car maintenance budget

**Russ** · 07-27-2008, 08:55 PM

I'd like to see what some of your budgets are on car maintenance. How much is truly enough for a budget and what "repairs" are not considered a budgeted item?

**Ceashels** · 07-27-2008, 09:06 PM

My DNH (dear nerdy husband) has decided on $500 for each year the car is old. So we would aim for $500 the first year, $1000 the second, etc. This is covering scheduled maintanance, tires, the unexpected Murphy repair, and so on. The $500 is split up into monthly payments of $150. We also have a set cap of $4000 for the car maintanance fund so once that is reached we stop contributing to it. If after 10 years we have it and the car has finally given up the ghost we use it toward the purchase of a good reliable used car.

**Greebo** · 07-27-2008, 09:58 PM

Although I'm starting to think that may be too high. One of the things DR did say was major items like a blown transmission on a necessary car *are* an emergency.

But tires and routine maintenance aren't. Since we both drive hybrids, maybe we should just budget the sinking fund to pay for a full set of tires and the 15k mile services.

**dancar3** · 07-27-2008, 10:38 PM

I really think it's what your budget can afford while still having a big snowball to throw at your debt. For our family we do $50 a month but that does not include oil changes......oil changes are something we calculate into that month's budget when it comes due. I would really like to up it to $100 a month, but for right now we it stands where it is. I also don't think a transmission is a budgeted item but definitely an emergency with most of the items either using that car fund or cash flowed.

**Russ** · 07-28-2008, 12:39 PM

Only 2 people have car maintenance in their budgets?

**Russ** · 07-28-2008, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Although I'm starting to think that may be too high. One of the things DR did say was major items like a blown transmission on a necessary car *are* an emergency.

But tires and routine maintenance aren't.

This is what I was thinking, but I happen to know the trans is going in my wifes car so I can start a little fund for that.

**Greebo** · 07-28-2008, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by rcannon

This is what I was thinking, but I happen to know the trans is going in my wifes car so I can start a little fund for that.

Good point - for example, if you own a GM car, you should KNOW your tranny's gonna go sooner or later. They always do, it seems...

**JerryG** · 07-28-2008, 01:30 PM

I'm quite monkish about maintenance and it's $80 every 2 months. Sometimes more often but rarely less. I get a check up, tires rotated and an oil change. Any funds "not used" get set aside for later use. However, I have $3000 set aside in case of "emergencies" and I've only had to dip into it twice for my vehicle. My son has had to dip into it more often than me.

**Russ** · 07-28-2008, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Good point - for example, if you own a GM car, you should KNOW your tranny's gonna go sooner or later. They always do, it seems...

Guess what my wife and I drive?

**Greebo** · 07-28-2008, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by rcannon

Guess what my wife and I drive?

How'd you think I knew to pick GM?

**Russ** · 07-28-2008, 01:59 PM

Because you are familiar with them.

**Greebo** · 07-28-2008, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by rcannon

Because you are familiar with them.

Only enough so to know I'll never buy another. In fact, I never intend to own another American car, ever.

Sad statement too, but with good reason.

**Russ** · 07-28-2008, 02:49 PM

back to the topic...

So Dave is now saying a trans or say front end work is considered an emergency? I wonder if there is a dollar figure attached to an emergency?

**Greebo** · 07-28-2008, 02:54 PM

I was listening to TMMO and he does consider a mechanical breakdown on a needed car to be an emergency. Not routine maintenance, but unexpected things like blown tranies, the deductible in an accident, etc.