Quote:
Originally Posted by melinuxfool
Other things that don't hurt to check up on: Does the car use regular gas, premium, or diesel?
How much do simple parts cost? Air filter, fuel filter, transmission filter (if it's automatic), oil filter, PCV valve, windshield wipers, lights, TIRES etc. All things that have to be replaced periodically so it doesn't hurt to have an idea what they cost.
How easy are parts to access? In other words, can simple maintenance be performed by the cars owner, or is everything so jammed in there you can't do anything without removing a dozen other components that are in the way (I stay away from cars like that).
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Great tip on the maintance and sites like consumer reports and edmunds have the true cost to own numbers for most cars.
Premium fuel is another thing people make way to much of a deal. The cost of preimum fuel is not as much people think it is. Here in NY/NJ the diffrence between premium fuel and regular can range from anywhere from 25-35 cents. Take some one who drives 12k miles a year and thier car gets an avg of 22mpg overall. now thats 545 gallons used over the years time. at 35 cents and you have a yearly cost of $190 dollars. Now cars that usually require this generally are cars that enthusisat buy and generally benefit from better performance. So for the cost $190 a year people are making a huge stink
Unless your buying a much older car other the subaru most cars that require premium generally cost more. In example luxury cars or performance cars. So if 190 bucks is an issue you shouldnt be buying the car.