🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Aug4.181631.9836@fid.morgan.com>, joec@fid.morgan.com (Joe Collins) writes:
|> I am in the market for a new car and have narrowed the field 
|> somewhat to one of the following, in approximate order of
|> preference:
|> 
|> Toyota Camry, Lexus 300, Acura Legend, Ford Taurus (or Lincoln Town Car)
|> 
|> I prefer the Camry for the price and well known reliability.
|> The Lexus is also nice but about 8-10k more money. Both are
|> made by Toyota.
|> 
|> The Legend is a good car but I hear of expensive maintenance,
|>   i.e. tuneups etc - someone told me a tuneup costs $500!
|> 
|> The Taurus would also be good but I suspect the Camry would be
|> more reliable and that is a major concern of mine. (I have had 
|> MAJOR reliability problems with an 87 Maxima).
|> 
|> My real question is: What are present car owners seeing in charges
|>        when they visit the dealer for normal maintenance fees?
|> 
|> 
|> Thanks in advance
|> 
|> Joe
|> joec@morgan.com
|> 

Today's new cars do not require that much normal maintenance as most, if not
all, of the cars functions are controlled by the engine computer.  About the
only things that can be done, that I know of, is:

Changing air filter and other emission controls filters (PCV valve)
Change oil/oil filter
Change spark plugs
Add fluids as necessary
Change tranny fluid/filter (at least on my auto)
Lube chassis

I had some work done earlier this year on my '87 Monte SS (lack equip. to do it
myself) and the guy at the shop I went to basically said that they are snagging
you for $$$ just to go in for a tune-up.  $60+ for 8 spark plugs, labor, some 
washer fluid :-), and a timing check seems like alot of money to me for
something I can do myself so I do do it myself!

An ex gf of mine took her '87 Mazda 626 in to the dealer for normal maintenance
and ended up paying $400+ !  Barring, equipment problems, I help her out with
maitenance now and end up saving her alot of $$$.

The point of all this babbling is that most of the maintenance can be done by
yourself as it isn't that complex even for someone who knows little about auto
maintenance (like myself, but I'm learning...).

-- 

Eric Alter		alter@rchland.vnet.ibm.com
IBM Corporation		Rochester, Mn