Buy a new car or keep driving an old car?

Wheel alignment

This is something that is included when you get new tires. However, if the car feels wobbly/shaky at highway speeds and the tires are still new-ish, get the wheel alignment service done.

The cost of this is relatively inexpensive. Don't try this yourself. Have a shop do it.

Struts and shocks

This is not a cheap service, but if the tires are new, the wheel alignment is good but the car takes bumps horribly and/or bounces around too much, it's time for new struts and shocks.

It's usually true that most cars don't need this done until the 75,000 to 100,000+ mile mark.

Like with tires, it's best to do all four sides all at once.

Cost of this depends on car. Small commuter cars can usually get new struts and shocks for under $1,000. Larger SUVs cost more. The cars that cost the most is anything to do with air suspension or has computer-controlled crap in it.

You save huge money changing struts and shocks yourself, but I don't recommend it just due to how annoying it is to get the old stuff out and the new stuff in. You're better off having a garage do this service.

Transmission service

This usually refers to a fluid service for an automatic transmission where the pan gasket, filter and fluid are replaced.

Some say that if the transmission has no problems shifting (you would know if it did,) don't mess with it because that can do more harm than good.

If the transmission in your car feels like it's not shifting right on its own, have the service done. If not, leave it alone.

The cost of this is between $150 to $500 for most cars. Don't do this one yourself. Have a garage do it.

Published 2020 Sep 22