We found this article interesting because we have seen it in action but never realized the resulting savings produced and saw an actual amount.  We are fans of Consumer Reports.  Their automotive testing & analysis have typically been correct in our observations.

At Sullivans Two we realize automotive repairs are expensive and inconvenient.  Most of our visitors stand before us with an unbudgeted, untimely, & unanticipated repair bill.  To help avoid this we followed this article with a convenient maintenance program to help you help your vehicle.

We feel this program will allow us to anticipate your vehicles future repairs or maintenance needs while allowing you drive your vehicle reliably & predictably over the next 15 years.

Make Your Car Last 200,000 miles

CONSUMER REPORTS FINDS MAINTAINING CARS FOR 200,000 MILES CAN SAVE OWNERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

When comparing the costs of buying and keeping a car for 225,000 miles over 15 years to buying and financing an identical model every five years, CR found the savings could be more than the original purchase price of the vehicle—and even greater if the savings were invested. 

For example, Consumer Reports estimated the popular Honda Civic EX, with an automatic transmission Honda Civic EX, with an , could potentially save its owner as much as $20,500 if properly maintained over 15 years— $1,500 more than its purchase price.

In its analysis, CR calculated the costs of purchase price including destination fees, depreciation, maintenance and repairs, finance and interest, fees and taxes, and insurance for 15 years against the same factors for purchasing a new model every five years.

Factoring in three percent inflation and an annual five percent interest rate, Consumer Reports estimated an additional $10,300 in investment savings. As a result, maintaining the Civic EX over 15 years would be approximately $30,800 less than the cost of buying a new Civic EX every five years. Consumer Reports found similar savings with other models.

Get Your Car To Go the Distance:

For motorists looking to make their car reach 200,000 miles, the October issue of Consumer Reports offers complete advice on how to do it. Here are some of the highlights:

• Go by the book. Follow the maintenance schedule in the vehicle owner’s manual and make necessary repairs promptly. If you think you’re saving money by skipping an oil change, think again. Missing even one oil change can accelerate premature engine wear and cause engine damage. The manual contains a maintenance schedule.
• Use the right stuff. When it’s time for maintenance or repairs, use only parts and fluids meeting manufacturer specifications. Using the wrong type of oil or transmission fluid, for example, could result in damage leading to expensive repairs.
• Know what to look for. Problems can arise at any time and for inexplicable reasons. So it helps to get in the habit of opening the hood and looking, listening, and smelling what’s happening in your engine bay. Look for fraying or cracks in belts, and cracks or bulges in hoses. Investing in a vehicle service manual, available at car dealerships and most auto-parts stores, will help show you what to look for and assist you with minor repairs.
• Keep it clean. Get out the cleaning products periodically. Regular cleaning inside and out can make the car a more pleasant place to be as you roll up the miles, and washing and waxing can help preserve the paint and keep the sheet metal below it from rusting. Vacuuming sand and dirt out of carpets and seats can minimize premature wear that leads to tears and holes.
• Buy a reliable, safe car.  Buy a car with a good track record. Consumer Reports offers comprehensive reliability ratings in every April Autos issue and to ConsumerReports.org subscribers. Buy a car that has performed well in government and insurance-industry safety tests and has the latest safety equipment,, like electronic stability control and curtain air bags. If you’re going to live with a vehicle for a long time, you will want it to provide maximum safety protection.

Maintenance: Basic Care for Longer Vehicle Life
Simple maintenance can keep your car working for you for many miles. From monthly visual inspections to comprehensive service checks, keeping an eye on every day wear and tear can stop small problems from becoming expensive headaches.

Following these recommended maintenance schedules is good preventive care. Whether it’s 3,000 miles or 60,000, with a little TLC your car will remain in top condition.  We have also added our own ideas dealing mainly with Wisconsin type issues that you owners manual does not consider such as high humidity & rust.

It is important to note that you should always refer to your owner’s manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Sometimes they are the same & sometimes they change each year for each individual model & make.  You should also know that Sullivans Two invests into dealer level information.  We have your vehicle's maintenance schedule in our database along with the diagnostic tools needed to repair it.  Do you have a brand new vehicle?  By law, we can perform all maintenance required to keep your warranty effective.  Most the time, we are less expensive too.