03/09/2022
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."
A phrase my dad used a lot while growing up that is still applicable today (especially since 2020). It is no surprise there is some turmoil in the automotive industry. Dealerships have just a handful of cars priced over MSRP, used car dealers prices are up, private party sales scare us to death on a good day, and now part shortages are causing a strain.
"How do I navigate these times?" If you are asking this question, here is a little advice from the trenches. Not new information - but helpful to those new to car ownership, and a great reminder for all.
* Taking care of your vehicle maintenance is your best defense against major repairs. A lot of the time we can catch potential failures while doing regular maintenance. You can then plan and budget these things before they leave you stranded on the side side of the road.
*Have a vehicle maintenance/repair budget. It is not a question of "if" you will have to spend money on your car, but "when".
*Know when to stop putting money in the vehicle. I often encourage my customers to be in tune with the value of his/her car. It is good to know your vehicles worth. Do not spend more than the car's value on a repair.
* Find a good/honest locally owned repair shop you can trust. Locally owned means they live here and will probably be patroning your place of business as well. That keeps our economy strong. I am glad that we have many of these in Ascension Parish. Healthy competition is a good thing, and it ultimately benefits the customer.
We enjoy serving Ascension Parish! We are your one-stop automotive repair shop. If you have any questions, we are here to help.
-Dwayne Vargo