Re:Ask HN: When will car prices normalize?
by krnlpnc on Thursday March 10, 2022 @04:15PM
(#30632554)
Maintenance in terms of something being broken/fixed, or is this is suggested work by the dealership?
Curious what scheduled $800 maintenance would be on a civic, I've had several hondas and they haven't needed much more than gas, fluid, tire and brake changes.
Re:Ask HN: When will car prices normalize?
by youniverse on Thursday March 10, 2022 @04:26PM
(#30632689)
No repairs just maintenance. $300 is just for two new tires + $100 for alignment check. Around $125 each for transmission check and brake fluid. $60 for oil change but you can buy a $120 package for 2 additional ones in the future so I did that. Cabin and engine filters as well not sure what those cost yet, still waiting!
I definitely waited a bit too long so all this stacks up but their prices are actually pretty comparable with independent mechanics (would love to be corrected if anyone gets better in LA :). I should probably replace the air filters myself next time though.
Re:Ask HN: When will car prices normalize?
by king-geedorah on Thursday March 10, 2022 @10:03PM
(#30635629)
I thought transmissions in newer vehicles were sealed shut now and didn’t need fluid top ups?
Re:Ask HN: When will car prices normalize?
by youniverse on Friday March 11, 2022 @07:38PM
(#30647854)
Don't know about that, this Civic is 2017 and they said it needs servicing at 50k miles.
Re:Ask HN: When will car prices normalize?
by alphabettsy on Thursday March 10, 2022 @08:40PM
(#30635131)
You paid $350 for checks? They didn’t adjust the alignment or change the fluids?
Re:Ask HN: When will car prices normalize?
by youniverse on Friday March 11, 2022 @07:36PM
(#30647845)
They did align and change fluids. But just the check is probably that price as well.
Info:
- ~25 new cars on the lot compared to 200+ before shortages. He said they have a good amount of used cars. Funny enough 15 minutes after they took my car they call me and ask if I want to sell my car to them!
- Lease prices are double what they were 2 years ago when I looked. Specifically Civic sedans were ~$250/month with $3k down but now are closer to $600!
- $5k over MSRP on everything which they say "can be worked on" but that seems to be the current standard. I went to Subaru few months back and it was the same.
- For financing, manager said around 3.9% interest is around the lowest they do in-house (assuming max perfect credit). Not sure what auto loans are like with big banks at the moment.
So until shortages normalize buying a new car is just not a wise financial decision (at least for me). $30k+ for a Honda is just pretty bad. With $700/month to finance I'd rather get a Model 3. With gas prices and the $800 maintenance I'm paying just for today it's looking like a good option.
If anyone is interested in current maintenance cost breakdown on my Civic w/ 60k miles I will update this post when i get my bill in an hour or so ballpark $800 total.