $400 doesn't mean that other cars don't require additional hours of labor to get that damn belt replaced. i've replaced a few timing belts in my life; some have been easy (2-3 hours), while others have taken me all day. not all cars are created equal. and cars today have so much crap jammed in that engine bay that it means taking apart half the engine just to get to the darned thing! :mad:

similar with clutches. on some cars a clutch job can be as little as $400. on other cars it can be $800-1200!

but i agree; getting second and third opinions is *always* a smart thing to do when it comes to car repair quotes.