Edge Fails, Edge lovers

[edgeFails]

Hey guys, I'm here to help and also to learn, to fight for affordable repairs. 

[1004ron]

30 minutes ago, edgeFails said:

Hey guys, I'm here to help and also to learn, to fight for affordable repairs. 

What type of repairs have you done to your Edge and what do you mean by "fight for affordable repairs" ?

[TourGuide]

By 'fight for affordable repairs' I am assuming you mean to get the lowest cost fixes you can.  

 

I have a  few random thoughts about this:

 

- Avoiding the dealership is your best best to trim costs.  Independent shop labor rates will be lower in general.  

- Aftermarket parts are fine for some things, but for stuff like driveline components, and a few other notable things I usually stick with OEM parts as the quality is worth the added cost.

- Buying your own parts to supply the shop.  You can usually save a couple bucks buying your parts online (careful of counterfeit stuff).  The down side of this is that the margin you are saving doesn't support the shop you are using - which may or may not matter to you in establishing a relationship with your trusted local outfit.

 

The most important aspect of a low cost to own vehicle really comes down to learning about what you are buying beforehand and being okay with what you are getting.  Every vehicle will have problems from time to time - moving parts and all that - some issues just cost more to deal with than others.  I for one got caught by surprise at the cost to replace a headlight on my 19 ST.  I often opine about this to friends and long for the days when a $12 lamp swap was possible rather than the $1600-$2000 led assembly replacement I have now.  

 

Good luck out there - it is getting more brutal as we go it seems.