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the continual car

just what would happen if you bought a car with a lifetime guarantee and then drove it forever?

2013-07-31

Three ways to keep your car from bankrupting you | Motoramic - Yahoo! Autos

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/three-ways-keep-car-bankrupting-144844086.html

Posted by b1-66er at 7/31/2013 No comments:
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about the continual car

at the end of 2007 chrysler announced discontinuation of the PT cruiser convertible -- the funnest car i'd ever driven. in short order i found out that not only did chrysler have a lifetime powertrain warranty, but for less than US$2000 you could "wrap" the bumper-to-bumper warranty changing it from 3 years/36,000 miles to a lifetime/unlimited miles with a $100 deductible. with the underlying idea of having a car for life i had a cruiser made to my specification and sold both my honda del sols in hopes that i'd never buy another car for the rest of my life. what you see in these pages is the result of that decision.

the purpose of this 'blog isn't to brag, show off or even develop any kind of perverse readership ... it's here primarily as back-up of documentation on everything i do to keep the service contract valid ... i'm not sure why you'd read it, but if you do i hope you enjoy the ride.

(if you know of anyone else that is 'blogging their chrysler/dodge/jeep lifetime warranty vehicle, please let me know. i'd like to keep track of them here in the sidebar. thanks.)

upcoming tasks

  • next oil change: 135K miles
  • next tire rotation: 147K
  • next major service:150K
  • next air filter change: 135K
  • next alignment: 12/14
  • last brake check: 07/13
  • next transmission fluid change: 205K
  • next powertrain inspection: 1/18

continual car at a glance

  • 2008 PT cruiser convertible automatic turbo
  • my car's lifetime service contract
  • current mileage: 132,000
  • months of use: 79
  • original new car price: $20,801
  • current total vehicle cost: $50,233
  • vehical cost per mile: $0.38
  • my service contract cost: $1542
  • current service contract return: $6901
  • amount saved by purchasing a service contract: $5289
  • approximate lifetime powertrain warranty return: $6000
  • approximate savings -- all "warranties" combined: $12,831
  • number of accidents: 0
  • number of scheduled services performed: 44
  • fraction of total services done at a chrysler dealer: 44/46
  • number of different chrysler dealers used: 17
  • - of these, number that have lost chrysler's blessing: 2
  • total cost of dealer services: $3983
  • total cost of non-dealer services: $1094
  • amount saved with coupons or by negotiating: $1134
  • average cost of a dealer service: $90
  • number of warranty/service contract repairs: 12
  • - my total cost of these repairs: $700
  • miles towing a trailer: 1920
  • next trailer tire rotation: 5000 miles
  • - my rules for towing
  • cast of characters on this 'blog
  • (updated 8/23/14)

world resources devoured by the continual car to date

  • 5818 gallons of (87) gasoline (approximate)
  • 250 quarts of oil
  • 44 oil filters
  • 29 bottles of injector cleaner
  • 16 spark plugs
  • 10 tires
  • 9 air filters
  • 8 spark plug wires
  • 5(?) quarts brake fluid
  • 5 quarts radiator fluid
  • 4 brake pads
  • 4 control arms
  • 4 engine mounts
  • 4 pairs of winshield wipers
  • 4 quarts automatic transmission fluid
  • 3 make-up air filters
  • 3 PCV valves
  • 2 back-up lights
  • 2 batteries
  • 2 brake rotors
  • 2 roll bar trims
  • 2 tail lights
  • 1 air intake hose
  • 1 car cover
  • 1 gas cap
  • 1 hub wheel
  • 1 rack and pinion gears
  • 1 rim
  • 1 seat belt attachment
  • 1 timing belt
  • 1 transmission assembly
  • 1 turbo charger
  • 1 vacuum hose
  • 1 wheel bearing
  • (updated 8/23/14)

Labels

  • standard service (44)
  • historic event (27)
  • bulk (20)
  • official correspondence (14)
  • advice to the public (13)
  • prospective info (12)
  • additional vehicle costs (10)
  • odd behavior (10)
  • self service (10)
  • service contract work (8)
  • warranty service (7)
  • extra repair costs (5)
  • misc. info. (5)
  • definition (4)
  • non-dealer service (4)
  • PT trivia (1)
  • starting warranty date (1)
  • tire rotation (1)

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b1-66er
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