That's the way to be Spike. That's why we have awesome rigs and your neighbor has... well you get what I mean.

 

I used to work at a shop a few years back and got to see all kinds of these people. One time this lady brought her volvo in to get the oil change in it. It was a 2000 model and already had horrible valve train noise. I thought this was odd. Its only got 34000 miles on it. We drained the oil and started to try to add oil to it through the valve cover but It wouldn't take it. The buildup inside the valve cover was so thick you couldn't get oil to go into it. I was courious just to how long It was since the last oil change and found the oil change reminder sticker and it said to get it changed at the 12000 mile mark. Wow 22000 miles over due. What fools

 

I know what you mean. I get the same looks and comments when I work on my cars. A lot of people don't realize the difference between maintenance and repairs. The big difference is $$$. If you do the maintenance, you won't have to do the repairs, and if you're left at the mercy of a dealer for repairs, you're in deep doo-doo. My neighbors have a couple of rattle traps that they never think about until inspection time, then the poop hits the fan. Over the years I have saved a whole bunch of money - in car payments and maintenance and repairs. And that's with a couple of previously-owned, undependable, expensive-to-repair British cars. Oh well, I guess I'll just continue to torture myself !

 

I spend less on repairs and maintence each year than others spend each month on a car payment.
We paid cash for both of our cars, last year I spent less than $500 in repairs for the Rover, thats for the whole year.
Take care of your stuff and it wont turn to s hit.