If you’re looking to save on car maintenance, steer clear of the dealership for services—trust me, it’s a financial trap. Dealerships often charge significantly more compared to independent auto shops. Let me share a story about my car, Moose. Not long ago, Moose’s battery light turned on—a glaring red warning. I shrugged it off, assuming it wasn’t a big deal especially since I had just replaced the battery six months prior.
Unfortunately, Moose decided to quit on me right in my garage, losing all power suddenly. I was lucky I wasn’t stranded somewhere on the road. I ended up calling my roadside assistance (which is absolutely worth the $5 monthly fee for the peace of mind and practical help it offers) and got a jump start, bringing Moose back to life.
After checking the manual, which instructed me to visit a dealer immediately if the battery light comes on, I realized I should’ve taken the signal more seriously. However, it was the weekend and my mechanic was closed, plus I had a flight to catch the next day. Upon my return, not fully trusting Moose, I had him towed to my mechanic to avoid any mid-tunnel breakdowns. Turns out, I needed a new alternator.
My mechanic, who I’ve trusted for over a decade, charged me $440 for the repair. I managed to get a cash discount, dropping the cost to $400. Curious about how much I’d saved, I called the dealership to find out their price for the same part and service. They quoted me $885 for a new alternator and $450 for a refurbished one, with an installation fee of $385. That would have been at least $785 for the refurbished part at the dealership, a significant mark-up compared to my mechanic’s price.
The moral of the story? Dealerships can massively overcharge for parts and labor. It’s better to find a trusted mechanic through recommendations and build a relationship that could save you a lot of money in the long run. This experience reinforced my stance—never go to the car dealer for service post-warranty. It’s just not worth it.
And while we’re on the subject of financial decisions, consider spending less on cars and investing more in assets like real estate, which appreciate over time, unlike cars that depreciate the moment you drive them off the lot. I’ve personally shifted my investments towards properties in promising regions, utilizing platforms like Fundrise and Crowdstreet, which have made real estate investment more accessible and diversified.
