re: Looked into buying a new car today...Realized I'm Poor.

quote:

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Maintenance and repair of your current car is still kinda the answer, however repair shops are starting to catch on. Labor prices are skyrocketing now.

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This is due to a couple of different things. One is people holding onto their cars longer (the general consensus of this thread) and thereby more vehicles are in the shop due to age.

The second is that mechanic shops can't keep good help. If they get someone with even a little experience who is dependable, punctual, and not half drunk/stoned, they jack their pay up after a few months to keep them from leaving. Wages are rising everywhere but it is esp true in the trades because there are so few skilled tradesman who are dependable, drug free, and/or not raging alcoholics. This has been confirmed to me by housing contractors, HVAC company owners and several owners of small mechanic shops.