This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Elective repairs can equate to down-payments or a whole car.
For the duration of owning my car, I’ve taken it to the dealership to get it serviced, but once I started approaching 200k miles, I started to question the necessity of this. Most times, there was nothing wrong with my car because it’s solid and has been for the past decade.
Dealerships frequently charge a premium for basic services. So I decided to start going to non-dealership auto shops and haven’t looked back.
Cosmetic Repairs
One cosmetic repair I’ve made to my car included a paint job, which it desperately needs, but as other wear and tear accumulates, I feel unconfident about further investment.
No, I’m not trying to drive a sh*t show, but if it’s not super ugly or noticeable, and I’m okay with it, should I invest more money into my old car?
I’m starting to think not so much unless I want to maintain a pristine appearance.
Cosmetic repairs, new parts, and damage control all add up.
By the time you’re done paying for these things, you could have bought a new car or made a downpayment for a new one. And this doesn’t usually make the most sense.
Though I’ve decided to maintain my car because I plan to keep it after getting a new one to allow others to utilize it, there are some things I’m not getting too stressed about.
Elective Repairs
For instance, my car’s interior could use a tune-up, but I’m not going to pay to get that redone. It’s not affecting the quality of my drive; I’m still getting from points A to B.
By investing in some of these repairs, you could buy a whole car or make a downpayment on a new car.
Some might say investing in an elective repair and not going into debt versus getting a new car is better, but this is up for debate.
If you have the means to purchase a new car without going into debt, maybe it’s time.
The Pro Of Repeatedly Fixing Your Car
#1 Reason – Avoid Debt
A guy just rammed his beautiful BMW a few months back. Instead of buying a new car, he just paid to fix his current one.
It’s paid off, so why not enjoy it a bit longer?
When you fix what’s broken, you avoid unnecessary expenses.
At some point, I know I’m going to cut the cord and get a newer car, and I plan to use my primary car strategy: Maintain the car for an extended period to maximize the utilization of the car and my finances.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.