How many times have you heard people complain about how their car is a "money-pit"? Mechanics make a living by repairing people's cars, but some cars feel like they come with a custom vacuum cleaner designed to suck cash directly out of your wallet. Why do some cars feel like they're one endless expense? Here are five reasons:
1) Poor preventative maintenance - One of the biggest reasons for cars being money pits is the lack of preventative maintenance on the part of the owner. Just like a human body, a car needs to be properly maintained in order to avoid problems down the line. Following the vehicle's service schedule is the best way to stay current on all maintenance. A good mechanic will always recommend work that will need to be done as they are your eyes and ears under the hood of the car. Changing and minding fluids, belts, tires, brakes, and other vital vehicle organs will keep your car from becoming a money-guzzling monster.
2) The car is unreliable - Certain cars have been built over the years that should have lemon laws applied to entire models. Some cars are just notoriously unreliable, no matter how great they look or how much we try to rationalize their purchase. If you've ever owned one (I have), you know how unbearable it is to go from fixing one awful problem just to have another one pop up a few days later. Before buying a new or used car, always do your research and make sure that you aren't buying one of these horrible engineering and manufacturing mistakes. Here are five tips to help you buy a reliable car.
3) The way you drive - You may think that driving habits don't affect how much you're spending on your car, but you would be wrong. If you have poor driving habits, they will affect everything from gas mileage, brake performance, and tire wear, to major engine components and transmission integrity. Driving your Ford Focus like you're racing NASCAR, or riding your brakes for 70% of your morning commute. If you want your car to take care of you, then you must take care of it first. Treat it as if it would cost you a lot of money to neglect it, because it will.
4) Your mechanic isn't doing a good job - Sometimes, it's the mechanic's fault that your car expenses are draining your wallet. While the majority of mechanics are honest and competent, there is a segment that is neither. Mechanics on the fringes will overcharge, oblige you to repair work that you don't need, or perform work so poorly that you need to keep coming back again and again to get it done right. If you're in need of a mechanic, ask friends and family members for referrals, check out review sites like Yelp and Mechanic Advisor, and make sure you feel comfortable with the person to whom you're entrusting your car.
MechanicAdvisor.com is one of the largest online mechanic resources in the US. We are the premier website for consumers to research and connect with reputable local mechanics for routine and specialty automotive repair. Our website features instructional videos, articles about maintaining your car, and detailed profiles of over 500,000 mechanics across the country. If you're a shop owner, please claim your shop page for free here 
