MizGingerSnaps / Flickr
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Dining out? Save money on eating out with these ten tips. (The Digerati Life)
The most common car repairs and how to avoid them. (Mainstreet)
Money managment tips for newly married couples or spouses who argue about money. (Money Crashers)
Save money and energy! Reduce your heating bill with these frugal ways to keep your home warm this winter. (Wisebread)
Frugalista? Stay in fashion and learn how to buy shoes on a budget. (The Centsible Life)
Don’t forget to check out Who Can Fix My Car, the UK’s specialist in Car Repairs, which brought you this post.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Robert Couse-Baker/flickr
Several years ago I had a minivan that I LOVED. It was the first car that I had ever purchased myself. Unfortunately, one part kept breaking. I must have fixed it four times. I finally just gave the car away. A few months later, I was talking to a mechanic and mentioned how many times I had fixed that part. “Oh yes,” he said, “that part was a factory recall.”
“A factory recall?” What is that?
Turns out that every car has a list of problems that so many people have had with that particular year, make and model, that the factory agrees it screwed up and will replace it FOR FREE!
Instead of paying to fix a part four times, I could have
thehume/Flickr
Readers responded to my post on how I saved $3,100 using tips I received from BargainBabe.com readers with requests for help. Please leave a comment if you have ideas for them.
Cindy in San Jose wrote:
I am looking for someone to repair my dryer. Thank you, Cindy
Yazmin in Los Angeles wrote:
Hi, I am purchasing a foreclosure home in Los Angeles. We hired an inspector and told us that whole house needs to be rewired. Our agent recommended her electrician (licensed). He went to see the house and he estimated (just labor) $1900 and we can buy material estimated $850. I am trying to stick with a licensed person. We did not expect this expense when we considered purchasing the house. We still need to buy paint and carpet/tile. I need you help please!! Yazmin
Lisa in Studio City/Sherman Oaks wrote:
Hi Julia- In reference to your article today about the Mini repairs, I’m looking for a reliable alternative to the dealer for my ’05 Honda Pilot with 66,000 miles. Needs service YESTERDAY (that crazy “maintence required” light keeps coming on!!), so any help would be appreciated
thanks, Lisa
Related posts:
Upholstery, Landscaping, and Auto Body Repair at a deep discount
MSVG/Flickr
I took my Mini Cooper in for service knowing it needed repairs, but was overwhelmed when the dealer estimate came in at $4,500. I bought the car used with a 50,000 mile warranty and this was the first time anything – and everything, it seems – needed fixing. With coupons I negotiated 10% off my total bill, wiping out $450. I considered asking for 20% off if I paid in cash, but even then my bill would be $3,600. The car is only worth $9,300!
Then I remembered a super old post from February 2009 titled, 15 things we overpay for. At the end of the post I confessed to overpaying for five of the things on the list, including car maintenance at the dealer. Two readers, Lisa and Tyrone, recommended mechanics who work on Minis. I dug up the post, called both mechanics and got two estimates within 15 minutes.
How much would repairs cost? $1,900 at one, $1,400 at the other. That’s 43% and 31% of the dealer estimate, respectively. Wow!
So what is the difference between the Mini dealer and a regular mechanic?
BargainBabe.com
Long story short, I picked up my Mini from the dealer, paid $82 for the inspection and dropped it off at a regular mechanic’s shop. I was leaning towards the mechanic who quoted me $1,900, but his first opening was July 14 so I took it to the cheaper guy. My final bill may be higher, but so far I’m on track to save $3,100 thanks to BargainBabe.com readers!
Here is the work I am having done on my car (no DIY repairs for me):
- replace front brakes and rotors, flush brake system
- clean the throttle body and fuel injection system
- flush the cooling system and replace fluids
- replace lower controlling rubber bushings, which are cracked
- replace power steering fluid hoses, which are leaking
- replace two engine mounts, which are cracked
- install two new back tires
- align wheels
The experience made me realize that the collective saving power of BargainBabe.com readers really is amazing. If you are trying to save money on something, email me and I’ll share it on the blog. Who knows? Maybe another reader will help you save thousands of dollars.
