- Joined
- Jul 5, 2024
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- 179
you will have truly progressed all the way to official DILLIGAF status when you switch to the cheapest stuff on the shelf..
For those who over maintain their cars, just wanted to offer another viewpoint.
- Thread starter Bill7
- Start date
Vehicles just don't break down as much anymore. The junk yard isn't anecdotal that "newish" cars cant go the distance. I mean the average vehicle is like 1-1/2 years.
Those on this forum can try to justify to themselves the "money flush" of anything else shorter than a 5,000 mile oil change-even tho with todays oil that interval too short-JMHO.
Those with severe OCDs that insist on OEM name brand for everything end up making a huge favor for the next owner, that's about it. Even keeping maintenance records is quite pointless for normal cars. People buying used simply don't care. I don't even care, it's a bonus for sure, but I'm buying based on condition, not the stack of papers.
Dealers take a maintenance file and throw it in the "round file". There are no tools in place for storing a maintenance file nor is there a NADA Black Book nor Kelley Blue Book value that list "vehicles with maintenance records".
You just can't under any circumstances pencil out "over maintenance". You will get a better trade in if your vehicle is visually appealing verses an identical one that is not-all other things being equal (millage, etc.)
That's about it.
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You can believe that if you want.
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2024
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- 179
pretty much sums it up... you make a judgement based on appearance.. I do too...
At work they talk about "leaning in" to conversations when you don't understand. So I kind of want to ask for more information about this and be curious. But then I also fear what I might find out. This is a tough one. Maybe mods can help usPlease! This is a family forum.
Edit (formatting was off): All joking about vehicle disease prevention aside, I'd rather know the car I'm driving has been maintained well, regardless of where it ends up.
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Please. Anyone buying used is cheap or doesn't have a lot of money to spend. Either way, they are going to low ball you on your over maintained used car.
Another perspective on "unnecessary" preventative maintenance - the replacement part is probably lower quality than the factory part. I've been burnt a few times by this even with OE parts. Now I don't bother until the factory part breaks
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2021
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Over maintaining ( going beyond the owners manual ) is a waste of money if you sell the car. It's only good for the owner with OCD or if they truly enjoy doing it which is o.k.
You won't get anything extra when you sell the vehicle.
Even following the owners manual ( unless you have done damage ) doing all those " service inspections" won't fetch a higher price IMHO from my previous experience.
They definitely won't care what kind of Boutique oil/filter you ran either.
If the vehicle is in good condition ( clean, no rust, drives ok and tires not bald ), that's all they care about from my previous experience.
You won't get anything extra when you sell the vehicle.
Even following the owners manual ( unless you have done damage ) doing all those " service inspections" won't fetch a higher price IMHO from my previous experience.
They definitely won't care what kind of Boutique oil/filter you ran either.
If the vehicle is in good condition ( clean, no rust, drives ok and tires not bald ), that's all they care about from my previous experience.
That's a new one on me. Not everyone is shopping for a beater. I suppose luxury car buyers who purchase 2 and 3 year old off lease cars are "cheap" and "don't have a lot of money to spend." Have you shopped in the $30-50,000 range lately? And if some Schmoe low balls you, you walk away.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
You are looking at it wrongly.
Investment in the maintenance is safety issue. It is not investment to pay of in monetary terms later.
For example, Pilot we use is actually my FIL’s car that left it with us and he uses 1-3 times a year. We use it when we need 8 passengers vehicle or family comes to town. I absolutely hate the car. It is most uncomfortable vehicle I drove in a long time. I actually took Tiguan on 2,800 mls trip over Pilot.
But, I always put OE stuff or best aftermarket parts. I put my kids in it. It must be as safe as possible!
Investment in the maintenance is safety issue. It is not investment to pay of in monetary terms later.
For example, Pilot we use is actually my FIL’s car that left it with us and he uses 1-3 times a year. We use it when we need 8 passengers vehicle or family comes to town. I absolutely hate the car. It is most uncomfortable vehicle I drove in a long time. I actually took Tiguan on 2,800 mls trip over Pilot.
But, I always put OE stuff or best aftermarket parts. I put my kids in it. It must be as safe as possible!
If you are sure your ownership horizon is 5-8 years, doing the minimum may make sense. But even then, circumstances can change. You can have a financial setback. Cars that your find appealing may no longer be available. Cars may have become unaffordable. In which case having an over-maintained vehicle that will comfortably last years longer would be great. Same reason for keeping the interior and exterior as like-new as possible.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
Because 'usually' outward appearance is detail to maintenance as well.
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