$3,206.61

[greg_atlanta]

Just totaled up all my repair/maintenance costs for the year, and that's the magic number!

At least the payments were over earlier this year, so still cheaper than a new car (but not my THAT much!).

Highlights:

driveshaft & trans mount ($950)used sway bar ($125)new set summer tires ($225)tie rod ends ($150)rear control arm ($150)new pads, resurface rotors ($450)window regulator ($150)

And otherwise just lots of little things... oil/filter, trans flush, brake & diff fluids, 2 alignments, etc.

Would have been worse had I opted to fix A/C ($2000)!!!

Just test drove an '03 Maxima GLE with 2 miles on the odometer. Not that impressed. Suspension is just as stiff as SE. Great in a straight line but not so great when you have to turn.

But not giving up hope... just going to stop spending money and drive the Q into the ground!!!

:rockon

[maxnix]

Not bad. Just think, for $400+, it would be as new.

Seems like a good deal to me, for no debt, and in consideration of what else is out there.

Like you say, the Maximas, Altimas, and such are good commuter devices, but not worth the increase in debt (at least for me) at this time.

And you're saving all those non-payments for your new M45, right?

[DenverQ]

i still pay 263 a month for my loan for my q, and I still have 7k left =(

[greg_atlanta]

Actually I can't claim the car is "paid for" since I've got plenty of repair bills bouncing around from one credit card to another, but most APRs are below 10%.

Having good credit can be a horrible thing... too easy to play with your debt instead of paying it off!

[maxnix]

I would assume once some minimum (say $1500) emergency repair fund is established, then 50% of discretionary funds should be dedicated to debt reduction. Then you will have the cash to expend for the required repairs/maintenance.

The subsequent saving to replenish your repair fund then will be easier with no debt payment.