Buying a new car is a tough financial decision. The same can be said for used cars as you would not want to spend a small fortune on unnecessary repairs.

For those who are looking for ways on how to further lower maintenance costs and insurance, here is part 2 of the series on how to make car ownership more memorable and friendly to the pocket.

Vehicle Maintenance

New Cars

If you just bought a new car then congratulations! Not only will you have to keep up with monthly payments for the next two or three years but you will also be paying for vehicle maintenance as well. True, brand new cars come with comprehensive warranties (and is the reason why cars with the longest warranties are highly coveted and should therefore be supported) but there are things that you will still need to pay during servicing.

Remember that as your car spends time at the service center, you lose the value of your time as well. Not to mention the stress of finding out that your car will have to spend an additional day or two at the dealer just because a certain spare part is momentarily out of stock.

Avoid such scenarios. Avoid putting yourself in a situation that is out of your control. Always adhere to the maintenance requirements of your car, whether if the car comes with a standard 10-year warranty or not. Read the owner’s manual or give the dealer a call if you are not sure. Ask them about specific maintenance updates and schedule your visit in advance.

Used Cars

Used cars are a different story. If you are unsure about the condition of the car that you wish to buy (or one that you have already bought because a friend insisted that it was a good deal) then it is best to bring the car to a mechanic you can trust. How do you find a trustworthy and honest mechanic that REALLY knows what he/she is doing? Ask around. Talk to friends who know about cars and ask them the best places to get affordable car repair.

When in doubt, you can always visit local car forums online. It is there that you can find a wealth of information pertaining to all the best repair shops and mechanics in your area. Remember that mechanics or technicians are capable of repairing any make and model of car but the really good ones focus on a particular brand/make alone.

More to come soon on the money-saving techniques that will help you pay less on car insurance and vehicle repairs. Interested in finding your next new or used car? Start your search here and find the lowest new and used car prices in the market.